Present

ZUKO'S POV

It had taken Zuko the better half of a year to get back home. When all able bodied men had being drafted into the War against the fire nation naturally Zuko's alias Lee was enlisted. At 24 years of age he had already dawned heavier burdens than most men twice his age. With a maniacal father in rule, a nation to save, an identity to hide, and a banishment for an extra sprinkle of shame, you could say he had a proverbial chip permanently etched onto his shoulder. Yet even with all that heavy baggage he still managed to find rare moments of joy and beauty in his life. He chose to see life this way after he and his uncle separated when first arriving to Ba Sing Se six years ago. Now he was returning to reclaim the one thing he had loved most dearly.

Flashback and story

ZUKOS POV

Today marked the third year since his uncle had been taken as a war criminal. After he and Zuko aided the avatar in one of his first invasion missions into the fire nation his Uncle had been captured by Azula and her men after a raging battle on Ember Island. Zuko had narrowly escaped with his life thanks to the help of the Avatar and his motley crew of friends. You could say in those three weeks of travel together following his Uncles capture he'd built a life long bond with those friends, but unfortunately once they reached the wall of Ba Sing Se separating the lower ring from the upper they had to part ways. The Avatar had business with King Bumi, and Zuko had some with his destiny. So, Zuko set up a life on the outskirts of the city in the small rural town of Chao. He spent his days biding his time and training for the day he would one day face his father. As homage to his Uncle he chose to see the fleeting beauties in life and cherished them. That's why he rose with the sun each day to meditate and brewed a rich oolong tea. Afterwards he would either practice his broad swords or weld his armor using blacksmithing he had picked up from an earth bending neighbor. Zuko had learned to use a little bit of fire bending to enhance the technique. He had been working on this particular piece of copper armor for quite some time in the back shed of his small farmhouse. He had just started welding the breast plate when he heard the huffing of his mare in the stable up front. He reached down to his greasy towel to wipe the sweat from his brow and beard. Making his way towards the wooden doors to see what all the ruckus was about he stopped dead in his tracks hearing a familiar voice ringing through the wooden doors.

"Sshhhh…we don't want to cause a scene now do we girl?" her feather light voice seemed to chime and scatter across the wind. Zuko pushed open the door locking eyes with the object of his delusions for the better half of 3 years, the wind knocked out of him. There, in the middle of his stable, was none other than Master Waterbender Katara of the Southern Watertribe, warrior princess and teacher of the Avatar. She smiled brightly up at him, blue eyes sparkling, her plump bottom lip protruding under the bite of her teeth. Zuko had never noticed just how small she was three years ago, but he guessed he had grown considerably since then. She had to come to just about his chest, yet she stood with a confident elegance that made her larger than life. Curls that hung down to her waist while some shorter framed her delicate face flowed softly with the passing wind. She was ethereal especially with that slight blush running across her high cheeks and button nose. Zuko quickly tried to snap himself out of his admiration for fear he was silent too long. Shoving his hands deep into his pockets he propped himself against the wooden door frame, letting out a rasped "Hi…"

Looking down and away Katara squeezed out a small "Hi!" Shifting his weight to another foot Zuko began scratching his neck when she suddenly blurted "-I know you're wondering why I showed up here and well…I…I need your help" she stammered nervously "-it's really a long story and-"

Zuko was starting to notice that behind her nervous alertness her eyes were a bit weary, most likely from travel. Seeing that she showed up alone something must have gone wrong. Interrupting her explanation he held a hand up signaling her to stop,

"No worries. Come inside, let me brew some tea. We can talk over tea." He said definitively. She nodded her head stiffly following behind him silently as he passed her walking out of the stable.

At Zuko's humble dinner table adjacent the largest window in his house they sat watching the sun set over the valley that was his land. Tea clutched tightly in her hand, Katara's eyes never left the window as she explained to him how she was separated from the group.

"How long will it take Aang to learn this ancient form of bending?" asked Zuko.

"That's the problem. We have no idea…could be weeks, months, even years. He swears that laying low and waiting is our only option."

Zuko huffed at this. Of course the Avatar would find the most passive way to end this war. Even though taking away someone's bending sounded like the absolute worst thing you could do to someone, it still seemed like a cop out in his eyes. Besides, what was everyone else suppose to do while we wait around for some ancient sea turtle to teach him how to energy bend, or whatever it was he was doing? It turned out the Avatar had sent Katara from the Eastern Air Temple to Ba Sing Se to work as an ambassador for King Bumi and her father the Chief of the Southern Tribe. It was on the trip back that Appa was ambushed by fire nation air fleets capturing Katara and causing further distress in the upper ring. So much that authorities shut the capital down with no way for Katara to get in contact with the King. Managing to escape while passing through a rural earth kingdom village she ran into a blacksmith describing a welder's work in town who very much fit the description of her broody fire bending friend.

"So what now?" he asked her as he watched her sip from the deformed ceramic mug he had attempted to make in a local pottery class. She shrugged her shoulders allowing her icy blues to finally land on his topaz orbes.

KATARA'S POV

"You have nowhere to go." He stated matter of factly in a low voice. She sunk further in her chair her small frame slumping forward a bit. He reached across the table to grab her hand. He held it firmly, stroking the top lightly with his thumb.

"Katara" he rasped out. Hearing her name on his lips made her breath hitch a little. She feared what the flutter in her pulse meant. She looked up, her gaze fleeting across his furrowed brows.

"You have a home as long as I'm standing. Don't sweat it, what's mine is yours until you can figure out what's going on". She breathed a small sigh of relief, squeezing his hand in response.

"Thank you Zuko, I can't thank you eno-"

"No need," he interrupted, standing from the table and gesturing towards the narrow hallway "the bath is just over there. Towels are in the baskets. I'll have sleeping clothes laid out on the bed for you" stating this he began collecting their tea cups. Gathering her skirts she stood from the table making her way to the washroom.

True to his word clean towels were neatly folded in a small wicker basket placed next to his egg shaped tub. Clean water sat in two giant pales under the window. Katara used her water bending to fill the tub quickly. Just before moving to slip off her clothes she heard a faint knock on the door. Opening it slightly she found Zuko standing in the hall with a lit candle in hand and a paper bag.

"I figured you'd want a warm bath" he said passing her as she stepped back opening the door wider. Setting the candle down on the window ledge he rolled his long sleeve up revealing sweat coated alabaster skin across rippling muscle. And was that a tattoo she saw peeking under the role of his sleeve? Biting her lip she looked away quickly as he knelt down beside her to stick his hand in her bath water. Soon the room filled with heavy steam, instantly relaxing her. Standing he turned to her, much closer than she anticipated in the tight space of his quaint bathroom.

"That paper bag has some soap in it that you may like" he said, almost shyly.

"Oh-" she said meekly in surprise. She hadn't expected him to be such a kind host, his taciturn attitude being the reason she was a bit intimidated by him throughout her time of knowing him.

"Thank you…" she smiled warmly up at him. He returned a small smirk, quickly exiting the bathroom. Removing her clothes she sank deep into the bath, completely submerging her head in the hot water. It had been a long journey from the Eastern Air Temple to the Earth Kingdom. Appa had flown her almost the entire way, until she'd descended upon the great city of Ba Sing Se where they were ambushed. The fire nation soldiers, thinking she was Aang, had cornered them with their fire. It was just her luck that an Earth Kingdom regiment of soldiers had been patrolling the area at the time and stepped in to help her fight them off. She remembered Appa groaning in protest as she screamed for him to leave and find Aang. Appa had returned to the air temple back to Aang, leaving her to travel by train the rest of the way.

Coming back up from the water in her bath, her hair hung heavy with her element and cascaded down her back. Feeling at one with her element she allowed her mind to drift as her senses took over. Her thoughts wondered to her current host, dear friend, and ally to the cause. Her and Zuko had never really been particularly close, but she had always held a deep respect for the stoic fire bender. He was an anomaly to her, someone willing to go against his family for the greater good, who moved mysteriously often times beyond her understanding. During their time traveling together he spent much of it meditating or practicing his dual swords. The fact that he never divulged much about himself made her want to know more about him. Everyone around her was pretty much an open book, including herself, Aang, Sokka, Toph, Suki…she had no trouble reading them. But not Zuko. You couldn't get in unless he wanted you in. And boy did she want in. Katara hadn't let herself respond to the physical changes that had afflicted Zuko over the three years he had been gone until that moment she was isolated in the tub. He had grown taller, standing at at least 6'3. His shoulders had broadened considerably, revealing he had chosen a life of labor within the farmlands of the Earth Kingdom. With his silky black locks tied back in a low bun she could fully appreciate his angular jaw that was covered in a shadowy beard. His dark inky features making his honeyed eyes look even more intense; wolf like. She had to behave herself while staying here. Even if he had been the object of her fantasies for all these years since they parted ways, she let herself believe it was because she had had no other experience with men. The war had kept her isolated, therefore there were very few interactions she'd had with men outside of her brother, the avatar, and stuffy world leaders. She told herself it was just his mysterious nature that made her mind run wild with girlish wonder. 'It was a silly crush' she grumbled to herself as she sank back deeper into the tub.

"So why the name Lee?" Katara laughed as they harvested the tomatoes from Zuko's farm. It turned out he had stumbled across this farm while wondering aimlessly in the rural pastures of the Earth Kingdom. Hungry and penniless he took a job as a farmer on this very land, employed by an aging man and his wife. The childless couple came to love Zuko like their own family, especially after he'd protected them in a fire nation raid a few months into his employment. The husband ended up dying of a heart attack a year later leaving his wife widowed and without anything left tying her to the farm. She left the land to Zuko, returning to her home village where she hoped her sister still resided. She had told them for years her and her husband had struggled to conceive, but if they had he would have been named Lee.

"The name just stuck with me….plus it's a pretty common Earth Kingdom name" he added. "But that was back when my father still had a bounty out for my head. When that was lifted I told everyone who I really was…they accepted me still."

"Wow" she looked around the perfectly kept grounds of the small farm. An assortment of leafy greens, fruits, and veggies grew in perfectly lined rows, with a few fruit baring trees lining the land. A small pond with turtle ducks centered a quant flower garden housing various bird houses and a small reading bench. 'That must've been the wife's doing' Katara mused.

"You've kept up the grounds beautifully" she gasped. He let out a reluctant smile, clearly trying to hide his pride. It was adorable.

"I try to honor their memory in that way" he shared quietly. After bringing in the assortment of harvested vegetables Katara began rinsing them in the sink of the cottage style kitchen. She had been staying with Zuko for 3 weeks now, and they had fallen into a comfortable routine. Zuko would wake at dawn to brew tea and meditate. By the time Katara woke up he would be out in the yard practicing his swords or fire bending katas. She never knew exactly when he woke because he insisted she sleep in his room while he took the couch out in the living room. He'd notice she had awoken and he'd come inside to fix them breakfast. They'd eat together over light conversation, catching up on life. Sometimes the conversations would become deep and she'd think she was beginning to crack the mystery that was Zuko, but then he'd close up again. Most days they'd walk to the village's town square by noon and sell whatever her and Zuko had harvested for the day or any meat he had hunted. Katara had taken to going to the river a half a mile down the valley and fishing to earn her keep. Zuko had protested this at first, but after a few arguments and pleads later he finally relented to letting her fish twice a week. The locals loved this new source of fish, seeing as fishing was a specialized skill in the Earth Kingdom. Whenever she'd set up a stand it'd sell out almost immediately, and Zuko would leave her to work at the blacksmith's with his friend. Whatever extra money they made Zuko used it to purchase clothes for Katara. She had come to him with nothing but the clothes on her back, and she found it sweet that he wanted her to feel at home by having a variety of her own things there. By the end of the day they'd return home with their wares and Zuko would get started on dinner while Katara bathed. After dinner she'd take to reading or knitting while he retired to his shed to work on his armor or swords before bed.

"I'm going into town today. I need to give Haru this helmet I've been working on" he stated as she set the vegetables on the counter. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity Katara opted to stay behind.

"I'll be here when you get back" she said flitting across the kitchen to grab a bowl. Zuko looked at her curiously before turning to grab his jacked and satchel. Usually she loved going into town with him to talk to the townsfolk and gossip with the other young ladies she'd befriended at the farmers market. He shrugged his shoulders and closed the door behind him heading to the stables to grab his mare. As soon as the door shut Katara immediately got to work. She went into the zone humming to herself as she prepared one of the most elaborate dinners she'd ever made. Hand stuffed dumplings, fried rice, a hot pot stew with the fresh meat he had caught that morning, stir fried veggies with some fire nation spices she bought in secrete last week, and a lemon cake for dessert. While the cake baked in the oven she washed and pressed his clothes for tomorrow. Katara had no idea what came over her, but all she knew was that Zuko had been taking care of her for almost a month now, barely letting her lift a finger. It was now her turn to show her gratitude for his generosity. She didn't know why but she changed from her sleeping dress to one of her new favorite berry colored embroidered dresses. The way it hugged her chest and frame flattered her petit waist, flowing out to her feet. She plated her hair back in a single braid with curls framing her face, placing a yellow flower she had picked out in the garden in it. Hours later she found herself taking the cake out the oven to cool. Katara placed an apron on as she filled a bag with icing. She looked out the window at the sun hanging low in the sky; Zuko would be home soon. She was piping the icing onto the cake when she heard the door swing open, his heavy boots trekking down the hallway.

"Katara?"

ZUKOS POV

As he opened the door the first thing he noticed was the delightful smell that wafted through his nose. It smelled of warm earth spices with a hint of….nostalgia? The second thing he noticed was a sweet voice humming a bird like melody that belonged to a certain water bender who had been inhabiting his home and dreams the past month. But nothing could have prepared his eyes for the sight that greeted him once he reached the kitchen. There was Katara in what was probably the most beautiful state he'd seen her in outside of when she was bending her element. She was wearing that berry colored dress he'd gotten her last week, and oh how it looked better on her than he'd imagined. The color complimented her mocha skin so prettily, accenting her flushed cheeks and the lightened bits of her sun-kissed hair. She had placed a flower daintily in her braid and all Zuko could think about was how he would make sure she would always have flowers to pick so that she could be this pretty every day. Her bright eyes looked up from the task she was invested in to smile shyly at him. She set down the bag of icing to step around the counter giving him a small bow.

"Welcome back home" she said straighten back out. He stared back dumbly not knowing what to say. She nervously straightened out her apron as she bit her lip. She had a habit of worrying her pink full lips with those pretty little teeth of hers, not knowing it drove him absolutely mad. He cleared his throat in warning, unbeknownst to her.

"I umm…decided to make you dinner. You've been such a great host these past few weeks Zuko and…I wanted to do something special for you to show my gratitude" she said quietly as if she were afraid of his response. 'Agni damn it you should be afraid girl. You're a sheep playing in a lions den' he thought as all kinds of indecent things flooded Zuko's mind. He reined himself in, quietly nodding his head. She stepped around him and softly helped him remove his jacket, placing it on the coat hanger by the door. Zuko removed his boots and slowly made his way to the kitchen table taking a seat. He spread his legs slightly sitting back in his chair as he watched Katara move to and from the table placing dish after dish in front of him. Soon laid an entire feast fit for a king, leaving Zuko there to wonder how she managed to make it all in the time that he was away. There was a timid way about her movements Zuko noticed, as if she were afraid he would pounce on her any moment. Maybe the smoldering behind his eyes wasn't as contained as he thought. He could certainly feel the burning behind his irises, catching light every time she leaned over the table exposing a bit of cleavage to his gaze. Finally sitting across from him she blessed the food in her mother tongue, then looked to him expectantly. He sat dumbfounded in complete rapture of her. She cleared her throat awkwardly snapping him out of his stupor.

"What…?" He asked.

"The man of the house usually eats first in my culture…" she said quietly. He nodded digging Into the first dish, placing a few dumplings and fried veggies on his plate. His mouth bursted with the flavors of his childhood, mixed with another style of cooking he wasn't familiar with. It was absolutely delicious and he dug in for more letting out an involuntary moan making Katara drop the chopsticks she was reaching out with. Quickly picking them up she began building her plate.

"Where'd you find fire nation spices?" he asked.

"My new friend Song…her father got a shipment in last week. I used the extra money from fishing to buy a bag" she explained. Zuko quietly wondered how an Earth kingdom man got ahold of goods coming from his home country. From his understanding all trades had been cut off between the two nations. Raising his brow in suspicion he continued eating.

When they had both eaten their fill Katara had moved to grab the dishes from the table, Zuko grabbed her wrist across the small table stopping her. She let out a short gasp, surprised at his sudden movement.

"Allow me" he stated in his same taciturn voice.

KATARAS POV

His hard tone had something else smoldering beneath it. Like some unbridled energy fighting for release. She swallowed and nodded her head stepping away from the table. He washed the dishes while she dried them. They worked in silence one of them occasionally brushing the other's arm on accident. For Katara each brush sent a bolt of electricity from her heart straight to the pit of her stomach. These weren't just butterflies, but maybe wild bats threatening to burst from her belly with their frantic wings. She had just cooked an entire feast for this man and he'd barely said a thing to her. Maybe she was too presumptuous in making a meal in his home? Maybe he felt she had gotten too comfortable and was in fact offended? Her heart sank as the silence wore on.

"I've never had someone cook for me that wasn't a servant you know?" He rasped out, his voice sounding like honeyed whiskey. His arms flexed as he gripped the side of the sink. Standing next to him Katara stilled, looking out the corner of her eye to gauge his reaction.

"I really appreciate this gesture Katara. More than I think you know". Her heart threatened to escape from her chest.

"I can do it more often you know…" she offered almost flirtatiously, testing the waters. He turned his body slightly towards her resting those golden embers right on her face, analyzing the blush that rushed across her cheeks.

"Yeah?" he offered back, in an almost mocking tone. Was Zuko, the most stern human she had met, flirting back with her? Katara internally became giddy with excitement wanting to see how far this interaction could go.

"Want to try your cake?" She asked raising an eyebrow. A visible flush colored his cheeks as if she'd asked him something crude. Katara noticing him swallow hard. He nodded his head slowly then looked down at his soapy hands moving to rinse them off.

"Allow me" Katara said feeling bold. She moved to cut a bite sized piece of cake placing it in her delicate hands then holding it up to his mouth.

"If you like it, I'll cut you a full slice" she smiled warmly. Eyes widening slightly Zuko opened his mouth for her. She gently pushed the cake into his mouth, instantly causing his taste buds to burst with flavor. Lemon and vanilla coated his tongue causing that moan from earlier to make a return. No doubt he saw her eyes dilate and focus on his lips that were now chewing the cake she'd made.

"More?" She asked breathlessly. He nodded his head quicker this time stepping closer to her. He was now hovering above her, so close she could smell the spices from his soap, and the slight earthy smell of smoke that came from being at the blacksmiths all day. She reached beside her for another chunk of cake placing it at his mouth that he readily opened. This time he caught her finger in his mouth sucking ever so slightly. Now it was Katara's turn to let out a small moan she didn't even realize she was holding in. The room was spinning, and she was passed the point of drunk off of her adrenaline. She moved to removed her finger when he quickly grabbed her wrist pulling her digit further onto his tongue. She gasped as the motion caused her to stumble forward a bit. They were now chest to chest, Zuko taking the opportunity to snake his hand around her waist. He sucked harder this time, staring intensely into her eyes, pupils so blown she could barely see the gold. He released her finger with a pop allowing her to return her hand to her side. She bit her lip, unknowingly bursting the damn Zuko had been painstakingly trying to build since she'd arrived at his doorstep. Growling Zuko bent down grabbing her legs around his waist wet hands and all. Pivoting quickly he sat her firmly on the counter, stepping in between her legs, so close she could practically feel his heartbeat.

"Zuk-" she started before he griped her chin in his fingers turning her head to the side. Tilting his head he pressed his nose delicately to the side of her neck, inhaling slowly.

"Agni you smell so fucking good" he moaned. 'Oh la' she thought in her head. His voice was the epitome of sex untamed. It was so deep yet so broken with rasp she almost melted. He pressed a soft kiss to a tender spot on her neck earning a small whimper from Katara. He chuckled darkly against her skin using his rough hands to palm the outsides of her thighs pushing the fabric of her dress up slightly.

"I love those little sounds you're making Kat" he whispered lowly causing yet another helpless noise to escape her lips. Who would have known that pet name would affect her so?

"So was this your plan all along? Cook for me then seduce me with these pretty little lips?" He asked coming up from her neck to look down at her, grazing her lips gently with the pad of his thumb. She shook her head dumbly her eyes shining up at him pleadingly. 'What are you pleading for Katara?' She asked herself. She had never even kissed a man, let along been in this kind of compromised position. She didn't want to bite off more than she could chew, but god was this thrilling. Over these weeks she had come to care for Zuko more than she ever thought possible. She had a strong appreciation for his quiet nature, his discipline, his willingness to help others in need, how stoic he was on the outside; yet when she glimpsed his gentle side it made her even more enraptured. He implored her, diving in to capture her lips in a slow heated kiss. His lips moved over hers like water with no sense of urgency. Like he was savoring an expensive wine, or stoking a slow burning fire. Katara reached up to stroke his jaw gently feeling the roughness of his facial hair. His large hands moved up stroking her ribs as his thumbs skated over the lower part of her breasts sending sparks up her spine. The skirt of her dress had gotten hiked up significantly through the kiss, exposing her lower thigh where he occasionally drew circles with his thumbs. This kiss was driving her wild. Nothing in her most vivid of imaginations could have prepared her for this. Just when she thought she'd burn alive from the heat he pulled away slightly to rest his forehead on hers. Breathing heavily he kissed her forehead grabbing the back of her neck firmly. It didn't surprise Katara that as a lover Zuko would be just as domineering as he was in everyday life.

"Go to bed now Katara…I'll see you in the morning" he stated in a commanding tone that warranted no argument. Wordlessly she nodded her head stepping down from the counter and adjusting her skirt as she went. She quickly scurried to the bedroom and shut the door behind her.

ZUKOS POV

Agni he hoped he hadn't scared the living shit out of her, Zuko worried as he paced next to his work bench. He had quickly gone out to his shed after Katara retired for the night hoping to blow off some steam. Yet he couldn't focus enough on melting down the sword he had acquired from Haru today. All that consumed his mind was the water bender currently sleeping in his bed. He needed to distance himself, and quickly. He had gotten too close and comfortable with the poor girl knowing she had virtually no experience. Although she was 17, one year past marrying age for her tribe, he knew according to her brother that the war had kept her from ever being courted. The beast in him craved to defile that innocence, and Zuko had to keep it in check. Zuko was no stranger to the opposite sex, in fact on his 13th birthday his father had arranged for him to begin receiving concubines; a normal practice for royal males. They brought him up in the ways of lovemaking, teaching him all sorts of perverse things up until his banishment at 18. He had developed a kink for dominance and he knew this would scare the living daylights out of Katara if he showed her that side of him. The side of him that wanted total control of her mind and body. He wanted her complete submission to his pleasure so badly it hurt.

"Stop it Zuko" he grumbled out loud. The problem was that she was his friend. One of the longest friends he'd ever been able to keep in his 22 years of life. He didn't want to ruin it with his perversions. And he cared deeply for her, more than he'd like to admit. Maybe that was why the act of her caring for him sent him through the roof. Cooking dinner for him…providing him sustenance while he was away working…it awakened something primal inside him. He realized he would now crave it every day. But he could never let her know that, he didn't want her to think he was using her. No…he'd leave early for town tomorrow and give her some space alone and apologize to her when he returned.

KATARAS POV

Zuko had been gone all morning and well into the day. She had taken it upon herself to start dinner again, since she was sure he'd be hungry when he returned. She prepared a light meal, not as extravagant as the night before but still fulfilling. As she worked all she could think about was the heated kiss they'd shared the other night. Her underwear had been soaked all day from the rush of heat she'd get when she thought of the way he'd called her Kat with his soft lips pressed against her neck. The way his stubble scratched her skin just right… Lost in thought she startled when she heard the door swing open, the sound of those telltale boots straining the wooden floorboards with their weight bellowed into her ears. Quickly shaking her head she turned to the pot on the stove pretending to stir so he wouldn't catch her red face.

"Hello" she chimed with her back turned to him "I hope you're hungry"

She heard his jacket ruffle and his heavy satchel hit the ground, clanking with the various metals he'd acquired from Haru to work on.

"Yes…I am" he said warily. She nodded her head, continuing to stir as she began humming a tune.

"Look Katara…" he started. She quickly turned to face him no longer hiding the blush that coated her cheeks, or her nervous gaze. She wanted him to see her…the effect he had on her. 'La damn it all' she thought 'I think I'd do anything for this man'. The simple and quiet life they'd build over this last month, she realized, was what she'd been craving. All those years of traveling through the war made Katara want stability, somewhere to call home for a while. She felt home here. She hoped it wasn't too much for her to feel that way. He stopped his sentence noticing the look on her face.

"You left rather early this morning" she stated matter of factly, returning to chopping some vegetables on a cutting board.

"Yes, I thought it best to give you some time away from me" he said in a low voice, sounding almost…ashamed. She furrowed her brows. Why would he have such guilt?

"Wh-?" She started

"Look Katara I want to apologize for my behavior last night. I shouldn't have done that, it was wrong of me…"

"But Zuk-" she tried interjecting.

"…and you don't have to cook for me everyday. You're a guest here. I want you to feel confortable and-"

"Zuko!" she said raising her voice to stop him. Taking a sharp intake of breath he stared at her with widened eyes. Stepping around the counter she approached him slowly stopping just barely a foot from him. Placing her hand lightly on his chest she felt the warmth radiating from his core through his cotton buttoned shirt.

"Zuko…I cook for you because it makes me feel good. There's no telling how long I'll be here, treating me as a guest everyday isn't sustainable. It helps me feel at home to know I'm contributing to the household. Please…let me take care of you too. You do it so well for me" she stated. That last sentence may have had a little bit of a double meaning, but it was innocent enough right? He nodded his head stiffly.

"What'd you make?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Fish stew with rice" she beamed, returning to the stove. Zuko let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding and sat down obediently at the table waiting to be served his meal.

Zukos POV

She came beside him hovering just slightly above his shoulder to set his steaming bowl down in front of him. From this angle he had a nice glimpse of her ample chest. They looked so soft, like they'd fit perfectly in his hands. She was going to drive him mad if she kept this up. She sat across from him, breast bouncing as she settled in her seat. She looked proudly down at her meal until he quickly remembered he had to eat first. Although this tradition wasn't practiced particularly in everyday fire nation households the royal family did have something similar. Everyone dining at the palace could eat only after their sovereign, the Fire Lord, had taken his first bite. The symbolism of her eating after him stroked his dominance in a way that made him heady with need. He took his first bite relishing the deep flavors she was able to build. 'Maybe this won't be so hard' he thought…she certainly cooked better than he did.

So they continued on like this for another month and a half, Katara feeling more at home with the passing days. She had taken it upon herself to add slight féminin touches to the house like pottery with fresh picked flowers, weaved baskets that she filled with yarn for her sewing, even scenic paintings she'd painted on picnics with her lady friends. She'd occasionally even sew Zuko a sweater, or fix his trousers when they wore down or got burnt from blacksmith work. With every new responsibility she took the more Zuko seemed to fall for her. She was strong and stubborn like him, but operated with a soft meekness when around him that peaked his curiosity in all the wrong ways. He had not touched her sense that fateful night almost two months ago, but having her in his house so close to him was driving him up a wall. More often than he wanted to admit Zuko found himself retiring to his shed to relieve himself. And either it was his imagination playing tricks on him, or his unhealthy obsession, but he swore that Katara had taken to teasing him in any way she could. It was always subtle. She'd bend over in front of him to pick things up in the kitchen, brush past him on her way to the washroom, leave the bedroom door cracked while she was changing knowing he was just outside the room. He also began suspecting she knew the power her lip biting held over him, as she'd do it whenever they got in mild disagreements…which would usually end in him relenting and going to the shed. Zuko had made the shed off limits for Katara. It was the only place on the land she wasn't allowed to go, but otherwise she had free rein. The townsfolk had begun suspecting that they were a couple, and they never confirmed nor denied these allegations both of them preferring to remain private. Zuko had always been a mystery to the villagers, having come to them three years ago. No one knew where he came from or why, but they never questioned it assuming he was just another victim of war especially with that burn on his face. But despite his mysterious ways he was a talented blacksmith and farmer who added value to the community, therefore they welcomed and loved him. Even after they found out his true identity. But not as much as they loved Katara. The moment she arrived the villagers were taken with her. She always helped where she could, and would even volunteer free time to heal the sick at the largest clinic in the area in the next town over. She built a small group of young maidens quickly and they spent their off time chatting about the town's gossip by the river. Zuko was glad she had settled in comfortably.

"I brought that chest piece you asked for, who was the order for?" Zuko stated, walking into the blacksmith shop owned by his friend and neighbor Haru.

"Ah, some earth kingdom soldier up north" he grumbled as he hammered away at a shield. Zuko quickly set up shop at his work station gathering the things he'd need for the day.

"Where's Katara?" Haru asked with a raised eyebrow. His green eyed friend had taken to asking quite a lot of questions about Katara lately and it didn't sit well with him.

"Off with her girlfriends I assume" he grumbled dismissively, wanting to change the subject. They had rode into town together that morning, and he had let her go off to complete whatever daily affairs she had.

"Dude…and you're sure you've never laid a finger on that delicate flower? Man i can't see how you can have a beauty like that living in your house and not claim her" he stated boldly. Zuko frowned looking down at his work table.

"No…" he lied, but thought better of it "well…i did kiss her…once. But that was months ago". Haru chuckled hardily.

"That's all mate? You better hurry before someone else does." He said matter of factly. Zuko's frown deepened, that statement instantly putting him on edge.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Word around town is you haven't claimed her. I know of a few eligible bachelors who want to court her" he hinted. This lit something dangerous inside Zuko that he tried his hardest everyday to suppress…possession. He did not like the idea of suitors coming after Katara. In fact, it enraged him.

"Well she's not for sale like some piece of meat for the townsmen to ogle at" he said tightly. Haru put his hands up knowing he'd struck a cord with his friend.

"I'm just saying bro…" he trailed off, getting back to his work.