So, it's a week late, but I figure it's better late than never, isn't it? However, here's my final contribution for Zutara Week 2014! :D
This one was difficult. I had three different ideas and couldn't decide which one I liked best, so I ended up binding all three into one story. I thought about making the end realistic to the real canon, but I couldn't make myself do it. I had to have a happy ending – I can't end Zutara Week with something that would bring myself to tears! Anyway, I suppose this has some humour, some angst (maybe, or am I just oversensitive?) and then some fluff. I realized I've added dancing to several fics this week, but this is the only one that actually revolves around the dance. I hope you like it!
It has been so fun to participate in this wonderful event this year. I'm already looking forward to next year's Zutara Week! Hopefully, I'll get most of my works in on time then, at least I will be better prepared next year ;)
Also, I will most likely have some more Zutara fan art/fan fiction posted until then. I've got several different fan fictions in the planning stage. For example, I'm thinking about making a longer modern AU fic based on my contributions for Day 3 and 4 of Zutara Week (suggested by Pinkie-Mads on DA). I can't promise anything about when it will be up, but if you liked my one shots this week, then you could keep an eye open ;)
I hope you've enjoyed my works for Zutara Week 2014! See ya next year! XD
*And finally; I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or any of its characters. It all belongs to Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko and Nickelodeon!
Slow dancing
Katara and Zuko were running, side by side, down the streets of Ember Island.
"I told you you shouldn't pick a fight!" Katara yelled angrily at Zuko and looked over her shoulder. Damn, she thought. The soldiers were closing in.
"I didn't pick a fight! That jerk asked for it!" Zuko shouted back at her. "What psycho thinks it's okay to just walk up to a girl and put his filthy hands on her?!"
Katara groaned. "I can take care of myself! And what part of 'don't draw attention to yourself' don't you understand?!"
"How would I know that the coward was the son of a Governor and he would run and tell his dad about our little dispute?" Zuko continued to argue.
Katara groaned again. This was not the time to fight about this, they needed to get away from the soldiers.
Suddenly they entered a large square. It was early evening, but the large open space was unusually crowded with people. Katara then caught sight of what attracted the attention of all these people. In the middle of the square, on a heightened platform of sorts stood a handful of people, each with an instrument and at the moment playing slow, emotional music. All around the platform were dancing couples, all clinging tightly to each other and swaying their bodies to the music.
At that moment, Katara realized what to do. Throwing a last glance over her shoulder at the nearing soldiers, she grabbed hold of Zuko's arm and pulled him with her straight into the dancing crowd.
Katara didn't stop until they were in the middle of the square, covered from the soldiers by all dancing couples, and she threw her arms around Zuko's neck.
"Katara, what are you-"
"Shush, just dance with me as if we're deeply in love", Katara instructed him and rested her head against his chest.
Zuko hesitated for a moment, before doing as he was told and wrapping an arm around her waist, pressing his other hand against her side left bare by her Fire Nation outfit.
Katara winced slightly as they started dancing the slow dance. Sure, she had told him to act in order to uphold their cover, but she hadn't been prepared for his warm, sensual touch.
Zuko seemed to have noticed her shiver because suddenly, Katara felt his laughter. She leaned her head back and looked up at him. She could see he fought not to grin too widely.
"Oh, shut up. Don't enjoy yourself too much", Katara muttered to him and purposely stepped on his foot.
This only brought Zuko to laugh more and Katara lowered her head to his chest again to hide her blush.
Only a couple of days ago, she would have pulled enough water from the air to form a sharp ice dagger and pressed it against his throat for laughing at her. A couple of days ago, she would never even have thought about dancing with Zuko to hide from a bunch of Fire Nation soldiers; she would have preferred being caught and having to break out of jail.
But then, after Zuko had helped her find her mother's killer, everything had changed. She had finally been able to forgive his past mistakes and during those last few days, she had found out he was actually a really nice person. They had become friends.
So, when she heard the soldiers push through the dancing crowd behind her, she didn't feel too uncomfortable leaning closer into his touch. She felt Zuko shift a bit so that their faces were well covered and after a few moments, the guards continued straight past them and moved further into the crowd.
When he estimated the coast was clear, Zuko pulled back a bit and looked down at Katara, still with his arms around her.
"You're a genius!" he said and smiled at her.
Katara scoffed. "You're lucky I'm here to get us out of the trouble you caused!" she answered and shook her head.
Zuko laughed. "Well, I couldn't very well let that bastard treat you the way he did without consequences!"
"That doesn't give you reason to start beating him down! Is it really worth blowing our covers?" Katara argued.
"You're worth so much more", Zuko said earnestly and looked into her eyes.
A blush spread across Katara's face and she averted her eyes.
Zuko cleared his throat. Where did that come from? "Anyway, we didn't get caught, no one knows who we are and no harm has been done."
Katara laughed. "No. Except for that poor sprat. I doubt he'll be able to walk for a few days ahead", she said and looked back at him.
Zuko scoffed. "That wretch deserved no less", he muttered.
Katara rolled her eyes, but a small smile was playing on her lips. She then lowered her head and rested it upon his chest again.
Zuko's heart jumped. Why was she still dancing with him? The soldiers were gone, they were out of danger. He didn't complain, it was just a bit surprising. Zuko still hadn't completely gotten used to Katara not hating him.
He wasn't entirely sure why he had reacted so harshly when that boy had walked over to them at the market and put his hands on Katara's hips, whispering something in her ear. Zuko had just gotten so angry and couldn't control his temper.
He did have a pretty strong sense of honour, which certainly had played a role in his reaction; the boy had treated Katara outright dishonourable. But there had been something else in Zuko's irrational anger. It had something to do with the fact that it was Katara who was being treated dishonourably. Zuko didn't think he would have reacted so strongly if it had been any other girl. Katara meant something special to him... And the way she clung to him as they danced made warmth spread through his entire body.
Suddenly, Katara pulled back slightly and looked up at him. "Thank you for defending me", she said quietly. "Even though it was stupid", she added with a smile.
Zuko's heart skipped a beat. She was so beautiful. The smile, the eyes... And she was smart and kind (now that she had forgiven him anyway). She was an excellent bender. She was perfect. Zuko wondered how it could have taken him this long to realize this.
Zuko chuckled to cover his moment of admiration. "You're welcome", he replied and smiled back. I would do it again for you.
Then Katara pulled out of his close embrace. "We probably should head back", she said, something that sounded like disappointment in her voice.
Zuko was taken aback. Did she want to stay here with him? She couldn't possibly feel any of what he was feeling, could she?
However, he was quick to hide both the surprise and his own disappointment and straightened. "Yeah, we probably should", he said and they turned to leave the dancing crowd.
On their way back to his family's beach house, they were careful not to bump into a guard patrol. Every now and then, Zuko would sneak a glance at Katara. Once again, he wondered how he could have been ignorant to his feelings for her this long.
Cheerful music filled the large ballroom of the Fire Nation palace. The dance floor was filled with happy couples. And really, why wouldn't they be happy? It was the coronation feast, a celebration for the new Fire Lord!
The new Fire Lord, who was currently seated at the large dining table. His intense gaze followed a certain dark skinned girl dressed all in blue, swirling around the centre of the dance floor with the Avatar. Not a single worry was visible on her face, only happiness.
Zuko wished he could just be happy at the sight of her, but he couldn't look past her energetic dance partner.
Suddenly noticing the familiar song was close to its end, Zuko saw his chance. He swiftly rose from the table and walked over to the dance floor. He waited for the song to end, and then stepped up to Katara.
"May I have the next dance?" he questioned with a smile and offered his arm.
Katara looked somewhat surprised and threw a glance at Aang, before smiling at Zuko. "Yes you may", she said and accepted his arm.
Letting Zuko lead her further into the room, she turned her head and offered Aang an apologetic smile. Zuko noticed this but ignored it.
The couple had reached the end of the room when the music resumed, this time a slower, more intimate song.
Zuko smirked and pulled Katara close, wrapping his arms around her waist and engaged in a swaying motion. Katara placed her hands on his shoulders in return and fell into the slow dance.
She looked up at him and met his gaze. "I can't believe it's over", she said softly.
Zuko understood what she meant. "Me neither. Two weeks ago, we were still at war. Now we're at peace. I'm the Fire Lord!" he said incredulously.
Katara laughed. "It is unbelievable." She let one of her hands slide to the back of his neck. "I know you'll do a great job, though. I know you can bring this nation back up from the insanity your ancestors caused. You have the ability to change hearts."
Zuko laughed softly. "Strange. That's exactly what I've been thinking about you..."
Katara smiled and leaned her head down to rest against his chest. "I'm so glad you came to us that day at the Western Air Temple."
"Me too", Zuko mumbled into her hair. Then they just danced in comfortable silence, without really noticing they slowly moved out on the balcony at the end of the room. Until Zuko could no longer hold back what he had been thinking of since the dance had begun.
He moved one of his arms and placed his hand against Katara's side. "Remember this?" he asked, a grin spreading across his face.
Katara immediately pulled her head back to look up at him. "Yes", she said, unable to stop herself from smiling as well. She wrapped her arms around his neck to fully reiterate their previous dancing pose. She looked into his eyes. "Feels like ages ago...", she said quietly.
Zuko swallowed. She was so beautiful. "Ages...", he agreed in a whisper. Then he slowly lowered his head, stopping only an inch from her face. He let his eyes flicker to hers swiftly, before closing them and leaning in the rest. Their lips met.
He had thought that his feelings for Mai had been love. But now he knew that had never been the case. Truly, he had cared about her and he had had a special connection with her. But it had never been love, he knew that now, with Katara in his arms.
The kiss was soft. Innocent and sweet. One part of Katara wanted to stay in it forever, and for the briefest moment, she answered his kiss. But then the other part of her took over and she pulled back, out of the kiss and out of Zuko's embrace.
"I can't." She dared not meet his eyes. "I'm sorry, but I can't."
Zuko stiffened all over. Suddenly he was angry. "Is it because of Aang?" he questioned through gritted teeth.
"Yes", Katara answered and fixed her eyes upon the rising moon in the horizon. "And no. I just can't do this right now. We've got a whole world to rebuild. I can't make this decision at the moment."
Zuko then stepped forward and gripped her shoulders. "I love you, Katara! We can rebuild the world together! We will! But for the moment, just let me tell you that I love you!"
"I know!" Katara blundered out and finally met his gaze. Tears were forming in her eyes. "I know. But I can't do this now." She pulled out of his hold as the tears started rolling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry", she whispered before turning around and hastily leaving the balcony.
Zuko stood there for a long time and stared after the girl he loved, wondering what he possibly could have done differently to make her stay.
"Do you think she will come?" Aang asked absent-mindedly.
"I don't know", Zuko replied and looked out a window of the ballroom. The feast of the half year-anniversary since the end of the war had just begun and the guests were currently sitting by the large dining table. The sun was on its way down.
Zuko turned to Aang, who was sitting by his side. "You never know with Katara...", he said to the younger boy and offered a weak smile.
Aang looked down at his plate. "I guess not."
No one but Sokka and Suki had seen Katara since the coronation feast. After fleeing the feast, she had travelled straight to the South Pole and hadn't left her home for almost six months. Sokka and Suki had headed there as well about two months after Zuko's coronation, but had only stayed a few weeks before continuing their journey to Kyoshi Island. According to them, Katara was busy helping in the reconstruction of the Southern Water Tribe.
However, her absence was palpable. A huge hole was left in the ambience. Though his other friends were still around, Zuko felt lonelier than ever.
The few weeks Aang had stayed in the Fire Nation after the coronation, he and Zuko had barely spoken a word to each other. They had just kept glaring at each other, occasionally bumping into each other's shoulders as they passed each other in the halls. They both were aware of the other's feelings for Katara and neither of them had been willing to lay down their pride and talk it out.
Eventually, Toph and Iroh had had enough and stepped in. Toph had metalbended them to chairs opposite each other and locked them in a guest room in the palace. Of course it had worked. The two boys had stopped acting like big babies and had finally talked. Much to Toph and Iroh's appreciation, Zuko and Aang had decided their friendship was too important to be destroyed by something like this. It wasn't their choice after all and they both just wanted Katara to be happy.
So, when Aang had been to leave the Fire Nation with Iroh to travel around the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom and help remain the peace, he and Zuko had said goodbye as friends with the agreement that they would both accept Katara's choice when she finally would make the decision.
Now, five months later, they both missed Katara terribly. No one knew how long she'd stay at the South Pole.
Zuko did his best to participate in the joy of the anniversary and took part of as many conversations he could. Though when people left the dining table to dance, Zuko excused himself and snuck out onto the balcony at the back of the room. He leaned against the railing and looked up at the moon.
He didn't know how many slow, emotional and utterly annoying songs the musicians had played when a voice finally reached his ears from behind him.
"May I have the next dance?"
Zuko swirled around and was met by the breathtaking sight of the girl he loved and had longed for so long. Katara wore a long, sleeveless deep blue dress, her hair in an elegant updo, though still with her characteristic hair loopies. She looked amazing.
"Katara!" Zuko exclaimed and ran up to her, throwing his arms around her and lifting her from the ground. He twirled around with her in his arms and she laughed. "I've missed you", he breathed as he put her back down and leaned his forehead against hers.
Katara folded her arms around his neck. Zuko tightened his hold around her waist and they, once again, started dancing the slow dance to the music that drifted out to them through the open balcony doors. Their foreheads still touched and they just danced with closed eyes.
"I'm sorry", Katara finally whispered.
Zuko leaned back at the serious note in her voice and studied her face. She was frowning as she looked into his eyes.
"I'm sorry I left. I'm sorry I never got in touch. I just needed some time to figure things out...", she trailed off.
"And? What did you figure out?" Zuko questioned and braced himself for her decision. He had promised Aang, and himself, that he would accept it whatever she had decided.
Katara just looked into his eyes for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then her hands slowly trailed to his face and she drew him in, kissing him deeply.
Zuko's eyes widened in surprise, but he soon closed them and let himself be lost in her kiss. He had waited and wished for this so long. The relief he felt was overwhelming.
When they finally broke the kiss, Zuko was no longer certain whether this was real or just a wonderful, wonderful dream. He let a hand stroke her cheek.
"What about Aang?" he asked and looked into her eyes. The last few weeks, he had almost convinced himself she would choose the Avatar over him. Even though he didn't like to think it, he knew that Aang probably deserved her more than he did.
"I've already spoken with him", she said and looked down. "Ever since my mother died, I've always tried to put everyone else's needs before my own, especially after we found Aang. There has always been so much that needed to be done, there was always someone who needed me. I've never really had time to care for just myself, to be selfish. But..." Katara lifted her eyes back to meet his. "I think the time for me to be selfish is now. With you."
Zuko's heart jumped in his chest. A wide smile spread across his face. "Let's be selfish", he said before leaning in and conquering her lips with his own.
In one slow dance, he had fallen for her. In another, she had left him broken and scattered. And in a third, she had picked up the pieces and healed him with a kiss.