Zuko doesn't know where to start.
He's on a stretch of mountainous land, watching as the set suns over the Fire Nation. He's hot, still unused to the flowing robes befitting of a Fire Lord. His people below bustle around, the city alive. He knows the markets are open and festivals are in full swing.
Zuko also knows that there is still so much left to do. The colorful decorations in the square cover up scorch marks, leftover from the heat of battle. The countryside is riddled with rough patches of bare earth, singed to a crisp. Still new enough that recovery isn't yet in full swing.
"It's good," says Katara from his side. She's taken up as an ambassador for the Water Tribes. A good and solid choice- the best one, probably.
Sokka is great, of course. Utterly charismatic, able to amuse people with just his words, but also instill confidence with smoothly worded sentiments. But, he's flighty at times. Terrible with deadlines and always late. All he does is complain about the trials of bureaucracy and how boring everything seems to be now.
Zuko agrees but he's come to juggle it as necessary, something that Sokka hasn't quite gotten through his skull yet. Sokka's a man of action, not politics. Aang isn't a man for either.
Katara, though- she's perfect for the job. Fierce, both in her loyalty and bravery. People look up to her, all nations alike. Even the Fire Nation, something that Zuko hadn't expected. Katara's proven herself in everything that she does. She drives a hard bargain, refusing to step down when it comes to her people, but in the end, all she wants is peace.
Zuko is still learning how to compromise.
"Not sure it's that good," he finally says with a sigh.
Katara is still next to him, arms crossed over her chest as she frowns. "Let them enjoy the holiday."
"I want them too," says Zuko, testily. He's still bad at that, letting his temper get the best of him. Katara just shoots him an unimpressed, flat stare. That's why they work so well together. She doesn't put up with his bullshit.
Zuko sighs again, rubbing at his face before he says, "It just feels like everything is at a standstill. Like nothing is getting done."
"Zuko, that isn't true," says Katara. "It takes time to ease into things."
She's right, of course. Zuko knows it. Doesn't make it any easier. He feels like he's biding his time and twiddling his thumbs.
"I promised when I was crowned that I would do right by them." His people, he means. Anything to not be his father, or Azula, if she'd taken the throne instead. He was crowned only a half-year ago and everything is going so slowly. Turns out, rebuilding a country from the ground up looks easier than it is.
And Zuko has a lot working against him; distrust from his people despite his efforts in the war, hesitance from other nations in regards to his sincerity in peace… he's been handed a shitty set of cards.
"And you will," says Katara, full of resolve.
Zuko waits for a moment and then says with a short laugh, "Aang told me to channel Avatar Roku. Something about his kindness and grace."
"You're kind," says Katara, "But there's a fundamental difference between you and Roku."
When Zuko looks at her, she's looking back, her gaze strong. "You're willing to do the things that no one wants to," she says firmly. "I am the same which means that I understand. It isn't easy and it never will be, but someone has to do it."
Roku never meant ill, everyone knows this. Longtime friendships can be a burden or a boon. Unfortunately, Roku's adamant refusal to get involved plunged them into a war that could have been avoided.
"I wonder if Roku would have changed his mind if he knew the outcome would be war."
"No," says Katara, but she doesn't sound judgemental, only sad. "There are few truly good people in the world, and he was one. It wasn't his fault." Then she nudges his shoulder with her own. "We'll figure it out."
"Yeah," says Zuko. They will, he knows it. It just might take some time and that's okay. They all deserve a good, long rest before they try and save the world again.
"It's pretty you know, the Fire Nation as the sun goes down. But not as much as this." Katara kicks at the ground and Zuko's gaze follows it.
There's a small weed growing in the scorched earth. Nothing pretty, kind of scraggly looking but- well, it's there and it's new, and it's going to thrive.
"Have to start somewhere, I guess," says Zuko, smiling softly.
Katara beams at him, wide and genuine, then she punches him across the shoulder.