A/N: Ahh yes the second installment soon after the first? I'm on a roll. Don't Forget to leave a review if you want to read more!
—
Katara sat in the royal chauffeur's car in disbelief as Zuko helped load their belongings into the trunk. The moment Zuko had told her that he was the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, Katara instantly sobered up. She couldn't believe that she had treated the Crown Prince so casually. Don't they have a private jet for transportation? Why was he on a commercial flight? She stared at the seat in front of her in utter disbelief, shocked at the events that just transpired.
Zuko opened the door on the opposite side of her and got into the car, "All set," he said to the driver who also just got in the car.
"Where to, Prince Zuko?" He asked looking into the rear-view mirror to see the back seat.
"Are you tired?" Zuko suddenly turned his attention to Katara that made her flinch out of her thoughts. Katara looked at him with wide eyes and shook her head. Zuko gave her a puzzled look before turning his attention back to the driver, "Take us to Town and take our bags back to the palace," he instructed the driver, "Let the maids at the palace know to put Master Katara's bags in the guest suite in the palace's main building."
The driver nodded and began to drive off. The car ride into downtown Caldera was painfully tense. It didn't help that Katara couldn't stop thinking about the bathroom situation on the plane.
Zuko looked at Katara and she seemed on edge. Definitely not as comfortable as she was on the plane. Zuko couldn't help but feel like this plane ride to Caldera City was not the only time he'd seen her. She looked familiar but he couldn't recall from what? Maybe a bending magazine? A martial arts one? He just couldn't quite put his finger on it. Katara briefly glanced over at Zuko and quickly looked away when she noticed that he was already looking at her. He decided to shrug off her familiarity and began regretting the decision to tell her about his "occupation." It's painfully obvious that the reason why she was so tense was because he is the Crown Prince.
The drive to downtown was short. As the car came to a stop Zuko notified the driver to open the trunk so he could retrieve his wallet from his backpack.
Katara began to gather the things she needed for an outing from her backpack that she kept with her. She quickly retrieved her wallet and some cash she had loose in a small pocket.
"This is the first time he has brought a girl home," the driver said suddenly shocking Katara, "he has never done this before."
Katara couldn't say anything, rather, she didn't know what to say. Just as she was going to reply, Zuko opened her door.
"Coming?" He said. Katara looked at the driver who was turning around to look at her then she looked at Zuko.
"When should I pick you up, Prince Zuko?" The driver asked as Katara got out of the car, leaving her backpack in the back seat.
"I'll call," Zuko said, closing the door and sending the driver on his way. Katara was stiff still trying to process what was going on, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, your-."
"Stop," Zuko cut her off, "Please just call me by name," he said, a little annoyed.
"I'm sorry," Katara said looking, "I'm just in shock, I suppose."
"I'm sorry I kind of sprung that information on you after a very... um... heated... exchange," Zuko looked away from her to hide the blood rushing to his cheeks, "I don't want to scare you off, it's really not big deal-"
"NO BIG DEAL?!" Zuko rushed up to her to put a hand over her mouth. People walking by began to stare at them
"Shhh," Zuko looked her in the eyes and could see the blush forming on her face. He slowly drew his hand off of her mouth, "Sorry, there are people around I don't want to blow my cover."
"First of all," Katara said in a hushed voice. She paused for a moment to watch as those who starred continued about their business, "it is a big deal because you are the Crown Prince. You inherit the title of Fire Lord and you will run the country. How could that not be a big deal?"
"Well we have a parliament now, so it's not like I'm coming up with the big ideas and making up the laws," Zuko shrugged.
"And secondly," Katara completely ignored him and continued, "Where are we? And where are we going? What do you mean blow your cover? You're just out in the open! No mask, no sunglasses, not even bodyguards! What cover is there to blow?""
"We're in Downtown Caldera," he said, "And we're going to a small bar and restaurant down the street. As for the cover, I don't appear in the mediajd so a lot of people won't recognize me until someone says my name out loud. So for the time being, just call me Lee."
Katara looked at him wearily. She sighed in submission. She remembered how fortunate she was to have met someone who would house her during her stay in Caldera. Royal family or not, she owed him this much, "Okay, Lee. Lead the way."
Zuko shot a smile at her and began walking down the street towards the restaurant. Katara walked beside him silently looking at the very tall buildings around her.
"Ba Sing Se has some tall buildings, but it's nothing like this," she said to break the silence. Zuko looked at her as they continued to walk.
"Caldera City is one of the biggest cities in the world," he started, "it's an overcrowded concrete jungle," he snickered. Katara couldn't help but smile at him.
For a Royal he seemed to know his city well. He knew every building and every short cut. Someone even stopped him on the street to ask for directions which he gave with no hesitation. They reached the restaurant at the end of the huge city block and were ushered into a quiet booth at the back of the restaurant.
"Z- I mean... Lee," Katara called out to Zuko once they got to their table, "I'm going to head to the bathroom really quick," She put her phone and her wallet down on her side of the table so he knew that she wasn't going to ditch him and quickly scurried off to find the bathroom.
Zuko couldn't help but feel a bit tense. This was the first time he had ever brought a girl home and he suddenly had a realization. He forgot about his uncle and His sister who were waiting for him at the palace. If they find out they will relentlessly tease him about it for the next century. He pulled out his phone to text the head maid, but it was already too late.
Uncle: I noticed the maids bringing in luggage to the guest room. Did you bring home a guest? By chance a girl? I'm eagerly awaiting your return, Prince Zuko. I will have everything prepared for you and your guest for when you reach the palace!
Zuko groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. He noticed his sister also sent him a text.
Azula: Chan told me about your plane ride. Quite bold of you, Zuzu. I couldn't help but notice extra bags being carried in. I'm excited to get to know who my darling older brother is bringing home. I'll be waiting for your arrival.
"For Agni's sake," Zuko said, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose harder. He should have told his driver, Mao, to discreetly take their bags in. An oversight on his part.
"What's up?" Katara asked curiously as she slid into the seat across from him. Zuko looked up and let out a huge sigh.
"I- oh spirits... I don't even know where to start," he said, putting his phone back into his pocket.
"Okay, breath," Katara could feel the air around her getting hotter from Zuko's stress. Zuko took a deep breath and the heat that was radiating from him suddenly began to dissipate, "Now start from the top."
"You're going to meet my family when we get to the palace," he said sternly, "they saw the extra bags being brought in and my secret security guard told my sister about the plane... situation."
Both of their faces began to blush and they recalled the events in the plane bathroom. It was quiet for a second while Katara tried to gather her thoughts about the matter.
"It'll be okay," she said finally, "I can handle it."
"My sister is a bit crazy," Zuko said, rubbing the back of his head, "my uncle is too, but at least he's nice. Like a whimsical crazy? But he's a kind person. But Azu- I mean my sister, she's not completely a good person. She might be a bitch sometimes but she really can't help that."
Katara bursted out into laughter. She was caught off guard by his account of his own family's character and his sudden panicked state. She couldn't help but laugh.
"Did you really call your sister a bitch in front of a stranger?" She said while laughing.
"What?" He said, starting to laugh a bit too, "She is! Like once when we were kids she pushed me into the turtle duck pond while I was feeding them bread! For no reason! Just to see me fall and get drenched!"
Katara began to laugh more. For being a royal his family life seemed to be completely normal. Zuko watched as her laughs continued to fill their booth and he couldn't help but smile.
"It's okay," Katara said, finally cooling down, "my brother used to take me fishing so I could practice water bending. And once, I actually caught a fish with my bending and I accidentally dropped the water bubble on his head!" She began to laugh again.
"Okay, but an accident is different. She pushed me on purpose!" Zuko pointed out.
"But we lived in the South Pole! Do you even know how cold those waters are? He wouldn't talk to me for weeks!" She laughed harder at her own reminiscing.
They made small talk over drinks while they waited for the waiter to bring their food. Zuko couldn't help but feel the pressures of bringing a girl he just met home to his dysfunctional family. He suddenly panics at this revelation.
"Hey," he said suddenly. Katara looked at him puzzled, "I know we just met so if you feel at all uncomfortable staying... at my home I'd be more than happy to book you a hotel and pay for your stay here in Caldera."
Katara considered for a minute taking Zuko up on that offer, but the thought of being able to stay at the royal palace with him seemed more appealing.
"Honestly, Zuko," she said after a sip of her drink, "it's fine. I'm not at all worried."
That was a lie. She was worried. But she didn't want him to pay for a hotel for her indefinite stay. His expression softened a little after he processed her words.
They drank and ate quickly, exchanging a few words here and there, but both of them were really too tired to really interact heavily with each other. By the time they were done with their food it was 2:30am so Zuko decided to call the driver to pick them up.
The car ride was silent, but peaceful. Both Katara and Zuko nod off in the back seat. It was going to be another 45 minutes before they arrived at the palace so they both drifted asleep.
—
Zuko woke up to the driver telling him they arrived at the palace. He did a quick stretch and looked at Katara to see she was still sleeping, her head leaning against the door.
Zuko tapped her on the shoulder and she didn't respond. He tapped her a few times and still got no reaction. He let out a short huff before getting out of the car and walking to her door. He was sure to open it carefully so as to not have her fall. After the door was open he lifted her up out of the seat bridal style and began walking towards the main hall.
"Prince Zuko," two maids bowed and greeted him at the door.
"Show me to her room," he said in a hushed tone. The maids began to lead the way for him as he carried Katara who would be mistaken as dead by how deep she's sleeping.
As they passed down one of the many large hallways he saw his uncle peak an excited head out of his door. Luckily, his uncle noticed the sleeping girl in his nephews arms and smiled softly at them. Zuko shot him a glare as they turned one more corner to her room.
Zuko laid her gently on the freshly made bed and tucked her in. He pulled out a business card from his wallet and wrote his personal number on it and a small note for Katara when she woke up.
Zuko quietly left Katara's room to find Azula waiting patiently outside of the door.
"You're not staying?" She smirked at him. Zuko groaned internally as to not let Azula know she's getting to him.
"When do I get to meet her?" Azula pestered again. Zuko just turned to head towards his room. Azula tailed his heels as he walked away.
"What's wrong, Zuzu?" Azula called to him again, "Afraid I might steal her too?"
Zuko groaned out loud this time. Recalling how Azula stole his high school girlfriend, Ty Lee. Zuko turned around quickly and Azula promptly stopped herself from bumping into him, "It's late, Azula."
"You're right, Zuzu," Zuko rolled his eyes at the use of his childhood nickname, "but I'm not going to leave you alone until I get what I want."
"And what is it that you want?" Zuko retorted half angrily.
"Calm down, Zuko," she said noticing the tension running a bit high, "I simply want to know when I get to meet your new toy."
"She's not a toy," Zuko defended Katara, "and I don't know when you'll get to meet her because she's sleeping right now and I have no clue what she has planned for tomorrow," Zuko felt his irritability rise from the lack of him not being in his bed, "I'll let you know once I know what's going on."
Azula smiled, "I'll hold you to it," Zuko finally turned around and started to head to his room again, "I forgot."
Zuko stopped briefly to hear what she had to say.
"The airplane bathroom? Really? Do you know how filthy those are?" Zuko groaned again as he stalked off to his room slamming the door on his way in.
Azula always knew how to get under his skin.