` cinders .

SHE GASPS / BREATH CAUGHT BY HANDS ON HER FACE.  suddenly her heartbeat is maddening / it roars against her ribcage and she freezes. ice on her feet and on her fingertips and she’s so close. when did he get so close ? she swallows. her lips feel dry and her eyes dart to his mouth. traitors. traitors. she licks her lips in time with his what is he —— what does he plan to ——– and warmth. heat ever abundant rushes on the cold contrast of her mouth. he’s kissing her. so sudden yet so vibrant and at first she doesn’t move. eyes wide , but then , she’s melting.

as ice does , when it meets fire. 

her hands fall to his hips , fingers gripping onto the fabric of his tunic. she kisses him messily and with novice abandon. she has kissed before but she has not kissed HIM. this is their first meeting , their first interaction , and she drowns. the ocean takes her and she melts in the cold abyss that’s also mixed with fiery tendrils. she kisses him until he pulls back. until he speaks , all raspy and nervous and her first instinct to laugh because of course zuko says something as lame as hair loopsies. 

“ YOU’RE A NATURAL CAMPFIRE LET ME HAVE THESE , ”  really , she’s bundling herself up burrito style because she can’t handle the proximity of their bodies.  to close the distance and lay , close enough to feel the rise and fall of his chest and the heat of his breath on her skin she couldn’t. her face is on fire and she’s curled in a ball avoiding eye contact. is it a cold night ? absolutely.  but will she budge ? absolutely not. “ go curl up in appa’s tail or cuddle with momo ! ” @bendflame

Katara , looking SMUG “he’s amateur at best ^_^”