I should be thanking you - Chapter 5 - LemonFantaSmells (2023)

Chapter Text

Chapter 5 ~ The Avatar and Company

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Zuko POV

The horns rang loud and clear through the town. People stopped what they were doing and gathered by the docks area ,where Appa was landing. Some of the people there remembered Appa, Aang and Katara as they lived at the south pole during the avatars initial resurgence, but for most, this was a once in a lifetime experience and for some, the whole reason they came to the southern water tribe: its connections with the avatar.

The group had made their way to the docks area ,just as the couple were gathering their luggage off the bison’s back. Zuko was terrified, his palms sweatier than his uncle's feet. He didn’t know what to expect; the whole letter fiasco and his recent admission of feelings to himself for Katara flooded his mind with anxiety. When they finally got to the front of the crowd and managed to disperse most of the people, assuring them the avatar would be available for signatures or spiritual guidance ,or whatever, later on at the festival, the couple had completely finished unloading Appa. Zuko wasn't sure what he was expecting of the couple, but it certainly wasn't this. They were bickering like an old couple, the helpful dock workers ,who offered to escort their bags, were almost shivering, as if they were scared of an avatar state outbreak.

After a minute or so, the couple realised their friend's presence and turned around. It was only then that Zuko got a proper look at them; Aang looked the same but…different. He couldn't place it but something had changed, he looked older but still just as immature and goofy as he had a year ago. Katara, though, looked like a whole new person. Most of it came down to her new styling, it was obvious that Aang had some influence on her style, her old hair loopies he had grown so fond of were replaced for a bun type of updo, secured on the back of her head with a light brown, wooden clip. Her clothes were no longer her familiar, blue robes or navy leggings and arm warmers- in their place were pale yellow and cream robes of sorts. A kimono style outfit with large sleeves and an air nomad orange sash-belt around her waist, which clashed horribly with her mother’s blue necklace ribbon. It didn't suit her the way her usual blue did, or even the way her fire nation disguise or earth nation dress did. Even her face looked off, her eyes were dimmer, surrounded by unfamiliar dark circles and her usually happy and hopeful expression had been swapped for an evil twin. Her smile looked fake, like truthfully, she was masking an annoyed scowl. Next to Aang, who still seemed as happy and youthful as he had before, decked in even brighter yellows and oranges, she seemed tiny. Sure Aang had shot up a bit, just an inch or so above Katara but still shorter than Zuko or Sokka, but it wasn't the physical difference, he just seemed to overshadow her- like his energy was sucking every drop of hers out.

He couldn't bring himself to do anything other than make a polite greeting with the couple as they all walked up to the house ,followed by the luggage carriers. The group fell into a slightly awkward silence for a moment, before being filled with Aang ,who began a long and energetic recollection of him and Katara's year at the air temple.

‘Well when we first arrived, boy! It was such a big job, huh Katara? Spirits, I looked at it and I was like “how the heck are we ever gonna get this place back to looking cool!” But you know, with the avatar and a master water bender,’ he said this as he hugged into Katara’s,still scowling, shoulder,’I couldn't expect anything less than perfection. We started with the cleaning, you know the dusting and stuff. We really cleaned it up good, right Kat? Yeah it was great, anyway then i knocked over this super important statue when i was flying around with momo so me and Katara had to fix that up and then we…what did we do then babe?’

Zuko cringed at his casual use of the word, even though they had been dating a year now, he didn’t like it.

‘Then I did all the rest of the cleaning while you flew around doing air tricks for some village people nearby.’ Katara said through her teeth, with an aggravated expression and bored tone.

‘Oh yeah…right,’ Aang rubbed his neck,’yeah well anyway then it was super nice there, like when I was a kid, so I flew around and dropped off flyers advertising becoming a monk. A whole bunch of people turned up to train with me, didn't they Katara? Yeah they did. So anyway then I trained ‘em up and sent all the sucky ones home, y’know the ones who only wanted to be there because I'm the avatar. Now theres….how many was it again Kat? Oh yeah 34, there's 34 monks now as official air nomad monks! Im super anxious to get back as soon as possible, we’ll probably head back in a day or so huh Kat, can't let them be alone too long or-’

‘What?’ Katara asked angrily, stopping dead in her tracks as the other continued up the last few steps to the house.

The group stopped and turned to look at Aang, ‘Well Katara you didn't think we could just leave the monks all alone for a week? That's crazy talk!’

Katara looked moments away from exploding, Zuko could sense something intense, luckily before he could do anything or intervene, Katara pushed past Aang silently and walked into the family’s manor, slamming the door behind her.

‘Jeez what's her problem?’ Aang asked sheepishly, pulling his collar out from his neck a bit,’I mean you guys get it right?’ nobody responded,’ Whatever lets just go, Avatar's gotta eat.’

They all exchanged glances of worry and followed Aang into the house. The group wandered into the dining room for food in an awkward half conversation, nobody sure what to say. Zuko decided to go clean up quickly, his palms were starting to itch from the sea of sweat he had released from them just before.

Zuko took a left from the rest of the group into a more secluded hallway type of area, the house resembled earth or fire nation houses slightly more than traditional one-room water tribe houses, perhaps Sokka had been inspired by his travels? Zuko grabbed the door handle to the bathroom but stopped when he caught a glimpse of someone leaving a room; it was Katara. She looked pissed, rightfully so, and although Zuko had been hoping to properly get reacquainted when the situation calmed down a bit, there was no chance they didn't interact now.

‘Uh hey Katara,’ he asked nervously,’are…uh are you ok?’

She looked up at him slightly startled, like she hadn't seen him before.

‘Oh uh yeah, just Aang being Aang I suppose.’

She sighed and looked up at him with a genuine and kind smile,’So how have you been?’

Zuko felt a little annoyed by the question,’Oh fine, you know, usual firelord stuff and all. Maybe you would know if you even bothered to read my letters’ he said almost under his breath.

‘What was that?’ Katara said, slightly aggravated.

‘Oh nothing.’ Zuko said, rolling his eyes a little.

‘No Zuko, tell me, what did you say?’ Katara said, suddenly very annoyed. She moved off her spot leaning against the wall towards him, arms across her chest.

Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes,’ I said maybe you would know how I am if you actually othered to read my fucking letters.’

It had come out slightly more aggressive than Zuko had intended, but still, he was angry at her. Katara just stared at him blankly.

He sighed again and moved towards her slightly,’I mean agni Katara, how hard is it to read one letter a week. I'm not asking you to repair a temple for me or anything, just read a few pages every week.’

Katara stayed completely still, Zuko could sense something in her shift. Her eyes seemed to light up, not with joy or shock, but with anger. Zuko realised that maybe it hadn't been the wisest idea to piss off a water bender in a house made of ice and snow.

Without warning, Katara lunged forward from her position, Zuko flinched slightly, but she didn't attack or even look at him, she stormed past him hastily.

Oh shit, Zuko thought, what did i say this time

He rushed to catch up with her, she had already made it to the dining room, where Aang, Toph, Sokka and Suki were sitting and engaging in conversation (Aang was telling jokes and laughing at them as everyone else laughed awkwardly).

Katara silently swept in and slid into the seat on the opposite end of the table from Aang, who had sat at the head of the table. Zuko was standing in the doorway when she opened her mouth.

‘And I said, you'll never guess, I said, not if you were a TURTLEDUCK!’ Aang exclaimed, his hands out emotively, before bursting into hysterical laughter.

The room fell into silence for a moment before Katara started to fake laugh extremely loudly, the jarring noise made all heads turn to her.

‘So Aang i have this hilarious joke you just have to hear it!’ She said, her excitedly mocking tone juxtaposed by her sour expression and squinted eyes. Her arms were crossed and her body leaning back in her chair.

‘Oh yeah, let's hear it then Katara!’ Aang said, not picking up on her annoyance

Spirits save Aang's soul from whatever she is about to unleash on him, Zuko thought, eyes wide as he stayed cowering in the doorway.

‘Zuko just told it to me actually!’ she said, all eyes turning to the firelord who was awkwardly in the doorway, he smiled nervously.

‘Yeah, i don't quite remember the first part but the punchline will really get ya.’ she said through her teeth.

‘Come on then babe!’ Aang said excitedly looking around at his friends, whose faces were all anticipating the worst.

‘Ok Aang! The joke goes something like, then the avatar hid letters from his girlfriend's friends from his girlfriend and didn't tell her they had any letters and made the girlfriend think everyone hated her and didn't want to talk to her.’ she smiled,’isn't that a funny joke.’

Everyone's jaws dropped, Aang's face went from a goofy smile to an open mouth and skin as white as the moon. Everyone turned to look at Aang. Sokka looked annoyed, confused and disgusted whereas Toph looked excited by the drama. Suki looked like she wanted to die and Zuko shared the thought.

‘Look babe, maybe we can talk in our room-'Aang said, rubbing his neck, sweating like a rabbit-pig.

‘ My room you mean. And I think we can talk here, that's ok with you guys of course?’ she asked with a smirk. Nobody made any reply.

‘You're acting like a child Katara.’ Aang said ,annoyed now.

‘OH I'M THE CHILD? I'M NOT THE ONE WHO HID LETTERS FROM MY FRIENDS! MY FAMILY! FOR WHAT? BECAUSE YOU WERE JEALOUS? BECAUSE I WASNT SPENDING ENOUGH TIME SLAVING AT THAT FUCKING TEMPLE! SPIRITS AANG! I CANT FUCKING DO THIS.’

‘If you're gonna act like that, like a bitch, than i'm not sticking around for it.’ aang said with an aggravated expression.

‘Take one step from that fucking chair and we are fucking finished.’

‘Whatever,’ Aang said, approaching the door, glider in hand,’come find me when you stop acting like this.’

He slammed the door and Katara shattered a wall of ice out of rage, luckily not a load bearing one. She stormed off to her room, the air suddenly filled with an eerily claustrophobic silence.

Nobody knew how to follow that up, Zuko awkwardly came down to the table and sat opposite Sokka, next to Toph. They all looked at eachother, Sokka finally broke the silence,’Well I guess that's why she never responded to those letters, huh.’

They all fell into silence again.

‘What the hell did you say to her, Zuko?’ Suki asked.

‘Nothing! I just told her I didn't appreciate her ignoring my letters and she went silent and came in here and did…that.’ Zuko said lumberingly.

‘Well you’ve gotta go talk to her ,Sparky, you're her boy toy best friend and you started all this.’ Toph said with a smirk, her feet crossed onto the table as she non chalauntly lay back in her chair, hands behind her head.

Suki and Sokka nodded,’Yep you can tame the beast,you’re the one who's to blame for all this baloney, not sure about boy toy best friend though Toph.’ Sokka said with a shrug.

Zuko rolled his eyes and got up,’You shouldn't talk about her like that you know, if I were her I would've torn this city down and mashed Aang into pulp if he treated me the way he’s treated her today.’

Toph laughed and the others started a small conversation, too quiet for Zuko to hear as he entered the hallway. Honestly Zuko was impressed, he could never have held his temper the way she had, he wanted to fire blast Aang into the next avatar cycle the moment he had opened his mouth earlier, let alone after being completely alone with him at a secluded temple for months on end.

Zuko approached Katara's door, unsure how to start; he had never been particularly good with emotions or comfort. What would uncle say, Zuko pondered, pacing up and down the corridor outside her door, you have to find it in yourself, to forgive yourself for what yourself cannot control…yourself…maybe i should just stop with the impressions.

‘What are you doing?’ Katara asked, nearly making Zuko jump out of his skin.

~~~

Katara POV

‘Oh uh…nothing. I uh….’ he said nervously.

‘I uh, I just came to make sure you're alright..y’know after all that Aang business.’

She looked around and then down at her shoes,’yeah um, you can come in if you want. I was just uh…yeah’ she said.

Zuko followed her into her room, it was much bearer than she would’ve liked but she couldn't fault her father for that; he probably asked about it in those letters.

Katara flopped down onto her bed, Zuko stood in the middle of the room awkwardly for a second before cautiously sitting as far away from her on her bed as he could.she was facing the roof, staring at the slats of wood above her, whereas he had his back against the wall facing her empty wardrobe on the other side of the room.

‘So,uh, I'm sorry if I started something back there- honestly, it wasn't my intention. I was just a bit…angry that you had not responded to me at all, I thought you hated me or something. Glad that's cleared up I guess….’ Zuko said, fumblingly, ’If you wanna talk or anything, I'm totally down. We have a lot to talk about I suppose.’

Katara sat up from her lying down position and looked him dead in the eyes, he suddenly looked nervous.

‘Of course i don't hate you Zuko! And none of that was your fault, it was that asshole avatar’s fault. UGH!’ she yelled in frustration, falling back against her pillows,’I can't believe I wasted a year of my life with him! I lied to myself everyday that I was happy and that I could leave at any time, that we were busy and so were you guys. Im so angry I want to kill Aang and go back to that moment where I told him I would go to that stupid fucking temple and slap him across the face instead!’

Zuko stayed silent, perhaps hoping she would continue on, which she did.

‘I mean, at first it was nice, you know; beautiful temple, away from the stresses of normal life, me and one of my best friends, writing letters to you everyday. It was lovely! Then you started writing less, fine! You're busy, I was too! Then I got a letter from anyone of you guys maybe, twice a month? Then once, then I was lucky to get one every 4 months! Aang managed to convince me it was for the best, we were busy, maye you guys were just jealous of us! What the fuck! And when he said we were busy he really meant I was busy. Who cleaned the temple? Me. who fixed the 500 year old statue taller than the fucking fire nation palace alone? Me, which Aang broke flying around chasing momo, may I add. Who spent 6 months washing clothes for, cooking for and cleaning up after 50 monks with no help or thanks? Me. Oh, and who stayed at that fucking temple ALONE for over two weeks while the avatar flew around doing tricks for some nearby towns for “exposure”? Yep you guessed it, ME’ Katara yelled, she was now pacing around the room. She continued on about her strifes, Aang's immaturity, his constant want for attention but his unwillingness to give her any, his nagging for them to “hook up” which in his mind,meant kissing for 10 minutes. Zuko felt himself getting warmer with annoyance, the second hand anger he was experiencing nearly melting through the wall behind him.

After a solid half hour of ranting, she sighed and flopped back down on her bed, face down.

‘If you don't mind me asking, why did you even ask to go with him in the first place.’ Zuko asked her, after a moment of quiet.

Katara felt her face warm up, her heart beating in her chest a little harder than usual. She couldn’t tell him anything like that, not yet. She hasn't even asked him a single question yet!

‘Ugh it doesn't matter, what's been up with you though, you know,since I didn't get any of your letters.’ she said, hoping he wouldn't pry any further, luckily he didn't.

‘Oh you know, the usual stuff. The big things though? I suppose I broke up with Mai a few months ago. It wasn't too bad though, we hadn't really been dating like we used to for a while.’

Katara flipped over and sat up, she sent him a sympathetic look, unable to say anything at the risk of a joyous cry escaping her mouth. The wicked witch is gone!

‘Oh yeah, I also found my mother. It took a few months but we located her via a grave. She passed away about a year or so ago, probably eight-itch pox, it's huge in the area she was in apparently. We set a few laws to help out with that recently.’

Katara's secretly happy mood melted into sadness, her friend's face obviously switching from neutral to melancholy.

‘Oh my spirits Zuko! I'm so sorry!,’ she crawled over the bed to be nearer to him and pulled him into an embrace. As much as she truly wanted to help him in that moment, she couldn't help but admire how fresh he smelled and the return of his more toned arms, now his exile had ended.

‘Don't be sorry, she's probably happier wherever she is now than she ever was with my father still around.’ Zuko said, not sounding any happier.

Katara sent him a sympathetic smile,’I wish I could've been there for you. If I had known I would've come up to the fire nation to see you, I'm so sorry. How did your sister take it?’

"Weirdly she didn't take it well at all, she started crying when I told her.. It was really….bizarre.’ he said, staring at the floor.

After a moment of silence, Katara was hit by a thought she had been pondering earlier,’ Hey! Did you ever pass that bill? The …the better healing in hospitals one? I had drawn it up while I was at the palace last year…your uncle said he thought it would be a major help?’

Zuko's face suddenly lit up a little, he smiled,’ Yeah we did, a few months back. From what I've heard it's already done great things, a small population of northern water tribe benders actually just moved into the capital to help out and train up some doctors.’

The pair continued to talk, now speaking about the more positive aspects of their year apart. Sometimes they strayed away to a fond memory from before Ozai and Aang’s fight: disguising themselves and heading into a nearby village to go to a party, washing dishes and having mini water fights, which Katara always won of course, scavenging for food while Aang and Toph threw rocks around behind them.

Then the conversation moved away from that, and Katara felt her heart race again.

‘The festival was beautiful, I didn't see you much though if I remember correctly.’ Zuko said, looking up at the ceiling in thought.

‘Oh yeah I was, y’know just talking to Aang and stuff, dancing with Toph. You were busy with Mai and firelording and stuff…probably I don't know.’ she said, trying to sound unbothered. Zuko seemed to pick up on her discomfort.

He smirked a little,’So that's when you and the avatar decided to jet off to the south,huh?’

Katara could feel her whole face turning as red as an apple, her pulse rising dramatically like it did when she trained with Suki that one time.

‘Oh yeah I guess…’ she said, silently praying he would drop the subject.

‘You never did answer my question you know.’ he said, looking right at her now.

‘Oh? What question? I didn't even remember you asking one.’ she said, with a nervous chuckle, twisting her hair around her finger.

Zuko squinted his eyes at her, suspicious,’Why did you go south with the avatar in the end is my question. I mean, do correct me if I'm wrong but you seemed pretty happy working around the court and helping out as a healer in the medical wing. I had been hoping you would stay in the fire nation and add some much needed voice of reason to that god forsaken court. You know there's nobody I trust with the future of my country more than you, Katara.’ he said, so nonchalantly, like he was just recalling some mundane fact.

For Katara however, she felt her face get warmer, if that was even possible, now reaching nuclear levels. She was fearing a heart attack with the rate her heart was smashing against her rib cage, how could he just say that and expect me not to react?

‘Oh yeah…oh I don't know, I suppose I had been planning to stay there with you, at least for a while.’ she said, slightly solemnly, staring down at the floor.

‘So what changed?’ Zuko said leaning over so he was facing her completely,’Is the avatar really that convincing?’

Katara was unsure what to say, she could feel the radiating heat of Zuko’s body fusing with her own, he was only inches away from her. In the literal heat of the moment, she decided: fuck it, what do i have to lose.

‘Fine!’ she sighed and looked up at him, finally locking eyes with him, his amber irises holding some spark she hadn't seen before in him, her stomach fluttered ,’The real reason I left?’

‘Yep, that's what i'm after.’ he said, leaning back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and a smirk crawling across his face.

‘Honestly? I saw..I saw you and- and Mai. You were on some balcony and I saw you guys from down below. I had kinda been avoiding you all day because…ugh i don't know, I guess I kind of..’

Zuko's eyes had widened slightly, but before she could finish her thought, the door slammed open. Both heads jolted to the doorway where Suki stood, out of breath; a rare sight for the kyoshi warrior.

‘Suki? What the hell? What's wrong?’ Katara yelled, sensing something was wrong. Why the hell else would she barge into her room after she and Zuko had been engaged in private conversation for over an hour, completely out of breath and sweating like she just ran a marathon.

‘Sorry-I..spirits.’ she put her hands on her knees as she caught her breath,’Sorry I just-ran up all those fucking stairs.’

She stood up, finally able to breath. Zuko and Katara stared at her, signalling for her to actually state her reason for interrupting that incredibly tense moment.

‘Oh yeah right. Katara, Aang got into a street fight in town, he's refusing to do anything unless you come speak with him.’ she said, urgency in her eyes.

Katara and Zuko exchanged glances before getting up from the bed and following Suki to the front door. Just as they reached the top of the stairs which descended down to the town, Suki paused.

‘Hey Zuko,’ She said, grabbing his arm,’ Maybe it's best you stay behind..’

Katara and Zuko exchanged confused glances before Zuko’s head swivelled to look at Suki, ’Why the fuck would i stay behind?’ he asked, annoyed.

Suki’s face was filled with worry, ’Just trust me, I don't think that would end well for anyone.’

The pair split up after, Suki guiding Katara down the steps to the manor. Once they reached the bottom, Katara looked over her shoulder at Zuko who was still standing on the doorstep, watching her walk off into the distance before she disappeared behind a building.

What the fuck has he done this time , they both wondered, both also pondering what may have happened if Suki hadnt interrupted them only minutes before.