Beauty in the Beast (Zutara)

Chapter Seventeen

Katara let herself slide down to the floor of her room, relieved that no one was home with her. Her face burned as she envisioned the gentle feeling of his hand on her cheek again. Her heart rate quickening much to her horror.

What am I even thinking? She asked herself, covering her face in her hands.
This is ridiculous, I shouldn't even be thinking this way about anyone right now; let alone him! She leaned her head back on the door, a small hollow thump as she groaned.

He just became my friend. And there's no way that could happen. She reasoned. I'm just missing being touched. She closed her eyes and began taking deep breaths.

That's right. This is just because Jet came back. She shuddered softly recalling the way his hands trailed down her skin in repulsed familiarity. How the breathless whisper that used to drive her wild struck fear into her now. But she also remembered the tenderness of his fingertips on her body, as it danced along her skin, leaving behind anticipating goosebumps. She recalled how much her heart raced as he touched her and the gentle sounds, he invoked out of her.
The sense of wonderment in his eyes as he studied her, urged on by the sound of her pleasured voice and the way she clawed him lightly. She remembered fully how she asked him for more and how each touch gave her a dizzying rush that flooded through her body. The sound of her name in his voice sending a cool shiver down her spine as she reached up for his face to cup it to bring him closer to her. Most importantly, she remembered his skin on hers and the sweet words that he whispered to her; telling her she was his and no one could get in the way of that. Tears pricked at her eyes as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Stupid." Katara didn't know if she was talking about Jet or herself at that moment. She rubbed her eyes and got up with a sniffle reaching behind her to take off her necklace staring down at the polished wood jewelry box that was placed upon her vanity. Gold accents danced along the center of it leading its attention down to the small, simple golden latch. She undid the latch, placing the necklace in the crimson velvet cushion. Katara smiled at the lovely box letting her fingers gingerly stroke the smoothed wood. Warmth flooded her mind happily seeing a proper place to hold her mother's necklace at night.

Precious things deserved to be cherished. She thought back to the note feeling a smile pull on her face, gazing sweetly at the box.
It really was a sweet gift. She thought to herself. Her lips burned in remembrance of his cheek. She shook her head almost as if she were trying to shake the thoughts out of her head.

He was just being nice.

Hastily she set the box down with her necklace inside and slammed it shut not wanting to look herself in the mirror in her vanity.

And that was just me thanking him. It's nothing more than that...I think. Instantly, she thought back to how he gazed at her, her chin held up in his hand and the small tug at the corner of his lips as her heart soared. Slamming her hand down on her vanity she felt her cheeks burning.

"Oh god..."

~~

"What's wrong with me?" Zuko groaned as Iroh watched his nephew pace back and forth, stroking his beard.
"I don't even know why I'm doing this! She just stopped hating me and...and I go and kiss her at the hospital." His eyes widened as his uncle grabbed the pacing teen's arm.

"You kissed this young woman?" Embarrassed, Zuko said nothing.

"Zuko..."

"I know, Uncle!" He exclaimed. "I know. I shouldn't've..." Iroh released his arm and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"When did this happen?" He asked.

"On one of her visits." Zuko answered. "I don't even know how it even started—We were just...talking." He moved to sit next to his uncle.
"Next thing I know we're kissing."