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Katara knew what she was.
An evil creature born from the sea and storms. A lurking she demon that could turn a sailor to stone with one look and sink an entire ship with one swipe of her tail. A reminder to not venture too far from shore.
A monster.
Katara reveled in the stories the humans told of her. Soon, her name would only be spoken in hushed tones, in warnings to passerby's and prayers for protection from. They will learn to fear the sea because of her. The greatest honor any monster could receive.
Absolute fear.
That is, until he showed up.
Katara had dealt with his kind before. The arrogant pirates who thought they owned whatever water they sailed. They often boast of spearing her heart and wearing her scales as trophies. How foolish. And neither the ocean or she had time for fools.
But this one, the scarred pirate Zuko, was even more annoying. No matter how many times Katara sank his ships or turned him and his crew to stone, he kept coming back more determined than ever. Katara knew she should had killed him when they first met but she hesitated.
A mistake she will not make again.
Katara sighed wearily, letting her groans echoed through the massive empty cave. Why did she let that human get to her so much? One of the snakes that made up her hair hissed lowly and rubbed her cheek. Katara gave it a faint smile.
“I’m fine Sakari. Just thinking.”
She picked up her mirror and stared into the reflection. It was once a wall of polished decorative windows of an extravagant sea merchant vessel. Sponsored by the king of the land of fire, they say. Now it rests in the watery graveyard with the others.
“It is a lonely life. But it’s mine. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Her snakes rattled in agreement. Katara leaned the mirror against the wall then ran a whale-bone comb through her hair. Her snakes continued to rattle as she massaged them. Katara began to sing in her native tongue. The song was dark and somber but for some reason, it always made her feel a little better.
“Wow. That was beautiful.”
Katara whipped her head around and bared her many sharp teeth as her snakes reared hissing. Standing on a ledge watching her was that La drown scarred pirate.
“You have some nerve human.” She loomed over him. “Entering into MY DOMAIN without a care in the world. ARE YOU TRULY THAT FOOLISH?!”
The pirate had the grace to look embarrassed. But Katara wanted more. She wanted to him to be terrified of her. At least once.
“I apologize, Katara. Coming to your home uninvited was rude of me. But I heard your singing and I wanted to see you again.”
“I will be the last face you see before you draw your final breath!”
“Very well.” He dipped his head. “But if you may, I have a confession.”
Katara narrowed her eyes. It wasn’t like the scarred pirate to give up so easily.
“If this is a trap, I will grind you to dust with my teeth.”
“I swear on my honor it’s not a trap. I came alone.”
Katara’s snakes let out a warning rattle. “Speak.”
“Ever since that faithful night when we first met, you’re all I’ve thought about. You spared my life and for that I could never repay.”
Katara tsked. “You certainly had a strange way of showing it.”
“I wasn’t hunting you, I swear!” Zuko said quickly. “I woke up every day hoping I could see you again and thank you.”
Katara stiffened.
“Over time, my feelings for you became grew and… well…” His flush deepened.
“Well what?!”
Zuko looked up at her with sparkling golden eyes and a tender expression.
“I’m in love with you.” He rasped.
Katara froze.
Of all the things to say.
“What trickery is this? ” she whispered. “You cannot love a monster.”
“But I do.” he said sincerely. “You’re both fierce and beautiful like the ocean itself. Pulling me in and drowning me over and over. But you are also gentle like the waves after a storm.”
Katara’s eyes watered. “Are you ill? Mad?”
“Perhaps.” Zuko sat down the chest he was carrying and opened it. “I know it’s not enough, but I wanted you to have this.”
Her snakes immediately perked up at the scent and Katara gasped. Inside was all of her favorite sweets. Squid livers. Octopus legs. Seal heads. Even a whale eye!
“You got this for me?” Katara hated how small her voice sounded.
Zuko nodded with a growing smile.
“No one has ever…”
Wait. What was she doing? Was she really falling for that?!
Katara regained her composure and crossed her arms.
“Nice try, human. But I will not fall prey to such trickery!”
“It’s not poison!”
Katara scoffed causing Zuko’s expression to shift. Disappointment. Not fear.
Never fear.
“I’ll prove it then!”
He grabbed an octopus leg still wiggling and took a bite that was clearly too big. His face contorted and with much effort, he managed to swallow. But broke down gagging and dry-heaving afterwards.
“S-See… not… poison…”
“You are mad.” Katara laughed, surprising both of them.
Zuko gave her that strange soft look again making Katara feel warm and fluttery on the inside. It was much more intense than the feeling she got when humans cowered before her.
Zuko never cowered.
Zuko thanked her.
Zuko brought gifts and called her fierce, beautiful, and gentle.
Katara plucked up the chest with one hand and turned her head as the conflicting emotions filled her.
“I accept. Now get out before I change my mind about eating you.” She huffed. “And Zuko, next time make your presence known at the entrance first.”
Zuko beamed. “As you wish.”
Katara smiled again before catching herself. She dove back under, making sure to slap her tail hard against the surface. Even beneath the waves, she heard his joyous laughter.
He really was mad.
Katara held the chest close to her heart.
Who better to love a monster?