Alright, here is the new and improved Zutara oneshot that I promised! This is one of the very few times I've ever used first person narrative (and even then, it's only for half of the story), so I'd appreciate some feedback. I hope you enjoy this more than the last one, which was kind of crappy.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own set theory.

V bis. Zutara II

From my position down the hall, I see Katara as she enters the bedroom we share. I take a deep breath, then walk slowly to the bedroom myself. I have rehearsed everything I am going to say, but I am still nervous. If she does not accept—well, that is not a possibility. She will accept. I know she will.

I find her at the bed, examining the necklace I had carved for her and left on her pillow before dinner. As soon as she notices me, she softly exclaims, "Zuko, it's beautiful!"

Katara was slightly miffed. Zuko had promised to dine with her tonight, and he was late! A servant, upon questioning, indicated that he was in their bedroom. She went immediately to find out why she was being stood up.

She found him in the bedroom, just as the servant said. He was placing a necklace on her pillow, and she stepped forward to get a closer look. This startled Zuko much more than it ought; he jumped violently and fell on the bed as soon as he realized Katara was present. His face was pale, and sweat was starting to appear on his forehead.

Katara picked up the necklace and scrutinized the carving. "No offence," she said, "but this necklace looks horrible."

"Look on the back," I tell her. She flips over the stone, revealing the stylized flames I had carved on it.

She looks at me, her eyes wide. "Fire."

"Fire and water," I say, moving towards her.

"Fire and water," she echoes, flipping the flat stone from one side to the other and studying each side closely. Actually, it is comprised of two stones, cleverly glued together to create the appearance of one. One side is blue, with a carving symbolizing water. The other side is red, with a carving symbolizing fire.

"What does it mean?" she whispers.

"It symbolizes our union. Maiden of the Water Tribe and Lord of the Fire Nation."

She gazes at me as I drop to my knees.

"Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, will you be my Fire Lady?"

"Are these supposed to be clouds?" Katara asked, indicating the carving.

"Uhh, that's supposed to symbolize water," Zuko explained, getting more nervous by the minute. "Turn it over."

Katara made to flip the stone over, but stopped halfway through the motion to study the edge. "Zuko, why did you glue a red stone to the blue one?"

Zuko couldn't answer, his lips sealed by the difficult situation he had just been thrust into.

Finding no answer, Katara studied the carving on the back, which was done in the red stone. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why is there a papaya carving on the back? You know I don't like papaya."

"It's...not...a...papaya," Zuko choked out.

"Hmm. You're right. Mango? I like mangoes better."

"Not...mango."

"Then what is it?"

"Fire. It symbolizes fire." He seemed to be in pain.

Katara studied the two sides of the stone again. "Zuko, did Sokka make this? It looks like his work. Sort of reminds me of that painting he did, back in Ba Sing Se..."

"No," Zuko said. "I made it."

"Oh. Oh," she murmured, realization hitting her. "Fire and water... ...Zuko. Are you proposing to me?"

Never have three seconds seemed so long! She stares at me, stares into my eyes, stares into my soul. But she is moved, she is tearing up, there is joy in her face! And at last, she finds the words.

"Yes. Yes!" she exclaims. "I'll be your Fire Lady."

I think my heart is going to burst with all this pounding.

"Oh, Zuko!" She pulls me into a tight hug. "I'll be your Fire Lady, I'll be your Fire Lady," she repeats, her tears falling onto my shoulder.

"I love you, Katara," I whisper.

Zuko dropped to his knees and repeated the words he had been rehearsing for months. "Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, will you be my Fire Lady?"

The look of Zuko, kneeling before her with a face paler than chalk, sent Katara into fits of laughter. "Oh, Zuko," she said. "Of course I will! Did you even have to ask? Come here!" She opened her arms wide, and Zuko jumped into her embrace in an instant.

"I love you, Katara."

"I love you too."

"This is so perfect," she says, fingering her new necklace. We sit down on the edge of the bed. "I can't believe this is happening."

"Do you like your betrothal necklace?" I ask.

"I love it! It's beautiful. Oh, Zuko, I can't wait 'till we're married."

"It'll be soon, I promise." And with that...

...we kissed.

"I'm so sorry," Zuko babbled over dinner. "It was supposed to be so different. I had it all planned out and everything." In his mind's eye, he could still see an imaginary Katara, fingering her necklace as they kissed. "That has got to be the most unromantic proposal in the history of proposals. I'm afraid I've ruined the moment forever."

"Oh, Zuko. Nothing could ruin the moment for me. In fact, now I've got a great story to tell to our children!" Katara giggled.

"That's what I was afraid of."

"I'll show them this betrothal necklace..."

"I'd rather you didn't—"

"And they'll be amazed at how skilled their daddy is at making carvings. Right, Zuko?"

He sidled over to his wife-to-be and planted a kiss right on her lips. "You talk too much."

"I'm still telling them," she said as they turned the kiss into something beautiful.