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.
