Turned towards the other at the same time, meeting gazes like they have many times tonight. But this time, holding no heavy baggage, only relief and certainty.
"Let tonight be the beginning of our journeys into a new path for ourselves and love it with no regrets."
They really were and Katara couldn't help but let out that chuckle that tickled her throat from the realization of what they were doing. Making excuses to fool their friends. Or perhaps it was for themselves to hide the guilt that they clung to.
Following his gaze towards...
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Zuko let out a quiet huff through his nose, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"When you put it like that..."
He shook his head, amused with himself.
"I suppose we're making this far more complicated than it needs to be."
-
The meadow, she pushed some of her loose strands behind her ears, to keep the wind from whipping it in her face.
"To be honest, I wasn't really worried about their reactions, but just making excuses for myself to not feel guilty for choosing to live for me."
They both had..
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Katara watched him closely, baring witness to the wheel turning in his head, while considering the statement she made as an offer.
The thought if them discussing an excuse to spend more time together, as if they were teenagers being sneaky from their parents, was nearly...
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Zuko was quiet for a moment, turning her words over in his mind. Then a small, almost relieved smile appeared.
"...I think that's a good enough reason."
He let out a sigh, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.
-
There to feel guilty about?"
She spoke softly, a nurturing tone to coat her words to help ease his mind.
"We're two adults who shared a bottle, and just wanna enjoy being human beings with needs. Wasn't that what our talk was about tonight? How we just want to live our...
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Him a small nod of her head.
"We have been drinking wine, which means we're under the influence. Neither one of us should be traveling far in our condition.
So I dont see why we shouldn't stay another night, or a few more while the celebration continues."
"Oh...oh-!!"
Cheeks heated up with a blush made from embarrassment, as realization of what his suggestion meant hit her. A hand moving up to slight cover her mouth.
"I...I didn't think you were being oblivion to it, but using all of us hanging out, as an excuse for us to...
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Zuko let out a quiet sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose with a small, exasperated smile.
"Katara..."
He looked at her over the top of his hand.
"Do you really think I'd drag you back into the one situation you were trying to escape all evening?"
-
Felt like hours, in a silemce that held what neither would say out loud. Her mind rolling over his words. He was offeremong a cover up solution for them, one that sent a flutter in her gut. Trying not to look too eager.
But, a smile would touch her lips once again, giving...
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