Are You Lonely?

I'm so pissed my work got deleted it was so good god fcuking dammit I tried to recreate it

ANyways. This is not drabble length oh well. #pining

Katara folded herself down at the base of a willow tree. She drew her knees up and hugged them, resting her chin there. She shivered as the wind blew a bit brisker than she expected. Winter was near, but it didn't get too cold in the Fire Nation. She sighed, leaning back on the rough bark.

The garden was empty. Empty and lonely, just like her.

The sky was dark, but stars and a full moon shone light down on her. The moon reminded her of her tribe. The Winter Solstice was approaching, and it was a celebration for the Water Tribes. The Fire Nation had a similar celebration for the Summer Solstice. Her and Zuko had snuck away from the palace to join in on the festivities, wandering the stalls and hiding from his guards. It was one of the rare occasions that she had gotten quality time with him outside the palace since moving here.

They didn't get to really behave like the teenagers they were. She was almost as busy as Zuko was these days. Being an ambassador was a lot of work.

Not that she thought it would be easy. She was young, and a girl, and Water Tribe. All the odds were stacked against her, and she had had to fight tooth and nail to command respect. And while she had earned that, even gained some political allies, she wouldn't call any of them friends.

Her only friend here was Zuko.

Katara's eyes traced the ripples in the pond, trying to distract herself from the burning feeling behind her eyelids.

Iroh would visit from his tea shop in Ba Sing Se. Having tea time with Iroh and Zuko was one of her favorite things. Like all of the problems in the world didn't exist. It was just… peaceful. But Iroh would only stay for a couple weeks, and then leave for a couple months. He did have a shop to run after all.

Sometimes Zuko's old friends would visit. Ty Lee and Mai had run off together after the war. The girlfriends eventually joined the Kyoshi Warriors, working to undo their misdeeds. Suki would accompany them when they stopped by. Katara absolutely loved having girls around to gossip with. Plus she could work on her sparring skills against the fierce-some girls, keeping her waterbending sharp. She was always sad that they couldn't stay long.

Her absolute favorite visit so far was when Toph and Aang stayed for a week. The two had been traveling together, closer than ever. Having them around almost felt like old times. But they'd only come by once, a few months ago.

But… Sokka wasn't ever there. Sokka hadn't gotten the chance to visit her at all in the Fire Nation. He was training with their father to become the next Chief. She hadn't seen her family in months. It had almost been a whole year. And… well she had never gone so long without her brother by her side. It was an odd feeling. An empty feeling, like something was always missing.

She knew that both her father and brother would come for the Summit meeting after the new year, and she would see them then. It was only a couple more months away.

But right now…. Right now she was lonely.

Not that she hated living in the Fire Nation. It was absolutely lovely here. Being a part of something important was lovely. Being with Zuko was-

Katara shook her head stubbornly, not allowing herself to finish that thought. Putting the words 'love' and 'Zuko' in a sentence together would inevitably lead her to a conclusion she wasn't quite ready to face yet.

She sighed heavily, hugging her knees closer still. It really was quite chilly, she should stop moping and go inside.

"Katara?"

Any other voice would have made her jump up and put on a polite smile, maybe excuse herself and run to the safety of her room. But not this voice.

She tilted her head and smiled up at Zuko. "Hey, you."

"What are you doing out here? It's cold."

"I'm used to the cold, you know."

He rolled his eyes at her and sat down, much closer than he should. Katara hoped nobody would see them out here together- spirits knows how many rumors they'd already had to quell. Late study nights in his room, meals together, sparring sessions together… People complained they were much too close all the time.

Zuko studied her face for a moment and he frowned, lifting a hand to her cheek. His thumb traced under her eyelid- her eyelashes were wet. "Have you been crying? What's wrong? If Ambassador Shu said something again-"

She shook her head and chuckled. "No, no nothing like that."

He waited for her to explain. She sighed again, looking up at the moon.

"Did you know that for the Winter Solstice, there's a celebration to honor the moon? We'd have a big parade, and all these festive foods… Dad would take me and Sokka ice skating... " She trailed off, her eyes almost glazing over as she reminisced.

Zuko seemed to understand, and he scooted even closer to her to put his arm around her. Katara decided to screw the rumors, she needed a hug. She leaned into him, glad for his warmth and his comfort.

Zuko's raspy voice filled her ears, "Why don't we go?"

"What?" She breathed, her face lifting from his chest. Her eyes were wide with surprise (and hope).

"I don't want you to be lonely, Katara. You've worked so hard this year, I think you deserve a visit home."

A smile started to pull her lips, "And you'll come with me?"

Zuko backpedalled, "I mean, if you want, I didn't mean to invite myself…"

She grinned, all of those empty, lonely feelings vanishing. Zuko always knew what she needed. It was one of the reasons she lov-

Well, none of that now.

"Of course I want you to come."

Zuko squeezed her hand. "Let's go then."