Icarus

He melts

Zuko hasn't made eye contact with Katara in three days, and it was starting to get prominently awkward. Uncle would raise his eyebrow at Zuko when he shuffled away, or when Katara sat alone.

"Uncle, why is Katara sitting alone," Iroh looked over to Katara who was fiddling with her fingers watching the younger guards wrestle in the grove.

"Maybe she doesn't have anyone to sit with." Iroh advised and gave Zuko an obvious nudge.

Zuko looked between him and her before sitting next to Katara, she looked up and smiled at him politely.

"Want to see my stitch work?" She asked.

Zuko shrugged, "sure."

He looked at how long her hair has gotten, and how she sat at the very edge of the bench.

He walked away.

He couldn't look at her without thinking about what could be. He loved his nation, and he would never leave, but there was something enamoring about entertaining a life with her forever, though Zuko knew he wasn't "allowed" to have these thoughts in the first place.

"I'll talk to her after my meeting," he whispered to himself.

"Did you say something sir?" A guard asked, Zuko's face went red.

"No!" He turned around and shouted, the guard shuffled back.

Zuko too shuffled forward, he wished he knew who that was. He didn't want rumors that he was crazy going around.

"Oh Zuko..." a singsong voice taunted behind him.

"Katara?" Zuko turned to face her to see her giggling.

"You didn't tell me you were gay!" Katara raised an eyebrow.

"What!" Zuko's cheeks went hot, and Katara raised an eyebrow. "I'm not gay! Not that there's anything- I just mean that... what are you talking about!"

Katara laughed at him, "rumor around the castle is that you're gay."

"Why would they say that!" Zuko rubbed his chest, what in the world was she talking about.

Katara shrugged and skipped away giggling at him, Zuko chased after her. "Katara? Katara! Get back here!"

His amour seemed tight on him, its metal corners pinched his arms and made him feel itchy. Specifically under his metal where he could not actually satisfy his itch.

"Ready nephew?" His Uncle asked.

"Ready." Zuko smiled. He suddenly wished he didn't wait until he was already walking in to tell Katara about his meeting, it was just awkward between them, she was so... pretty.

"Don't be nervous nephew." Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Hmm?" Zuko popped up.

"You're a little red," Iroh teased. Zuko went even more red.

Zuko wondered if he should have said yes. They'd never be allowed together. Then again he was on his way to actively help his nation for once. His chest puffed out and he walked with a pip in his step. He'd tell Katara right after the meeting, and things wouldn't be awkward anymore. Just because she was pretty didn't mean she wasn't his best friend.

"Run away with me Zuko."

I- I can't.

He walked faster, faster towards his meetings and farther from Katara.