"You know you're awfully cute when you're pouting," Zuko said as he said down next to her. He slipped off his boots and dipped his feet into the water.
"I'm not pouting, I just feel weird," Katara retorted bending the water a bit forcefully. He raised his good eyebrow at her as a reply.
Katara sighed and turned to look at him. In the few years he had known her he was always constantly surprised at the amount of warmth in her eyes - not just when she interacted with someone like Sokka or Toph but when she regarded him.
"I suppose I see my bending as my strength and without it - or even when it is dulled I feel so helpless."
"Helpless is about the last word I would use to describe you. Bossy, sure, but not helpless." She playfully swatted as his arm at that comment. "Katara you are the strongest person I have ever met. You are so full of love and hope and you yearn to make the world a better place. Even for the few moments you don't have your bending you are still strong. Plus, I can always protect you."
She blushed slightly at his speech and then leaned her head onto her shoulder. He glanced up and noticed that the eclipse was just starting.
"Let's go swimming, it will ease your mind," Zuko suggested. She shook her head with a slight pout, shrieking when he shoved her off the dock and into the water.
He jumped in after her and found her giggling as she tread water. After that they swam around, splashing and racing each other. When they finally climbed back onto the dock the eclipse was over.
"Thank you, Zuko," she said giving his hand a gentle squeeze.