Title: Between Heartbeats
Authors: SouthSideStory & MayimOr / @mayimorr
Archive Warning: Underage
Additional Tags: Enemies With Benefits, Canon Divergent, Blutara, Aged-Up Characters, Angst, Stubborn Katara, Zuko Needs a Hug, Season 2 AU, Season 3 AU, Character Development Disguised as Sex, local idiots have caught feelings like they promised they wouldn't, Katara and Zuko Learn to Cope
Summary: The walls of Ba Sing Se aren’t half as high as those around a girl’s heart.
Katara never thought she’d lie to her friends or sneak around with a boy she hates. But then, she didn’t expect Zuko to come to this city of secrets and do what he does best: turn her life upside down.
Even if she wanted their affair to become something real, it’s out of the question. There’s a war waiting for them, and they can’t stay sheltered within these rings forever, enemies playing the part of lovers. He may care for her—may even need her—but not enough to change.
Besides, catching is what Zuko is good at. Keeping, not so much.
For so long, Katara's whole life has been contained, ready to pick up and go at a moment’s notice. Now that they’re settled down again she could unpack, but it’s hard to shake the fear that they’ll have to run as soon as she does.
Because Zuko chased them to the ends of the earth. Always popping up when he was least expected—and least wanted.
Katara can’t help wondering where their banished prince has ended up. If his uncle is all right. If he’s staying out of his sister’s line of fire. Zuko is nothing if not unlucky, and the last time she saw him he looked in dire need of a decent meal (or ten).
She has too much to worry about to add Zuko to the list. Even if she had time to care about him, he doesn’t deserve it.
Katara holds the spirit oasis water tightly in her pocket. No matter what happens, she has some kind of power. The ability to change things, even if their world gets dark. She tells herself that every morning when she wakes, and most of the time she believes it.
