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The Gaang walked through the Ember Island marketplace, stocking up on groceries for the week. Katara planned to go alone, but then Zuko offered, then Aang, and before they knew it, it was a group field trip.
Of course, Zuko and Katara are right next to each other as they browse. They have been ever since their special field trip. It’s funny seeing how Zuko naturally gravitates towards Katara now that he doesn't have to avoid her. The crazier part is how she welcomes him in so happily. They're already acting like they've been this close for months, years even.
Zuko disappeared for a few minutes while Katara talked Sokka out of buying yet another so called "useless" item, waving off any but it looks so cool! comments.
Suddenly, Zuko comes up to Katara looking excited, holding out something small wrapped in wax paper.
“Try this.”
“What is it?” She looked at him tentatively, unsure about what he's hiding.
“Just try it.”
“Is it spicy?”
He shook his head, "trust me, you’ll like it.”
“Okay...” Katara took it from him, unpacking it slowly. Her eyes flicked between him and her hands unraveling the paper, obviously trying to hide the smile forming on her face.
She unraveled it, revealing a golden-brown circle with an ornate symbol on top, already cut into four pieces. She looked back at him, eyebrows raised. He nodded his head to her, gesturing to her to try it. She took a bite, considering it while she chewed. She hummed lightly, before her eyes lit up, a shocked look taking over her face. A bright smile grew on Zuko’s face as he watched.
“Good?”
Katara’s lips, pouted while she chewed, upturn as she nodded eagerly. She swallowed, dabbing at her mouth.
“Spirits, that’s so good!”
“Right?”
“What is it?”
“A mooncake."
“A mooncake? The Fire Nation has things, you know, like that?”
“Yea, people make them for the lunar festival every year. I remember my mom getting them for us whenever we came here."
Sokka took a piece, unable to watch others eat something apparently delicious without him. When Suki looked at him blankly, he grinned sheepishly, offering her some of his. Sokka can confirm it was in fact delicious. He almost went to grab more, but Suki stopped him, turning his attention on the oogey-fest in front of them.
"The festival's become a lot less popular in recent years, especially on the mainland. But the local bakery here still makes mooncakes, probably because they know how much everyone loves them. After the war, though," he shrugged.
"Yea?" Katara nodded along, encouraging him.
"I wanna bring it back to how it was before. Make it the respected celebration it should be."
She smiled brightly, leaning in closer to him. "That sounds amazing. I wish I could see it like that."
If Katara was setting that up like a trap, then Zuko fell in without hesitation, "Oh, of course. I'll take you."
She blushed, "I'd love that."
In the background, Sokka mimicked Katara tucking her hair behind her ear, making a coy face at Suki. Suki hid her face in his shoulder, trying to cover her laugh.
Aang suddenly popped up, sidling up next to Katara, “Hey, Katara! I found this bracelet I thought you'd like!”
Katara received the gift gracefully, smiling down at Aang. “That’s sweet, Aang, but I don’t think we should spend so much right now. We need to save up.”
Sokka felt for the kid, he really did. Everyone remembers their first crush, and his seems strong. At some point though, people realize that their first crush won't amount to anything their imagination created.
Most people also eventually realize that their crush doesn't feel the same way.
“But Zuko bought you that cake…?” Sokka tried to cover his snort at the sight of both Zuko and Katara’s faces lighting up in blushes.
“That was different, though. You see, that was food, and…”
Suki decided to cut in and give them all a break, against Sokka’s wishes. He liked watching them get all flustered, it was funny.
“Hey, Aang, I think I saw someone selling a puppet shaped like Appa!"
"Really?!" Aang perked up, already walking towards Suki. He gave one last longing look to Katara before walking away with her.
Katara offered Toph a slice of mooncake when she walked up, singing its praises.
Zuko looked at Katara with a self-satisfied smirk on his face, “I knew you’d like it.”
Katara stared up at him with a wistful smile on her face. She stared for a moment too long, clearly, as Zuko’s smile dropped, now bordering on self-conscious.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
Katara snapped out of her trance, “huh? Oh, no. I, well- I don’t think I’ve seen you smile so much.”
A blush rose on Zuko’s cheeks, scratching the back of his neck, “uh, well I just knew you’d like it, so…”
“It’s nice.”
“Thanks.”
Sokka snickered when he heard a retching noise come from Toph.
Unfortunately, it backfired on her when the two lovebirds turn their attention on her.
"Toph, are you okay? Are you sick?"
"What?"
"Do you need me to carry you?"
"No! I don't need any- Look, I'm fine."
Sokka would laugh at the blush on Toph's cheeks, but he's too close to her zone of pain.
She dropped her head with a groan, mumbling to herself, "why did I even say anything?"
Sokka decided to take a note from Suki and grant Toph some reprieve. He swept in, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, claiming to take her off to get some water. As they walk away, she mumbled her thanks to him.
He turned back, looking at the two now uninterrupted, already leaning in close again. While it's funny watching them fumble around, flirting with each other, he must admit they seem happier together than he's seen either in a while.
They're practically glowing.