Standard disclaimers apply. I don't know anything recognizable. Seriously.
Day 5: Unrequited (Set post-Ozai's defeat/pre-Zuko's coronation)
Upon arriving at the palace, twilight had descended, but they could still easily see the water and scorched ground that marked the site of Katara and Zuko's fight against Azula. It had taken nearly half an hour to find where Zuko and Katara were at, and that was only with the help of some palace guards. The guards, whom Sokka was weary of, explained that the prince had been injured in the fight against Azula and was most likely resting. Sokka was bolstered by the fact that the guards referred to Zuko as "prince," nodded gratefully as they led Team Avatar to the room. That was where they had found the two benders asleep on the small bed. Katara lay curled against Zuko's side, her hand splayed on his bandaged chest and Zuko's arm wrapped around her waist loosely. On the floor was Zuko's discarded shirt, the front torn and burned in a way that would explain the way his chest was injured. Suki tried to hide the sight before her from Aang's view, but it was too late. The crushed look upon his face said that he had seen.
Without a word the Avatar fled. Toph shook her head and muttered about how he always ran away before following him. Suki sighed and eased Sokka into the lone chair in the room, shut the door and returned to sit on the floor by her boyfriend's side. Both of them dozed off shortly after. A pain-filled hiss startled them, and Katara, awake. Katara bolted up and pulled the water from the night stand around her hand, letting the tell-tale glow wash over Zuko's chest. In her focus on Zuko, she failed to notice her brother and his girlfriend. As Zuko's breathing eased, she finally felt someone's eyes upon her. Katara glanced over her shoulder and nearly cried out in delight. She muffled the sound with her hand, looking around her Aang and Toph.
"They're both fine," Sokka whispered, "Well, sort of. Aang saw you and the jerk bender all cuddled and he took off."
Katara sighed. She hadn't expected any one to see her sleeping next to Zuko, much less Aang. She felt a tugging on her waist from Zuko and heard him murmur her name in his sleep, loud enough for it to be heard by her brother and Suki. Both raised their eye brows questioningly at her, and she blushed. Katara would definitely have some explaining to do after this. That was when she noticed the splint on Sokka's leg. Removing Zuko's arm from around her as gently as possible, she made her way to kneel before her brother. The glow of her healing abilities shone again as her hands moved over Sokka's leg. She couldn't do much for the bone, but the ligaments and muscle would heal much better with her help.
"The fight. How'd he get so messed up?" Sokka questioned, nodding toward Zuko.
Before Katara could answer, Zuko groaned again. His fist clenched and twisted the sheets, "Ka-Kata... ra… No."
"Shh, it's okay. I'm here, I'm safe."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Toph had closed in on Aang by the time he reached the scorched court yard. "If you aren't going to face your problems head-on like an earth bender, you had better turn around and face me right now, Twinkletoes."
"Why do you insist on calling me that?" He turned and yelled at her.
"Because you haven't earned a manlier nickname, that's why." She stomped her foot, causing a small tremor, "Don't change the subject. Why did you run?"
"Zuko and Katara were sleeping together on that bed."
"Yes, sleeping. Your point?"
"She's supposed to be my girl when this is over. Zuko had his arm all over her."
"Big whoop. You ran because another kid took your favorite toy away." Toph snorted, "Grow up, Twinkletoes. Katara isn't some possession. Listen up! Did she ever SAY she was going to be yours?"
"No, but-"
"Right. You think just because you kissed her a couple times, that means she's going to be with you forever? Get real. This isn't a fairy tale, in case you hadn't noticed."
"But I love her, Toph." Aang slumped to the ground.
Toph flopped unceremoniously down as well, picking at her toes. "Do you really, or are you just infatuated with the first girl you saw?"
"I-I, that is..."
"You hesitated. There's your answer." Toph switched to picking at the toes on her other foot.
"When did you get so wise?"
Toph flicked a pebble at his forehead, "I've always been this wise. Don't you forget it!"
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On the day of Zuko's coronation, Mai wandered the palace halls toward his room. At this time he should be getting dressed for the ceremony soon and she wanted to surprise him before he left for the ceremony. It had been easy for her uncle to release her from prison once Azula and her retinue had left. She felt guilty about not getting Ty Lee out right away, but her uncle insisted she leave as soon as possible. At least her uncle knew Ty Lee was her friend and would release her on his own. Mai paused briefly before the door to Zuko's suite of rooms. Opening the door, she failed to find him at first but quickly moved on toward the second room. Just before she entered she heard voices. Creeping forward she spied the Avatar's water bender standing before Zuko, who was shirtless. She prodded his bandaged chest in a few places, gaging his pain level and asking where it hurt worse. That's right, Mai thought, she was a healer. Things started to make more sense until Zuko gently grabbed hold of the hand Katara was using to inspect his chest and brought it to his lips in a gentle kiss. Cold fury swept through Mai, followed by irritation at herself for not thinking he could ever find someone else to love him but her. Turning on her heel she stalked toward the door, stopping only to pin the old painting of Zuko and herself to the wall with one of her stilettos stuck through Zuko's head.
When Mai slammed the door it startled the couple, who ran into the other room. That was when they found the painting pinned to the wall. "You know what they say." Katara commented, "You may want to double the guard, just in case."