Few years after the war, Zuko and Katara are having a friendly picnic at his palace courtyard, finally just the two of them. The sun was bright, a few clouds rolling by here and there, with a mild breeze. Zuko was resting against the trunk of a big Oak tree, while Katara sat, legs crossed, head back, in the shade.
Zuko only grew another five inches or so, kept his hair long and in his face, but of course, put it up appropriately when his uncle advised him to. He had the same look of sorrow and loneliness in his eyes ever since Azula escaped her "cage," as she called it, and went on his pyscotic rampage – killing Mai and injuring Ty Lee in the process.
Katara had the same long brown hair, but with a few more streaks of blonde due to all the time she's spent sunlight recently. Her hair was better shaped, and without her signature hair loopies. She claimed, "[she] needed a new look." Although Katara knows that what was done is for the best, she still wish Aang would've insisted she come along on another one of his 'Avatar' journeys. But this was no war, only a one man job. "No big deal" is what he told her.
"Ironic how everyone's gone and we're still right where we left off . . ." Katara said, dramatically, in the mood for a deep conversation. Sokka left for Kyoshi Island with Suki, Toph is a traveling teacher – teaching young Earthbenders about metal bending. – Aang is off on another one of his 'quiet duties.'
"Well, I'm kind of forced to stay," Zuko commented, sitting up from his few minutes of relaxation.
"You don't like being the 'almighty Firelord'?" She teased, reciting some names she constantly over hears while wandering throughout the town.
Turning his head away, and keeping his eyes low, Zuko responded, "It's just a lot of work."
"Well, you said you knew this was going to be a big responsibility, Zuko, and you were willing to take it," Katara raised her voice, almost getting frustrated.
Zuko stood up and glared down at her, "I know what I said!" Fire began to spark from his tightened fists. "You don't know what it's like to have a whole entire nation depending on you to make all their choices for everything!" Zuko started to snap at Katara louder, the guards peeking their heads around the corner. "You wouldn't believe the bullshit I get in here! 'Firelord, I brought you a nice, meaty chicken-pig, do you think I should divorce my wife?' Or, 'Would it be wrong to quit my job over a chair?' I mean, it's pure common sense that these people lack and I'm just sick of it!"
Katara looked down, then stood up. She looked into Zuko's eyes really hard and for a really long time. "Hey," Katara rested her hand on his shoulder, "It's going to be rough, but you're not alone. You have me a-and your Uncle…!" Her voice drowned out.
"Thanks for the enthusiasm," Zuko responded blandly, running his fingers through his hair as he laid on the ground.
Sighing, Katara laid down next to him and snuggled her face in his chest. Glancing up at him, she said, "Point is you're not alone and you never will be." Zuko looked at her, and then back up at the leaves, making patterns out of them. She was still admiring him when he sat up and turned away. "What's wrong?"
"I can't do this."
"Do what?"
"You know exactly what, Katara."
Silence.
"Why is that bad?"
"Because I can't handle losing someone I care about again."
She sat next to him, intertwining their fingers and studied him real closely. "Just. . ." Katara started to say as her eyes began to close like dimmers and she leaned in closer…closer…and closer. "Trust me."
