Underwater

A/N: Started with this cause I was silly and missed the Fire Lady prompt, but I will go back and write for that too!

"Firelord!"

"Firelord Zuko!"

"If we could just have a moment —"

"Please just sign —"

"Your duty to —"

"Great new cause —"

"Reparations need to be paid —"

"Some of your time —"

"A moment—"

"Firelord"

Zuko felt like he was drowning. Every day the voices blended into one. He had tried to establish himself as the understanding Firelord, as the Firelord who would bring change, who was open to listening, in favour of new ideas… and now the creatures that inhabited the Caldera were picking him apart for their own gains morsel by morsel as he struggled for air.

And to top it all off, he was waiting for the arrival of the Southern Water Tribe delegation, headed by Katara. He feared he would have no time to spend with her. And he couldn't help the way his heart sped up a little bit as he thought of her. Her visits were always too short and too far apart, and and he counted down the days until she came back.

As if she was summoned by his thoughts Katara walked into the reception room, followed by four other tribesmen and women in Southern dress (minus the furs of course). She smiled at Zuko warmly from across the room and cut right through the sea of advisors towards him, flanked by her people. They stood tall, bead clinking as they walked, bone knives at their hips, piercing blue eyes trained on the Firelord.

He had completely stopped listening to the old miser of a councilman who was petitioning him on… what was it?… as soon as he'd caught her eye.

Katara parted the waves of people as she could part the waters, sweeping the old councilman to one side with a small incline of the head. As one, her people bowed in Southern Tribe style; bringing their hands up to the head and then offering them forward as they sank to one knee. It showed the lack of weapons held in their hands and an offering of their friendship.

Katara though… Katara did not bow. She walked right up to Zuko and offered him her arm, clasping his at the elbow as he clasped hers - as equals. She was no simple ambassador sent to do the chief's bidding - for her stay in the Fire Nation, she was the chief, and she could make absolute decisions for her people. Zuko grinned at her as he let go of her hand, before greeting her in Fire Nation style, one hand clasped in the other and bending from the waist, which she mirrored. She sank lower to keep the rest of the Firelord's subjects appeased, but gave him a wink as she rose.

"Come, Firelord," she said, her voice smooth and intimate yet at the same time loud enough for the people around them to hear. "We have much to discuss!" She swept her arm towards the Firelord's exit to the reception room, allowing him to take the lead but not leaving space for any interruptions or contradictions to her plan.

Her soft laugh floated above some of the indignant noises that followed them, but Zuko lead with his head high out of the room now that he knew Katara was right behind him.

They crossed a few different rooms before reaching his private study. Katara nodded to her escort and they seemed to melt away casually as she threw herself onto one of the armchairs by the fireplace.

"Dear La, Zuko, you need to learn how to take some time for yourself! They looked like they were relentless out there!" she said, leaning back.

"I can't believe you're telling me to take a break!" he replied incredulously! She was usually the mother, the one who wanted to get things done - didn't want to mess around. He sat on the opposite chair, but on the edge, eyes flicking to the door nervously. He was sure somebody would interrupt asking him about something menial.

"Zuko, I know that people need to relax and look after their health. You look exhausted and anxious! Nobody is coming in here. When's the last time you took a day off?"

"Now you sound more motherly," joked Zuko, forcing himself to sit back in his chair, allowing himself the relax his back.

"Answer the question Zuko."

"I… I don't remember? There's a lot to get done…"

"There will always be more to get done, whether you take a day for yourself or not. You are no good to the Fire Nation if you collapse from exhaustion!"

Zuko snorted.

"I bet some of the councilmen would dance with joy!"

"You'd be no good to me," she replied quietly, leaning forward, clasping his hands in hers and looking at him earnestly.

Zuko opened his mouth to say something but didn't. He bowed his head in resignation.

She was the moon and he was pulled to her inexplicably. Was she healing him right now? He felt already more relaxed with his hands in hers. Perhaps.

—

When the Southern Tribesmen and Women were due to go, Zuko took time to himself and found Katara in her room.

"Don't leave," he asked quietly, holding her hands in the same way she had held his weeks ago. "We… we need a permanent Southern ambassador like we have a Northern one. And… I'm in need of a water bender."

Katara's eyes shone with tears.

"Then it would be rude of me to leave," she replied quietly.

Zuko felt like he had taken a lungful of air for the first time in years. With her by his side he knew he'd never go underwater again.