"I'm still the same, pursuing pain./Is it worth all that I've gained?"

[markofthebrave]

Who: burningdownfate and markofthebrave
What: Just a friendly match
When: Thursday, after dinner
Where: A friendly forest clearing by a friendly stream
Summary: It's the middle of a heat wave and tensions at home are rising. What better way to blow off steam?
Rating: PG for violence


Zuko helping Katara prepare dinner wasn't exactly uncommon, odd as it was for a prince to be getting his hands dirty in such a way. Zuko was, surprisingly enough, one of the better cooks in the house and she welcomed his help. His suggestion that they spar afterwards was equally welcome. Katara didn't like the heat, and the atmosphere in the house had become increasingly - awkward - in the evenings. She doesn't blame him for wanting to get out and she takes the fact that he actually asked for this as a positive step to renewing their friendship.

"This looks like a good spot."

It is a good spot, actually. They'd sparred here before, not that Zuko remembers. But it's far enough away from the trees that they won't accidentally get scorched, the grass is low and flat, and the stream bubbling to the left is a good source of water for her without being an overwhelming advantage.

"What do you think?"

Comments

[burningdownfate.livejournal.com]

He takes a seat on the bank next to her, knees drawn up and arms casually slung over them. "So this place really does take it out of you, huh?"

[markofthebrave]

She bends the water from her face and takes a seat, stretching her legs out. "Yeah. Everyone says it cuts you down to about half."

And she shrugs. "But the good thing about bending is that it's something you can get stronger at. By pushing myself to try to be able to hold as much water as I could before I was in the barrier, I've gotten a lot stronger outside it."

[burningdownfate.livejournal.com]

Zuko nods. "That's good to know." It's not that can't be overcome. He leans back on his hands, turning his face up to the sun and closing his eyes. Feels good to bask in it. When he speaks, his voice is a little wry. "I have some catching up to do."

[markofthebrave]

Katara shrugs wryly. "If you're lucky, you won't be here long enough to catch up."

After all, he'd been here twice... part of her expects him and Toph to disappear any day now. It's not a part of her she likes paying any attention to, and small as it is it's easy to ignore - but it's there.

[burningdownfate.livejournal.com]

Zuko gives her a bit of a wry, incredulous look. "Katara, when have you known me to be lucky?"

He'll get started on that catching up first thing in the morning.

[markofthebrave]

Point. One she refuses to acknowledge - without bringing up the 'you've gone home twice now' thing.

"Oh, I don't know. I think you've been pretty lucky. After all, the Malnosso could have matched you up with Sokka."

There's a bright side to everything, Zuko. Look at it!

And Katara shifts around and stretches, touching her hands to her toes and then pushing further.

[burningdownfate.livejournal.com]

Matched you up with Sokka.

... And that's when Zuko's brain stutters to a complete, abrupt, and near-painful halt. It's a long moment before he manages to answer. "I may not have moved back into the house afterward."

[markofthebrave]

She laughs a little before straightening up. "Yeah, we'd probably have to wait a week before even seeing you both again."

Whether or not she means mutual suicide or that they'd kill each other, Katara is uncertain.

...or heck, maybe Suki would kill them both. That'd be interesting to watch.

[burningdownfate.livejournal.com]

Zuko snorts, caught somewhere between horror at the very thought and amusement. "I'd hate to have to face Suki afterward."

He straightens, rolling his neck and stretching his shoulders. "She's far more frightening than Sokka."

[markofthebrave]

Katara shrugs. "Maybe. But you and Sokka should spar sometime with your swords. He might surprise you."

[burningdownfate.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I'm waiting until I know he doesn't actually want to kill me." It's dry and mostly teasing, but Zuko can't help the undercurrent of actual worry. They've been good to him, but it's hard to erase prior bitterness.

[markofthebrave]

"Why would Sokka want to kill you?"

He was the one who convinced her not to kill Zuko when they first got here, after all.

[burningdownfate.livejournal.com]

He raises a brow and gives Katara a somewhat wry look. "Kidding." He shrugs, leans back on his hands. "Guess I'm still working on getting settled in. It's weird, you know? Figuring out a whole new daily routine."

[markofthebrave]

"Oh." And she leans back as well, giving him a sidelong glance. "It would probably help if you went to school. Met some more people. Or got a job somewhere."

[burningdownfate.livejournal.com]

"I've thought about the school thing. I might duck into some classes here and there that interest me. Otherwise..." He trails off with a shrug. Otherwise, he'd feel like he's wasting a day.