This is another anon submission! But this time, I'm writing for the ATLA fandom! It's my first time writing for this fandom, so I hope you like it!
Just a lil reminder that the Tumblr ask game is still open, so feel free to play!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
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Zuko stared in wonder at Katara, watching her in her element. 'Whoa.'
After arriving at the Western Air Temple, determined to make amends and finally do the right thing… they had rejected him. If he was being totally honest with himself, he hadn't expected that outcome. He had instead imagined that they'd umm and ahh for a while before begrudgingly yet kindly welcoming him aboard. The cold reception was like being slapped in the face by a penguin seal. And then when he accidentally burned that blind earthbender girl, he just wanted to dig himself a bagermole-sized hole. If that wasn't enough, the next morning, when he went to visit again after breakfast, the assassin he had hired made an appearance. Zuko tried to stop the assassin from killing the Avatar, but his orders and negotiations failed. Thankfully he, the Avatar and his friends managed to stop the assassin, and only then was he allowed to join their group.
It was awkward at first, but as lunch progressed and jokes were made, things got better. Sokka, the boomerang guy, cracked a few jokes at Zuko's expense; and after Sokka broke the ice, the Avatar- Aang, as he insisted on being referred as, quickly followed, as did Toph, and most of their companions soon took the Avatar's lead and warmed to him. The only person who still wanted nothing of him was Katara. She stiffly and quickly ate her food before storming out in a huff. It made lunch a little tense after that, and once he finished helping with cleaning up after the meal, Zuko went for a wander.
When he and Uncle had been lying low here after the banishment, Zuko had little to do while he recovered except for exploring the temple - if anything, it was the one thing Uncle actively encouraged him to do. When Fath- when Firelord Ozai had burned his face, Zuko not only gained a giant scar, but his hearing in his left ear was impacted a little, and it messed with his sense of balance. With the aches and pains and embarrassing stumbles, it took him a few weeks to rest, recover, and acclimatise to his new norm. In that time, he had discovered much of the temple, including a few spots he favoured more than others - one of which was a large cavernous room that gathered water from the earth and cleansed it, before the water was distributed to various locations around the temple. This room, with its gentle watery soundscape, was the place Zuko had found the most relaxing and peaceful, and was a space he returned to frequently during his last visit. But unlike every other time he came to this room, there was someone else in there.
Water curved around the cave in graceful arcs, winding through the air like it was carving paths for rivers and streams. Inrticate patterns were being weaved as Katara, seeming so small at the base of this gigantic moving water sculpture, bent the water with ease. It was hypnotic, meditative, and incredibly breathtaking. He simply stood there, struck dumb with awe. He had fought against her many a time before, yet somehow he had never truly understood the extent of her waterbending prowess. The amount of water currently in the air was something typically controlled by a handful of benders, and here she was, doing it all on her own without breaking a sweat; if anything, she looked incredibly calm. It was as intimidating as it was inspiring.
He remembered that night in Ba Sing Se, in those crystal caves deep below the surface. He remembered being trapped there with Katara, and the heart-to-heart they were having before Aang and Uncle found them. He imagined that if Azula never showed up and the battle never happened, that maybe he and Katara would be friends now, instead of her doggedly giving him the cold shoulder. He recalled the spirit water she offered to heal him with, the water he heavily suspected saved the Avatar from certain death. He had been very touched by that offer. After everything they had gone through - all the fighting and anger and hurt and chaos - after everything he had put her through, she had shown him an unimaginable kindness…
He shook his head. It must've been a tactic she was using; why else would she have made such an offer back then? They were enemies! Well, they were at the time, though not anymore, but still! Why did she offer to heal him? Why did she look at him with kindness and warmth, as if she understood his pain? Why was "yes, please" on the tip of his tongue, words that would've left his lips if they weren't interrupted? Why did she look so hurt and betrayed when he (stupidly) joined Azula's side when he was made to choose sides? It didn't make sense! She was kind to him because it was a smart tactical move, not because she actually cared… right?
Zuko groaned internally as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Trying to understand Katara was like trying to understand Uncle. Uncle. His heart ached when he thought of the man that was more of a father to him in the last three years than his actual father had been since he was born. His betrayal of Uncle sat heavy in his stomach and stabbed painfully at his heart. He was wrong, he knew that now, and he could only hope and pray that maybe one day Uncle would find it in his heart to forgive him. He hoped that Uncle would approve of his new path of helping the Avatar. He wished Uncle could be here with him.
Letting out a slow, heavy breath, Zuko left the cave and headed towards the rooms below. He needed to find Aang - it was time for the Avatar's first lesson in firebending.
