Zuko let out a sigh and watched his breath dissipate in the cold morning air. He wrapped his arms tighter around his parka but not so much in an effort to keep warm, but rather to quell the bumbleflies that were buzzing in his stomach. He wasn't sure why something as simple as a question would seem an insurmountable obstacle when he and Katara had faced death together—three times now—and overcome.

He feared for his life now. Although he reminded himself that not three months prior, this same man was in his office giving him a bear hug and practically calling him family already.

Maybe it was because Hakoda looked like just that—a bear. The Chief was wrapped in furs from head to toe, brandishing a spear and a wide grin. "You ready, Zuko?"

The Fire Lord's knees almost buckled. "Y-y-yes sir." He shivered as he spoke.

"Are you cold there, son?"

"N-n-no, sir. Firebenders don't—nevermind." Zuko reached down to pick up his spear out of the snow. He eyed it with uncertainty. He better ask his question—and get an answer—before his hunting skills became some sort of test.

Hakoda tilted his head in amusement. "You don't like hunting, do you?"

"Uhh, it's not that. I don't think I'm very good at it."

"Well, it takes practice. But I get to do it all the time. You're the one who suggested it. So, if you'd rather do something else…"

"No, it's fine." Zuko willed himself to look at the other man, relieved to find that Hakoda's ice-blue eyes were surprisingly warm.

"Zuko, I can tell there's something else on your mind."

He took a deep breath. This time it seemed to linger longer in the air than before. "Yes, sir. It's about Katara." His voice was sturdier now. He knew he could do this.

Hakoda let his spear drop in the snow. Zuko winced slightly at the crunching sound it made, but then relaxed a little because it meant the Chief was unarmed.

"I would like to ask for her hand in marriage."

Hakoda folded his arms across his chest. Zuko thought he looked even bigger standing like that, and the bumbleflies continued their frenzied dance.

Then the man started laughing. It was a hearty, booming sound that Zuko usually liked but not so much right now. Once the Chief recovered, he said, "Well, son, I appreciate the gesture, but the way I heard it, you already asked Katara in Ba Sing Se."

Zuko smacked a hand on his forehead. He did ask Katara but in the heat of the moment, more or less. It was not how he originally planned to propose. He was here now to set things right. Plus, he and Katara hadn't really talked about that night since. And she didn't technically give him an answer, either.

Hakoda picked up his spear again. "Come on. Let's go hunting."

Like father, like daughter, apparently. Zuko thought he'd be suspended in uncertainty forever. Maybe he should he ask again?

A/N: For the Pro-Bending Circuit competition, Toza's Gym
Equipment: Nets, Level One (an insurmountable obstacle)
Emotion: Fear
Word Count: 529