In one line, I love you. Part 1
“It just… takes me a few minutes to remember....”
- i'll cover you in moonlight by blackhawkdown ( @firelxdykatara )
It’s a moment when I know I love a fic. It’s a line, whether an action or something someone says. It’s the moment where my heartbeat syncs with the writer and I just know at that instance, we both took a breath.
It’s the one line where I can find the love.
Here it is, and here’s my love letter back. It’s a “missing scene” for your one shot!
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He’s terrified that one day, as he’s grasping to remember, he’ll find out that he wasn’t fast enough. That’s the truth of things isn’t it? He can pretend that things are fine, but reality will always come crashing in. It was too much to expect that not only was she fine, but she was there.
Zuko couldn’t fall back asleep as he stared at the curls in Katara’s hair. He kept his breathing light and shallow, trying not to take in the gasping, panicked breaths that he felt. He was frozen, unable to so much as blink or raise his hand to touch the soft brown waves.
Had he even woken up? If he did fall asleep, would it change things?
“Zuko...” Katara said softly as she turned. Still unable to move, Zuko found himself much closer than either of them had expected when Katara shifted onto her other side.
“Sorry.” Zuko mumbled, sliding backward.
“No. I’m just.” Katara stammered, pushing herself back as well. “This bed is huge.”
She laughed nervously but Zuko couldn’t even force a pretense.
“Rich people furniture.” He said and Katara chuckled awkwardly again.
“Fit for a king.” She added, sounding forced.
“Did you-” He said as Katara leaned in, speaking at the same time: “Will you-”
“Sorry you-” Again, their voices jumbled together.
“Was this a bad idea?” Zuko asked.
“Do you think it was?” Katara questioned back.
“No.” He answered quickly, then looked down as he plucked at the sheets. “I am actually more relaxed. Despite...”
“Despite laying like a block of wood?” Katara finished for him.
Zuko smiled and looked up at her.
“I just didn’t think it was supposed to be this easy.” He replied.
“People in the South Pole sleep huddled together all the time.” Katara said. For a moment, something deflated in Zuko’s chest, but he froze again as Katara pushed toward him, nuzzling into his shoulder.
“Just let it happen.” She said softly.
Putting his arms around her as best he could, Zuko leaned his head against Katara’s. Closing his eyes, Zuko let out a deep breath and sank into his bed.
@zkfanworkweek IDK if this counts for a day but I wanted to appreciate some people.
