Okay, some context for this drabble. Zuko has just made a presentation for a psychology project he did. It did not go well…
She stood next to Aang and stared out of the lab window. Aang was telling her about Zuko's presentation from earlier.
"So then Dr. Shu asked him a question that Zuko didn't know the answer to…and then he totally clamped up, apologized, and ran out of the room."
Katara looked at Aang. "Is he alright now?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen him since. He disappeared."
Katara looked back out the window, past the art building and across the creek. "Thank you, Aang," she said before leaving the lab.
She collapsed next to her ex-lover, her head directly next to his but her feet facing the opposite direction of his. They were so close they could feel one another. He did not open his eyes when she lay next to him, but he smiled slightly.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she responded.
"How did you find me?"
"I've found myself here in many a break-down."
"Ah," he commented.
"Yep," she replied.
"Who told you?"
"Aang."
"Blabbermouth."
"I asked."
"Oh…"
They were silent for a moment.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you ask?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Zuko shrugged. "You weren't there, I didn't think you cared."
"Did you want me there?"
"Of course I did."
"Then you probably should have invited me…"
She felt his nose against her cheek as he turned to look at her. If she turned her head, she could have kissed him. She remained motionless. After a few seconds, he turned back and looked at the sky.
"Next time," he said.
"I'll be there," she responded.
"Maybe I won't fall apart this time."
"I'll keep you from falling apart."
Again they laid in silence, letting Katara's words wash over them.
"Tara?"
"Yeah?"
"Why does Aang call me 'fire guy'?"
She chuckled. "Aang and I have had conversations about you before you came here. He gave you the nickname before he met you."
"What kind of conversations?"
"He asked me once, if I'd ever been in love. I told him about you. He believes your love consumes me, like a fire."
"My love consumes you?"
"I said consumed, past tense."
"No you didn't."
She turned to look at him, and he turned to look at her. They stared into each other's eyes for several minutes.
"Your eyes, they're smoldering, like embers of a fire. You love with a passion that threatens to overwhelm your lover. Whomever you love needs to be able to temper you."
"Like you?"
Katara closes her eyes. "That's what Aang believes."
"Do you believe that?"
She felt his breath on her face. It was warm and comforting, like a fire.
"Yes."
And then his lips crushed hers. They kissed for several minutes, a warm glow expanding in Katara's chest. When Zuko pulled away and collapsed once again by her side, Katara opened her eyes and stared at the sky.
"Why do we do this to ourselves?"
"Because fire is all consuming."
"It brings confusion into our lives."
"Would you change it?"
"I would have never let you break up with me."
"You wouldn't be here if I hadn't."
She nodded, "You have a point. But I'm here now. Why are we still broken up?"
"Tara…"
"I know, you think it's better for me."
"If I could stay away from you to make it easier on you, I would."
"Don't make it easier on me."
"I can't."
"Good."
"You're such a masochist."
"Says the one who loves so much it hurts."
"Maybe I'll find someone who can temper me, when the time is right."
"Maybe."
She turned herself so she was aligned with him and reached for his hand. They stared at the sky, hands interlaced, and thought about the love they shared. As they drifted off to sleep, Zuko murmured something so softly, Katara couldn't be sure she heard it.
"I wish my love was enough to make your dreams come true."