A month after her father's passing, Katara and Zuko were rushing down the corridor. They were late for a domestic policy meeting when a young messenger sprinted towards them. Without saying a word the teenager handed a rolled scroll to the Fire Lord with a shaking hand. Zuko thanked the boy and dismissed him. As he unrolled the parchment and read the message, his eyes widened.

"What does it say?" Katara asked, knowing it must be news about the unfolding conflict. Zuko didn't speak. Instead, he handed the messages to Katara and pinched the bridge of his nose.

She looked down at the messy handwriting. Obviously written in a hurry.

Sent by way of Royal Messenger.

- Message Start -

Ba Sing Se's middle and inner rings have been attacked. Along with pointed attacks on eartherbending schools. Heavy casualties have been reported - along with multiple of King Kuei's closest advisors. The assailants (aka 'Equalists') left the following message scattered throughout the city on flyers.

'We are the Equalists. Our demand is simple. All monarchies are to step down. If this demand is not fulfilled by the next full moon, there will be consequences similar to Ba Sing Se.'

- Message Stop -

Katara's stomach dropped. Even after the 100 Years War, the city was still the most heavily guarded in the world. Her mind then shifted to Toph. Last she heard, the earthbender was on her family's estate tying up loose ends after a family debacle. But that was two weeks ago. What if she was at her metalbending school when this happened? Was she one of the casualties? The waterbender's breathing sped up, but she forced herself to remain calm. Now was not the time to dwell on yet another potential death.

"How did they get into the inner rings?" Katara questioned, handing the parchment back to Zuko. "Do you think it was an aerial strike?"

"I don't know. I'm more concerned with how they recruited the manpower to do something like this." Zuko said, breaking his silence. "They must have been strategizing and recruiting for years underground."

Katara nodded and the duo continued down the hall to the negotiation chambers.

"Are you going to tell the domestic assembly today? What if they ask you to step down?" Katara asked as they neared their destination. Servants dressed in deep reds stood at the ready to open the massive double doors.

Zuko was silent for a moment, then looked down at the message still in hand. "I have to - these things fester, and Ba Sing Se is too prominent not to have this news travel. If they ask me to abdicate…. I don't know."

At that moment, the grand doors opened and Katara stared at the 20 faces of the assembly.

—

Katara had barely lowered herself into a seat in the back of the room next to Iroh, when Chaon, one of the Fire Nation's newly wealthy industrialists, asked with venom, "Why is the waterbender at yet another domestic policy meeting?"

His question was met with a few "Here, here's" and "Exactly's!" Katara looked around the chamber at the narrowed amber and brown eyes. She had been attending these meetings since she arrived. Why was this an issue now? Regardless, she had never felt more like a foreigner than in the room of red and fire. She was certain her blue robe stuck out against the crimson wall, so she wouldn't be able to shrink away. Her mouth went dry. However, her face remained impartial, as she went to stand up and leave. She didn't want to disturb the peace; especially, with the news of Ba Sing Se that was about to be discussed.

"I value Master Katara's wisdom on things both foreign and domestic," Zuko said with a flat, even tone, as he slowly walked to the head of the table. Katara sat back down. The firebender stood above the seated assembly. He was not menacing, but his stance exuded authority. It was clear he was no longer 'Zuko' but the Fire Lord at that moment. "Additionally, I find that a perspective outside of the Fire Nation proves to be useful."

Chaon went to speak again, but the Fire Lord cut him off. "Take, for example, this newly formed domestic assembly. Each one of you has new voting power and a budget. Where do you think this idea came from? It was Master Katara. I decided to adopt this model after having a conversation with her about the egalitarian political structure of her tribe two or three years ago."

A few of the angry faces around the table fell deadpanned. Some members of the assembly looked down at the polished table and some shot glances at Katara. Her face was now warm. Surprised that her friend had not only remembered their conversations, but had taken inspiration from some of the Water Tribe's ideas.

"Now, we can always go back to the old traditions of decision making. Where the Fire Lord has the final say on everything or we can continue as planned, and welcome new perspectives into our work." Zuko caught Katara's eyes as he finished and gave her his characteristic smirk. She was overwhelmed the way he defended her and her opinion. Although she knew she could defend herself in spaces like these, she had often lacked an ally. She didn't blame him, but Aang had usually asked her to leave the room when they were together on peacekeeping missions and issues like this arose. Usually citing the need to keep calm and order. However, she knew it was because Aang worried about being undermined due to his young age.

Katara reciprocated Zuko's smirk with a small smile, and a tingling erupted through the waterbender's lower abdomen. She bit the inside of her cheek as she watched the Fire Lord take a seat. She couldn't help but notice how handsome his face looked in the warm light the wall of fire cast in the room.

In her periphery, Katara noticed Iroh watching her looking at Zuko. She then crossed her arms over her expanding stomach hidden under layers of robes. Reality hit her and the tingling in her body quickly turned to a leaden weight. It had only been five months since Aang's murder and she was pregnant with his child. Not to mention the news of the attack. Nothing about what she just felt was appropriate. Besides, Zuko was being a good friend - nothing more.

"If that is all Chaon, I do have news I need to share with the assembly today." Zuko continued rolling the parchment out.

"That is all Fire Lord," Chaon said with an edge to his voice. However, his posture slumped forward in his chair making him look slightly deflated.

The Fire Lord nodded then recounted the news of what happened in Ba Sing Se to the assembly. They were uncharacteristically quiet, as Zuko passed the parchment around the table for each of the 20 members to read.

"I am open to any ideas on how to proceed," Zuko said after the last member handed the message back to him.

Mari, the Director of Agriculture, was the first to speak. "I have no ideas at the moment, but I do want to firmly state that we can't give in to their demands."

"Agreed!" Chaon surprisingly blurted out. "I can't imagine the chaos that would erupt if you abdicated Fire Lord."

A few more assembly members shouted and banged on the table in agreement. Katara swallowed her shocked at how loyally they defended the Fire Lord's position

"If I may be permitted to speak, esteemed assembly and Fire Lord," Iroh said calmly standing from his chair. Zuko nodded to urge him to speak his mind. "Although the loss of life in Ba Sing Se is deplorable, I must pose the question - what is the motivation of the Equalists?"

"What do you mean?" Heesa, another industrialist asked. Her eyebrow quirked up as she looked at the Grand Lotus.

"I've had some time to think through the situation this last month. In my opinion, rarely do people resort to terrible acts of violence unless they feel trapped and believe there is no other option," Iroh clarified, "So we must ask ourselves, what have we neglected as leaders to anger this group of people?"

"But they're extremists!" Quipped Mari. Her face scrunched tight. "They killed the Avatar because they thought he was the symbol of oppression."

"The core group is, but I'm sure they have followers who are average people. Especially to carry out an attack this big. So why is this group attractive to them as opposed to the current leaders?"

Some of the assembly's eyes fell back on Katara as if she had insight being Aang's widow. The waterbender looked up at Iroh then over to Zuko. The Fire Lord's face was unreadable. A stew of emotions boiled in her chest. Anger. Hate. Grief. But also sympathy. It lurked in the edges making her consider Iroh's words. Aang's teachings of understanding and empathy had stuck. He would have wanted them to look at the situation from all sides.

Katara took a steadying breath and said calmly. "I don't condone the violence that took place in the Earth Kingdom. However, I agree with the Grand Lotus. As leaders, we must ask ourselves these difficult questions. The Equalists obviously are anti-bender, but why?"

The room tensed into an uncomfortable silence.

"I'm the only non-bender in this room," Mari said quietly looking down at her hands, "I am often the only non-bender in the circles of leadership at least during meetings in the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom. It is never outright stated that I am lesser, but it is hard for us. It's hard for non-benders to find their way into good jobs and into leadership."

The room went quiet again. The only noise was the uncomfortable shifting of the assembly as they looked at one another. The Fire Lord looked at Mari, "I know it doesn't reverse a lifetime of experiences, but am deeply sorry Director. You are a valuable member of this administration."

Zuko then stood up. "I know we discussed nothing on the agenda today, but I believe this group is unequipped to make a decision on this matter at the current moment. We will reconvene this evening with additional advisors."

And with that, the meeting ended.

—

"This is a mess," Zuko said, running his hand through his hair that had escaped his ceremonial top knot. His face looked especially pale in the moonlight that lit up his study, as he paced across the room.

Katara grabbed a snowcake topped with fire flakes from the plate on Zuko's desk. He had requested the chef to start making her strange pregnancy craving. She took a bite and considered her exacerbated friend. "I thought the meeting was actually really helpful."

"I agree, but I just don't know where to go from here." Her friend said looking over to the waterbender finishing off her cake.

Katara grabbed another pastry. Her hunger caused by pregnancy was intense. Especially after the 3-hour evening meeting they just finished. Zuko had called all his advisors to the meeting chamber just after dinner time. He presented the information on Ba Sing Se, then began posing the same questions Iroh brought up in the morning meeting. Many of the benders in the room had grown defensive. Often shouting they had never discriminated against non-benders and argued that even entertaining these questions was negotiating with terrorists. Zuko had expertly quelled their anger, to allow the non-benders in the room to share their opinions.

Initially, the non-benders were understandably hesitant, but once they realized Zuko and Katara were on their side (and a handful of angered benders were ejected from the room), they shared their experiences as non-benders in the Fire Nation. Katara had watched Zuko's jaw clench as he heard their stories of prejudice. Catching the anger that flared in him internally, as many of the perpetrators stood in the room.

"You know," Katara began as she struggled a little to lower herself to a floor cushion. Her back was starting to kill her from the extra weight from her stomach. Zuko rushed to her assistance. Her skin warmed from his touch. "The Southern Water Tribe had been without water benders for so long our entire lifestyle is largely based around non-benders. Granted the Northern Tribe is attempting to change that, but our leadership is still largely non-benders. They usually fight against changes that don't help everyone."

"Are you suggesting more non-benders in leadership?"

"Yes, that's the easiest thing you can do, however, you'll probably need deeper structural changes to fix the problem. Also, that doesn't help with the immediate situation."

"I know, and I can't just sit around waiting for the city to be attacked," Zuko said moving to the window. "I can't go backward. It took so long to stabilize the country after the war, and now we're on what feels like the brink of another one."

Katara looked at his face tightened and riddled with worry. "What if you offer an invitation to the Equalists to send representatives and meet with you? To show you're committed to addressing some of what we think their core issues are?"

The firebender ran his hand through his hair again and loudly inhaled. "Do you think that would work?"

"I don't know. There will of course be a divide with your advisors, but it may be more effective than a military show of force. And if they are truly attempting to address prejudice, they should be heard." Katara was surprised by the words coming out of her mouth. She harbored so much anger over the death of her family, yet the idea of more bloodshed had begun to repulse her. The waterbender was beginning to internalize that the violence was a cycle. It would continue and continue unless someone in power halted it.

"I'll send a formal invitation with the White Lotus since they have another lead," her friend said, running his hand through his hair again. Then offered a smile to the waterbender. "You're always right."

"You give me too…" Katara trailed off, as she felt a soft kickin her abdomen. She put her hands under her robes, so she could feel her bare stomach.

Katara looked up to Zuko with sparkling eyes. His eyes were laced with worry. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"I'm fine. The baby's kicking for the first time." Katara said with a chuckle. She didn't want to admit it, but up until that moment, her pregnancy had felt like a burden. But now, excitement ran through her body feeling the first signs of life. "Do you want to feel?"

A soft 'oh' escaped the firebender's lips and he looked stunned. Yet he gave a small nod and walked over to the waterbender. Katara grabbed his left hand as he knelt down beside her. His cheeks went red as she snaked his hand under her robe. Zuko's hands were soothingly warm on her bare skin.

Another small kick.

Zuko's face broke into a full smile. Katara turned to look at the firebender, excitement still running through her body. Their faces were so close together - each glowing with an unexpected happiness.

"When I was younger, I was worried I'd be like my father if I ever had a child," Zuko said quietly as he pulled his hand from Katara's robes. "But now, I'd actually really like to be a parent. A good one."

"I have no doubt you'll be a good father. You're really amazing with Kiyi." Katara's heart rate sped up as she awkwardly asked, " Do you have anyone special to be… a parent with?"

"No, not since Mai," Zuko said, looking a little embarrassed. Katara's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She knew from their letters that they split up on agreeable terms five years ago.

The waterbender played with the hem of her robe feeling relieved but also feeling guilt her relief came at the expense of her friend's happiness. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried."

"No, I want you to know," Zuko said, catching her blue eyes. There was an intensity in his gaze that made her chest flutter. Just as she felt herself leaning in against better judgment, a sharp knock came at the door of the study and the door slid open. Zuko quickly stood up and Katara nearly jumped off the cushion she was sitting on.

Iroh stood in the doorway. A small twinkle was present in his eye.

"Nephew and Master Katara," the Grand Lotus said with a smile and a small bow, "I came to say goodbye to you."

"What?" Zuko questioned, clearly surprised. The candles on the desk briefly flickered.

"I'm afraid the White Lotus urgently needs my assistance with the Equalists. I must leave tonight."

"There's so much to do here," Katara stated as she tried to stand up. Zuko offered her his hand to help.

Iroh smiled at the waterbender and firebender, as he watched their interaction. "There is indeed, but I think the nation is in good hands."

"Uncle, I need to send a message with you," Zuko said as he grabbed writing materials from his desk. As he began to scribble out the invitation, he asked, "Do you think you can get a message to the Equalists?"

Iroh moved into the study, and Katara was momentarily stunned by how old he looked in the candlelight. In her mind, he would forever be immortalized as the kind tea shopkeeper - but here he stood. She didn't know why she hadn't realized until now, but his wrinkles created deep craters around his eyes and mouth. Should he really be sent out into the field? The waterbender thought.

"What is the message nephew?"

"It is an invitation to meet and discuss what we believe are their grievances. To offer a path forward without violence"

"That is a wise decision Zuko."

Zuko looked up from his parchment and looked over to Katara. "It was Katara's idea."

"Wise as ever Master Katara." The older man said with a smile on his face. "I trust you will be at those meetings to keep my nephew in line while I'm out in the field."

Katara chuckled. She doubted her friend needed to be 'kept in line' as he once did when he was a passionate teenager. But nonetheless reassured Iroh, "Of course."

Zuko's mouth twitched into a small smirk as he plotted the parchment dry, then stood up from his desk and handed the paper to his Uncle. Iroh looked down at the paper with a smile and placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder. No words were exchanged but the two men considered each other. The Fire Lord gave a small nod, his face stoic. Iroh broke the moment and turned to Katara with a smile, "I'll hopefully be back before the child is born."

The Grand Lotus went to exit, but as he crossed the threshold turned back to Katara and his nephew, "Remember love has a way of growing in the most inhospitable of places."

Then he was gone.

Notes: Hi Y'all! Sorry for the late upload. Hopefully the 2 chapters makes up for the lack of publishing on Saturday.

BTW you can find this story on Ao3 too.