Zutara One-shots - Rose

1. Rose

Zuko restlessly paced beside the small pond in the palace gardens, pausing every few moments to turn to the garden entrance. “She’s late...again,” he thought to himself as he looked over yet again.

He became aware of her presence a few seconds later when the water in the pond decided to attack him. Dripping wet, he whirled around to face his guest, Katara. She was smirking at him, her arms stretched out as though to attack him again.

Zuko frowned. “So I see you finally decided to show up,” he said dryly, raising a hand to wipe his face.

Katara shrugged. “Since when do I do what you tell me to anyway?” she said with a smirk, folding her arms.

Zuko sighed, using his firebending to dry himself off. Katara then spoke again. “So, why did you ask me to come here anyway?”

Zuko raised his left hand, revealing the rose he held within it. “To give you this,” he said, extending his hand toward her.

She didn’t take it. “A rose? Why?” she asked.

Zuko sighed, a small smile forming on his face. “It reminds me of you,” he said softly, causing Katara to step forward and take the flower.

“How so?” she asked as she raised it to her nose to smell.

“Because it is beautiful like you. Aren’t you supposed to like things like this?” he asked, his brow furrowing in thought.

Katara raised an eyebrow. “Supposed to? ...What are you apologising for?”

Zuko threw his hands in the air. “Nothing! Why are you always so suspicious of me when I try to be nice to you?”

Katara stepped forward, cupping his chin in her hand. “Because, you must admit, it is hard for you to do sometimes,” she said softly.

Zuko sighed, lowering his eyes. “Was there another reason?” she asked.

Zuko raised his head again, a sudden gleam of mischief in his eyes. “Well, it does remind me of you in other ways. You are, after all, a thorn in my side,” he said with a sly grin.

Katara gasped, eyes widening. “Beast!” she cried out, calling the water to her. Chuckling, Zuko ducked away from her, trying to avoid the small water whips she threw at him. When he was a decent distance away, he took a fighting stance. “Admit it, you prefer it when we fight anyway,” he said with a smirk.

For her answer, she whipped him again. “I’ll show you a thorn in your side!” she said furiously.

He just continued smirking. “Well, as long as I see the delicate rose part later, I’m fine with that.”

Shrieking, she splashed him again. This continued until, once again, the Fire Lord lay pinned under the waterbender, accepting defeat. The only difference this time was the rose, now tucked into Katara’s hair as she leaned forward to kiss Zuko.