Zutara - Moonlighting

I'M ALIVE!!!!! lol. I know it's been awhile. This internship is really keeping me way too busy as of late lol. I did have the day off and I have been missing Zutara so much. I just recently came across some beautiful Zutara art and it really inspired me. I love the adult aspect of Zutara much more than the teen love. I see Zutara as an adult relationship -- a legitimate one at that. The tension and interaction with such a maturity beyond their years on the show just showcased what a beautiful relationship could blossom from these two. I also loved the secret identity/ superhero status these two developed in the show except the Painted Lady and Blue Spirit could have been used SO much more. There was far too little scenes of their alteregos.

So, this little picture was inspired just by a secret moment taking place between the twenty something friends. It happened after the war. The two remained close but both were afraid to take it farther because of the significant others in their lives. Both sent letters, remained in touch and visited one another whenever possible. Zuko tirelessly tried to regain control over the chaos the war had caused as Katara valiantly did the same although on a smaller scale. As the rebuilding continued, both were bored not being able to actually help. Zuko missed his days helping people and doing what he could as the Blue Spirit and Katara missed being able to help others under the veil of night -- they soon began moonlighting -- although seperately.

It was only by a coincidence that both were out in disguise one night when they encountered a masked stranger, one dressed in complete black with a Water Demon mask, the other masquerading as a fabled Fire Spirit with red striped makeup and a veil. Both the figures stood facing one another, afraid to speak wondering if it was friend or foe. Zuko's eyes squinted, the face of the beautiful woman looking so familiar. His eyes peered through her veil and a pair of unmistakable blue eyes gave her away.

Zuko's breath caught in his throat when he realized who it was. A person who haunted his dreams for years. His feelings of unrequited love feeling more strong as his heart leapt into his dry throat. Her name fell from his lips like a heartfelt cry. "Katara..."

Katara's eyes widened at the voice. The flashback of pirates, a scroll, being tied to a tree, and the softest voice from the most unlikely source breathed into her ear. It was the voice of someone she'd fallen for so many years ago. A voice she wished for so long would proclaim love for her and her alone.

"...Zuko?" she asked.

With that name, the dark figure reached for the mask and removed it from his scared face. The mask rested against his neck as he looked at Katara's shocked expression.

The way the moon accented his face only made him more attractive to her. The scar most people cringed at, she saw nothing more an identifying mark. She never thought of it as an imperfection even though she was always too afraid to say it to him.

As the two said nothing more, the electricity between them growing stronger, making it impossible to quell the feelings for each other any longer.

Both were frozen in time it seemed. So much lost time. Both never seeming to find exactly what they were looking for. Always looking for it in the wrong places were wondering if it had been in front of them all along.

Zuko finally spoke. "Heh. Just like old times, huh?"

Katara smiled at his reference. It was so long ago. Their trip to find her mother's killer. She remembered it so fondly. It made her see Zuko differently. She still remembered the rain. Her tears. His arms around her. That was the night she fell in love with him.

Zuko thought back nostalgically at that day. It was when he realized her strength. Not killing the man who murdered her mother was the most amazing feat of strength he ever seen considering what have done in the same situation. After they walked from the scene. He remembered walking behind her back to where they set up camp. He remembered her falling to her knees and letting out a cry.

He didn't hesitate to go to her side. Seeing her downcast face and the tears dripping from those beautiful eyes broke his heart. Zuko didn't know how or why he did, but placing his arms around her shoulders just happened. Zuko feared she'd be angry -- pull away... But just the opposite happened -- she pulled closer and her arms wrapping loosely around his waist, her face buried deep in his chest.

Zuko held her tighter. Wanting to quell her pain but at the same time, never wanting this moment to end...

As the two former enemies stood just feet apart, neither moving for fear of what would happen. Katara looking deep into those golden eyes that haunted her dreams since the Agni-Kai. The thought of losing Zuko. The thought of never looking into those eyes -- the rare smile -- or bad jokes -- or soft laugh and slightly raspy voice. She felt her heart skip a beat when Zuko smiled at her.

Katara shook her head. She was never going to let another moment pass her by. She didn't care. She didn't want to live the rest of her life wondering what could have been. In that instance, she ran the small distance and right into his arms. Without a moment of hesitation, Zuko scooped her up into his arms, her hat falling from her head and her arm wrapped around his shoulders and one laying against his chest.

Katara happily laid her head in the crook of his shoulder and Zuko smiled at her action. As the two locked eyes for just a moment, neither knowing what to do next. It didn't matter though because they still had the night.