AN: I’ve got a pretty funny story to tell. Partway through Zutara Week, my family conducted an intervention and packed us off (because they needed it too) to Digital Detox. No phones, no tablets, no computers. No tech except the communal record player. It sucked. And it rocked. I’m confused. It’s freeing, but at the same time highly isolatory. And worst of all, since this was pretty much sprung on me I didn’t remember to bring along a notepad and pen to jot things down!
Not much of an excuse. But I’ll carry on with the week. The chapter will be uploaded on the days (somewhat) they should have been last week.
‘An abnormally high body temperature, usually accompanied by shivering, headache, and in severe instances, delirium.’
‘A state of nervous excitement.’
Three years, eleven months and three days ago, Katara and Zuko sat quietly in the safe house’s conservatory.
Katara idly stirred a cup of hot chocolate, Zuko sipped silently at his mug of ginger tea.
Aang had finally succumbed to the flu that had been going around for a month, of course, since he had resisted all other variants of the bug, he had ended up with the strongest strain possible. Which was accompanied by a fever so high he ended up in ice baths more often than not and medication that kept Aang pretty much unconscious the entire time.
Zuko placed his mug down, staring into the amber depths of his tea contemplatively. “Katara?”
“Yeah?”
“After this, what happens next?”
“I don’t know really, it’s been a pretty wild ride hasn’t it?”
Zuko smiled.
“Not quite what I meant. I pretty much know what I am going to be doing – don’t have much of a choice about it really – I just, you know, wanted to, if you didn’t mind telling me, know, again! If you don’t mind –”
“Zuko! Remember what I told you about questions, form the question in your mind, and then ask. It’s perfectly fine to.”
“– What do you think you’d be doing after all this.”
“Not medicine.”
Zuko paused for a beat, stared at her and asked somewhat incredulously, “Well why ever not?”
“It just seems that that’s what everyone defines me as. Katara – the girl who got her nursing degree alongside her A-Levels. Katara – the one everyone protects (aside from Aang) because she needs to be well in case someone gets hurt. Katara – the medic. Katara – the healer. Katara – the nurturer. What if I don’t want to be that? What if I want to be Katara – the girl who caused three-quarters of the guards protecting Azula to defect? Katara – the girl whose words crushed her mother’s murderer? Katara – the negotiator that always strikes the best deal for her side of the table?”
“Then you be that Katara.” Came Zuko’s quiet response to the fevered, impassioned speech Katara was working her way into. “Be the Katara that makes you happiest. And we’ll support you.”
“But Aang!”
“Aang will deal. Sokka will deal. But you are first and foremost my friend – my best friend really (Sokka aside). We’ll learn to go somewhere else if you’re tired. It’s unfair for you to just continue succumbing to the expectations ‘we’ have for you. Be Katara, and we’ll deal.”
...
It was September – the bit of September that wasn’t quite summer or autumn but that weird limbo. Zuko had been letting the flat above to Katara for something like five months now. Sokka (unknowingly) had finally sent something awfully strange as a preliminary drawing (Zuko still couldn’t tell what it was. Well, he could make out something – but it looked pretty phallic and he was sure Sokka didn’t intend that), Zuko had responded with a very simple ring design – along with a question about the stone choice (Sokka apparently was still hem-ing and haw-ing about it).
And Katara was ill.
Through some failure in the health system (all those Swiss cheese holes had somehow aligned), the village general practitioner was on annual leave, the emergency GP was on sick leave and the nearest Accidents and Emergencies department available (because some government hoo-hah had decided that only certain hospitals should have an A&E, closing down the nearest hospital’s A&E a month back) was an hour and a half away.
And Katara was ill.
Zuko knew how to treat a common cold, but this looked bad. As in Aang just before and during the ‘take-down’ bad. But Aang had doctors on hand and a whole Team (this time including Suki, she had been assigned to the team as Aang’s substitute in the final take-down just in case) looking after him in shifts. This time, there was just Zuko.
And Katara was ill.
Zuko had worried when she didn’t meet up for lunch, but decided that maybe she was having an ‘introvert’ day and left it alone for about three hours till he realised that if Katara wanted a quiet day, she’d tell. So he let himself into her flat with his ‘landlord’ set, checked through her flat before knocking on her bedroom door.
And Katara was ill.
Her pyjamas were drenched in sweat. She was muttering things. Her bedding seemed to have gone the way of her pyjamas. Underneath the mocha of her skin she somehow appeared flushed and pale all at the same time. Her breathing was laboured.
Katara was ill.
And Zuko was panicking.
...
Sokka picked up his mobile, not really looking at the number calling, focusing on his drawing of the second preliminary draft of Suki’s engagement ring.
“Ello.”
“Sokka, Katara’s ill.”
Sokka did a double take of his phone, the number had changed but that was definitely Zuko.
“Zuko? Two years mister! Two years! Why I ought –”
“Not the time. Katara’s ill. I’ve got her in an ice bath. I’ve been feeding her flu and fever meds. Sokka, it’s not getting better. It’s –”
“Come on buddy, breathe.”
Zuko was competent but terrible during treatment of anything, as Sokka recalled. He’d work right alongside Katara, helping her hold down some patients and administering some preliminary treatments as a first-aider and herbalist (thanks to Uncle Iroh) to tide them over till Katara could give them a once-over and either finish up the treatment or hand them over to a doctor if it looked beyond her. So yes, he was competent. But he was also terrible, terrible in the sense that if he had a chance to break (or if no patients were looking directly at his face) he’d be panicking the entire time.
Sokka knew. The Team got a good look at his ‘I am extremely panicked’ face every time he treated them. Apparently, he couldn’t fully do the same disconnect that allowed him to not look like he was afraid with them. Nope. They got ‘I will help you but I feel so, so frightened for you and me and what if I don’t get this right’ Zuko, who was still competent in treatment (but terrifying because he couldn’t calm you at all).
And Zuko was probably doing the best he could, as competently as he could but right now he had a panicked Zuko and a sick baby sister on his hands.
“Zuko, it’ll be alright. Where are you and Katara? And how do you know where she is anyway?”
...
So, Sokka apparently didn’t hold the ‘no contact for the past nearly two years’ too much against him. That was good.
Katara was still in the ice bath, her temperature had come down somewhat. That was, not-so good but promising, somewhat.
Sokka was coming with Katara’s ‘cold-care pack’. That was also good.
Zuko knew that after this, he’d have quite a lot of explaining to do. But he didn’t care. Katara was ill. Katara had a fever. Katara…
“Zuko?” Katara croaked.
“Katara!” He very nearly shouted as he quieted his voice, resulting in a strange, tangled twist of a thing.
“Hey.” She hoarsely said. “Thanks.”
Day One - Dragons
Day Two - Reincarnation
Day Three - Memories
Day Four - Lilac
Day Five - Fever (You’re here!)
Day Six - Coffee
Day Seven - Candles
She'd spent the night at his house. It hadn't been the wildest night on record, but it had left her with bad breath, tangled hair, and no change of clothes. So, in a baggy T-shirt stolen from his dresser, she puttered around the kitchen, collecting cereal, a mug, milk, and sugar. Suddenly, she stopped and stared at the counter. "Oh, hell," she muttered, then went searching through the cupboards. No, no, no… "Zuko!" she called, turning to see him leaning in the doorframe. "What?" he rasped. "Do you have tea?" "God, no." He looked disgusted. All he had was coffee. -- ((i posted this on mobile, sorry. also sorry that i skipped yesterday, lilacs really burned me out. so, i decided to practice drabbling. this is a true drabble, 100 words.))
I’m not even sure what this is. I did it in the middle of the night. I was tired and I was in a funny mood. This is all just for laughs. It’s crap.
The bed dipped to her side and more warm air was let under the blankets. She sighed, pretending to be deep in sleep, his body nudged her, moving hair from her face. His hand rested on the back of her neck as his nose brushed her ear making her smile.
“I know you’re awake,” He whispered.
Katara’s smile widened. “No, I’m not.”
He chuckled in her ear before sitting up. “Well, I guess you won’t want the coffee I brought you.”
“Hmm?” Katara said stretching dramatically and propping herself up on one of his pillows. “Oh, Zuko,” She yawned. “I just woke up. When did you get here?”
Zuko smirked. “Oh, you know, just a few minutes.” He reached over and handed her her coffee cup.
Katara hummed into her cup. “Mmmm, thank you.” Katara snaked one of her bare legs out of the sheets and put it up, tugging the sheets over her naked top. “Wait, if you got me coffee then that means you had to have it delivered. And if you ordered coffee from the kitchen then they know I’m up here, Zuko you hate coffee.”
Zuko winced. “I figured you would need coffee with this full day we are going today.”
Katara immediately brightened. “Do we have a date today?”
Zuko sighed and leaned back against the headrest. “Not exactly.”
“Then what is going to make our day full enough that you get me coffee so the entire Nation knows we are sleeping together?” She asked raising an eyebrow.
They had been sleeping together for three months now, dating for almost a year. To most people that wouldn’t mean anything more then a tremendous will power but cultural differences always did make things difficult. In the Fire Nation, it was expected of young couples to be intimate together after a certain amount of time spent dating. In their eyes, if you would even think about spending the rest of your life with someone you better make sure they are good in bed. In the Southern and Northern Water Tribe, however, things were vastly different. Sex was for marriage and marriage alone. The boys of the Tribes were allowed to do whatever they wanted with a girl before marriage. But the girls were shamed publicly if they slept with a man before marriage. If you were betrothed and sleeping together you had better get married soon. Making the marrying age in the Water Tribes, sixteen, opposed to the Fire Nation who was eighteen.
That being said, both nations stress the importance of compromise for a healthy relationship. So Katara knelt to the Fire Nation custom of sex before marriage (Every night. More than once), and in return, Zuko made it his life's mission to not only keep it silent but to incorrupt more Water Tribe decorations and traditions in court.
“The thing is…” Zuko winced at her worried face. “T-Toph knows.”
“What?” Katara screeched.
“I’m sorry. I swear I didn’t tell her a thing.” He said quickly.
“Oh, you better not have!” Katara glared at him. “How does she know?”
“A month ago she was walking around the place, she said she couldn't sleep and wanted to map out the palace in her head, then she… well, she ‘saw’ us.” Zuko put his head in his hands.
“Oh, spirits.” Katara cursed downing half of her coffee.
“The next day she came into my office and she kept asking me these questions,” Zuko recounted. “Weird things like ‘How did I sleep?” and if the palace was haunted because she kept hearing moaning.”
Katara went red. She never was the silent type. “Oh, Yue. No.”
“After a few minutes, I got what she was hinting at. I slammed the door then asked her why she was asking these things. She just said she wanted a Komodo-Rhino.” Zuko shook his head.
“That's why you gave her one?” Katara asked. “Not because you were still sorry about her feet?”
“No, she's been blackmailing me all month. And she asks me for stupid things too, things that she could easily get or do on her own. She just likes to me sweat.” Zuko said annoyed.
Katara put her empty cup on the bedside table and scooted close to Zuko, rubbing his back. “That little brat. Well, this ends today.”
“That's why I’m telling you. Yesterday she came up to me and asked when the wedding was. I told her we aren’t even engaged yet. She just looked at me, and you know how fucking creepy it is when she does that, and then laughed, saying that if anyone knew what she knew that wouldn’t be true at least… at least by Water Tribe traditions. Then she patted me on the shoulder and said she couldn’t wait for breakfast today.” Zuko sighed.
Every month the Gaang tried to have a meal together, normally breakfast, for old time sake. It wasn’t hard to plan, however. Katara was dating and therefore staying at the Fire Palace with Zuko. Sokka had to stay with Katara and protect her honor of all things until her and Zuko were married. Suki went back and forth between Kyoshi and Sokka. Toph had little to do other than raise hell here and there and occasionally travel with Aang, making her home in the Fire Palace. Aang used the palace as a home base, coming there every time he had finished doing his job as Avatar. Still, they had their breakfast and that was today.
Katara shut her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. “Do… I mean… Can you just banish her?”
“You think I should banish Toph?” Zuko asked, turning his head to see her.
“It's an option.”
“What if we skip breakfast?” Zuko offered.
“No. They would all know something is up and try and find us.” Katara sighed. “We have to go.”
Zuko shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
Katara put her forehead to his. “Me too. I was going to cancel all my meetings and say I was sick and spend all day in your bed. With you.”
Zuko's eyes grew wide and worried. “We still can. We can come back after we eat.”
Katara picked him and the lips and got out of bed. “No, we have to actually work now.”
Zuko grumbled and got out of bed, putting his pants on as well. “I swear to Agni,” He muttered to himself. “Toph will rue the day she interfered with the Fire Lord’s sex life.”
~~~
“Morning guys!” Sokka smiled. “Ready to eat!”
Katara put on her best fake smile, resisting the urge to attack Toph then and there. “We sure are, I’m going to need another cup of coffee, though.”
“Right here,” Aang smiled putting on at her spot.
“Another one?” Toph asked. “Did something keep you up last night?”
Zuko and Katara’s eyes jumped to her as she smirked. “No, Toph, thank you for asking.”
“No problem sweetness,” Toph smiled. “Was it the ghosts?”
Katara blushed.
“Ghosts?” Aang asked. “Is this place haunted?”
“Nope,” Sokka said stubbornly starting to pass out food. “I’m not dealing with any ghosts.”
“I hope it is,” Aang said. “I can talk to whoever is still here.”
“I hear most of the moans by the Fire Lord's chambers on my nightly walks,” Toph smiled.
Both Zuko and Katara refused to make eye contact with anyone.
“Wow, do you know why that is, Zuko?” Aang asked. “Any dead Fire Lords?”
Zuko gulped. “A-Azulon, I think.”
“Great!” Aang smiled. “Can I come try and talk to him tonight?”
“No,” Katara answered. All eyes slid to her.
“Why not, Sweetness,” Toph smirked.
“He’s the Firelord, Aang, he needs his sleep,” She took a sip of coffee, the only reason she was sane. “Besides, Toph is just messing with you, the place isn't haunted.”
Aang deflated. “Really?”
Toph shrugged. “I guess not. I do hear moaning every night.”
“Come on, Sokka,” Zuko smirked. “Keep it down.”
Laughter filled the room then died down so everyone could eat.
“Ya know, Zuko,” Toph said breaking the silence. “I think you should know that your staff sure is gossipy. Just like the other nobles here. I stubbed my toe yesterday and didn’t even tell anyone. This morning someone comes and asks how it's doing.”
“Is that so?” Zuko asked.
“Oh yeah, your people will talk about anything,” She smiled. “Rumors spread like wildfire.”
“I’ll be sure to handle that,” Zuko forced. “Thank you, Toph.”
“Katara,” Aang asked. “Do you want more coffee?”
“Please,” Katara begged.
“So Katara,” Toph said leaning on the table. “I have a question about the South.”
“Oh?” Katara asked, knowing this was some kind of trap. “What is it?”
“Why is sex frowned upon there?” Toph asked. “In the Earth Kingdom it is normal. The Fire Nation encourages it and the Air Nomads… I don’t even want to know. But the Water Tribe is so strict about it? Why?”
Katara glared at her. “Sex is considered by our people a very serious thing. It's not only the bonding of two bodies but of two spirits. It is very serious.”
“Very serious, eh?” Toph asked. “What a letdown. In my experience it's fun.”
“Good for you,” Katara said through gritted teeth.
“So,” Zuko said. “I hate to cut this short but Katara and I have some meetings today and-”
“Oh, I’m sure you two have lots of things to do,” Toph smirked.
“That's it,” Katara said hitting the table. Everyone’s eyes rose in the shock of her sudden outburst. “You have something to say, fucking say it. I’m done with you making fun of us.”
“She isn’t making fun of you,” Sokka said carefully.
“She’s just being… blunt?” Aang said. “Little weird.”
“Alright, Sugar Queen, I wasn't going to but if you want me to say it then I will.” She turned to Zuko. “When are you going to soundproof your bedroom? Katara is such a screamer.”
It all happened in a blur. Sokka lost so much of his coloring he looked like Aang. Aang’s head was the color of a tomato. Toph dodged plates. Katara threw two plates. And Zuko grabbed Katara pinning her arms to her side as he spun her into the corner near the door.
“Katara, no,” Zuko said trying to calm her down.
“Bet that's the first time she's heard him say that.” Toph smiled.
“My baby sister,” Sokka said staring at the wall.
Katara lifted her feet, kicking the corner to offset Zuko’s balance. He just lifted her off the ground. “So, breakfast was great Sokka,” Zuko said kicking the door so a servant would hear and come open it. “But as I said, Katara and I are very busy today. Actually all this week. We might even have to go out of town. We’ll see you later, right?”
“Let me go, Zuko!” Katara yelled flailing in his arms.
“Bet that's the first time he's heard that!” Toph laughed. “You guys are too transparent. If I can hear you the servants can too. It will look bad if Katara is heard having crazy sex with the Fire Lord before betrothal.” Toph said. “Which is why I made this happen.”
“You could have just soundproofed his bedroom!” Katara yelled.
“Well, that wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun,” Toph smiled. “You alright Sokka?”
“My baby sister.” He said still in shock.
The door opened by a very scared looking maid. “Fire Lord Zuko?”
“Oh, it's nothing,” Zuko said letting go of Katara then swinging her over his shoulder. “You know she gets when she doesn’t have her coffee.”
Zuko clenched his fists in his sleeves, feeling nervous despite himself.
Ozai noticed, and drawled, “Stop worrying, Zuko.”
The prince stiffened. “Yes, Father.”
“You’re making your nation proud,” the Fire Lord reminded his son. “You’re making me proud.”
Zuko looked out the window of the carriage and watched the landscape scroll slowly past. “I’d want nothing else.” The words scraped his throat and left his lungs feeling empty.
He heard his father sigh heavily, but didn’t look back. Beside him, his uncle Iroh lay a reassuring hand on Zuko’s knee.
The res of the ride to the docks was relatively quiet, just the rumbling of the wheels and an occasional word from the driver.
The docks had been cleared and cordoned off in preparation for the arrival of the Southern Water Tribe royals, and were nearly empty when the line of carriages finally pulled up.
Zuko stepped out, and looked into the bay, shielding his eyes to see the ship at anchor there. It was smaller than Fire Nation vessels, and made of wood, but it looked sturdy and well-built, with a high prow and tall blue sails.
“A Water Tribe cutter,” Iroh remarked, stepping down behind his nephew. “What a ship.”
“Hardly,” Ozai replied, cocking his head slightly.
Zuko stifled any reply, and focused on the boat bobbing toward the dock.
“What an odd boat,” he noted. It was made of animal skins stretched over a wooden frame, propelled by two burly sailors and toting two passengers, clearly the chief and his daughter.
“Made for hunting tiger-seals, I believe,” Iroh informed Zuko.
“What a barbaric people. I almost feel bad, marrying you to one of them, Zuko, but you know we must have this treaty.” Ozai smiled down at his son, but the expression held little sincerity.
“Of course, Father.”
In a short time, the boat was knocking agaist the dock, and one of the sailors got out to help the passengers to their feet.
The chief, a tall, broad man with sharp blue eyes and silvering hair, accepted his companion’s help, and nodded deeply to Ozai.
“Fire Lord.” His voice was oddly accented, but he spoke the common language well. “My daughter and I are honored.” He looked Zuko up and down and a tired smile creased his face. “This is your son?”
“Yes, this is Zuko.” Ozai put on that cold smile again. “Come, Chief Hakoda, we have a carriage for you and your daughter. Your belongings will be collected and brought to the palace.”
As his father spoke, Zuko watched the chief’s daughter ignore the sailor’s offered hand and step onto the dock. She seemed unaffected by any unsteadiness, instead turning to her father and chattering something in their unfamiliar tongue.
Ozai’s hooded eyes narrowed further. “Your daughter, I presume?”
Hakoda’s fingers looped around his daughter’s wrist, and he replied, “Yes. Katara was just remarking on the heat. Thank you for sending suitable clothes.”
“How lovely she is,” Ozai said, as pleasantly as he could.
Katara’s hand flew to the collar of the gold summer gown she wore, and she muttered something indecipherable with a smile.
“Thank you, Fire Lord,” she said out loud, in the common language.
Ozai clapped his hands together. “If that’s the pleasantries out of the way, let’s return to the palace. I’m sure you’re both tired after your journey. In two days, we will have a banquet to present Princess Katara to the capital.”
Katara blinked hard, but Zuko caught the flash of revulsion in her wide blue eyes.
As the Fire Lord led the visiting royals to their carriage, Zuko leaned to Iroh and whispered, “She hates us already.”
“Of course,” Iroh whispered back. “The Fire Lord ordered the destruction of the Northern Water Tribe, her own people, and destroyed the waterbenders of her tribe before that. Now she must marry his son. Remember, nephew-- politicians are the real barbarians.”
Zuko didn’t have a reply, and boarded the carriage with a deep sigh.
It was only midafternoon when they returned to the palace, and Iroh roped Zuko into a brief lesson on ancient Fire Nation war history, which the older royal knew his nephew had always found interesting. Today, however, Zuko had trouble keeping his attention on the lesson.
Finally, Iroh sighed and let the scroll in his hands fall to the table in front of him. “Prince Zuko...”
Zuko didn’t notice at first, then looked up when he realized Iroh had stopped lecturing. “What?”
“You’re distracted.” At Zuko’s pointed look, Iroh added, “More so than usual.”
The prince shrugged wordlessly, feeling his throat constrict treacherously.
“Is it about your fiancée?”
“No.” The fury in Zuko’s tone surprised himself, but he continued. “It’s Father. I’m so… angry. How dare he--”
“But I do!” Zuko stood as well, arms shaking. “Let Father do as he will. But this marriage is wrong. And I know you agree.”
He strode from the room, knowing that if his father heard of his dissent, he’d be punished. Somehow, he couldn’t force himself to care.
As he made his way through the palace halls to his chambers, he passed the guest suites, and heard crying. In his state of ill judgment, he made his way to the slightly ajar door, and looked in.
It was the Water Tribe princess, Katara, dressed in the pretty golden gown from before, kneeling on the floor near the bed. A large chest was open in front of her, and as he watched, she lifted a delicate blue necklace from the chest and held it to her heart, releasing a wrenching sob.
Zuko stepped away quickly, nearly tripping backward in his haste. That anger for his father swelled in his chest again, and he stormed away.
That evening, he was late to dinner.
“Zuko,” his father called as he approached the table. “We’ve been waiting.”
This wasn’t true-- Azula and Ozai were both halfway through their chicken and a servant was pouring Iroh another cup of tea. Hakoda had tucked into his meal, but Katara was barely picking at hers.
“Yes, sorry Father, I got sidetracked.”
“It must have been quite engaging,” Ozai chided threateningly.
“Yes, being a disappointment usually is,” Azula added snidely.
“You’d know,” Zuko replied pleasantly, having a seat across the table from her.
“Don’t bicker in front of our guests.” Ozai’s tone grew darker still.
Azula ducked her head, but grinned at Zuko.
“So, Katara,” the Fire Lord continued, lifting his glass. “Tell us about yourself.”
She looked up in dull surprise. “I’m sure you’d find me boring, compared to your own children.” The sarcasm in her voice didn’t go unnoticed, and a slow smile spread across Azula’s face.
“Oh, hardly. I gather you have a brother of your own?” Ozai had noticed as well, and Zuko recognized the cold glint of controlled rage in his father’s eyes.
“Yes.” A smile suggested itself at the corners of her mouth. “Sokka.”
“Older?”
“Yes. He’s taking care of the village in Dad’s absence.”
Azula stifled a laugh in her drink.
“Do you miss him?” Ozai glanced at his own daughter, but rather than anger, Zuko recognized amusement in his gaze.
Katara seemed surprised. “Yes. I might never see him again.”
Hakoda looked up, and whispered something to Katara in the Water Tribe language. Whatever it was, she averted her stare back at her chicken.
The rest of the meal went relatively quietly. Ozai stood at the end and excused himself, wishing the table a good night. As soon as he’d left the room, Katara threw her napkin to her plate and practically fled without a word. Hakoda got to his feet.
“Excuse me. It’s been a long day, and I can hear bed calling my name. The meal was delicious.”
Iroh beamed. “I understand. Have a good night.”
Hakoda nodded and left. As the door closed behind him, Azula released a peal of laughter.
“Azula!” Iroh admonished.
“Oh, be quiet, Uncle. Did you hear her? What a peasant! It’s disgraceful you have to share a bed with that, Zuzu.”
Zuko stood wordlessly and walked away.
“Don’t be such a buzzkill, Zuko!” his sister called after him, but he ignored her, as he was accustomed to doing.
He walked to the gardens, as was his custom on days like this. This evening, however--
Katara was sitting on his usual bench under the lilac trees, and she was honestly the happiest she’d looked since she’d arrived. The difference could have been in the ball of water floating over the decorative pond she was staring intently at.
Of course, he spoiled it.
“What--”
The water went crashing down and she spun toward him, anger glowing in her eyes.
“You--”
“You’re a-- if Father finds out about this--”
She had shot to her feet, and now she fell back to the bench with a thump.
“Will you-?” Her voice was faint with fear.
“Will I- no, who do you think I am?” He walked toward her, trusting she wouldn’t run. She didn’t, and he sat next to her.
“I think you’re the prince of the Fire Nation, and I can’t trust someone like that.”
He took a deep breath. “You can trust me.”
She looked at him, really looked him in the eye, and didn’t say anything, just collapsed against him.
Zuko stiffened, then looped one arm around her in a careful embrace. He felt her shiver slightly.
“I know,” he murmured. “I hate this too. I hate him.”
She looked up. “Your father?”
He nodded. “Let’s just… make the best of it.”
Katara let her eyes fall closed, then opened them with determination. Pulling back, she extended a hand. “Deal.”
He grinned, and shook it. “Let’s start again. I’m Zuko.”
“Katara,” she giggled. “Great to meet you. Can’t wait to start a life with you.”
They laughed under the lilacs, and somehow it was going to be okay.
i spent a few days on this does it show. tagging @zutaraweek so folks can see it. thnx and stay tuned for tomorrow’s
Let’s face it, Aang is more likly to be ‘one of the girl’s than Toph.
@zutaraweek
\“I don’t have anything,” Katara yelled throwing clothes out of her closet and onto the floor. “Why don’t I have anything to wear!”
“You have plenty of clothes,” Sokka said from her bed. “You just threw most of them on the floor.”
Suki, who sat by his side, elbowed him in it.
“Sokka’s right,” Toph said. “How many bras do you need?”
“I’m sure we can find something for you to wear,” Aang added. “It’s not the end of the world you know.”
“Not the end of the world?” Katara asked picking up a tunic to reconsider only to ball it up. “How is this not the end of the world, Avatar?”
He shrunk back slightly. “I-I mean it’s not like the world is at war and we’re taking on Ozi again.”
“Aang’s right,” Sokka said. “It’s just some stupid dinner with Zuko, you guys have gone to dinner a thousand times before.”
“Just some stupid dinner!” Katara yelled throwing the tunic in his face. “It’s not us just going out for dinner or on a date, Sokka. He is announcing our engagement to his people and to all of the other nations. It’s a fucking ball, Sokka!”
“Katara is right, this is really important,” Aang said changing his tone.
“Yeah,” Toph agreed. “If she looks wrong, acts wrong, says something wrong. If she isn’t perfect the other nations, including Zuko’s could stop the wedding with a threat of war or a deep frown.”
Katara lost some of her coloring. “I can’t do this.” She said leaning against the wall. “Can Fire Lord’s elope?”
“Alright,” Suki said sitting up. “Sokka, Toph, out now.”
“We’re helping,” Sokka said.
“No, we aren’t,” Toph said hopping off the bed and grabbing Sokka’s wrist. “Let’s go see what’s going on in the kitchen.”
“Aang, send for Ty-Lee,” Suki said standing up. “We’re going dress shopping.”
~~~
“This is the best shop in the whole kingdom,” Ty-Lee said joyously throwing open the door. “Azula, Mai and I would come here every time we needed dresses. Azula would always pay for us as a treat.” She sighed. “But don’t worry, I already have my dress for tomorrow and it’s amazing so you have my undivided attention. Oh! Look candies!”
The rest of them blinked. “Not to complain but why am I here?” Aang asked.
“You’re better to have then Toph,” Suki answered. “Come on Katara, we’re going to get you an amazing dress.”
“I don’t know,” Katara said as they followed Ty-Lee to the back.
“If we can defeat the Fire Nation and help promote unity in the world,” Aang said. “We can get you a dress to wear to your engagement announcement.”
“It’s going to be fine,” Suki smiled. “Just try to take a few deep breaths and stop worrying.”
“I know it’s stupid,” Katara said sitting in one of the big comfy chairs. “I mean, I could wear clothes that haven’t been washed for weeks and Zuko would still want to marry me, in fact, he’s seen me in that outfit thousands of times before. But the other nations? The people of the Fire Nation? What if they don’t like me. What if they don’t think I can be a good wife to him? Or a good Fire Lady?”
“Katara,” Suki said sitting next to her worried friend. “It’s going to be okay, sweetie, don’t worry.”
Katara took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “I just want to impress them. You know?”
“It’s going to be okay, Katara,” Aang said warmly.
“Yeah!” Ty-Lee said happily. “So what color do you want? Red or blue?”
“I should wear red right?” Katara said. “But if I wear red then it looks like I’m turning my back on my nation and being swallowed by him. So blue? But then it looks like I’m refusing his nation and stubbornly clinging to mine.” She looked up worried.
“That’s okay!” Suki said quickly. “Just, no red or blue. We can do that. Just a different colored dress. Easy. Or we can combine them if you would like?”
Katara took another breath. “I don’t know.”
“Perfect you give me and Eun-Ji so much room! We’re going to find so many for you!” Ty-Lee smiled
~~~
Over and an hour and a half later and they still hadn’t found a dress for Katara in fact more of what they found were ‘things’ that needed to be burned.
“It’s over,” Katara said with her face in her hands. “I can’t find a dress. I’ll have to tell Zuko that I’m a disappointment. Maybe I can just go naked? I’m sure he would love that.”
“Yeah,” Aang agreed rubbing a hand in circles over her back. “But let’s make that plan Z, hmm? I don’t think the other people attending would like that.”
“There used to be so many pretty dresses here,” Ty-Lee said sadly. “I don’t know what happened. I’m sorry Katara.”
“Don’t call it quits yet!” Suki said coming back to them from the dresses. “Look what I found!”
The three looked up to see a beaming Suki holding one of the best dresses they had ever seen.
“It isn’t red or blue and it’s going to be like no dress anyone has ever seen, plus you will get a discount since you are going to be a royal and are wearing it on such an important day,” Suki smiled handing Katara the dress and shoving her to the changing room.
A minute later Katara came bursting out of the room and hugged Suki. “You found it, Yue, you found it and I can’t believe it!”
Suki laughed. “So you like it?”
Katara stood back to show the dress in all its glory. Ty-Lee gasped and put her hands to her mouth and squealed. “Agni, I love it so much! You have to get it! It’s perfect!”
“You look beautiful in it,” Aang said. “You found the dress.”
~~~
Katara waited nervously for Zuko to meet her so they could go to the Royal Balcony and announce their engagement to the mass of the Fire Nation. After that, they would proceed to announce it to the delegates and advisors and ambassadors of all the nations. Then hopefully dinner and followed by dancing and drinks. That was if Zuko ever found his way to the balcony with her.
“Katara, sorry I took so long my hair wouldn’t-” He stopped dead in his tracks once his eyes hit Katara.
The dress she had chosen was floor length with a slit from the middle of her thigh down. It was skin tight but the material was thick enough that it didn’t show too many body parts. The dress was strapless showing a decent amount of cleavage. Her hair hung in loose curls all over. The necklace he carved for her hung on a choker at her neck. The bright red gem with the Water Tribe insignia carved in blue. She looked absolutely-
She smiled putting her hands on his large shoulder pads to pull herself up she kissed him. “Thank you. You look so handsome.”
Zuko beamed and pulled her closer pulling her in for a more heated kiss. He smiled and released her letting her stand up on her own again. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Katara smiled.
“I love your dress.”
Katara smirked. “I like your hair.”
He blushed slightly and scratched the back of his neck. “I couldn’t get the ribbon to stay until Sokka came in and tied it. It’s blue, to help counteract all the red I have on. I see you skipped that, though.”
Katara smiled. “Ty-Lee took us to this dress store and Suki found it for us.”
“Are you ready?” He asked as the crowd cheered.
“Let’s do this,” Katara smiled.
They walked out together hand in hand. Zuko held her hand up high and the crowd cheered.
“People of the Fire Nation,” Zuko boomed. “I wish to introduce you all to my future wife and the future Fire Lady, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe.”
The crowd was so loud Katara was certain she was now deaf. Zuko, to make sure neither of them would hear the opposers when they told everyone else, grabbed Katara around the waist and pulled her in for a very passionate kiss. When they released each other, both blushing profusely, the crowd was rabid with how joyous and excited they were.
After a few more waves, nods and words Zuko guided them back in. “Well, I think that went well.”
“I hope the stuffy delegates love the union as much as your people seem too,” Katara looked once more at the curtain they came from. “You really think it went well?”
“I swear they love you,” Zuko smiled. “Almost as much as I do.”
Katara notably relaxed. “I love you too.”
He held her hand as they walked to the dining room, preparing for the last announcement. “By the way,” Zuko asked. “What color is your dress?”
“Oh, it’s lilac,” Katara smiled. “Do you like it?”
“It’s my new favorite color on you,” Zuko smiled grabbing the small of her back. “Ready to announce it again?”
“Let’s do this,” She smiled and pushed open the double doors for her and Zuko to walk through.
AN: Shortest chapter I’ve written this week! Hope you enjoy! Also, something funny has happened to my computer so I’m using the mobile app I’m very unfamiliar with. Probably will go back later and add the links to the other days.
Lilacs in the language of flowers:
‘A representation of the firm confidence the giver has in the receiver.’
‘I have faith in you.’
‘The first realisation of love.’
Katara moved into her (well, technically Zuko’s but she was renting) little countryside flat at the start of March.
Just over two months later in late spring, sprays of light to pale purple blooms started popping up around the garden near the pond. Katara very nearly squealed (externally, she was squealing internally). Lilacs ranked among her favourite flowers. Both for herself to enjoy and to send as gifts.
Her sketchbook was now riddled with little notes and lopsided drawings, but she was getting better.
“Hey!” Zuko’s voice knocked Katara of her musings.
She opened her bedroom window, which coincidentally overlooked the rather picturesque smithy, to yell back down at him.
“What?”
“First farmer’s market of the month’s tomorrow. Want to come with? I heard the chippy is getting excited about the new peas that are coming in.”
Katara had quickly picked up that the locals here clung rather tightly to their self-sustainability. Produce was mainly seasonal items and, this being inland, most of the fish was river-caught. She had never tasted bream, perch, pike or carp before moving here. (Zuko had laughed about it when they had gone to buy a fish dinner and she couldn’t recognise any of the fishes on offer. Turns out that due to his heritage, the unfamiliar textures of the fishes were all too familiar to him. Oriental-Asians.)
But she had to admit, she had come to love the village chippy’s fruit cider battered carp, with their rustic chips (which always had enough vinegar), and mushy peas with the hint of mint.
“Yeah I’ll come with! But why ask me today?”
“Loading up bric‘a’brac for the market.”
Katara mentally face-palmed. Last month, Katara had shown up at Zuko’s doorstep with lunch and no matter how much she screamed he simply would not come out. It was only by chance (during one of her silent periods when her righteous indignation died down a little) that she heard her phone ringing frantically, delivering her an explanation.
Zuko’s main ‘allowance’ he gave himself (never mind he had the entre wealth of Foh Tech behind him) came from the commissions he received online and, apparently from the mini sculptures and bits and pieces of jewellery (bespoke or not) he made in between commissions for the fun of it. No, really, it actually was junk. The commissions provided his main living stipend and the market sales he saved for ‘a rainy day’.
Katara thought her mad little thought over, and then decided to just roll with it.
“Hey Zuko!” She shouted as he pulled the tarp over the back of his pickup to secure his merchandise.
“Yeah?”
“If I can get a piece done for tomorrow, could I add it to your stand?”
“Sure! But didn’t you say that you’ll be painting?”
“It’s acrylic! It’ll not take long to dry!”
“Well hurry up then! What are you going to paint anyways?”
Katara grinned down at Zuko from her window and shouted back, “The lilacs!” before running to her easel.
Nothing in her sketchbook seemed to come close to the real-life representations, but she could work around that. She didn’t need to do still life. She could be abstract. And there was the sunshine on the water of the pond, and there were the newly blooming lilacs surrounding it.
Katara mixed her paints and touched brush to canvas.
…
Three years, eleven months and twenty-four days ago Zuko began the cleaning up process of Foh Tech, aka he started his first day at the company.
The usual bouquets, congratulatory notes and such greeted him as he walked into his fa-his office. And almost immediately his phone began to ring, he answered without looking at the number.
“Heya!” Katara’s immediately said. “Did you get them?”
Zuko smiled slightly, “Get what?”
“Oooh. You better have got them or else heads will roll.”
“Kats, what do you mean?”
“The flowers!”
Zuko paused, brought his phone away from his face and stared incredulously at it before asking, “You got me flowers?”
“Of course I did! You’re first day on the job and I know you’re going to do great. Besides, anyone tries funny business with our team and heads start rolling yeah?”
Zuko chuckled “Yeah. Which ones are yours?”
“The lilacs!”
“The lilacs?”
Zuko glanced around searching for a mainly lilac with sprays of other flowers bouquet. He didn’t see one. In fact, if he were to look for lilacs then…
“You gave me straight up lilacs, nothing added on?”
“Uh huh!”
“Why?”
“Well, see. I don’t have any other messages to send than that.”
“Okay, you lost me Kats.”
“The language of flowers. Look it up, it might come in useful someday – maybe, I don’t know. But lilacs are my personal favourite flowers to give to my family and friends. And Zuko, you do know you’re both right?”
Zuko rolled his eyes fondly, “You don’t take down several triad groups without considering your team that I reckon. What message are you trying to send via flowers anyway?”
“I have faith in you. Remember that okay?” And with that, Katara hung up.
…
That day Zuko had, indeed, looked up a guide to the language of flowers. And Katara had kept on sending those lilacs. He tended to get more from her (arriving alongside the takeout she apparently ordered as a reminder to eat) during deal season.
Lilacs ended up becoming a very dear flower to his heart. So much so that after fixing up the smithy, he purchased several late-blooming lilac shrubs and hired a gardener to landscape his backyard with them.
Those were the same lilacs Katara had sent to him, and now was painting.
…
Zuko shook his head.
“Of course she’d paint the lilacs.” He muttered to himself. Really, if he was truthful, he was somewhat expecting it.
Then, unbidden the other meaning of the flowers came to the forefront of his mind, ‘Lilacs also represent a person’s first realisation of love’, he thought.
And just like he did nearly three years ago, he shoved it to the back of his mind.
Day One - Dragons
Day Two - Reincarnation
Day Three - Memories
Day Four - Lilac (You’re here!)
Day Five - Fever
Day Six - Coffee
Day Seven - Candles
This one is so far my favorite that I have written.
@zutaraweek
Katara sat on her chair holding a thick memory book in her lap as her children sat at the table drinking tea and her grandchildren played by the turtle-duck pond. She opened the worn book that was bursting at its seams and remembered when she had bought it.
“Here, Zuko, look at this,” Katara said holding up a brand new leather bound book with intricate designs on the front.
Zuko smiled next to her, enjoying the walk they shared, the war having just ended a few weeks ago. “It’s nice.”
“I think I’m going to get it,” Katara smiled.
“What are you going to use it for?” Zuko asked taking it to look at.
“I’m going to make it a memory book,” Katara said fishing for the money in her purse.
Zuko smiled at walked up to the vendor. “I’ll take this please.”
“Zuko I have the money-”
“No, I’ll buy it,” He smiled handing the vendor the money and getting handed the book in return. “Here, put whatever memories you have in it.”
“Sir?” The vendor called. “Your receipt?”
“Thank you,” Katara said grabbing it from him and putting the receipt on the first page. “There, the first memory.”
Zuko smirked. “I meant better memories than that.”
“No, this is the exact kind of things I want in here,” She smiled hitting him on his shoulder. “Come on, let's find the others.”
Katara touched the worn receipt on the first page and smiled, turning to another page.
“I have to go back,” Katara pouted on the opposite side of Zuko’s large desk.
“I know,” He said sadly. “You always have to go back. You spend a month here and two or three in the South.”
“It’s my job now. I’m the only person from the South other than Sokka that you get along with.” Katara said propping her arms and head on his desk.
“I know,” He bowed his head lower. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too, Zuko,” Katara smiled. “I’m sorry about what happened with Mai.”
Zuko smirked. “She and I broke up a while ago. Aang and you broke up a month ago. I’m sorry.”
She smirked back. “It's okay, I’m sure his thousands of adoring fans don’t let him feel sad about it.”
Zuko mirrored Katara posture. “Would you like to stay?”
She blinked. “Of course.”
Zuko smiled and pushed a scroll to her. “Get your dad to sign this.”
“What is it?”
“A diplomatic agreement between The Fire Nation and the Southern Watertribe.” He smiled. “If you and your father sign it and agree on all of the terms and such, you will live here in the castle.”
Katara’s eyes sparkled. “Really?”
“If you want that is. There will still be plenty of work for you to do and you may still need to travel at certain times, however, the Fire Palace will be your new home. You’ll stay here mostly.”
Katara pretended to think. “I’ll still have work to do?”
“Yes.”
“And if I have free time, I can come and go as I please?”
“Of course, Katara you aren't a prisoner or a prize. You are my best friend and a powerful diplomat.” Zuko smiled sitting up. He reached for the scroll. “However, if you would rather-”
“No!” Katara sprang up snatching the scroll from him. “I do. I want to. I’ll go back and have Dad sign it then I’ll come right back. I promise.”
Katara looked at the torn piece of the scroll with her, her father's, and Zuko’s signatures. She turned the page again.
“Katara, would you like to…”
“Yes, Zuko?” Katara asked looking up from the scroll she was working on to see him on the other side of his desk.
“I was wondering if you would like to… I mean if you would want to…”
“If I would want to what, Zuko?” She asked smiling.
“Go for a walk? Or get dinner with me? Or get tea? I mean would you like to… go on a d-date?” His entire face grew bright red.
Katara smiled and looked down. Her face just as red as his. “Yes.”
Zuko slapped his head. “Of course, you wouldn’t. I’m so stupid. I’m sorry. I’ll just be going to find a nice hole to die in and- what did you say?”
Katara laughed. “I’d love to Zuko. Where are you taking me?”
Katara smiled down on the page she had colored bright red, the same color his face was that day. She flipped more pages in.
The turtle-ducks swam in the pond as she and Zuko cuddled against the cherry tree watching them. A slight wind blew and cherry blossoms fell all around them.
Katara giggled picking up a few to hold. “They’re so beautiful.”
“You’re more beautiful,” Zuko said stealing one from her and putting it in her hair.
Katara laughed and blushed. “Thank you.”
Zuko scratched the back of his neck as a blush spread across his face. “Katara, I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a while but… I... you... and for so long...”
Katara leaned up from the crook of his arm and kissed him. “I love you too Zuko.”
Katara smiled again touching the pink dried flower then turned more pages.
The cold air bit at them as they walked around her village. Zuko caught up to her and grabbed her bare hand with his gloved one.
“Katara, wait-”
“But the penguins are still a little that way,” She pouted.
“I know just, wait, I have something to ask you,” Zuko said taking off his mittens so his hands were bare like hers.
“No, they don’t bite. I promise.” She smiled going up to hold his hands to keep them from getting too cold. She sighed feeling how hot they were. “I’ll protect you from them.”
“No, it's not that, just…” He sighed as she grabbed his hands. “I’ve talked to your father and Sokka and Aang and they all support me and agree with me.”
“What? That you’re an amazing Fire Lord or that you suck at snowball fights?” Katara smirked.
Zuko smiled. “Both, but that's not what I’m talking about.” He let go of her hand and pulled something out of his pocket. It was hidden in his hand. “I love you, Katara. You make me a better person and I’m willing to do anything for you, you know all that right?”
Katara grew worried but smiled. “Of course, I know that Zuko. I love you too. I would do anything you asked. What is this all about?”
He let go of her other hand and unraveled what was in his hand. “I know you can do better than me but I’ll I do whatever it takes to make you happy. Katara, will you marry me?”
Katara screamed, earning worried looks from the people around them and threw herself at Zuko, both of them going in the snow.
Katara smiled, tears going to her eyes as she looked at all the designs Zuko had drawn out before settling on the one around her neck.
She smiled even brighter turning to the page with one blue and one red piece of fabric the ones that they wore on their wedding day when they both cried seeing each other.
She turned the page again to see more fabrics, this time, the ones from her children's first onesies.
“Zuko?”
“Yes, love?” He asked from his desk.
“Zuko… I’m… I’m pregnant.”
Zuko beamed and cheered taking her in his arms and spinning her around.
“Mom?” Kya asked.
Katara looked up from her book to her children as they walked to her. “Yes, honey?”
“Are you looking at your book again, Mom?” Lee asked sitting on the arm of her chair like he did when he was younger.
“Yes, dear, I am,” Katara sighed, closing the book and looking at them smiling with tears in her eyes.
“Mom,” Iroh Jr. said going behind the chair and hugging her around the neck. “We told you, it was a bad idea to do that, you just end up crying.
“They aren’t sad tears, my darlings.” She cooed wiping away the tears. “Just happy ones and all my happiest memories.”
Kya sighed as her and Lee joined the hug. “We miss dad too mom.”
“Yeah,” Lee said. “But it's been a few years. Iroh’s the Fire Lord now.”
“That doesn’t mean it doesn’t still hurt you dingus,” Kya snapped at her little brother. “Mom, how about you me and the kids go to South for a bit? See Uncle Sokka again?”
“That sounds lovely, honey,” Katara said patting her daughters arm. “We can see if Korra is ready for me to train her as well.”
part two of the great saga continues,,, jk i don’t have the patience to write sagas. but please enjoy
“Do you think we’ve been here before?” Kat asked, shoving her hands deep into her pockets and staring into the sky.
Zuko looked down at her in vague surprise. “Where’s this coming from?” he asked, laying a heavy arm across her shoulders.
She was quiet for a moment, and Zuko’s arm fell until his arm loosely encircled her back and he browsed news on his phone in his other hand.
“Like-” he started as she spoke suddenly, “in a past life, would we have known each other, and been here right now-”
“-you questioning existence, me reading ‘Ye Olde Newes Scrolle?” he teased. That earned him a soft elbow in the side.
“I’m being serious!” she laughed. “How about it? Reincarnation?”
“What, like those old Avatar stories?” He ignored the glare she leveled up at him and let his mind wander.
It hadn’t escaped his notice that they shared names from those old legends-- Zuko and Katara, who had traveled with the Avatar and overturned the Fire Lord. Of course, these days, the Avatar was a minor religious leader, who made news sometimes by protesting violence, or closing doors with his mind. Element bending was the ‘stuff of mythology’ with ‘little to no basis in scientific fact.’
It also hadn’t escaped his attention that he’d seen candles pulse in time with Kat’s breathing, or that he could sense earthquakes like a dog in a YouTube video.
“I think,” he replied, “that anything is possible with you.”
She grinned, and turned so he could wrap both arms around her.
“What if in a previous life, we were just two rocks in the same stream?” she asked, voice muffled by the thick knit of his sweater.
He cocked his head, pulling back slightly. “Two- why rocks?”
She only laughed, and Zuko suddenly understood why she felt they’d been here before.
modern au, if u couldn’t tell lol, where bending has sort of weakened over time. if i were to expand on any zkweek universe it’d be this one. thnx for reading and see u tomorrow (lilacs is gonna be a doozy, it’s so long omg)
