Behind These Painted Masks

Chapter 19

Confessions

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"Katara?" Zuko's voice was even quieter.

"I'm right here Zuko." Katara leaned down beside him, holding his hand, "Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere." He muttered, wincing and putting a hand to his shoulder.

"Don't move." Katara took a few deep breaths, calming her mind. The water flowed from the icicles to her hands. The water started to glow and she started at Zuko chest.

"Katara." He tried to sit up but Katara glared at him and he stayed down, "There's something I need to tell you."

"Can it wait? You're not really in great shape right now."

Zuko grabbed her hand, the water stopped glowing and he pulled her closer to his face. "I should never have lied to you about me being the Blue Spirit, I should've told you right away. Katara there's something else. We've been travailing together for a long time now and I know you never really got over Aang, I mean I can't really blame you he was nice, the Avatar…"

"Zuko! Please, finish so I heal you."

"Right, sorry. You never really got over Aang but since we started travelling and almost since our duel I think…I think I've started to like you…but more than a friend! More than Mai! I think…I think I love you."

"What?" Sokka squeaked, Toph put a hand over his mouth quickly.

"Well I probably should've told you I was the Painted Lady. Zuko, please, can I heal you? You're bleeding pretty heavily…"

"Don't you have anything else to say?" he asked frantically, his amber eyes looking over every inch of her face.

"Let me heal you." He let go of her wrist and the next hour was spent in silence. Katara focusing on her healing, Zuko glaring at the ceiling while Toph and Sokka stood off to the side.

"Finished." Katara finally said, wiping sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. "You were saying Zuko?"

He fumbled with his own voice for a moment. "I think I love you."

"Took you long enough." And she kissed him.

"Hey! That's my little sister!"

"Shh, Sokka you'll ruin the moment."

Later that night…

Sokka and Katara were sitting around the campfire, ready to make the long journey home as soon as the sun rose. Toph, Zuko and Sakora had already fallen asleep but Sokka shuffled over to Katara's side. "So you and Zuko?"

"I guess."

Sokka lay down on the grass, putting his arms behind his head. "Well I can't say that I'm disappointed."

"Oh thanks." Katara said sarcastically, "I'm so relieved you approve."

"You should be." He replied, and grinning wickedly at Katara's glare. "But as the older brother, there's something I have to tell you about relationships."

Katara quirked an eyebrow.

"Yes, I have to give you 'The Talk'."

"Sokka!"

-

The End

A/N

I know, I know, lamest ending EVER I hate it but as you've probably noticed this story wasn't exactly 'awesome' so I apologize all Zutarians, I did not mean to make a mockery of this pairing. As an apology you can, if you want to, check out a new Zutara story that should be coming out very soon. It's called 'Rage' and it's a modern-day AU which will be better than this.

Oh, and I'll be writing an epilogue for this that should forgive the horrible ending.