Charred //ZUTARA

Chapter 24 - ''Let's just say I'm a sucker for romance.''

Katara knew it had to end. She couldn't stay in Zuko's chamber for a whole day. She already spent a night.

''So, what happens now?'' Zuko asked after she's calmed down. Both already dressed, her ear and his wound healed, it was time to go.

Face the consequences.

Katara had her hand on the door handle, readying herself to leave. Even if that was the last thing she wanted to do.

''I will go find Aang,'' she sucked on her lip. ''I'll tell him the truth.''

''Let me come with you,'' Zuko pleaded, his hand finding her waist. She gasped quietly as he leaned down.

She shook her head. ''It's not a good idea, Zuko. You never know how he's gonna react.  If he goes into the Avatar State...''

''I don't care,'' the firebender's face was even closer now. Feeling his warm breath, it made it all even more difficult.

''Zuko.''

''Fine,'' he spit out. Neither moved.

Katara knew he wouldn't follow her. He would stay here or do whatever he had in his schedule today. If there was anything Katara could count on from him, it was that he respected her choices.

Even if he didn't necessarily agree with all of them.

''I've got to go,'' she whispered.

''Will you find me?'' his eyes sparkled. ''After you're done with Aang?''

She surveyed his face for a second. There was still a matter of what to do with whatever was going on between them. An unspoken question of what it meant. Katara also wondered if it would continue. If it would ever happen again. If it would lead to something more.

Well, first things first, she supposed. Baby steps. Find Aang. Tell him what she did. Beg for forgiveness. And then? Then she would have to think.

Long and hard.

Possibly in the Fire Lord's arms.

''Yes,'' Katara promised. Stepping on her toes, she gave him a peck on his cheek. ''I'll see you later.''

Clearly dissatisfied, Zuko groaned as she quickly opened the door. Then she was gone, her soft laughter ringing in his ears.

Zuko stood there for a moment, observing the wooden platform. Spirits, what have they done?

...................................

The hard reality also hit Katara unmercifully as soon as she came out of the firebender's room. Seeing Chan's smirk first thing after stepping out of her blissfulness was definitely the reason.

His eyes were serious though. In his usual attire, he actually looked pretty terrifying with his dangerously suspicious smile. ''I thought you'd never come out.''

Katara punched his shoulder, storming toward her own bedroom. She had to change. ''I don't know what you mean by that.''

''Oh but your flushed face can't lie,'' he chuckled as he followed her. She stopped before going in.

Pointing her finger at him, she growled. ''Keep your mouth shut.''

Chan's palms flew up in defense. ''I'm not judging.''

''Well... good,'' Katara huffed. ''What are you doing here, anyway?''

''I came to inform you the Avatar is looking for you,'' he shrugged. Her eyes widened a little. ''He has been since last night, actually.''

''What?!'' she threw her hands in the air. ''And you didn't think to come tell me sooner?''

Chan chuckled. ''I didn't want to interrupt whatever was going on in there,'' he pointed at the end of the corridor. Back to where a lot of things happened since yesterday. Katara felt her face heat up. ''Let's just say I'm a sucker for romance.''