@zutaraweek

@zutaraweek

Day 5: Hesitancy

(Part 3/4)

In the end no one needed to summon Toph, but only because Sokka took it upon himself to intervene first. He may deny it, but Katara knew he can’t stand to see her sad, especially when he can do something about it. It’s a trait he had even before their mother was killed and was only amplified after. She tries not to use it against him. Too much.

She didn’t know what he said to Aang, but that night the Avatar found her and they talked for a long time. Apparently before he had arrived at the Fire Nation he had planned to do his best to woo her one last time and if she still wasn’t interested, he would try to move on. He had hoped seeing him again would reignite their original spark and they could work something out. She didn’t think it necessary to tell him that spark had always just been wishful thinking on her part. He didn’t ask when she and Zuko first started liking each other. Actually, he seemed reluctant to talk about Zuko at all. So Katara talked with him about other things.

Aang was glad she was happy, but also still needed some time to work through his feelings. The meetings with the Earth Kingdom had only one more day left, so he was planning on leaving right after. He hadn’t yet asked Toph or Sokka if they wanted to cut their visit short to go with him.

Katara was sad to see him, and possibly Sokka and Toph, go so soon. But while it wasn’t the response she had been hoping for, it definitely was not the worst. In an attempt to cheer her up, Zuko wound up quoting everything he could remember Uncle Iroh saying about time being the best healer. And then for good measure he started making up his own quotes, which made sense only half the time, but succeeded in making her laugh.

And Aang stopped running from her. He attended meals with her and Zuko and the others and it almost felt normal, like old times. Only now she was very conscious of how much attention she gave Zuko when around Aang. She was used to not showing any special interest in her boyfriend when other people were around. Their relationship was kept private for now, though she doubted anything was actually a secret in the palace. Still, they didn’t want the Fire Nation nobles or the other diplomats to assume she was getting any special treatment just because they were dating. She knew at some point she’d have to give up her position as Water Tribe Ambassador, but she wasn’t ready to do that yet. She still had so much she wanted to do to help her tribe as well and the Fire Nation.

So acting impartial to her boyfriend was nothing new, but that was something she had to do in front of palace staff and old politicians. She shouldn’t have to do it in front of her friends. Aside from the fact that she wasn’t actually doing anything wrong by dating Zuko, there was also the fact that they were both still healthy teenagers and it was often very difficult and annoying to keep their hands to themselves. It wasn’t like she wanted to make out with him in front of their friends— like, at all — but casual touches would be wonderful. She liked leaning against him so he’d wrap his arms around her. Maybe idly play with her hair while they talked or read or whatever. She loved holding his hand because he’d give little squeezes in response to things she said or did or just when he wanted to. Because he could.

She knew showing any public displays of affection would just be cruel to Aang right now, but she wondered if there would ever be a time when she and Zuko wouldn’t have to hesitate to show their love. They both understood what they were getting into when they agreed to date and she was determined not to let anyone dictate what kind of relationship they were allowed, but sometimes the waiting felt like too much and she had to stop herself from kissing him in front of the Council of Elders just for their reaction.

Maybe Zuko could share some of Uncle Iroh’s advice on patience. Not that he ever used it.