Ridiculous Plant? Zutara X Mas

Ridiculous Plant?
A Zutara Xmas


(Set at the Christmas after Zuko FINALLY joins the gaang.)

The children of fire and water walked across the bridge of snow and ice, one of them sullenly strolling along with his clouded mind, the other buzzing with the season’s spirit. Her blue eyes were alit with titillation, much like the lights littered across the Northern Water Tribe. Until she noticed her friend’s solemn behaviour.


“Cheer up Zuko!” She nudged him, breaking the firebender’s trail of solemn thought. “It’s the holidays! You should be happy…” Zuko growled at the annoying optimism she possessed.


“But I’m not.” He groaned, stopping at the centre of the bridge, hanging his head over the railing. He felt a hand grasp his shoulder, before glancing backwards to see another gentle smile from the waterbender.  


“What’s wrong?” She asked. A soft sigh was released from his lips, sending a cluster of cold white steam to dance aimlessly.


“I just don’t feel the holiday spirit anymore…” Zuko finally replied turning his gaze to the frozen waters again. “It was different when my Mother was around, but when she left… I don’t know. This time of year doesn’t really feel like anything to be excited about anymore… I don’t have any family or friends to celebrate it with, so what’s the point?”    


“What are you talking about?” The girl frowned, her blue eyes rippling with feelings of hurt. “You have a lot of people who want to spend the holidays with you!”


“Like who Katara?” He asked, never looking back at her.


“You have an Uncle who thinks the world of you!” Katara said, moving closer to the banished prince, both hands pressing his shoulders. “And is he not your family?” Katara felt the tension in his shoulders drop, a heavy breath his only positive response. She smirked, slowly breaking his walls. “And you have friends like Aang, Toph and Sokka who care.”


“Pfft!”


“Ok, Sokka doesn’t act like he cares, but he does! He’s just too stubborn to admit it…” Katara giggled sheepishly, scratching the back of her head.



“Yes. That makes sense…” Zuko chuckled, sarcasm edging on his voice. He almost grinned at the idea… until another thought entered his mind. He blinked, “Katara… Do you care?”


“Huh?” She blurted out. “What about?”


“Me.” He huffed, boring his gold eyes into her. “Obviously.” The chilly weather pinched his cheeks a rosy pink, or so it would have seemed. The wretched cold started to nip Katara’s bright red face too as she mumbled consistent “Umm”s and “Uh”s. She didn’t what to say… They had got to know each other so well. Their relationship blossomed when he chose his place here. Katara was glad to have him on the light side. She began to care deeply for him…


“Of course I do. Why would I be trying to make you feel better if I didn’t? Idiot.” A playful smack collided with Zuko’ arm, initiating a soft fit of laughter. For once, he was in high spirits while his counterpart was low. You don’t know how much I care about you, Zuko. To be honest, I’ve never known these feelings I have for you…


“Thank you Katara…” The firebender met her demure mood with a small smile. Suddenly, for some reason Katara felt butterflies fluttered deep within her core…


“You’re welcome Zuko.” She grinned. “Come on! Everyone’s probably waiting for us back at-” But before she could continue, Zuko’s firm fingers wrapped around her wrist.


“Wait a minute Katara.” The banished Prince gawked up at the sky above them. “There’s something on the arc of the bridge.” He reached out and toyed with the strange object. “What is this ridiculous plant?!” He asked, eyeing the ludicrous decoration. When Katara recognised it, everything seemed to go silent. Only the sound of her heartbeat rang across the icy buildings of the glacial city.   


“Umm…”


“I knew the Water Tribe had some weird traditions, but why on earth would anyone hang this up anywhere?” Zuko commented, hardly taking notice of Katara’s state.


“It’s Mistletoe.” Katara spat out.




“Well that’s a funny name for a plant.” Zuko smirked. “Why is it called that?”


“I don’t know,” Katara admitted. “But it carries a certain custom with it…”


“… What kind of custom?” A curiosity sparked within him.


“Oh!” She scoffed, shyly turning away with a red face. “It’s stupid.”


“Tell me!” He whined. “Is it because I said the plant was absurd? I swear I won’t make fun of anymore of your traditions Katara!”


“No! I wasn’t offended… It’s just…”


His fierce gold eyes stared deeply into hers, sending chills down Katara’s spine. The right explanation came to here.


“Why don’t I just show you what this plant means…” She flushed at the thought of what she was about to do… But her courage overcame her fear, slowly rising on her tiptoes leaning in, opening an invitation to the banished prince. Blankly he stared back at her, feeling like a frozen ice cube ready to melt. Yet somehow, he managed to move his lips forward…


They were caught in their sweet, chaste, first kiss together not caring for the balls of snow falling from the sky, hardening the harsh environment. All that excised for them at that moment, was the touch of the other’s lips warming their insides. Unwillingly they broke away. Katara shyly smiled up at Zuko, blushing at his paralysed form. He wouldn’t stop gaping at her; he was so shocked by her boldness!    


“Well.” He coughed, his mouth fumbling with his words. “That was… Nice.” His face mimicked Katara’s and now they both dark red. “But I still don’t know the meaning of mistletoe…” The waterbender rolled her eyes at his naiveté and went in for another kiss.


This time she snaked her arms around his neck to pull him closer. Fortunately poor Zuko got over her intrepid behaviour and embraced her waist. Their second kiss took a passionate turn, their tongues in a turbulent trance. Tasting the ambrosial taste of each other’s mouths was a wonderful Holiday treat.


Gradually they tore themselves apart from the kiss again. Zuko kept his eyes closed taking in the moment, absolutely glowing.


“Katara…”


“Yes?”


“I still don’t know what Mistletoe means.” He smirked at her enjoying her bewildered reaction.


“You’re just playing dumb to get another kiss! Aren’t you?” She glared taking a defensive stance, fuming at his cheek!


“Maybe…” He grinned coyly. Zuko was an expert at getting Katara riled up, but now, he would just play with her. What better way to spend the holidays then to tease your new beloved?


But as much as Katara wanted to stay mad at him and freeze him against a wall or something evil… She couldn’t. One look into the gold orbs and she forgot about everything.


“Just shut up and kiss me!” She mumbled, grabbing him into a fiery kiss again.


And as always, Zuko offered no means of protest…


END!

Story © zstar

Avatar The Last Airbender © Nickelodeon