Yes, yes, it's very late, but something always seems to get in the way
However, here's my sixth fic for Zutara Week!
I don't really have much to say, I suppose it's sweet and stuff... Not my favourite...
Is the ending too abrupt? Please tell me what you think!
*I don't own Avatar or any of its characters!
Socks
"I can't believe you're making me do this, Sokka", Katara complained into her cell phone. She turned a corner in the clothes shop and entered the men's department.
"Come on, Katara, it's actually your fault all my white socks are now pink", Sokka claimed at the other end of the line.
"No, it's not! You're the idiot who put a red sock in the laundry basket when I specifically asked for white!" Katara argued and put a hand to her hip as though he could see her.
"Well...", Sokka trailed off to find the right words. "You should have noticed it before throwing it in the washing machine!" he debated.
Katara opened her mouth to bite back about Sokka actually being old enough to wash his own clothes, but closed it again as Sokka continued; "Besides, it's my birthday! What heartless sister would force her brother to go shopping socks on this very special day?"
Katara sighed. "Fine", she grumbled and hung reached the socks-shelves and let her gaze trail across the lines of white socks. She reached out a hand to grab a pair that should be about Sokka's size, when she bumped into something.
Rather someone, Katara realized as she opened her eyes after the impact and saw the broad chest of a tall person in front of her. She stepped back from him and muttered an apology, rubbing her neck awkwardly.
"Katara?" came the raspy voice of the young man.
Katara looked up and studied his face. The first thing that struck her was the large red scar that covered half his face. She knew she had never seen anything like it, yet there was something strangely familiar about the young man in front of her.
He had raven hair that fell messily in his face. Looking past it, Katara finally realized who he was. Those intense gold eyes couldn't be mistaken.
"Zuko?" she stuttered incredulously. "Is it really you?"
Zuko laughed disbelievingly. "Yes! It's been so long!"
Katara couldn't help herself. She flung her arms around his neck and drew in a deep breath. He smelled just like he used to – the strangely comforting smell of musky smoke. She felt Zuko's warm breath against her neck as he hugged her back.
When they finally parted, Katara looked him deep in the eyes. "Four years, isn't it? It's been four years since you vanished", she said. Then she hit her old childhood friend hard in the head. "How could you do that to me? How could you just leave without saying good bye?!"
"Ow!" Zuko whined and rubbed the spot where she had hit him. "I'm sorry. Everything happened so fast...", he trailed off and looked away.
Katara reached up and placed a hand to his scarred cheek. "How did this happen?" she asked more softly.
Zuko shivered slightly at her touch, but raised a hand to cover hers. "It's a long story", he said and met her gaze.
Katara noticed the pain in his voice as well as in his eyes and decided this was not the place to talk about it. She lowered her hand from his face, but didn't let go of his hand.
"Well, we've got some catching up to do. What do you say about we go grab some coffee? I just have to go buy these socks", she said and grabbed a few pairs from the shelf.
Zuko's one brow rose. "Why are you buying men's socks?"
Katara rolled her eyes and blew at a few loose hairs dangling in front of her eyes. "It's for Sokka. He was stupid enough to put a red sock with the white laundry and blames me for it. And I can't really deny him on 'this very special day'", she said and rolled her eyes again.
Zuko's face shifted into more confusion. "What special day?"
"It's Sokka's birthday today", Katara clarified. "He's seventeen now."
"Oh. I didn't know..." Zuko trailed off awkwardly. They both started walking towards the pay desk.
"Actually, we're having a party tonight", Katara said as they got in line. She turned to him with a bright smile. "You should come."
Zuko smiled back. "I'd love to."
Katara paid for the socks and the two left the store.
Soon, they were walking along the small lake in the towns park, each with a mug of steaming coffee. Zuko told Katara about what had happened with his father all those years ago; about their argument and how Ozai had picked up the hot smoothing iron and hit Zuko across the face with it. Zuko told her about how Ozai had managed to wriggle out of punishment and then sent Zuko to live with Iroh out in the countryside. He told her about the difficult years after that.
By the time Zuko finished, tears rolled down Katara's cheeks. She drew him in for a hug and the way he hugged her back told her he had needed this for a long time.
When they parted, Katara wiped the tears from her face. "You could have called. You could have written a letter. It doesn't matter how, but you could have gotten in touch", she said and turned away from him. "You just disappeared. No one knew where you had gone to. I called your house and came knocking on the door like a million times, but no one ever answered. The few times I've seen your sister, she's just ignored me." Katara turned back to Zuko and met his gaze. "You didn't exactly make it easy for me, Zuko."
Guilt and pain prickled in his eyes and he pulled her in for another embrace. "I know", he mumbled into her hair. "And I'm sorry. I just didn't know what to say... I felt so ashamed at the time, ashamed about my scar, about practically being banished from my home. And then, when the worst was over, it had already been so long and I kind of thought you had all forgotten about me..."
Katara pulled back from his embrace. "You're so stupid", she said and shook her head.
Zuko laughed softly. "I know."
Deciding they had had enough of sad talk, Katara grabbed Zuko's hand and continued walking along the lake. She started telling him about basically anything and everything that had happened since he left. Somewhere along the stories of her first year in high school, they exited the park and half an hour later, they stepped inside her house.
"Katara, finally!" they heard Sokka's voice from upstairs. "The party starts in an hour! I need your help with the balloons! And Suki needs your opinion on the punch! Where have you been?! And did you get me the new socks?"
Zuko and Katara looked at each other and burst out laughing at Sokka's hectic ranting.
They heard Sokka's heavy steps as he stomped over to the stairs and started walking down. "Who the hell is-" he froze as he caught sight of Zuko. "- that?"
Katara stopped laughing and straightened. "You remember Zuko?"
Sokka's mouth fell open and his eyes widened. "...Zuko?"
Zuko did some kind of awkward wave and smiled a little. "Hi..."
Sokka turned his eyes from Zuko to Katara and then back and forth a couple times. "How the hell did this happen?" he asked and gesticulated wildly with his arms.
Katara laughed at her brother again. "I bumped into him in the clothes shop. Speaking of it..." she trailed off and tossed the bag of socks at Sokka. "I hope these will suit your needs", she said in a sarcastic tone.
Sokka examined the socks and deciding they would do, he tossed them over his shoulder so that they landed in his room upstairs. Then he walked down the rest of the stairs and stepped up to Zuko with his arms folded over his chest.
"So, you're back?" he said with narrowed eyes.
"Yeah, I'm starting college here in town this fall", Zuko answered, straightened his back and looked right back at Sokka.
Katara reckoned this must be some sort of male acceptance-thing and rolled her eyes.
The two boys didn't move a muscle for a while, they just stood there and stared at each other. Then Sokka's face broke into a wide smile and he hugged Zuko, patting his back hard.
"It's good to see you, buddy!" he said when they pulled back.
"You too!" said Zuko with a laugh.
Then Suki finally appeared from the kitchen with a raised eyebrow. "What is going on out here?"
"It's Zuko!" Sokka exclaimed excitedly.
Suki let out a breath of air. "Zuko? It's been a long time!" she smiled and hugged him.
"It sure has", Zuko said. He then turned to Sokka. "Happy birthday, by the way!"
As if suddenly reminded what day it was, Sokka drew out his phone from his pocket and checked the time. He let out a small scream, spun around and ran into the living room. "The guests will be here in less than an hour and we're far from ready!" he shouted over his shoulder.
Katara looked to Suki and Zuko and all three started laughing.
Soon, Sokka's head appeared in the door frame. "Don't just stand there like lazy monkeys! Drag your sorry asses out here and help me!" he ranted and then disappeared again.
Katara gave another short laugh before Suki grabbed hold of her arm and started pulling her towards the kitchen. "You have to try the punch, I'm not sure I got it right", Suki said.
Just before turning the corner into the kitchen, Katara turned her head to Zuko. "You go help Sokka in the living room?"
Zuko nodded and ran after Sokka while Katara went to taste Suki's creation. Then they all worked together to make the house ready for a party to remember.
Two hours later, the house was full of people; Sokka's entire class at school along with almost everyone from Katara's and loads of other friends. Music was pumping loud and cheerful through the entire house and people were dancing like crazy in the living room.
Zuko had lost count of all the people he had greeted and hugged. He didn't recognise half of the guests and was sure they didn't recognise him either. He received several strange looks from both those he knew before he left and those he didn't, particularly suspicious looks from Jet.
Zuko threw himself on the couch, exhausted from all talking, smiling and hugging. Though, energy flared up in him again as Katara came over and stood in front of him with a smirk playing on her lips.
"Let's see if you're still as awkward a dancer as I remember!" she said loudly over the noise grabbed his hands. She pulled him with her to the middle of the living room floor and placed his hands on her waist, putting her own on his shoulders. The rhythm of the music was quite fast and Katara started swaying her hips to the sides and moving her arms, setting Zuko's shoulders I motion as well.
Zuko was very stiff and a slight blush spread across his cheeks. Katara laughed at his discomfort. "Relax! It's just a dance!" she said to him over the music. "It's fun if you try, I promise!"
Eventually, Zuko started moving with her and once he let go of the shyness, Katara noticed he indeed started enjoying himself.
Suddenly, the song ended and was replaced by another, a slower one. Katara and Zuko looked at each other, both blushing.
Katara soon ignored the slight embarrassment though and wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck, stepping closer to him and rested her head against his shoulder.
At first, Zuko stiffened all over. Then he slowly slid his arms around her waist and started moving to the slow music.
Katara closed her eyes and relaxed in Zuko's arms. This felt right. This was the way it was supposed to be. Her and Zuko had grown up together, they had been the best of friends and when he had disappeared, a huge hole had formed in Katara. But now, with Zuko so close to her, it felt like things finally were the way they should be again.
Apparently Zuko thought the same thing, because he suddenly said against her hair; "It's so good to be back."
Katara smiled and nodded against his chest. Then a thought crossed her mind and she leaned her head back to look up at him, a grin on her face.
Zuko studied her face for a moment. "What?"
"If it weren't for Sokka and that red sock, you wouldn't be here right now", Katara said and laughed.
Zuko laughed as well. "I guess he can come in pretty handy from time to time", he said before leaning down and placing a soft kiss on her cheek.