Agni, he was tired. His back ached and his limbs were much heavier than he had remembered them to be before the day of meetings. Sometimes he wished that he could go back to when he was sixteen travelling with his friends, back to when he had felt carefree.
He was surprised when he entered his room for it to be empty, normally Katara would be washing up after a long day of Firelady duties in preparation for dinner. It was a rarity for Zuko to be finished first. With a smile he released his hair from its top knot and shook his tresses free, feeling a sense of relief.
He was changed and lounging on the bed reading some scrolls by the time Katara had rushed into the room slightly flushed. He simply raised his good eyebrow at her appearance and said nothing, knowing that a rant was brewing and that he didn't need to stir the pot.
She stomped around the room, pulling her hair loose and trying but failing to free herself of her gown.
"Do you need any help?" Zuko asked softly, immediately regretting it as his wife turned and glared daggers at him. He couldn't help but shrink back from her, yes she was his beautiful wife but she was also a master waterbender who's waterwhip hurt like a bitch.
"No Zuko, I was just going to struggle taking of this stupid dress for the rest of the evening!" she hissed out. She continued to struggle against the silky fabric she wore, letting out a few words that wasn't suited for a noble.
He watched her every move as he stood assist her. He pushed her chocolate locks to the side, exposing her sun-kissed shoulders and partially unclasped dress. Gently, he opened the rest of the offending garment then ran his hands up her smooth back to her shoulders where he began to knead her flesh. He felt her stiffen slightly before allowing herself to enjoy his tender touches.
Katara tilted her head forward slightly allowing his large hands better access. A moan escaped her lips as he hit a knot before she had a chance to stop it. He paused for a moment before continuing his menstrations as if nothing had happened.
"Why the mood?"
She sighed, "They keep going on about how the nation needs an heir and how it's my duty to provide it." She glanced at him, his brows were knitted together in thought reminding her of a toddler choosing between a toy or sweets. There was a pregnant pause as he continued working on her shoulders.
"I'm in no rush, and it's your body to decide when you want kids." He muttered softly, causing her to smile a genuine smile.
"Thank you"
Just as she was beginning to relax a knocking at the door erupted their session. Zuko moved to answer the door as Katara scurried off to their washroom to fix herself up for dinner.
Katara was ready by the time Zuko had finished speaking to the messenger. He turned to her, his grin looking much like a Cheshire Cat.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" She rose an eyebrow at the Firelord.
Zuko feigned innocence before he began ranting about how he should be able to smile at his wife without being questioned for his motive. "-Anyways I should memorise all of you before your month long trip to the southern water tribe for trade negotiations." He announced rather loudly, the sly grin returning to his face.
Katara stopped dead in her tracks, he was sending her home? She would get to see her family again? She glanced at him stunned before pure joy over took her. "You didn't! Seriously Zuko you didn't!" She grinned, beginning to jump around excitedly.
"Well I suppose you don't have to go if you don't want to, I could always find another representative…" he pretended to be in deep thought, "I could send Admiral Jee to attend the negotiations in your place…" He took one look at his ecstatic wife and let out a chuckle.
The waterbender reached out to him and pulled him into a bone crushing hug. "Thank you so much." she whispered into his dark hair.
"Anything to make you happy." he rumbled, "But this isn't just a holiday, there is trade negotiations that you do have to attend and sign, but that'll just be for the first few days."
"Of course" she smiled
"Oh and there's one condition for you to go." he straighten, gold meeting blue with an intensity that he rarely showed. "You must send at least one letter a week so I know you're okay." He blushed slightly at his own request, Agni he sounded like a child.
"I promise I'll send you so many letters and notes that the poor messenger hawk will drop dead with exhaustion." she purred as her hand traced his jawline. "You'll be sick of them."
"I could never get sick of your letters even if I tried" he admitted softly before leaning into her, his lips barely grazing hers."I love you too much for that."
"I love you too."