Chapter 8: The Banquet Ball

Zuko, it seems that the king is throwing a banquet ball.

Do you think?

"Uncle sure is a clever one", Zuko said smiling.

I see, now I understand his wardrobe choices for both you and me.

This will sure help us blend in, so shall we?

"We shall", Zuko said smiling.

Zuko and I walked hand in hand through the grand entrance, everyone attending wore the fanciest of clothes and right now Zuko and I were fitting in perfectly.

The music, laughter of the people and the flower pieces were filling the grand room.

There were cornertables filled with appetizers and drinks.

Seeing this reminded me of the stories my mother told me, about how people will always be united by music and laughter no matter their backgrounds or life choices, as we all are at the end of the day, connected.

Seeing this reminds me of you mom, I wish you were here with me to see this.. I clutched my necklace with my hand.

Zuko noticed and looked at me.

"Katara, are you alright?"

I looked at Zuko and saw concern in his eyes.

I'm fine, I smiled.

Zuko walked me towards a corner  where no one would notice us.

Why did you bring me here?

"Katara, you don't have to pretend that you're fine when you're clearly not."

I looked at Zuko in shock.

Zuko looked at me and said: "You don't have to put on a facade or hide your emotions, if you're not fine you're not fine and that's it"

Zuko, I.

Zuko cupped my face gently and said: "If you feel angry, be angry, if you're sad  be sad and if you're happy be happy. Don't hide your emotions, don't push them away. Feel them with everything you have.

Tears formed in my eyes and Zuko hugged me.

"It's oke Katara let it all out, you don't have to act like you're fine, you're not weak you are never weak for showing your emotions"

I held Zuko tighter and cried. It felt so good finally releasing all my frustration and having someone saying that I don't have to act strong.

How..did you know?

Zuko rubbed my back whilst hugging me and said: "Your eyes I could see it in your eyes"

I looked at Zuko and he kissed my forehead before putting my head on his shoulder.

Thank you..

"For you, always"

Zuko..

"Yes Katara"

I'd like to sit down for a while.

"Sure let's sit"

Zuko walked me towards the staircase behind us, it seemed as if it hasn't been used for quite a long time.

We sat next to each other and held hands.

I thought of my mother.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Yeah I do, I want to tell you

"I will listen to you"

My mother she used to tell me stories about these kind of parties when I was a little girl.

Zuko looked at me.

She used to tell me how music and laughter united people no matter what their background or life choices were.

She told me about how in those moments the bond between everyone only strengthened.

"Your mother sounded like a wonderful woman full of knowledge and love Katara"

She sure was yeah.

"You know you look a lot like your mother in that perspective"

That makes me happy, thank you Zuko.

I wish she was here to witness this all, she would have loved it.

"I'm sure she would"

I leaned my head against Zuko's shoulder.

You know I never thought that I'd get to share these memories of my mother with someone else.

I'm glad that, that someone is you.

You know I'm saying words I've never said

Zuko smiled and leant his head against mine and said: "I know what you mean I feel the same way"

And it was easy, so easy.

"Cause you see the real me"

"People have this image of me in their mind, without knowing anything about me, without even knowing who I really am"

"They see me as the banished crown prince, thinking of me as a failure a disgrace but no one knows what happened to cause it or what happened during my childhood"

That must be hard for you Zuko, but you are not what's in their mind, you are who you choose to be.

Zuko smiles :"See this is what I mean, you see the real me, As I am you understand"

I feel the same way Zuko and that's more than I've ever known.

Connected

"And real"

You and I

Zuko held his head against mine and put his other arm around me whilst still holding my hand.

"You and I"