Zutara Week: Rhythm

The dance was in full swing by the time Katara managed to find Zuko. He was sitting in a corner, away from the music and people, sulking.

“What’s the matter, Zuko?” she asked slyly, sliding up to him. “Is the great Fire Lord too good to dance with commoners?” Zuko balked at her words, stumbling over excuses in a cute way. Katara smiled—she was enjoying his awkwardness. After a minute of akward half-excuses, she asked again. “C’mon, it’s fun. Why aren’t you dancing?” she asked. She always loved to see Zuko tongue-tied.

Zuko fumbled for words. “I… well, it’s just so loud, and… and I don’t do well in crowds and… I should really be getting back to that paperwork…” he stammered excuses.

Suddenly Katara’s eyes darkened. She shot up, grabbing Zuko by the arm. “Dance. Now.” She ordered, her voice strict, as Zuko wondered what he’d said wrong. “You are not doing paperwork today! You’re going to loosen up and relax, understand?”

“B-but Katara!” he had to think of something, fast. He couldn’t go out there, by those people. He’d make a fool of himself! “That’s not what I meant, I just was relaxing and… and my feet hurt… and…”

“No excuses.” Katara interrupted. “You’re coming out here, and you’re going to dance.”

“But I don’t know how.”

Katara stopped, and Zuko bit the inside of his cheek, cursing silently. He wanted to avoid admitting his weakness. Katara turned, staring down at Zuko with disbelieving eyes as he shrank back in his chair. “What do you mean, you ‘don’t know how’?” she asked.

Zuko squirmed. “My—My dad always said dancing was a waste of time and effort that could be spent more constructively,” he explained. “…That dancing showed lack of dicipline. That only idiots did it. I just… I know he was wrong, but I just… can’t. I never learned how.”

Katara studied him for a moment. Her eyes were confused, yet understanding. Then, unexpectedly, she offered her hand. “I’ll teach you then.” She offered. “It’s easy—it’s like bending without your element. You just listen to the rhythm and move to the beat.”

Zuko hesitated, eyeing Katara’s outstretched hand. His every instinct told him no, and it was a bad idea. But there was just something about Katara that was hard to say no to. He took her hand hesitantly, startled to find her skin was cool, and soft to the touch. She gently led him out to the floor as the slow rhythem of a song filled the air, and set his nervous hands around her waist. “Like this,” she explained, drawing him closer to her.

‘Maybe this isn’t so bad,’ he thought to himself as they swayed to the beat. ‘not bad at all.’
--
Happy Day 6! only one more to go.

Unfortunately, this pic was not working with me. I scrapped the first picture, and the second [this one] was impossible to draw. Zuko absolutely refused to be colored. So... yeah. You're just gonna have to settle for a pretty story to go along with the crummy art.

Oh, about the story--I always assumed Zuko and Azula had similar schooling to the rest of the nation. meaning, no dancing. (refer to the episode: "the headband" for reference). I might have made him somewhat Ooc though. sorry.

Anyway... good day t' yall.
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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 - [link]
Day 6 (Aug. 15): Rhythm - [you are here]
Day 7 (Aug. 16): Lick - [link]