Zuko

Zuko and Katara were strolling through the Fire Palace gardens. Zuko, in his traditional Fire Lord uniform, didn't look away from Katara as they spoke. His raven hair was down past his shoulders, the breeze gently fluttering strands across his cheeks. A smile graced his face. Katara's arm was hooked around his own, with her other hand laying softly on his forearm. She was wearing an elegant gown layered with fabrics of maroon, navy, and white. Gold embroidery accented her neck, framing her face and complementing her bronze skin. It glittered in the sun, much like the shine in their eyes.

Zuko couldn't believe her beauty. His eyes moved along her face, tracing each crevice and curve in his mind. He knew that these were the moments he would dwell on in his old age and intended to savour them in the moment. His best friend became his lover, what more could he ask?

His ears came back into focus as Katara said his name.

"Zuko? Are you listening?"

Zuko had been so distracted admiring Katara that he had zoned out of their conversation. He flushed at the embarrassment.

"Sorry, I was too busy looking at the beautiful girl at my side."

Smooth. Katara rolled her eyes and faced forward to continue their walk, but her quick flash of a smirk made Zuko chuckle. He leaned in to kiss her cheek and their complexions both matched a muted shade of red. Zuko rubbed the top of Katara's hand.

"Come on, I'm listening. What were you saying?"

"I was just saying that the South Pole isn't nearly as colorful as it is here," Katara explained. "I've never seen so many different flowers in one place."

"I'm glad I could bring you here. With the number of bad memories I have of the palace, the gardens were never one of them."

A tinge of sympathy furrowed Katara's brows before she quickly replaced it with optimism.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to make some different memories here. Good enough to drown out the bad." She squeezed his arm.

"That's a very poetic thing to say," Zuko teased. Katara lightly punched his arm before she tucked her head into his shoulder with a smile. They continued walking amongst the colors until they reached a small pond, where they stopped to watch a flock of baby turtle ducks swimming with their mother. Zuko told her the story of his misadventure with an angry mother turtle duck one time in his youth. Katara laughed at the tale. Her laughter was like pure bliss to his ears and he took pride in being able to solicit the sound.

Eventually, the two reached a monumental rose willow tree. It was in perfect bloom, its descending branches scattered with small, red-pink flowers. Petals practically floated in the air around them as the wind glided through the tree. Zuko escorted Katara beneath the tree and stopped. He turned to directly face her and took her hands in his own.

"Do you know where we are?"

"Yes," Katara said, "of course I do. This is where we first kissed."

Zuko began to stroke Katara's hands nervously. He wetted his lips and gulped down a clump of anxiety that had formed in his throat.

"Katara, I want to make sure you know how much you mean to me. I wouldn't be half the man I am today if it weren't for you and the gang. But you, especially… you changed something in me. I can't explain it, but I think you're the reason I didn't stay yearning for my father's approval."

He looked back up at Katara to see her softly smiling at his words. The twinkle in her eye gave him a small boost of confidence and he straightened himself.

"I wondered why, back during the war, I was so preoccupied with gaining your forgiveness. Everyone else had forgiven me… but I couldn't ignore the fact that you hadn't. I realize now that, although I love and cherish you all, you've always mattered most to me. I know I've already apologized for my mistakes, but I want you to know that I plan to continue apologizing for them by making sure you're always as happy as you make me."

"Zuko, what's this all about? You're being awfully sappy. Where's your sense of cynicism?" Katara giggled.

"Today is the anniversary of the Day of Black Sun. 4 years ago today, I stood up to my father and left to train the Avatar. That day flipped my entire world upside down. So, I figured today would be a good time to do this."

"Do what-"

Katara was interrupted by Zuko bending down to one knee. Her hands flew over her mouth as Zuko reached into the interior pocket of his tunis. A closed fist reached out to Katara, opening to reveal a necklace in the palm of his hand. The necklace was a navy silk choker embellished with a bronze pendant. Engraved into the bronze was an abstract design of swirling steam. Zuko's attention was grabbed by the glinting of tears slowly forming in Katara's eyes.

"Katara…"

Before he could finish, Katara had tackled him to the ground in a kiss. They both collapsed on the thick moss surrounding the base of the tree trunk. Zuko's arms had wrapped around Katara's torso during the fall. When she pulled away, the sunlight from above surrounded her in an angel-like glow.

"I take it that's a yes?" Zuko joked.

Katara giggled as she nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, dummy."

Zuko sat up and kissed her again. Their tender moment was interrupted by the distant sound of cheering. Katara whipped to her head to her left and saw a crowd of people at the end of the garden hooting and hollering. In the crowd were her friends and family. Hakoda was clapping, Sokka punching the air in excitement. Suki, Aang, Toph, all of them were there to witness this moment. Katara turned back to Zuko.

"You little snake! How did you get them here without me knowing?"

"I'll never tell," Zuko said playfully.

Katara rose and held out a hand to help Zuko to his feet. He took the necklace, somehow still in his grip, and draped it over Katara's neck as she turned and pulled her hair to the side. When he closed the clasp, he kissed the back of her neck just above where the silk laid.

Katara turned, pink cheeks bearing a bright smile, and slipped her fingers between his. They began their way to the loud group of familiar faces before being suffocated by a group hug.

When the group finally disbanded, Sokka threw an arm around Zuko's neck.

"You finally did it, you!" he exclaimed, "Now, of course, no one will ever be good enough for my sister. But I guess you'll do."

Sokka tousled Zuko's hair. As Zuko attempted to fix his ruined half-updo, he thought on how much Sokka had grown. There wasn't much competition between them now; the towering water nation man had a leg up on him in terms of physique. Zuko noted to himself to never piss Sokka off.

A tap on the shoulder prompted Zuko to turn around. Before him was Hakoda. Almost instinctively, Zuko bowed.

"Oh, stand up straight, Fire Lord. We're family now," Hakoda laughed.

"Of course," Zuko said as he raised his head. He extended a hand, intending a handshake, but Hakoda took the hand and yanked him into a rough hug. A grunt escaped him as his lung were squashed within the firm grip of his future father-in-law. Another reminder that he had no chance against the men of the southern water tribe.

Hakoda pulled Zuko away, hands still gripping his shoulders. Hakoda's look of approval was accompanied by glazed, blue eyes. Zuko thought on what it would be like to have a genuine father figure in his life. The prospect of a happy family excited him.

Hakoda walked away to go congratulate his daughter. Zuko sought out Aang, greeting him with a friendly hug.

"Congratulations, man," Aang said, "You got a good one. I can't tell you how many times Katara's saved my skin."

"I'm pretty sure we have matching scars to prove that."

"Yeah, remind me to thank your sister for that."

"Will do. So, when are you gonna join me and Sokka in the engaged club?" Zuko quipped.

Aang chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm working on that. What do you fire nation people do for betrothal jewelry, anyway? I'm at a complete loss."

"Honestly, I think the water nation is the only one that has anything specific. Don't worry too much about it. Ty Lee will love anything you give her."

"I know. I just want it to be special."

"I'll hook you up with the palace jeweler," Zuko said as he playfully punched Aang's arm.

Aang's face lit up. "Really? That's great. He can give me some ideas."

"Anything for the Avatar," Zuko teased as he sarcastically bowed. Aang laughed.

Zuko looked over at his fiancee. She was talking with Suki and Toph. Suki had her hands on the betrothal pendant, obviously paying it compliments, as Toph stood with her arms crossed. He imagined Toph was making jokes on how lovely the necklace looked. Katara's eyes glanced to meet his, and they smiled at each other.

Later, they had all sat down for a celebratory feast. Zuko had specially requested his cooks prepare some traditional water nation recipes alongside their usual courses. Although Katara's family ate the charred arctic hen, decent portions were left when the workers cleared the first round of plates.

Their second course was just being introduced when a palace worker entered the room. He approached Zuko's chair and leaned in.

"An emergency privy council meeting has just been called, my Lord. Your immediate presence has been requested."

Zuko scowled. "Can it wait?"

"I'm sorry, my Lord, but they specifically mentioned that you were needed at once."

Zuko sighed. "Thank you. Let them know that I'm on my way." The worker bowed and scurried out of the room. Zuko dabbed his mouth with the red cloth napkin and stood before his guests.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. Everyone, please keep eating, I have to step out for a moment. Fire nation stuff."

His guests murmured their goodbyes before he left the room. He arrived at the meeting room to his privy council all seated at the circular table.

"Lord Zuko. How nice of you to join us," a white-haired member retorted. His whiskers extended to his sternum, slick with oil and ornamented with a gold clasp. His eyes were a dark brown, a stark contrast to his pallor. Age spots dotted his face like freckles and his wrinkles told his seniority like the rings of an oak. His uniform, although faded from time, was crisply pressed.

"My apologies, Han. I was in the middle of entertaining guests." Even with his arrogance, Zuko made sure to speak to him with respect. Han had served under Azulon's rule, and was widely respected amongst the fire nation. His traditionalist ways bothered Zuko and a few other council members, but no one dared argue against his words.

"I'm glad to know that foreign guests come before your country," Han pushed.

"I came as soon as I could," Zuko said calmly as he descended into his seat. "Let me call this meeting to order. Is everyone present?"

Zuko scanned the room. All seats were filled, members ranging from his father's age to… well, Han. They collectively nodded, and the parliamentarian to Zuko's left jotted this down.

"Alright. Let's begin. What is the reason behind this meeting?"

"My Lord, we've received troubling news," began Han. He tended to take control of most privy council meeting, asserting his authority as though the council were his squadron. "It is of the utmost importance to the well-being of our nation that this problem be dealt with immediately."

"And what exactly is this dire news?" Zuko grew impatient of Han's word games.

"It's been reported that our administration has been infiltrated by an enemy."

"Han, cut it out," interrupted another council member, "You're embellishing. Stop wasting our Lord's time and get to your point."

Han glared at the young man across the table. "Is that how you speak to your superiors, Ji?"

"Han, Ji, I will not have an altercation within my council," Zuko proclaimed.

"My apologies," Ji responded.

Han huffed before continuing. He looked Zuko directly as he spat out his words. "We've heard of your engagement to the water nation girl."

Zuko's eyes bugged. As he looked to the other council members, all avoided his eyes except for Ji, who held a look of sympathy.

"Is that it? You called an emergency meeting because I'm now betrothed?"

"To a foreigner!" Han exclaimed. "You did not receive our approval before carrying out your proposal. Thanks to you, a waterbender now thinks that she will have authority over our nation."

"With all due respect, I don't need your permission," Zuko challenged. "I am the Fire Lord, not you. I see Katara fit to rule at my side, whether or not you see it as well."

"You're forgetting, my Lord, that this girl's mother was executed as the hands of our naval forces," Han pointed out. "Do you think she holds no contempt against our nation? You're allowing yourself to be blinded by your childish feelings of infatuation."

"You will fix your tone, Han, if you wish to remain at this table," Zuko warned.

Ji cleared his throat loudly. "If I may interject, my Lord, I'd like to offer up my own opinion."

Zuko leaned back in his seat with frustration and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why yes, I would love to hear another criticism of my engagement."

"Actually, my Lord, I think this is a great opportunity," Ji clarified. "Introducing a member of the water nation into fire nation royalty could help dissolve post-war tensions. Her father is the chief of the Southern Water Tribe, correct?"

Zuko nodded.

"Well, then I don't think you could have chosen a better bride."

"There are many girls who could be a better bride," Han cut in, "Are you aware of the state of affairs in our nation, my Lord? I am not the only one who believes foreigners have no place in our government. Fire nation royalty should consist of fire nation citizens."

"Those who are fire supremacist sympathizers have no place in our nation," Zuko said adamantly. "I refuse to allow this kind of behavior to propagate. I don't care if every single citizen supports what you are saying, I will not tolerate it."

"You would put your selfish desires over the will of the people?" Han accused.

"I am putting the needs of the future over the ignorance of the past," Zuko practically yelled as he stood. "We will not discuss this further. This meeting is adjourned."

Zuko angrily whipped away from the table and stormed out of the council hall. His face was as red as his clothes. How dare Han speak the way he did. That type of speak was common during his family's rule, that is true. But Zuko had made it extraordinarily clear that a new dawn was rising over the world. His collaborations with the Avatar were devoted to breaking down the cultural walls and restoring harmony between the four nations. The privy council even collaborated with him on these projects. Yet, despite all of this, Han's ancient heart still declared foreigners evil. How could he trust in a council member that went against his goals for the nation? Zuko had faith in checks and balances, but this was beyond that. This was ignorance.

Zuko rounded a corner only to slam face-first into Katara. They stumbled until Zuko caught himself on the wall beside them, steadying Katara with an arm around her waist.

"Woah! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine! I just came to see what was holding you. We're almost done with dinner."

Zuko sighed. "I figured as much. I'm sorry, Katara. This was supposed to be a celebration with our friends and family, yet I ended up not even being there."

"Zuko, you can't help there being business to attend." Katara smiled at him, yet his scowl did not falter. She cupped his face and cocked her head. "Is something the matter?"

Zuko leaned his head into her hand. Her touch comforted him. "No, my love. Everything's fine."

They linked arms before returning to the dining hall together.