Title: What Next

Pairing: Zuko/Katara

Summary: It's just one thing after another when you're working towards world peace.

Notes: I own nothing.

Katara groaned, throwing herself onto the bed face first. Her bones felt like they had been sucked dry, and her muscles were tired. She was exhausted, and now that she had relaxed she knew she wouldn't be able to get up.

Soft footfalls padded into the room, and the bed dipped. A hand stroked her back and Katara cracked one eye open to glance to her side. She knew only Zuko would act this way, but it was still a comfort to confirm it was him. She hummed as his thumb worked at a particularly tough knot and did her best impression of a puddle of goo.

"How're you feeling?" he asked gently, shifting so that he could use both hands to massage her back. Katara groaned in response, her incoherent noise further muffled by the mattress pressed into her face. Zuko chuckled.

"We're too busy," she groaned. "Too many things to do, places to go. I'm so tired."

"You can always take a day off, go to the spa..."

"Only if you do it too."

Zuko sighed with longing. "I would if I could, but there's so much I still need to do. Stability requires some sacrifices, and if those sacrifices are just all my free time, it's worth it."

Katara propped herself up on her elbows, turning her head to smile at her lover. "I know. It just gets to be too much sometimes."

Zuko smiled back, leaning down to press a quick peck to her lips. "But it's worth it."

"Yeah."

He sat back and stood up, walking over to the wardrobe. Katara rolled onto her back, sighing softly as she watched him change clothes. "What is it this time?"

"Chancellor Wan is hosting a social gathering, and I need to put myself out there."

Katara hummed in response as he belted a tunic, then she stood up. "I'll accompany you."

Zuko's smile seemed relieved, but he stammered on about how she didn't need to force herself. Katara rolled her eyes and picked out her own clothes to wear, shrugging on a dress that matched the fanciness that Zuko's clothing displayed.

"I'm not forcing myself," she said, pressing a kiss to his lips. "Besides, an evening at your side? It's worth it."