A/N: Sorry, I didn't edit these at all, I wrote them in a hurry so if there are more mistakes than usual, I'm sorry. Please enjoy. I have about a week of freshmen intro stuff and then I start classes, so I can see free time coming up in the future.
Chapter 28
The Wedding
When Katara finally woke up the next morning, the sun was already shining. She was surprised no one had come to wake her. She yawned and counted herself lucky that her wedding was just before sundown so that she could sleep in. A smile spread across her face as she turned over. She knew Zuko wouldn't be there but what was there warmed her inside. A single red rose, in full bloom, lay against his pillow. She caressed the soft petals for a moment, thinking back to the tulip he had given her when all of this started. She picked up the flower and brushed the silky petals across her lips before sliding out of bed and sauntering into her own room.
She was met by an entire entourage of patiently waiting, hair stylists, makeup artists, dressers, massage therapist, nail techs, and Gran-gran. She paused in the doorway, wide-eyed. How long had they been waiting for her?
"Good morning, Katara. It's good to see you're finally awake." Gran-gran said, but all Katara heard was 'Get her!'
She had to restrain herself from yelping as she was pulled into the bathroom, and like her first morning in this room, was dumped into a cool tub of water. 'I should have slept longer.'
- -
Servants were bustling around everywhere. There wasn't an idle hand to be found in the palace. The finishing touches were being done in the gardens, the enormous amounts of food being prepared was making everyone in the palace salivate with anticipation of the post wedding banquet, and people were already arriving in hopes of getting good seats and mingling. Those of nobility would be able to sit at the wedding. The upper-lower class could stand in the garden and the lower class would have to settle with what they could see from down on the beach. Katara hadn't much liked that set up but she had to abide by the social hierarchy to come degree, she'd already won the battle to allow the orphans to have seats at the wedding.
- -
Zuko sat patiently while his hair was being brushed and his uncle talked to him. His dressers were moving about assembling his wedding attire on a mannequin to wait until he was ready to put it on. He watched himself in the mirror, only half listening to his uncle. The wedding had seemed to come so much faster than he had expected as did his feelings for Katara. A small smile tried to creep across his otherwise straight face when he thought of her. She was still a bit shaky and nervous about being alone with him but he knew he could make this work. He wanted to make this work. There was no going back after today and he really didn't mind the thought of that at this point. He was almost certain by now that he loved her. There was no defined point when it happened but apparently it did and he wasn't fighting it.
He planned to use the week of celebration following the wedding to get to know everything about her. Everything she liked, everything she didn't like, he wanted to memorize every smile, store away the knowledge of all the things that made her laugh, but mostly he wanted to learn what he had to do to make her look at him like she did last night. He sent up a silent pray that Katara was as enthusiastic about today as he was.
- -
Ty Lee and Suki groaned and swayed as they were being tugged and tied into their dresses. Toph laughed at their ragged appearance and Suki glowered at the younger girl for not showing any signs of a hangover.
"Shouldn't have drank so much." Mai tutted, as she looked extra pristine in her red robes. Suki actually found herself in awe of how pretty the fire nation girl looked in all her noble splendor.
'She really could have been a beautiful Fire Lady.' Suki thought, feeling sorry for Mai. It had to be hard going to the wedding of the man you'd been in love with. 'Well, she'll definitely meet someone new looking like that.'
"How do I look?" Azula's authoritative voice caused Suki and Ty Lee to cringe.
"Why is she so loud?" Ty Lee asked Suki.
"I don't know. Mai, make her stop." Suki begged.
Toph continued to laugh and Mai just shook her head at her companions.
- -
Katara took a deep breath. The day had flown by faster than she had imagined it would. At some point the flurry of hair and make-up had left her and now she stood alone in her room gazing at herself in the mirror.
This was it. There was no turning back after today. She didn't particularly want to turn back but that didn't mean that she harbored no doubts about the future. She was definitely scared but after last night she was far more confident than she used to be.
She turned slowly, watching herself in the mirror, wondering what Zuko would think of her look today. Beneath her dress she wore a strapless blue silk bra and matching panties that Gran-gran had insisted she wear rather than anything the girls had bought her. Katara hadn't complained much though she did feel awkward with the cool silk sliding against her skin every time she moved.
Her hair had been pulled up into an elegant bun with two loops, starting at either temple and then pulled back to tuck up into the bun. Across the top seam of the bun a band of diamond and sapphire roses had been tucked to hold the long glittering veil that continued into a long train on the floor. Her lips and eyes were also dashed with glitter to make her sparkle in the dying sunlight and the dancing flames that would surround the temple. Her eyelids were layered with silver, white, and the palest blue she had ever seen with glitter brushed loosely over the three colors. Her lips somehow looked fuller with the pale pink lipstick and clear lip chaps that they had used to give them an extra glossy look. She had sat for hours getting her hair and make-up done. There were tiny diamonds clipped into her hair to make it sparkle along with the glitter that had been lightly sprinkled on her silky brown locks. As she looked at herself now she could definitely say the wait had been worth it.
For the first time since the fire nation had been dressing her, her shoulders were bare. Akira had decided to accent this fact by spreading a thin layer of blue and silver glitter across her tan skin. Giggling, Akira had even added a bit of glitter to the exposed tops of her breasts that rose above the tight top line of the dress. Katara found it somewhat difficult to breath in the corset like top that was acting like a push up bra. However, she had ceased complaint, awed by the beauty of the dress and what it did for her figure as well as the fact that she knew what Purya would say if she complained about the tightness of her dress.
Katara had wanted to try to pick a neutral color for her wedding dress to include all nations. She'd told her grandmother and Purya to make her dress white and Purya nearly had a heart attack. Apparently white was the color of mourning in the fire nation and no one had informed her of this until Purya was cursing her ungrateful existence. Though white was pure light and all colors combined, Katara couldn't have the entire fire nation thinking she was dreading this day so she had asked the water tribe seamstress to find her the palest blue silk available. She would please her grandmother and nation first by wearing blue but she would acknowledge all the other nations by choosing silk so pale it was almost white in the right light. Purya hadn't been happy about the choice but as long as the dress wasn't pure white she could settle grudgingly. Another attempt to sooth all nations was that the dress had been made in no particular style. It was an original piece meant only for her, though she was certain after her wedding the style would be popping up everywhere.
The pale fabric was embroidered with diamonds, pearls, and sapphires to keep all eyes on her when she entered. In the very center, between her breasts was a large heart shaped blue diamond brooch that pulled the fabric so tight over her chest that no curve was left to the imagination. Gran-gran declared no man would scoff at the idea of a water nation girl looking at her now. Katara just felt a part of her was going to be greatly relieved tonight when she was finally free of the pressure that kept her to tightly encased. It was only at her hips that she was finally allowed freedom. The long flowing bottom half seemed to spread as though she wore dozens of petticoats underneath, but in reality, it was all lace and fluffy fabrics. The actual skirt was made of silk with a thin blue and silver glittery veil sewn over it to make it sparkle as it flowed out into a long train beneath the veil she wore on her head. She wore dangling diamond earrings that swayed between her hair loops and on her feet were flat silver shoes that laced up her legs with diamonds set in the soles.
Katara spun before the mirror once more watching the dress shimmer. She felt like a queen today.
"It's now or never, Katara. The little ones have just been organized to go." Gran-gran said as she re-entered Katara's room.
Katara nodded, and stepped lightly off the stool she had been standing on. Along with Gran-gran came two girls from the orphanage that picked up her train.
"Thank you." Katara beamed at the girls. Trust Gran-gran to think of everything.
"You look beautiful Katara. I hope you can learn to be happy here because you are meant to do such great things. I am so proud of your courage and great heart. Your heart of gold will be your crowning glory that I am certain of." Gran-gran said as they walked down to the temple. "You've grown so much and I know your mother is smiling over you."
"Thank you Gran-gran. I'm glad you're here." Katara said stopping to hug her grandmother.
"Now, Katara, don't make me cry before the wedding has even started. I can't be blurry eyed and trying to run the show at the same time." Gran-gran sniffed as she hugged her granddaughter and patted her cheek. "I love you, Katara. You've grown into a wonderful young woman."
"I love you too Gran-gran. Thanks for everything." Katara said as her grandmother backed away into the room where all the other men and women were preparing to enter the garden.
Katara took slow steps into the doorway and smiled at the room full of her friends and family. There was a group of little water tribe girls along with Yumi and Freya who were just starting the slow procession into the garden, dropping their mix of flowers as they went. Behind them were some older water tribe girls and daughters of high ranking nobles who would follow as junior bridesmaids.
Behind the girls was Azula in red with Aang in gold. She was looking rather perky this morning and Aang was looking rather depressed.
"Look, I know I'm the last person you want to be walking with but could you perk up just a little bit. It's a great day of celebration and there's about to be a week long party. Can't you pretend you don't hate me?" Azula whispered.
"It's not that I hate you, I don't trust you and none of that is why I'm upset. I thought about it for a long time last night and Zuko is right, everyone deserves a chance to earn trust. Zuko has proved himself to just about everyone so I guess I have to give you a chance too. I don't believe you came back to do crazy or evil things. You're as much a victim of the war as we are, only things just worked out differently for you. I'm somewhat sorry for how I treated you at breakfast." Aang sighed
Azula thought over his apology. Well, that was easier than expected, if somewhat less apologetic than it could have been. She felt bad for the kid though, something was still eating at him.
"So then what's your problem?" She asked bluntly.
"I don't have a problem." Aang grumbled.
"Actually you do. Usually, you're obnoxiously peppy and today you look like your best friend just died. So are you going to tell me what's wrong or am I going to have to pry it out of you?"
"It's none of your business."
"You're right…Sorry, I was trying to care."
Aang stared at her like she was out of her mind for a moment.
"Argh, stop looking at me like that, I'm not crazy. Just because I only displayed the emotional range of an evil teaspoon doesn't mean I don't have the ability to care about others. I'm working on it so stop looking at me like a head case every time I do something nice." Azula snapped.
"Oh, uh, sorry. I didn't mean to, it's just so weird. I'm not used to it yet. That was rude of me." Aang babbled. He certainly hadn't meant to hurt Azula's feelings. In fact, he hadn't really even considered that Azula had feelings until now. She probably had more problems bottled up than he did and that suddenly made him feel very guilty for his behavior.
"I'm still in love with Katara." Aang whispered. Azula laughed and Aang whipped a glare at her. "That's not funny."
"Yes it is. You're hilarious avatar. How old are you now? Thirteen? It doesn't really matter actually. The fact still remains, that you're entirely too young to know what love is. You've probably got another year before you even start to turn into a man. Oh, don't look so offended. Honestly, we're all just children if you think about it. Sokka, Suki, Mai, and Zuko are the only adults in this group. Katara, Haru, Ty Lee, and I are on the brink of adulthood and you, Toph, and Teo have at least a year to go. The heart's a fickle thing, I'm sure you'll meet someone new." Azula advised.
"What if I don't want someone new?" Aang complained.
"Then I guess you're in a tough spot aren't you because Katara is definitely in love with my brother."
"No, she's not."
"Yes, she is. You forget, avatar, evil or not, I'm still a people person." Azula said, offering him a familiar evil grin that made him mildly concerned.
'Okay, she may things she's not crazy but she still looks pretty crazy.' Aang shuddered, as he tried to figure out how to walk down the aisle with her arm looked through his but touch her no more than necessary.
Behind them, Mai frowned as she listened. She felt a lot like the avatar did but she hid it better. Those who knew her knew she was being colder than usual but that was the only sign of her feelings on the situation. She held her head high and kept her mouth shut tightly as she stood stoically beside another noble fire nation boy, who'd been trying to strike up conversation with her the entire time they'd been standing there. She kept silencing him with curt looks that announced she was in no mood to talk to him.
Ty Lee and Haru were happily holding hands and talking excitedly behind Mai and her escort. Their conversation only stopped occasionally because they were being badgered by Toph and Teo, from behind, who kept telling them they just needed to make things official which Ty Lee and Haru would fling back at them. All four were flushed with the exhilaration of today and being on the arm of the object of their affection.
Suki giggled and leaned her head onto Sokka's shoulder.
"They're all so cute aren't they?" Suki laughed watching her friends. "And I'm really beginning to like Azula. She's funny."
"You don't actually trust her do you?" Sokka cringed, hearing his girlfriend's opinion of Azula.
"Sokka, you haven't spent two seconds trying to get to know her."
"And you shouldn't either. She's dangerous, just wait for her to snap again."
"Are we waiting for Zuko to snap again too? He's flipped sides more than she has."
"That's not fair or the same, Suki."
"I think it is. I'm sure if she had a chance to save our lives and prove herself, she would. I don't know why, but I really feel like she might be honestly trying to change and it's cute how badly she wants to be good."
"Uck, whatever you say Suki. I'm still going to sleep with a boomerang close at night."
Behind them, Katara smiled. At least she had Suki on her side with the whole Azula issue. It wouldn't take long to win her brother over as well now that she had an ally. Katara's eyes lifted as the music changed from Bach's Air to Cannon in D. All the flower girls and bridesmaids were gone and it was time for the older girls. Katara watched the change in Azula. Her back straightened and she took a deep breath, puffing up her chest. Her head rose in a slow militaristic process and her face was set in a royal mask. She was stiff as a board on Aang's arm but she looked like a perfect porcelain doll in her red and gold robes. Her long hair was littered with bright red roses woven in and her tiny waist was pronounced by the gold sash tide tightly around it. As she moved in short controlled steps, her robes fluttered out around her making her look like she was floating at the avatar's side.
'Wow!' Suki turned around and mouthed to her. Katara just nodded. 'I hope I look like that when I come out.'
Mai exited out just as gracefully in her red and black robes. She was a pictures of divine elegance. She sailed so smoothly out of the room Katara wondered if she was actually floating. Grinning, like a child Ty Lee glided out behind her in matching robes and Haru stepped jovially at her side. He wore a huge grin as he escorted Ty Lee up the aisle in his forest green robes, accented with black details.
"Let's get this show on the road." Toph declared, as she took Teo's hand and they proceeded out slowly in their matching green and gold robes. Katara loved the gold band that held Toph's hair in place and the way the green silk wrapped around her young friend. The long tulle sleeves that trailed to the ground were a wonderful accent as well. She had spent some time this morning helping Teo decorate his wheelchair for the wedding.
Finally, Suki and Sokka exchanged a quick chaste kiss before linking arms and dancing out of the room. Sokka looked even more slap happy than usual in his regal blue and silver robes and Suki looked like a princess in her green and gold. It was a beautiful contrast. Emeralds had been woven into her hair and her wrists jangled with gold bands. Sokka was elated to be escorting such a beautiful woman on his arm.
Katara took a deep breath. Soon the music would change to the traditional wedding march and it would be her turn to go. She smiled up at her father who was alternating between beaming at her and looking nervously at the doors before them. She leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment.
"Thanks dad." She said quietly.
"Are you happy, Katara?" Hakoda asked her.
"I am." She gave him a radiant smile with her reply. "I really am."
"Good." He said before he kissed her forehead lightly. "I love you Katara and I really do want what's best for you."
"I know dad." She whispered, before closing her eyes and clearing her mind of everything but Zuko.
- -
Zuko stood nervously at the steps of the gazebo. The prelude had passed and several nobles had already made their entrance followed by the White Lotus members and Katara's grandmother. After them came the flower girls. Zuko couldn't help but grin as the girls flounced down the aisle in their little red and blue dresses, dropping flower petals as they skipped in. Behind them came the regal line of junior bridesmaids. They looked like a line of dolls with their hair pulled up in perfect buns and identical bouquets clutched in their hands.
He hated to admit it but the longer he waited; the more he was fighting nervousness. It was a battle to keep his mask in place as he waited impatiently for Katara's appearance. He was desperately anxious to see Katara. He hadn't expected to feel this way. He had never been this nervous about seeing a girl in his life. She just kept him on the edge. He could only imagine how beautiful she'd look, coming towards him to marry him, to be his.
He shook his head to clear it of the possessive thoughts as the music changed and his sister appeared. A long red velvet carpet was rolled out before her and Aang and her eyes lifted up to his own before the two began to process in. He couldn't help but smile at Azula. She looked beautiful and he was so proud of her in this moment, he wanted so badly for them to one day develop a friendship like Katara and Sokka had. They'd never had that but every day since she re-entered his world, he could see the signs that made him believe that maybe they could be just like any other siblings one day. She curtsied low to him while the avatar bowed and then the two parted ways, Azula taking the side of the bridesmaids and Aang joining him.
Mai looked beautiful following behind, there was a sadness about her as she looked up at him after rising from her bow but nothing cracked her masked face as she departed to stand at Azula's side. Ty Lee was grinning so much that Zuko was sure her cheeks were going to be killing her in the morning but he said nothing at her radiating bliss. Haru looked just as pleased to be in her presence and Zuko was happy for them. Toph looked rather stoic, probably because so many eyes were on her but Teo was beaming as he wheeled himself in with Toph at his side. Zuko almost laughed at Sokka who came in like waving and winking at people like they were celebrating his arrival. Suki just laughed at his side and shook her head knowingly at Zuko who just grinned at her. 'Well at least there will never be a dull moment in that relationship.' Zuko thought as the two made it to the front.
He suddenly sobered though, and drew in a deep breath as the music changed and the attendants rose from their seats, turning to see the bride, the new fire lady, Lady Hope.
A sudden wave of panic hit him as the seconds seemed to pass as an eternity. What if she had changed her mind and ran away at the last moment? What if she was actually back there crying her eyes out at the idea of being forced to marry him? What if she hadn't meant what she'd said last night but only said it out of a sense of obligation? There were so many what ifs. He wanted to throw up but there was absolutely no escaping now.
He glanced nervously at his uncle who was standing at his side. The old man winked at him and then turned his gaze back to the palace doors from which she would emerge. The sun was setting in the sky and a myriad of beautiful colors was hanging above them. The fires dotting the courtyard blazed with life and anticipation and everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited.
Zuko was fully prepared to start panicking again but every coherent thought left him as the glittering veils everyone had come through parted and several doves and swans flew in, forming a graceful arc and then a heart. He was out of time. This was it. The birds broke out of their formation and scattered up into the sky and where they had just been, stood Katara and her father.
A gasp at the sheer beauty of the bride, swept through the masses but their surprise couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She was beautiful. No other woman had ever made him feel this way by entering a room. She carried a large bouquet and her father looked so strong and protective. Despite how fierce Hakoda looked, Zuko wanted to run down the aisle, scoop her up, and kiss her senseless right there, but his body was frozen in place. His breathing was coming in short stunned gasps.
"Don't forget to breathe nephew. You dying right now won't be the best thing for your country." Iroh chuckled in his ear.
Zuko just nodded dumbly, the sight of her had stolen his ability to speak, to even think. He was completely stunned, which was probably a good thing or else he'd of demanded they hurry up so he could be near her. The procession seemed to drag on forever as he stared stupidly, not able to tear his gaze away for even a second. He fought the urge to fidget with agitation and schooled his face into his usual mask. When they finally reached him, he was tempted to snatch her away from her father, but instead, he carefully took her hand when offered and exchanged a few short, kind words with him as Katara gave her bouquet to Suki, her maid of honor, before turning with him towards the priest. Her hand was shaking in his and he squeezed it gently, caressing the top of it with his thumb. Katara's cheeks flushed as she held onto him and tried to stop the shaking.
She didn't know how she was going to get through this service with her brain malfunctioning. She hoped her autopilot was programmed enough that she could make it through without saying something dumb. It was a miracle she made it up the steps of the gazebo without tripping. She and Zuko knelt before the priest and a prayer was said over them while incense were swung about the base of the gazebo. She tried to still her heart during this time and had managed to gain some level of control by the time they were instructed to rise.
His words were lost on her as she turned slightly to face Zuko and she fell into the spell of his eyes. She felt breathless in his presence and burning pools of gold were luring her in again. It was a subconscious thing for her to tilt her face up to his and for him to lean closer to her. He wanted desperately for this ceremony to be over. He wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to love her.
"…pledge yourself to him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health? Do you put your trust in him now and forever?"
"I do," she said quietly, not able to stop the tremor in her voice as she snapped back into reality.
"Do you, Fire Lord Zuko, pledge to love Katara? Do you pledge yourself to her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health? Do you put your trust in her now and forever?"
"I do," Zuko said firmly, grasping her hands within his own.
"The rings?"
He could barely tear his eyes away from her to see Soshi bounding happily up the aisle with Momo coasting over head. The two were a picture of jolly mischief as they made their way to Zuko's side and Katara's shoulder. Katara took the ring Momo dropped into her hands while Zuko collected hers from the tiny hands of Soshi. With the rings now, Soshi stepped back to stand beside Iroh's leg and Momo flew off to sit on Aang's shoulder. Zuko grinned confidently and Katara smiled shyly at him as they slipped the rings onto each other's finger.
The priest was speaking again but Katara and Zuko heard nothing until he was finally given the go ahead to kiss his bride. Katara tilted her face up as Zuko's lips gently brushed hers before applying pressure. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him as he kissed her deeply. The clapping was ringing in her ears and somewhere in the background she heard them being announced as the Fire Lord and Lady hope but the world was hazy as Zuko pulled away from the kiss and left her wanting him back.
Zuko swept her up into his arms and she wrapped her own around his neck as he carried her out while she blushed about twenty shades of red. She couldn't help but grin as she pressed her face to Zuko's neck and listened to the shouts around her.
- -
Katara's make up was touched up and Zuko's hair brushed as the two waited for their guests to fill into the banquet hall. When they were left alone for a moment, she came to him, burying her face in his chest. He held her close, simply enjoying the feel of her in his arms.
Backing away, she lightly stroked his cheek before standing up on her toes and kissing him. When he leaned back from her kiss, he took great care in removing her veil before leaning back down to her and kissing her again. This kiss had been like setting fire to a dry field. She eagerly wrapped her arms around his neck and opened her mouth beneath his demanding lips. A soft sound escaped her as she pulled herself closer to him.
His hands itched to pull her hair free so that he could run his hands through it, but now wasn't the time.
"Katara." He breathed as he gently but firmly unwrapped her arms from around his neck. "Now isn't the time."
She flushed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." He said, grinning wolfishly at her.
She bit her lip still embarrassed by what she might have just tried to initiate. Her eyes grew to the size of saucers as she felt his lips near her ear and the heat of his breath against her neck.
"I want you too." He whispered.
If she'd wanted to respond she couldn't because his bold admission had knocked the wind out of her and a servant was now entering the room. A shudder ran down her spine as his fingers trailed over the exposed skin of her shoulders. He kissed her left temple and then they left to attend their reception but her mind was still on what he'd just said.
The reception was as beautiful as all the other events Katara had attended in the fire nation. Servants wondered throughout the crowd, carrying trays with flutes of champagne, sparkling white grape juice for minors, and hors d'oeuvres, while everyone found a seat. The room was dark but small flames were sprinkled here and there for yet another glowing effect while a few candles sat on the main tables. The darkened atmosphere really brought out the lighted champagne fountain in the main cake. The whole cake display was surrounded by numerous golden candles, giving them extra emphasis.
The dim lighting also made Katara's dress and make up sparkle more than ever, giving her a misty enchanted aurora. The floor worked somewhat like a mirror and gave off a beautiful reflection of the room. There were more all sorts of sculptures and decorated columns in this wing of the palace. There were several long elegant tables with the seating arrangement Gran-gran and the White Lotus members had come up with, which would be used shortly for the dinner. The tables were covered with alternation red and blue tablecloths and held pure white china dishes with wineglasses. There were personalized setting on the table with the intertwined symbols of the water and fire nation on it. On the plates were elegantly folded napkins with white gold silverware placed neatly in order beside each plate. The chairs had red silk covers and huge baby blue bows tied on each. There was confetti sprinkled onto each table as well, with red hearts, baby blue bells, silvery bows, and regular glitter.
A great chandelier made of diamonds and crystals with several rubies standing out hung from the ceiling. Along the top of the columns Sokka's famous drapery that dipped over and between them. There were several ice sculptures such as elegant swans, two swans back to back holding up an ice vase filled with roses, and a large heart with two lovebirds kissing on top along the room. Light music played in the background, setting a peaceful romantic atmosphere.
The evening passed by Katara in a wonderful dazed blur, everything had been perfect. Her grandmother and the Order of the White Lotus had done a wonderful job with her wedding. She sighed now, as she stepped into Zuko's arms for the first dance. It seemed like a dream and if someone had told her a year or two ago that her life would be like this she'd probably have punched them or at least laughed herself sick. Now she felt complete, gliding across the dance floor with her husband.
Raising her eyes to his, Katara could see she had his full attention. Katara could barely think straight as she moved with him. She didn't know if it was all the champagne or Zuko's intense gaze but she felt so light headed twirling about in his arms. She wanted to say something to him but she couldn't think of anything. Clapping and a couple of catcalls arose as he softly pressed his lips to hers. Her mind was empty of anything but him as she happily accepted all of his kisses.
At the song's end, she was reluctant to leave the warmth of his arms but she had to dance with her father and him with his sister. As he released her, she wanted to be back in his gentle hold but pushed the longing away as she smiled at her father and fell into step with him. She beamed watching Zuko and Azula looking like the happiest royal teens ever. It was almost hard to imagine them hating each other so much seeing them laughing together now. Katara had to suppress a giggle when Zuko lifted his sister up spinning her around. 'He's so happy to have family. I hope they find their mother together.' Katara thought watching them.
She blushed as the word family stuck with her. They hadn't talked about it since the orphanage but Katara briefly wondered what their family would be like. Did he want a lot of kids now that he had bonded with Soshi? Would he want kids sooner now? Would the people be angry if their first child was a girl and not a male heir? Would he be angry? But more importantly, what was she going to do tonight? She'd half listened to what the older girls were telling her yesterday but that didn't mean she knew what she was doing. Suddenly the thought of being alone with Zuko terrified her. She had no idea what she was doing. What if she completely failed and he didn't want to be married to her anymore? She shot him a fearful glance and her father looked down at her confused.
"Something on your mind Katara?" Hakoda asked.
No way was she going to talk about this with him.
"Uh, no, nothing. Just a little worn out I suppose. It's been a long week." Katara shrugged.
Her father nodded but said nothing more as the song ended and Sokka swept her out of his arms.
"My turn!" He grinned. "Let's show 'em how the water tribe gets down."
Katara laughed as her brother managed to distract her from her worries with his joyous antics.
- -
"So, are you done brooding?" Azula asked, as she drew up alongside Aang.
"I'm not brooding." Aang snapped.
"Which is why you're so snappish now." Azula drawled.
"Why are you here? Don't you have someone else to bother?"
"Nope, you're my special friend tonight."
"Who said we were friends?"
"I did, just now and now new friend, you will dance with me."
"I don't want to dance with you."
"Too bad, I don't care. You're not standing here brooding all night so come dance or listen to me mock your loneness."
"That's not what nice people do."
"So I guess I'm taking a break from being nice."
"Will you go away afterwards?"
"Maybe, depends on if someone else needs me to spread cheer and goodness in their life." Azula shrugged.
Aang just gave her a sour look as he followed her onto the dance floor.
- -
"What's Azula doing?" Mai asked.
"Doesn't really matter so long as she isn't 'helping' me and Haru." Ty Lee shrugged.
"Well, if she's helping Aang now, this could get really interesting." Toph added.
Teo nodded from beside her.
- -
"Hey, ah, Suki, can I borrow you for a minute?" Sokka asked.
"Sure, Sokka, what's up?" She asked as he led her towards the balcony.
"I just wanted to ask you something."
"Okay, but why do we have to come out here."
"Because I don't want to be interrupted."
Suki shrugged and nodded because that was logical. She waited now for her fidgeting boyfriend to say whatever he had to say.
"Suki…" Sokka started.
"SOKKA! Save me please. Azula keeps trying to be nice to me. Hide me or something." Aang came barreling through the balcony doors. "The only thing worse than her being bad is her being good, it's scarey."
"Go hide behind Appa. I'll meet you later and sneak you to a safe place or something." Sokka growled.
"Oh, good plan. Can you bring me something to eat when you come?" Aang asked.
"Yes, now go or she'll see you." Sokka cried.
"Thanks buddy." Aang grinned.
"Yeah, whatever, go!" Sokka said pushing Aang back into the ballroom. "I'm sorry, I was saying, Suki, we've…"
"You haven't seen the avatar, have you? The runt is being a spoilsport and I'm sick of his moping." Azula asked sticking her head out onto the balcony.
"Argh, no, he's gone away, far, far away." Sokka shouted.
"Sorry I asked I was only trying to help." Azula said rolling her eyes.
"Well, you're not, now go." Sokka growled.
"Sokka, don't be so mean." Suki chided.
"I'm not being mean, I'm trying to…argh, just let me make sure no one else is coming." Sokka muttered, peeking into the doorway.
"You're trying to what Sokka?" Suki asked confused.
"Okay, good, no one's coming. What I've been trying to say is…Suki I really like you, in fact I love you and…" Sokka began again.
Suki gasped, as she saw where this was going. Her hands flew to her mouth to contain her excitement.
"Hey Suki…" Ty Lee started to say as she entered the balcony.
"Not now!" Suki snapped, thrusting the other girl back into balcony and slamming the doors shut. "Sorry, Sokka, you were saying."
"I was saying, I'm so glad I found you and I couldn't imagine life without you. I know I may be an idiot sometimes and I don't make the best plans, I can't draw to save my life, but there is something that I can do. I can love you every day with everything there is to my being. I can take care of you and protect you, even though you don't need it. I will provide for you and be there for you so long as you want me because I love you and if you'll have me, I'd really like to marry you. So…uh, will you marry me?" Sokka grinned up at her hopefully.
"Oh, Sokka, of course I will." She laughed, throwing her arms around his neck. "I love you too."
"Really? That's great! Because I made you something and I really hope you like it. What do you think?" He smiled as he held up the jade necklace before her.
She was quick to make sure she didn't ask him what the picture was. She'd figure it out soon enough. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him happily. Now she had two reasons to remember this day for the rest of her life.
- -
Katara was nervous as Zuko drew her out of the room.
"I think that's enough dancing." He whispered in her ear as his fingers intertwined with hers. She was drawn into the challenge in his eyes and had followed him out of the room without question. It was only now that they were alone, his arm around her waist and hers around his neck that she realized where they were headed. She'd been distracted by the wild sloppy kisses that had them giggling like school children as they bumped into various objects lining the hallways. She was less distracted now as she saw the looming double doors of his chambers.
"Zuko?" She whispered, far too afraid to speak above a whisper.
His reply was muffled into the skin of her neck as he opened the doors and beckoned her inside. She hoped she could stall by turning back to close the doors but one of the two guards she hadn't noticed before had already pulled it shut and now her back was against the door and her lips against his.
"Zuko…" She tried again.
"I know, I've waited all day for this as well." He murmured mistaking her calling of his name.
"Won't the guard hear? Won't they know what we're doing?" She whispered, desperately fishing for anyway to stall.
He'd pulled the pins from her hair and was now stroking it with an affection touch.
"They will be there all night, every night Katara."
"Isn't that going to be weird? Knowing they can hear us…" She blushed.
His hand continued to stroke her hair for a moment and then cupped her face gently.
"Katara, my position as Fire Lord dictates that I must be protected at all times, you as well, which means the guards must never be too far away." He explained slowly, between kisses. "However, their position dictates that they know their place, and now that place is to pretend they don't hear a thing. We will never have the freedoms of most couples, Katara. We can't make love on the beach or even spend an entire day in bed past this week but we can make special the time we do have here, together."
On some level his words terrified her on another it sparked her curiosity. She wasn't very comfortable with the idea of the guards outside but what he said made sense. Curling her fists and trying not to squirm, Katara decided to try to be brave. Like Gran-gran said, she had to relax and let him teach her. Taking a deep breath she turned her gaze up to his.
"Will you show me how?" She whispered.
A/N: Alright, there you have it, the wedding. I hope you liked it. I felt cruel keeping the wedding from you so I'm posting it now. It will still probably be a while before I can post too much else (I just moved into my dorm and have to go to all this transitions stuff). However, I am currently posting two chapters the wedding (as you've just read) and the wedding night. I'm giving you the content warning right now so you know there's absolutely no reason to go onto the next chapter if you are underage or don't like mature content. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T READ IT! IF YOU ARE UNDERAGE DON'T READ THE NEXT CHAPTER! I promise you aren't missing any plot development or necessary dialogue. There is nothing in the next chapter that adds to the overall plot. I'm just aware that I'm writing for two audiences now and some people like the mature stuff so I'm giving them their own chapter. That said, wait for the next one if you don't like explicit scenes, I'm sorry about the wait.
