Polar Opposites *A Prince Zuko Love Story*

Chapter 14: I forgive you Zuko

*Fanart is not mine!!! All credit goes to the original creator!!!!!*

Taking over the airship wasn't all that hard, surprisingly but that was because there weren't that many people in it. We charged through the airship, throwing all of the crew overboard before quickly taking off. As soon as we were up in the air and on our way back to the Western Air Temple, I found an empty room to change back into my regular clothes in. Closing the door behind me, I basically ripped off the prison uniform in disgust and threw on my normal water tribe clothes. I sigh out in relief as I finish braiding my hair.

As I smooth out my shirt walking over to the window, I hear someone knock on the door lightly. "Come in." I call out as I turn towards the door. "Hey," Zuko greets as he opens the door, coming into the room. "I thought I'd give these back to you." he continues as he closes the door before handing my waterskins, and my bow with my sheath of arrows to me. I take the 3 items from him, realising that my waterskins are almost empty. "Thanks. I'll have to fill my wareskins again when we get back to the Western Air Temple." I say as I sling both waterskins and my sheath of arrows around my back. "Before we get there... I... I want to talk to you." Zuko says, looking at me with a serious look on his face.

Well, I guess I had this coming. Then again, I do need to talk to him too. I nod, letting him know that we can talk. The 2 of us sit down in chairs that are across from each other, near the window. To be completely honest, I was kind of hoping that he would move his chair to where he would be sitting next to me so that I didn't have to look up at him. I reluctantly look up to meet his eyes to find him staring into mine so intensely; that I have to stop myself from shuddering.

Zuko keeps on staring into my eyes for another few moments before he starts explaining things. He told me about how guilty he felt after what had happened in Ba Sing Se. He told me about why he had gotten with Mai. Which was because he was trying to forget me, like I was trying so hard to forget about him. Zuko also told me that he had thought that if he got with Mai, it would help forget about me. But it somehow made it worse. Instead of forgetting me, it made him think about everything we did together. He said that sometimes at night, he heard my voice. But he said that I could never be forgotten, no matter how hard he tried.

"I'm so sorry Kida..." he says, putting his face in his hands. "This whole time that I've been with you guys, it's been eating me alive... Most nights I couldn't sleep." I watch painfully as I see tears drip through his hands and onto the floor. This is only the second time I've seen him cry. And it still breaks my heart and brings me to tears. After watching him cry for another minute, I can't stand watching him tear himself apart because of this anymore.

Without hesitating, I grab his hand, pulling him into my arms. I close my eyes, savoring the feeling of having Zuko back in my arms, no matter how broken he is or was. Slowly, I feel Zuko relax and snake his arms around my waist, nuzzling his head into my neck. "It's okay. You don't need to apologize anymore." I whisper as I hug him tighter. "What do you mean? I-" I cut him off. "I forgive you Zuko." I feel Zuko's body tense up against me.

It takes him a second before he loosens his grip on me, lifting his head from my shoulder to look up into my eyes. His eyes are glistening from tears. "You forgive me?" he asks in disbelief as he wipes his face with the back of his sleeve. "I do... I really do." I answer, nodding.

Zuko smiles as he stands up from his chair, holding my hands in his as he does. I smile back at him as I get to my feet, standing in front of him. We stare into each other's eyes for a moment before Zuko slowly leans forward, his hand cupping my face, making me lean into his touch.

A moment later, Zuko's lips meet with mine gently. I hum against his lips, just loving the feeling of his warm lips against mine. Zuko smiles against my lips, pulling me even closer, causing me to wrap my arms around his neck, my hands playing with his black hair.

After a couple more minutes of kissing, we slowly part, our foreheads meeting. I sigh, my eyes closed in content. "I love you." "I love you too." he replies back.

I'm about to kiss him again when I hear what sounds like a squeak from some sort of animal? I pull my head away from Zuko's only to see Sokka standing in the doorway, his mouth wide open in disbelief. "What. The. Heck. Is. Going. On. Here?" Sokka asks in complete and utter disbelief. I roll my eyes at him. "Um, it's kind of obvious as to what it looks like." "Yeah, but- Uhhh...!" he squeaks in shock. Zuko and I exchange a look before we turn back to look at Sokka. "Look, Sokka, Zuko and I were just talking things over and now-" I look over at Zuko again, taking his hand in mine, causing him to smile down at me. "We've worked things out between the 2 of us." "Wait, really?" Sokka asks me in confusion. I smile as I nod at him. "Well, that's good to hear." He smiles. "Now, what exactly did you come in here for?" I ask him with an eyebrow raised. "...Oh, uh, yeah..." he says with an awkward laugh. "Uh, I just wanted to tell you guys that we're almost to the Western Air Temple." "Oh, okay." I answer with a nod. "Okay, I'll leave you guys to whatever... it was you 2 were doing..." Sokka says awkwardly as he backs out of the room, closing the door.

"Well, that was awkward..." I sigh out after a moment. "Yeah... It really was." Zuko agrees.

A/N - Definitely not my best kissing scene that I've written... I will definitely try to make it better when I edit this chapter when I get the chance too!

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We get back to the Western Air Temple not too long after the sun sets and Sokka, Zuko and I walk out of the airship to meet Toph, Aang and Katara. "What are you doing in this thing? What happened to the war balloon?" Katara asks us. "It kind of got destroyed." Zuko admits from beside me. "Sounds like a crazy fishing trip." Aang says and I snicker. Oh, if only he and the others knew. "Did you at least get some good meat?" Toph asks us. "We did." Sokka replies. "The best meat of all. The meat of friendship and fatherhood."

As if on cue, Suki, Chit Sang and dad exit the airship. "I'm new." Chit Sang waves. "What's up, everybody?" "Dad." Katara says, tears welling up in her eyes. "Hi, Katara." Dad greets as she runs up to him, embracing him in a hug.

They hug for a moment before Katara looks up at our dad. "How are you here?" she asks. She then turns to face Sokka, Zuko and I. "What is going on? Where did you go?" "We... kind of went to a Fire Nation prison." Sokka admits to which I nod in agreement too.

Katara then grabs Sokka by the hand who in turn grabs mine, as he's pulled into a tight hug. "Seriously? You guys didn't find any meat?" Toph asks.