Chapter Thirty-One

A little over a week had gone by and they had all settled into a new, comfortable pattern. Zuko would rise with the sun, carefully crawling from the bed and sea of blankets and pillows, he would ready himself for the day and venture down to the small, informal dining room he and his Uncle had established where Iroh was already sipping tea and pushed a cup towards his nephew. They would enjoy a quiet breakfast, just the two of them, then, when they were done, one of the cooks would bring out a third plate of breakfast, fresh and hot on a tray with a lid. Parting ways with Iroh, Zuko ascended back to the Royal bedroom, secretly relieved that he no longer had to put on a show or pretend to go to Katara's room in order to bring her breakfast. When Aang had been here, it would have been highly inappropriate to share sleeping quarters, no matter the circumstances. Now with no one around except a few, very discrete and loyal guards, Zuko was free to bring the tray directly to his room where Katara still lay curled amongst the satins and silks of fine sheets and hand stitched pillows.

He would set the tray down and then watch her for a moment, while she was truly peaceful. The sheets had tangled all about her; she tended to get a bit restless once he left her side in the mornings, but she seemed to be resting well. He lifted a soft curl that had tumbled forth onto the sheets afore her and let it softly twine through his fingers before carefully lowering it among others behind her sleeping form. Another curl had also fallen astray across her cheek and her soft breaths made a few strands dance. Almost as if in a trance, he found his hand reaching towards those chocolate strands, being ever so careful to not disturb her slumber just yet. He tucked that lock of hair behind her as he had the first and then unable to resist, he ran his rough hands through those warm, soft strands. His fingers glided through the curls to her bare shoulder and curved to follow the dip of the backline in the nightgown and back up again as the soft, tan skin below him shivered and broke out in goosebumps.

There was a shift and he tore his eyes from where his fingers traced her skin and met half lidded cerulean eyes and a sleepy smile. "Good morning." She said, sitting up, the remaining blankets fell away, and her hair settled around her in unruly mane. Katara claimed the humidity added to these early morning curls, before they were tamed. She used a hand to shove them backwards and began the process of clambering out of the bed. Not an easy feat with how plush the mattress was.

He cleared his throat. "Good morning." Once she was standing barefoot and bedraggled before him, he directed her towards the tray. "I have breakfast for you."

Zuko would then sit with her while she finished breakfast and of course, a cup of Iroh's tea. Once Katara was fed, she would go to her room to dress for the day and then her and Zuko would begin the day in his office, where they would pour over the mountains of paperwork. This is where Zuko was extremely grateful for the help. He may be Fire Lord, but what teenager, no -scratch that… what person would actually enjoy going through all the dry, political papers that seemed to overflow his massive desk no matter how much of a dent he had made the day before. Several hours of mind-numbing documents and pleasant company later, Katara would excuse herself to go to the clinic where she loved to work and help the citizens of his nation. Once Katara had left, he would take a break from paperwork to train with his soldiers for a while. After the pleasant break, it was back to meetings and more paperwork.

Katara typically returned before dinner and then they had the evenings to themselves. They had sparred before by the light of the setting sun and the rising moon. Another night they had stayed up and talked; Zuko had confided that he felt he owed it to his sister to visit her, but he couldn't bring himself to do it just yet. Katara had admitted that she missed home, despite loving being here. Other nights had included Iroh, or late trips to the market or any variety of other things.

Tonight, after dinner, Zuko and Katara excused themselves to walk amongst the gardens below their bedroom windows. The sun was starting to set, setting the sky afire in washes of pink, orange, yellow and red. The day was cooling, and the air was perfumed with the scent of thousands of flowers. Before they had gotten very far, a messenger stopped Zuko with something urgent. The Fire Lord nodded for her to continue without him. Used to such interruptions, Katara continued her slow walk along the flower beds and fruit bearing trees.

Letting her feet guide her aimlessly she found herself at an exquisite marble fountain, and she watched her wavy reflection, mind drifting. Her fingers found the smooth, shiny skin of her scar revealed by her midriff top. She hated that scar and the memories associated with it. She had been weak, vulnerable; something she had never wanted to be again. And that was how Zuko found her, fingering her scar and frowning.

"What's wrong?" He asked, startling her out of her reverie as she turned to him.

"I hate this scar." She said solemnly, not quite meeting his eyes. Zuko remained quiet, waiting for her to continue. "It's ugly…" she started lamely. "People were staring at it when we were in the market the other day."

Zuko's look of concern changed subtly, but he was trying to keep his reaction from showing. "Those men in the market weren't staring at your scar." He had a slight growl to his voice. "They were staring at you."

Now she did meet his eyes. Her hand dropped slowly from the scar on her front as she gazed at him questioningly.

Zuko ran a hand through his hair like he was frustrated. "They were staring at you because you're beautiful."

Katara's face flamed and she seemed at a loss for words. "But Zuko, I…"

He took a step closer, so she had to turn her face up to meet his eyes. "You are incredibly beautiful Katara, but you are also brave, kind and smart."

Overwhelmed by the sudden intensity in his gaze and his words, she went to take a step back, but bumped into the ledge of the fountain and stumbled for a moment, but strong arms caught her readily enough. Zuko held her but did not release her. They stared into each other's faces, looking for something and seeming to find it as they slowly closed the distance between them. Katara's eyes fluttered closed shortly before the warm brush of lips met hers and she found herself wrapping her arms around Zuko to get as close as she could, his heat enveloping her. The kiss was soft, sweet and lingering and she almost felt a little dizzy as Zuko pulled back just enough to gauge her reaction.

Zuko's face was a bit flushed as well, but as he gazed down on her she could see a satisfied glint in his eye. "I've been wanting to do that for a while now." He confided quietly.

Feeling emboldened, Katara leaned forward to meet his lips again and allowed him to deepen the kiss as his grip shifted to the back of her head and to her lower back to press her tightly to him. When the kiss broke, they stood panting a moment before Katara hooked her arm through his and motioned towards the garden. "Shall we continue our walk?"

His eyes shone happily as he smiled down at her, tucked against his side. "Yes." Arm-in-arm, they followed the well-manicured path once again.

That evening, after Katara had changed into a night gown, she approached Zuko's room hesitantly. Had things between them changed? They had shared that first kiss in the garden, followed by the second, steamier kiss, but the rest of the walk had been rather innocent, though they had remained touching the whole time. She opened the secret panel and softly padded into the room, finding him in the soft trousers and no shirt he wore at night, near the bed. He smiled at her as she shyly made her way towards him.

"You look good in blue, but I love it when you wear red." He said, appraising her night gown. "You look tired, are you ready for bed?"

Still feeling shy, she just nodded her head and followed his lead, climbing across the luxurious mattress and burrowing under the soft sheets. She curled on her side, using Zuko's shoulder as a pillow like she normally did, but his arms flexed and he pulled her flush against him, arm draped across her hip and his free hand reaching out to brush through her hair a few times. "Good night Katara."

"Good night Zuko."

He gently pressed a kiss to her forehead and used his bending to extinguish the lights.

The next morning, Zuko woke with the sun, but he spent a while marveling at the woman curled in his arms, sleeping peacefully. He extricated himself very carefully and watched her a moment more once he was clear before shuffling downstairs. When he returned with breakfast, he discarded his tray and came back to the edge of the bed. Katara was still sleeping soundly, so he sat on the edge gingerly and lightly brushed his thumb across her cheek and placed a kiss on her forehead. She stirred and slowly her eyes fluttered open.

"Good morning beautiful. I have breakfast ready for you."

"Mm… Morning." She said with a yawn and sat up to stretch. Zuko watched her with a small smile on his face, but he was quick to get out of the way when she threw back the covers and struggled to her feet.

They had breakfast and continued, after Katara changed, to the office for their daily dose of political hell. After last night, not much in their dynamic had changed except the flirting and of course the kisses. The flirting was nice, but the kisses were so hot. She wasn't sure if it was his fire bending nature or his advanced years and experience. She had only kissed Aang, and he was younger than her. Not the most experienced kisser. Nor had his kisses seemed to warm and excite her like Zuko's seemed to. The flirting, lingering looks and not so sly brushes of skin continued. Katara was reluctant to leave, even if it meant a break from paperwork, and go to the clinic. She did have responsibilities and plenty of patients that needed her, so in the end, she found the willpower to depart.

"I should get going, I have people that need me." She started to stand but he caught her hand and she smiled down at him. He stood and pulled her to him playfully and she thumped against his chest with a giggle.

"Have a good day at work. I'll see you when you get home." With that, he caught her chin and brought her face to his. His golden eyes smoldered and that was the last thing she saw as her eyes fluttered closed and soft, warm lips pressed against her own. His mouth began moving against hers, his free hand finding her hip and both of her hands snaked up around his neck, her fingers weaving between the black silky strands of his hair. His tongue flicked against her lips briefly, sending a chill through her and she parted her lips to allow him to deepen the kiss which he gladly obliged. By the time they were done, Katara was a bit breathless and Zuko almost seemed smug.

Silently she urged her legs on or she would be stuck here under his spell. "I'll see you later." She quickly made her escape before he could persuade her to stay. Her racing heart slowed once she was on the carriage ride, but thoughts of Zuko kept her mind occupied while she was in-between patients. She was looking forward to arriving back at the palace tonight.

Meanwhile, Zuko had taken time out of his schedule to spar with some of his soldiers to keep his body nimble and his mind light. Then he had less than willingly trudged back to his office to continue reviewing a trade agreement with the Earth Kingdom. After what seemed like eternity, he had made adjustments to the trade agreement, approved several other documents that needed his review for Agni only new what reason and denied a few of the more outrageous requests he had found. Iroh brought him tea and a respite before it was back to work. A kingdom as large as his didn't run itself after all. A few hours of paperwork later, but sooner than Katara tended to return, his office door opened.

"I'm surprised you're back so soon." He said without looking up and tapping a stack of papers on the desk to align them.

"Hello Zuko." Said a sultry voice.

The stack of papers fell from his hands and scattered over the desk and floor as he turned towards the person who had spoken. "Mai."

Sarahplainntall here! I hope you liked this chapter and the cliff hanger! I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts! dancingmylifeaway, I appreciated your review, it really made my day, no, week. I am currently in school to be a Veterinary Technician (AKA Vet Nurse) and just finished summer classes which is why I got this chapter out with slightly less delay.