“Yeah,” he looked to the floor, “Katara, if you’re leaving because of what happened… I just want you to know that I’m sorry…” He looked up at her through his hair, “I don’t.. want you to think I took advantage of you… or anything…”
“You didn’t talk to me about it.” She said before she could stop herself. Katara didn’t want to reveal that she was upset. It wasn’t her place to be. Even if he wasn’t with Mai, he might not want to be with her. “You kissed me… and ran. What am I supposed to think? It hurt and you may not have been taking advantage but you’ve made it clear there was no feelings attached to it.”
“We ended things,” he said to her. “I think it was for the best though… where will you be going?” He started to feel at blame for her leaving. He didn’t mean to go that far in the first place, and now it is making her leave?
She didn’t want to talk about that. How could she tell him that she thought she might be in love with him? She opted to avoid the situation. “Why did you end things? I thought you loved her.”
“I figured if we went years being… distant, something was wrong… Right?”
Katara nodded, still feeling hurt by the whole thing. Zuko didn’t talk to her about the kiss, leading her to believe that he didn’t care. He was just horny and she was there. “You have a point.”
“We ended things,” he said to her. “I think it was for the best though… where will you be going?” He started to feel at blame for her leaving. He didn’t mean to go that far in the first place, and now it is making her leave?
She didn’t want to talk about that. How could she tell him that she thought she might be in love with him? She opted to avoid the situation. “Why did you end things? I thought you loved her.”
His face sunk into a sad expression at the mention of her leaving, “I talked to Mai, and I don’t think we will be speaking for some time… But if you feel the need to leave, I won’t stop you…” He tried to concoct an understanding smile, hoping his sadness wasn’t seeping through.
Katara wanted to run to him. She wanted to kiss him again. But, how could she? He had fled from her. Not bothering to talk to her. Or see if she was okay. He must think it was a mistake. “Why won’t Mai be talking to you?” She attempted to change the subject.
Zuko closed the door behind him. He wanted this to be as normal as possible. “Katara, these are some policies that still need to be gone over,” he handed them to her. Something was off in her demeanor, he withdrew his arms and asked, “Something wrong?”
With Zuko so close, it became much harder to talk. All she could think of was his kiss, his touch, his heartbeat. Katara took a deep breath and let it go slowly. “I-I came to tell you it’s time for me to leave. Um, th-the kiss and Mai coming back…”
He found some scrolls that still needed reviewing, and finished some at a slower pace than usual. He came across more policies between The Fire Nation and the Southern Water Tribe. He put them off to the end of his session, somewhat embarrassed of his actions during his last encounter with the waterbender. He thought of what happened. He blushed and shook his head. While looking in the opposite direction, he pictured Mai’s face, hurt and betrayed. He felt he shouldn’t be at felt, she shouldn’t have assumed anything… But what grounds didn’t she have to assume they were still together?
He knew these policies had to be finished, his and Katara’s official relationship was at hand, not their personal… He decided he would do his duty, and be off. He gathered the scrolls and walked to the doors. He opened them, but stopped short in surprise.
Katara knew that it was time to leave. She had worn out her welcome. The memory of Zuko’s kiss was a distraction. It kept playing over and over in her mind. She rarely had a fitful night’s sleep now. The kiss would always move into something more. Something a maiden shouldn’t think. So, it was time to go.
She knocked on the door to his office, still wanting to just turn and run. But he was her friend. And he deserved to hear it from her.
The Unknown
Katara crumpled to the floor of her room. How could she honestly go on staying here? She had spent so much time with Zuko, as ambassador and friend. The policies she helped him put into place was helping his nation and her tribes. And now the truth was revealed. Or so she thought.
Zuzu walked over to him, mew’ing at her. He knew she was hurt by the actions of his namesake. She picked the kitten up, letting him nuzzle into her hair and rest on her shoulder. What ws she going to do now? Aang had left her. Zuko was being a fucking dick. And here she was, confused by her feelings. How could she face him again?
The scene kept replaying in her head. He kissed her, pushed her back on the desk. Both hearts racing, cheeks red as they pulled away. But she had stopped it. She needed to. Katara couldn’t do this while he was with Mai. It wasn’t fair to her or the noblewoman.
But, by the spirits, did this hurt. She hugged her knees to her chest, burying her face in them and crying.
