He shook his head adamantly, his wild mane flying back and forth with the motion.
"No, Katara. I can't." His voiced sounded weak and shaky.
She tried to calm him. She stepped closer and reached out to touch his cheek. "Zuko, I-"
He pushed her hand away, taking a step back. "No, Katara! I can't-I won't do that to you. I can't be with you. I love you too much." He lifted his chin and looked up at her, his shiny golden eyes revealing a vulnerability that chilled her heart.
She closed the gap between them again, refusing to give up on him. This time he didn't move away. She encircled his slender waist with her arms and she felt his body stiffen, then relax. He brought his arms up around her shoulders and held on tightly, dropping his head to the crook of her neck. She felt him shaking his head side to side. The rough skin of his scar brushed across her collarbone.
"I love you too much," he whispered again between ragged breaths.
She brought a hand up to cradle the back of his head, weaving her fingers into his soft black hair.
"I love you, Zuko. I know nothing will happen." His head jerked up at this, and his eyes widened in fear. His body went rigid and his breath caught hysterically in his chest.
"But what if it does? What if I am like him? I could be just like my father. Say I'm selfish enough to stay with you and we get married and-and have kids together. They'll have your beautiful blue eyes and your tan skin and I'll hate them. How do you know I won't ruin their lives? You'll hate me. I-I…I can't-" he gasped.
The shoulder of Katara's tunic was as wet as her cheeks with escaped tears and her heart was constricted tight. She ran her hands down his back, trying to comfort him. She suddenly pulled his head towards her to kiss him fiercely on the mouth. Shock was in his golden eyes when she pulled away.
"Shut up. Just shut up, Zuko! Look at me, Zuko!" She roughly grabbed his chin in her hand, forcing him to look her in the eyes. "You are not Ozai, Zuko." She spoke sternly and passionately. "You are are the greatest man I have ever met. You will never be like him." Still holding his jaw, she kissed him softly on his marred cheekbone, tasting his salty tears. "You have so much good in you. You're a better Fire Lord and a better friend and a better husband than he could have ever hoped to be, Zuko." She looked up at him with kindness and adoration in her big blue eyes, quieting the storm in Zuko's heart.
He let himself be soothed by her words, and took a calming breath. He tightened his arms around her waist and sighed.
"I love you."
He nuzzled into her neck and breathed in peace.