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Dreams	By : eyecanread Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Katara/Zuko Views: 13781 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Katara, Zuko, or any part of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I'm making no money from writing about the aforementioned cartoon.

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Katara dreaded getting up the next morning, her fitful night's sleep was definitely not restful. She had no desire to face Zuko again and on top of that she had a massive headache. She couldn't believe she'd told him about the dreams, it must've been because of sleep deprivation. She was already feeling awkward around everyone.
She groaned and rubbed her temples. This was going to make everything worse.

A little while later she made her way into the dining room to join the gAang for breakfast. She had come up with a plan that she hoped would work. Denial.

As she entered the room Toph sprang out of her chair to greet her. “Guess who arrived in the middle of the night?” Toph took Katara by the hand and led her over to the table. Zuko stood as they approached, he looked as if he were about to say something when Katara cut him off. “Zuko!” She said cheerfully, putting on her best smile. “It's good to see you!” she gave him a brief hug and tried to ignore the looks of confusion followed by understanding that passed over his face.

Sokka started relaying what Zuko had just told them about his trip and everything that was going on in the Fire Nation. Katara was only half listening as she got her breakfast. There was a lull in Sokka's constant babble and Katara looked up to see that everyone watching her. “What?” She asked meekly.

“I just asked you a question.” Sokka said, a little hurt she hadn't been listening.

“Are you alright?” Aang asked with concern.

Katara tried to smile. “I have a headache. If you all don't mind I think I'll skip breakfast and just go back to bed. She stood to leave, but stopped to give Toph a hug. “I'm sorry to put a wet blanket on the gathering.”

“It's not a problem. Are you sure you're going to be alright?” Toph put her arm around her friend.

Katara waved a hand dismissively. “I just didn't sleep that well last night, is all. I'll be fine after a little rest.”

Katara made it back to her room and shut the door. She'd sank down on the bed and threw an arm across her eyes. Seemingly seconds later there was a knock at the door. “Yes?” she moaned.

For a moment she thought her weak voice hadn't carried across the room. “I brought some tea.” A male voice said from the other side.

Zuko.

Katara sat up quickly, and instantly regretted that action when her head protested vehemently. “Come in.” She wasn't certain she was ready to talk to Zuko alone, but it was too late now.

The Fire Lord slipped the door open and deftly brought in a tray ladened with a pot, cups and some small cakes. She observed that luckily his skills from the teashop hadn't been lost. She inwardly winced in anticipation, sure he was going to launch into a hundred questions or accusations of how ridiculous she was being. Instead he silently walked to her bedside and placed the tray on a table. She watched him wide-eyed as he poured the fragrant tea into one of the cups and turned to face her.

“Lean back.” She obeyed and he propped some pillows up so she could rest against the headboard. He brought the cup to her lips and she drank it as if in a daze. “This is one of Uncle's special blends. It'll help you rest.”
When he lowered the cup she mumbled a thank you, then leaned back closing her eyes.

“I hope you get some restful sleep Katara.” Zuko said setting the cup back on the tray.

She looked at him. He had an almost sad expression on his cool features. “I'll try.”

He nodded once and disappeared out of her room shutting the door behind him.

Katara fell asleep wondering what that was all about.
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Later that morning Katara rejoined the land of the living. She found the gAang playing a game out in the yard.
They all stopped and came over to ask her how she was and to say they'd been worried about her. All of them, except Zuko. He stood off to the side scowling at her. When she caught his eye he looked away. His behavior confused her. 'What changed?' Something in her chest burned, but she retained her smile.

One good thing came from all this unpleasantness; she was able to look Aang and Sokka in the eye again. She was at least glad of that.

The rest of the day was quiet and uneventful. Toph took Suki and Katara shopping for a dress she could wear too the party. They had fun. They talked about the following day's plans. The party was to be held at the Earthbending Academy, and practically the whole world was invited. Toph complained that she'd only wanted a small party, but once again her parents had taken over her life. Katara knew Toph was being melodramatic, and that she really loved all the attention.

At the house Katara did her best to avoid Zuko. He scowled or didn't look at her when they were together, so she didn't feel particularly bad about snubbing him.

In the afternoon the group had fun sitting around and talking. Before they realized it, night had fallen. Sokka and Suki were the first to retire, followed by Aang. When Toph stood to leave Katara almost panicked. The waterbender stood to bid her friend goodnight. As soon as Toph was gone Katara glanced around the room.

Zuko stood on the other side. He was looking at her but he wasn't scowling this time. He opened his mouth to say something. She didn't let him speak, instead threw him a hasty goodnight and practically ran from the room.
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Katara didn't slow her pace until she'd gotten to her room. She was almost to the end of the bed when she felt, more than heard, someone enter behind her. She spun around to see Zuko standing just inside her door. 'He moves like a cat! I didn't even know he was following me!'

He reached behind him and slid the door shut. “Katara, we have to talk.”

He looked like he wasn't too happy at the prospect, but then, neither was she. Katara didn't move.

Zuko wasn't waiting for a reply. “We can't go on like this. It's ridiculous!” His voice started to rise.

“Like what?” Her breath stalled. She did not want to have this conversation.

“You avoiding me all the time! No matter what we've said, or what you've dreamed, we are still friends, that can't change. We've gone through far too much to let it. Besides, the others are starting to notice our behavior around each other.”

She looked around for a way to escape. Unfortunately he blocked the only exit. “I'm not avoiding you.” She knew that didn't come out very convincing.

“Yes. You are. What are you afraid of?” There was a note of pain in his voice. “Did you think I'd run to Sokka, Aang or the girls and tell them what you said?”

“No, not really.” She sighed heavily. “It may have even made things easier if they knew. Then I wouldn't feel all this guilt.” She placed a shaking hand over her heart.

His eyebrow shot up. “Guilt over what? They're just dreams! You had no control over them!”

She clamped her mouth shut and turned her head to the side.

“Katara, please talk to me. What's going on?”

This was torture for her. “I knew I was going to see you again, that's when the dreams started. And then you were there in the garden, and you were just so... different, and I... It just made things hard and awkward.”

Zuko squinted as if he could look inside her, a light dawning in his mind. “Wait a minute, are you mad at me for not being like the Zuko in your dreams?”

“I wish you could be the Zuko of my dreams!” Katara's eyes flew wide and she threw a hand over her mouth.

“I thought you said the dreams were disturbing to you.” He frowned.

She quickly lowered her hand. “Yes! I mean no! Oh... you're confusing me.” She shook her head.

He sprang forward coming almost nose to nose with her. “I'm confusing you? I haven't seen you in years and one of the first things you tell me is that you're having erotic dreams about me! I think confusion must be contagious, because I fear I'm suffering from it too!” He flung his arms out emphatically.

She spun around away from him and choked back a sob, holding onto the bedpost for support.

He sighed, letting one long breath out through clenched teeth. “Please, just tell me, why were these dreams so horrible that you'd try to keep yourself awake at night to avoid them. Was I such an unthinkable partner?”

Tears escaped unbidden from her eyes. She didn't dare turn to look at him or she might not be able to get out the next few sentences. “It hurt so much that I was so happy in my dreams, and then every time I woke you were gone.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “Knowing you couldn't possibly desire me in return, outside of my dreams, is what nearly tore me apart. And I was afraid of me. I avoided you for fear I'd loose control, and do something you'd regret.”

He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. She didn't want to look at him so she clenched her eyes tightly shut. That didn't stop the flow of tears that washed down her face.

“Katara, look at me.” There was something in his quiet voice that scared her more now, than when he'd been yelling. When she didn't open her eyes he took hold of her chin. “Katara.” His voice was just a husky whisper now.

She reluctantly opened her blue orbs. They were greeted by two amber ones only inches away. She gasped.
He was crying too.

“For a brilliant woman, sometimes you can be so stupid.” He smiled sadly even though Katara was frowning. “There are a few things that I have to say, and you will listen to me.” She knew the matter was not up for debate. He took a deep breath. “I never thought you weren't worthy of me, in fact quite the opposite. And you have to know how stunningly beautiful you are. Men would fall at your feet to be with you. And one more thing.”

Katara forgot how to breath.

“I love you. ...I guess I have for a long time.”

Katara was positive the reaction he got wasn't the one he was expecting. She pounded on his chest with her closed fists. “Long time!? Why didn't you ever say anything? What was I supposed to think? And after I made that confession in the garden, every time I walked into a room you started scowling at me!”

He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her close in an attempt to stop her struggling. “You weren't mine to have, and besides I didn't know you were interested in me that way. I'd never force you into anything you weren't comfortable with. You know as well as I do, it's hard being in a relationship alone.” A corner of his mouth turned up. “I wasn't scowling, by the way. I was concentrating so that I didn't throw myself at you.”

She let that last part pass. “Not yours to have? What am I? A ship?” Even in her anger her heart fluttered from being in his arms.

“In the early days we both weren't ready. I had Mai and you had Aang. We needed to say our goodbyes to be able to move forward.”

A realization came to Katara and she stopped struggling. “How long have you been thinking about me?” There was awe in her voice. He sounded so sure this day would come.

A wistful look came to his eyes; then he seemed to return to her. “It doesn't matter now. We both know what the other is feeling, so what are we going to do about it?”

The corners of her mouth turned up. Her hands were trapped between their chests so she grabbed hold of the only thing withing reach; his collar. Katara pulled Zuko until their lips met. She could taste the salt of their drying tears, but she couldn't care less. This was bliss.

He lifted her off the ground bridal style, and she squeaked with surprise and delight. He moved them to the bed where he sat her down on the edge, keeping his hands on her hips. She took a stray strand of his hair and brushed it away from his scar leaving her hand on his cheek.

“I have a confession Katara.” She looked at him with all the longing and desire that were reflected his eyes. “I've had dreams about you too.” He devoured her mouth with his, as she pulled him in deeper.

~~~~~
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The 'ship' reference by Katara is a nod to all of those wonderful Zutara and Kataang shippers out there.
May you ever stay true to your desires!
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Dreams