AN: Day three! Is everybody enjoying themselves so far? I know I am: the stuff people are churning out this year is just amazing. And the amazing response I've gotten just blows my mind. Thanks to every single person who is reading this line. That means you, too. =] Okay so day three also gave me a bit of trouble because – despite the fact that I've written about three already – I don't like modern AUs. There are exceptions to this rule – please don't get me wrong – and I know I'm a bit of a hypocrite for saying it but… I still don't like it.

So after humming and hawing for a while this finally popped up. It's shudder-inducing, cliché and about as original as my left shoe but there you go. I've changed it about four times and right now I'm just fed-up with it so it's gotta be posted and over and done with. If you want to skip this one you won't be missing much. So be my guest.

Warnings: Quite a lot of swearing in this one. Nothing extremely bad but still take heed. There is possibly an overdose of OCC in here so beware of that, too. Er… Some Aang- and Mai-bashing, although not a lot. And I took some liberty with the way Facebook chat works =P They change it every week, anyway.

Disclaimer: Avatar: not mine. Zutara Week: not mine. Facebook: not mine. Originality: obviously I don't own that either.

Day Three: Social Networking

Zuko is now online.

Katara: What's up my biffle?

Zuko: Sokka, is that you? Katara is going to be really miffed if she finds out you stole her Facebook again.

Katara: It's not Sokka, it's me. Sokka's over at Suki's house.

Zuko: Are you drunk?

Katara: No! Jeesh, why would you even ask that?

Zuko: Because you're acting like your brother. Only he would say something as crazy as 'biffle'. What the heck does that mean, anyway?

Katara: It's the way you say BFFL. Best Friend For Life? Where the heck have you been – under a rock?

Zuko: Well forgive me for not knowing every word used in Internet slang. Why have you suddenly latched onto it? You usually hate that sort of thing as much as I do.

Katara: I know. I've just been talking to somebody who uses them a lot. And I wanted to see if there was a word I could use to describe our relationship. You know that this year we've been the very best of friends for ten years?

Zuko: Wow. I've really put up with you for that long? You can use any word to describe our relationship EXCEPT biffle. It sounds like a new attempt by Disney Channel to create a series.

Katara: Harsh. Somebody's in a bad mood.

Zuko: Yeah, yeah.

Zuko: Okay, I'm sorry. I'm just… having a bad day.

Katara: You've been like this for a while. What's up?

Zuko: Nothing. This is just the way I am.

Katara: Maybe with other people, Mr Sour Boots, but not with me. Come on, spill. You've always told me everything.

Zuko: Just forget it.

Katara: No.

Katara: Come on. I have an hour before Aang picks me up.

Zuko: Aang? Bald Aang?

Katara: Do we know another one?

Zuko: You're letting him take you on ANOTHER date?

Katara: Yeah, actually, I am.

Zuko: Two-years-younger than you Aang? The guy who thought it was 'Flameo' to be able to go to a rated movie with us? The one who had a near hernia when you offered him chicken?

Katara: Yeah, that Aang. And, actually, he's a damn near better than what YOU'VE got. Emo Mai who strung you along for two years? Mai who has the personality of a soap dish? Mai who finally left you because she couldn't handle how frustrated she made you? Yeah, you have every right to criticize my relationships.

Katara: Oh, crap. Zuko, I'm sorry. That was really, really uncalled for.

Katara: Zuko? Come on. Please at least yell at me.

Katara: Zuko…

Katara: I know where you live… I'll just come over and make you see me…

Zuko: If you do you'll be late for your babysitting job tonight.

Zuko: Oops. My bad. I gave my honest opinion. Are you going to bring up my sister next?

Katara: Okay, I kinda deserved that. I'm sorry, okay? It's just that I'm trying so hard to be happy and everybody's just bringing me down because of this. Nobody has anything but condemnation to give and I'm really sick of it.

Zuko: Maybe that's because they know you're being stupid for choosing him.

Katara: Why? Who cares if he's two years younger? Age is just a number. He's sweet and he's funny and he's kind and loyal and… I already really care about him.

Zuko: See? There it is right there. You've just told me yourself that you know it's not the best thing.

Katara: Are you on crack? What the heck are you talking about, Tony Montana?

Zuko: Oh, sure. Bring the scar into this. Nice.

Katara: I know you can handle that sort of teasing from me. It was supposed to lighten the mood and lure you into explaining your messed-up thoughts to me.

Zuko: Big surprise: it didn't work.

Katara: Zuko. Please? Unless you were just making it all up.

Zuko: I wasn't.

Katara: Well then…?

Zuko: Katara. You said 'I'm trying so hard to be happy' and 'I already care about him'. That tells me that you're forcing yourself to make it work with Aang because he's the closest or the easiest or whatever and that you actually see him as a younger brother.

Katara: Who are you, all of a sudden? Dr Phil? Since when do you start reading between the lines and crap like that?

Zuko: a) I prefer Sigmund Freud. b) I've known you long enough to pick up these things about you.

Zuko: Go ahead and truthfully tell me I'm wrong.

Katara: It's not that Aang is the closest or easiest. He's the ONLY. It feels so good to be… wanted like that, you know? It feels good to be complimented and… and… wooed.

Katara: And don't you DARE say I've been reading too many romances. I will kick your ass; this has NOTHING to do with that. This is my life.

Zuko: Already gotten the romance novel speech, huh?

Katara: Plenty of times. I swear I will throttle the next person I hear it from.

Zuko: Uh-huh. And you wonder why no man wants to date you. Violent witch.

Zuko: What about that masked guy?

Katara: The Blue Spirit?

Zuko: You've been flirting with more than one masked guy over the past couple of months?

Katara: No! And it's not flirting.

Zuko: Right. And I'm captain of the football team.

Katara: OKAY. It's not JUST flirting. It's… talking, too. Getting to know each other. Slow and cautious yet sweet romance.

Zuko: You make it sound like all the worst films rolled into one.

Katara: Shut up. You know I can't describe it right. But it really is amazing. It's like… It's like I've known him for years and years but I'm only discovering a new side of him now. So I feel safe but intrigued and… I feel like I can tell him anything.

Zuko: But you're going out with Aang.

Katara: It's not that simple.

Zuko: Nothing a woman does ever is.

Katara: Shut up. It's just… I've started to realize how ridiculous it really is. This guy invites me out of the blue and starts chatting to me. He seems to know me but I really don't know a thing about him except what he says, even though it feels like I know him inside out. We only ever speak over Facebook – we've met twice and both times he's refused to speak and instead writes everything down. And every time I've seen him and in every picture he wears that mask of his. I've NEVER seen him. That's actually kind of scary. That's the kind of thing your parents warn you about from when you're five.

Zuko: So now that something better and more convenient has come along you're just going to drop him. Have you even told him about Aang?

Katara: Why are you getting so defensive about this? You don't even know the guy! Jeesh, every single thing I try and do to be happy these days sets everybody down my throat!

Katara: He's a stranger, Zuko. He won't let me truly know him. And until I know who he is I can't LET myself like him, even if I really want to.

Zuko: So… if he came forward and told you who he was…?

Katara: Then… I dunno. I really do love spending time with him. It's like he answered my wishes. You know I was musing for about a month before he invited me that something like that would happen. A stranger whom I got on well with that was intent on wooing me.

Zuko: But you might not like who he is. You might let that influence you.

Katara: I hope I'm not that shallow.

Zuko: Then why don't you ask him to show you who he is?

Katara: I don't want to make him do anything he doesn't want to. I don't want him to think I'm being too pushy. I don't want the fantasy to end and I really, really don't want him to leave.

Zuko: You don't want it to end but it's not good enough for you anymore.

Katara: Reality is sometimes crap compared to fantasy but at least it's real.

Zuko: Yeah, maybe. But you're not choosing reality when you choose Aang. You're just creating a whole new fantasy for yourself.

Katara: Look, I don't know what your problem with him is but you're going to have to suck it up. I'm going out with him on a third date tonight and pretty soon he's going to start hanging out with me even more. That means you're going to be seeing a lot of him.

Zuko: Unless I stay away from you.

Katara: If you are even considering that then you are not the person I thought you were at all. And then I don't want to be in your company any more than you want to be in his. Possibly less.

Zuko: You know I don't want to break off our friendship.

Katara: No, Zuko. I actually don't know that.

Zuko: Fine. Then maybe you're not the only one who's been living in a fantasy about other people. Enjoy your date.

Katara: Wait!

Katara: Don't you dare leave!

Katara: Zuko!

Katara: You'd better still be on!

Zuko: What.

Katara: I'm damn sorry, okay?

Katara: FFS. Do I really have to say it?

Katara: FINE. You talking about leaving hurt, okay? You really are my best friend in the world. I can't do this without you. I'm sorry for being a B with an itch, okay?

Zuko: Fine.

Katara: And?

Zuko: And what?

Katara: Say it.

Katara: Go on!

Zuko: Say what?

Katara: Zuko.

Zuko: Oh for the love of… Katara. You're my very best friend too. I won't ever think of leaving you. Okay?

Katara: It's shoddy, but it'll do. It'll do.

Zuko: Go jump off a bridge.

Katara: Lol. Why is it that we get into fights and arguments so easily? We practically tear each others throats out at least twice a day.

Zuko: We're too similar in some aspects, Uncle says.

Katara: And you're stubborn and egotistical.

Zuko: Katara, let me tell you a story about a pot and a kettle.

Katara: And hypocritical. And arrogant.

Zuko: And you're the main reason I feel like punching the wall every day and your flaws cannot be put down into words. Peasant.

Katara: Great, insult my skin colour.

Zuko: 'I know you can handle that sort of teasing from me.'

Katara: Touché. Touché. Now could you try and give me your approval? Please? I really need somebody backing me on this.

Zuko: Katara… I don't know if I can do that.

Katara: PLEASE, Zuko. At least pretend.

Zuko: I really don't think I can do that.

Katara: Why not? What is it about this caring, sweet, funny guy that has you preparing yourself for a war? He's not your enemy or something!

Zuko: I just can't, okay?

Katara: No, not okay! I want a reason, Zuko. I want a damn reason why I can't count on my best friend to support me through this when I so badly need it. If you could just give me one reason. ONE.

Zuko: Just freaking drop it!

Katara: No! Give me an answer, Zuko. You owe it to me! Don't you dare think you're better than this.

Katara: Zuko! Give me a damned reason!

Zuko has tagged a picture of you.

Katara: What the hell is that? Distractions are NOT going to work.

Zuko: Just look at it.

Katara: Zuko. Did you just take that photo now?

Zuko: With my phone.

Katara: Holy crap.

Katara: Oh my holy crap.

Katara: What the hell.

Zuko: Uncle brought it back from his trip for me a year ago. It's been stored away so it didn't get damaged until Uncle or I finally put up a hook for it on the wall.

Katara: Oh moon and water spirits…

Zuko: I'm sorry, Katara. I don't really know what I was thinking. You just seemed so desperate and before I knew it things had blown way out of proportion.

Zuko: If it helps I hated lying to you.

Zuko: Katara?

Katara: It was you. All along.

Zuko: Yes.

Katara: You're an asshole.

Zuko: Yeah. I've gathered.

Katara: Did you mean any of it? Any of the things you said?

Zuko: Yes! Everything. I swear it. On my life. My identity was the only thing I lied about. I promise.

Zuko: Katara, I know you're probably really, really ticked off but please just… try and listen, okay?

Katara: And the kiss?

Katara: Did you mean that too?

Katara: And so help me, Zuko, if you lie right now…

Zuko: Yes. I meant that too.

Katara: How much?

Zuko: What?

Katara: How much did you mean it?

Zuko: A lot?

Zuko: With everything?

Zuko: What are you asking?

Zuko: Katara?

Katara: Why the hell did you have to change everything! We've been FRIENDS for so long! Now what do we do? What happens if this makes us hate each other? What the hell am I going to do then?

Zuko: I don't know.

Katara: You never think ANYTHING through! ASS. HOLE.

Zuko: Alright, I get it already. I screwed up. Again. Now what the hell are you going to do?

Katara: I am going to get ready for my date with Aang.

Zuko: Perfect.

Katara: YOU do NOT get to be sarcastic with me right now! I am MAJORLY mad at you!

Zuko: Mad enough not to forgive me?

Katara: I don't know. It all depends on how it goes.

Zuko: How WHAT goes?

Katara: Our date.

Zuko: What?

Katara: The one you're going to take me on. Tomorrow night. No mask, no writing. Just you and me going out to dinner. We'll take it from there. If you haven't screwed things up between us completely then I'll be able to forgive you.

Zuko: What happens if I have?

Katara: We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Zuko: Brilliant.

Katara: Zuko?

Zuko: No sarcasm. My bad.

Katara: No, it's not that.

Katara: Well, it is.

Katara: But also…

Katara: That kiss? It was amazing. If I'm being really honest I don't think we have much to worry about.

Katara: Pick me up at seven tomorrow. And for pity's sake don't be as awkward and nervous and clumsy as you were when you took Jin out. That was just painful to watch.

Zuko: You said you didn't see that!

Katara: I lied.

Katara: You don't get to be mad at me for it. Not now.

Zuko: Right.

Zuko: Katara?

Katara: Yeah? What?

Zuko: Even if I screwed it up I'm going to work hard to fix it. I'd much rather just be friends with you and endure you dating other people then losing you completely. I'm not going to let you go without a fight.

Katara: I'd kick your ass if you felt any other way.

Zuko: Friends forever, and all that cheesy crap.

Katara: Yeah. Or maybe more than friends.

Katara: Goodnight, Zuko.

Logging out.