I do not own ATLA or its characters L [sigh]

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"I've never seen you so nervous before Prince Zuko." Zuko looked at his uncle's reflection in the mirror. Why couldn't he stay calm? "Are the rooms ready?" His breathing coming out in hushed whispers and his palms all sweaty.

"They've been ready for weeks now. Are you sure you're alright?"

He kept adjusting the crown on his topknot and the servants had to adjust his collar numerous times. "I'm not nervous."

Iroh eyed the young man up and down smirking slightly. "Whatever you say Zuko.

•••

Appa growled for the third time on this journey and Aang understood. He was tired too but they were nearing the Fire nation. They had just picked up Sokka and his wife, Suki. Toph laid back with her feet hanging over the saddle feeling the cool air run through her toes. She had to admit that she liked flying now.

Aang turned to look at Katara his friend? Girlfriend? Almost girlfriend? He didn't know where they stood. She wouldn't give him a full answer so he was left to believe that she'll come around. He was 17 now, making 20. He could never spend that much time with her because she refused to stay in one place for too long. She became restless after the war and it didn't help that her father was literally thrusting any man he could find at her just so she could think of marriage.

Katara smiled at Aang. "Where almost there?"

"Yup," he glimpsed back just in time to see her smile widen but missed her whisper, Zuko.

•••

Dressed in a regal red gown Mai sat across from Zuko in the carriage, "you should've told me that this was an informal event."

"I told you to wear whatever you were comfortable with Mai." Zuko had opted out of his formal robes and had settled on a clean pair of training gear. The only thing royal about his appearance today was his crown and his eyes of course. His eyes that took to always gazing at the sky or out the window on a rainy day. The eyes that could get lost forever peering into even a simple glass of water.

His fingers wearing tapping mindlessly away on his knees. His attention was everywhere but on her. As if reading her mind he looked at her and smiled. She smiled back, a rare thing, but beautiful. "Why are you so happy?"

"I haven't seen my friends in forever. Toph, Aang, Sokka, Suki…Katara." His voice softened as he pronounced the water bender's name. Mai's smile instantly faltered. She's heard the maids murmur behind their backs about how many times it was her name he whispered at night. Zuko told her not to believe them and that it's all a 'silly misunderstanding', but it was times like these that made her doubt him.

•••

The moment Appa landed they were greeted with a full welcoming laugh from Iroh. Toph was the first one off deciding that she didn't love flying that much anymore. She planted her feet snug into the ground feeling the exact moment Iroh stepped out of the carriage. "Iroh!" She ran to the old man and hugged him dearly.

"Miss Toph! My you've grown."

"Hope you haven't grown too much were you wouldn't want to give your old friend a hug." Zuko walked up towards her, Mai stayed in the carriage.

"Sparky!" They hugged and Toph gave him a playful punch on the arm. He flinched. "Ha! Still got it."

"Zuko! Iroh!" Sokka raced over holding Suki's hand. "Have you met my wife?"

"You married him?" Sokka shut Zuko a glare. "I'm only joking. Congratulations."

"Now when did you learn to tell a joke Zuko?" The way she said his name was like magic, but to look upon her was like a blessing. She was beautiful curves in all the right places. She was taller, muscles more defined, her body vastly developed, and her eyes were bluer than ever.

"'Tara," he sighed as he hugged her bringing their bodies close together. He breathed in the smell of her hair: sea and jasmine.

"I've missed you," she whispered in his ear as she pulled back. The forbidden words neither were allowed to say or here. But they both felt it. "How have you been?" back to familiarities. He wanted to pull her back in. Her eyes read: not allowed.

"Yeah, Sifu Hotman! How's it going?" Aang, oblivious towards their encounter, linked his arm with Katara's. She looked down and away to avoid Zuko's eyes as Aang gave him a one arm grasp.

"I've been good. Mai and I have been waiting for you all to arrive. He forced a smile as he heard the hitch in Katara's breathing. "Let's get back to the palace and I could tell you all about it there."

••••••••

As soon as they got to the palace Zuko was ushered straight to his office by a council man and promised that he'll be seeing them at dinner. They were shown to their rooms by various servants and Mai, who the whole while was throwing daggers at the back of Katara's head with her stare.

Sokka and Suki shared a room while the others were left with their own accommodations. "Dang Sugar Queen." Toph strolled into Katara's room which was much larger than the others. "He sure knows how to treat a lover."

Katara just rolled her eyes. "Toph, you said you'll never speak about that remember."

"No. You said you'll never speak about it." Toph threw herself on Katara's bed frowning at the softness of it. Frilly Girly bed. "But it's not like you can keep your mouth shot anyway. Oh Zuko!" Katara glared at her, not that Toph could tell. "Have you stopped talking in your sleep yet?"

"Yes." She forced it out of gritted teeth as she walked towards the balcony. Memories rushing to her already troubled mind instantly.

Flashback

She giggled as she turned the corner. The Fire Lord pulling her along. "Zuko, we mustn't."

He laughed at her obvious unserious tone and lifted her bridal style towards the back of the library. He kissed her. Soft and slow. She groaned into his smile as she allowed his tongue to claim what was his. On the floor of the library she nibbled on his bottom lip as he caressed her thigh. She arched her back as he kissed her neck. His lips travelling lower as his hands traveled higher.

She ran her fingers through silky hair and undid his topknot that Mai so carefully constructed like a good girlfriend should. Too bad she wasn't good enough. She smirked at the thought. "Zuko, seriously. We shouldn't do this. The others aren't that far off."

"Don't worry," he kissed again this time on the flat of her stomach as his hands warmed towards her inner thigh. "I told Toph to warm us if they were looking for us."

"You told Toph?"

He laughed, "It's not like she can't feel this." He lied her down completely as he started untying her sash allowing the beauty of her naked form sink into his memory. "You're beautiful." She blushed and smiled. He grabbed her hips as her legs wrapped around him. This was one hell of a goodbye.

End Flashback

But that was over two years ago. "Keep your thoughts to yourself thanks Sweetness. I could feel your heart racing like a tiger-rabbit." They leaned over the balcony breathing in the warm cinnamon smell which was the Fire Nation.

"Spirits this place is beautiful."

"Yeah. Just gorgeous." Toph grinned when she heard Katara let out yet another exasperated sigh.