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It was a sunny day on Ember Island, the perfect day to explore the village. Even though the Gaang were supposed to keep a low profile, they weren't immune to the festivity at the island resort. Toph and Sokka targeted the tourist attractions that were obviously scams, bleeding everyone dry in the process. Aang and Suki tried going shopping and buying all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs. That left Katara and Zuko together in the crowded marketplace, buying food and other supplies they would need. Everything was definitely overpriced, but thankfully, Sokka gave them the money from yesterday's winnings.
Katara was checking the quality of some fruit. They all appeared ripe, and she started placing some in her basket. Zuko was next to her, arms crossed and keeping watch.
"Zuko, there is nothing suspicious about two people shopping; it is when one of them decides to act like they expect to be attacked at any moment." Katara looked up at him after paying the vendor for the food. His face flushed at the statement, avoiding eye contact.
"We should still stay alert. The last thing I want is for us to be caught off guard." The former Prince said, his eyes dashing around, ready for any threat.
"Zuko, it's all about blending in." She whispers to him, pretending to look at the meats, "No one here expects to find fugitives at an island resort, so they won't look for fugitives and won't find any."
He looks like he wants to rebuttal her but decides otherwise. The two of them continue to walk around the market, which smells of spices and flowers. Children are running around with toys, and couples are strolling around. Katara stopped abruptly at a stall selling jewelry made of sea shells, lava rock, etc. She reached out to touch one but stopped herself, her eyes lingering.
"You want one?" Zuko asks.
"No..."
"..."
"Well, yes, it's just. We're at war, so it seems silly to worry about jewelry right now." She distracts herself with the basket of food. Besides, after the war, we can—Oof—" A child runs and crashes into Katara, who falls right into Zuko's arms. He wraps his arms around her to steady himself and prevent them from falling to the ground. "Sorry about that, " she tells him, pushing herself up.
"It's fine," he holds her arm as she steadies herself, making sure she doesn't fall, "this place is getting pretty crowded. Do we have everything we need?"
"Yeah, we should have enough here for tonight's dinner and tomorrow's meals. Let's head back to the house."
"You go on ahead; I still have something I need to take care of."
Katara gives him a look but doesn't fight it, "Alright, but be careful."
"of course, I'm just an average fire-nation citizen." He smiles at her, and she rolls her eyes. Watching her leave, he turns around to look at the bracelet she was looking at. It had eight small pink pearls wrapped around the whole wrist; some white sea glass was between each pearl.
"Ah, a lovely piece." the vendor told Zuko. "Is this for someone special?
Zuko thinks of Katara and all she does for everyone, never asking for anything in return. She deserves to treat herself to something nice; if jewelry is one of those things, then so be it. "Yes, it is."
They exchange money, and Zuko heads back to his family's beach house with the small bralette in his pocket.