Zutara month- Tea

The dim flames flickering toned the mostly maroon room in a warm hue. Sloshing water could be heard as Katara bended the herbal tea, blending the strong scent into the tea and the air. Once satisfied with the density of it, she gently shook a sleeping Zuko awake, the flames flickering brightly before settling down.

"Oh hi Katara- is that one of Uncles tea blends again?" He lightly scowled at the green liquid.

"Yes, Now drink it all or I'll tell Uncle and you'll break his heart"

"Not like I haven't done that before" He muttered under his breath, before sipping the tea.

"I heard that Zuko." She stopped fiddling with the tea pot. "You know he forgave you right?"

"Yes, I know, it's just- wait, how do you know?" He cast her a suspicious glance from his cup, which would have been more intimidating if he wasn't injured, lying in bed with Katara mothering him. She had the good grace to blush, before quickly sipping from her non- herbal cup, hiding behind the steam. She set the cup down after very long, loud sips.

"Well, uh, its instinct, you know? One look from you and Uncles face told me everything," she silently wished that he would tell her what really happened in the tent, not that she thought she was being a tad too prying, pfft, it was only friendly concern at most.

"Was it really that obvious I was crying?" Zuko was now the one blushing, with Katara now looking too intrigued for his liking.

"You cried- well yes, I knew, but when did it happen?" Zuko once again cast her a suspicious glance. She usually didn't stutter this much in a normal sentence, or was it just him being paranoid?

"Katara- do you actually know what happened?"

"Are you questioning my water-bending instinct!" Well, there was no going back now. She gave Zuko the most 'how-dare-you-think-i-was-lying!' look she could muster. A silent bell of victory rang in her ears as Zuko's face shifted into apologetic, eyes shifting worriedly at the steaming pot of tea, afraid it would explode at her anger.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry, I guess I was just paranoid then. I might as well tell you since you know part of it anyway," he leaned back on the bed head, hands clutching his bandaged abdomen. She tutted, adjusting the white cloth followed by his muttered thanks.

"I went in and found Uncle sleeping. I was almost thinking of going back, scared of what he would say when he woke up. He then, just looked at me, and turned back. I could see his face. I was so sure he hated me. I felt so sorry for what I did, but had no way of making it up to him," Zuko chuckled darkly shaking his head.

"So I just said what had been in my head since Ba Sing Se. I was sorry. I had no way of recompensating -" A smile cracked from his face, making him look so much younger than Katara made him out to be.

"Then he hugged me. I was so shocked because I thought he would be furious with me, but turns out he was just sad I lost my way. Oh- I think I started crying when I said my apology. And that's it"

"You aren't a very good story teller" Katara had a slight pout as Zuko handed the cup back.

"That's all you have to say?"

"Well what do you want me to say?" She raised her eyebrow, making him feel sheepish.

"I don't know, something inspirational."

"I don't always have to say something inspirational! Its like that play, they're brainwashing you!" Zuko laughed, before clutching his stomach, grunting.

"Idiot! You aren't supposed to laugh, the muscles in you stomach can spasm and I'll have to fix everything again!" She gently shoved him back unto the bed, beginning to undo his wrappings.

"You sounded like Sokka just then, I couldn't hel-" A yawn escaped his mouth, cutting him midsentence. Katara mentally smacked herself. He was tired this. Whole. Time.

"You're tired." She cast him a glare.

"I'm fine, i-"

"You're blinking more than usual. That's a sign of fatigue, as well as that yawn you did. Jerk. Go to sleep." She whisked the tray away and doused all the lights. She paused at the door, glancing behind her shoulder.

"And don't try to sneak out, or I'll get Toph to kick your butt and get you back in bed. Understood?" She heard a sigh and a shift of blankets.

"Yes, mom" As she slammed the door, she could feel his smirk niggling at her mind.

…

AN: meaningless fluff, because I have no interesting plots to whip out of my *very* useless brain.