The first proposal Zuko had offered Katara, she refused:
"Marry me."
Katara stared at him, silently.
"Katara, when I first stepped foot onto the snow covered world that was your village four years ago, I addressed you, because I singled you out, you responded to me without fear. You looked me straight in the eyes, without averting your gaze, without hesitating, and asked me to leave. No one had ever been so bold, so direct with me." he said, moving closer and grasping her hand. "And for months I have fought with myself, about this decision, everything compels me to against this action, the authority I have over my people, the judgments of the Fire Court, the feelings of my family and their sacred linage, but I cannot deny what I feel-I love you."
"Zuko, I'm sorry but I can't marry, you. You and I come from two separate worlds, you live in a world of courtly life with rules and etiquettes that have to be adhered to, and can you honestly picture me in the Fire-Court"
"It was not an easy decision, by any means, Katara"
"That's exactly it Zuko, you had to think about your decision, weighting the pros and cons, of a union between us, you don't love my flaws. My good qualities just outweigh my tactlessness, my peasantry, and common lineage. That's not how I want you to love me Zuko, that's not the kind of marriage I want. I love you, too, Zuko. But I would love you even if you were the Earth King, an Air Nomad, a theft, a beggar, a Firelord or the Firelord's stable boy, and I love you because of your flaws" she said reaching to gently touch his scar. "I love you because you're hot-tempered, passionate, impatient, loyal, and sarcastic. And even after, after you proclaim your love for me you insult me by saying that your love for me is against your better judgment." Her voice quivered with emotion she took her hand away from his cheek, only to be returned more forcefully a moment later as she brought it across his face. Tears streamed down her face.