Zutara Week Day 5: Fireflies

The sparks flew higher as Zuko let a little more of the wild energy pulse through his hands.

He felt his heart beat faster as a thrill of fear raced through him. He could never forget how dangerous the fire was. He had the scar to prove it.

Bu the power was intoxicating.

“Zuko?” The flames went out at once.

Katara stepped soundlessly out of the nighttime shadows, a steaming bowl cupped between her hands. “You’ve been out here practicing for a while. I thought you’d want some dinner.” She held the bowl out to him.

Zuko silently reached out to take it, and their fingers brushed. A shudder ran up his spine. Katara was more like the fire he loved so dearly than she realized.

“Thanks,” he said gruffly. She smiled before turning back to the trees, towards the direction of camp.

“You’re welcome, Zuko.”

Zuko’s heart jumped into his throat as he watched her leave. Too soon. “Katara…wait.”

Katara turned back to him, her voice cool and steady. “Yes, Zuko?” Her eyes shining with warmth. Warmth and…something else.

“C’mere…I want to show you something.” Zuko placed his dinner gently at the edge of the clearing before moving to the center. “I know that, even though I helped you avenge your mother, you’re still a little wary of me. But I want to show you that fire isn’t always bad.”

Katara opened her mouth to object, but seemingly thought better of it. She stepped closer to Zuko until they were separated by barely a foot. “Prove to me that fire is a good thing, Zuko.” Her arms were crossed defiantly, but her eyes were pleading.

For a moment, Zuko didn’t move, fighting the urge to close the distance between them. He breathed in deeply, and immediately wished he hadn’t. Her smell was intoxicating.

He closed his eyes, letting the fire trickle through his veins, gently at first. It ebbed from his heart down his arms and into his hands, down his legs and into his feet. Faster, faster.

He opened his eyes, and everything was darker. He was glowing. The only thing he could see were Katara’s eyes, wide with wonder.

And then they came. Only one at first, a little beacon lighting the darkness of the distant trees around them. Then another, and another. The fireflies drunkenly weaved their way towards Zuko, drawn by his light. One by one, they landed softly on his shoulders and in his hair.

“W…wow,” was all Katara managed to gasp out. She reached up to place her quivering fingers next to his shoulder, letting one of the bright little bugs perch there tentatively.

“See?” Zuko said. “Fire isn’t just destruction. It’s light. It’s life.”

“I had no idea that fire could be so positive. All I‘ve ever seen is the destruction,” Katara breathed. She turned her eyes up towards Zuko. “It’s amazing. You’re amazing, Zuko.”

Zuko gulped. He wasn’t used to this much positive attention from Katara. But he loved every minute of it.

Zutara Week Day 3: Jealousy

“Don’t you ever wish for that, Toph?”

“Wish for what?”

Aang leaned back against the log, stirring the air around him into a miniature whirlwind absentmindedly. “Well…look at them.” Aang nodded in the direction of Zuko and Katara, who were laughing and having a ‘water fight’, which was Katara was clearly winning. But whenever she got close to completely soaking Zuko, he would unleash a controlled wave of fire to evaporate the water and dry himself off. “They’re completely in love.” Aang sighed loudly, still staring at the couple.

“I could ask you the same question, Twinkletoes,” Toph pointed out.

Aang just looked at her.

“Don’t give me that look. Just because I can’t see it, doesn’t mean I can’t see it.” Toph wriggled her toes triumphantly.

Aang sighed again, looking a little queasy. “Maybe. But seriously, Toph, aren’t you ever jealous?”

Zuko and Katara had stopped splashing water, and were bickering with each other now. Zuko wrapped his hand firmly around Katara’s, and continued bickering. Katara reached up and anchored Zuko’s head in place with her other hand, and pushed her forehead up against his. They were still bickering, but they were leaning closer together, closer…

“No,” Toph lied firmly, as Aang looked away from the couple.

He gave her a weird look. “Whatever you say, Toph, I’m going to go take a ride with Appa.” He stood up, brushing dust from his pants, trying very hard not to look at the couple. “But for what it’s worth…” Aang looked at Toph, then over at Sokka, who was watching them fixedly. “I’m not sure I believe you. And I think I can name someone else who’s a little bit jealous…” With a final glance at Sokka and a shrug, Aang picked up his glider from its place against the log and bounced away.

Sokka stood up, walking over to where Toph was and sitting down silently. Zuko and Katara went back to splashing each other, laughing. “They’re quite a pair, aren’t they?” Sokka asked.

Toph nodded, blushing at the proximity to Sokka. “Yeah, they are.”

Well…maybe Aang is right. Maybe I am jealous…but just a little bit.