In one line, I love you. Part 8
Hello. It’s me. I bet you didn’t expect me to be here, again, with another installment of LOVING FANFIC AUTHOR HOURS. This is where I build off one line I love of a fic I love to appreciate the authors I love and admire.
Now we get what I decided was the “what’s next” part of this lovely one shot.
"In Omashu, that means you're now engaged."
- Chapter 9: The Omashu Conundrum from Sun and Moon by Boogum ( @botherkupo )
A thought bubble popped in Zuko’s mind; he probably should be happy with the fact that he was now removed from the festival.
But as he sat in what Bumi called his library, watching Katara pace, he was more focused on the room itself.
Everything was stone. Not just the furniture, which could be reasonably expected, but the books. Zuko abruptly stood, ignored as Katara continued to rant at Bumi, and walked to a bookcase. He absently picked up a stone tome, numbly aware of the weight disparity between it and a proper book, and opened it.
It was a box shaped like a book, made of stone, containing another piece of stone.
Zuko closed it, returned the book, and picked up another.
Same premise, different stone inside the book box.
It was a library, of a sort.
“But we’re not technically married.” Katara said.
“Not yet, but the only way out is through so it doesn’t really matter now does it?” Bumi replied.
“So we get married and then get divorced.” Katara said.
“Sure. If you want to break the most sacred bond in the land, which, coincidentally, is what created the land.” Bumi said.
“I think the sacred bond will understand since this was all an accident.” Katara retorted.
“Still believing in accidents? Just happened to bump into the Avatar did you? Walked into the right places at the right time hmm?” Bumi asked and Katara gargled her frustration.
“Are you seriously suggesting that I was destined to end up with...” Katara drifted, turning just as Zuko did, their eyes meeting.
“Two people from opposite sides in a war, ending up together in Omashu of all places? Sounds like destiny to me.” Bumi said.
Both Zuko and Katara turned away. Bumi rose from his seat, groaning as he stretched, popping his back.
“Haven’t heard a peep out of you, Fire Lord.” Bumi said, walking past Zuko as he headed to the door.
“Well, I’m not the one who would be losing anything by this.” Zuko said in return, resuming his scan of the stone books.
“See? Even mister work comes before everything thinks it’s a piece of cake to make a Waterbender into Fire Nation royalty.” Bumi said, looking pointedly at Katara.
“No, it would just be easy to have her be my wife.” Zuko corrected, picking up another book. “The other stuff is going to be a nightmare.”
“If you find the creeping crystal one, you have to eat what doesn’t fit.” Bumi said cryptically, patting Zuko on the shoulder with a heavy hand.
“You two can hash out the details. But make sure to set the wedding soon, who knows how much time I have left.” Bumi announced, crackling into raspy laughter as he left the room.
Zuko returned the book, unopened.
“Why would it be easy for me to be your wife?” Katara asked as soon as they were alone.
Turning around, Zuko watched her for a moment.
“I don’t think I’m supposed to find love where I want it to be.” He said.
Katara looked affronted and he held up his hands.
“I wanted my father to love me, but it was Iroh that I should have been listening to. I wanted Azula to love me, but it turns out Toph makes for a less violent sister. I wanted my mother, but...” Zuko winced and shook his head.
“I wanted Mai to love me, because it meant that I could change but still be the same? But that’s not true. And every moment that I’ve changed, every time I’ve moved forward, you’ve been there.” He continued.
“So you’re going to make yourself love me?” Katara questioned.
“The point is, I think I already do.” Zuko answered.
Katara opened her mouth, but hesitated. Crossing her arms over her chest, she frowned.
“The whole world is going to know that we got accidentally engaged.” She said.
“If we break it off, it’s going to upset a lot of people.” Zuko said.
Katara sighed and lifted a hand to rub her eyes.
“I don’t think we really need to worry about one city-kingdom.” She said and then looked at him.
“But what about the Water Tribe?”
“Why are you not good enough for me?”
Katara sputtered, a blush spreading over the bridge of her nose.
“They wouldn’t...” She managed but Zuko grinned.
“You know they would. Especially when the Fire Nation starts up over this.” He said.
Katara flung her hands up in exasperation.
“This is impossible!” She said.
“I mean...” Zuko said and tilted his head, smiling softly as Katara regarded him. “You didn’t reject me when I said I might love you.”
The blush deepened and Zuko laughed.
“You are impossible!” She said.
“There’s nothing wrong with being engaged.” He argued. “Why not see how things go?”
Katara sighed and her shoulders slumped. Still, she smiled.
Walking up to her, Zuko brushed some of her hair behind her ear.
“In that case, beloved, we’ll need to get engaged the Fire Nation way too.” He said. Dipping down, Zuko kissed her, still tasting honey mead.
Maybe ignoring other customs meant he could make them up as he went along. And, as Katara melted into him, he supposed his betrothed didn’t really mind.
@zkfanworkweek i hope you’re not sick of me yet because I love you too.
