One Hundred Days
Rating M (R)
Day 6
He dreamt of home. He dreamt of warm summer days and cool winter rains. He dreamt of red and gold and Mother's soft touch on his forehead.
He dreamt of Father's stern look and strong voice. He dreamt of how it used to be.
He dreamt of Ember Island and Azula when she was young and not so vengeful.
He dreamt of cousin Lu Ten and his piggy-back rides before he went to war.
He dreamt of when Uncle came back.
He dreamt of the War Room, he dreamt of Agni Kai.
Then he woke up, shaking and out of breath.
He woke up to blue; they are blue, eyes hovering over him. He blinked as she passed a hand over his forehead softly, wiping the perspiration from his brow.
Her touch was cool, like a fresh breeze in the summertime. Of course, waterbenders are naturally cool. Like lake or the ocean on a hot day.
Comforting.
She was silent, somber. Her eyes were flat, so flat, like the ocean, they held no concern or pity or even spite.
He imagined a time where those eyes were filled with a hate and a determination and a fear and an anger.
She moved back to her corner of the cell as he struggled to sit up.
Looking back to her, Zuko almost felt like saying something. Thank you? Are you alright? Escape?
She held her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.
Something.
Burying her face into her knees, Katara began to weep.
Zuko opened his mouth, but no words came out. He sighed and sat against the bars again.
Almost, but not quite.