*All important disclaimer! I don't own anything! This was made for fun! Anything from the show or the real world not mine! Any reviews or helpful suggestions are accepted. Anything rude will be ignored. Characters a mostly OC, a bit of my alter ego's might slip in here and flames on the pairings or how Emotional Aang might be will be totally ignored. This is a Zutara story, I never cared for KatAang even when the show was going on. Aang will grow up I promise so please bare with me. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. All haters and flamers please take your mean reviews and use them to thaw your cold hearts.*
Aside from her father's midlife issues, Katara was starting to greatly enjoy her life. She had her next semester all planned out with art and music appreciation classes, though she was still taking some med courses. Thanks to Zuko Katara found a new love of music as well. Things with him just seemed to fit perfectly for her. Their dates usually consisted of either diner or movie. Or just staying in and enjoying each others company. Toph hated those nights, she'd have to wear socks to "dull out the love birds."
The spring semester was coming to an end, and Zuko couldn't help but notice "the girlfriends'" distress. She tried to play it off on exams but Zuko knew what was bothering her. She had no where to go for the summer, because she and her father haven't spoken at all. Her brother had offered her an apartment in their home town, but she had declined. Claiming she would figure something out, the reason being that their father still needed to deal with his issues with his late wife before she speaks to him. Zuko sat on his bed, twiddling his thumbs as he contemplated exactly how he could help her. Suki came in wearing a green sweatshirt and shorts eating a yogurt. "Penny for your thought sparky?" Zuko looked up from his thumbs and smiled. "What makes you think I was thinking?"
Suki sat next to him with a knowing smile. "Cause your poker face can't beat Toph's." Zuko tisked, "she is blind! That shouldn't count!" Suki chuckled and nudged him, "that aside, what is on your mind. You've been too quiet these last couple days." Zuko sighed and scratched his head. "I was thinking about Tara..." Suki snickered, "something dirty?" Zuko glowered for a moment and growled a warning, "Suki..." Zuko was sensitive when it came to his "intimate" relationship with his girlfriend. Both agreed to wait, simply because Katara didn't want to rush things and Zuko respected that. It was still hard with Jet, Suki, Lu Ten, and even Toph getting on his case about it. "Sorry, sorry, you were thinking about Tara..." Suki prodded.
Zuko sighed again and stared at his bare ivory skinned feet. "I was thinking of asking her to move into Uncle's loft above the Jasmine Dragon with me." There was a pregnant pause as Zuko literally heard Suki's brain digest his proposition. With a final lick of her spoon Suki shrugged, "I can't tell you her answer Sparky. I mean if my boyfriend of almost two months asked me to move in I would be a little freaked..."
Zuko smirked as he quipped, "but aren't you spending like a month with Sokka out in the middle of nowhere?" It was Suki's turn to glare. Sokka had invited her to spend part of break with him in a small cottage just the two of them. Suki was nervous enough, Sokka still held the scars of his past and Suki didn't know if she could handle being second best. Zuko caught on he'd upset her, "Suk, he likes you. You two talk like all day long, on the phone, texts, emails. There is nothing to be scared of."
Suki sneered, "oh? Hypothetical for you Sparky, Me and him start doing the do and he calls me Yue. He isn't over his wife who has been dead for two years Zuko, and I already like him too much as is. I think that would hurt far worse than anything I've ever experienced..." Zuko wrapped his arm around his friends shoulder's. "You don't think he's scared of that either? Tara told me you're the first girl that he is willing to take the chance on since his wife's death. If I were Sokka I would be terrified of doing something like that and causing you to think I didn't care about the amazing woman in front of me." Suki smiled and leaned into Zuko's arm with her shoulder. "Sparky how is it you know exactly what to say?" Zuko chuckled, "cause apparently I am "all around Mama's boy." Suki flushed, "Tara told you huh?"
Zuko moved Suki in to a head lock, "no my ears are better than you think." And he proceeded into giving her a nuggie. Till she used her leg and kicked his out so they both fell over, laughing all the while. Katara came in to find them wrestling around on the floor. She smiled and leaned against the door frame. Both friends froze as they noticed her there. Her smile rivaled the Cheshire Cat. "You're lucky I'm not the jealous type Zuko." and she added with a laugh, " Suki unfortunately my brother is, I would not mention this to him." Suki sat up and laughed, "oh then I shouldn't mention the threesome with you and Toph right?" Zuko groaned, "ugh please, I don't even know if Toph is seeing anyone right now, let alone that she could be pawing my girlfriend." Katara chuckled, "darn Suk you ruined the surprise." Suki giggled and nudged Zuko with her foot, "you should bring it up, see what she thinks." And left the room.
Katara eyed her boyfriend on the ground, "See what I think about what?" Zuko sat up and leaned his back against his bed frame. "Well... I was thinking about the summer break, and how you don't want to go back home..." He massaged his neck out of nervous habit. Katara sat next to him and nudged his knee, "and?" Zuko took a breath and just said it. "I was wondering if you wanted to take the loft above the Jasmine Dragon with me?" Katara stared at him wide eyed for a moment. They'd hardly been dating two months and he wanted to move in together. Uncertainty danced in Katara's cerulean orbs. Zuko took her hand and rubbed it with his warmer ones, "I just thought maybe, if you went for it, it would be a good idea. We're technically already living together now."
"Well yea Zuko, but we were roommates before we started dating. I just don't know. It's a lot to think about." Katara murmured into her other hand. Zuko nodded in understanding, which almost caused Katara to say yes right there. Zuko never pushed anything, or tried to guilt her into something she didn't want. He kissed her temple, "just think on it, Uncle said he'd wait for your answer before renting it for the summer." Katara smiled and stood with a nod. "Alright I'll think on it. I've got a couple more exams to study for. Are we still on for diner tonight?" Zuko nodded from the floor and stared at Katara as she left. He released his breath, he'd had no idea he had been holding.
"HE WANTS YOU TO WHAT!" Sokka exclaimed over the phone after Katara returned from her date with Zuko. She sighed into the receiver, "I said he wants to get an apartment with me. I think I'm gonna do it." "Katara! You two only just started dating! Isn't this rushing things, I mean I could just pay for an apartment for you down there..." "And have you fly out here to look at it to make sure its "up to code" get real Sokka. Dad's already giving you the cold shoulder for helping with my school stuff. I don't want to have to depend on you for everything." Katara replied as she sat on her computer chair and applied some lotion on her legs. "I'm your big brother Tara!" Sokka exclaimed, causing Katara to smile at her brother switching to the nickname she liked. "I am supposed to take care of you, and what if you two break up! You'd have no place to go!" Katara smiled into the phone. "Actually Lu Ten's girlfriend Jun is looking for a roommate too. So I could go there, but it is in a rough part of town..." "No! No! No rough parts, I guess I can trust Zuko to make sure my baby sister lives someplace safe." Katara smiled for a moment but then turned more dejected.
"Have you heard from Gyatso?" Sokka sighed as he leaned back into his chair. "Yea. Aang is doing better. Still asks to see you a lot though. Gyatso agrees that its good your moving on. He was quit insistent I tell you that." He chuckled into the line. Gyatso knew his sister as well as he did. Katara chuckled half indifferently. "But Aang still can't know that I'm moving on, so how can I?" Sokka chuckled perversely, "go get some?" "Gah! Sokka that's gross!" Katara exclaimed as her face flushed. Her brother shrugged and told her she wouldn't know unless she tried. To which she hung up and placed her phone on her nightstand. "You can come out now Zuko." She spoke into the partial darkness of her room.
Zuko emerged from the bathroom wearing black sleeping pants, his pensive gaze fixed on her. She stood and embraced him. Which he returned. "I know you still think about him... but it still hurts slightly." He murmured into Katara's chocolate tresses. Katara felt tears prickling in her eyes and she fixed her gaze on his shoulder. "I know... I'm sorry." Zuko shook his head and cupped her face to have her look at him, "don't be. He was important to you..." A tear escaped her blue eyes, "but its not fair to you to have me feeling things for my ex, when your being nothing but wonderful and supportive of me..." Zuko silenced her with his lips on hers. When he pulled away Zuko noticed the slight pink on Katara's cheeks. "Do you ever give yourself a break?" he asked softly. "You work so hard to make sure everyone else is taken care of. Why can't you let someone else take care of you?"
Katara pulled him back flush against her into a searing kiss. Katara could feel every muscle Zuko possessed through her blue nightie. His hands left her face and traveled down her curves to rest on her hips. The silky material of her nightie bunched in Zuko's hands as he fought with himself for control. Half of him knew she was vulnerable and needed the comfort he provided, but the other half simply wanted to burn the fabric from her luscious frame and have his way with her. It took him a moment to realize she wasn't kissing his lips anymore, but his neck. He felt a low growl well up in his chest. He had to stop her before he couldn't stop himself. Zuko brought his hands to Katara's shoulder's and as gently as possible pushed her back.
Katara breathed in slightly with her eyes still closed, almost waiting for Zuko to tell her she needs to choose. "Tara you test my control." he chuckled low. Katara lifted one lid to see Zuko staring at her with perfect bedroom eyes. Slowly Zuko pulled Katara to him and held her close. She hiccuped as the tears began to pour from her eyes. "I'm sorry! So so sorry!" He maneuvered her to her bed as he held her to him. Zuko knew she wasn't ready, part of him wasn't either. He laid her body down and hovered his above hers for a moment before settling on her side. "You have nothing to be sorry for Tara." He murmured in her ear. He pulled the blanket over them and cuddled close to her side. Katara had to let her heart calm down, sometimes Zuko was to sweet for his own good. 'And apparently we are having a slumber party tonight, ' Katara giggled to herself as she got comfortable under the warm covers. Once comfy she sighed into Zuko's chest contently, 'I could get used to slumber parties.'
*Its strange seeing my thoughts take lives of their own. They don't call me anymore, lol. its like they don't need me. please review! i like knowing how people feel about my attempts at pros!*