● — || 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 , 𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓
[ [ Zuko ] ] knew just how much of a threat she could hold over him when it came to Aang , specifically . ❝ I would , ❞ she confirmed , ❝ and I'd make sure no one would find you afterwards . ❞
It was a threat that Katara had [ [ no ] ] problem making a reality if he stepped out of line . Normally , in the [ [ past ] ] , Zuko would throw some sort of threat back at her , but instead , he just [ [ stood ] ] there . . . Taking it . Not only that , but he was giving her a smile that she didn't often see from him — the kind of smile that made something in her chest [ [ trip ] ] over itself .
. . . Cause by Zuko . Idiotic , stupid , kumquat . . . Zuko . She would have to analyze that another night , or maybe tonight when they eventually part ways .
She followed his gaze to the leaf in her fingers , not even recognizing that she was still holding it until she [ [ holding ] ] it until he had brought attention to it . ❝ I wouldn't mind meeting the Silver Fangs . They sound like a group of people who just want to help those around them . ❞ Her own gaze shifted back to Zuko's as she released the leaf and let it flutter to the ground . ❝ I know that the Lower Rings aren't the most cared for by the Earth Kingdom , and there's a lot of people in them who need help . ❞ Katara's expression softened , more into [ [ sadness ] ] than one laced with just care . With each sentence shared between them , the walls of them being enemies
[ [ gradually ] ] began to crumble — something Katara wasn't starting to mind .
❝ The Dai Li are good at that , Zuko — making sure the Upper Rings don't know the rest of their city doesn't exist , or that it's fine too . ❞ She gave a little shrug , ❝ It is something that the Fire Nation does too . . . ❞ She glanced up at him then , then allowed her gaze to shift to the side as she looked at the faint glow of the lanterns from the city . ❝ By doing that , like you said , medicine and supplies go fast because the people without them are just trying to survive , ❞ her gaze faltered , ❝ . . . Because the world failed them . ❞ Was she speaking on [ [ just ] ] those within the Fire Nation , or within the Earth Kingdom . . . Or , was Katara touching on her own Tribe as well with how much the Fire Nation cut the Southern Water Tribe off from supplies ?
— All of the above , but it would be up to [ [ Zuko ] ] to decipher that for himself .
❝ I'd like to help . ❞ Katara smiled , her expression shifting to [ [ determination ] ] rather than just hopeful . ❝ Maybe not tonight , we'd need time to come up with a plan , but
[ [ sometime ] ] soon . ❞ It would also have to be a night when Sokka or Aang wouldn't notice her missing , but she could figure that out later . What came next , however , made Katara's left eyebrow raise slightly ; and , the words that came next made that same [ [ tripping ] ] feeling settle in her chest .
Arctic , polar - pup blues settled in deep , honey - crisp gold as Zuko spoke . ❝ Do you . . . understand him now ? ❞ Katara asked , her tone dropping to one that was laced with awe , rawness , curiosity , and [ [ deep ] ] wonder . The wind brushed her qilliqti gently to her left , but her gaze never left his . She wouldn't let it , Katara had [ [ far ] ] too many questions racing around in her head . Why was he being nice to her ? What
[ [ made ] ] him be nice to her ? Why was she being nice to him and not drowning him in some ocean somewhere after everything he had done to Aang ?
. . . Why were they trusting each other ?
In the blink of an eye , Katara watched as the tenderness she just saw practically
[ [ vanished ] ] into thin air , as if Zuko suddenly remembered that the walls of Ba Sing Se had ears . ❝ Long Feng is not someone to mess with . ❞ Katara whispered , ❝ He's got eyes even in the places that you think are safe . He made that clear when we arrived in Ba Sing Se , but - ❞ That didn't stop her from giving Zuko a solid nod . ❝ - Tomorrow . We'll go to the Silver Fangs tomorrow night . I can meet you here , and we can go after you close . ❞
She watched his eyes shift to the teashop just a short distance away , but her gaze remained on him . By her sides , Katara's fingers [ [ fiddled ] ] with the sides of her Water Tribe clothes . His comment about his Uncle pretending to listen to them made Katara giggle and bury her smile behind her left hand .
❝ Talk about the walls having ears . ❞ As she lowered her hand , Katara looked at the city one last time , then looked back up at him . ❝ Sure . I'd like that . And , Zuko ? I don't mind helping you clean up . It's . . . Sort of my fault you're behind your closing chores in the first place . ❞ Before he had time to protest , Katara turned over her right shoulder and started to walk towards the teashop while her braid [ [ swayed ] ] with the natural sea drift of her hips .
❝ Come on . We've got work to do . ❞
