Unexpected Love

Zuko-Part 1

"You might have everyone else here buying your transformation, but you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past," Katara's words come out with a venomous tone. "So let me tell you something right now. You make one step backward, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang and you wont have to worry about your destiny anymore because I'll make sure your destiny ends right then and there... permanently." With my mouth hanging open I watch as she turns and walks out of my new room. 

I can't help but feel ashamed of myself. The pain of all my past mistakes comes rushing in like a flood. I know that I'm changing and I see the error of my ways now but I can't help but fear her wrath. I push away my thoughts and continue to unpack my things. I don't have much with me but I place the photograph of my Uncle on the ground beside my bed. I don't know why I expected at least a table in the room, air nomads weren't supposed to own much after all. 

After what seems to be a few hours I roll off my bed, rub my eyes, and wander my way down to lunch. It's later in the afternoon now so my meal is serving more as a dinner. Sokka waves as I approach and hands me a small bowl of rice. I take it and find a secluded spot for myself to enjoy lunch. Behind me I hear Toph joking about how she and Aang met. I spent so much of my time in the last three years hunting down Aang that I never thought about him as a person, with stories. I smile, amused by the nickname Twinkle Toes that Toph has given Aang. 

"What are you smiling about?" I jump in my seat. Sokka sits down beside me. He must've noticed the startled look in my eye because he laughs. I've never heard him laugh before. 

"I like your laugh." He turns away trying to hide a blush.

"Thanks... I wanted to apologize for Katara being so harsh earlier. She struggled the most when our Mom died and when she met Aang... He gave her hope. She hadn't felt that in a long time." He sighs. "I know she wants to trust you."

"Thank you. It means a lot just to hear you say that. I know I've been unpredictable and a complete ass this past year and recently in Ba Sing Se. I just want you to know how sorry I am and I know that doesn't make up for anything, but I really am."

He smiles at me and says something about how she'll get over it, but I just turn and look off into the ravine of the Western Air Temple. The fog fractures the light from the sunset creating a beautiful view. We sit together in silence staring into the void. 

Time passes quickly and the sun goes down. My empty rice bowl sits beside me, long since I finished. I'm laying on my back now, staring at the stars. The upside-down temple juts out further than the one above us, allowing a peak at the star dotted night sky. I turn my head to steal a glance at Sokka and notice that he is asleep. I stand up and bring my bowl over to Katara who is sitting by the fire. Toph has fallen asleep on her shoulder and she places a finger to her lips to tell me to be quiet. I nod and grab a few blankets. 

Walking back over to Sokka I place on blanket under his head and lay the other over him. I wrap the third around my shoulders and prop myself up against a column. I keep my eyes trained on him noting how close he is to the edge-looks to be about six feet. 

I'm not sure when I nod off but when I wake up Sokka is gone. One of his blankets is laid across my now stretched out body. The campfire is only a glow of dying coals and everyone else seems to have gone to bed. I stand up and find my way back to my bedroom, crashing onto the bed and drifting off with ease.