Welcome to chapter 3. I'm so grateful people are reading this! Thanks for joining me on this journey. I'm still working through their new daily lives so bare with me. This one has some M.

Zuko got out of his last meeting after dark. The warm night air danced around him as he walked to his room. Agni, was every day going to be like this? He wondered, then he remembered Katara. He smiled to himself. So far it was pretty natural, being around each other. Better than he had hoped. Zuko didn't think Katara would talk to Aang before they arrived at the fire nation. But she had and he was grateful.

As Zuko walked past the courtyard garden he saw a figure. A woman's figure, Katara's figure. She was bending in the moonlight fluidly and effortlessly. He walked up to her.

"I love the feeling of the moon, the energy, the peace, the power," she said before Zuko had reached her. "You must feel similarly about the sun," she continued her bending.

"The sun is a constant, it never wanes," Zuko pointed out. "I bet you're much more in tune with the moon," He walked to stand beside her but still gave her space to bend. Though Katara wasn't doing anything spectacular or big she was still bending with her whole body. Moving with the water almost dancing with it. Her motions were so smooth and relaxed, not one muscle ever seemed stiff. Zuko was in awe. He would have to practice implicating more fluidity into his bending.

"I guess you're right," Katara responded to his previous comment. She gently moved the water she had taken from the pond back as not to disturb the animals. She turned her attention to him. "So fire lord, how was your first real day?" She asked walking over to him.

"There is so much to do Katara. I need to pick my advisors which is hard because I don't know who I can trust other than Uncle. And he stayed in Ba Sing Se to run his tea shop as well as help manage relations with the king. Now that the war is over industry is going to take a hit so people are going to lose their jobs. I have to figure out what to do with the colonies." Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose. He was so overwhelmed. "And those are just the matters we started to address in meetings today" Katara put her arms around him, he let himself sink into her just a little.

"It will all be fine Zuko. You've made it through more in your years than most people do in a lifetime," She looked at him. "You'll make it through this too, and you won't do it alone". To Zuko that sounded like a promis, he hoped it was. "You look tired," she seemed slightly concerned. "Let's get you to bed, you need some rest".

"Only if you come with me," He thought of her on top of him again. Of her hands exploring his chest. The scar was sensitive, even being touched over his clothes.

"Maybe"

"Oh there is no maybe" Zuko picked Katara up, put her over his shoulder, and started walking to his room.

"Zuko!" she yelled in a hushed voice "Someone could see," She was trying to wiggle free. They both knew if she really wanted to be put down she could make it happen.

"Let them. I am the fire lord, I can do as I please," almost believing he was as confident as he sounded. Katara gave in and let him carry her to his room. The room that for so long was his fathers. It was huge, beautiful, and ornate. Zuko dropped Katara on the large bed and lit a candle so he could see to let down his hair. He wasn't used to it being up anymore. When he turned around Katara was on the bed looking at him concerned.

Katara watched the new fire lord pull the golden flame from his hair, freeing it. She liked Zuko with his hair down he looked more, well, more like Zuko. His movements were tense and he had looked so tired, so stressed. She didn't like seeing him like this. He turned to look at her sitting on the bed.

"Come here," Katara said "you look tense, let me help you," She hoped the tone in her voice would tell Zuko she meant with bending. He seemed reluctant to accept help but gave a nod. "You get your robes off, I'm going to get some water" Katara walked to the washroom attached to the bedroom. There was a clay pot she filled with water.

When she returned Zuko was just in his under shorts. She blushed and hoped he couldn't see in the dim light.

"Lie down on your stomach," she instructed. He followed orders. Katara put down the pot on the wood floor next to the bed. The best way to do this would be to straddle him. "Zuko... is it ok if I straddle you?" She didn't know why she was asking.

"Please," It was a short simple response but it made her smile. She climbed on the bed, one knee on either side of Zuko and got to work.

The water glowed around her hands as she moved up and down Zuko's back releasing knots and energy as she went. Just as she had anticipated, it helped him relax because in a matter of minutes the fire lord was asleep. She looked at his back, the candle light dancing over his toned muscles. She wanted to trace her hands over the peaks and valleys the light created but Zuko needed sleep. Katara forced herself to get up, she blew out the candle, and left as quietly as she could.

Katara walked slowly, taking in the night air that blew through the open windows. She had become accustomed to the warmth. It was a stark contrast to the never ending cold of the south pole, which admittedly she did miss. It was hot enough to make her regret wearing her water tribe clothes. As much as she loved to wear the blue it wasn't practical here. She would switch to light red silk tomorrow. Once she got to her room she quickly settled into bed. Not realizing how tired was, she fell asleep almost instantly.

Damn he had fallen asleep! Zuko was annoyed with himself for missing an opportunity to be alone with Katara. No, it was her fault, she knew what she was doing. Unfair Katara. He knew she wouldn't wake before his first meeting started because unlike him she could sleep beyond dawn. That was if he let her. Zuko put on a robe and walked to Katara's room.

She looked beautiful in bed sleeping with her hair splian out over the red pillow and her face relaxed. Her brow wasn't furrowed as it often was. She was in only her bindings and under wear. He walked towards her.

"Katara," he said gently. Her eyes shot open.

"What's wrong? What's happening?" Of course she would freak out. In his head Zuko was kicking himself. After all the running any time she is woken up she must think something is wrong.

"Nothing is wrong," he sat on the bed. "I just wanted to come say good morning before I have to start my day" he paused for a moment. "And because we didn't get to spend any time with each other last night".

"You needed the sleep," she said putting her arm over her eyes. He didn't want to admit she was right and there was no way in hell he was letting her go back to sleep.

"I can think of something better than sleep," Zuko climbed on top of her. As soon as her hands went up to, he assumed, push him off he grabbed them and pinned them to the bed above her head. He lowered his head to softly kiss her neck. "Isn't this better than sleep?" He said into her skin able to see the goose bumps he had just given her.

"Mhm," was all Katara managed. Zuko kissed up her neck to her ear.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you," He heard her inhale sharply and her body tense. Before she could answer his lips were on hers. This time he let lust and desire lead the kiss. It was intense, he could feel himself getting hard. He wanted her, Agni, he wanted her. Zuko released her hands so he could explore her body. They slid under the small of her toned back making her arch against him. The damn bindings were in the way, he wanted to feel her skin on his.

"Can I take this off?" He asked, pulling at the bindings on her back.

"Yes," She thought for a second "If you take off your robe". This made Zuko smirk. He sat up and pulled the golden tie holding his robe closed and let it fall off his shoulders. Katara's hands touched his stomach, trailing up to his chest seemingly avoiding his scar. This was a sensation he had wanted to feel for a long while. He closed his eyes, letting her touch him, explore him.

"My turn," Zuko grinned, reaching under Katara's back for the end of her binding. She sat up enough to let him unravel it. Her bare breasts were beautiful, bigger than the bindings showed. "Agni, Katara, you're beautiful," He said meeting her eyes. She blushed.

Zuko grabbed one breast in each hand, they were the perfect size. First he put his mouth around her right nipple, and traced the bud with his tongue. He was listening to see what she likes. He started sucking and felt her hands in his hair holding him there so he sucked harder. Another sharp inhale came from Katara. Letting his teeth graze her nipple, he pulled away and moved to the left breast. After a few moments she pulled his hair, guiding him to kiss her. He rubbed himself against her as they kissed.

"I want you," She said in a breathy voice. He stopped and looked down at the stunning water bender and smiled.

"I have to get ready for my meetings," He started sliding on his robe. "I told you I was just coming to say good morning". Zuko was standing now, tying the robe's golden waistband. Katara looked bitterly disappointed.

"That's not fair," She sat up.

"Well, now you know how I felt when I woke up this morning," He smiled at her not wanting to leave.

"Zuko," She started.

"I really do have to go get ready" He said with sincerity in his voice. "I don't want to though" he leaned down to kiss her forehead. I really don't. "I'll see you later Katara"

She watched him leave the room. He had said her name often but this time was different. She smiled as her heart fluttered.

With a sigh Katara fell back onto her pillow. She knew her days would be boring until other ambassadors arrived or Zuko let her help find solutions for the fire nation. Realistically, she knew Zuko would feel the need to do it on his own. She sent the hawks yesterday so that left Katara with a few weeks of nothing until Haru came, if he accepted. Which she expected he would. She would focus on bending and getting to know the city.

Katara rummaged through the drawers that had been filled with clothes for her, looking for something she liked. She thought about how easy getting ready was when they were traveling. If you only have one set of clothes you never have to think about your outfit.

It all seemed like so much, the clothes, the room, and the amount of people. There were people everywhere in the palace. She had asked Zuko to have the servants leave her alone when she was in her room. She didn't want them to dress her or bring her hot towels. And she was perfectly capable of combing her own hair. Eventually Katara found an outfit that was similar to what she had worn as a disguise only a few weeks ago. The familiarity was comforting.

Everything was so different now. They had been through so much and all acted as if it was a normal summer now that it was over. Once you have the luxury of time apparently you start to think. Katara didn't want to think so she decided to go find a way to be helpful. There was probably a hospital nearby where she could be there for people who needed her help.

"Excuse me," Katara said to a servant, "Sorry to bother you but is there a hospital close by?" The servant immediately looked worried.

"My lady are you ok? Is something wrong? Shall I call for someone?" He asked. Katara smiled, trying to calm the man.

"No, I'm fine. I wanted to go help heal the sick," She explained. The man seemed confused as to why someone staying in the palace would want to go see common people, let alone sick ones.

"Of course my lady. Shall I get a palanquin for you?"

"No I'd rather walk," Again the man looked confused.

"Very well. I will bring you a map".

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Also I won't be posting everyday. It will definitely be a week until my next chapter.