Zuko stood at the ship's railing watching the sunrise, his stomach fluttering with anticipation and his mind flooded with thoughts. He could just make out the Fire Nation harbor in the distance, so he knew they would arrive by midday. He had so much he wanted to tell Katara, he wasn't sure if he'd know where to start. He could talk about the shipwreck, skipping over the head injury part to effectively avoid the fuss she'd make about it. There was the news about Kai and the flying bison. Oh, and then the confrontation with Guo. Hmm. I wasn't at my best then, he recalled.

Still, I managed to keep my temper at bay for most of the dreaded meetings, right? Or well, I skipped out on half the meetings, actually. Hmm. His story didn't sound very diplomatic, he admitted. And while he'd been most intrigued by the family he met, none of his men seemed to think he'd made the right decision regarding the Fire Nation troops stationed in Two Rivers.

Maybe he shouldn't tell Katara much of anything. Just that Sokka had the brilliant idea of the council, and things were going well. And then he could ask about what she'd been doing, how her rotations at the hospital had been going, and such. Or maybe they just wouldn't talk much. He never really knew the right thing to say anyway. They could just… hmmmm.

It was Jee who interrupted his daydream—yet again—and Zuko shifted against the railing to hide the bulge in his pants.

"We should be arriving in about three hours, sir."

"A-hem, thank you, Jee." Zuko offered a sideways glance to his advisor.

"Is everything alright, sir? You look a little… flushed," Jee stood there for what seemed like an eternity to Zuko.

"It's nothing." He cleared his throat. "Just, uh… homesick?"

"Rrrrrrrright." Jee smirked but seemed to think better of pressing the matter, so he left.

Homesick? Idiot. Zuko smacked himself in the forehead. Although admittedly it was one of the first times he'd ever been excited to be returning to the Fire Nation.

As promised, Katara took Toph away from the palace that day so they could each have a break from their respective pressures of daily life in the Fire Nation. Katara decided the best place to start would be a tea shop so they could talk. That had been a lapse in judgment.

"So what's eating at ya, Sweetness?" Toph stirred her tea so swiftly that it kept sloshing over the sides.

"Toph, you're spilling tea everywhere. What is up with you? So… uncivilized," Katara rolled her eyes in a joking manner, but her words were dripping with disapproval. Toph couldn't see her expression, of course.

"Well excuse me, miss high and mighty. I guess I'm not as sophisticated as you since I'm not courting a prince and all," she huffed.

"I'm sorry, Toph, I didn't mean… oh, whatever." Katara knew she'd be fighting a losing battle if Toph was in one of her moods. "Besides, he's the Fire Lord, not a prince anymore." Katara bit her lip and sighed. Things felt a bit simpler when he was just a prince, even if a banished one.

"You didn't answer my question," Toph said. "And now you're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Sulking."

"Am not."

"Are too. The only one who does that more than you is Sparky. I guess since he's gone, you took up the slack. Now spill it, sister."

"I'm not sulking. I just feel like being quiet, that's all."

"Umm, hmm. Now you're being defensive." Toph leaned back and folded her arms against her chest. "How long have you two been dating? Because seriously, it's scary how much you're acting like him right now."

"Arghhhh! You're impossible!"

"He'd say that, too."

"So what if he would? It's true. Anybody would say that about you right now!" Katara mentally scolded herself for letting Toph get under her skin like this.

"Actually, if you really want to channel your inner Zuko, you should probably put me in a chokehold and give me a noogie."

Katara just stared at Toph. She really had nothing to say to that. And then… both girls erupted into laughter.

"I'm not that bad, am I?" Katara managed through a fit of giggles.

"Not really, but with Sparky gone, I needed to give someone a hard time!" Toph tried sipping her tea but ended up sputtering it everywhere.

"What should we do today?" Katara asked once she finally regained her composure. "We've gotta do more than just drink tea. No need to channel our inner Iroh here."

"Have you ever ridden a komodo rhino before?" Toph raised her eyebrows mischievously.

Riding a komodo rhino wasn't like riding a polar dog or flying bison. They were quite tame and well-trained, Katara discovered, but they were also wicked fast. No wonder the Fire Nation army chose them for their cavalry expeditions. She was surprised that Toph would even suggest such a thing. She knew the earthbender didn't like it when her feet left the ground, but when Rozin met them at the stables, the reasoning became crystal clear.

Katara had been caught off guard on her first ride and taken a fall, but after that she prayed to Yue and held on for dear life. Toph teased her insufferably, but Katara did not reciprocate since she knew Toph was trying to show off in front of Rozin. After a particularly unsettling ride that had Katara cursing in a way that would make her Gran Gran blush, she decided to leave the two of them behind. She knew know Toph wouldn't mind. And for the most part, she'd had a blast.

Once she was back in her room, Katara felt like she could finally catch her breath from the adrenaline rush. A quick look in the mirror revealed that she was worse for wear, her hair disheveled and her clothes torn. She pulled water from the vase to heal her cuts and scrapes and then leaned against the door for a moment's rest before getting cleaned up for dinner. That's when she noticed him.

His lean figure was silhouetted against the window where he was perched. Her heart leapt as they both closed the distance between them and met with a fierce embrace followed by frenzied kisses. There was a collection of breathless confessions, "love you," "missed you," and "me, too" before Zuko finally pulled away and quirked his brow at her.

"Katara, you…" he hesitated but figured, what the hell. "You smell like a komodo rhino."

"I, uh, yes… well…" Katara felt flustered, suddenly very self-conscious that she didn't look and smell better for her boyfriend. "I rode one today, actually."

"You did what?" Zuko looked at her incredulously. He knew he wouldn't ride one of those beasts unless he absolutely had to.

"Um, just for fun?" She smiled sweetly.

"Err, what else have you been doing since I've been away?" he asked slowly.

"Oh, you have no idea," she taunted.

"Do tell. I can't wait to hear all about it."

"First things first. I really should take a bath," she smirked.

"Good," Zuko said with a sly smile. "I think I'll join you." And with that, he followed her into the washroom. *And much fun was had by all.

Dinner that night was held in the palace dining hall. When Katara arrived, she noticed the lavish spread of food but lamented that most of them would be too spicy for her. She sat down near Toph and took in the scene filled with old faces and new. Zuko sat at the head of the table speaking animatedly to his Uncle, something about acrobatic air bison? And waves of seismic proportions? She could only catch a few of his phrases over the commotion, but she watched his exaggerated gestures as he told his story, a tale growing taller by the minute, she supposed. Her suspicions were confirmed when she noticed Jee sitting next to Zuko. He was wearing an irksome expression, rolling his eyes intermittently between the Fire Lord's phrases.

Jee is perfect for his position. Katara felt an odd sort of affection coupled with great respect for the man. Zuko needs someone who won't take any of his bullshit.

Next to Jee sat Piandao and Lady Za Jei, Zuko's other advisors. Katara noted that they both looked weary as they shared occasional glances with each other, but otherwise seemed to distance themselves from the dinner party. The war trials had probably taken their toll on them just as they had on Toph. Next to Lady Za Jei sat a man, nobly dressed, that Katara didn't recognize, and next to him, a young lady also wearing finery. On her side of the table, Toph sat next to Uncle, and Katara sat opposite Lady Za Jei.

Iroh held a hand up for Zuko to pause his story. He always becomes a babbling bolt of energy whenever we do the deed during the day, Katara remembered. She suppressed a giggle as the group directed their attention forward for the toast.

"As it is custom to welcome home our Fire Lord and his advisor from their long journey, I would also like to make some introductions since we may not all know each other. This is Advisor Jee along with Advisors Piandao and Lady Za Jei," Iroh gestured toward them with his raised glass, and they nodded in response. "To my left here are ambassadors to the Earth Kingdom and Southern Water Tribe, respectively, Lady Toph Bei Fong and Master Katara."

Ambassador? Wow, that sounds important. Katara nodded but shifted nervously at hearing the sound of her new title. It had only been decided just before her trip back to the South Pole, and this was her first time to hear it spoken in an official setting.

"Our guests tonight are Nobleman Loban and his beautiful daughter, Elua." The man offered an awkward bow with his glass still in hand. The girl simply blushed.

"To peace and prosperity!" Iroh raised his glass and everyone followed suit.

Once they were seated and the sounds of dishes clanking and conversations flowing filled the room, Toph elbowed Katara.

"You better get used to this," she warned.

"Ouch. Used to what?"

"The girls," Toph whispered.

"Huh?"

"Rrrrrright. I forget you're not… nevermind. You'd better brace yourself for the courting game."

"The what?" Katara gaped at her friend.

Toph sighed. "Zuko's about to turn eighteen. That means he's technically of age, and they'll expect him to wed soon. So, the nobles of the high court will parade their daughters in front of him hoping to make a match. I suspect this… uhhh, Lua? Well, she's the first of many. Just thought I'd warn you."

Katara tried to hide her shock as she surveyed the dinner guests once again. Iroh, Zuko, and Jee seemed to be in a more serious conversation now, and she caught some words, "council," and "honor" and "troops." Piandao and Lady Za Jei were speaking with Loban, but the topic seemed light, as if the nobleman was simply complimenting his surroundings, the food, décor, and such. Elua was merely poking at her food looking miserable and out-of-place. Katara wondered what she must be thinking. If she was here to make the Fire Lord's acquaintance, why wasn't she sitting by him? Zuko didn't seem to even notice her, Katara noted with satisfaction.

"Why would Uncle Iroh do this when he knows about… us?" She leaned in toward Toph to ask the question.

"To maintain appearances. Look, Sugar Queen, you don't have anything to worry about. Zuko might as well call you 'your highness' with the way he worships you. It's sickening, really." Toph paused to take a bite of food. "But you gotta play the game. Uncle is setting things up so you'll be able to make your move… when the time is right. Just don't fuck it up before then by getting all jealous or anything, ok?"

Katara knew she could trust Toph's advice. She had come from a noble family, plus she'd spent a lot more time with Uncle lately and was probably privy to his plans.

"OK, I won't." Katara promised.

"Besides, you gotta keep your composure. We're ambassadors now. Remember?" Toph elbowed Katara again in her strange characteristic way of showing affection. Katara winced. Her whole body still felt jarred from the afternoon's activities.

As soon as her head hit the pillow, Katara fell fast asleep. The day's events had rendered her completely exhausted. Her body ached from adventures with komodo rhinos, and her mind reeled from trying to keep up with the pace of the dinner conversation. She wasn't sure how long she had been sleeping when she felt Zuko slip into her bed, but she tried her best to ignore him.

Maybe if I stay asleep, he will just lie here next to me? We already, well, had our fun earlier. I mean, I want to… just so…tired and sore…

For a while, Katara thought her silent wishes had been granted. She had almost been lulled back to sleep by Zuko's light touches tracing the length of her arm and his warm breath on her neck. But then he had to go and get all handsy.

"Zuko, not now… not tonight…" She'd never denied him before.

He pulled his hand away abruptly and made a frustrated noise.

"Zuko, I'm sorry… it's not that… "

"No, I get it."

"You don't get it. It's because…" She really didn't want to admit the truth, but she knew he would blame himself. "It's the blasted komodo rhinos, OK? They… I…"

Zuko's feeling of disappointment shifted into that of understanding. He'd ridden one before and certainly didn't consider it a leisure activity.

"My… it… just hurts. And then you were here… and then in the bath… it didn't help. I'm sorry, I should've never—"

"So, you had a couple of rough rides today, eh?" Zuko's sly smile was back.

"Ughhh. It was such a stupid thing to do—no, not you. I mean, the komodo rhinos. I mean, well, I rather like doing you, but…" Katara felt so flustered and slightly aroused. How could he do that to her with just a simple smirk?

"Want me to kiss it and make it better?" Zuko disappeared under the sheets.

"Well, I already tried my healing, and it didn't really help, so I don't think… Zuk-ohhhhh!"

Suddenly words and pain and everything else fell away as Katara embraced sensations she had never felt before.

When Zuko surfaced again, he was licking his lips and looking quite proud of himself. Katara, still shuddering from the rush she'd just experienced, mouthed a breathless, "Wow."

"Feel better?" Zuko shifted to his side next to her, propping himself up with his elbow.

"Ummm… yeah," Katara couldn't even remember why she had been feeling bad in the first place. "What gave you the idea to do that?"

"Oh… um… I dunno, it just seemed like… the thing to do?" Zuko took his turn holding the awkward reigns. Katara, when it comes to this sort of thing, we don't talk, we just do. I had a good thing going, and you're going to ruin it by making me talk about it.

The truth was he had wanted to try it for a while, but was unsure of himself. Everything else they'd done together felt so natural and rhythmic. This would be a solo performance on his part, and what if he messed up? He'd been aboard a ship with bored sailors for years, so he'd heard plenty of stories. None of it had really piqued his interest… until recently. Oh spirits, I hope she liked it.

"Well, it was… you are amazing." Katara let out a satisfied moan, and her eyes shifted dreamily out of focus. She turned to face him and softly stroked the contours of his face. "I love you," she whispered.

He took her hand in his and lightly kissed her knuckles. She was already asleep before he voiced his response, "I love you, too."

*Author's Notes: Jee, Piandao, and Lady Za Jei as Zuko's advisors comes from... ding, ding, ding, you guessed it, Not Stalking Firelord Zuko. And this phrase—and much fun was had by all—is a direct quote and intentional shout-out—really because I couldn't figure out how to use my other favorite, "Bless their cotton socks."

Nevermind the sock gap, these two are back together, and things are getting steamy. I don't write smut, though, so you'll have to use your imagination. And would Zuko really wait a year into their relationship before going down on Katara? I dunno. He has self-confidence issues in general, so maybe that's why I wrote it that way. Plus, no need to rush things, right? Zutara is forever.