Change
Katara searched the halls of the palace for Zuko. She knew he was in one of these meeting rooms… the only problem was they all looked the same. Finally, she heard voices a few doors down. Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, but unable to stop herself, she pressed her back against the wall. She turned her face toward the sliver of light from the slightly open door, and listened.
"Yes, but I—" She would know that voice anywhere: Zuko.
Someone interrupted, "Then you understand what must happen." Katara decided it must be an adviser. The voice continued, "The people still are not as trusting as we would like."
"Well of course not. They—"
"So," the adviser interrupted again. "They need a traditional ruler that will do what is expected of them. Right now, the people will not support a ruler who tries to change the country. That means the Fire Lord, and the Fire Lady."
Katara's breath caught in her throat. What…? No wanting to hear more, she hurried away from the door on silent feet. I have to change? She glanced down at her Water Tribe clothing. Why did Zuko never say anything? She decided she would be a 'traditional Fire Lady' (whatever that meant) in order to make it easier for Zuko. So the people would trust him. She refined her plan on her way back to her room.
When she arrived at dinner, she was dressed in the Fire Lady attire. The red skirts hung to the floor, the shoes were gold and pointy, and the high collar hid her Water Tribe style necklace. Katara hoped the shocked faces were a good thing.
After dinner, Zuko took Katara around the grounds. They walked in silence deeper into the gardens. Then Zuko said, "Katara, can I ask you something?"
She smiled gently. "Of course. Anything."
"What are you wearing?"
Her smile fell. "They're traditional Fire Lady robes. I found them in my closet, behind all the stuff I brought with me. I thought I should wear them, since I am the Fire Lady."
"Since when do you dress like a Fire Lady?"
"You don't like them? They were your mother's…"
"It's not that I don't like them. It's just, I don't like them on you."
"But I thought you wanted me to, I don't know, fit in better. I heard you talking in your office today, and I—" She broke off when Zuko's palm hit his forehead.
"How much of that conversation did you hear?" Zuko paused for less than a second— not enough time for Katara to respond. "Never mind. You must not have heard what I said back. I said that things had already changed, and that we should go with it. The people don't want a traditional ruler, because all the other traditional rulers have just started wars and burned things down, and look where that got us. Making you act like a Fire Nation citizen is like when my ancestors destroyed the Air Nomads. It's wrong. Besides, what better way is there to show that we're friendly to other people than by having an foreigner as our leader?"
Katara tipped her head to one side. "So, you want me to be myself?"
"Yes." He took both her hands in his own. "When I decided I wanted to marry you, Katara, it wasn't so this nation would have a traditional Fire Lady. It was because I loved your personality, the way you inspire people, your natural leadership… I married you for you, not for what my advisers think you should be."
She grinned. "Well, in that case…" And she kicked off the uncomfortable shoes and pulled off the heavy robe to reveal a simple blue tunic. She dropped the red clothes on the ground before stepping closer to Zuko, who wrapped his arms around her waist. "Much better," he murmured before kissing her forehead gently. "Never change," Zuko murmured. "I love you just the way you are."