The station was different from how it had been the last time Katara laid eyes upon it. It was definitely larger; Toph had mentioned once about an extension project for the Inner Ring's platform, but Katara didn't suspect for it to be this grand. All sorts of people were now roaming around the area, as opposed to what used to be only Earth Kingdom citizens; on their backs were attires of many different colors, red, green, purple—some were even in blue. She smiled to herself; the Restoration Movement was, indeed, taking place.

Zuko didn't utter a word as they made their way towards the counter, a smug smile still playing around his face. Checking his pockets a second time (he did not want to make the mistake of paying in Fire Nation currency; it would certainly blow their cover), he counted his Earth Kingdom Yuans, fingers breezing through them after he did so.

"Zuko, this is crazy," Katara whispered. He had let go of her wrist upon arrival, and Katara couldn't help but keep sauntering at least two inches from him, as if she were afraid of losing her way. "This is crazy," she repeated, her right hand tightly gripping his shoulder like a small child.

But Zuko was completely ignoring her protests and pleas, carefully taking out his Yuans from his pocket again, and beginning to line up for tickets. The stout clerk behind the counter looked as if she would rather be somewhere else, and didn't make eye contact as Zuko purchased two tickets to the Outer Ring.

"The Outer Ring?" Katara cried before raising a brow in surprise. "It's almost sundown! We're never going to make it to dinner if we go all the way to—"

But he hushed her before she could finish, putting a finger against his lip as they walked towards the stairs.

"Katara, I can't help you feel better if you're complaining the whole time," he said, rolling his eyes.

Katara began to laugh.

"Make me feel—w-what?" she stuttered, almost tripping as they climbed the flight of stairs that lead to the train proper. "Zuko, I swear. You don't have to do this. Sokka and Toph are probably looking for us. It's almost sundown," she repeated. "And on top of that—"

Zuko all but ignored her. "You said you needed to get away." He said, his hands creating casual gestures mid-air. "And that's what we're doing. We're getting away."

Katara laughed, but rolled her eyes all the same. "We can't just—"

"Katara."

"There's so much paperwork to be done back at the villa and—"

"Katara."

"We have to prepare ourselves for Yu Dao in two days, and we're never going to make it in time for—"

"Katara."

"What?"

Casually placing his change back in his pockets, Zuko turned back towards her, looking her straight in the eye this time; her pools of blue were shimmering against the faint light of the setting sun. They were beautiful, Zuko deemed to himself.

"Look," he began before letting out a heavy breath. "Don't overthink it. I'm here to make you feel better. After everything you and I have been through, I owe you at least this much."

Katara raised an eyebrow, snickering.

"You've made it up to me countless times already, Zuko." She said matter-of-factly. "I mean, you don't—you don't need to save my life twice," she chuckled, remembering.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but closed it again as they reached the coach. Three very large-looking earthbenders were on the edge of it, ready to push the train forward. As they neared themselves towards its door (which opened courtesy of yet another bender), Zuko took a step forward, heaving himself up from the platform. He took out his hand, gesturing for her to take it.

"Just let me do this for you. This one thing. And after that I promise to quit trying to make it up to you. Okay?" He smiled his rare smile softly. "Trust me."

"I—" Katara beamed back, nearly hesitating, but took Zuko's hand as he helped her onto the coach as well.

"Okay," she blushed, smiling back and finally making her decision. Her cheeks reddening, she tried to shy her eyes away from his; but as she looked towards the other direction, she caught a glimpse of his golden orbs and felt her ears turn a bright shade of pink as she did.

-x-

The last of the passengers began to climb onto the train from the platform; the conductor started to make his last announcements for departure, and Zuko and Katara took the last two empty seats onboard the coach. The view was spectacular, and the palace could be seen from where the passengers stood, its golden roof glistening against the setting sun.

The train started moving, and as it did, Katara surveyed the people around her. To her right, an Earth Kingdom citizen was already fast asleep, his head lolling to the side. On the other end, three children, along with who Katara assumed was their father, were sticking their heads out the window to get a glimpse of the view. Some of the passengers near them were already standing, holding on to the train's handrails for support.

"Zuko," Katara nudged as she pointed towards the people that didn't have seats. "Look." She said, before grabbing him by the arm and pulling him out of where he sat.

"Hey! What's the deal?" he hissed, but Katara subtly pointed her finger again to the other direction.

On one corner of the train near them, an elderly couple stood; the old man was trying to grab hold of the handrail as he held onto his wife, who was too short to reach it herself. After a few trials, he was finally successful, and the elderly woman buried her head on the crook of the old man's neck.

Katara walked towards the couple, trying to maintain her balance against the moving train. Zuko, suddenly catching on and feeling the same sentiments, followed suit.

"Uhm excuse me?' Katara greeted warmly (Zuko smiled awkwardly). "Would you like to sit down?" she said, giving the couple a genuine smile. She shot Zuko a look, and he forced a smile as well, showing the couple a full set of teeth.

The elderly woman chuckled, tugging at her husband's shoulder.

"Sweetheart," she said, her voice creaking. "These two love birds are offering us a seat!"

Katara and Zuko both blushed tremendously, shot each other an embarrassed glance, and immediately looked at the direction opposite from the other. Katara realized that she was still clutching on to Zuko's arm after she'd egged him on to leave his seat, and instantly, she let go. Zuko placed his hands behind his back.

"Here—" Katara offered a hand after the awkwardness had died down. The couple beamed at both of them, and she assisted the two to the now-empty seats.

"Bless you, bless you both," the old man said as he thanked them, scurrying next to his wife on the train seat before winking at Zuko's direction.

"That girl's a keeper. Take care of her, you hear?" he said, waving his finger at Katara.

They both blushed a second time before deciding to pay it no mind (but not before shooting awkward glances at each other) as they both bowed respectfully towards the elderly couple. From his periphery, the Fire Lord saw the man plant a soft kiss on his wife's forehead, and Zuko smiled to himself.

"Well," Katara sighed as the tension between them lingered, walking to where the empty hand rails were. "That was—uhm—that was a bit awkward, wouldn't you say?" she forced a chuckle, her ears turning pink again.

Zuko looked at his shoes, forcing a laugh as well. Everything was happening too fast, and the Fire Lord felt he couldn't keep up with its pace, blushing all over the place.

"…yeah that was—oof!"

What happened next was a series of quick, blurry events. The train suddenly stopped, coming to an abrupt halt and forcing Katara to lose her balance. The passengers around her gasped, looking at their direction. Her legs began to feel like jelly, her feet losing their stability. Zuko caught her almost instantly.

"We're sorry, folks," the conductor's voice boomed from the front of the train after a few minutes. "Just had a bit of difficulty. I believe one of the benders responsible for pushing the train has been bitten by a small lizard-wasp."

"I NEED ICE!" a faint shouting was heard from the other end of the train, simultaneous with the conductor's announcement. "ICEEEE!" The voice complained, which was similar to whining child.

Katara held on to Zuko; she began to regain her balance, clutching on to his shoulders tightly, and in turn, he held both her hands, helping her to slowly get back up.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "Don't—don't worry, I got you," He stammered. Katara stood, her cheeks reddening for the umpteenth time of the day. She fixed her blue skirt, brushing off the dirt that gathered on it from the fall, and balanced herself again. The train was still unmoving.

"I—" She forced a chuckle again. "I better go check on that earthbender," Katara said, stuttering before retrieving her small jug of water for healing. She smiled a small smile towards Zuko before disappearing to the other end of the train.

From their previous seats, the old man winked at him for a second time.

"I told you," he said, waving his hand in the air casually. "She's a keeper."