Wild At Heart (Zuko)

Chapter Seventy-Seven

It went well with the others but that doesn't mean that they are all going to suddenly become friends, and with how stressed out they all must be contemplating the upcoming battle Zuko has to accept that it is going to take time for them to fall into some form of camaraderie, and maybe friendship. Maybe. He's not holding his breath on that though. Especially with Katara. Zuko sits at the fire, his eyes glancing around at the others as they run through their day. Aang and Kali are training, a little bit of naturebending to get their morning started. Sokka is laying in his sleeping bag, a map held up as he goes over their plans for what is coming. Toph has gone off to clean up, each of them taking their turns in the morning to clean up at the nearby river in private and peace. Katara is practising her waterbending from a bucket. Leaving Zuko alone. Of course things weren't going to be the same with him and Kali now that they are reunited. It isn't just the two of them this time. Bing lays curled up in his lap, enjoying the distracted attention that Zuko is giving him. It's attention all the same. Zuko doesn't know what to do with himself. He is new and awkward and on the edges of the group. It is going to take time for him to become accustomed to this dynamic. He can't just slot himself into the group as if none of the last year has happened. He did things that hurt them and he can't just undo that. They happened and he has to deal with the consequences that come from his actions. He is just lucky that they let him stay, and he knows that there is a chance they did that just for Kali. Yet again, it gets him thinking about where he would be without her. Back home with his father? Marching along to whatever they wanted him to do? Listening to Azula? He wouldn't be the person he wanted to be, he wouldn't be close to it. He's close now. Because of her. He's close to being a better man. Because he has Kali to guide him. To show him a better way. He jumps a little when Bing jumps up from his lap and runs towards Kali as she approaches the two of them. Ran-Ya running between her legs, yapping away happily.

"Thought you and Aang were practising" He states as she drops herself into his lap, his arm wrapping around her softly.

"He's too tired" She states and glances back at Aang. "He can't concentrate" Aang wavers where he stands. Clearly exhausted. "He's worried about the invasion"

"He's not ready" Zuko comments, Kali hums in sort of agreement. She's not sure what she thinks. He has done enough for air, water, and earth. With the invasion occurring during an eclipse, fire isn't all that important right now. Nature would come in handy, but it is not necessary either. She's not even sure where it stands with the Avatar. All she has is that she was told it had to be taught to him. She doesn't really know why. Why is nature a part of his learning arcs when there is no Avatar that comes from the naturebending? There has never been an Avatar that comes from her people. So why does he need to learn that from her?

"Perhaps" She voices and then shrugs. "But what choice do we have" She turns back to Zuko. "The eclipse is the best chance they have" He hums in agreement. It is a good play when their bad guy is the Fire Lord. There is no other nation where this would work. "We still have some time" She adds. "Perhaps you can teach him the basics before..."

"No" Zuko argues. "He's not ready yet" She pouts at him. "Naturebending offers insight into the four elements...." He reminds her softly. "Harmony, unity, and peace" He repeats Iroh's words. "That's the lesson here" She hums a little, considering it. Iroh is the wisest of them all and she does remember those words from him. "He needs to understand how all of the elements work together to find harmony and peace...before he can attempt firebending" She chuckles a little.

"Listen to you" She coos warmly. "If I closed my eyes I could hear your uncle" He rolls his eyes and pinches at her side to scold her lightly but he is smiling. If he comes out of this whole experience sounding a fraction as wise as Iroh, then he will consider himself a better person. Katara watches the two of them. Her eyes softening. Because deep down she wants to believe that he's different. But her own pain and grief and hurt is clouding her. Seeing them together like this is helping. Kali is a good person. And she would not have fallen in love with Zuko if there was nothing redeemable inside of him. There has to be something good in there for Kali to see and if she sees it then maybe they should try to as well. She brushes her hands across his face, a small frown on her face as she takes in the teary eyes. He smiles though. Because they are far from sad tears. He's happy. And he's grateful. "I love you" She whispers softly, letting it flow around him as if on a wisp of wind. He closes his eyes and lets out a soft breath. She leans forward, resting her forehead against his. He hums softly.

"I love you too" He assures her softly. His voice barely above a whisper against her lips. He then leans back. Curling his hand around Kali's jaw, gently brushing his thumb over her skin with a soft sigh. His eyes taking in her face. All that time he spent away from her. All that time he had to use his own memories to remind himself how beautiful she is. Now he has her in front of him and his memories did not do her justice. "You're so beautiful" He whispers softly. His fingers soft on her green skin. She's not as caught up in her skin colour anymore. Whilst she does transform herself in crowded areas, around outsiders, among her friends she allows herself to be herself. No longer ashamed of what she looks like. He brushes his lips over hers before it quickly deepens. The two of them pulling one another as close as possible to one another.

"Uh oh gross!" Sokka shouts as he spots Zuko and Kali curled up on the ground and lip-locked deeply. "Guys, not out in the open!!!" Zuko drops his head to Kali's shoulder as she chuckles. "There are tents!" Sokka rushes towards them and shoos them with his hands causing Kali to laugh harder.