Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender purely begins to Mike and Bryan. This is just my vain attempt to live past the series finale.
Summary: Building a new world is never easy. Years after the end of the war, one night between Zuko and Katara leads to the reveal of hidden truths and disrupts their plans of the peaceful lives they thought they'd have. Even when everything spins wild, they will always find each other. They could fight the entire Fire Nation together, but what are they willing to sacrifice when the other is on the line?
Last Time...
Aang smiled at Katara widely. "Master Katara is the only reason I'm standing here today. Any gratitude I receive should always be directed towards her. I can't imagine anyone else that would be a better founding member of the United Republic Council. She has the support of the Avatar and Air Acolytes."
The Fire Nation generals turned to Zuko and each one inclined his head in approval. Zuko stood slowly, gripping onto the back of his chair tightly as he was still feeling weak, and addressed the council.
"I've made my opinion of Master Katara clear to this council in the past few weeks. And Master Katara has already spoken eloquently enough on her own behalf. But I'll make it even clearer to the delegates and audience members that have come from all over the world. Master Katara is a woman who uses passion, empathy, a strong sense of self, hard work, and an innate sense of right and wrong to guide her way. She inspires hope in those who have already given up. To miss out on the chance to have her intellect, perspective, and heart on this council is foolish. The Fire Nation wholeheartedly supports her and anticipates the success that will come."
"In that case, I'd like to announce Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe as the Water Tribe representative of the first United Republic Council."
Katara threw her head back and joined in on the raucous laughter that burst from their table in the Jasmine Dragon. Sokka was standing and raising a glass as a toast to her. As he laughed, liquid sloshed out of the shot glass. It was the latest of many that Iroh had supplied for the entire table once he had learned of the reason behind their rambunctious entrance into his previously calm restaurant.
"To Katara!" Sokka boomed. "My sister is the inaugural Water Tribe representative of the first United Republic Council— the governing body of the new nation that she helped to create. And she'll be starting her tenure as the world's first Blooodbending master. And did I mention that she accomplished all of this as interim Southern Water Tribe representative at her first global summit meeting?"
Katara's cheeks pinked and she tugged at his sleeve. "Sokka, that's enough! The whole restaurant can hear you" she hissed, though she grinned at his obvious pride.
Rolling his eyes, Sokka scoffed, "That's the whole point."
"To Katara," Zuko's baritone voice cut across the table and he gave Katara a soft smile, just the slightest lift of the corners of his mouth.
Katara caught his eye and Zuko's eyes were molten gold, tender and sincere as he spoke. Immediately, she felt a pleasant warmth spread throughout her body from the affection in his expression. She beamed back at him.
Sokka watched the quick exchange and raised an eyebrow. His jaw shifted as though he was biting his tongue but just as swiftly, the expression seamlessly changed into a wide grin. Hakoda and Iroh cheered and the entire table held up their drink before gulping down the liquid. Katara leaned back against her seat and winced lightly at the slight burn as the liquid traveled through her body, settling into her belly and triggering a heat that reached her cheeks, turning them even rosier.
Hakoda's deep chuckle echoed behind her and Katara belatedly realized that the chieftain had left his seat as he wrapped his arms around his children's shoulders. "I am so proud of you, Katara. This is amazing news and I can't wait to see what happens next for you. Every time I think you kids have done it all, you go and prove me wrong and pull off something even bigger. It's an honor to be your father. And… I know that your mother would be so proud of you two, as well."
"Oh, Dad…" Katara stood and threw her arms around Hakoda in a tight embrace, which Sokka quickly joined in on.
The Water Tribe family was stunned by a bright flash and blinked their eyes open as they stared dubiously at a young Earth Kingdom man standing before the table. He held a large box with a circular lens at the front that appeared to be connected to the end of what resembled an accordion. Also attached to the box was a round glass orb that seemed to be the source of the momentarily light. He smiled sheepishly at them.
"Um…?" Katara started.
Iroh approached them from his side of the table and clasped a hand over the Earth Kingdom man's shoulder, chuckling. "I apologize for startling you. He is the Jasmine Dragon's new official photographer. I thought that it would be nice for our patrons to have a memory of their time here in Ba Sing Se— the Jasmine Dragon, specifically— and have the chance to take home a photograph to commemorate their meal. It's very new and I thought that this might make our quaint tea shop even more of a destination here in Ba Sing Se. Yang here happens to be one of the first photographers in the city and is generously honing his talent here in the shop. It is a shame that Avatar Aang couldn't stay for dinner. I'm sure he would have loved to see this new invention."
"You mean, you wish you had a photo op with the Avatar to display," Zuko grumbled.
Sokka's eyebrow arched and he held his chin thoughtfully as he examined the device. "So this is one of those new 'cameras' that I've been hearing about. I haven't been able to see one in person until now. They haven't made their way down to the South Pole yet. May I?"
He reached out his arms to Yang, who eagerly handed the machine over to Sokka's outstretched hands. "Feel free to give it a try!" he offered.
Hakoda allowed himself to be ushered towards his seat at the end of the table by Iroh, where the two men spoke in hushed tones over their goblets of liquor, their deep laughter carrying over. Katara looked between the two men in her family and sighed happily to herself before sitting back down. A pale hand appeared in her line of vision and held another shot glass beneath her nose. Katara looked down at it before grinning at the owner of the hand.
"Are you purposefully trying to get me drunk?" she teased.
Zuko smirked back as he took Sokka's vacant seat next to her. "It was a big day for you. You deserve to celebrate," he said simply.
"Right," she said dubiously. "I don't see yours," she pointed out.
His voice was all feigned innocence. "Is it wise that I be drinking so soon after such a severe injury?" He added, "And I've already taken several shots in your honor."
Katara rolled her eyes at the snarkiness in his tone and snapped, "Was it wise that you stab yourself in the chest?"
"Got your Bloodbending proposal passed, didn't I?" Zuko watched as Katara's face sobered. Guilt filled his chest as her full lips turned down into a frown and her brow furrowed.
"Your life is not worth a legislature proposal. Even if it's my proposal."
"I was joking, Katara." His face twisted. "As usual, it didn't land. I'm sorry I scared you and made you worry. But I knew you'd be able to heal me."
Katara knew that this is the most he'd apologize for and sighed again. "You'll just be sore for the next few days. A few healing sessions before you head back to the Fire Nation and it'll barely scar." At Zuko's chastised expression, she added, "Besides, there's nothing to gain by getting me drunk tonight. In case you forgot, Sokka's staying with us tonight."
With a smirk, Zuko responded smoothly, "You and I both know that I don't need to get you drunk if I had those intentions."
Gasping lightly at the boldness of Zuko's words, Katara felt heat pool in her abdomen, this time from Zuko instead of the alcohol. They held the other's gaze before Zuko looked pointedly at the shot glass. Then, Katara raised her glass to him and drank the liquid. Again, Katara pursed her lips and winced. Zuko fought to smile at the image, finding it adorable.
Zuko leaned in close to her, their shoulders brushing. He peered down at her with raised eyebrows. "You'd think after weeks of drinking with me and the other delegates, you'd have built up a stronger tolerance."
"Oh hush," Katara retorted good-naturedly, a gentle smile curving her lips as she looked up at him through her lashes. "I'll let you know that I have built up a tolerance, but that doesn't mean that the stuff tastes any better."
Zuko grinned back at her in amusement.
A large flash blinded Katara and Zuko and the two jumped away from each other and blinked rapidly to remove the spots dancing in their vision. Katara glared at Sokka as the Water Tribe man grinned from behind the camera. Sokka handed the camera to its owner, clapping the Earth Kingdom man on the back heartily.
"That's amazing. I'm curious about the lens' refraction and how it captures the image… Yang, please be sure to send tonight's photos to Fire Lord Zuko and Master Katara's temporary lodgings before they leave Ba Sing Se. Several copies of each photo, if possible. I'd love to get my hands on these prints. Maybe even convince my wife to get a camera for ourselves if the prints turn out well. How long does the printing process take?"
Keen to have someone to talk about photography with, Yang said excitedly, "Usually no longer than a few days, but if I work fast, I can have your family's prints ready by tomorrow once we close the restaurant. More than enough time to ensure that they'll be ready before the closing ceremonies."
"Great! There's no need to rush. I'm leaving tomorrow since I won't be staying for the official closing ceremonies, but I'm sure my sister will be able to send them to me via messenger hawk."
Yang nodded enthusiastically before moving to the other tables in the Jasmine Dragon to take photos of more patrons. Sokka then turned towards Katara and Zuko, who both raised an eyebrow at him. He pulled a chair between the two, forcing them to shuffle their chairs apart and swinging his around so that he could straddle it, his arms resting on the back of the chair. His head swiveled between them.
Sokka turned to Katara and declared, "So, as you know, I'm taking it as the older brother's prerogative to crash at your place tonight. It's your night, Katara, and I don't want to ruin anything, but—"
"Of course there's a 'but'," Katara grumbled. "Sokka, do I have to remind you that I offered to have you stay with us?"
"—I don't want you to be making any mistakes you might regret."
"Sokka! I'm not— I'm not a little girl! And I don't need you looking over my shoulder." Katara snapped.
"You're always going to be my little sister and I'm always going to be looking out for you. Even when you're eighty-nine, white-haired, and wrinkly." Sokka's eyes slid over towards Zuko. "We don't keep secrets from each other."
Katara also turned towards Zuko and saw that Zuko may have looked a bit paler than usual, though she could also chalk that up to his recent life threatening injury. But there was a tightness in his eyes that she didn't like to see. She relented, "Fine, but believe me when I tell you that there's nothing to worry about."
"Alright, alright. Can we just head back to the house and discuss this privately?"
"Fine," Katara grit out again.
"Fine," Sokka huffed back. He groaned and stood up from the seat, stretching his arms above his head. "First, we've gotta say goodbye to Dad. He's going to head north to the Northern Water Tribe with Tulok and Inuk to share the official news with Chief Arnook. Says it's a political courtesy that he go and inform him since he's Chief of the Southern Water Tribe."
"Tulok and Inuk are leaving already? But the summit still hasn't officially ended."
"Apparently, they trust you to represent both tribes at the closing ceremonies now. Told me to tell you before we headed to dinner."
"They do?" Katara asked incredulously. "That's… amazing. Even though it would've been better if they took the time to tell me themselves."
"Screw 'em." Sokka grinned at Katara and ducked down quickly to ruffle the crown of her head. "Proud of you, sis," he murmured.
Zuko watched the exchange between the Water Tribe siblings with curiosity and a bit of envy. He met Katara's gaze and offered a weak smile, jerking his head to gesture at the end of the table where Hakoda and Iroh were rising from their seats. "Actually, I think your father is heading out now."
At his words, the siblings turned towards Hakoda, who was shaking Iroh's hand genially before turning towards his children with a sad smile. "Alright, you two. Get over here and give this old bag of bones one last hug."
Immediately, Katara and Sokka rushed towards their father and the trio held each other tightly.
"It was so good to see you, Dad," Katara said quietly. "I missed you so much."
"The whole tribe is so proud of you, Katara. I thank the spirits every day for you and your brother. I'm sure the Northern Water Tribe will be excited to hear of what you've accomplished as well. I'll visit you on the way back to the Southern Water Tribe. I'd like to see what you do in Yu Dao."
Iroh cleared his throat, prompting the family to pull apart. He grinned and held up a box, opening the lid to reveal several sachets of tea. "A special blend to help with the aches you were mentioning, Chief Hakoda."
"Thank you, General Iroh." The chief accepted the box courteously and inclined his head in a slight bow.
Katara frowned. "Are you hurt? Why didn't you tell me? I could heal you."
"Nothing more than my age rearing its ugly head," Hakoda assured her. He gently pressed a kiss to her forehead to alleviate her concern. "I've got an early morning so I'll be heading over to Councilman Tulok and Inuk's lodgings so I can leave with them."
"Chief Hakoda, I know for a fact that Katara's missed having her family in one house. There's plenty of room at our lodgings and I invite you to stay with us," Zuko offered.
"Thank you for the invitation, Fire Lord Zuko. But I really do have an early day of travel and think it'd be easier if I stayed with the delegates returning to the North Pole so that we leave on time. Besides, you three can catch up and drink to your heart's content without worrying that dear old dad is eavesdropping." Hakoda winked and grinned at them knowingly.
"Stay safe," Katara told him.
Hakoda laughed. "Shouldn't I be telling you that?" He gave his children another hug before he turned to Zuko, who had risen to his feet.
Zuko nodded at the chieftain. "It's always great to see you, Chief Hakoda."
"You as well, Fire Lord Zuko. It would be nice to see you at the South Pole more often, but I understand you're busy. Thank you again for taking care of my daughter throughout the summit. My children are very lucky to have a friend like you."
Zuko's cheeks pinked and he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I believe I'm the lucky one, Chief Hakoda. Katara didn't need me as much as I needed her."
"The spirits have smiled on the three of you then. Don't think I haven't forgotten everything you've done to keep my kids safe during the war. I'm still repaying you for that."
"Nothing to repay. Your family's friendship is more than enough."
Hakoda gripped Zuko's hand and clapped him on the back heartily before leaving the Jasmine Dragon.
With a nod in Iroh's direction, Zuko bid his uncle goodnight as well. "Uncle, I'll be sure to see you one more time before returning to the Fire Nation."
"You better. As Master Katara foretold, I'll need to kick your butt for pulling a stupid stunt such as the one you did today." Iroh gave his nephew a toothy smile and Zuko fought the urge to slap his palm to his face, feeling the embarrassed flush on his face.
The retired general clasped one of Katara's hands in both of his. "Congratulations again, Master Katara. You've accomplished several wondrous things this summit. The world is in good hands with you leading its healing."
"Thank you, Iroh. And thank you for hosting my family for dinner tonight. You didn't have to," she said graciously.
"Oh, but we wanted to, didn't we, Zuko?"
Zuko tensed and narrowed his eyes at his uncle but jerked his head tersely.
"I won't keep you. I know you must be tired after such an exciting day." Iroh smiled placidly at the three young adults.
The trio climbed into their carriage that wordlessly took them from the Middle Ring to Zuko and Katara's temporary home in the Upper Ring. After several minutes of silence, Zuko closed his eyes and sighed as he felt Sokka's glare on him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and pointedly glowered at him.
"Just say it, Sokka," Zuko deadpanned. "You've been biting your tongue the whole night."
Sokka crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the Firebender. "I think I'd prefer to wait until we get to the house."
Katara sighed, "Well the moment's arrived." She was the first to exit the carriage as soon as it pulled up.
Sokka scoffed and followed her out and up the stairs leading into the house. "Katara, you can't run away from this," he called.
"I'm not!" she shot back. "Oh for spirits' sake! I'm being civil and an adult about this. I wish you would extend me the same courtesy." Katara's brow furrowed as she busied herself in the kitchen, just barely containing the urge to slam the teacups onto the kitchen table. After a beat she paused and yelled, "What kind of tea do you want?"
Sokka made a face but grudgingly yelled back, "Oolong! But only if you have it."
Zuko groaned and followed the arguing siblings into the house. He shrugged off his outer robes, tossing them onto a bench in the living room and lighting the fireplace before heading to the kitchen. He stood next to Katara, dusting his hand on the small of her back in a small gesture of comfort, of solidarity, before taking the kettle from her, heating it with his Firebending.
"Thank you, Zuko," she said in a small voice.
"Go sit with your brother," he said quietly. "I'll take care of this, okay?"
Katara turned and lifted her face to him. With a gentle gaze, she said, "You always do."
She squeezed his wrist tightly before turning to sit at the table with Sokka, matching the glare he sent her way.
"It's spring," Sokka noted, jerking his head at the fireplace.
"Zuko knows that having a fire relaxes me."
Sokka leaned back in the seat, cocking an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his broad chest. His lips were pursed and he waited silently as Zuko poured them tea and joined them at the table. Zuko swallowed nervously and held his hands out, his palms facing up suppliantly.
"You wanted to talk, Sokka. Talk."
Sokka huffed and blurt out, "What the hell is going on between you two? I show up and… you're both completely different people. This Katara is not the Katara I saw before my honeymoon and Zuko you're…" he gestured wildly with his hands. "And you're making goo goo eyes at each other in the middle of a summit meeting. Do you know what that looks like? My sister is looking at Zuko like she— like she, I don't know. I just want to know!"
His face softened and he turned to Katara imploringly. "Not to say that you being a little different than I remember is a bad thing. Actually, you seem more like yourself than you have been in a long time. And I'm happy about it, really. My only concern is making sure you're not going to get hurt."
Zuko shook his head and started, "I wouldn't—"
Sokka pointed out to his sister, "And you don't exactly have the best taste in men."
"Excuse me?" she demanded, a brunette brow arching.
"I mean Aang's great, but Jet wasn't exactly the pick of the litter. You refused to listen to my suspicions about him so excuse me if I don't trust your choice in men."
"Are you really making this about my judgment?" Katara snapped. "Sokka, we were kids back then. Jet was my first crush. I don't have to have your approval regarding who I'm seeing. And that's besides the point. Zuko's not Jet! Why—"
"It's different, Katara. Now this guy isn't just trying to be your friend. He's trying to… I don't know! And I don't want to think about it either— agh!" Sokka pushed away from the table and threw his hands in the air. "After dating the savior of the world, do you really think that you can just rebound onto the next guy?"
Zuko's expression turned stricken and he stared at Sokka with wide eyes. "What did you call me?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
"He's not a rebound! And how dare you try and diminish him in that way! This is Zuko we're talking about, not just some random guy I met on the street. He is brave and selfless and good. I can't even believe that I have to defend this to you. This is crazy!"
"So what, you two are dating? You're telling me that you two are together? In a relationship?" he yelled back incredulously.
"Why does that sound so ridiculous to you?"
Sokka pulled up short and it became to obvious to the couple that he wasn't expecting Katara to admit it so quickly. He stuttered as he bit out, "Because it's Zuko!"
Katara's eyes flashed and she felt Zuko stiffen next to her. She gripped his hand tightly. "So you've said. Multiple times. I'm not seeing your point. Zuko is one of my best friends and he is one of yours. Even Dad said so at dinner. It's baffling to me how you can talk about him this way so easily."
"Easy! Dad didn't see what I see and it's my prerogative as your big brother to protect you. That takes priority over everything else! Where the hell did this even come from anyway? How do I know that Zuko isn't just taking advantage of you? Katara, you're smart and beautiful and powerful and—"
"That's right," Zuko cut in. "Katara is all of that as well as a grown woman who is free to make her own choices. Believe me, I tried to keep my feelings for her a secret for as long as possible but… she forced my hand. Or maybe I let her because I was tired of hiding my feelings." Zuko huffed a small, humorless laugh. "And now that she knows, I can't just pretend that my feelings don't exist. That's not fair to either of us. You don't think that I realize I'm not good enough for her? Sokka, I know. I know that she deserves so much more than me."
Zuko opened his eyes and they immediately darted to Katara's. She stared up at him with wide eyes and her lips slightly parted in shock as she shook her head in defiance of his claims. Zuko had to force his gaze away to meet Sokka's eyes.
Earnestly, he admitted, "But you have to know that I would never do anything to intentionally hurt Katara. And I would rather die than see her be hurt." He reminded Sokka, "I almost have," clutching at his chest where his lightning scar lay beneath his shirt.
"Sokka, I respect Katara. First and foremost, she's one of my best friends. I want her to live her life fully and completely, even if that means it's not with me. Why else would I have kept this to myself for years? I've told her that. That this," he gestured between himself and Katara, "wasn't a good idea?— I've told her that, too, but you know how stubborn she is."
Sokka barked out a laugh and Zuko couldn't help but crack a crooked grin at that. Relief took off some of the weight in his chest.
"I am the luckiest son of a bitch to have her reciprocate even an ounce of my feelings for her. And I thought you would've realized that I care about the both of you so much as friends before anything else. That's why I've kept this a secret so long. From everyone."
"Everyone?"
"My uncle might have guessed," Zuko allowed. "He probably realized before I did. Toph, too."
"Of course," Sokka agreed, considering the Fire Nation man warily. He nodded to himself and said softly, "Zuko, I am your friend. But Katara's my sister. It's my responsibility to keep her safe, even if she can handle herself. Even though she can probably do a better job of it than I can. I never want her to feel like she doesn't have me in her corner."
Looking at Katara, he said, voice cracking, "We take care of each other. We always have. And this is your heart we're talking about, Katara."
Katara's expression lost its edge. "Oh, Sokka. I need you to trust me to be able to live my own life. Even if I get hurt, it doesn't mean that you're a bad brother."
Sokka scrubbed a hand over his face tiredly. "I'm sorry, Zuko. I know you're a good guy. I didn't mean to insinuate that you weren't. The two of you are here alone, under a lot of stress, feeling lonely… I just wanted to make sure that this isn't a fling. I don't want to see either of you get hurt in any fall out."
"Even if it were, Sokka, that's still between Zuko and me. We're both adults and are capable of handling the consequences of our decisions."
Sokka pointed out, "It doesn't just affect you two. It's bigger than just the two of you. You know that Aang's been avoiding the South Pole. He nearly flaked out of attending my wedding because he was too nervous to see you—"
"Sokka, there's no way he wouldn't have gone—"
"—You guys just can't afford to casually date each other. You're Fire Lord Zuko and Master Katara. All of us, we're held to a higher standard than other people."
"Aang and I are fine now," Katara said softly. "We talked it out. We just needed time and space."
Sokka made a face. "Yeah, Katara, but you and Aang are different from you and Zuko. You and Aang might have just needed time and space but I'm not crazy for thinking that you and Zuko would need a militia troop acting as referees."
"I can't spend my entire life alone because I'm scared of what might happen."
"And what about Aang? How long did you guys intend on hiding this from him?"
"We're not sneaking around. But Sokka, I had my first relationship watched by the entire world. I'm entitled to privacy and I don't want this getting out so the public can twist it into something ugly. Because what Zuko and I have... it's anything but."
"We haven't exactly made a plan for how to tell Aang. But we want him to know from us." Zuko frowned. "That's the respectable thing to do."
"And what if this crashes and burns before you to get around to that? And then Aang finds out after the fact?"
"Aang doesn't need to be coddled. And if you want to know what I think, I think you prefer him to me because he's like your kid brother and he obviously adores Katara and that makes you feel safe about Katara's happiness because he would never hurt her the way you think I would. Katara still wasn't happy with him. That's not a real relationship— all flowers and sunshine. Katara deserves more than that. And she told Aang that because she knew it. Katara and I will fight. We'll probably say stupid things to each other but that's real. And we'll apologize and forgive and learn. Our relationship will be different from her relationship with Aang. I hope it is. I want you to know that I could never do what he did. I think letting Katara go is one of the most foolish things he's ever done."
Katara frowned in confusion. "Zuko, I told you that I'm the one who ended things with Aang. Aang is the one who got hurt because of me."
Sokka narrowed his eyes and waited for Zuko to explain.
"Aang gave up. He let her go. You and I both know that Aang is the Avatar and he would choose the world over Katara. You and I know that. He has chosen the world over Katara in the past. And I…. I would choose Katara over the world. Even if that makes me the bad guy." Zuko turned to Katara and murmured, "I know that's not the answer you want to hear, but it's the truth."
Katara stared at Zuko with wide eyes, but her expression shifted into one of determination. "As long as you realize that the sentiment goes both ways."
After a long moment of considering the couple, Sokka told them, "I guess a part of me was always expecting this." He sipped some of his forgotten tea and grumbled as an afterthought, "Maybe dreading this."
"You were?" Katara asked in shock.
Sokka smiled weakly. "Well... yeah. Sometime between Azula's attack at the Western Air Temple and the way Zuko asked you to help him fight Azula before Sozin's Comet… Jun's comments didn't help, either. Plus, he's the one that helped you find closure over Mom's death. That's… intimate. You let him witness a part of yourself that you never really let Aang, let alone anyone, see. Even me. And Zuko accepted the grief, raw anger, and vengefulness wholly. But more importantly, he supported you through it. I'd really be an idiot to ignore how close you two got at the end of the war. Or how well you work together and trust each other. Why do you think I always paired you two up during training drills before the comet? I mean, I don't want to toot my own horn, but I'm kind of a genius, Katara."
Katara beamed at him. "You are some kind of something, that's for sure. But don't go thinking so highly of yourself. Remember, Toph guessed it before anyone else."
Sokka waved a hand at her dismissively. "She's a walking lie detector, that's cheating. So... you guys are... what, exactly? Like boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Katara shrugged a shoulder and pursed her lips. "We haven't exactly labeled it. But sure, if that's what you want to call us. It's not just a fling. We agreed that we only want to see each other."
Sokka remained silent as he looked at the couple.
"So… Katara and I… you're…?" Zuko prompted.
"Don't get me wrong, Zuko. I think you're a great man. But no one is good enough for my baby sister. However, knowing that you're the one watching out for her, well she can't do better, can she? You're kind of manic when you have your mind set on something."
Katara ran around the table and threw her arms around Sokka tightly. He grunted and shifted their weight from the force of her hug. He stood them up to avoid falling over with his chair before wrapping his arms around Katara warmly. He closed his eyes as he squeezed her. With a heavy sigh, he opened one eye and gestured towards Zuko.
"Come on, Zuko, you're a part of this, too."
Zuko blinked and hesitantly joined in on the Water Tribe siblings' embrace. Katara leaned her head against his shoulder and Sokka clapped a hand on his other shoulder approvingly. Zuko laughed to himself and let out a breath of relief. When they broke apart, Katara completely settled into Zuko's side, wrapping her arms around his torso. Zuko felt a comforting warmth spread throughout his whole body and allowed himself to wrap an arm around her waist to curl her in. Feeling brave, his pressed his lips to her temple.
Sokka watched the exchange with only a slightly put out expression. "Alright, that's enough of that, Zuko," he complained, though there was no real heat to his tone.
"Sokka!"
Despite Katara's reprimand, Zuko felt himself blush and he stepped away from Katara minutely out of respect for Sokka. He reminded Sokka, "Don't forget that I walked in on your romantic plans with Suki back when we were fugitives. It's a bit of the pot calling the kettle back. And you owe me."
The way Sokka's jaw dropped as if it was unhinged had Zuko and Katara in hysterics. "Not with my little sister, I don't!" Once they had settled down, Sokka rolled his eyes at them and waited for them to sober up. "Can we be serious now?" he asked sardonically.
"Sokka, we've been nothing but serious. I don't know how we could be more sincere." Katara placed a hand on her hip and pursed her lips. "You'll also have to respect our wishes and keep this between us. Can you do that?"
Considering them, Sokka asked, "Can I tell Suki?"
Zuko and Katara shared a look before Zuko chuckled and nodded. "I trust Suki with my life. I'm still a little bitter that you took away my best bodyguard."
"As much as I acknowledge how kick ass my wife is, I don't think it'd be wrong of me to say that you've traded up by having a master Waterbender as your new bodyguard."
"Katara's my bodyguard? Not the other way around?"
"Dude, she saved your ass today."
The three broke out into laughter again and Sokka grinned at them. "Alright, now that that's out of the way, I'm calling it a night. I've got to make my way back to Ember Island to my honeymoon before Suki comes here and murders me."
"You owe my uncle one more visit before you leave tomorrow," Zuko reminded him. "Besides, he'll probably give you something to bring back to Suki."
Sokka's face blanched. "Uh… I appreciate it, but we don't need any sex teas."
"Who the hell said anything about sex teas?" Zuko spluttered.
"That's what you made it sound like!"
"I'm pretty sure I didn't!"
Katara rolled her eyes. "Sokka, Zuko obviously didn't mean that. Sounds like you're just being insecure about something."
Sokka glared at her. "Ha ha. Well I better not hear from Iroh about either of you asking for sex tea."
"Agni," Zuko muttered under his breath. "Sokka, we don't need sex tea. Honestly, my uncle is probably just going to give you regular tea and a little knick knack for Suki as a wedding gift."
"Right. And speaking of which, you two better not need sex tea. I mean, well that is to say—"
"Sokka, please stop talking!" Katara exclaimed, her cheeks red and voice shrill. "Zuko, can you lend him one of your general's eel hounds so he can leave Ba Sing Se faster?"
"I was just thinking the same thing," Zuko muttered.
Sokka scoffed but said, "That's actually helpful. I'll see you two in the morning." He gave Katara one more hug before turning down the hall that led to the bedrooms. "I'll be in the room next to Katara's," he called over his shoulder purposefully.
Katara shook her head and held her face in her hands, groaning. Zuko smiled and grasped her shoulders. "That wasn't as bad as I thought," he said lightly.
Her shoulders dropping, Katara looked up at Zuko with exasperation. "He's ridiculous."
"He cares." Zuko rubbed her upper arms reassuringly. "You're lucky," he reminded her. He leaned in, his golden eyes smoldering as they connected with her cerulean orbs. "Besides, I know firsthand that he's a deep sleeper and he wouldn't be able to hear me sneaking into your room."
Katara giggled and allowed herself to sag into his hold, sliding her arms around his waist as she rested her head against his chest. "As much as I believe in your stealth skills," she teased, "I don't think his heart could take it if he caught us. I don't think your heart could take it, either."
Sighing dramatically, Zuko murmured, "It was worth a try. And yes, I believe I was told to take it easy with this new hole in my chest."
"That you were. Speaking of which, I wanted to talk about me being on the United Republic Council." Katara avoided his gaze and bit her lip anxiously.
"Are you nervous? Because you have no reason to be— you'll be amazing in this role."
Katara gave Zuko a grateful smile, though her eyes were still guarded. "I guess I just wanted to talk about your initial reaction when I volunteered…"
Zuko's face fell. "I'm sorry if that made you think that I thought you weren't capable. You are. It's just not what I expected for you in terms of your next steps. We spent the last few weeks talking about your plans to travel the world but then you decide to take a semi-permanent post in Yu Dao. It threw me off and I obviously didn't do a good job of hiding it."
"Especially considering how thrown off I was by your sudden display today."
"I'm sorry, Katara. But no one was listening and then it was as if they were all ganging up on you and I just had to make them listen."
"You're the Fire Lord, Zuko. You can make them listen using this and this," she gently jabbed at his forehead and chest. "If you pull another stunt like that again, I'll kill you and bring you back to kick your ass again."
"Noted." He leaned down and dusted his lips over her cheek, nuzzling his nose against the line of her jaw before gently nipping at the skin of her neck. "Your sudden ambition also ruined the plans I had for you to visit me in the Fire Nation," he said lightly.
Ignoring the way he mouthed at her neck, and was definitely leaving a new mark, Katara explained, "The only reason I wanted to travel was to find a purpose. And I realized that by being the Water Tribe representative, I get to do what I want. And I get the added benefit of having a reason to see you more often. Yu Dao is much closer to the Fire Nation than the Southern Water Tribe or wherever I might be in the world and I figure that you'd have to visit to check in with the Fire Nation representative as well. It's just a year long position, Zuko, it's not like I'm completely throwing away my chance to travel or help others around the world. But I really think I could do some good there."
Zuko lifted his head and asked, "How often did you expect me to leave the Fire Nation to go to Yu Dao?"
Katara's cheeks pinked again. "I mean, it's not something I really thought about… Obviously, I understand if you can't visit that often. I don't expect you to abandon your country for me."
"To be honest, I was initially thinking that as Fire Lord as well as a founder of the United Republic of Nations, I should at least visit once in a while. But now that I think about it even more, quarterly visits make more sense."
Katara's cerulean eyes widened in surprise before crinkling as her lips curved into an alluring smile. "Oh they do?"
Zuko hummed thoughtfully before lowering his head again, "They do," he murmured before capturing her lips.