DISCLAIMER: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

A/N: Hey guys. Apologies for the very, very, very late update. My partner and I had a COVID scare that left me preoccupied for the past few months. We still don't know if we actually had it- the local government just classified us 'recovered' once the symptoms went away instead of showing us the actual lab results (welcome to a third-world country, amirite). Anyway, I found it hard to write even after recovering, and when I did, the typhoons started coming and we had on and off electricity. So despite the plans I had for this chapter, it's a bit short and disjointed as my mind is still reeling from recent events and I couldn't fully get into the characters' heads. Again, I am so sorry for keeping you waiting, and please, please, wear masks, sanitize, observe all health protocols as much as you can, and stay safe!

CHAPTER 35: I Don't

Katara has barely wrapped a towel around herself when she hears someone banging on her hotel room door.

"Katara!" Sokka shouts from the other side. "Open up, there's an emergency!"

Katara's eyes widen and she throws the towel into the shower where Zuko is standing frozen in panic.

"Stay here," she hisses, fumbling with her bathrobe and running out of the bathroom, slamming the bathroom door shut behind her. She pulls open her bedroom door and tries not to look too frazzled as she tries to block Sokka's view of the rumpled sheets and Zuko's clothes strewn all over the floor.

"What is it, Sokka?"

"Zuko's missing!" says her brother, flailing his arms around. "I went to his room to ask him if he wanted to go grab a beer with me and Aang before dinner, but he's not there! And Aang said he saw him go to the beach earlier but now he can't find him either!"

Katara exhales sharply and pinches the bridge of her nose.

"Sokka, maybe he just went for a walk or something," she lies smoothly. "He had a rough flight. Did you know he's scared of small planes?"

"You really think he'll just 'go for a walk' when he hasn't seen his best buddy for almost a week?" exclaims Sokka, gesturing with air quotes incredulously.

Katara just pins him with a flat look.

"Yes," she says. "In case you haven't noticed, you're the clingy one, not Zuko."

"Aw man, I really wanted to catch up before Gran-Gran hogged him again," he says, posture wilting. "I dunno what's gotten into her, but she's been talking Zuko up to Bato and Gran-Pakku non-stop."

"Oh my god," groans Katara, running a hand down her face. "I knew I shouldn't have told her."

A mischievous grin slowly appears on Sokka's face.

"Oooooh, told her what?" he asks, waggling his eyebrows. He pokes her shoulder insistently. "Did you tell Gran-Gran you were in love with Zuuuuko?"

"Ugh, shut up, you dork!" exclaims Katara, shoving him out the door. "Now get out, I need to get dressed for dinner."

"Yeah, yeah," Sokka rolls his eyes and flaps a hand dismissively at her. "And I'll be out here looking for your boyfriend."

"He's not-!" Katara blushes and stumbles on her words, before scrunching up her face and pushing her brother farther into the hall. "Oh, you know what, just go!"

Sokka laughs and makes smoochy noises at her until she slams the door on his face.

Zuko pokes his head out of the bathroom with a confused look on his face.

"Did he really think I would actively seek him out when I'm on vacation?" He asks, drying his hair with his towel. Katara snorts and goes about the room, picking up pieces of their clothing and dumping them on the bed.

"You're telling me you didn't miss your 'best buddy' at all?" she counters teasingly. Zuko frowns in the middle of pulling on his pants.

"He's not my 'best buddy,'" he replies, and Katara laughs at the slightly disgusted look on his face.

"Who's your best friend, then?"

"Would you be offended if I didn't say it's you?" He says, a small smirk on his lips.

"No," Katara shrugs and pulls on her top. "I already know it's Toph, anyway."

"You know me too well," says Zuko, reaching out and grabbing her by the waist. She giggles and swats at his bare chest as he leans in and nuzzles the side of her head.

"Zuko, you need to go out there before Sokka sends out a search party for you."

"Alright, alright," he sighs and plants a kiss on her temple before grabbing his shirt from the bed and shrugging it on. "For all his insistence that we should be together, he's really cutting into our alone time."

"You know I'm expecting you to spend the night here, right?" asks Katara, grinning impishly and raising an eyebrow at him.

"Yes, dear," replies Zuko, rolling his eyes playfully. Katara wrinkles her nose and shakes her head.

"Nope, we're not doing that."

"Alright then, Sweetness."

"Still no, Sparky," laughs Katara, gently marching him towards the door. "I'll see you at dinner."

"Wait," he protests. He turns around and cups her face in his hands, his eyes softening. He kisses her long enough to leave her dazed and breathless before reaching for the door. "See you at dinner."

The door closes behind him and Katara leans against it, heart thundering in her chest. She shakes her head to clear it, but she couldn't stop the huge smile that creeps on her face.

It's going to be so hard to keep this to herself.

Dinner had gone well enough.

He and Katara were seated far enough from each other that they hadn't been able to interact in a way that would make anyone suspicious- then, as soon as Suki had arrived at the restaurant with her family, the soon-to-be in-laws had pretty much dominated the conversation and every topic was about how preparations were going for the upcoming nuptials.

Now, with the older adults settled in their hotel rooms for the night, the gang is walking along the boardwalk, with Sokka and Aang leading them to every food stall and game booth that piqued their interest.

"Suki, get over here!" yells Sokka, waving his fiancée over to a can toss game. "I'm gonna win you that stuffed lemur!"

"You know, I think I'd prefer the fire ferret," says Suki, sorting through the plushies hanging over the booth. "It looks like it can be used as an airplane pillow."

"Betcha I can get both. I worked out a lot to fill out my tux."

"Uh huh, I saw you lifting a twig every now and then, you big strong man."

"Guys!" interjects Aang excitedly. "They have roasted veggies over there! I'll go get us some!"

He speeds away, flip-flops slapping on the wooden walkway. Meanwhile, Sokka winds up his arm comically, his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth in concentration.

Zuko looks around and finds Katara in a shadowed part of the boardwalk, looking out at the ocean. He sidles up to her and places a hand on the small of her back.

"How are you feeling?"

Katara sighs and hugs her arms to her body. She leans against him and closes her eyes.

"I don't know… It just hit me that… well, Mom would have loved all of this," she says softly, fingers lightly skimming the delicate necklace at the hollow of her throat. Her voice almost gets carried off by the breeze. "I just know she'd adore Suki. And she would've loved you, too. She'd probably be the first person I'd tell about us."

Zuko smiles and rests his cheek against the top of her head.

"Tell me about her."

Katara hums thoughtfully before replying.

"She was the sweetest and kindest person I knew," she whispers, then she chuckles under her breath. "But Dad always says I got my snark from her. She was as smart as a whip, and she always told me I should never dumb myself down for anybody. She told me that I should never turn my back on anyone who needs me, and that I should always fight for what I know is right, even when people around me don't agree- especially when they don't agree." She opens her eyes and smiles wistfully. "She really celebrated our culture in the South, too- I remember when she and the other moms in the village would get together and cook communal meals and teach us kids the basics. She'd make everyone laugh and she was so good at breaking up fights between the younger kids who still didn't understand the concept of sharing. She never made anyone cry, which was amazing when you're handling an entire village's worth of children. I think deep down that's why I wanted to teach kids- I just want to be more like her."

"She sounds like an amazing woman," murmurs Zuko, tightening his hold around her waist. "And you're really amazing, too, y'know. I think she'd be really proud of you."

"Hmm, I think I like hearing you say how amazing I am."

"Well, you are," he sneaks a peck on her cheek and she giggles. "You're the best, most amazing-"

"Here you go!" They hear Aang's voice near the can toss stall and they spring apart. Aang is handing out roasted vegetables on skewers. "I got you a meat kebab, Sokka!"

"Meat!" exclaims Sokka, abandoning his game and rubbing his hands together. "Thanks, Aang! I'm starving!"

"We just had dinner, Sokka," Suki comments amusedly, taking up the balls on the counter and aiming for the cans. She hits the pyramid perfectly in one shot and dusts her hands off with a smug smile. "Looks like I get a fire ferret plushie."

"Aw, c'mon," complains Sokka through a mouthful of meat, "I could still get you the lemur."

"We already spent way too much on this booth," counters Suki, slinging the stuffed red ferret over her neck. "I think we should head back now. We still have a lot to do tomorrow. Right, Katara?"

"That's right," agrees Katara, stepping forward and accepting a skewer from Aang. "Guests are gonna start arriving, the venue for the rehearsal dinner needs to be prepared-"

"Ugh, we already talked so much about this over dinner!" whines Sokka, throwing his hands up and nearly skewering Aang's arm. "Whoops, sorry, bud-"

"Oh sure, 'cause you helped so much with the wedding plans," Katara comments with a sarcastic roll of her eyes. Sokka sputters and points his kebab at her.

"Hey, I helped! I talked to the caterers that one time!" he exclaims. Zuko snorts in disbelief as he chews on his roasted vegetables.

"You were pawning off all the work on me and Katara," he reminds him, and Katara nods in agreement. "Don't think we didn't notice."

"That's just 'cause Suki and I wanted you guys to stop tiptoeing around-" responds Sokka defensively before Suki slaps a hand over his mouth and forcibly drags him away.

An awkward silence descends among the remaining three, with Zuko and Katara avoiding Aang's eyes. After a moment, Aang clears his throat and shuffles his feet.

"Well! Uh, maybe we should get going, huh?" he says in a falsely cheerful voice. He looks between the other two with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "You guys probably want some time alone, right?"

Zuko coughs on his kebab and Katara blushes and sputters.

"Aang- what are you- we're not-"

"I saw you," he replies in a slightly accusatory tone, before sighing and stuffing his hands into his pockets. He turns away and starts walking after Suki and Sokka. "Sorry. I'm still getting used to it. It'll pass."

"Aang…" begins Katara, reaching her hand out towards him, only to pull back when Zuko places a hand on her shoulder. She exchanges a look with him and he shrugs slightly.

"I think he just needs more time," he mutters, looking after Aang's retreating back. Katara places her hand over his and sighs.

"I know he's not trying to make us feel bad on purpose, and I know I don't owe him an explanation, but…" Her eyes tighten and she shakes her head. "This wasn't how I wanted him to know."

"I understand," answers Zuko, threading his fingers through hers. "I got the feeling that dealing with Aang requires a… um, gentle approach."

"Toph's 'tough love' philosophy works on him, though," comments Katara, leading the way back to the hotel.

Zuko chuckles.

"That's because it's Toph. 'Tough love' is what she does best."

"Ugh, yeah, I got a lot of crap from her when-" Katara blushes and looks down at their clasped hands, swinging them back and forth shyly. "Well, after I told the girls that you were in love with me."

"Oh," Zuko's eyes widen and he slows their pace. "Just- just so you know, I didn't tell her to do any of that- I didn't want to pressure you into giving me an answer or anything, I didn't even want to bring it up again-"

She cuts him off with a peck on the lips and a giggle.

"Zuko, you didn't pressure me at all, okay?" she assures him earnestly. "I was already probably halfway in love with you when you confessed. Guess I'll just have to make it up to you."

"I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing you say that," blurts out Zuko, before coughing and shaking his head. "I- I mean the 'love' part, not the- I'm not- you don't have to make it up to me, Katara, I swear-"

"Hmm, that's a shame then," grins Katara, running a finger down his chest, "'Cause I was planning on making it up to you a lot tonight."

Zuko grins wolfishly back at her and catches her hand, peppering her knuckles with small kisses.

"Well, if you put it that way…"

"Wow, you barely put up a fight with that one," teases Katara. "And here I thought you'd be harder to convince."

"I'd pretty much do anything for you," replies Zuko sincerely, squeezing her hand. "You know that, right?"

"I guess I do," admits Katara, "But I don't want you to do that all the time, alright? That's not how this relationship's gonna work. You have to tell me when I'm in the wrong, okay?"

"I said I'd do anything for you, but I didn't say I wouldn't argue with you about it," chuckles Zuko. "Look, I know you and Aang had that problem, but we're different people, and- oh."

He suddenly drops his hand and takes a step away from her, a panic-stricken look in his eyes. Katara turns around to find her step-grandfather walking down the boardwalk from the direction of the hotel.

"Oh," she agrees with a sense of foreboding.

"Hi, Gran-Pakku!" she greets, smiling sheepishly as soon as he is in hearing distance. "Out for a midnight walk?"

"It is far past midnight, Katara. Unlike the youth, I tend to wake up before sunrise," he responds, coming to a stop an arm's length from them, his hands tucked behind his back, eyes flicking between his step-granddaughter and Zuko. His mouth twists as though he tasted something sour. "And who is this young man?"

"Gran-Pakku, this is my, ah, friend, Zuko," Katara replies. "Remember? He was at dinner, he's Sokka's other best man."

Zuko swallows audibly before holding out his hand.

"It's nice to, uh, officially meet you, sir."

Pakku continues to look at him, unmoving, with the sour expression on his face. Zuko clears his throat and retracts his hand, stuffing it into his pocket.

"It is improper for a young woman to be out at this hour with a young man-" Pakku begins, and the tension in Katara's shoulders slips and she rolls her eyes and crosses her arms, as though she's had this conversation thousands of times.

"Ugh, Gran-Pakku, how many times do I have to tell you, it doesn't work that way anymore!" she exclaims. "Just because we're hanging out, just the two of us, whenever or wherever that may be, doesn't mean that there's something sinister going on! Additionally, I'm an adult, I don't need any lecture on what's proper or not!"

"Alright, alright. You have made your point," acquiesces Pakku, his eyebrow raised. He purses his lips and side-eyes Zuko. "Be that as it may, it is quite late to be meandering around. Why don't I and your friend here walk you to your room, hm?"

"Of course, sir," responds Zuko immediately, glancing at Katara. She just shrugs and rolls her eyes again, and Pakku takes it as a signal to start walking back to the hotel, occasionally looking back at the two of them with narrowed eyes.

"I can't believe Gran-Pakku caught us," grumbles Katara. Zuko groans as well and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"He hates me," he mutters as Pakku throws another sour look over his shoulder. Zuko winces. "Ugh. I can't believe this."

"Zuko, it's really sweet that you care about what my family thinks of you, but it honestly doesn't matter to me," says Katara, before turning to him with a look of determination. "But if how Gran-Pakku's behaves is bothering you, just tell me. He needs to get taken down a peg every so often."

"You don't have to-"

"I want to, Zuko." She replies in a tone that brooked no argument. "Although, he might hang around my room until everyone else wakes up, so we might have to… postpone our activities."

"I'll manage," says Zuko dryly, to which Katara laughs.

"Well, think of me when you do," she answers with a wink, and Zuko chokes on his spit.

"Katara!" he hisses. "Your step-grandfather's right there!"

"Oh, sorry, I didn't think you were gonna be such a prude," she teases, sounding a little too much like Toph. Zuko half-laughs and half-groans as he runs a hand down his face.

"I swear, you'll be the death of me," he mutters as they enter the empty lobby and Pakku leads them to the hallway leading to the wedding party's rooms. Katara grins impishly at him and mouths "I love you," just before they reach her bedroom.

Zuko barely has time to smile back before Pakku is clearing his throat pointedly. Katara huffs good-naturedly at him and bids them both good night.

The door clicks shut behind her and Pakku rounds on Zuko, who steels himself.

"What are your intentions with my granddaughter?" asks Pakku, arms crossed, staring him down with cold blue eyes. Zuko resigns himself to the interrogation and straightens his spine.

"I assure you sir, my intentions with Katara are honorable and I do not mean to do her any disrespect," says Zuko sincerely. "I will do my best to do right by her, but quite frankly, sir, whatever my intentions are don't matter because I hold Katara's choices and feelings in the highest regard."

Pakku scoffs and fixes him with a sour look again.

"I do not deny that Katara is her own person who is free to make decisions for herself," he says, crossing his arms. "However, I do know firsthand the rashness that comes with such a… young relationship. I will be watching how you conduct yourself around my granddaughter, young man. Consider yourself warned. Now, off you go."

Zuko blinks at the sudden dismissal but takes it anyway. He walks to his bedroom, occasionally looking over his shoulder to see Pakku still standing squarely in front of Katara's door, watching him with beady eyes. Zuko shakes his head. Never before had he felt like such a teenager- no, not even when he was an actual teen did he get away with standing up to authority the way he did just now, no matter how respectfully he disagreed.

He wonders what Pakku meant about rashness in relationships- Zuko has made rash decisions and snap judgements in his life before, of course, but he doubts it will happen with Katara again, considering how far they've come since they first met. He winces at the memory as he locks his room door behind him and tumbles into his bed. He never believed in luck, not really, but he still thanks whichever spirits were involved that led to him and Katara getting together.