Extremely minor things that live rent free in my zutara heart:
Katara being the one to bring up Zuko in the Chase and then basically defend his haircut.
"If Fire and Water are opposites, then what's the opposite of Air?" "I guess it's Earth." .... "You're working with your Natural opposite." 'Bitter Work' really said zutara/taang rights!
Katara's awkward little "I'm sorry I yelled at you" (reminder, still lifelong enemies at this point)
"I THOUGHT YOU HAD CHANGED!" "I have changed."
That little bead of sweat that fans down Zuko's face when Katara looks up at him while choosing whether he should stay or go.
We all know the little smile Zuko does when he sees Katara at his door, but let's just stop and think abt how his face just falls... One look and he knows exactly what's coming.
"You might have everyone else buying your transformation. But you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past" Gets me every time. It's so personal!
Katara's little run out of the room after she threatens Zuko. I know that run, I've run that run! That's a 'if I don't get out of this room in the next three seconds, I might show how I'm really feeling and ruin the moment' run.
And Zuko's face watching her go!! The Regret!!
The fact that Katara tells Zuko she will kill him if he is even slightly sketchy or gives the slightest impression he might try capturing the avatar again... And then when Zuko leaves, literally like a day later, headed for an unknown part of the Fire Nation, fully armed, with said Avatar!!! She's just like, 'well the man said it was for firebending lessons.' Maybe Aang isn't the one you're scared Zuko will hurt again, Katara.
Also, totally chill with him taking her brother (the only member of her family she has left at this moment) to another unknown location alone. This whole not trusting Zuko thing is really working out.
"What happened to the war balloon?" "It kinda got destroyed."
"Oh yeah, what's your little form called?" "The dancing dragon", and then "It's funnier when uncle tells it." "Maybe that's because he remembers the whole thing." The fact that Katara's the one he doesn't snap at for poking fun at him. He knows he kinda has it coming from her end. In fact these moments even seem to make Zuko feel more welcome.
Every moment when Katara's back is turned to Zuko and her angry expression is replaced by literally this emoji 🙁.
Zuko getting up and following Katara up to the cliffs while the others stay seated, all confused. The drama!
"This isn't fair." He cares so, so, so much about Katara's opinion of him. He doesn't need her trust, it certainly hasn't impeded his ability to train the Avatar or become a member of the group (Again, side-eyejng the whole 'not-trusting-zuko)
On that note: "And I don't know why, but I do care what she thinks of me." They are really hitting all the enemies to lovers stops on their way aren't they? I mean, he basically just said 'I have absolutely no idea why I care about Katara so much, but I do!'
"I WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO TRUST YOU, REMEMBER! AND YOU TURNED AROUND AND BETRAYED ME." And it finally spills out. This is personal. She doesn't think he isn't to be trusted with her friends or their mission, her behaviour in the last several episodes shows that. Oh no, she just doesn't trust him with her friendship or- dare I say it- her heart. Because he's already shown he has the power to hurt both.
"Your mother was a brave woman." "I know."
When Katara sees Zuko waiting for her outside her tent, her first comment is on how he looks...
"You should rest, you'll need all your strength." "Oh don't you worry about my strength, I have plenty." Yes Zuko, you check up on her wellbeing!!
"You don't remember her, you will soon, trust me."
Katara throwing her arms around his neck, eyes closed as she rests her head on his shoulder, after approaching him with a soft smile. Then his arms immediately coming up to loop around her waist, his eyes also closed, and his face likely buried in her hair because my girl has a lot of hair!!! And then them just holding on for several seconds!!! Then the absolutely serene looks on their faces. AND THEN HE TURNS AND WATCHES HER GO! I'm sorry, but there is absolutely no platonic explanation, guys. This one hug is more beautiful and romantic than any kiss in this entire show.
Zuko wedging himself between Katara and Aang in the most obtrusive way possible. Like, hey I wonder which member of the gaang he feels most comfy with!
"You didn't really say that did you?" "I might as well have."
Katara and Zuko mutually being the de facto leaders of the group throughout the entire last episode.
Upon being told that Zuko (reminder, guy who up until recently, wanted to capture Aang) is attacking Aang, Katara's reaction is 'Zuko this is so unlike you, why would you ever want to hurt Aang?!' In case we need a recap: "You make one step backwards, one slip up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang, and you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore."
Katara is the one who makes Zuko join the group hug, I repeat KATARA IS THE ONE WHO MAKES ZUKO JOIN THE GROUP HUG!!!
Katara introducing Zuko to people!
Zuko's eye sliding up to Katara on the saddle after Iroh tells him he won't be going back to the Fire Nation with him.
Katara sprinting to Zuko with that look on her face after the Agni Kai. He really was the only thing she was fighting for in that battle, wasn't he.
Katara's fingers being in Zuko's hair when she turns him over.
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