Zukitara Agenda time!! ^.^
Hello my dear 💜 thank you not only for the distraction, but also for being the number 1 consistent supporter of the Zukitara agenda!
How about a little countdown get together for our ot3?
"Five minutes to midnight! Get your drinks and your chap stick ready!"
Zuko winced at Sokka's call over the crowded party. He hadn't planned on staying this close to the countdown. Not when he couldn't kiss who he wanted...
Scanning the living room, Zuko cursed under his breath. They were standing too close to the door to make his exit. Looking for other quick exits, he decided his only option was to hide out on the patio till after the countdown and wait till he could make his leave without them noticing.
He braced for the chill of wind as he stepped outside, but it barely bothered him. Glancing down at his whiskey, Zuko tried to remember how many drinks he'd had.
Maybe he should just ask Sokka if he could crash on his couch.
With a sigh, he finished his drink and set it on the patio table, stepping up to the railing to look over Ba Sing Se. The city glittered, aglow with lanterns and lights, and in the distance, people were setting off fireworks 5 minutes early.
Zuko glanced at his watch. Make that 3 minutes early.
He'd had so much hope for this year and now here he was - pining for his two best friends, who were with each other, no less, and about to ring in another year by himself.
Maybe New Years wasn't a real holiday, either. Just because the date changed didn't make the passing of time any less unavoidable. Change happened every day, not just on the first, so why was there so much pressure to make New Years Eve so special? Why was there so much emphasis on these silly traditions - like fireworks or champagne toasts or kisses at midnight -
Zuko was drawn from his silent grumblings by the sound of the sliding door closing shut. Glancing over his shoulder, he immediately stiffened at the sight of the two people he'd been avoiding all night.
"Hey there," Suki said, ignoring his surely panicked look and sidling up to his side. "It's almost midnight."
"I- I know," Zuko mumbled.
"And you thought you'd ring in the New Year by yourself?" Katara asked, stepping close to his other side.
"Y-yeah, I mean... why does it matter?"
Katara and Suki shared a look he couldn't read but desperately wished he understood. When they glanced back at him, they were both smiling.
"Because we want to be the ones you kiss at midnight," Katara said.
"Both of us," Suki added, and Zuko found himself exceptionally grateful but terribly confused at her clarification.
"You," Katara finished. "And we're pretty sure you want us too."
"Correct us if we're wrong..." Suki trailed off. Zuko felt his cheeks flush but forced himself to shake his head.
Distantly, Zuko recognized the sound of Sokka calling the crown to start the countdown from 30 seconds.
"You're not wrong," he whispered, the confession feeling like shackles had fallen from his wrists. "But I don't- I wouldn't want it to be a one time thing. I- I like you both. A lot. Too much, if I'm being honest-"
Katara placed a finger over his lips to hush him.
"We feel the same. And we can talk about this more tomorrow, but for now, all we're asking is that in..." she trailed off, listening to the hum of the party, the city, countdown, "15 seconds, you'll kiss us both."
Zuko took half a step back from the railing so he could glance between the couple, cataloguing Katara's wide eyes and Suki's warm smile.
Finding no trace of a joke, or malice, Zuko finally let himself smile. "Of course," he said, quiet but sure.
Katara grinned, and Suki squeezed his hand.
"3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!"
They surprised him by both kissing his cheeks, on on each side. Zuko laughed and tilted his head first to capture Katara's lips. She squeaked but quickly recovered, raising a hand to tangle in his loose hair.
When Zuko could no longer breath he pulled back just long enough to inhale before leaning down to Suki and kissing her as well. She wasted no time pulling him close.
When he pulled back the second time, Suki and Katara reached for each other for a quick kiss, briefly letting their foreheads rest against the others, before turning to him.
"Happy New Year, Zuko," Katara said.
"Would you like to finish ringing in the new year at our place?" Suki asked, her smirk turning wicked.
Zuko already knew he'd go anywhere they asked. For now though, he simply answered, "Lead the way."
