AN: Happy Birthday Lita the Storyteller! Yep, this is your Birthday present :P I hope you like it; I really did try my hardest with this. Feel free to request a new present; I know Ashley Tisdale isn't your most favourite ;) This was first going to be set to THE BEST Zutara song I have EVER come across, but the song was just too epic for me to write around it. I'd just end up repeating stuff and I'd ruin the song. But do yourselves a favour and go and listen to Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade.

Anyway, with this fic I was going to try something new, again. Namely: no dialogue at all, just thoughts and feelings. And I'm using the lyrics to this song as part of Zuko's internal thoughts. So see the lyrics as what his little internal voice is whispering in his head. If that makes any sense. Again, feedback is BEGGED for: should I just stick to my usual stuff or should I try this lyrics-as-thoughts thingy again?

To get the most out of this fic listen to Ashley Tisdale singing her version of the song while reading it. It adds to the mood if you can hear the music. Helps you imagine it clearer.

Disclaimers: ATLA belongs to Bryke and Nikelodeon

"Kiss The Girl" belongs to Disney.

This story belongs to Lita the Storyteller.

Kiss The Girl

The small fire flickered happily in the slight breeze, throwing erratic spurts of light over all of them as they sat around the flames. All the adults had no clue why the gaang insisted they spend their last night together in the Western Air Temple when they had the Fire Nation palace at their disposal but nobody had stopped them from going in the end. As it was the group felt it was necessary to go back to the place that had brought them all together before they all went their separate ways. The war may have officially ended five days ago with the fall of Ozai and Azula, but there was much more work to be done before the world would be entirely at peace. Work that would keep them all at different places for an indefinite amount of time. And thus the last night of 'campout' was needed; the goodbyes would be so much harder without one more chance to remind themselves that they were family.

Zuko leant his head against the pillar behind him and watched the rest of the gaang interact. Toph was betting Sokka that he couldn't fit three melons in his mouth and Suki was watching in amusement, ready to step in and help when the Water Tribe warrior started choking. Momo and Appa were both asleep on the edge of the courtyard, neither disturbed by Toph's loud jesting. Katara and Aang, however, broke the picture of peace. They were sitting a little apart from the rest, facing each other and obviously rapt up in a serious conversation. Both looked rather upset, and as he watched Katara's frown deepened. Aang leant in to kiss her, but Katara swerved away, staring resolutely at the ground. The newly appointed Firelord saw her mumble that she was still confused.

The Airbender took offence; Zuko could see the hurt written on his face even when it was turned away. Katara leant in and began talking to him in a quiet voice, obviously reminding them that they wouldn't see each other for ages, anyway. Aang's face turned stubborn and Katara sighed, leaning away and staring glumly at the flames instead. The Avatar rose stiffly from her side and walked over to where Sokka was attempting to stick a second melon in his mouth. Zuko turned his eyes away from the spectacle and back to Katara, who was still engrossed by the flames.

There you see her, sitting there across the way
She don't got a lot to say but there's something about her
And you don't know why but you're dying to try
You wanna kiss the girl.

Katara's eyes flickered up and met his. A small, sad smile pulled at the corners of her mouth and he raised his eyebrow at her. She shook her head, her brunette hair falling in her face. He could tell that she was lying and that she was not fine but he didn't push the subject. She would come when and if she was ready to talk. She went back to looking at the fire, but Zuko could not make himself look away.

Katara was different, and not in a bad way. She was definitely Water Tribe, but he had seen Fire Nation in her too. She was passionate and wild and her eyes burned with blue fire every time she was mad. Seeing her so silent was strange and unsettling to him; she shouldn't be caged that way. An urge to make her smile or at least burn in anger overtook him, and before he could stop himself he imagined pulling her face to his. He imagined her surprised reaction, the way her eyes would widen and her shoulders would stiffen and her lips would soften under his as she gasped… Then he imagined the waterwhip that would knock him away from her and the onslaught that would follow to punish him for even thinking of dirtying her lips with his.

He laughed silently at his little fantasy and finally managed to drag his eyes away from her. He tried to shift so that he could see the moon better but doing so made the wound Azula had given him flare with pain. He bit his tongue, choked down the cry and forcefully shifted his body the way he had wanted it to go, showing it that his will still won. A shadow fell over him and he looked up to find Katara standing over him, a concerned look on her face. He mentally swore; of all the people to see his grimace… As she knelt down next to him he drew away, ready to refuse to be healed. She looked at him with an expression in her eyes that told him she was not going to take no for an answer. He sighed and obediently shrugged off his shirt.

Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do
It's possible she wants you too: there is one way to ask her
It don't take a word, not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl

He vaguely remembered being turned over by her hands as he lay wrapped in utter agony. He also remembered that the first thought he'd had was not relief that she would save him but wonder at how beautiful she really was. Now that he'd had that thought, it refused to leave him. As she focused on her glowing hands he stared at her face, taking in her dark skin and beautiful sapphire eyes. He'd always been told that Fire Nation girls were the prettiest in the world but now he knew that wasn't true.

She looked up and he couldn't drag his eyes away quick enough so he was forced to stare, captivated, into her eyes. She didn't look away or ask him why he was staring; she just stared right back. And in Zuko's mind he pictured himself leaning forward just a few inches… She was right there, right in front of him… Maybe… Just maybe she was confused because of him. Maybe his thoughts weren't so ridiculous. Maybe she wanted…

He turned his head sharply, staring resolutely at the moon. After a second's pause Katara continued to heal him as though nothing had happened.

Shalalalala my oh my
Looks like the boy's too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl
Shalalalala ain't that sad
It's such a shame…
Too bad, you're gonna miss the girl
Go on and kiss the girl

When she had done all she could for him, Katara gently helped him back into his shirt. Her hands were soft and light and he found himself staring at them like an idiot. Just before she got up she smiled at him. This time there was a shyness to the smile, but no sadness. Again he was captivated by her stare, but this time it was her who moved away first. He watched her go with a twisting heart. He'd grown so used to having her around. He'd grown so used to having all of them around. He'd miss them all very much, but he'd miss her the most. He squared his shoulders and swore that if he was given the chance to do something alone with her the next day he would do it, no matter what it was. It would be his last chance.

The next morning they all drew lots to see who was fetching food. Katara offered to go and get some peaches from a tree she had seen growing on the other side of the river nearby. She insisted it would be easier for her, as she could maneuver herself over there with Waterbending. They all agreed happily, and then Zuko got his chance: she asked who wanted to come with her. He tried very hard not to seem too enthusiastic, but he still got a look from Toph. Katara, however, beamed her thanks at him and the two of them made their way down to the river. When they reached the water Katara created a slab of ice, just like she had the night they had gone off to find her mother's killer. Zuko stepped onto the block without fear this time, and she grinned at him at the slight déjà vu.

Now's your moment, floating in a blue lagoon
Boy, you better do it soon: no time will be better
She don't say a word and she won't say a word
Until you kiss the girl

They moved slowly across the river; Katara seemed to be enjoying the trip. He couldn't help but smile at the serene look on her face as she crouched on the ice and lazily waved her arms so they drifted forwards. She caught him smiling and she blushed, looking away. He continued to look at her, trying to see if there was any sadness on her face.

She was too quiet. Usually she would be able to talk easily to him about almost everything but right then she wasn't saying a word. It was as though she'd seen something that made her not want to talk to him. He wanted to know what it was; he actually missed her voice. His brow furrowed as he went over the possibilities. Everything he thought of was either far-fetched or no cause for her to stop talking to him. He was lost.

She must have felt his gaze because she looked up at him again. Her own brow furrowed as she saw his expression, but she did not ask him what was wrong. Instead she stared at him in the same way he had been staring at her; trying to figure him out. They were so intently wrapped up in each other's gaze that they both nearly tumbled off the ice when they ran into the opposite bank. Laughing and blushing they both stepped onto the soil and headed for the small orchard of trees that Katara had spotted.

Shalalalala my oh my
Looks like the boy's too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl
Shalalalala ain't that sad
It's such a shame
Too bad, you're gonna miss the girl

They worked side-by-side in utter silence, each one of them holding a basket under their arm in which they placed the peaches they picked. Sometimes they reached at the same time and their hands brushed or their thighs touched. Every time it was as though an electric shock jolted through Zuko's body. He was finding it more and more difficult not to look at her, but he knew he had to fight the urge. Because if he did look at her he would see her lips and then he'd want to… He clenched his teeth and forced his mind to think only of peaches.

Shalalalala don't be scared
You better be prepared: go on and kiss the girl
Shalalalala don't stop now
Don't try to hide it how
You wanna kiss the girl
Go on and kiss the girl

It was harder than he expected to get the ripe peaches, and after a while he started to sweat as the sun baked down on his back. Finally he couldn't take it any longer and he removed his shirt, careful not to aggravate the lightning wound. As he pulled the material over his head he was sure he heard Katara stifle a gasp but when he looked at her she was focused solely on a rather high peach, her face flushed because of the sun.

He watched her stretch for the fruit and the butterflies returned to his stomach. Agni, but she was beautiful. Not in the usual, vain way but in a way that mixed his thoughts up and made him think of insane things. Like actually grabbing her and… He tried to turn back to his own picking, but found that his earlier predictions were true; now that he was looking at her he could not stop.

Lalalala, Lalalala
Go on and kiss the girl

Swallowing rather loudly he strode forwards and picked the peach she was aiming for. She turned in surprise and he held the fruit out to her. She did not take it but instead stood, frozen, as they again looked at each other. He saw her chest rise and fall quicker as her heart rate increased. She was so close he could almost count every one of her eyelashes… Gently he dropped the peach into her basket, which she had put down by her feet. She watched the fruit's fall with him, an unreadable expression on her face.

Lalalala, Lalalala
Go on and kiss the girl

Zuko's hands shot out and grabbed her shoulders, yanking her body towards his. Before she had time to do more than ready herself to gasp his lips were on hers. He molded his mouth to hers and shut his eyes, not wanting to see her reaction as his heart leapt and rejoiced inside his chest at the feeling and taste of the Waterbender.

Shalalalala my oh my
Looks like the boy's too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl
Shalalalala ain't that sad
it's such a shame
Too bad, you're gonna miss the girl

He felt Katara's hands rise towards him and he readied himself for the blow. But what he got instead of a hard slap was her hands around his neck. This surprised him so much that he froze and backed up a little. Katara made a little impatient noise and dragged him back towards her. And then she was kissing him back, and he had to admit that even in his wildest imaginings kissing her had not felt even half as wonderful as it did.

Lalalala, Lalalala
Go on and kiss that girl!
Lalalala, Lalalala
Go on and kiss the girl
Kiss the girl

His hands wove into her hair, something they had been itching to do for a long time, and her grip on his neck tightened. Her lips whispered with his without hesitation or complaint and even through the bliss and relief and happiness a thought popped into his head that made him feel smug as well: She is so not confused now.

Go on and kiss the girl

AN 2: I would love to be the one saying those song lyrics to Zuko. Except I wouldn't be singing, I'd be yelling. With a metal object in my hands to emphasize the point:

"DAMMIT ZUKO STOP BEING SO #!*$#% AND KISS HER ALREADY!"

Again, go and at least READ the lyrics to Fall For You. For me, please.