Chapter 1
Zuko sat completely still on Appa's head as they flew toward the Capital. He was simultaneously terrified and resigned. He had been fighting with Azula his whole life; it was their destiny, it seemed. The only difference this time was the stakes. He was fighting for his throne, for his birthright, for his people. In spite of those stakes, and all of the bad blood between them, he hated fighting his sister and honestly just wanted it to be over. They would have to stop for the night, soon, not reaching his home until the next afternoon.
His home.
That thought was confusing to him, now. For the last couple of months, home had been Katara. Every time he was with her, every kiss, every sigh, stirred in him feelings of happiness and peace he hadn't known since he was a boy. Perhaps because his life had been devoid of any real love or affection since his mother had left, Katara had so easily become so central to his world. She had more than just him to center her, he knew, her family would always come first. He wondered sometimes if maybe, one day he could be her family too.
Loving her had been unintentional; it had crept up on him in the months they stayed at Ember Island. After she had faced Yon Ra and finally let go of her anger towards Zuko, forgiving him, they discovered they got along quite well. Instead of scowling every time she saw him, she gave him easy smiles and friendly conversation. Two weeks after their field trip, and days of pink cheeked smiles and poor attempts at flirtation on his part that he was sure even Sokka had picked up on, Katara had cornered him one afternoon in the kitchen of the beach house and kissed him. It hadn't taken him long to overcome his shock and kiss her back. The next day they had volunteered to stay back and do the laundry while everyone else went to the beach for a swim. He still wasn't sure how they had actually gotten any of the clothes clean, kissing her against the washroom wall had been quite distracting. The next night she had snuck into his room, neither one of them had slept much that night.
They never discussed what it was they were doing together. The future was uncertain and taking what happiness they could while it lasted seemed like the right thing to do. So they spent as much time together as their days would allow. They would volunteer to partner up for the menial tasks they all took turns at, sneaking in a kiss here or an affectionate touch there when they thought they were alone, and nearly every night they would lose themselves in each other. Wrapped in her legs, it was easy to forget the battles that drew closer every morning. He could remember the exact moment when he had realized how attached he had grown. The first time she had stayed all night instead of sneaking back to her own room, Zuko had woken to a mess of wild hair and soft brown skin. As he kissed her awake, he wondered at the thought of waking to her every morning for the rest of his life and he knew that he was falling for her.
A splash of water to the back of his head snapped him out of his reverie and he shouted at his attacker. He glared at her as she spoke. At least she had the decency to look remorseful.
"I have been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes Zuko!"
Sighing heavily and shaking out his now wet hair he turned back towards the horizon as she came up to sit beside him.
"Sorry I kind of have a lot on my mind."
Bending the water out of his hair she put a hand on his shoulder in quiet support. "So do I you know." She sighed as well before going on. "I was just thinking that we should stop for the night soon. Appa is probably tired and, you should rest too…"
Knowing she was right, and deciding it would be best to make camp before the sun set he aimed Appa for the nearest clearing. Sliding off the bison, Zuko made them a fire while Katara laid out their bed rolls side by side and dug around in their packs for something to eat. After the fire was sorted, he sat back on his haunches and watched Katara. She was tense, he could tell, and a frown marred her face. He knew that she had even more to lose tomorrow than he did. All things considered, she was keeping it together rather well. She was the strong one, the lynchpin holding their little group together. He promised himself that he'd be there for her if she finally allowed herself to break.
He took the seal jerky and bread she handed him and moved to sit beside her. They ate slowly and without speaking for several minutes before Katara stopped moving all together. Zuko reached out and took one of her hands in his. At his touch she released the breath she had been holding and met his gaze, her eyes wet.
"We're going to be ok, Katara. So will Sokka and the others. We have to believe that, worrying about it won't help them and it will only distract us tomorrow."
"I know, still… I can't not worry. We have everything to lose, I have everything to lose." She wiped a stray tear with the back of her free hand. "What if Aang doesn't come back? What if he fails? I am terrified for him as well as Sokka, Suki and Toph. I have no idea where my father is. And you, Zuko," She brought her hand up to cup the scarred side of his face as more tears slid free. "I'm scared I might lose you too." Her forehead came to rest against his. "I could lose everyone I love tomorrow and I don't know how I could survive it."
His eyes had widened when she seemed to include him among the people she loved. Setting aside his food he wrapped her in his arms and drew her into his lap. She straddled his waist and lay her cheek in the space between his neck and shoulder. He wasn't sure if she had meant to declare her feelings for him, so he didn't mention it as he tried to assuage her of her worry if only long enough to get some rest.
"First of all, I don't think we need to worry about Sokka. He's capable all on his own, but with the greatest earthbender ever, and the leader of the Kyoshi warriors by his side? He'll be fine." Pausing, he thought about his own biggest fear. "I know Aang will show up to defeat my father, I have to believe that." Pulling back so he could look in her eyes he continued. "And I know that I am going to be ok tomorrow because I have you. There's no one I'd rather face this with."
She kissed him softly before she responded. "You may not use confusing tea metaphors, but sometimes you can be as wise as your uncle."
Chuckling, he thanked her for such high praise before he kissed her again. When she pulled back and rested her forehead back against his, she looked momentarily unsure.
"Zuko, I know we haven't actually defined what it is we are doing here," she gestured between them, "or discussed the future at all. It hasn't ever felt tangible what with the war and all of our planning and fighting. What I am trying to say is, well I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens tomorrow, I…" She looked into his eyes for a long moment before she finished. "I love you Zuko, I love you and.."
He cut her off when his lips crashed into hers. She loved him. If he died tomorrow, he would die happy. That was something he never thought he'd do. Though he really hoped he didn't actually die, not now. His hands cupped her face and he pulled back just long enough to respond.
"I love you too Katara."
She gave him a small happy smile and kissed him back in earnest. Both to distract from their impending doom and overcome by their confessions of love, they came together then with desperate need.
They tore out of their clothes as Zuko trailed open mouthed kisses down her neck and now bare breasts. As she lay back and pulled him down on top of her, he ran his hands from her backside down her thighs, settling himself there. Both groaned in pleasure as he thrust into her. She clung to him, her legs wrapped around his waist as he took her hard. When she came her cry rent the still night air, his own voice joining hers moments later as he followed her over the edge, filling her with himself.
Loathe to end the moment, both knowing that this could have been the last time, they clung to one another for several minutes in the silence that followed. Eventually he rolled onto his back, pulling her to his chest. Reaching for one of the discarded blankets, he covered them. She was so still he thought she had gone to sleep until she whispered something he had to strain to hear.
"Sokka is going to be ok, we are going to take care of Azula, and Aang is going to defeat the Fire Lord. We're all going to be ok. Whatever comes after, we'll face together."
Kissing her forehead and holding her just a little bit tighter, he murmured into her hair.
"I love you Katara."
She squeezed him tighter as well before they both drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Zuko was awake with the sun as usual. He looked down at the naked waterbender in his arms and prayed Agni, and even the moon and water spirits that she honored would keep her safe. He knew how dangerous his sister was and they were meant to face her together. He knew how powerful Katara was. He remembered their trip to the Southern Raiders, how impressive her bending had been and then what she had done to their captain. Truly her power was amazing and he knew she could handle herself just fine, even against his sister. Today though, he could feel his inner fire roar with more power than he'd ever felt already and the comet had only just breached the horizon. It would be at least 3 hours flight before they reached his sister, and by then it would be high in the sky. Even though he hadn't told her so last night, he too was terrified he'd lose everyone he loved. He wouldn't say he "loved" Aang or Sokka or the rest, but he truly cared about them. After all he had never had any honest friends before and they were certainly that. Of course there was his uncle too. He loved Katara though and he was not sure he could face a world without her.
She stirred in his arms and their eyes met, both relaying the the fear they felt in that moment. They reached for one another, sharing one last kiss, one last embrace. Then they rose and dressed in silence; packing up their things and climbing Appa, they flew towards the capital and a waiting Azula.