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…

Katara laughed softly under her breath before walking around the table to hug him briefly. Almost immediately, Zuko was taken back to when he was sixteen and he had finally earned her forgiveness after helping her confront her mother's murderer. He was always surprised whenever Katara graced him with a hug. This time, he was quicker to respond and returned the embrace before she could walk away from him. Katara stiffened at first, moreso due to the shock as Zuko rarely returned the gesture, but easily leaned into him before pulling back and looking up at him with the slightest curve to her lips.

"Good night, Zuko," she said softly.

"Good night, Katara."

Katara averted her eyes as she felt a small blush warm her cheeks unexpectedly. Zuko stepped back and let her go so she could go to her room. He leaned his head back to stare at the ceiling and let out a long breath.

"Zuko?"

The young Fire Lord whipped around to see her standing at the corridor, nearly hidden from view as she was about to turn into the hallway that led to her room. "I'm really glad we have the chance to see other again and just talk. It's been too long." Her eyes turned away for a moment before meeting his again. Zuko noticed a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she added quietly, "I missed you."

"Katara…" A gentle smile appeared on Zuko's lips and the sight of it warmed Katara. "I… yeah. Me, too."

His response was enough for Katara to beam at him before disappearing around the corner.

Zuko's face was carefully impassive as he stood alone on the outskirts of the crowd. His golden eyes remained uninterested as they surveyed the multitude of political leaders and nobility that made up the guest list at King Kuei's birthday celebration. He drank down his goblet of wine quickly and sighed under his breath, mentally steeling himself to navigate through the crowd to refill his drink.

"Make sure to leave some for the rest of us, while you're at it."

Zuko rolled his eyes as he turned towards the owner of that voice. "Toph— whoa."

Toph grinned toothily and elbowed Katara, causing the older woman to wince slightly as the younger one's elbow hit a particularly tender area of her abdomen. "What did I tell you, Sugar Queen? We look hot. Even without sight, I knew we'd make him go speechless. His heartbeat is going crazy."

"Toph!" Katara hissed, her cheeks turning red. "You're the one who insisted on going to the spa and getting made up since you'd forgotten what it was like to be a woman teaching your 'heathen students' the fine art of Metalbending."

Toph shrugged, the easygoing smile never leaving her face. "I deserve to be pampered for the bullshit I put up with thanks to those idiots." There was no real heat to her tone and Katara and Zuko both knew that she held her students in high regard, though she'd never admit it.

"Toph's right, Katara. You both look… nice," Zuko finished lamely.

Katara lifted her eyes to him. "Thank you, Zuko," she replied bashfully.

Zuko nodded and gulped nervously. He was the Fire Lord and a twenty-two year old man, but for the life of him, he couldn't help but feel like a bumbling teenager all over again. But Toph wasn't wrong. Both women looked beautiful. He recognized the fine clothing that was gifted on behalf of the Earth King. He had received his own set of gifted robes, but had elected to wear his usual dress robes and armor as a representative of the Fire Nation.

He looked over the pale green robes on both of the women. Toph's robes matched her eyes perfectly and was embroidered with the insignia of her family, the flying boar. Katara's robes were plainer as she had no family insignia to boast, but the creamy pastel complimented her tan skin and chestnut hair, which was out of its usual braid and allowed to tumble down her back in thick waves. Her blue eyes were bright as usual, carefully lined with kohl, and sparkled with golden shimmer. Her cheeks were lightly dusted with rouge and he saw the same color painted over her full lips, the color accentuating her wide smile.

Toph pushed past them, "Come on, you two. Let's hit the free booze."

Katara shared a look with Zuko before shaking her head and trailing after their friend. As they watched Toph fill her plate with food, Katara leaned in close to Zuko so he could hear her over the music and rumble of conversation surrounding them.

"How was your day? I feel like I haven't seen you at all the last two weeks. You're always out the door before me or missing or asleep by the time I get home."

"The meetings have been the same as always. I'm afraid there's not much to tell there," he replied with a small smile.

Katara laughed. "I'm sure there's bound to be something interesting if they take up your whole day."

Looking her in the eye, Zuko deadpanned, "I assure you, there's not," which only made Katara laugh harder. At her joy, Zuko felt himself joining in her revelry, grinning back at her.

"Oh poor thing, being the Fire Lord and stuck in boring meetings all day. Well, if it makes you feel any better, it's been a lot of the same for me. I have half a mind to send a messenger hawk to Sokka demanding that he end his honeymoon early and do his duty as the Southern Water Tribe Ambassador."

Zuko's grin widened. "You wouldn't dare."

"Of course not. He and Suki have delayed their honeymoon for months in favor of their duties for far too long. They deserve this time off. I even had to beg them to let me step in as interim ambassador so, no, I wouldn't dare. But I want to. I can't believe it's only been two weeks."

They laughed and Zuko took another sip from his refilled goblet. "I'm sorry that I couldn't make the wedding."

"You were called away to help your people. Sokka and Suki understand. And your wedding gift was very generous," she recalled. He had made a large donation towards the ongoing project to rebuild Kyoshi Island as well as provided the supplies that would be used to build Sokka and Suki's family home on the island. And Zuko had made sure to do so using funds from the royal family's private vaults, not his people's tax money.

"Doesn't mean I don't feel guilty."

Katara sighed. "Zuko, it doesn't take much for you to feel guilty," she pointed out.

He tipped his goblet out to her in acknowledgement. "Alright, that's fair."

Katara watched him from the corner of her eye as he drank his wine. He really did look quite magnificent in his full robes. His pale skin was like marble against the rich hues of black and dark red. And his hair was definitely much longer than she had remembered, the dark lengths falling like silk down his back. The childhood softness had completely disappeared from his face, his features sharp and handsome. He had turned away from the crowd to lock eyes with her again and Katara was held captive by the amber orbs. He looked directly into her eyes and Katara'a stomach dropped, feeling terribly exposed under his gaze.

"Are you going to share?" she asked suddenly.

Zuko raised an eyebrow but offered her his goblet. "Since when do you drink?" he asked, amusement lighting up his eyes.

"Since I've had to step in as ambassador," Katara grumbled before taking a large gulp, relishing in the immediate warmth that spread from her stomach to her cheeks. "Oh, that's much stronger than the wine from Sokka and Suki's wedding."

Zuko couldn't help but chuckle as he took the goblet back from her, his golden eyes crinkling from his smile. "Only the best for the Earth King's birthday. But this particular liquor is best appreciated when sipped, not chugged."

Katara matched his smile and reminded him, "And how many goblets have you had?"

He leaned in and stage whispered, "I've been drinking far longer than you have and have a much higher tolerance than you."

Katara stared into his golden eyes, bright with levity, and at the way his lips curved in a teasing smirk. He was leaning in so closely she could catch whiffs of the smell that often lingered behind in the halls of the house they shared, the only hint of him left behind on days when he had an earlier morning than her. It was masculine, clean, and comforting. She nearly found herself leaning in towards him and caught herself, suddenly pulling back with a start. Her hands instinctively clenched into fists as she moved away.

Zuko also found himself leaning in towards the Waterbender, her blue eyes captivating him. He jumped back when the wine in the goblet sloshed around and he narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Katara, though his glare held no real malice. She maintained a look of innocence, her eyes wide. Part of it was genuine shock since she hadn't had an issue with emotional Waterbending in years.

"I know far better than to believe that look, Katara." He swallowed nervously, somewhat grateful for what he perceived to be a light prank.

She grinned impishly. "I suppose you do," she replied smoothly, though her heart was racing. She looked over her shoulder to see Toph watching them with an entertained expression as she ate her food. She gestured at Katara and Katara rolled her eyes before turning away from the smirking Earthbender. Katara nervously shifted her weight before asking, "Do you want to dance?"

Zuko raised his eyebrow at her. "I'm not very good," he hedged.

"No one's asking you to be," she said kindly. She took the goblet from his hand and placed it on the table behind them as she held out her hand. Zuko hesitated before he reached out to take it.

"Zuko!"

Before he could, both Zuko and Katara turned towards the voice and Zuko's eyes widened as he saw his old friend approaching them.

"Aang? What are you doing here?" he asked. "King Kuei had made an announcement at the start of the summit that you wouldn't be coming. That your work with the Air Acolytes in the Eastern Air Temple didn't allow for you to leave for this long."

Aang smiled genially. "It doesn't," he answered. "But I won't be long. I just wanted to make sure I made a quick appearance and I'll be headed back to the Eastern Air Temple in the morning. King Kuei's been very helpful in the efforts to bring the temple back to its former glory and I want to make sure he knows that his help is appreciated."

Zuko nodded in understanding. "It's good to see you, Aang. It's been a while."

Aang's smile widened. "It's good to see you, too, Sifu Hot Pants."

Making a face, Zuko groaned, "You and Toph really have no respect for me, do you?"

"Are you kidding, Zuko? You're one of my best friends. I have nothing but respect for you."

"Sure doesn't seem that way," Zuko mumbled.

But Zuko knew that the young Avatar meant every word as he often reached out to Zuko for advice. He had no doubt that having been the Avatar and the world's saving grace from the age of twelve weighed heavily on the young man's mind and he was happy to offer any kind of advice afforded to him in the extra four years of life experience he held over him. He knew that it was often hard for many to remember that Aang was only eighteen years old.

"In any case, I'm glad you were able to make an appearance. It's getting harder and harder for us all to see each other."

Aang nodded eagerly and agreed, "Me, too. We're all so busy now." His grey eyes slid over to Katara. "Katara, you look beautiful."

Katara's face remained carefully impassive, but she did smile at him and responded graciously, "Thanks, Aang, that's sweet of you to say. Zuko's right; it's good to see you." Her smile widened a bit. "You grew more," she observed.

Aang beamed at her words and Zuko was immediately reminded of the effect Katara's words had on the young Airbender. He thrived on her praise and positive feedback, perhaps to the detriment of his personal growth.

"Have I?"

"You have," Zuko interjected. "You're nearly my height now."

The Airbender's face had also lost its childhood roundness and from the light shadow on his chin, Zuko would guess that he was attempting to grow out his facial hair. His slight frame filled out more as well.

"I'd recognize those footsteps anywhere. That growth spurt was better late than never, right, Twinkletoes?" Toph joined their circle and crossed her arms.

Aang blushed. "Yeah, I guess… thanks, Toph." He chewed on his lower lip nervously before telling Katara, "The Air Acyolytes ask about you all the time."

Katara pressed her lips together before nodding in understanding. "That's very thoughtful of them. I hear that your progress with the temple has been going well, not that I'm surprised at all. They're so eager to learn the ways of the Air Nomads and I'm glad you're able to pass on the teachings and culture of your people. I know how important it is to you." She averted her eyes and turned to Toph. "Get a drink with me?"

Toph made a face as if she were about to refuse, but then she nodded and walked away with the Waterbender. Zuko stood awkwardly with Aang as the young Airbender stared after Katara with lovesick eyes. Zuko placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder and sighed. "So…"

Aang turned to Zuko. "I miss her."

Zuko fought the urge to sigh again. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"You know?"

"Even if I didn't, that latest interaction would've clued me in. But yeah, Katara let me know the first night we settled into the house." Zuko frowned at him. "You didn't mention anything the last few times we caught up. Katara told me you two broke up a while ago," he prodded.

"Not something I wanted to share," Aang mumbled. "Besides, I thought that the break up would just be temporary…but it seems like Katara won't be changing her mind anytime soon."

"That's rough, buddy."

Aang furrowed his brow. "You guys are rooming together? I thought she'd room with Toph."

"Toph didn't want to stay here since she's focusing on her school. She made an exception for the Earth King's birthday celebration. So it's just Katara and me."

"It's like she doesn't even miss me."

"She misses you— as a friend," Zuko was quick to amend his words when he saw Aang's face light up. "She'll always care about you, Aang."

"I know," Aang replied. "But… she doesn't love me the way I love her."

"She told you that?"

Aang nodded, his brow knit together as he recalled the memory. "Basically. Not in so many words, or that plainly, but she didn't have to explain. I could tell. Before we decided to officially break up, she kept dancing around it. I just kept ignoring the signs and hoped that she'd never go through with it. And I know she's trying to be nice and not hurt my feelings and doesn't want to lead me on… but damn, I miss her. It's like she can't even be my friend anymore. Not like before." He shook his head and laughed lightly and without humor. "It's like she thinks I'm still twelve years old and will get the idea that she'll get back together with me if she gives me the time of day." Aang deflated slightly. "I guess that's part of the problem."

Wincing, Zuko commented, "You are quite the optimist, Aang. And Katara is just trying to protect your feelings. You guys were young when you decided to get together. Things change, people change as you grow up. Take it from me."

"Is that why you and Mai broke up?"

"Partly… maybe totally. I don't know. There just wasn't…" Zuko's cheeks pinked. "She and I couldn't figure out how to be there for each other the way we needed to be. My role as the Fire Lord was too much for her and I thought that she didn't understand where I was coming from and the magnitude of the responsibility I have. And it was so hard to just guess at what she was thinking or feeling. I prioritized my duty to my people, which isn't fair to Mai."

"I heard she got married last year."

Zuko nodded. "A very happy match to a man from a noble family. Her parents were pleased, I'm sure."

"You didn't get jealous?"

"Not at all." Zuko sighed and took another gulp of his wine. "Which I guess lets you know that I grew out of my relationship with her. I'm happy she's happy and that she'll be comfortable for the rest of her life. I care that much for her as a friend."

"If I saw Katara with someone new…" Aang grimaced. "I want her to be happy but— ah screw it. This is why all the Air Nomads preached letting go of earthly attachments."

"You're not just an Air Nomad, Aang. You're all of the nations," Zuko reminded him. "And you're still young."

"Are you saying that I still have a chance with Katara? Has she mentioned anything?" Aang asked eagerly.

Zuko put a hand on his shoulder to took Aang in the eye. "I'm saying you're still young," he said slowly and purposefully. "And there are a lot of people you haven't met yet. I'm sorry, but Katara hasn't mentioned the idea of getting back together with you." Zuko narrowed his eyes at him. "Katara's human, Aang. Don't put her on a pedestal and get too attached to the idea of her. You'll lose sight of the forest for the trees."

"That sounds like an Iroh saying."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "It means, the first thing you laid eyes on after one hundred years was a cute girl who was nice to you. And you guys forged a fast relationship in wartime. It's… it's like an intense flame. It burns bright but it also burns out fast without constantly feeding it properly. It's not sustainable. You can't expect her to fit into your plans the way you want. She's her own person and has her own plans and deserves to see them through, even if they're separate from yours. Katara also isn't perfect and it's hard to share a life with the Avatar. It's a big commitment. She was thinking about your friendship and maintaining that instead of potentially having you two resent each other in a relationship that she didn't think was working."

Aang reached out and took Zuko's goblet of wine from him. "I hate when you make sense," he grumbled. "Sometimes, I really hate being the Avatar."

"Well that was awkward," Toph quipped.

Katara glared at her and sipped at her own cup of wine before sighing into it. "Aang certainly isn't making it easy when he looks at me like a kicked polar dog puppy. Am I a horrible person, Toph? Maybe I was too quick to end it."

"I don't need seismic sense to know that you're lying to yourself right now, Katara. Aang will be fine. Heartbreak is a part of life. If he wants to be a normal person so badly, he's got to experience everything a normal person does. And that means getting dumped by your girlfriend, too."

"I didn't dump him," Katara insisted.

"Either way, the kid's got to learn how to handle being sad once in a while and picking himself back up. Besides, it sounds like Sparky's doing a good job with him."

Katara looked at Toph out of the corner of her eye. "He is?"

"Pretty sound advice."

"You and Zuko with your weird superhuman hearing," Katara muttered. "What is he saying?" she inquired casually.

Toph grinned. "Still so nosy."

"Toph!"

"Well first of all, Zuko's hearing, while better than yours, still isn't nearly as good as mine is. But he's telling Aang that it's smarter to move on and live his own life." Toph crossed her arms. "He's not wrong. Aang and you have been attached at the hip since you freed him years ago."

Katara ducked her head and let her shoulders sag. "I still feel horrible."

"Don't. I've been saying it for years. Aang's gotta learn to make some tough decisions and not get his way all of the time. He needs to make the choice for himself to move on." She punched Katara lightly on the arm. "You're doing the right thing for the both of you. It wouldn't be fair to either of you if you stay with him out of guilt. And it was a big move for you to be honest with him instead of protecting his feelings to begin with. Your feelings matter, too."

Absentmindedly rubbing her arm, Katara said softly, "Thanks, Toph."

"Anytime, Sugar Queen. Just be sure to be subtle when you start dating someone new. Otherwise, Aang will really resemble a kicked polar puppy."

Katara snorted. "Not likely to happen anytime soon. Besides, Aang's the one with all of the fangirls. I'm sure he'll move on before I do."

"Says the girl who's had a boy in every nation."

"That's not true!"

"Jet, Haru, Aang—"

"Haru and I never had a thing!"

"—Zuko."

"We— what? Now, you've lost it."

"I may be blind, but I can still see, Katara. So did the Ember Island Players."

Katara groaned at the mention of the horrible troupe of actors.

"And when Zuko came to join us at the Western Air Temple after the day of Black Sun, I knew something was different about him. You were more angry at him than anyone else at camp." Toph leisurely took a sip of her wine. "Seemed personal."

Katara thought back to the betrayal she felt when Zuko sided with his sister so long ago in this very city. "That's between Zuko and me," she grit out.

"I know. Which is my point. And I'm not asking," Toph shrugged. "But I'm not the one whose heartbeat races when she sees him."

A blush came over Katara but before she could retort, King Kuei commanded everyone's attention for a toast. All of the guests pressed in towards the throne from which he spoke, and Katara lost the petite Earthbender in the shuffle, though she had a sneaking suspicion that Toph had intended for that to happen.

"Welcome, everyone, to Ba Sing Se. The Earth Kingdom welcomes all of you to share in celebration of yet another year of peace and love between the nations. And I'm delighted to have you all enjoy yourselves in my home. This birthday is a special one, indeed…"

"How long do you think he'll talk before bringing out the bear?" a husky voice whispered in Katara's ear.

Katara suppressed the urge to jump but immediately relaxed in recognition. Zuko's warm breath tickled her ear and she felt her cheeks pink yet again from the sensation. She could sense how close he was to her and could practically feel the heat radiating from him. She was also able to catch hints of his scent and found herself curious. It didn't smell fabricated like a cologne and Zuko definitely didn't wasn't the type to be showy and wear cologne in the first place. It seemed to be a mixture of the soap he used along with his own natural scent. It was clean but warm, similar to the sandalwood oils she sometimes smelled when browsing in the markets, but not as manufactured. It was all Zuko.

"Katara, are you okay?"

Katara blinked, turned around, and looked up into his eyes, the golden pools filled with concern. She hadn't realized that she was leaning against him and quickly stepped back but he had a firm grip on her back to support her. It also meant she couldn't get too far. She didn't think it was possible, but her cheeks felt even hotter.

"I'm fine!" she squeaked out. "Sorry, I guess I must have had too much wine."

"You're sure?" he asked, his expression evident that he was not quite buying her explanation.

Nodding because she didn't trust herself to speak, Katara tried to offer an assuring smile. Zuko looked as though he still didn't believe her, but he dropped the subject as well as his arm. Katara quickly mourned the loss of the warmth against her back but welcomed the chance to take a half step back and take a deep breath.

"If you're not feeling well, we can leave."

"No, really, it's okay. I'd hate to make you leave early."

Zuko smiled a little. "I've never really been a fan of big parties like this. I just go to show face. You know, assure everyone that the Fire Nation isn't going to renege and start another war. To be honest, you'd be doing me a favor."

Katara knew that Zuko was much more introverted than most people would expect, not as taciturn as his reputation would suggest, and she found herself agreeing to his suggestion. "Alright, but only because you want to go home early."

With an indulgent smile, Zuko nodded. "Of course."

"To be honest, this really isn't my scene, either. But I think this is the most fun we'll have while we're here in Ba Sing Se, unfortunately."

"Don't count on that."

Katara raised an eyebrow at him. He held up a finger to his lips and then gestured for her to follow after him. They quickly snaked through the crowd and Katara held a hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter as Zuko grabbed two bottles of wine from the plentiful spread on one of the many tables in the large room.

"Zuko!" she hissed in light censure, though her lips twitched as she fought her smile.

Zuko offered a grin. "Come on, they won't notice it. And besides, this will make sure we'll still be able to have plenty of fun at the house." He caught himself and stammered, "I… I mean—"

Katara pushed at him, urging him to move while looking over her shoulder to make sure no one noticed them. But the crowd's attention was on King Kuei. "Oh I know what you mean. Hurry, before someone notices us!"

She giggled as she held her dress robes up and ran through the vast palace to make her way outdoors to the outer court, though she could feel Zuko's presence close behind her, even if she couldn't hear his footprints. She was unsurprised that he was so light and dexterous on his feet. As they approached their carriages, Katara bent over in laughter, needing to wipe tears from the corner of her eye, ignoring the way her eye makeup probably smeared as she did so. Zuko also found himself bent over, not winded by any means, but rather to join in her revelry.

"Oh I hope Toph and Aang don't feel bad that we ditched them," she sighed, though she was still fighting her giggles.

"I'm sure they'll be fine. Toph will keep Aang company as well as remind him that he has an early morning if he wants to make it back to the Eastern Air Temple before end of day tomorrow." He nodded at the carriages. "You rode here on your own or with Toph?" he asked.

"Toph and I traveled separately."

Zuko nodded. That meant the Earthbender would still have a carriage to take her back to all the way back to Yu Dao to her school and that she wouldn't be looking for Katara at the end of the night. Though, if he were to place a bet, he had a feeling Toph already knew that he and Katara had left. "You up to a race?"

Katara let the laughter bubble up again. "You want to race our carriages home?"

"Sounds like you're scared to lose," he teased.

"Zuko, you should know much better than to challenge me."

He grinned, for once feeling like the young man he was. "Do I?" he retorted. He blew past her to mount the bench at the front of his carriage, the ostrich-horse already shifting its weight impatiently as he took the reins. "Last one home has to chug two cups," he called back.

Katara pulled her robes up even higher to rush to her carriage, laughing giddily the whole way.