AN

Hello, lovelies! Here's the most important and super long chapter!

***IMPORTANT***

This current fic will be coming to an end in a few chapters, BUT it's not the end of this series. I'll be working on some other stuff between these works, but this fanfic is actually the first in a trilogy I've planned. The second fic will center around the gaang as adults with children, and the third book will center around their children as young adults (with middle-aged gaang, of course).

This is important because some plotlines and questions won't be resolved in this fic, and that's on purpose.

ALSO this chapter will have sexual humor, but no actual sexual content. So, basically, it's 16-20 year olds acting their age. Nothing sexually intimate actually happens in this chapter - just awkward shit and some laughs.

I hope you all enjoy!

-Aleviah

[1] "Someone enters the pool."

[2] "I know. Which human is it this time?"

[1] "It is not one we have seen. This one is of the moon."

[2] "What does she seek?"

[1] "Life."

Katara knelt in the spirit oasis and held Zuko gently in her arms, which were growing sore. The effort it had taken to carry him here was beginning to take a toll on her. She let his body do most of the work, floating on its own, leaving one hand to cradle his neck and head as she placed her other hand on his chest.

"Come back to me…" She whispered, her face shining with tears. "You have to come back. You can't just leave me like this. You can't."

He didn't stir. She began to heal, feeling the strength of the spirit oasis channel into him, but it was met with cold, empty darkness. She tried harder, and harder, sobbing but relentless in her attempts to do something. ANYTHING.

But nothing worked. Katara was too focused on her healing to notice her friends gathering around the outside of the oasis, and even if she had noticed, she wouldn't have cared. She put all of her heart, all of her soul into this one thing - this one thing that she needed more desperately than she had ever felt before. The water around her glowed a blindingly bright blue as she absentmindedly pushed her hand harder against his chest.

This cold emptiness inside him, the thing that refused to heal...that was just a block. She needed to break it, get past it, and then she could do it. She just had to try hard enough. She was sure of it - it HAD to be this way.

[1] "She is in mourning."

[2] "I pity her. She is desperate for healing what is already lost."

[1] "We have done miracles like this before."

[2] "We have. But we do not do these acts thoughtlessly."

[1] "We do not."

[2] "Disrupting the cycle would require great sacrifice of life."

[1] "Must we search her soul for such an option?"

[2] "I see no reason not to inspect."

[1] "We cannot jump to conclusions...this decision is quite serious."

[2] "This is wise. Let us ponder our options."

[1] "If only mercy were so easy to provide."

[2] "Indeed."

Katara began to scream a low, cracking cry of desperation, pulling Zuko closer to her. His hair was splayed outward in the water, floating peacefully as if everything were alright. But everything was not alright - she buried her face into his chest and sobbed, ignoring the water lapping around her face, not even focusing on her healing anymore, she just clung to him and cried in agony. She couldn't feel his heartbeat, couldn't feel it with her head on his chest. There was no rise and fall of breath, no movement, no sound. Just Katara. Alone.

A small part of her, the part that wasn't drowning, seethed that Utana had killed Saiko. The only ounce of logic she had left reminded her that Utana was his mother, and she had every right to do such a thing. But now Katara could not kill Saiko, and that only fueled her screams and suffering because she wanted to kill every single sage, rip them apart until every remnant of their existence was gone. She wanted to release the torment she now endured that was too much, too much for her to handle, she wanted to unleash it upon the people who did this. The people who let this happen. The people who WANTED this, who CHOSE this. She would not stop until they were dead.

Katara had stopped trying to heal Zuko. She had collapsed onto her knees in the oasis, holding him tightly, her hand tangled in his wet hair and her other arm wrapped around his torso. She held him, hunched over and crying into his shoulder as if he would comfort her in her mourning. As if he would support her through his own death.

"How could you do this…" She sobbed into him. "I never got to tell you...we never got to...there were so many things to do...so many things…"

Her chest hurt with the heaving of her sobs as he didn't reply because of course he didn't reply. He was gone. Zuko was gone.

[1] "She bears a mission."

[2] "Of what importance?"

[1] "She aims to stop those who take advantage of the oasis.

[2] "But what of the one who follows the rules?"

[1] "That is the boy's mother."

[2] "Very interesting indeed."

[1] "Those who broke the rules still saved many."

[2] "Yes. But eliminating their practice is for the best."

[1] "Indeed. In doing so, there will undoubtedly be a sacrifice of human life."

[2] "I suppose. But is life obtained nefariously truly life?"

[1] "Are you suggesting this would not create a balance?"

[2] "I simply do not want to rush this decision."

[1] "Nor do I. But we do not have much time."

[3] "I must insist that you proceed with this plan."

[1] "...What is your business here?"

[3] "I have watched these humans for many years, and they will do everything in their power to restore the rules of the Oasis."

[2] "Even if this is true, we are not naive. We know of your connection with these humans."

[3] "This is true. But you must reach out to the boy - he must be spared. He is of great importance."

Katara wondered when she would run out of tears. When she would run out of energy to breathe anymore and just sink to the bottom of the oasis, clinging to Zuko. Could they both be at peace? She was sure that as long as she lived, she would always know this pain. This excruciating, unbelievable pain.

Her voice was growing raw from screaming. Her emotions were too much. They ate through her soul and spilled out of her mouth in horrid cries that didn't stop, even after her voice had broken and her throat began to burn. Katara squeezed her eyes shut, tears still streaming steadily into the oasis, while Zuko's eyes were resting closed as if sleeping peacefully. Her arms were burning, begging her to stop clinging to his body, but she would not let go. She would NOT let him go.

"Don't you understand?" She cried to him, grasping at him as if she could somehow prevent what had already happened. "Don't you understand that I love you? I never got to tell you, I never...I didn't get to…" She was unable to form words as her emotions took over.

[2] "The boy has been bonded to a draconian egg."

[1] "Impossible. The last of the dragons haven't reproduced in nearly a century."

[3] "It is true. The egg is on this very island. It was entrusted to him by the last of the dragons."

[1] "This boy is the rightful Fire Lord."

[2] "We must do something."

[3] "I understand how delicate and important balance is. Part of restoring that balance is making sure the Fire Nation does not continue down this path it has paved over the last century. Zuko can do that - it has been entrusted to him by the dragons. Restoring him requires sacrifice, and you are right that the restriction of the spirit water would lead to many deaths, but there is a way through this. Is this not a time when these things are important enough to take risks?"

[1] "You have grown wise. I am proud of you, Yue."

[3] "Thank you."

[2] "The humans have forgotten the rules regarding our gift. We must remind them. We will tell the girl this, and perhaps the rules can be restored without resulting in so many lost lives."

[1] "A wise suggestion. But what sacrifice for the boy?"

[2] "We cannot take his bending. It is required for his journey ahead."

[1] "And we cannot take his love, for she has her own mission."

[3] "Perhaps bestow it upon his children."

[1] "Interesting suggestion…the traits of fire still flow through them, but none of his children will bend the flame."

[2] "The royal line of the fire nation will retain its firebending blood, but his successor will not wield it."

[1] "This is wise."

[2] "Indeed."

[1] "It is also worth noting that this process cannot be done unless we bind their lives and deaths. When one dies, so will the other."

[2] "Indeed. She must be his anchor to this world in order to bring him back, and the intertwining of their fates ensures balance."

[1] "How must we pass along our message?"

[3] "Speak to the girl."

[1] "She is strong. We will bond her to you, Yue, and you will provide her the strength to do what needs to be done."

[2] "We trust that you will not allow her to abuse this gift."

[3] "I will not."

[1] "And so it shall be."

Like the slap of a wave - harsh, unexpected, and shocking - Katara was filled with a deep sense of peace. It didn't feel right...it didn't feel right at all. She wanted to be furious, angry, she didn't want to feel like this.

"It's okay, Katara." A soothing voice whispered in the back of her mind. "I am with you. The spirits have taken mercy on you."

Katara's eyes widened. That voice… "Yue?" she whispered, hiccuping through her sobs.

On land, Sokka's eyes widened. "Did she just say Yue?"

"You MUST understand...we will give this gift to you, but very soon, we will need to tell you of your duties in order to maintain balance."

Katara continued grasping Zuko tight. "W-what?" She gasped, trying to catch her breath, but she was still grieving and she could not stop crying.

"You must right many years of wrongdoing, Katara. There are many things we must tell you...another time. There will be much to explain, but for now, I need you to reach for me."

Shaking, Katara blinked the water out of her eyes. "...reach?"

"Reach for me."

Katara didn't move.

"It will be okay, Katara. I promise."

She reluctantly pried her arm away from Zuko's body and looked up at the moon. Night had fallen. How long had she been kneeling here with him?

Her arm shook with exhaustion as she reached out toward the moon, which looked so bright.

"What is she doing…" Okami whispered, still supporting Azula's weight. They all stared at Katara as she quieted and stretched toward the night sky, as if it were about to hand her something.

Kiyi took a deep breath, swallowing her sobs as she stared at the waterbender in confusion. "It looks like she's trying to grab the moon." She sniffled.

Sokka shook his head in wonder. "Is she...hallucinating?"

"Maybe she's in shock." Suki whispered shakily.

"She's in the spirit oasis reaching for the moon." Toph said from where she sat on the ground, completely devoid of all emotion or typical sass. "Have a little faith in her bending abilities before you jump to conclusions."

Sokka thought this was stupid, but he held his tongue, staring at his sister anxiously.

And then...mist began to form. A pale, shadowy figure seemed to descend out of the sky, formed by the air, flowing and serene. Sokka's eyes became wide as he paled, somehow growing more tense than he had been before.

Suki put a hand on his arm. "Is that...her?" She whispered.

"Yue…" he breathed, a tear running down his face.

She stopped descending toward the oasis, turning and making eye contact with Sokka. He held his breath. "Sokka," She smiled brightly. "It is so good to see you after all these years."

Tears were streaming out of his eyes now. "Yue, I…" He began, trailing off. "I let you...I'm so sorry…"

"I have kept watch over you and your friends." She glided towards them, stopping so that she was just an arms-length away. "You all have done so well. And I am very happy for you and Suki." She gave Sokka a slightly mischievous smirk, turning to look at Suki, who blinked at the sudden attention. "It took him long enough, didn't it?"

Suki was stunned for a moment before grinning, the smile cracking her cheeks, which were dry from hours of crying. "Yes," She whispered. "It did."

She turned back to Sokka, who was still frozen. "You must forgive yourself, Sokka. I am where I am supposed to be, and I had the courage to do so thanks to you. I will do my best to repay this debt. Besides," She straightened up, preparing to leave. "After tonight, I'll always be tethered close by."

Before Sokka could attempt to respond and ask what that was supposed to mean, Yue had turned around and made her way back to Katara, who was still staring into space, her hand outstretched. Yue hovered in front of her, taking her hand.

"Let it all out, Katara."

And Katara exploded with light.

(a commissioned piece was done for this scene, here's the link to view it. Evie did an amazing job and I've been waiting for literally months to finally give context to this picture so it's a really gratifying moment!)

/SORRYCH4T/status/1301545317624549376/photo/1

She held Zuko in her arms, crying out with the most raw and coarse scream that ripped through the oasis chamber. All of her pain, her anger, everything that she had tried to sob out of her body for hours echoed around them. Yue seemed to seep into her body.

Water began to float out of the spirit oasis in droplets as the pool glowed in a bright blue hue. Katara's eyes, which were clenched shut, suddenly flew open, and her friends gasped as they glowed the same blinding blue as the water.

She heaved a stuttered gasp, sobbing as she croaked, "Don't you understand?" tears ran down her face, tears that glowed and began to levitate after leaving her eyes as she pleaded with Zuko's lifeless form. "Don't you see that I need you, Zuko, I've never needed anyone like this before. You can't just leave me here - not now…"

Her voice was raspy, barely distinguishable from the rushing water droplets around her. She pushed through the cracks and pains. "It wasn't supposed to be like this!" She shook him slightly. "I didn't know, I didn't have time to realize how much I needed you! Please, Zuko!" She stroked his scarred cheek. "I can't live with myself being too late," She whispered, "Too late to save you. Too late to realize how much I love you, too late to tell you. Because I DO love you, Zuko, and I damn well want to tell you!"

The glowing bulbs of water that hung lazily in the air began to spin furiously around the edge of the oasis. "I don't even care if you don't feel the same." she cried. "I don't even care if you hate me! But if I got to look into your eyes and tell you how much I love you, that would be enough. But they took you from me. They TOOK YOU AWAY."

Everything was luminescent and bright. Katara was so tense, every muscle in her body burning, that she could hardly feel anything anymore. But she also felt too much - way too much. She would never be at peace.

"Please, Zuko…" her voice finally gave out as her chest heaved. She fell forward, her head burrowing in the crook of his neck as she sobbed.

"...Katara?"

She gasped a shuddering, choking breath, looking down through the glow of her vision. No, this couldn't be. Her eyes must be betraying her. This was impossible.

"Zuko?" She whispered. His eyes blinked slowly, opening just enough to see her, and suddenly nothing else mattered. His deep brown eyes were open, they were looking at her, and the rest of the world ceased to exist. He reached up toward her shakily.

"It was you." he whispered.

Katara sobbed. "W-what?"

"It was you, in my dreams." He rested his hand on her face, cupping her cheek and smiling weakly. "The girl with the glowing eyes."

"They…" Katara held his head, cradling his face, "They brought you back to me." The glow slowly faded from her eyes, as well as from the water around her, and the droplets whirling around the oasis slowed down.

"We did not." Yue's voice spoke within her mind. "There is much we will tell you, Katara, but this is not the time. Just know that I have bonded myself to you, just as Zuko was bonded to the draconian egg. The spirits allowed this to happen, yes, but it was YOU who pulled him back to the living world."

Katara continued as if Yue hadn't spoken. "Are you really here?" She whispered, stroking his hair and studying his face. "How...I'm so sorry, Zuko, but you're here? Agni, you're HERE, I-"

She began to sob again, clinging to him. "I lost you, I thought I'd lost you - Agni, you were gone and you're back, thank the spirits…"

Zuko shifted, trying to get up, and he managed to get his legs underneath him. Katara wouldn't let him go, and Zuko didn't want to leave. "Thank you, Katara." He whispered, grasping her hand that sat on his cheek. "You're so amazing. I don't know what you just did, but I'm not surprised that you did it. If anyone could fight death and win, it would be you." He chuckled. "You're so damn stubborn."

Katara laughed through her tears, helping him further up so that he, like her, was kneeling in the oasis. They faced each other, Katara's hands still on Zuko's shoulder and cradling the back of his head as if making sure he wouldn't fall. "You aren't allowed to jump in front of lightning ever again." She scolded him halfheartedly, hiccuping through her sobs. She sniffled and hid her face in the crook of his neck and began to pray under her breath.

Zuko, though still weak, wrapped his arms around her and buried his face into her neck and her hair, which was wet, but he didn't care. He resisted as she pulled away, but she pushed herself further from him enough to cradle his face with both hands, studying him with joy and awe and such intensity that Zuko could feel it in his chest. She's looking at ME that way. He thought to himself. The wonders and questions of his return to life had fled him because Katara was more incredible than all of that.

"They brought you back to me." She said again.

Zuko reached up and gently brushed a wet strand of hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear and resting his hand on her jaw. "You know…" he smiled, staring back into her eyes as she gazed at him. "Your eyes look beautiful at night."

Katara's face split into a grin, tears once again streaming down her cheeks. "Does my bending look pretty at night, too?" She teased.

Zuko spared a glance at the hovering droplets. "Yes," he decided, looking back down at her with a soft look in his eyes. "It's very pretty. But it's not nearly as beautiful as you."

Katara held back another wave of tears, and without any warning she flung her arms around Zuko and pulled him close, barely brushing her lips against his before suddenly pulling back, wide eyed. "Um," She released his shirt from her grip. "I'm sorry, that was really quick, and you must be really exhausted, and this isn't the time -"

Zuko didn't let her finish. He surged forward to meet her lips and closed his eyes and cherished the fact that he was here. He was alive to kiss her. One arm snaked its way around her waist, holding her close to him, while the other gently cradled the back of her neck. Katara made a little squeak in surprise, which made Zuko's heart swell, but the startled noise was quickly swallowed as she melted into the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair, marveling at how on earth a kiss could be so intense and yet so gentle.

They met one another with equal desperation, equal passion - the kind of kiss that leaves nothing unsaid because they couldn't afford to have any regrets now. Not after they were given a second chance.

Zuko didn't mind that Katara's face was wet with tears, and Katara couldn't care less that her torso was pressed into a freshly-healed chest still covered in blood. A shiver went down Zuko's spine every time she would run her hand through his hair and curl her fingers, scratching his scalp. His eyes weren't open but he knew that droplets of water were still suspended in the air around them, and he could feel new ones rising out of the oasis, surrounding them with suspended rain.

Katara didn't realize she was bending, but it was no wonder that she was. She was pouring every ounce of herself into this kiss, every drop of pain and grief she had held from losing him, every thread of focus, she put it toward this one thing. ZUKO. The water around her responded to this push of energy - it reacted to the life that had returned to her when she had returned life to him.

Zuko ran his hand down Katara's shoulder and stopped abruptly when she winced, and he could feel why. A dark burn marred her skin and part of her sleeve was seared away, leaving the rest of her arm and sleeve stained with blood. He pulled back, breaking the kiss and leaving Katara to pout. "Katara, you're hurt!"

"I don't care!" She hissed lightly, turning his face to meet her eyes. "I care about you, Zuko. YOU." Katara leaned forward and pressed a softer, gentler kiss onto his lips, causing them to tingle. She averted her gaze. "I…"

"I love you, Katara."

She met his eyes, mouth open slightly, and Zuko reached to hold one of her hands in his own. He brought it up to his lips and lightly grazed her knuckles with his lips, doing the same to her palm. "I'm sorry I waited so long to tell you," He smiled at her softly. "It apparently took me dying to realize it."

Katara chuckled, wiping her eyes. "I love you too, you stupid idiot."

He pulled her back into him, their lips locking once again, but they were interrupted by a clearing throat.

"Uh, hey, we've kinda just let you guys do your thing, but some of the rest of us would like to say hi to Zuko now that he's not dead." Sokka called over to them. A few of their other friends groaned at him. "Also, please stop making out…I've already had to watch this for like five minutes and I don't think I can take much more."

"Sokka!" Suki elbowed him harshly in the ribs. "Priorities!"

Toph smacked his shoulder. "Shut the fuck up!"

"Well, I thought I should remind them that we're still here before they started stripping or something!"

Zuko smirked down at Katara, who blushed, scoffing and lightly whacking the back of his head. She couldn't resist a grin, though, which Zuko took as a personal victory. He stood up shakily, holding her hand as she did the same, and they waded out of the pool toward the crowd.

Zuko was immediately crushed by Utana, who hugged him so fiercely that it knocked the wind out of him. "Oh, Zuko…" She sobbed into his chest. "Oh, Agni...thank the spirits, thank Agni, you're back with us…" She pulled back from him enough to hold his face in her hands, trembling. "My baby boy…"

Sokka pulled Katara into him fiercely. "Only you could have done that, Katara." He laughed, blinking back tears. "I didn't need to see that last part, but -"

Katara rolled her eyes at him, moving to hug Suki, who squeezed her tightly.

Utana finally pulled away from Zuko, wiping her eyes. Kiyi came stomping around her mother for her turn. "You stupid idiot!" She snapped, hiccuping through her tears and wrapping her arms around his waist, hugging him fiercely. "How does one person get hit by lightning twice?" She continued. "How could you scare us like that? Why would you do that?"

Zuko opened his mouth to give some sort of response but he was cut off.

"You saved me."

Kiyi let go of Zuko as Azula walked up to them awkwardly. "I…" She rubbed her arm. "You didn't have to do that. I mean, thank you. For...for saving me. But don't do that again. I…" She stood there, unsure of how to proceed, so Zuko took the liberty of hugging her first.

"I'm so glad you're okay." He whispered. Azula stood stiffly for a few moments, stunned, before hugging him back. She closed her eyes and pulled him closer because she didn't know how much she had needed this hug, how much she had needed it for years and years. Zuko pulled away, his hands resting on her shoulders. "Also," he added, "Don't tell me what to do."

Azula frowned. "I'll do whatever I want, and I'm telling you to not do it again. I'm not worth the -"

"Stop it!" Okami hissed from her side, grabbing her arm. "You're talking shit about yourself again! Stop!"

"But-"

"No!" Okami snapped, turning to Zuko. "Will you tell her, please?"

Zuko blinked at Okami speaking to him in such a...friend-like way, but gladly obliged. "Azula." He folded his arms. "I'm going to do whatever the fuck I want."

Okami scowled. "That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Let me get there!" Zuko insisted before continuing. "Listen, Azula. I know you've gone through a lot, and you've done a lot of terrible shit. But you're also only eighteen. You have years ahead of you - new friends, new family. And old friends and family." He smiled. "You need to give yourself a chance. If not for yourself, do it for us."

Azula opened her mouth to argue, but Okami glared at her, and she closed it. "Fine." She sniffed. "But I'm not just gonna be a diplomat for you or something."

Zuko's face split into a grin. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Azula huffed, walking away, and Zuki grabbed Okami's arm as she made to follow. "How did you do that?"

Okami shrugged. "I don't know, we've spent most of her time rehabilitating together. I guess we've just...bonded over some things."

Zuko let go of her arm and patted her on the back. "Thanks, Okami." He told her sincerely.

She smirked at him. "I didn't do this for you, your highness."

"Zuko." Kiyi poked her head out from behind Okami. Zuko raised his eyebrow. "I just wanted to ask," She glanced over at Katara. "So, you came back from the dead and decided it was the perfect time to confess your love and make out?"

Zuko's jaw dropped indignantly. "I had just...we were…" He spluttered.

Okami burst out laughing and wrapped her arm around Kiyi's shoulders. "At least we know he's got his priorities straight." She noted. "Get a second chance at life? Go get the girl."

Zuko's eyes found Katara, who was hugging Utana while simultaniously arguing with Sokka. She pulled away from her hug with Zuko's mother and exchanged a glance with Suki that Zuko assumed meant 'did he really just say that', which caused him to smile. She was so intimidating. Agni, he loved her.

"It took you long enough."

Zuko spun to face Toph, who was standing behind him grumpily. "I've been waiting for them to kiss for over four years!" She snipped, slamming into Zuko like a log and wrapping her arms around him in what he assumed was a hug. "Sure, it was just me playing matchmaker back in the day, but after all these years you still couldn't grow a pair until you fucking died? And you didn't even tell me about these new feelings! I mean, I already knew, but you should have told me!"

Zuko chuckled as he hugged the small earthbender. "What would I do without you, Toph?"

"Apparently, you'd DIE." Toph snapped, pulling away from him and jabbing her finger into his chest. "That is the LAST time you leave me to babysit during a fight. Got it, Sparky?"

"Heard loud and clear."

o0o0o

As the group had begun to file back into the Northern Water Tribe, where the civilians were settling back into their homes, Jet hobbled up to Zuko. "Hey."

Zuko turned, raising his eyebrow. "Hey?"

Jet huffed. "I, uh, I saw what happened. That was cool, coming back from the dead and all. Katara's pretty great."

"Yeah, she is."

They walked in silence for a few moments before Jet continued. "I just wanted to let you know...I didn't know about what had happened when I left the safehouse. Toph gave me your egg, told me to keep it safe, and left in a hurry. I only left when, well…" Jet rubbed the back of his neck. "Your egg hatched."

Zuko's eyes bulged. "WHAT?"

"The dragon. It's locked in the bathroom back in the safehouse." Jet repeated as if it were no big deal. "It was kinda cute, actually."

It turned out that Katara's wealth of knowledge, which was "You're bonded to the dragon," didn't prepare Zuko whatsoever for when he opened the bathroom door. The rest of the group stood along the edges of the room tensely.

Zuko turned the doorknob gingerly and had barely opened the door when a small, slithering reptile, only about the length and width of a child's arm, came snaking through the crack. Zuko yelped as it crashed into him. It was light, so when Zuko fell it was entirely his fault, tripping over his own feet and startling himself. Regardless, the baby dragon flapped its too-small wings in excitement as it hopped onto his stomach. Zuko rubbed his tailbone, wincing.

Katara walked toward them. "Okay, that's adorable."

"What, me falling on my ass?"

"No, that's just funny." Katara giggled, and Zuko just rolled his eyes.

"Ha, ha." He sniffed indignantly, getting to his feet with the new baby dragon pup in his arms. The cute thing slithered around his neck and licked his ear, which caused Zuko to nearly jump a mile.

"What are you going to name him, Zuko?" Utana asked pridefully.

Zuko thought for a moment. "You know, I was thinking about Druk." He nodded to himself, turning to look at Kiyi, whose eyes brightened. "It's the name of the fictional dragon that narrates Kiyi's dragon encyclopedia."

Okami scrunched up her nose. "What kind of encyclopedia has a narrator?" She asked skeptically.

"Much less a fictional one." Azula added from next to her.

"My dragon encyclopedia, that's what!" Kiyi huffed, pointing to the large hardback and leatherbound book sitting nearby.

"Druk…" Katara murmured, letting the pup sniff her hand and lick her. "I like it, Zuko. I really do. So...do you feel any sort of...bond?"

Zuko frowned. "I'm not sure yet." He confessed. "But…" his shoulders sagged. "But right now I just really need some time, if that's okay. I'm here, thank the spirits, but this all was...this all was a bit crazy."

Utana put her hand on his shoulder. "Of course, Zuko…" She rubbed his back, opening the door to the nearest bedroom. "Take Drax and come rest in here."

"His name is Druk."

"Same thing."

o0o0o

Katara sat at the table, stunned. The remains of Druk's egg were all over its surface, and normally it would have driven Katara insane to sit there and not clean it, but right now she just sat and stared into space. It all went so fast.

"Hey…" Suki sat down next to her, grasping her hand. "Are you okay?"

"I…" Katara swallowed. "That was just a lot. One second I thought I was going to rip myself apart with grief and the next Zuko and I were just hugging everyone like we were getting back from a vacation at the beach or something."

Suki smiled softly. "Well, in our defense," She squeezed Katara's hand. "We aren't necessarily taught how to react when someone comes back from the dead."

Katara chuckled. "No, we certainly aren't." She kept her eyes averted, but Suki continued to look at her with that caring, weak smile. "What?" She asked defensively.

"I don't know how you did that, Katara," She replied. "I don't know how you managed to bring him back, or make the water glow or have your eyes shine like you were in the avatar state. But I'm not surprised. If anyone could do that, it's you. You're so strong, and powerful."

Katara returned her smile. "Don't think for a second I'm stopping my training." She told her, which made Suki laugh.

"Oh, don't worry. I wouldn't have let you." Suki winked. "It's been too fun for me."

They sat in silence. Comfortable silence that was only broken with the opening and closing of doors as people went from room to room and the murmurs to each other as they passed. "Katara," Suki finally said. "Sokka and I are engaged."

Katara turned to look at her with astonishment. "W-what?" She gasped. "When? By the spirits, Suki, I'm so happy for you!"

Suki grinned. "It happened while we were on our way to Rotaki, but there was never a good time to tell anyone...I mean, there probably was, but I kinda kept forgetting about it. But don't tell Sokka that. I'm pretty sure he told Zuko the minute we got to Bhang Chi."

Katara chuckled, grabbing both of Suki's hands. "I'm so happy for you, Suki!" She breamed. "It took him long enough!"

Suki's eyes suddenly looked far off. "Yeah…" her voice faded. "That's what Yue said."

Katara's eyes widened, but before she could say anything Zuko poked his head out the door. "Hey, Katara, could you get a bowl of water for me? Druk is thirsty."

Suki frowned. "How do you know he's thirsty?"

"I…" Zuko blinked. "I, uh, I just know."

Katara clapped her hands. "THAT'S your bond! You must share some sort of connection with him, kinda like sharing thoughts!"

Before Zuko could stop him, Druk ran out of the room on his tiny, tiny legs, flapping his useless baby wings. He bit the hem of Katara's pants and began pulling her with all his might back toward the room. Zuko just stood there, shocked.

"Well, it seems Druk has a pretty clear idea of what you want, too." Suki smirked, getting up. "That's my cue to leave...Katara," She leveled her stare at her, speaking low enough that Zuko couldn't hear. "Don't run away from this. You go in there and knock him dead."

Katara glanced over at Zuko, who looked very apprehensive at their whispering. "How the hell am I supposed to knock him dead? What am I supposed to -" Her eyes bulged. "SUKI!"

Her future sister-in-law winked. "I mean, it's up to you, but that's definitely one way to do it." She sauntered into another room, closing the door behind her, and Katara cleared her throat, grabbing a bowl and bending some water from the sink into it.

"Come on." She pushed by Zuko into the room, Druk trotting after her happily. Zuko closed the door behind them sheepishly.

Katara sat on the bed in the corner of the room, so Zuko sat in the chair. An awkward silence spread between them for a few moments before Katara cleared her throat. "So, uh, you have dreams about me?"

Zuko's eyes bulged. "W-what?" He spluttered.

Katara immediately blushed. "I...I mean, when you came back, you said there was a girl in your dreams with glowing eyes and-"

"Oh." Zuko looked suspiciously relieved. "Yeah, yeah, it's been like that for months. I never got a good look at her, just that her eyes glowed blue. I guess it was you."

Druk finished lapping his water and snuggled up on Katara's lap. She giggled, petting the little dragon. Zuko opened his mouth as if to say something, but decided against it.

"What?" Katara asked.

"Nothing."

"Tell me." She pressed.

Zuko frowned. "Everything is happening so fast, I don't want to make it more overwhelming for you -"

"Zuko, you died and came back to life, I think I can handle a conversation." Katara snapped. Zuko rolled his eyes. "Yes, this is all extremely overwhelming, but what are we supposed to do? Stand around and gawk at you?" She sniffed indignantly.

"Okay, fine." He relented, folding his arms. "I was just...I was going to ask what happened. To the sages and stuff."

Katara paled slightly, clearing her throat. "Well, uh, we restrained pretty much everybody, and since they invaded Northern Water Tribe territory we handed them over to the Chief. By 'we' I mean Sokka, he told me after we got out of the Oasis."

"And...Saiko?"

Katara looked up at him, but his gaze was averted, staring at the ground as he clenched his fists at his sides. "Your mom killed him." She answered softly.

Zuko looked up in surprise. "My...my mom?" He blinked. "Wow...I thought you took him down before that. Granted, I couldn't really see much."

Katara sighed, letting Druk nibble on her fingers with his little baby teeth. "I stopped him with my bloodbending, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten there fast enough." She confessed. "But your mom was the one who killed him."

"Oh."

Another stretch of silence.

"You did something to me, Zuko."

He looked up at her, wide eyed, afraid of what he had supposedly done. "What do you mean?"

Katara looked out the small window high on the wall. "When we were in the oasis, I was just sitting there and...and…" she took a shaky breath. "I've never felt so dark before. I was angry at your mom, Zuko. Angry at her for killing Saiko."

Zuko frowned. "Why the hell would you-"

"Because I wanted to kill him myself."

Zuko stopped mid-sentence, realization spreading across his face.

"I wanted to kill all of them, but him most of all. I wanted to take all my pain and shove it onto him and make him feel it, make him SUFFER. I wanted to look into his eyes and make him regret everything." Katara spat.

Zuko didn't respond, instead he just stared at her in astonishment, mouth slightly open. Tears began to fall down Katara's cheeks (as if she hadn't cried enough that day already). "How could I think such evil things, Zuko?" She whispered, cradling herself in her arms. "Is that really who I am, deep down? Someone who wants to kill people?"

Zuko's mouth dropped open completely. "Katara, you can't -"

"I'm so disappointed in myself, I can't believe I thought -"

"Stop, you can't do this to yourse-"

"Am I really capable of murdering people?"

"Katara!" Zuko raised his voice, causing her to look up at him. He pushed off of the chair and knelt in front of her, grasping both of her hands in his. "Listen to me," he begged. "There is nothing wrong with the raw emotions you feel while grieving, do you understand? You didn't do anything wrong."

"But -"

"Katara, for Agni's sake, listen to yourself!" He bowed his head, bringing her hands up to his forehead. "If you really were a bad person, you wouldn't care so much about wanting to be a good person! You wouldn't be sitting here crying because you think you've done something wrong when you haven't done anything!" He let go of her hands, pinching the bridge of his nose before meeting her eyes. Katara looked down at him, stunned. "Fuck, Katara, how can you keep doing this to yourself? You just brought me back to life and you're sitting here worried about being a bad person? You were always the best of us, Katara, why won't you see that? Why?"

She stared at him. His pleading eyes were so sincere, so desperate. "I just feel like I get lucky." she whispered without thinking.

Zuko blinked. "What?"

"I'm never the one having to die for other people."

Zuko's face fell into anguish. "Don't say that." He hissed. Katara squeaked slightly as he moved forward so that he was kneeling between her legs, hugging her waist tightly. His head rested just below her neck, and typically Katara would be embarrassed at this position, but she could tell Zuko was completely serious by the way he clung to her. "Don't say that," he repeated.

"Why, Zuko? You've almost died for people countless times. You literally just died for Azula." Katara replied in an uncharacteristically monotone voice.

Zuko released his hold on her, pulling back so that his hands rested on either side of her on the mattress and he was looking up into her eyes. "And?" He countered.

Katara wanted to fold her arms. "And...and that's saving someone's life! That's the best thing you could ever do for someone!"
"Katara, you just brought me back from the dead."

"I…" She slumped slightly. "I'm not saying I'm useless, and I'm not saying I want to die." She murmured, leaning into his shoulder. "I...I just want to jump in front of lighting for you too. If that makes any sense."

Zuko gently made her look up at him. "Katara, that makes no sense at all, and if you ever do that I'll lose my shit."

Katara laughed, a few tears trailing down her cheeks. "Zuko, I just want to be more than a healer, I want to be a protector!" She protested. "Don't you see?"

"Katara, don't you see that you're a literal Goddess from my dreams?" Zuko cradled her face in his hands.

"Okay, um, sorry for interrupting whatever this is, but I'm also not sorry because that was cheesy as fuck. Katara, you better not let him say shit like that on a regular basis now. That's just embarrassing."

Jumping, Katara and Zuko looked over at the half-open door, where Toph stood snacking on a bowl of grapes. "Just came to let you know that a boat from the Fire Nation is coming to get us, it'll be here tomorrow morning." She tossed another grape into her mouth. "Now, I'm getting out of here. Use protection because I'm definitely not babysitting for free."

Katara and Zuko both began to splutter some sort of reply, but they didn't get a single word out before the door slammed and left them alone again. Druk chirped happily.

They locked eyes, blushing furiously. "Did you seriously just call me the goddess of your dreams?" She giggled.

Zuko frowned. "That's what stood out to you about this conversation?"

"I'm not a goddess. I've been bonded to a spirit."

Zuko waved her off. "Goddess."

"Zuko," Katara became more serious. "I promise, I do value my own life. But I am tired of trying to save people. It's just a lot of pressure. And protecting people feels more proactive, like I can save people before they're hurt." Her gaze fell to her lap. "That way I won't be too late."

"Katara…" Zuko reached up and brushed her hair out of her face, stroking her cheek. "You have to accept that there will be people you can't protect. And that's okay."

[AN: Go read Brandon Sanderson. Just do it. His books are amazing - START WITH THE STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE SERIES you're welcome ;) also I'm telling you this because anyone has read through Stormlight Archive 4 will know the reference I just put there and I'd love for people to appreciate my very rare moment of genius.]

"No." Katara shook her head, pulling his hand away. "Zuko, I can't just stand by and do nothing."

"I never said that." Zuko rested his arms on her legs as if they were armrests, and the back of Katara's mind found this both extremely worthy of blushing and also very amusing. But this wasn't the time. "I said you need to accept it. That doesn't mean you don't try to protect people or save them - but if things end up still going badly, you can't blame yourself. You can't control everything. You aren't a god."

Katara couldn't help but raise her eyebrows. "I thought I was a goddess?"

Zuko blinked before grinning despite himself. "Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes…" Katara sighed, resigned.

"Okay." Zuko cupped her face in his hands once again. "Because you deserve so much better than what you give yourself, Katara."

"Do I deserve you?"

Zuko softened. "You deserve better." he whispered, wiping tears from Katara's cheeks with his thumbs. "But I'm selfish."

Katara scowled at him. "Stop selling yourself short!" She snapped as he gazed at her. "You can't just tell me to think better about myself and then tell me that I'm too good for you, that's so hypocritical! And you're definitely -"

Zuko pulled her towards him gently as he interrupted her with a kiss. A soft one, a short one, and Katara felt robbed when she barely registered what had happened before he began to pull away. "Can…" He whispered, the tip of his nose brushing hers. "Can I kiss you?"

"It's a bit late to ask, don't you think?"

"Uh, sorry…" Zuko took one of his hands off of her face and scratched the back of his head. "Well, uh, can I?"

Katara huffed. "What sort of stupid question is that?" She said as she leaned down, wrapping her arms around his neck and then they were kissing.

It wasn't like back in the oasis - no, this time, there wasn't desperation. It was just passion, longing, but there was no rush. Katara got tired of bending over and slid off of the mattress down onto his lap, and Zuko gladly moved from his kneeling position to sitting cross-legged. She wrapped her legs around his waist and kissing felt so different when they weren't soaking wet and covered in blood, it felt so different when they were safe. It was different to rake her fingers through his hair, scratching his scalp just slightly in the way that made him moan just a little, to do that when his hair wasn't wet. It was different when they didn't have an audience, when he hadn't just come back from the dead. This was home.

Katara pulled away, and Zuko stuck out his bottom lip to pout. Katara placed a quick peck on his lips before turning a bit serious. "Can I...can I ask you something?"

"Of course." Zuko smiled at her softly. "Ask away."

She stared at him for a few moments, spirits, that face...before snapping herself back into reality. "Erm, right." She cleared her throat, straightening up. "I, uh, I was just wondering what it was like to...to come back. Was it like waking up?"

Zuko chuckled, much to Katara's surprise. "What's so funny?" She demanded.

"I had a choice, you know."

"What do you mean."

"I didn't have to come back." Zuko ran a hand through her hair gently. "But I did, of course. I don't know how I knew, I just...did. I knew what my options were, and I knew where to go when I made my choice." His smile broadened. "Well, coming back was the easiest part."

"How so?" Katara asked curiously.

"I just followed your voice."

Katara pulled back slightly in shock. "My - what?"

"You were crying, and you sounded so hurt, and I could hear you talking. You told me I couldn't leave you, so I ran and ran until I was back with you. I…" He sighed, grasping one of her hands. "I wanted you to know that it wasn't too late because I did hear you say that you love me. And I wanted to tell you that I love you, too."

A few moments of silence passed. Druk croaked excitedly, weaseling his way into the tight space between Katara and Zuko's torsos. Katara scoffed.

"I can't believe it took you dying for us to realize something so important."

"Yeah," Zuko agreed. "Well, apparently everyone else knew."

Katara blinked. "What?"

"My mom had guessed, so had Kiyi and she has very strong opinions about it. Toph is annoyed it took so long and apparently Sokka and Suki bet on which one of us would confess our love first."

Katara's mouth fell open. "Who did you say did it?"

"Me," He admitted. "Since I technically was still dead when you confessed. You didn't know I heard you."

Katara rolled her eyes. "So, who won?"

"Suki."

"Figures."

"I do, by the way."

Katara frowned. "What do you mean?"

Zuko pressed his lips to hers. "I do love you." he whispered before their mouths melded back together. It was as if they had practiced this for decades and there was nothing more natural in the world.

Zuko eventually broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. "You're my safe place." He said breathlessly, arms around her waist and holding her tightly as if he would die again if she were to ever let go.

"You're so damn cheesy, Zuko." She chuckled, leaning in and barely brushing her lips to his before swerving to whisper in his ear. "I'm lucky I didn't have to hear any of your pickup lines." Her breath was hot and gave him goosebumps, which remained as she pulled away, giggling and kissing his cheek. He flushed and she raised her eyebrows. "Seriously? We just made out and you blush when I kiss your cheek? That's the most innocent thing ever!"

"Well, um…"

"You never cease to amaze me."

"Katara…"

Zuko's face continued to redden, and Katara frowned. What was…

"Oh!" Katara's eyes widened, and Zuko somehow became more red. "Um, sorry!" She clambered off of him, sitting back on the bed. "I can leave if you need to -"

"No, it's okay!" He protested before wincing. "I mean, no, if you think it's weird you can go, we kinda just became a thing so I know this might be weird and-"

Katara wrung her hands. "No, I mean, yes, but not like that, I'm just...I don't have any experience with this and -"

Zuko nearly choked. "Katara, I wasn't suggesting we do anything!"

"Well, me neither!" She shot back defensively. "I just don't know how I'm supposed to act! Are we supposed to pretend like it's not there?"

Zuko scoffed. "Well, you could, but I can't."

"So, should I leave so you can…" Katara cleared her throat. "Uh, fix it?"

"Oh, for Agni's sake!" Someone shouted from the other side of the door. The two of them turned toward it in surprise and a few seconds later it swung open. Toph glared at them, hands on her hips.

"Before you ask, yes, I have been eavesdropping on you." She held up her finger before either of them could respond. "It was either that or have Sokka barging in here. I can't really claim that I wasn't interested, though, because it was pretty entertaining. But this is just pathetic and I can't listen to it any longer." She folded her arms. "Katara, come with me. Zuko, do whatever you need to do to fix your little problem."

She turned to walk away, pausing a few feet from the door expectantly and Katara got up, scurrying over. Zuko was shaken out of his stupor. "Hey, did you just call it my little -"

The second Katara was out the door, Toph slammed it behind her. "Jeez, Katara, have you never seen a boner before?"

Katara folded her arms. "Well, have you?"

"Touché." Toph sat, motioning for Katara to sit next to her at the table. "Though, I think I'd still react better than you. That was just sad. Want a grape?" She offered a few of the juicy bulbs but Katara shook her head.

"Agni, Toph, it's like my world got flipped upside down in less than three hours…" She groaned, rubbing her temples.

Toph shrugged. "Hey, you seem to be enjoying the results."

"It's been like an hour, do you have to keep making weird remarks?"

"Are you kidding?" Toph folded her arms. "You better give us the details. Suki made sure to fill us in when -"

"We also didn't ask for details about that!" Katara interrupted, screwing up her face. "Do you think I wanted details about her and my brother?"

Toph huffed, grumbling something under her breath before responding. "Well, I want details about you and Zuko. I want to know about it so I can laugh at him."

"Spirits, did I miss something important?"

Suki jogged over to them, a bedroom door closing behind her. She dragged a chair over to them and sat backwards in it, resting her arms across the back and grinning at Katara. "Spill, girl!"

Katara threw her hands up in exasperation. "Nothing happened!"

"Zuko got a boner." Toph informed her.

"We were just kissing!"

"She was sitting on his lap."

Katara slapped Toph's shoulder, causing her to drop a few grapes. The earthbender scowled, chucking a grape that Katara barely dodged. Suki laughed. "Katara, you're literally doing the most normal stuff couples do." she assured her. "You'll get used to it."

Katara groaned. "It's been one hour, why is everyone already in our business?"

"We've been waiting for you two to get together for a while." Toph folded her arms. "Personally, I've always rooted for it. But I knew way back when you came to the Fire Nation over a year ago to stay for the new year."

Katara gaped. "What? How did you -"

"You two just make sense, Katara." Suki interjected, nodding. "New year's week you made him laugh so hard I thought he was drunk - I've never seen him like that. I hardly see either of you relaxed, but you two relax around each other. You always have."

"Well, not always." Toph nitpicked. "But you know what we mean."

Katara sighed, resigned. "I have no idea how to do this." She mumbled. "You two know more about us than I do. I mean, Suki, how did you know that he would confess first? Technically?"

Suki raised her eyebrows. "Technically?"

"Well, I confessed to his dead body, so I didn't think he could hear me. But he apparently followed my voice when coming back so he did hear me. But we agreed it didn't count because I didn't know he could hear me."

Suki thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay, that's fair." She narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell Sokka."

Katara held her hands up. "I won't."

"Good." Suki smirked. "Cuz I won that bet. And believe me, if situations were normal, he totally would have confessed first."

"But how do you know?" Katara pressed.

"Trust me." Suki chuckled, glancing back at the room where Sokka was. "I know a simp when I see one."

"Katara." Toph said seriously. Suki and Katara turned to her immediately. "You don't need to overthink this. Just be yourself."

Katara took a deep breath. "Okay." She smiled brightly. "Yeah...yeah, okay!" She fiddled with her hands. "So...a boat is coming tomorrow morning?"

"Yep." Toph put her hands behind her head and leaned back in her chair. "Apparently the Kyoshi Warriors took over running things after the sages came here to blow shit up, and they sent a ship this way once they figured out where we were." She yawned widely before continuing. "And we got a letter from Aang. Apparently they've made a lot of progress organizing the possible locations of air nomads. He said there's some stuff we need to know, but he'll tell us in person."

Katara relaxed slightly in relief. "Wow…I'm glad everything ended up okay. Now all we have to do is pick up the pieces of this mess."

Toph huffed. "Sounds like a lot of work."

Katara glared at her. "Hey, don't you have a new generation of metalbenders to teach?"

"Ehh," Toph waved her off. "I've got time for that. When we get home, I'm resting."

o0o0o

Zuko couldn't sleep that night. To spare himself of more awkwardness, he slept in a different room than Katara. She was bound to be exhausted after the day she had.

But Katara lay awake as well. When such emotions come spilling out all at once, it brings back memories, big and small. They both lay staring at a stone wall and thinking about what they had been through together over the years - the conversations they had, the things they had gone through. They thought about how they had always instinctively gone to each other and never realized why. They had never stopped to ponder why there was no awkwardness when seeing each other after months, perhaps even a year. How they still felt so at ease with one another, having the deepest conversations while they were alone as if they had never been apart before.

Their friendship was such a beautiful, precious thing. But this newness...this uncharted territory of love they had entered into...it was beautiful, too.

[the following poems are by me from Zutara Week 2020, written about this fanfic]

My fiery prince of a thousand suns,

You have never expressed doubt in me,

Never surprised at the tricks up my sleeves.

Somehow, you always tend to keep up.

My flaming star, plucked from the heavens,

You support me selflessly, without fail.

Remember the smallest, key details.

You somehow see beauty in my messes.

My brightest sun of deepest passion,

Your heart is deep just like my own.

We never go through our pain alone.

Our love is more than everlasting.

You gave your broken heart to me,

And I promise I'll guard it with my life.

You taught me how to truly feel alive.

I've been reborn, I've been set free.

Fiery warrior, my snow queen,

Your royal palace is an igloo.

You said "sorry it's so small"

But it feels like home to me, too.

My snow queen, saving grace,

You part the seas and stop the rain.

You have a different kind of passion.

You can heal any kind of pain.

Saving grace, Goddess of water,

You pulled me from the jaws of death.

You almost threw your life away

To give me all that you had left.

Goddess of water, Master Katara,

I swear to Agni, I'll see this through.

I'll never quit, I'll break to pieces

Before I think of leaving you.