Zutara Week: Fireflies

It was nearly dark out as they walked through the palace gardens. They had been together all day, talking of innocent things; the state of the world, politics in the fire nation, Azula’s recovery in an earth kingdom hospital, or her new grandfather, Pakku. They were deep in conversation, and even as it grew dark, they lingered, both too engaged to leave and both too prideful to admit they didn’t want to. They began to lapse into moments of awkward silence, knowing they should leave but not wanting to—but just as Katara was about to go for the night, a spark of light lit the trees above them, and she fell silent. “Zuko, did you see that?” she whispered in quiet excitement, her eyes locked on the spot.

Zuko didn’t understand. “See what?” he asked.

“It was… it was like a…” she couldn’t find the words. They waited another minute, and another small dot of light lit up to their right, floating a second before vanishing. Katara pointed excitedly. “There it was again!” she exclaimed.

Then a third, hovering over a fire lily in the darkness. “Oh yeah,” Zuko said. “I saw it. what about it?”

Katara stared at him like he’d grown a third head. “It was a floating ball of light.” She said.

They stared at each other for a moment, then Zuko realized that she didn’t know what it was. “It was a firefly,” he explained. She blinked. “They’re bugs found all over the fire nation and in some islands off the earth kingdom. You’ve never seen them before?” of course she hadn’t, he told himself. She grew up in the south pole.

“Bugs?” she repeated. About to ask a question, she was distracted as a firefly lit up right above her. she gasped in wonder, and Zuko chuckled.

“They light up like that because that’s how they mate,” he went on. They do this almost every night.”

Katara smiled, her face alight with joy. “they’re beautiful,” she cooed.

His eyes lingered on her face. It warmed his heart to see her so happy—so content. She was so pretty when she smiled. Something inside of him loosened, filling him with an odd emotion, and he smiled too.

“They’re not the only ones.” He whispered back.

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I didn't have any original ideas for this one. All I could think of was this; so I hope it's good enough for you. Coloring was a pain in the butt--I couldn't get the shadows right, and I murdered Zuko I'm sure. I like the fire lilly in the corner though.
And, I gave Zuko and Katara new outfits (ish) because I wanted to mess with their clothing. it didn't work too well with Zuko. oh well.

enjoy!
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THEMES:
Day 1 (Aug. 10): Crossover - [link]
Day 2 (Aug. 11): Blood - [link]
Day 3 (Aug. 12): Jealousy - [link]
Day 4 (Aug. 13): Cactuce Juice - [link]
Day 5 (Aug. 14): Fireflies - [you are here]
Day 6 (Aug. 15): Rhythem - [link]
Day 7 (Aug. 16): Lick - [link]