Ever since, their trip to Ember Island had been pleasant. They’d been on good terms since he’d taken her on a journey to find the man who had killed her mother. “You weren’t bad yourself,” Katara said, surprised by how warm her voice sounded. Katara found herself smiling as she remembered the pride she felt when she managed to get him off of the offensive with a particularly challenging ice-wielding move. Too busy dodging your attacks, I guess,” Zuko said with a small smirk. Why didn’t you tell me you were starting to burn?” Katara said. Zuko shook his head, but even the show of denial made his eyes close. What would it feel like, her skin on his? He wondered if she knew he wanted her to touch him. ![]() He wondered if she knew she was so close to touching him. “Does it hurt?” Katara asked, her hand only inches from his face. Katara frowned and moved closer to him, wishing she could help. “Thanks.” Zuko moved to sit up and winced. “You didn’t eat,” she said by way of explanation. Katara moved toward him and placed the plate on the edge of his bed. Standing there like that, her hair loose down her back and her face in a sorrowful expression… she was the most beautiful woman Zuko had ever seen. He stared at her from his bed, but didn’t say anything. Katara’s dark skin glowed in the moonlight as she stood in the opening of Zuko’s tent. By the time Katara left the room he was already hamming it up with Toph and trying to make Sokka laugh. “He might still be a little sensitive.” Aang pouted but sat down. “I’ll come with you,” Aang said, standing to accompany her. Katara turned her back on her friends and began gathering food onto a plate. “Still a manly man?” Toph kept asking him. “Come on, Hotpants will be fine,” Toph said before going back to poking Sokka in the bruise she’d just created. “It hurts, too?” Katara said, getting more concerned. He’d bathed in weird plant oils for days before it went away. ![]() “It really hurts,” Aang said, recalling a time he spent all day meditating in the center of the Northern Air Temple and ended up frying himself. “Psh, a manly man like me?” Sokka flexed, and Toph curled her hand over his bicep, batting her eyes at him, before squeezing down hard. “Um, Sokka, have you ever been sunburned?” Aang said. He shoved a handful of food in his mouth, giving a satisfied sigh as the greasy meat met his tongue. It’s just a little sunburn,” Sokka offered. Her cheeks took on a pinkish hue as she watched him. He turned away to his sister, and Toph sighed, leaning toward him with her face in her hands. “I am!” She held out a hand, and Sokka high fived her. “I am?” Toph said, jutting a fist in the air. “Shoot,” Katara groaned, pressing her hands to her face. “Once upon a time, you decided to challenge Zuko to a twelve hour duel. Aang sat on the edge of his seat, excited for the story that was sure to come. ![]() “What are you talking about?!” Katara said. “Cool off, Sugar Queen,” Toph said, shoving a handful of food into her mouth. His own skin had deepened into a nice dark brown that matched his sister’s. “Ow, what gives?” Her brother yelled back, rubbing his arm. “You guys!” Katara shouted, shoving Sokka. With a huff Zuko turned on his heel and left the room, walking stiffly back to the tent. He appeared mortified, and Katara felt a tug in her chest. “Oh my god,” Katara repeated, and Zuko’s eyes shot up to hers. With his face lowered to the ground, Katara could see that his scalp burned bright red too. His skin, pale from years living in the Fire Nation, was a shade somewhere between tomato and carrot. None of the teenagers could recall seeing anyone redder. Toph frowned, unable to figure out what was going on, but then Sokka told her and she began to laugh even louder than he was. Zuko stood in the doorway of their makeshift kitchen with his golden eyes on the sand floor. Katara is seventeen, Zuko is nineteen, etc. Note: In this story, it’s been several years since the Gaang’s travels began. Zuko gets sunburn everywhere – and it’s Katara’s job to heal it. After spending a day competing with Katara beneath the sun, Zuko get suburn. Slow Burn: The Gaang takes a trip to Ember Island.
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