Double Bender

Part 39

The next day, Zuko and Aang continued fire-bending practice in the outdoors courtyard, which started in the lower level hallway and was surrounded by a couple of stone steps, completed with a fountain smack in the middle. To be perfectly honest, I couldn't keep my eyes off of Zuko. What? He was shirtless, how could I resist? Katara, Geo, and Toph, who were also in their disguises, were chatting away on the staircase. I was behind the pillar after I had finished changing into my disguise which I had just dug out of my bag. I was a little nervous as to what Zuko would think because, when you love someone, you know they always think you look beautiful, even when you look ridiculous, but for some reason, you always are looking for their approval and... Pardon me, I was rambling. Anyway, after doing several complicated moves, they bowed to each other and dispersed. Aang walked over to Katara, massaging his shoulder and Zuko walked over to where I was hiding. "I know you're back there." He said snidely. I came out from my hiding spot and twisted the ring."That obvious huh?" "Well, it was pretty easy to see you when you kept peeking out like that." I giggled quietly. He looked me over and said, "Where'd you get that?" I thought for a moment before saying, "Eh, stole it." "How did I guess?" He said as he smiled and shook his head. "Because everything I have I stole?" I suggested. He smiled and laughed. "Well you stole something fairly important." "Please clarify." I said. "This." he put a hand over his heart. I blushed. "I'm not planning on giving it back." I whispered. He chuckled. Something waved over me, it was a practically new feeling, it was like I was falling in love all over again, but also for the first time. Then I remembered, we were in a war.

Zuko stepped a little closer. "I know you're still a little sore about the whole thing, but I want to try again, you don't have to say you love me again, but I at least want to know that you don't want to forget what we had." I put my hand up to stop his rambling. "I'd never forget what we had." I said. "It was a few of the best months of my life. But I don't want to rush into something too soon. I don't want to build something up just to have it crash down again." Zuko held my hand to his heart. "I'd never leave you again. It was the worst mistake of my life." I looked at the ground. "That might not be for you to decide."

Katara stood up and said (completely ruining our moment by the way), "Doesn't it seem kinda weird that we're hiding from the Fire Lord in his own house?" Zuko's face fell a little as he sat down on the rim of the fountain. "I told you." He said. "My father hasn't come here since our family was actually happy. And that was a long time ago. No one would think to look for us here." I sat down by him and put my hand on top of his. Suddenly, Sokka and Suki came rushing in from their trip to the market. Sokka was holding a rolled up poster. "You guys are not going to believe this!" Sokka said excitedly. "You finally found your brain?" Geo said dully. We all laughed. "No." He said pointedly "Oh," Geo said. "You haven't found your brain? That explains a lot." Sokka rolled his eyes. "There's a play about us!" "What?" said Zuko, confused. Suki said, "We were just in town and we found this poster." She took the rolled up poster from Sokka and unrolled it, revealing a beautifully made poster with Katara, Aang, and Sokka on the front with Zuko, with a ponytail, looming darkly in the background. It was well done and the colors were skillfully contrasted. There was only one problem; Zuko's scar was on the wrong side. "Zuko?" I said. "I think they did your scar wrong." "Oh brother." Zuko muttered. "The one thing they have to mock me about and it's completely wrong."

Katara looked at the poster and said, "How's that possible?" "Listen to this;" Sokka said, turning the poster so he could read it. "'The Boy In the Iceberg is a new production from acclaimed playwright Pu On Tim who scoured the globe, gathering information about the Avatar from the icy South Pole to the heart of Ba Sing Se. His sources include singing nomads, pirates, prisoners of war, and a surprisingly knowledgable merchant of cabbage.'" Suki finished reading for him. "'Brought to you by critically acclaimed Ember Island Players."' "Oh no!"said Zuko, looking peeved. "Why?" I asked. "What's so bad about them?" "My mother used to take us to see them. They butchered 'Love Amongst the Dragons' every year. That explains why they messed up my face more than it already is." "Wait," said Geo. "Should we pay more attention to the fact that Zuko went to see a play with the word 'love' in the title, or the fact that he went to see a play, period?" We all tried to stifle our laughter. Then, Geo took it a step further and said what he hoped she wouldn't say. "I think Zuko might be gay." We all burst out laughing. "Come on, guys." Zuko said. "My mom practically dragged me there." I stood up. "Oh trust me, Zuko's not gay. I can vouch for that." "Behave, you." Geo snapped comedically as we continued to laugh (except Zuko of course). Katara stood up and looked at the poster. "Sokka," she said. "Are you sure it's a good idea to go see a play about us?" "Come on," Sokka reassured. "A day at the theater? This is exactly the kind of wacky nonsense I've been missing."

So that night, we all walked to the theater, Zuko was dragging his feet. So naturally, since I was walking with him, we were both lagging. Once in the theater, we saw a lot of people dressed up as us. I saw about, ten Aangs, fifteen Kataras, a couple of Tophs, a countless number of Geos, and I even saw about twelve Zukos, the funniest part was the fact that we didn't see any Sokkas and Sokka pouted about it. Then, I saw myself. Whoever she was, she was gorgeous, standing with another Zuko, who had his scar on the wrong side. The girl had hair that was even longer than my hair used to be and flawless skin. She wore a very fancy, green and yellow dress. The skirt was one layer of thick yellow fabric and another layer of thin, translucent, green fabric. The bodice was green silk and she wore no sleeves, aside from a yellow silk ribbon running around the front of her dress and then around the back making an ''X". In her hair was a half-bun, tied up with a blue, pin-up rose with the rest of her hair running down her back. Then she turned around and I cringed. Her back was completely clear, a perfect shade of white...no scars. Zuko followed my gaze and sighed. "They always forget the details." "I'm sorta glad they did." I said quietly. "It's best if they don't know. Less complication." He gave me his look. His look that pretty much made me melt. It was the kind of look that you give someone when you know something's up and you want to help. "And?" he asked gently. "What is it?" I sighed. "The fact that they didn't include it, because they don't know. It makes them seem a little less heartless. But the fact that they don't know makes it hurt that much more, I know it's supposed to be me. It's like they left out one of the only things in my life that I'll be known for after I've died. I won't be the girl who stood up to the Firelord or was one of the first to escape the boiling rock. I'll be the girl who got burned." I said quietly. "History can be heartless." Zuko said. I looked at him. "Especially to the more heartfelt people." He gave my hand a little squeeze and we followed the rest of the group.

Like I said, Zutiana is not back on yet, but they're getting there. How has your week been? Also HOMECOMING THIS WEEKEND!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

I'm so excited. I got my dress over the weekend and it's pretty and teal and it really brings out my eyes. I can't wait!

Also, thank you for the 3.14 k reads!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO

You guys are AWESOME! Luv you guys

~ Maeve :) <3