So after an obscenely long wait, I finally got together this next chapter, and I must say it is my favorite. Stuff got in the way, as stuff often does, but finally I took my cup of tea and my ipad, locked myself in my room and just wrote. Took a small break to do the laundry, but that's it. Plus, summer homework sucks. I have to write a monster paper on Arthurian legend. An excuse to watch Merlin episodes, but still. So, as an apology gift, I give you a nice, lovely, long chapter and glorious character development. Thanks for reading, and please leave a review when you're finished!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.
Zuko arranged the pieces of wood in a little mountain before shooting off the spark that lit the bonfire.
It was a cold night, and the clouds passed constantly over the bright moon, casting shadows over the empty and silent beach. Zuko crouched by the bonfire, warming his hands and clearing his thoughts. Once the fire was well and going, he settled back into the sand, which had somehow managed to retain its heat, despite the icy night air. He was all alone, far out on the beach, far enough that no one would see his fire and find him.
He shuddered and folded his arms across his chest to keep the warmth in, tucking his chin under as well. He sighed loudly, letting his eyes drift closed. The growing heat of the fire melted invitingly into his body, and the orange and red tongues of flame were branded in his mind's eye.
He allowed his defenses to slowly lower, as he relaxed his shoulders and took deep breaths. He needed a break from the world. After the last encounter with Katara, he had made a visible effort to interact with the group more. He even allowed Sokka to construct a truly atrocious likeness out of him in sand, with a scar made of seaweed and everything.
But one such as he could only take so much fun and frivolity. He needed to take a step back and rest, by himself. Now comfortably warm, he leaned back in the sand and let his hands run through the soft, silky sand. It came as a surprise to him to hit something hard while doing so, and he looked down to see the object.
It was a stone, a small piece of agate. It was a soft amber color, not unlike the color of his eyes. At least, that was what his mother used to tell him as a child.
He held it between two fingers and lifted it up before the fire. He could almost see straight through it, but it was not completely transparent. It had rough edges, and was murky inside.
"That's a pretty stone," her voice came out of nowhere, as instinctively his hand closed over the agate. He would have asked her how she had found him and why she had followed him, but instead he found himself simply grateful for the company. He didn't enjoy being alone as much as he thought.
"A piece of agate," he said quietly, holding it out for her to see. She examined the stone and grinned at him as she took a seat in the sand.
"It's the color of your eyes," she said in a small voice. He looked up at her with wide eyes, and she noticed a flash of something in the amber orbs. "What?"
"Nothing," he responded immediately. "Just something my mother used to say." He trailed off, but she waited for him to say more. When he didn't, she spoke instead.
"Growing up in the South Pole, we didn't have any beaches. We only snow, icy cold water, and a perpetual winter. My mother used to say that she loved the winter more than any other season. She said that we were the luckiest of all the nations, because of all the snow." He looked up at her, willing her to go on.
"My mom told me that every snowflake is unique, just like every person. And every snowflake is special in it's own way," Katara finished and looked expectantly at him.
"When my family used to visit Ember Island, all those years ago, my mother and I would take walks on the beach, just the two of us. It felt good to just get away from everyone else, and to be myself with her," he paused as it slowly dawned on him that that was what he was doing now, with Katara. He blinked and quickly resumed talking, pushing the thought into the back of his mind. "And she would pick up these little stones and tell me the story of their creation," He rolled the piece of agate in his hand thoughtfully.
"In the beginning of time, before the dragons had passed on the knowledge of fire bending to man, there was so little in the world. Dragons were feared beings that exercised their power over the people. It was essentially a war between them, and the dragons could not be beaten. Eventually, some of the dragons saw the destruction they were causing, and as an offering of peace, they created a massive gem stone out of simple rock. Peace was made, and both races prospered. But one of the dragons still believed in the old ways, and pushed the gem off of a cliff and into the sea, shattering it into a million pieces. And so this little stone that washed up on the beach is actually a piece of that great gem the dragons gave to man." Katara smiled as he poked at the growing fire.
"That's a nice story," she said gently, noting the faraway look in his eyes. "Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman." He stayed silent for a long moment as he stared into the fire.
"Sometimes I wonder..." he began slowly. "If she hadn't left, things would be different. If I would still have been so hell bent on capturing the Avatar. If the war would still be going on now, if I would have this..." He reached up and touched his scar, looking at Katara.
"Yes, things would be different," Katara said carefully. "But... In a way, her leaving made all this possible. Made peace between the nations possible. Made you and I, our friendship, possible. So good things came from it as well, not just bad." He took a deep breath.
"I used to dream that I could change what she did. That I could bring her back, and that things would still be the way they were." he admitted in a whisper. "And sometimes I used to... to hate her for leaving me, all alone. I used to think she was selfish. And now I see that I was the selfish one."
"Your mother sacrificed herself for the world to change. She accepted what she had to do, and she understood the consequences. She was a brave woman, and we all honor her for what she did," Katara said gently.
"Honor,"Zuko whispered into the fire. "A year ago that was all I cared about." Katara smiled sadly and reached out to take his hand.
"Zuko... I know that if your mother were here now, if she could see all the good you have done, how much you've changed for the better... She would be so proud of you."
The flames crackled, filling the silence created by her last words.
In a moment, Katara blinked and bit her lip, noticing the tears gathering in Zuko's eyes. For once, he didn't look like an all powerful fire bender, the ruler of an entire nation. Instead, she saw a young boy, confronted with the nightmares of his past and lost in the huge, harsh world. She looked away, not wanting to intrude in such a private moment. She stood up to leave, only to be held back by his strong hand.
"Please. Don't go," the voice of a scared boy, a boy yearning for the comfort of someone he loved, and someone who loved him in return.
She sat back down in the sand, and they listened to the waves lapping against the shore and the quiet rhythm of the flames dancing before them.
"Here," he said, pressing the piece of agate into her hand. Her fingers closed over the little stone, a smile on her face.
"Thank you, Zuko," she murmured, holding her the stone close to her body. Time slowed down, as Zuko looked her full in the face. His amber eyes reflected the burning fire, his face illuminated by the red and orange light. She leaned forward, drawn in by the sheer beauty and light in his eyes. His hand tightened around hers as they drew closer together.
Their noses brushed gently as he breathed in her sweet scent, a strange yet enticing combination of flowers and fresh snow and rain. She closed her eyes slowly, allowing herself to close the gap between them. She felt his solid, rough lips against hers, as she let go of his hand and stroked his face, his ravaged and scarred face.
The clouds parted in front of the moon, throwing the pure white light over the two as they sat together in the sand.
Hooray for those two! I originally wanted to hold off for the first kiss, but then I thought what the hell, and went for it. Turns out it was just the kick in the backside I needed to really get this story going. I've already started into the next chapter, too, so don't worry. Reviews make my day! Thank you!