Work Text:
“Pst! Katara!”
The waterbender tilted her head. The kitchen appeared to be empty. Still, she could hear someone calling for her, loud and clear. She had been busy making sure they had everything ready for lunch around Zuko’s holiday house at Ember Island.
“Katara!” There it was, that voice again. “Listen up, Sugar Queen!”
Wait for a second, that was Toph’s voice. Definitely.
“Toph?” She asked, walking around the room. “Where on earth are you?”
“Inside the broomstick closet!” Toph chuckled. “Come here for a sec.”
Katara did as she said. Once she opened the door, she found Toph mischievously smirking, holding a little bottle in her hands.
“So, what is it?”
“This!” Toph replied, showing off the bottle with a grin on her face. “ This is what I wanted to show you!”
“And you were hidden with all those broomsticks because…”
“Dramatic effect, Sugar Queen, never underestimate it,” she said, stepping into the kitchen hall. “Now, aren’t you going to ask what this is for?”
“Sure, Toph,” Katara let out an amused sigh. “Why is it so important?
“How do you feel about having some fun at Sparky’s expenses?”
In all honesty, the idea sounded tempting. After the dreadful night Katara had endured with that stupid play just days ago, she could use more than a little fun. Although Toph’s idea of fun could sometimes be questionable, at the very least.
“Hold up. What do you have in mind?”
“This little thing,” Toph shook the bottle up in the air. “It’s a temporary love potion.”
Katara broke down in a scandalous laugh. “Yeah, and where did you get that from?”
Toph made a defensive frown. “Hey, it’s the real deal! I bought it from a weird old lady in town. She wasn’t lying, I swear.”
“Alright, I believe you. And what do you suggest we do with it?”
“Yes, that’s the attitude!” she celebrated. “According to the weirdo, two drops of this stuff and you can make anyone fall at your feet. All you need is for the other person to consume it while looking at you. And I just thought, wouldn’t it be hilarious if Zuko just happened to suddenly be crazy in love with you? That play inspired me, that’s all I’m saying.”
Well, that sounded like a recipe for disaster. Especially considering the way that play had contributed to her latest confusion regarding her feelings for two very powerful - and very different - benders. Still, it was a tempting offer.
“Toph, that’s insane!” Hesitation could be heard in her voice. “Trust me, pranking Zuko would be entertaining, but we cannot force him to be forever in love with me! I mean, what on earth would we do then? Seems a little cruel to me.”
“See? That’s the catch. It’s temporary. Two drops would only make him fall in love with you for a couple of days, tops. Come on! I thought you had been introduced to the concept of fun.”
Spirits, screw it. Two days of some harmless fun, how bad could it be? She could use a little distraction from the constant stress they were all under.
“Are you sure the effect will wear off?”
“Absolutely. Say yes, please! You know I can always do it without you. Or to you .” A mischievous smile framed her face. “You know you want to torture Sparky a little bit.”
“Alright… Let’s do it. But if anything goes sideways it’s your responsibility.”
“Heck yeah! That’s the spirit!” Toph gave her an affectionate punch in the shoulder. “Oh man, this is going to be too fun to watch!”
And so operation “Sparky falling for Sugar Queen” was put into motion. The two girls would prepare some tea - which would undoubtedly bribe Zuko in there - and make sure he was left alone with Katara when it came to drinking it. Toph would oversee everything from a cautious distance. It was the craziest, most random idea ever. But it sure sounded like fun.
Once everything was ready, Katara waited for Zuko in the kitchen. Needless to say, she was feeling a tad nervous. Waiting by the countertop, staring at the two teacups in front of her, she felt her heart racing on her chest.
It was just for two days. And it would certainly be nice to laugh with Toph about Zuko’s ridiculous lovey-dovey attitude. Most importantly, she wouldn’t even dream to risk Toph giving her the concoction. No, her feelings were already messy enough without the help of any love potion.
“Katara, are you in here?” Zuko’s voice interrupted her overthinking. “Toph said you made tea for me…?”
Time for the show. She put on her brightest smile as Zuko sat down in front of her.
“Yes! You seemed so tired this morning, figured you could use a little boost.”
She handed him the cup with the two drops mixed in the tea.
Zuko gifted her with a thankful smile. “Thank you, that’s very nice of you.”
Nice of me… Yeah, sure. Just drink the tea and look at me.
He started drinking, only to stop after a few sips to have a little chat.
“So, Aang’s training is looking decent,” he started saying. “But I can tell he’s getting increasingly anxious. We might need to keep an eye on him, I wouldn’t want him to start avoiding our sessions.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Katara intervened. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t slack on his training. Drink your tea, it’ll get cold otherwise.”
“Alright, alright,” he complied, looking into her eyes. “Thanks again for making it.”
Katara observed him as he drank the whole thing in one go. Her golden eyes staring at her with an amused shine to them. She wondered how Zuko being in love with her would be like. He didn’t exactly give off the cheesy type vibes, though she knew how much of a dork he actually was. If you fall in love because of a potion, you’re pretty much doomed to grandiloquent gestures and infatuated declarations, right? Well, she wasn’t an expert on the subject. But she did know a thing or two about having feelings for someone.
Toph sneaked into the kitchen, placing her hands on Zuko’s shoulders and giving them one tight squeeze. “Hello there, Sparky, how are you feeling on this lovely day?”
“Hey Toph,” he greeted her. “Much better after that tea, actually.”
Despite the perfectly normal response, Toph continued with her attack.
“You know what? Sugar Queen over here confessed to me this morning that she felt she looked terrible. I’m clearly not the best judge when it comes to looks.” The vicious smile on her face was a little too obvious. “How is she looking today, Sparky? Isn’t she stunning as usual?”
Oh, no. Katara felt herself blushing. The whole operation had quickly turned into Toph having fun at the expenses of both her and Zuko. But in all honesty, how could she had ever expected otherwise?
“Um, well,” Zuko mumbled, his eyes glued to the countertop. “She looks just the same to me. Like you said, um, she’s got her usual look.”
Katara wished Toph could see the look of utter confusion in her eyes. That was not the response she had imagined.
Zuko abruptly stood up. “Alright, I think I’ll get back to training. See you two later,” he greeted them. “Oh, and Katara. Thanks again for the tea.”
‘Thanks for the tea’? So much for romantic gestures.
Toph grasped her arm as soon as Zuko was out the door.
“What on earth? That was the least romantic interaction ever. ” The earthbender exclaimed, looking frustrated.
“Hey, let’s give it some time. Maybe the effect hasn’t kicked in yet.”
“Okay, we’ll wait. Man, what a bummer. I was fully expecting him to start ranting about how beautiful you are.” Toph threw her hands up in the air, grunting.
“Patience, we’ll get there,” Katara reassured her.
But am I even sure I want to get there?
Deep down, a part of her was hoping for it.
The rest of the day was spent with Toph trying her best to get Zuko to do anything remotely romantic regarding Katara, in an attempt to kick off the love potion effects. Much to her frustration, nothing seemed to do the trick. Katara wasn’t sure what to think of it. Did she feel relieved, disappointed, or maybe even bored? Truth be told, it was kind of a mix of all three.
Katara witnessed as Toph did everything she could. From suggesting they paired up in training all the way up to making them meditate together. All she got from Zuko was radio silence. Well, at least in the sense they were expecting.
“Are you sure you don’t feel a little weird, Sparky?” Toph asked him for the millionth time during dinner.
“Um, no? Why?” Zuko had a look of complete confusion on his face.
“You sure you don’t feel a little more sparky than usual? Don’t you sense some new emotions?” Toph continued. “Anything different?”
“Alright, that’s enough Toph,” Katara interrupted. “You’re scaring the poor boy.”
“Yeah, Toph, what’s all that nonsense about?” Sokka asked.
“Why should Zuko feel different?” Aang’s voice showed a tad of concern.
“Nothing, nothing,” Toph replied. “Calm down, you all. I was just wondering.”
Katara noticed the annoyed frown on her friend’s face. She seemed pissed off by the lack of results, the whole plan had been her idea after all.
After the meal, Suki stayed with them doing the dishes.
“Are you two going to tell me what’s going on already?” she asked them, with her hands on her hips and an inquisitive look in her eyes.
“Going on with what?” Toph played the innocent. “We’re just scraping plates.”
“Oh, come on! You have been acting weird all day! Especially you, Toph, asking Zuko the most random questions.”
“What do you say, Sugar Queen, should we tell her?” Toph asked.
“Sure, maybe she’ll even know why it’s not working,” Katara replied. “But Suki, promise not to tell any of the guys, alright?”
Suki let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, just spill it.”
“Okay, let me see. We made Sparky drink a love potion with his tea so he would fall in love with Katara. For two days. And before you ask, yes, it’s legit. Oh, but nothing’s happened yet.” Toph´s explanation was accompanied by a playful grin on her face.
“You’re joking, right?” Suki asked with a sarcastic smirk. “Katara would never be on board with that.”
“Actually,” she said, blushing. “I thought it was kind of a fun idea.”
“Yeah, so much for fun since Sparky hasn’t shown any signs of love and it’s been hours! He should be acting all lovey-dovey already.”
Suki burst into laughter. “Spirits, that’s hilarious! You gave him a freaking love potion and he’s acting as usual?”
“I don’t get what you’re laughing about! Something’s seriously wrong with him! Or us!” Toph complained. “Katara, are you sure you didn’t drink the potion yourself?”
“Yes, Toph, I’m absolutely positive I gave him the cup with the two drops,” Katara replied.
“Are you telling me you two don’t realize what’s going on?” Suki asked, an amused expression framing her face. “For being the ones to come up with this plan you seem rather clueless.”
A suspicion started to take shape into Katara’s mind. She couldn’t help but ask. “Suki, what are you talking about?”
“Yeah, come on!” Toph urged her. “Do you know something that we don’t?”
Suki let out a soft giggle. “Well, let’s think about it. You gave Zuko a love potion to fall for Katara, right? Toph, you say it’s a legit one. But Zuko is acting painfully normal. Even though he is under the effects of the potion.”
“Your point is?” Toph was sitting down on the countertop with a desperate expression on her face.
“If Zuko acts just as usual when he is supposed to be artificially in love with Katara… What do you think it’s the reason?”
“His heart is missing?”
“The dose wasn’t strong enough?”
“No!” Suki exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. “He was already in love with her!”
Wait. What? That doesn’t make any sense .
“Spirits, Spirits, Spirits!!!” Toph jumped down the countertop, hands on her head, and on the verge of screaming. “That’s it! Suki, you’re a genius.”
Katara hadn’t even blinked. She was not even entirely sure she was still breathing. Zuko in love with her? It couldn’t be. He had even looked embarrassed by the way the play paired them together. Although she had acted embarrassed as well. And a part of her knew very well why.
“Sugar Queen, I can’t believe I didn’t realize it sooner.” Toph poked her cheeks. “His heartbeat is all over the place whenever you’re around but again so is yours, and I thought it was just all that love/hate dynamic you’ve got going on. I had actually started to suspect he liked you, but Spirits, I didn´t realize he loves you.”
Love/hate, what? This can’t be happening.
Suki raised a brow. “Hold up, Toph, are you saying Katara’s heart beats faster when Zuko is around?”
“That’s a lie!” Katara exclaimed, snapping out. She couldn’t let her friends figure out the truth. “My heart is perfectly fine, thank you very much. And Zuko is not in love with me!”
“And I suppose you have unlimited access to his mind and that’s how you know that?” Toph deadpanned.
“No… I - That’s unfair Toph,” she managed to mumble, feeling her heart starting to race on her chest.
“As unfair as the fact that you’re heart is betraying your words in this exact second,” Toph replied.
Katara wished with all of her strength that the ground opened up and swallowed her. The entire operation had gone sideways. But not in the way she had originally expected. No, it was worse.
“Alright, alright,” Suki intervened. “Enough torturing with Katara, this was supposed to be about Zuko.”
“Thank you. Can we please go back to the point?”
Toph let out an exasperated sigh. “The point is Zuko is in love with you, Sugar Queen. But not because of the love potion, it seems like he’s been head over heels for you way before drinking that tea.”
“I seriously can't believe you didn’t figure this out sooner,” Suki said. “The question is, what are you going to do about it, Kat?”
That was a very good question indeed. One she had no answer for.
“Why should I even do something about it?” Katara asked, a confused look in her eyes.
“Because I think deep down you want to.” Suki’s tone got serious all of the sudden.
Toph placed a hand on her shoulder. “Sugar Queen, I’m sorry if my prank ended up bringing you a headache. But Suki’s right, you should confront him.”
“Confront him? We’re in the middle of a war! I don’t need any distractions.” Her head was spinning a little too fast.
“Says the girl who complied to give a love potion to Sparky,” Toph remarked.
“Katara, would you seriously prefer to have a lump on your throat until Aang has taken down Fire Lord Ozai?”
Truth be told, she would hate that. A part of her knew she had feelings for Zuko. For that poor firebender she had given a love potion to. Only to have the whole scheme backfire right on her face. Now, she had to stand up to it.
“No.” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t prefer that.”
“Then hear me out because I have a plan!” Toph exclaimed, enthusiasm written all over her face. “I know how to get one last bit of fun out of this failure of an operation.”
The next day went out according to what the girls had planned. Still hoping for at least a bit of extra romance on Zuko’s behalf - which, unsurprisingly, never occurred - the three of them acted normal all the way until the afternoon.
After training, Toph cornered the poor Zuko on his way to the beach. Katara and Suki stayed at the shore, discreetly listening.
“Sparky, this is your last chance!” Toph exclaimed.
“My last chance for what?” The look of sheer confusion on his face was priceless to say the least.
“Come on! Please tell me you are feeling extra lovey-dovey and maybe I’ll let you walk away without making you even more uncomfortable.”
“Toph, I swear I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
“You’re telling me you don’t feel any special romantic feelings today?”
“Um, no?” His voice had a strain of nervousness to it.
“And what about regular feelings? Got them for anyone? Maybe for someone you drink a lot of tea with?”
“Uh - No? Um, Toph, can I please go now?” Zuko stuttered.
“Ha! I knew it, you sneaky little bastard! That’s a lie.” Toph threw her hands up in the air. “I can tell you’re lying. I was right, heck yeah!”
Zuko anxiously tried to get past her. “Alright, sure, can I please go down to the beach now?”
“Don’t you want to know why I’m asking you this?”
“Do I have to?”
“We gave you a love potion, Sparky! A love potion mixed with that tea you drank yesterday. And you were supposed to fall in love with Miss Sugar Queen!” Toph’s was grinning from ear to ear.
Katara and Suki exchanged a concerned look. That was not part of the plan. Katara was supposed to be the one to tell Zuko about the love potion. After Toph had made sure whether he was lying or not. Then, and only maybe, she would mention the tricky subject of actual feelings.
“What on earth, Toph?” Zuko’s face was pale as a ghost. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I've been suspecting for forever that you liked her! And when I got that love potion it was just too tempting not to go for it. I thought it would be a fun experiment! Katara was also on board with it.”
“But?”
“But it only made me reaffirm my theory! What I didn’t expect is that you don’t just like her, you’re full-blown in love with her!”
“Toph, can you please tone it down? I wouldn’t want anyone else to hear this conversation,” Zuko pleaded.”
Katara was cursing Toph, Suki, Zuko, the moon, the stars, the Spirits, and herself. Toph playing matchmaker as subtle as an elephant trying to fit into her sleeping tent.
“Sparky, don’t you see Katara and Suki over there in the corner? They’re already listening!” Toph waved at the two of them, she had the most amused look on her face.
“ What? Toph!” Zuko’s face was now entirely red. “You’re insane.”
“Sh, let me get to the best part,” she shushed him. “I think our dear Sugar Queen has something very important to tell you.”
Toph grabbed him by the wrist and started marching up to them.
Toph, you’ll pay for this, Katara thought as she found herself in front of Zuko.
“Now, I think Suki and I have to go do literally anything else but being here,” Toph resolved. “Alright! Everyone’s happy? See you!
“Kat, I’m sorry,” Suki mumbled. “I had no clue about this but I’ll better go.”
The two girls sprinted back to the house, where Aang and Sokka were probably taking care of dinner.
Her eyes met Zuko’s, and she felt her heart racing inside of her chest. The awkwardness of the situation was remarkable.
“So… I’m taking it you heard everything Toph said?” Zuko asked, sitting down on the shore next to her.
“Yeah,” she replied, nervously playing with the sand that surrounded them. “I’m sorry about the love potion thing. It was stupid of me.”
“I just didn’t understand the logic behind it. Were you going to let me be in love with you for all eternity?”
“The effect was supposed to wash out tomorrow…” She let out a sigh. “But I guess it’s the same now.”
“Because you realized that I acted normal around you even with the potion?”
“Exactly.” Katara took a deep breath. “Look, Zuko, I had no clue-”
“Katara,” he interrupted her. “It’s okay. I don’t mind you know.”
“So it’s true then? Are you…”
“Am I in love with you?” He rubbed the back of his neck, his whole body seemed anxious. “Yeah, I am. I guess even more than I knew.”
Silence. Just sheer silence.
Zuko rushed to continue. “It’s perfectly okay if you don’t feel the same way.”
But she did feel the same way.
“Look, I think I’m in love with you too,” she blurted out, feeling her cheeks turning bright red.
“You are?” His voice was tinted with astonishment.
She nodded in agreement. Then, she proceeded to say something else. “The night of the play, Aang felt terrible about the possibility of us being together. He kissed me and… and I pulled apart. I was horribly confused. A part of me knew he has always expected to be with me. But it didn’t feel right.”
Katara made a pause. She couldn’t believe she was actually saying those words out loud.
“Go on, I’m listening,” Zuko encouraged her.
“Well, I knew I felt something for you for a long time already. But with what happened the night of the play, and now this whole love potion thing… I realize I’m in love with you too.”
Zuko brushed his fingertips against the back of her hand. “Thank you, for being honest with me.”
She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for not wanting to kill me for giving you a love potion.”
“Now what?”
“I don’t know. We still have a war to win.”
A moment of quietness invaded the space between them. Their fingers were intertwined, both of their hearts racing. They were savoring the confirmation of their feelings - and embracing the uncertainty - together.
“Do you want to wait?”
“Wait?”
“Yeah, until this whole mess is over,” he explained. “We can figure out things slowly, I don’t mind. It’s not like I’m suddenly going to stop having feelings for you.”
“So you would still be in love with me… And I would still be in love with you…”
“But we focus on winning the war first.”
Katara tilted her head to look straight at him. “Can I occasionally do this, though?”
He made a slight frown. “Do what?”
She didn’t give him much time to wonder. In a split second, she leaned onto him and placed a kiss on his lips. It was sweet, quick, and a little timid. But it was still the first kiss they shared.
“So?” Katara asked, a light smile framing her face. “Can I?”
Zuko placed his arm around her shoulder, allowing her to rest her head on the creek of his neck.
He squeezed her hand, chuckling. “Yeah, I think you can.”
“You know what? I’m really glad Toph convinced me to give you that stupid love potion.”