"Don't go." She whispered, pulling on his jacket gently.
"I have to, Angel." He said back, tugging the side of her silky robe over her shoulder.
"When will you be back?"
"Two weeks. A month, tops."
"That's a long time." Katara remarked, watching his golden eyes as he put his crown in his black hair.
"I know." He said, sighing. It was the crack of dawn, and he had to leave for the Earth Kingdom for multiple political meetings, and to visit his Uncle.
She took his lapel in her hand, pulling his lips to hers. "Please?"
"Katara..." He whispered her name like a prayer. "I have to. I don't want to."
"But you have to. I know." Katara put her arms around his neck, leaning into him.
In return, Zuko did the same, holding her to him.
"What would I do without you?" She murmured, still half asleep.
"I feel the same, Tara."
Katara pulled away, sighing. "Go. So you can leave and come back to me faster."
He reluctantly let go of her, sighing as he tightened his belt. "I will be back."
"I know. Just return in one piece." She said, kissing his scared cheek.
He started walking out the door, and she watched him go.
"The sun watch over you." He whispered to her.
She whispered back, "And the moon watch over you."
It was their traditional parting words, having their deities look after one other. It meant the world to them both, and they hadn't had one departure where they didn't say so.
The door shut and she collapsed back in bed, rolling to the left side; the side that held the warmth Zuko had left; the side that smelled like spicy, musky, masculine smoke.
He hadn't been gone two minutes.
And as always, she already wanted him back.