Of Firelords and Birthday Cakes (Zutara)

Heart is Beating

(A/N: Thank you everyone for waiting soooooooo long for this last part. It is pretty lengthy as well, so be prepared for a long reading. I hope you all enjoy! Ask me if you want the link to the picture. :D) 

"Here-" I handed Iroh the pouch he had gotten for Zuko. 

Now in my sleepwear, with almost everyone having gone to sleep, I felt a little better, but not by much. 

Iroh gave me his warm smile, which made my stomach untwist itself a bit, "Thank you Katara. I'll give it to him once he comes in." 

I twisted my hands behind my back, "He... hasn't come in yet?" 

I thought he would have come in by now- it was pretty late, and I heard the door open several times before. 

"No." Iroh shook his head and sighed, "He needs to sort out his feelings. But I know he will come in soon." 

"What...- what feelings?" I asked. 

Iroh tucked his pouch into his belt, "Zuko has recently broken up with Mai. In order to find out his true duty as Fire Lord, he must take his matters into his own hands." 

Iroh put a comforting hand on my shoulder, "I know he trusts you Katara. That is why I sent you out earlier. He listens to you, and you can help him." he smiled briefly, "Did he happen to talk about anything while you were there?" 

I rubbed my arm and looked absently at the floor, "Not much, just a little about Mai." 

I recalled what he had said after that. His hand on my back, his nose touching mine. I blushed, and hoped Uncle wouldn't notice.

Iroh nodded, "I expected as much. Give him some time. Goodnight." 

He patted my shoulder once before turning to go into the guest room. 

I swallowed, "Goodnight Uncle."

I could not sleep. 

Instead, I found myself leaning my elbow up against a windowsill as I reclined on a seat, my mind going like a catapult in all directions. 

It was late, but I was not tired. I looked out the window towards where Zuko was sitting by the river. I couldn't see him, but I knew he was still there, and was still awake. 

Resting my chin on my hand, I fingered the second pouch in my hand until I dropped off into a sleepless rest. 

I was woken by the door being slid open, and then closed again. I blinked my eyes open to see Zuko walk in, carrying with him the blanket and other things. 

My heartbeat instantly began to skyrocket. Just seeing him again was enough to make my breath hitch. I had never felt like this with anyone else. 

Zuko didn't see me, and set down his things before yawning and pulling his shirt over his head in preparation to go to bed. 

I looked at him. 

The front of his chest was blotted with his red scar. I swallowed. I was looking at the boy who had saved me. 

Well, first he had chased me, then had betrayed me, then had regained my trust, then had saved me. Multiple times. 

He had saved us all. 

If not for him, Aang wouldn't have been able to defeat the Phoenix King at all. We might still be fighting a war if not for Zuko. 

And yet, I was still confused about him. I didn't know what to feel, even after he had saved my life. He had taken a lighting bolt for me without a second thought.