AN: Zutara week, day 5! Two more days and the week is done, folks! Also, this chapter is the reason for the T rating.

Hesitancy

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours!

- Jason Mraz

"You know what?" says the Fire Lord, pounding his fist on the table. "We're done for now. This is clearly going nowhere. Let's take a break for today and reconvene tomorrow." He rises abruptly from his chair.

Diplomats from around the world stare at him in shock.

"Don't walk away from this, Zuko!" snaps the Avatar.

Ambassador Katara shoots him a glare. "Give him some time to think, Aang."

"Time?!" shouts King Kuei. "We've given you time, Fire Lord! It's been four years since the end of the war! You've been avoiding this for far too long! This is my final warning. If we don't reach a decision by the end of this summit, I will take Yu Dao by military force!"

Fire Lord Zuko scoffs. He waves to some guards and servants. "Escort our esteemed guests to the dining hall for afternoon tea. I'll be with them shortly."

As he leaves, he glances at his advisors, who are glaring at Kuei like a pack of wolf-bats. Zuko then turns to Mayor Morishita, who meets the Fire Lord's gaze defiantly. Zuko shakes his head in exasperation.

It's the week of the summer solstice, and this year, the annual summit of nations is being hosted in the Fire Nation. All his friends are here, but Zuko is still not enjoying the event. Politics has never been his strong suit. He storms out of the summit meeting, through the busy halls of the Fire Palace. He can hear footsteps following him but he doesn't slow down.

He finally reaches the turtleduck pond.

Zuko looks around. No servants or diplomats in sight, so he collapses onto the grass, shedding his many layers of royal robes until he's just wearing his tunic. Zuko stretches his arms, finally able to relax in the summer heat.

He takes deep breaths to calm his mind.

Baby turtleducks quack and play in the water before him. Oh, what he'd give to be a turtleduckling, swimming free without responsibility or worry.

The footsteps grow louder, and he doesn't have to look to know who it is. She closes the gate to the garden, then walks up to him and settles down on the grass, taking his hand. Here, away from the eyes of the world, they're no longer Fire Lord and Ambassador of the Southern Water Tribe.

They're just Zuko and Katara.

"Part of me wants to punch both of them in the face," he sighs.

Katara laughs. "I don't think that would end well, Zuko."

He rolls his eyes. "No, really? I never would have guessed. You've saved me from a very unwise decision."

"That's what I'm here for," she teases.

They share a moment of silence.

"Kuei and Aang don't understand," Zuko finally says. "They're the same, really. Sheltered, trapped in hundred-year-old traditions and systems. They call this the Harmony Restoration Movement, but Aang and Kuei are looking for balance, for restoration to the way things were. That's not harmony. Balance is static. It doesn't change. Harmony, real harmony like the kind Yu Dao already has, that's not static. It's an acceptance of change. It's a letting go of traditions. It's growth."

Katara twirls a lock of her hair, just listening to him.

"But at the same time," he continues, "I understand both sides. As far back as we know in history, that land never belonged to the Fire Nation, and the nations have always been separate. The Fire Nation should not own Yu Dao. That land was Earth Kingdom territory."

Katara hums. "But that was long ago, and this is now," she finishes for him.

He nods silently.

"You know what I think?" she says. "I think you've already made up your mind about Yu Dao, and you're just too nervous to tell them what you plan to do."

His eyes widen.

Katara grins. "Am I right?"

"Yeah," replies Zuko. "You're right, I've already decided what I'm going to do. I guess I'm just a little hesitant to tell them. They won't like it at all." He pauses. "You know me too well."

Katara's grin widens. Her hand idly plays with his fingers.

"It's not just Kuei and Aang," says Zuko. "It's all of them. The whole world is watching me here. The summit ends tomorrow, and that's my last chance to fix this mess. How am I supposed to convince everyone that it's time to move on from the past and live in the present?"

Katara shrugs, then leans in and pecks him on the lips. "Very dramatically, in classic Zuko fashion."

Zuko laughs and pulls her close, leaning his head on her shoulder.

She ruffles his hair affectionately. Her eyes are on the turtleducks for a long moment. "You realize this is about more than just Yu Dao? This problem, this hesitancy to accept change, to accept that traditions can be broken . . . it's always going to be there."

Zuko hums. "You're worried about something?"

She glances at him, then glances away.

"Kataaara," he drawls.

"Yes, I'm worried!" Katara sighs. "When are we going to tell them, Zuko? About us?"

Zuko shakes his head tiredly. "That's what you're thinking about?"

"We've been together for two years now, Zuko. Everyone knows we're committed by now, so they deserve to know about . . ." She pauses, her hand reaching to touch the ribbon on her neck. "About this. As much as I want to keep this between us, we have to tell them."

"I'm working on it!" he snaps, his temper flaring. "I'm trying to think of a way to do this right. I just . . . I don't want to mess this up."

She exhales slowly. "I know. Me too."

The silence returns.

This is how it has always been between them. They're two halves of the same whole, and they run deeper than words can reach.

When it comes to important things, they rarely ever argue. Instead, they come to a natural agreement. That's how it's always been, ever since the war. They act with one mind, from things as silly as fighting the Melon Lord's soldiers, to things as serious as taking on Azula or hunting Yon Rha together.

Zuko is glad that hasn't changed over the years.

In the same way, they agreed that Katara would be a Water Tribe ambassador in the Fire Nation. They agreed that she would alternate spending winters in the South Pole and summers in the Fire Nation, and that Zuko would visit the South Pole every equinox. They agreed to practice bending together every day, to eat together whenever they could, to always tell each other how they feel. They never talked much about these decisions, they just agreed.

Zuko and Katara never needed many words or formalities.

And in this, too, they agreed. He never knelt and offered her a betrothal necklace in accordance with Water Tribe tradition. He never introduced his family to hers, as Fire Nation custom dictated he should.

He simply asked her if she wanted to marry him, and she said, Of course, you idiot.

And that was enough.

Zuko sighs and gazes at the girl he loves. Agreeing on this was enough for the two of them, but this isn't just about them. He knows life isn't that simple. Their people are watching, the world is watching, and they have to do this right.

Suddenly, Katara's eyes light up with mischief.

"I know exactly what we need right now!" Katara leaps to her feet, sinking gracefully into a waterbending stance. "We need to let off some steam. Let's spar!"

Zuko stands up and stares at her in disbelief. "You're serious?"

"Why not?" Water appears from thin air and swirls around her, and he's taken for a moment by her beauty. Her smile is teasing, her hair braided back, her body moving naturally in her element. Katara is breathtaking and dangerous at the same time.

He sighs. "This doesn't seem like the time or place—"

"What's wrong?" Katara grins wickedly. "Pig-chicken?"

Zuko growls, his eyes narrowing. "Don't go picking fights you can't win, Katara."

"What's that?" Katara puts a hand to her ear. "I thought I heard a pig-chicken squawking!" She sticks out her tongue mockingly, her hands raised in challenge.

"Alright. Now I'm annoyed!" Zuko flexes his shoulders. "Lock the gates."

Katara smiles and throws a ball of water from her hand. Zuko watches it shoot through the air, hitting the garden's gates and encasing them in a lock made of ice. The moment he looks back to her, a second ball of water hits him in the face, completely drenching his clothes.

Zuko roars in fury. "You're going down, PEASANT!"

He takes two staccato steps, launching fire from his fists. She smirks and puts them out in mid-flight with a ribbon of water from the pond. Soon enough an all-out battle is underway in the courtyard, two master benders trading blows and whirling around each other, both so accustomed to their partner's bending that the vicious fight seems more like a dance.

And Zuko has to admit, Katara knows him too well. This is exactly what he needed.

He ducks and rolls from a barrage of icicles and raises his hands, summoning a wave of fire.

Zuko laughs in exhilaration.

Katara has picked up a lot of firebending techniques, but he's learned many tricks of his own from watching her. Zuko lunges forward with four simultaneous fire whips, breaking her ice wall defense. He suddenly spots an opening and sweeps in for the kill.

She pulls water from the grass at the last minute, freezing the ground around her.

Zuko slips. Time seems to slow.

His eyes widen as he realizes his mistake. She was baiting him. But she miscalculated too.

Zuko slides on the ice and collides face-first into Katara. They hit the ground in an awkward tangle of limbs and steam, gasping for breath. The ice around them melts back into water and soaks the earth, leaving them both exhausted and covered in mud.

Katara glances around. "We, uh . . . may have ruined the garden."

A moment of silence passes, then both of them burst into laughter. Zuko pulls her on top of him and hugs her to his chest, pressing his forehead against hers. "This is why I love you."

"Only this?" teases Katara. "I think you could stand to name a million more reasons."

He rolls his eyes and shuts her up with a kiss.

Soon they're caught up in another kind of dance, bodies hot and mouths yearning. Her restless hands slip his tunic off, and in retaliation he eases the dress off of her shoulders, pulls her hair free from the braid, runs his fingers under her wrappings to brush bare skin. Katara grinds her hips as she kisses him, and Zuko can't hide his hum of pleasure. She laughs into the kiss as his hands wander along her spine, tickling her.

In his mind, Zuko silently chuckles. They're half-dressed and making out in the middle of a garden. If anyone saw them like this, it would be the scandal of the decade, but neither of them care.

Katara finally pulls back from him, breathing hard, covered in mud, her eyes hazy with an emotion he's still getting familiar with.

She's perfect.

Zuko always thinks so, but in these moments she's especially beautiful. Katara raises her eyebrows teasingly, trailing a hand down his bare chest. "Since we made this mess together," she whispers against his lips, "I think we should clean up together too."

"Smooth," says Zuko, rolling his eyes. "Are you asking what I think you're asking, Katara?"

Katara grins. "Hey, interpret it how you want."

"Okay," he says, "I think I will." She suddenly squeaks when Zuko jumps to his feet, carrying her in his arms. He strides with purpose toward the other end of the garden, and Katara's eyes widen.

"Zuko? No no no! Zuko, don't you dare—"

Katara yelps as he tosses her into the pond, then drops in after her.

As he lands in the water with a splash, she resurfaces, spluttering indignantly. "This is not what I meant by cleaning up!"

Zuko bursts into laughter, and Katara laughs with him. He places both hands on her face, brushing her damp hair behind her ears, and just takes in the sight of her.

Her cerulean eyes sparkle with happiness.

He reaches out and touches the crimson ribbon around her neck, holding her mother's pendant, and a moment of clarity strikes him. All the hesitancy he was feeling earlier seems to melt away. There are important things that the world needs to hear, and he's the one who has to say them.

Zuko knows what he must do.

. . .

When the summit meeting begins the next day, the Fire Lord starts with a declaration.

"I will say this once, and only once."

Every eye in the room, representing the entire world, is on him.

"The land where Yu Dao Colony stands once belonged to the Earth Kingdom." King Kuei nods in agreement, but Zuko ignores him. "However, for nearly a century, that land has belonged to the Fire Nation, and it still remains under our control." Disapproving whispers erupt in the hall, but Zuko ignores them. "But now, the war is over, and the question remains: whose city is Yu Dao?"

"It's mine!" snaps Kuei.

"Over my dead body!" Morishita retorts.

Zuko slams a fist on the table.

"I believe that Yu Dao belongs to no one." Zuko's voice echoes like thunder. "Not to the Earth King, not to the Fire Lord, not even to the city's mayor. No, if anyone has a claim to the city, it is the citizens of Yu Dao themselves."

Many diplomats' voices echo in understanding and agreement. Kuei's jaw has dropped and Morishita is wide-eyed. Aang, in contrast, is listening carefully.

"The past is long gone," continues Zuko. "It can't be brought back. For four years we have been trying to force Yu Dao to be something that it doesn't want to be. If we force the world to conform to tradition against its will, the world will not listen. We must listen. Harmony is not something that can be given. It must be found, and I believe Yu Dao has already found it." He slams his hand on the table. "Therefore, in my power as Fire Lord, I make this decree."

The hall is silent.

Zuko meets every gaze in the room. "From this day on, Yu Dao is free. It will be established as an independent city-state under a democratic government, and anyone who attempts to interfere will find themselves facing not only my wrath, but the might of the entire Fire Nation."

After a moment of shock, the entire hall collapses into chaos.

A blue glow fills the air as Aang flashes the Avatar State. Everyone finally quiets down.

"This is the most peaceful solution," says the Avatar. "I stand with the Fire Lord."

"So do I," says Ambassador Katara.

"I think his reasoning is sound," adds Chief-to-Be Sokka, who has been listening carefully. "This way, no nation can claim that land and Yu Dao is no longer an issue at all. The Fire Lord is right. It's time to move on from history."

The Earth King splutters angrily. "But—you can't just—"

"Just take the damn offer, Bear Boy," snaps General Toph. "You won't get anything better."

One by one, other diplomats add their voices to the consensus until Morishita and Kuei finally agree as well. The Fire Lord sits back in his chair triumphantly. Not far across the table, Katara flashes him a silent grin, and Zuko smiles back.

. . .

It is the night of the summer solstice.

The ballroom is packed with guests from around the world. Suddenly a whispering roar travels through the crowd, as the most important figure of the night, the host himself, enters the hall. But it is not the Fire Lord that has gathered so much attention.

It is the waterbender holding his arm, walking beside him.

Zuko and Katara step up to the stage, and the Fire Lord raises his hand. The crowd quiets down. He looks around, spotting so many familiar faces.

Aang. Sokka. Toph. Suki. His mother. Uncle Iroh. Hakoda. Gran Gran.

Everyone is watching him, and from the looks on their faces they've already guessed what he is about to say, but Zuko is still nervous.

He looks over to Katara and she smiles.

She's beautiful in that moment, her smile warm and her gaze encouraging.

And just like that, once again, all his hesitancy fades away.

Zuko looks out to the crowd. "Thank you all for gracing the Fire Nation with your presence. This solstice banquet marks the end of the annual summit of nations. It has been a tiring week of diplomacy, and I am proud to say many global issues have been resolved in this summit. Tonight, we celebrate another successful year. As your host, I hope you enjoy the festivities."

He watches many nods and smiles in the crowd.

"I have one other announcement to make," he continues. "Most of you know Lady Katara. She is a hero of the war, a master waterbender, an ambassador of the Southern Water Tribe." Zuko grins. "As some of you may have heard, she is also the woman I love. And we have decided . . ."

He pauses and she steps forward. Her grin matches his.

"We've decided," says Katara, "that we wish to marry sometime this year."

The silence is deafening.

Zuko waves. "Enjoy the banquet, everyone! I wish you all a happy summer solstice."

He steps off the stage, hand-in-hand with Katara, as the crowd explodes into raucous conversation. Many people have moved toward the food and music, but most are still standing around gossiping about what they just heard. Katara looks around and laughs. "So," she says. "Now they know."

He nods. "Now everyone knows."

Katara taps his shoulder and gestures to movement in the crowd. "Gran Gran and your mother are coming! Sokka and my father are right behind them!"

The Fire Lord gulps. "Maybe we should have told them privately before making that announcement."

"You're the one who suggested we surprise them!" she scoffs. "It's too late for second thoughts now. They're coming! Quick! We have to hide!"

Zuko looks around for a hiding spot.

His eyes settle on a dense crowd of people nearby, and he grins.

"Katara," he whispers. "Wanna dance?"

. . .