Author's Notes: It's been so long since I have participated in Zutara Week. But since this July was the 10th anniversary of the shows ending I felt the overwhelming need to support my favorite childhood show.

This first chapter takes place right before Zuko is crowned Fire Lord.

Disclaimer: I only wish I owned Avatar.

~ (0) ~

Everyone imagines what their first kiss would be like. Coming up with fantastic stories about where, when, and how it would happen. Sometimes a first kiss is just a kiss, sometimes people have more than one first kiss. A kiss with a first crush while special always seems to pale in comparison to a first kiss with your true love.

A first kiss with the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with is magical. You might have just met and quickly knew they were that special someone. Eyes meeting from across the room, the world disappearing, life before seemingly incomplete until you hold them in your arms.

Sometimes, the love can be slow, and the first kiss can take time. Growing as the pair does from acquaintances to friends to lovers. In this love a relationship meets a bursting of emotions where either or both people realize that they could never live without the other.

…Occasionally though, a first kiss follows a slightly different path.

~ (0) ~

Katara has been in a daze since the final battle. So much had been riding on their success and now that they have won it seems like a dream. Did she imagine the whole thing? Is the war finally over?

The waterbender rounded a corner and was met with the extraordinary elegance of the Fire Nation palace's royal wing. The enormous hall was lined with large tapestries on either wall depicting images of Fire Nation culture. Large columns with moldings of dragons towered over her as they stretched towards the ceiling. Straight ahead was a large intricate door that led to the Fire Lord's room. After today that would be Zuko's room.

Turning to the right Katara headed to the first door, the room of the crown prince. Zuko was being crowned Fire Lord today and she knew standing for hours with a few days-old lightning wound would be uncomfortable so she was coming by to give him another quick healing session. While two healing sessions a day for three days might seems excessive Katara felt it was the least she do. Zuko jumped in front of lighting for her for Yue's sake. The deep scar would never go away but making him more comfortable and speeding up his recovery time was a good way to distract herself from what she had been feeling since he stepped between her and Azula.

As Katara stepped through the door she saw Zuko standing be the window putting a long robe on over is heavily bandaged chest. Well, struggling to put a robe on.

"Need some help?"

Zuko jumped at the sound of her voice and turned towards her.

"Katara! Um, I- "

"Oh, I get it. The Fire Lord is too proud to ask for help," she said with a smile.

He returned it, "I'm not Fire Lord yet."

Katara walked over to him and grabbed his robe out of his hands and set it on the windowsill before reaching for the bandages on his chest.

"What are you doing? I was trying to get dressed not undressed."

"Let me check your wound first then I can help with your robes."

"You healed me last night Katara I'm fine."

She finished with the wrappings and bent water from the air to coat her hand, but he grabbed her wrist before it could contact the scar.

Katara looked up into his eyes. "Please let me do this. You've done so much I- I have to do something."

He let go of her wrist and Katara held his gaze for a moment before looking down at his chest.

Intently focused on her bending she did not notice the way he was staring at her. Eyes moving over her face and stopping at her lips which she was lightly nibbling on in concentration. She did not notice his head lower toward hers. As Katara finished she straightened her head.

SMACK!

Right into his chin.

Katara's eyes went wide and Zuko brought his hand up to cover his mouth.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry I didn't realize how close we were. Why were our heads so close? Were- you were going to kiss me!" Her mouth dropped open.

"No-no I wasn't. You um… had something on you face I was trying-."

Katara reached up and planted a hard kiss on Zuko's lips. She felt him wince slightly.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it," he said as he pulled her back into the kiss she started.

"Ow," She exclaimed, cringing.

"What wrong?"

"You're pulling my hair."

"Oh sorry," Zuko replied. She felt his hand on her waist as they continued their kiss. He pulled her forward toward the couch in the sitting area.

A foot from the couch Zuko tripped and fell backwards onto it dragging Katara down with him. She fell right onto his still healing wound. He let out a gasp and threw Katara off his lap to the other side of the couch where she hit her head in the armrest.

"Oh my spirits, Zuko. I'm so sorry I didn't mean to land on it. Here let me look. Katara sat up and reached for his chest while rubbing her head with one hand.

"No I'm okay. Just- Just give me a minute."

Katara sat still next to him while Zuko tried to catch his breath. When he finally did, he looked at her with a wry smile on his face.

"Maybe we can continue this when I'm completely healed."

She let out a short laugh.

"Sounds good."

Katara smiled and leaned her head against Zuko shoulder.

~ (0) ~

End Notes: Couldn't resist making this a little comedic.

See everyone for Day 2: Letters