Revision 12.18.12

Relief

Becoming Firelord was exactly what Zuko expected it to be.

Hell.

His day had been filled with uncooperative councilmen, power seeking courtiers and noblemen, and intricate laws and policy documents to scrutinize over before tomorrow's deadline with the council.

Now that he thought about it, it went rather well today.

Zuko growled in frustration and attempted unsuccessfully to push these issues out of his mind. It was moments like these when Zuko wished Katara was back from her tour as Fire Lady. Normally, after these kinds of days, he would find comfort and support from his wife. Somehow, she always knew exactly what to say.

In return, Zuko would hold her and listen to all the exasperating situations she would find herself in during her own duties, and, if asked, offer his advice.

Even as fulfilling and completely happy these moments left him, Zuko had no objection when these exchanges would often lead to different and far more pleasurable…activities. The frustrated expression he wore earlier melted into a smirk, as he recalled one time, when using his fingers, he…

He sighed forlornly. It was not the same without having Katara here to actually please. He recalled that she might return in a fortnight, if the weather was in their favor.

He finally reached the door of his quarters and began to mentally go over his chores for the next day. He entered to find the woman of his previous most unwholesome thoughts scribbling furiously at her writing desk. He stopped short as Katara looked up, and gifted Zuko with one of her beautiful smiles.

"Zuko!" she cried, and bounded towards him "I thought you were in a meeting!"

She hugged him fiercely, "Aren't you suppose to be at the weekly meeting right now? Did it adjourn sooner than usual? Good, those things tend to last too long anyways!"

Zuko was completely caught off guard, but the moment he registered that Katara was there, with him, he instantly hugged her back. He tried to rememorize the feeling of having her against him, the light floral scent of her hair, her warm breathe on the crook of his neck, and how tightly she really hugged him no matter the occasion, making him always feel loved and wanted. He embraced her a little tighter, to convey just how much he had missed her and tried to return the emotion she always evoked in him.

"I called it off, actually. I was exhausted," he answered. Something clicked in his mind in that moment.

"Wait," he asked with concern. "What happened? Why are you back so early? I mean, don't get me wrong, I've missed you (oh Agni how I've missed you), but what happened?" he repeated.

Katara smiled at his concern, but sighed dejectedly. "Don't worry about it. We encountered a bit of protest in a few towns, so my aids and I thought it best to cut it short and wait to continue next year." Katara looked up at him with an apprehensive smile.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Zuko said sincerely. He gently kissed her forehead and whispered, "Is there anything else I can do?" All that Zuko wanted to do at the moment was to take an army and punish those that distress Katara. Zuko had already outlawed the slandering of his beloved, but old habits die hard in the Fire Nation. The only thing keeping him from gathering the troops was the fact that she was safe in his arms, unharmed.

Katara closed her eyes and smiled, grateful and wonderfully pleased that Zuko hadn't unleashed his fury…yet.

"It's alright Zuko," she assured him, "I want to prove myself to them without anyone's help. I'm sure I can win them over eventually."

"Of course you will." Zuko said ferverently. Then he looked into her eyes and said lovingly, "If it's any comfort at all, you have nothing to prove to anyone. Being you is what'll get to them. It will take time, but trust me; that's what won me over. Such a hot headed firebender I was then."

Katara just gazed up at him, tears of joy welling in her eyes. In that moment, she never thought she could love Zuko more than she already has. Katara basked in the feeling, and with his words of encouragement and of how much he believed in her, she was reminded that she meant to him just as much as he to her. Maybe, one day, their people can do that same.

"Thank you Zuko," she finally breathes. She nuzzled her face on his shoulder and whispered, "It's such a relief to hear that from you."