Princess of Bloodred Waves

For months now, Zuko and Katara have been dancing around their feeling, unsure of where to place their feet and desperately holding onto each other but at the same time trying to push away.

They're scared of being hurt again, they're scared of making the other disappointed. They're scared of how strong their hearts beat whenever they see each other. They have no idea how to proceed.

And they have so much to do:
Rebuild the war-torn world,
Protect their people,
Deal with ones still trying to take them down,
Make allies and friends out of fellow leaders,
And finally, rule over their respective nations.

They have no time for romance.

Or, that's what they're trying to tell themselves.

But between stolen glances, protective gestures, flirtatious bickering, and jealous fits they don't know for how much longer they're able to deny it. To deny the fact that they want each other.

They're opposites, they're fire and water. They're not supposed to be together. They're not supposed to like the flames or the feeling of water soaking them to the bone, they're not supposed to be attracted to someone so dangerous.

Katara isn't supposed to bend water the color of blood, twinkling like dancing fire in the moonlight. Zuko isn't supposed to shoot blue flames from his hands, glowing like ice against the morning sun.

So why are they?

Why can't they stop how they're feeling, and do they even want to stop it?

How long can they go on by lying to themselves?

How much more can their hearts take?

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A Zutara fanfic, all rights go the Avatar, the last air-bender and it's creators. I don't own any of the characters or places.