Beauty in the Beast (Zutara)

Chapter Twenty Nine

What the actual fuck is this? Zuko mentally growled as he watched his girlfriend snickering with Aang next to her. His chin resting on his hands; eyes never leaving the two of them. Want burned at his body as the desire to grab the younger boy by the back of his shirt and pants and toss him out of sight increased. He wanted to be alone with Katara, especially after they had decided to finish with their project for the day. Aang laughed softly in the library, Katara's smile was the only thing stopping him from acting on his desire. He shut his eyes gently trying to soothe his thoughts. You're making her happy. He coached himself. Just focus on her pretty smile. Katara took his hand in concern pushing him out of his own thoughts, her smile now lost to concern.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"You're happy." He responded softly fingers around hers. "So I'm okay." Without thinking, he leaned into her hand before looking back to his piece that he was editing over unaware of the shock and growing blush on her face as she watched him. How can he just say that so plainly? She turned away from her boyfriend and Aang, covering her face trying to cool herself off. Zuko caught the younger boy straighten his face as he tried to hide the hurt.
"Anyway, you said you were going to give your honest opinion on the story?" He turned the direction towards Aang; not wanting to make him feel anymore awkward than he already did. Aang quickly nodded and feigned a smile as Katara looked to him.

"Uh, yeah." He recovered, "I want you to have the best story!" Zuko could hear the fake glee in his tone, relieved that Katara didn't catch it. She clasped her hands together happily as she began to talk about the plot of the book; so engrossed in the story she was unaware of the pain on his face and the slight resentful glare being sent Zuko's way. Zuko fought the urge to roll his eyes as he watched his girlfriend explain the story excitement driving her tone and gesticulation. He chuckled softly at her growing enthusiasm, getting both of their attention as she stopped.

"What's so funny?" Zuko blinked a bit sitting up fighting the blush on his cheeks.

"S-Sorry. I just..." He shook his head and rested his head on his hand. She pouted a little, accepting it for now. Aang looked back to Katara watching her continue the rest of the plot and explaining the motives of the characters, the foils and similarities. Both of their faces softened as she spoke, admiring her passion praising what they could that she was slightly oblivious to it.

~~

Hakoda snarled to himself as he slammed the front door shut dropping his back to the floor, not wanting to look at anything regarding police work for the moment. His teeth ground against each other as he watched those men walk free without a care in the world, a similar smirk to their bastard of a leader. He gripped his hair quickly before noticing a pair of worried eyes upon him. Hakoda released his anger with a sigh and looked at his worried children. Katara took the first step towards him her arms crossed.

"You've been coming home like that for weeks, Dad." She remarked. "Is everything okay?" He didn't answer. What could he say? He was letting criminals and the very man he swore to place behind bars get away with various things because his daughter's life was in jeopardy? He relaxed his jaw slightly, knowing he shouldn't take his anger out on his children.

"Yes, sweetheart. I'm fine." He looked to Sokka giving him a curt nod. Sokka shook his head.

"Dad, you're more stressed than usual. It's worrying all of us." He remarked. "I know work is hard at times, but you haven't been like this since..." He trailed off and looked down, holding his arm for comfort. Hakoda pinched the bridge of his nose with a groan recalling how he was shortly after Kya was killed. He was high strung and determined to find the man who slaughtered his wife and robbed his children of their beloved mother. Slamming the door closed every night muttering curses under his breath at the lack of progress. He recalled his young children's large eyes watching their father in fear as he screamed in rage and grief slamming his hands against his face and how the two would hide behind the corners of the home, watching their father fall apart.