Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.
44
"And your current employer?" the young man asked. Katara reminded herself that his name was Zuko.
"The vet down the street," she answered. "I work there part-time."
"Are you going to quit?"
She raised her eyebrows at his abrupt tone. "I wasn't going to do that until I had another job confirmed."
"Smart."
"Thanks," she said dryly. "So, do I have another job confirmed?"
Zuko closed his little note pad and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Not just yet. Can you make tea?"
"Yes," she answered, amused.
"What about coffee or espresso?"
Katara nodded. "There's a cheap espresso machine at the vet's office. We practically live on that stuff. I make espresso once or twice a shift."
"Fancy vet office," he said mockingly. "But, so far, you're the only person I've interviewed that knows how to use an espresso machine, so I'll take what I can get."
"Oh," Katara smiled, pleased. "Well, is that an official hire, than?"
"Sure," he said. "See you in three weeks."
"See you in three weeks." She slung her bag over her shoulder, striding out of the small office. As she made her way into the waiting room, she smiled at the sight of a familiar face. "Mai!" she called. "I'm so glad you came."
"I'm not," Mai said. "Customer service doesn't agree with me. But I need a job, so..." she shrugged.
Katara laughed. "I understand completely. Good luck in there. He's a bit... well, he's a bit like you, actually."
Mai shot her a dark look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see."
Suki dropped her bag of chamomile into the tea cup, lifting it and watching as the dark tea spread like smoke. "See?" she said to herself. "Employee of the month material."
Sokka came from behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a kiss to her cheek. She leaned into him, smiling.
"I'd vote for you," he murmured. "Is that tea for me?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
She scowled. "Absolutely."
He made a sudden grab for it, and she slid it out of the way. Hot water sloshed over the side, drenching his hand, and he yelped in pain.
Suki laughed. "You deserved that, kinda."
"I deserved third degree burns?" he asked in an injured tone.
She peered at his hand. "It's barely a first degree."
"I'll be incapacitated for my shift today," he complained.
"You should call in sick, then," Suki said, spinning in his arms to face him.
He nodded. "I'll tell them I was injured by my heartless girlfriend, and now she has to nurse me back to health."
"I'll take extra special care of you," she promised, standing on her toes to press a kiss to his lips.
He sighed as he pulled away. "As nice as that sounds, Mr. Hideki wouldn't let me hear the end of it. You'll have to nurse me back to health another time."
"Later, then," she said, winking, and patting him firmly on the rump as he turned away.
Katara set her bag down before stretching out on her bed. Her interview had gone well, and now she'd have to call her current employee to put in her two weeks. She had a test coming up in the next ten days, and a pile of laundry that needed doing. And yet, her mind was across the hall, in Aang's room. He should be home, she mused. He had a class later this evening, but it wasn't for a few hours.
She hadn't seen him since the night before. Since their conversation about his last girlfriend. Katara still stood firm in her beliefs; Aang needed time to heal. But she'd promised she'd help. Surely that meant she shouldn't keep her distance?
Before she knew what she was doing, she was opening the door to his bedroom, and stepping quietly inside. "Aang?" she murmured softly.
He looked up from his desk, where he sat bent over his computer. A series of emotions flashed across his face; happiness to see her, reticence, because of their conversation the night before. Discomfort. Awkwardness. "Hey, Katara. How was your interview?" he asked finally, his shoulders straightening, as if with resolve.
She sat down on his bed. "Fine. Pretty sure I got the job. When's yours, again?"
"Tomorrow afternoon," he said.
"Oh, well... you'll be a shoe-in, I'm sure. Suki said he's pretty much hiring anyone that's nice."
Aang raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Did Suki get the job?"
"She says she did," Katara said.
"Well... that's good."
"Yea."
A stunted silence fell over them, and they both looked away. Katara felt a twinge of regret. Was this how it was going to be, now? But as she wrestled with her conflicted feelings, she heard the sound of a rolling chair, and felt his calloused hand slide over hers. His other hand went to cup her cheek, and he kissed her softly. She let out a sigh of contentment, of relief.
When he pulled away, he leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes closing. Of their own volition, her eyes slid closed, too.
"We'll be okay, Katara," she heard him murmur gently.
A/N: glad to see the excitement for the minister!