Disclaimer: I don't own Atla

The next day Iroh returned to work and soon after they got there Jin came in a smile. Lenetta had a bad feeling in her gut about what she was about to do. As she worked she paid attention to Jin and Zuko.

"I was wondering if you would like to go on a date." Jin told Zuko. Zuko's eyes widened and he looked at Lenetta who's expression showed how she felt about this. Lenetta walked back to the counter.

"I'm sorry Lee already has plans tonight." Lenetta told Jin with barely concealed contempt. Jin took a step back. "Oh?" Jin asked, it didn't look like she believed Lenetta. "Yeah, Lee and I are going out tonight." Lenetta told her while wrapping her arm around Zuko's. Please play along.

"Yeah, I'm sorry but were dating already." Lenetta could barely contain her glee. Zuko was ecstatic, she basically confirmed she felt the same way for him he felt for her.

"Oh…uh…I'm sorry, I didn't realize." Jin stammered out. Lenetta and Zuko nodded as they accepted her apology. "You guys should go to this place, it's called the Firelight Fountain, it's one of my favorite places in the city." Jin gave them directions to the place, paid her bill and then left.

"You guys go ahead I've got it taken care of." Iroh told them as he leaned against the door frame. The two teens flinched as they didn't realize he was there. "Are you sure Dad?" Zuko asked him, he didn't want to put Iroh and Pao in a tough spot. "I'm sure, you two go have fun, Lin and Ming are coming in soon anyway." Just as Iroh said that Lin and Ming stepped in, they were both sixteen year old girls. Lin had dark brown hair and green eyes and Ming had black hair and brown eyes. Zuko and Lenetta thanked Iroh and Pao let them leave since he watched the whole thing and welcomed Lin and Ming.

Zuko and Lenetta nodded to Lin and Ming. The two girls noticed them both holding hands and congratulated them and said it's about time and said to have fun. Zuko and Lenetta walked hand in hand to a nice restaurant and once they were seated they ordered the special which was chicken and noodles and Jasmine tea.

"I'm so happy right now." Zuko told Lenetta. She reached and held his hand. "Me too." They gazed into each other's eyes until their food came and they both dug in. They talked about their feelings and how long they felt this way for each other.

"I felt like this ever since you revealed what happened to you three years ago, I felt this strong need to comfort you and protect you, I've never felt like that for anyone before." Zuko told her as they ate. "I think that's when it started for me too, I felt this wave of protectiveness and anger for you, your father is the absolute worst for doing that to you. You didn't deserve that. I'm proud of you for standing up for what you believe in." Lenetta told him quietly so no one could hear. Zuko's eyes shimmered with unshed tears and he thanked her softly. He blinked away his tears and they talked about more pleasant things. Zuko told her about his mother.

"She was wonderful; she was always kind to me and telling me how much she loved me. We would sit at the turtleduck pond and feed them together. She always tried to make me feel better and would comfort me if Azula or Ozai did anything mean to me." Zuko's gaze suddenly went from happy to sad. "I think the ultimate instant that proved her love for me was when she disappeared. I don't know what happened but I have a suspicion it has to do with Ozai. She came into my room and told me everything she did, she did to protect me and told me to never forget who I am. The next day Mom was gone Fire Lord Azulon died and Ozai was crowned Fire Lord.

Lenneta's eyes widened in shock. "I'm so sorry all that happened to you, but I think your right she disappeared protecting you and she did it because she loved you." Zuko nodded as the tears returned as one escaped down his cheek, he quickly wiped it away.

"Earlier that day I had heard Ozai asking Fire Lord Azulon to take Dad's place as next in line to be Fire Lord since he had just lost his son, after Ozai suggested that Fire Lord Azulon got very angry and told him Dad had suffered enough but Ozai's had just begun. At that point I got scared of all the fire and ran off, later that night Azula had come in and told me Ozai was going to kill me, I thought she was lying at the time but now I think she was telling the truth. At that point Mom came into the room and asked what was going and then pulled Azula out of the room for a talk and after that you know what happens."

Zuko looked down at his empty plate despondently and Lenetta's heart lurched in sympathy for her boyfriend. "Come on let's pay our bill and look for Firelight Fountain." Zuko nodded and got up, they both paid and then they left holding hands.

Lenetta walked close to him and their shoulders were touching. Zuko wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple and Lenetta leaned her head on his shoulder.

They found Firelight Fountain and found it to be unlit. "Oh no, so much for it being beautiful like Jin said it would be." Zuko thought for a moment and came to a decision. "Close your eyes." Lenetta looked up at Zuko confusedly but closed her eyes. He stepped forward and looked around and then started doing precision firebending. Each small flame hit their mark and whenever he finished he relaxed his stance.

"Now...open them." Lenetta opened her eyes and gasped in delight, all of the lanterns were lit and it illuminated against the fountain beautifully. Now she understood why Jin loved this place. She'd have to thank her later. "Oh Zuko it's beautiful!" Lenetta exclaimed. "Just like you are Lenetta." Zuko told her softly, she gasped and looked up at him. They were mere inches apart. He put an arm around her waist and a hand on her cheek and she wrapped her arms around his neck and their lips met in a passionate kiss.

Fireworks went off in Lenetta's brain as they kissed and she moaned happily as his tongue went into her mouth and explored. She did the same to him and he moaned in delight. They let go and they panted as they hugged each other tightly. Firelight Fountain burned brightly behind them as they whispered "I love you" to each other.

oOoOo

Whenever they got back to the apartment Iroh was at the window waiting for the two teens to come back as she washed dishes. They walked in holding hands with smiles on their faces. "How was your night you two?" Iroh asked with a smirk on his face. "It was wonderful." They said at the same time and they walked into their rooms. Iroh smiled. I knew this was a good thing.