Say it with Flowers

White Rose

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He had never given her a single red rose. Not once. Not ever.

She sees it everywhere, guys giving the love of their lives red roses. Sokka, her brother, always gives Suki red roses. Even Aang gives Toph a red rose from time to time, even if he knows she'll just punch him out the window or something. She knew what a red rose symbolizes- love. If you give someone a red rose, it's like saying "I love you" to that person. And the color red is just dreadfully romantic. As a child, she had always dreamed of getting red roses from a guy. But Zuko, no matter how many times he tells her he loves her, has never ever given her a red rose. However, he does shower her with white roses. She appreciates it every time Zuko gives her a white rose, but sometimes she wonder why he chose white instead of red. She had always thought white roses are for sad occasions, like funerals, for example. She can't help but wonder sometimes if Zuko thinks their relationship is sad as well.

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They were just walking near the market place, and he notices that her eyes are fixed on a couple some distance away from them. The boy bashfully handed the girl a single red rose, and Zuko notices the wistfulness in Katara's eyes. He knows she adores red roses. He knows she's just waiting for him to give her one someday. But as much as he loves her, he's just not going to do so.

"Zuko?" Her voice brought him out of his musings.

"Hmm?"

"Why do you…erm…What I wanted to ask is… uhm…" She mumbled.

"Just say it."

"Why don't you give me red roses?" She blurted out, eyes fixed on the ground.

"Oh. Well, I just don't like them."

"But… you do know they symbolize love, right?" Zuko smirked.

"Yes, I know. And yes, I also realize you're a hopeless romantic, hence your fondness for red roses." Then Zuko saw a stall selling flowers. "Wait here." When he came back, he was carrying a bouquet of white roses. "Here."

"Oh. Uhm, thank you, Zuko." Katara accepted the flowers, but Zuko noticed her hesitation and confusion.

"Don't tell me you'd actually prefer the red ones over these beautiful white roses." Zuko took a step closer to her.

"It's not that! It's just…" Her voice faded away, not really knowing how to explain her dilemma. Zuko then spoke, his voice serious.

"Red is romantic, but red is also… volatile. Unstable. It's like saying 'I love you' now but without the promise of making it last. That is how I see red roses, Katara. You only give them to someone if you're simply planning to 'live in the moment', as they say. It's somehow as if you know that there is still a possibility that your feelings might change. It may not be how others see it, but that is how I interpret it. That's why I can't bear to give you those no matter how much you want them." Katara blushed and opened her mouth to reply, but Zuko pressed a finger to her lips. "Wait, let me finish."

"You'd probably want to know why I chose white instead. I learned something interesting about white roses from Uncle. I don't know why he knows this, but I'm glad he does. He told me that white roses symbolize…eternal love. Pure, everlasting love. Something steady, something unchanging. And that is how I love you, Katara." He smiled as he finished. Katara's eyes were shining with tears and she put her arms around him in a fierce hug.

"Thank you, Zuko. I love you, too. I love you so much." As she pulled away, Zuko pressed his lips to hers, sealing their promise of forever with a kiss.

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Eternal love

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A/N: Okaaay. I hated that. I didn't want to put it up, but I'm running out of ideas for this series. I was actually cringing while putting this up. I just had to write something about white roses. Zuko's opinion is actually my own opinion on the matter. So there. Sorry if you didn't like it. But please, don't be too hard. I already know it sucks. No need to put salt on the wound. Do review, by all means.