heartstrings

He was always giving her things, little gifts. A flower as they walked through the palace garden, a new hairpin, dusty water bending scrolls found in the depths of the royal library. Sometimes the little gifts turned into big gifts, like when she complained one morning as they prepared for their weekly sparring date (they were both rather busy but made sure to make time to practice their skills against each other, just like old times, but with a lot more kissing afterwords) that some of her clothes were getting a bit tight due to her recent growth spurt (a spurt her boyfriend seemed to appreciate, judging by the way his hands wandered whenever they were alone). The next day she was surprised by a visit from the royal seamstress and within a few weeks she had an entirely new wardrobe.

Katara would be lying if she said she didn't like being doted on like this even just a little. It wasn't the things themselves, but just the fact that a man normally so guarded with his emotions would go to so much trouble to show his affection made her feel warm and loved. Whether it was the fresh mango she had mentioned craving or -

Or this.

"Zuko…. it's beautiful." It was all she could think to say. Presented before her was the most stunning, ornate, and probably expensive necklace she had ever seen. Intricately woven strands of white and rose gold bedecked with silvery blue pearls and tiny, clear blue gems – it was breath taking.

The silence stretched and Zuko began to fidget just slightly.

"You like it?"

Katara tore her eyes from the jewels to look up at him, dazed, before moving her lips into a reassuring smile.

"Yes, of course I do – it's beautiful. I'm just a little stunned…" She let out a breathless little laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "What's the occasion?"

Instead of relaxing the Fire Lord visible tensed. They were sitting on a couch in the sitting room of his private quarters, overlooking the gardens (though it was winter and many of the most vibrant flowers were out of bloom, the warm, tropical climate meant that the garden remained vibrant and green).

Zuko had asked her to meet him here after their respective morning meetings, having made sure to clear both their schedules. It quickly became evident that he had more on his mind then spending a leisurely afternoon with his girlfriend.

Said girlfriend furrowed her eyebrows and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could ask what was on his mind he spoke of his own accord.

"I know we haven't talked about it in a while," he began nervously. "And that we said we would just wait and see, and, that maybe, one day, when the political climate was favorable."

He swallowed and wiped his palms on his pants before continuing.

"The council brought it up, and I've been thinking about it a lot myself recently. They, we, think it would be a good time, and the people love you – all the work you've been doing, helping the transition to peace-time…" Zuko took another deep breathe and set aside the jewels to take her hands gently in his. She could see him screwing up all of his courage as he held her hands in his sweaty palms, absently rubbing his thumbs over the back of them.

"Katara, will you marry me?"

The water bender's eyes went wide and one hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. This also ended up covering the grin that was forming. She couldn't believe this was happening – she fully intended to marry Zuko one day – she loved him with everything she was – but she hadn't dared to hope that it would be so soon.

"I promise, I'll do everything in my power to make you happy, Katara," the man across from her rushed, having taken her silence as a bad sign. "You mean everything to me."

Katara lowered her hand.

"Or we can wait if you think it's too soon," he went on, barely a space between thoughts.

Katara blinked at him and shook her head – he look so worried, so unsure and nervous.

He didn't… he didn't really think that she might say no, did he?

"Zuko," she injected before he could say anything more. "Zuko, you know that I love you, don't you?"

The Fire Lord stared at her dumbly for a moment, mouth agape, before nodding.

"Yes, I know that."

But his demeanor didn't match the surety of his words, and Katara realized that he didn't know, not really. Sure, he may have known that she loved him for the moment, but there was no confidence for the future. He was afraid.

Katara's gaze drifted to the side and landed on the necklace as her mind wandered to Zuko's family – the mother that left him, the sister that competed with and lied to him, the father that scarred and banished him.

He didn't understand what unconditional love was.

"If you don't like it I can get you something else," he said, noticing where her gaze lay

Her blue eyes snapped back to his gold and her heart broke at the desperation she saw in them.

"No, it's beautiful," she reassured again. "I love it. I love everything you give me."

"Are you sure? Because you can have anything you want, I can –"

"Zuko," she cut him off, placing a hand on his scarred cheek. "The only thing I want is you. Don't you understand that?"

He looked at her for a moment before his eyes slid closed and his shoulders drooped.

"I want to make sure your happy. That you still…"

"Still what?"

He didn't answer, just sat their, unconsciously leaning into her palm.

Katara lifted her other hand to wind it in the hair at the nape of his neck and leaned forward so they were only a breathe apart. Feeling her shift closer, the Fire Lord opened his eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere, Zuko. You don't have to keep trying to convince me – you've got me. I'm yours."

"You're mine?"

His voice came out as barely more than a whisper, as if afraid that if he spoke too loudly she would dissolve into mist.

She leaned her forehead against his.

"Yes."

His breathe hitched at her words. The pads of the fingers of one hand, warm and calloused, delicately touch her bare shoulder and slowly fluttered down and back up her arm, drinking in the feel of her skin.

"Katara." His breathing was getting heavier and he almost choked on her name. "Katara, you know I'm yours. I've always been yours."

"I know."

She pulled him into an embrace and he clutched her to him like she was all he had in the world.

"And I'll always be yours. You couldn't get rid of me if you tried."

He laughed, breathless. "So, does this mean you'll marry me?"

Rather than answer Katara pulled back and kissed him, and proceeded to show him that they were tied together by something stronger than gold and vows.