Chapter 31: Katara

I could still taste him.

Like warm cinnamon and salt. I couldn't stop running my tongue along my lips gathering what little remained of something so debilitatingly intoxicating.

The hours passed by in a blur. As I walked through the motions I could still feel his molten eyes devouring me with every step I took. When I finally snapped out of it I found myself staring blankly out at sea at the bow of the ship. The currents lapping up against the metal frame as we cut quickly through the water.

Even in the dead of night with only the moon to guide us, the mountains that surrounded the small passage were familiar ones. The Serpent's Pass looked the same as it did the last time we traveled through it; I couldn't believe we made it this far already. We'd be at the Fire Nation archipelago before dawn, I might as well try and get some rest.

Despite the endless thumping in my heart, sleep still found me.

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A mechanical screeching startled me awake. The tiny porthole window in my barracks was the only clue to the time of day without surfacing to the upper deck of the ship. A gentle glow, hinting it was just before dawn.

I donned my robes before maneuvering through the ship, perhaps we had docked in the outer islands. But why? There were plenty of provisions to last us the whole trip. Why are we stopping?

As I made my way to the captain's port I could hear Zuko was already there conversing. The sound of his voice sent gooseflesh across my bare arms.

"-the engine room needs to be tended to, Fire Lord Zuko, it's a blessing we've made it to the outer islands at all."

I was certainly no mechanic or engineer, but as I rounded the corner into the room I offered my services anyway, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

My eyes met the captains first, "No m'lady that won't be necessary, my men are on it as we speak. But that being said, the damage is extensive, I'm not entirely sure how long it will take to repair the issue."

"Very well." I took a peak over my right shoulder and instantly wished I hadn't. Zuko had clearly just woken up as well. His voice was slightly deeper, a huskier tone I wasn't accustomed to. Though I doubted he ever took a brush to his unruly onyx locks, it was easy to tell he rolled out of bed not too long ago. The strands hanging haphazardly this way and that. I averted my eyes from him and stared back at the captain as fast as I could manage without coming off as strange.

Zuko wore nothing but his bending pants. His back leaned casually up against a wall, his broad chest was alluring enough, but his body appeared to be sculpted from marble itself. I wanted to trace every dip and firm striation of muscle until he begged me for something more.

"Captain, is the skiff still deployable? I'm afraid I have time sensitive information that needs to arrive at the capital as soon as possible." Even after months and months of war meetings in the council with Zuko I was still stunned by the way he carried himself when faced with a setback. He was no longer impulsive and hotheaded, he thought tactfully and conducted himself with the utmost respect towards his colleagues. I was so enamored I couldn't be bothered to follow their conversation.

The captain smiled, "Of course, my lord, we can have it ready for departure within the hour. I do recommend you take a few men with you, for your own safety."

Zuko almost laughed, "Nonsense! Myself and Princess Katara can get there just fine on our own."

"Wait, what're we doing?" I questioned, unsure of the series of events that just unfolded in front of me. My uneasiness had both men turning towards me.

"Uh..are you sure, my lord, the princess seems at odds with your plan?" The captain was doing his best to question Zuko without undermining his authority. It was admirable.

"Of course! Besides, we'll be on open water most of the time. Only a fool would attack a vessel with the world's greatest water bender inside surrounded by her own element. It would be a death sentence." Zuko spoke with such conviction it had me nodding along to his words in agreement; unsure of what I was even agreeing to.

"Very well, we will prepare everything for your departure, I only ask you, at the very least, take a hawk with you just in case." The captain was nearly pleading now. Finally, Zuko acquiesced before turning towards me.

"Katara, grab what you need for a two day's journey and meet me on deck in thirty minutes." He didn't wait for any acknowledgment on my side before slipping out of the room. Just as I was about to retrieve my things the captain stopped me.

"You will protect him, won't you, m'lady?" Genuine concern gracing his hardened features. Zuko's people truly did care for him, a welcomed sight indeed.

I smiled before bowing to him slightly, "with my life, captain." Like a weight was lifted off his shoulders and set upon my own, the captain bowed back with ease and I returned to my barracks to grab a few things before joining Zuko.

A small bird perched on one shoulder and a bag slung over the other, Zuko stood conversing with some of his men when I joined him. He bid farewell to them before twisting to meet me.

"Are you ready?" His bright eyes and gentle smile had my earlier nerves melting away. I wasn't sure what we were doing but I trusted him. I nodded at him and followed behind as we descended off the vessel onto the docking below.

Next to the Fire Lords royal ship was a tiny skiff I remember seeing a few times. My mind flashing back to a young, defiant girl strapped to a tree and a damaged, but determined, prince who sought nothing but his honor.

A lifetime ago.

Zuko and I boarded the tiny boat and moments later he was setting our course. Only once we were out at open water did he finally relax. "It'll be about another two days until we reach Caldera, might as well sit back and relax. We can stop at Fire Fountain City tonight. They have phenomenal hot springs and do wonders getting you to relax and de-stress."

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The sun had given way to the moon when we ported in the city. The citizens were more than thrilled to serve the Fire Lord as they rushed us to the nearest inn with the hot springs Zuko mentioned earlier. We were then escorted to the finest quarters free of charge, though Zuko paid anyways, and paid handsomely. Our attendant ushered us into our rooms stating, 'if we needed anything to just holler.'

Sighing in relief, I kicked my shoes off my feet and flopped down on the bed that was easily the size of our skiff. I massaged my head as I pulled my hair from its braid, my curls bouncing free.

Zuko chuckled at my antics and went on exploring the massive space along with our own secluded hot springs. "Hanging out with the Fire Lord sure has its perks!" I spoke to no one in particular, too lazy to lift my head from the plush bed, just hoping my words carried to his ears wherever he wandered off too.

The sudden sound of his voice from behind me startled me enough I was sitting up to face him.

"There's only one bed and hot spring, they probably assumed we were…'together', I'm going to go ask for another room, you can have this one, you seemed to have settled in nicely." He snorted.

I watched him turn towards the door. "Wait…" Zuko paused and shifted slowly on his heels. I gulped, gathering my courage, "I-I...um don't mind sharing if you don't, this bed is plenty big enough."

His bottom lip turned upwards in what could have been a genuine smile but looked more like a smirk. "I'd like nothing more than that." The words dripping off his tongue like the sweetest of wines. I was struggling to remember that this man was a warrior, the strongest bender in all of the Fire Nation with a voice far more suited to the bedroom than the battlefield.

"You seem tense, Katara. Would you like to take a dip in the hot spring? I promise I won't peek, I'll even let you get in first." My mind was racing at all the possibilities, my cheeks catching fire as they played out in my thoughts. But I found myself nodding in agreement, my body far more invested than the logical side of my brain.

"Great! I'll meet you out there in five minutes. I'll grab some towels." And he was gone, disappeared in another room. I rose on unsteady feet, my legs trembling as I made my way to the secluded spring on the outside of our room. The privacy curtains were high and surrounded us on all sides.

I exhaled, that was one less thing I had to worry about at least. My fingers fumbled with my ties on my robe as I struggled to remove it. Like my hands refused to obey my commands. After a few tries I finally rid myself of the Spirits damned thing and went to work shedding my bindings.

It was a tedious task, my fingers shaking the whole way until I was fully nude. The slightly warmed breeze of the Fire Nation in mid fall was pleasant. It wasn't sweltering and it wasn't too chilly. I could smell the sakura floating in the wind nearby.

Stepping quickly onto the man made ledges I dipped my toe into the spring, relishing in the hot liquid before fully submerging both legs and sinking down past my waist until my chest was concealed under the bubbling water.

Almost as if on cue the wicker door slid open and Zuko emerged a maroon towel wrapped precariously around his hips; so loose I feared the breeze would free him of it entirely. The garment seemed to sag with every step towards me and I found myself slipping deeper and deeper into the water almost to my chin.

He looked breathtaking as always. His hair let out of its clip hung beautifully around his face. My eyes danced down his sculpted alabaster chest to the V leading below the towel. It was a sight I wouldn't soon forget.

Zuko gripped the knot at his waist and queried an eyebrow up at my very obvious staring. I averted my eyes quickly trying to find anything else to look at as I heard his towel hit the ground and the slight shift in the water acknowledging his presence.

The pool was smaller than the bed that much I was sure of. But it was still a decent size. More than enough room for the both of us. A ragged moan slipped from his lips as he slid deeper into the water. My body suddenly hot for a different reason, an insatiable desire rising between my thighs.

As slow as I could manage, my eyes flitted over to Zuko and I watched intently as he cupped a handful of water up to wet his hair before slumping up against the side of the pool, eyes closed. I thought I'd pass out just at the mere sight of him. Clearly I had lost my mind, I can barely look at him, maybe this was a bad idea…

I yearned to break the silence. Anything to keep my mind from wandering any farther than it already had.

"I've never been in water so warm." Which was true, I hadn't, I smiled as I bent a small bubble about the size of my palm into the air smirking devilishly as I directed it over Zuko's head.

"Yea, it's a perfect way to relax any overworked muscles." Was his response to my question, with the words barley out of his mouth I released my hold over the water. It splashed gloriously over his head, his hair that was previously pushed out of his face now fell in a black curtain obstructing his view.

My laugh could move mountains. "Ha-ha-ha, very funny." Zuko muttered under his breath before flicking his hair out of his face and meeting my eyes. "Maybe you should've thought twice before inviting a water bender to join you in a pool of water."

His hands moved over his heart as though he were in pain. "I thought we were friends." He scoffed. I clicked my tongue, "The Southern Water Tribe's Princess? A friend to the Fire Lord? Preposterous."

I tried my best to hide the smile tugging on my lips at how ridiculous this all was. "How can I get in your good graces, m'lady?"

'Hmmm. This was a dangerous question indeed. I could ask for almost anything and he'd probably be able to give it to me. The Fire Lord's influence stretches far beyond my own, especially here in the Fire Nation.'

My head flooded with material possessions he could undoubtedly procure in a matter of hours, even on this desolate island. But somehow...they sparked no joy within me. Now, decidingly somber, I moved through the water. My playful mood disintegrated with every inch I got closer to him.

Reading the expression clear as day on my face, Zuko's lighthearted mood too, vanished. Once I reached him, I stretched my palm out to place over his heart. The gentle thumping traveled through my arm and into my own chest, calming my anxiety, a small solace.

I looked up at him. The ocean meeting the sun, "promise me...promise me you'll give this away to someone deserving. Someone who will always be there to support and guide you. Who will love you like nothing else matters in this world." My throat ran dry and tight as I struggled to reign in my emotions. My eyes stinging with impending tears.

Zuko's hot hand came to rest on top of my own over his heart. "What if I've already chosen her?" We were so close. The heat he was radiating threatened to boil me alive as I focused on emitting icy water to calm his scorching temperatures.

"Mai?" I questioned softly. The perfect choice. My heart constricting against the sheer impossibility of us.

"No, Katara." At the sound of my name off his lips I began shaking my head. Hot tears finally falling. "You know I can't…why don't you understand?" I was unsure if he could even decipher the words I was mumbling. He pressed his forehead to my own, eyes boring into my soul.

"It doesn't matter." He whispered against my lips, his palms moved to either side of my face forcing me to stay where I was.

"You're wrong, Zuko. It does matter, we can turn back now if that's what has to be done. We can pretend none of this ever happened and-"

"That would do nothing." He interrupted. "You can't prevent something that's already happened. You said so yourself, Katara. 'We should just act on it while we still have the chance.'"

Zuko's thumbs swiped under my eyes collecting stray tears. "So I'm sorry, Katara. I can't promise you that. Because it's too late. And I'd never forgive myself if I didn't say these things out loud. Even if you don't agree."

The air became thick and wet, almost impossible to breath correctly.

"I love you, Katara."

I fell into his arms. Physically collapsed. 'It wasn't supposed to be like this. I should have never said those things in the catacombs, we weren't supposed to talk about it, or anything for that matter.'

I stood up pushing out of his embrace, forgetting I was utterly naked. The sensitive skin on my breasts pebbling under the much colder night air, steaming water dripping down my mocha flesh as I tried to flee from the influx of emotions.

Every moment I spent with Zuko over the past three years flashing before my eyes making my head spin. He stood, exposing more pale flesh and a plethora of scars, the largest by far, sun shaped in the center of his abdomen, had me choking on the saliva gathered in my mouth. The permanent mark physical proof of the love he harbored.

"I know it can't be us, not in this life. I understand that. But I can't control how, or what, I feel when I'm with you. I'm drowning in you, Katara. And I've never been so content to die in a watery grave. Please don't run away from this. Don't run from the only time we may have together before our destinies pull us apart." He pleaded, eyes still hopeful.

Zuko was right after all, as my heart began battling with my brain for control of the situation. The longer I looked at him the more I wanted to feel his body pressed against mine. The more I realized I deserved to love him while I still could.

So when he extended his hand out to my own I grasped it. Running my thumb along the back of his palm I guided him to the edge of the pool.

"Your hand is getting pruney, let's get out of the water."

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Hey guys! So just a heads up the next chapter will definitely be smut. Soooo if that makes you uncomfortable you can skip it. I love you guys and I will update within the week. RnR :)