Katara wakes from her nap slightly disoriented. The warm light of the setting sun shines through the ceiling-high windows in the bedroom. She sits up, rubbing her groggy eyes, before looking to the empty pillow beside her. Placed on the silk is a small piece of parchment.

Katara,

If you wake before I return, I'm at a peacekeeper meeting. Keep the sheets warm for me.

Z

Her gut wrenches as she remembers the day's earlier events. She doesn't want to be here when Zuko comes back; she needs space. Slipping on a pair of sandals, she makes her way out of the palace, careful to avoid the corridor containing the main conference room.

Almost at the exit, Katara is startled when she bumps into someone. Flustered, she stammers out an apology until she recognizes the face as that of Seri's, the worker from earlier. Seri bows, and an idea pops into Katara's mind.

"Seri, I have one more question for you, if you have the time."

"Of course, Miss Katara. How can I help?"

"Do you happen to know the name of Lord Zuko's potential female suitor? The one from this morning?"

Seri's brow furrows in thought. "She is from the Hou family. I believe her name begins with an S… ah, yes, Sosha, her name is Sosha."

"Thank you, Seri, that will be all." Seri scampers off to attend to whatever duties she had been heading towards. Katara continues her way out of the palace, the name circling through her mind. She recognized the surname as belonging to a well-known family amongst the fire nation. They are viewed as "old money," rich off of the spice industry their forefathers had helped established. The fire nation is known for being the origin of the most common spices amongst the world, so the members of the Hou family are viewed as celebrities in the eyes of the common people. It makes sense that they would offer one of their own to the Fire Lord; many Hou daughters have been incorporated into the royal lineage in the past. This seems like a good pairing, one Katara could not compete with.

The humidity clings to her as she embraces the open air. She hasn't left the palace in a week, and she needed the change of scenery. The cobble path leads her down to the main square, dense with people. There seems to be some sort of festival going on. Yellow lanterns light the streets as soft music is played by street performers. Katara spies a tea shop and makes her way inside, ordering a chamomile blend and sitting down near the window. People-watching through the glass distracts her mind.

Suddenly, a horde of people gather around the outside of the shop, disturbing the quiet peace Katara had been enjoying. Their eyes are glued to a group of young women ordering their tea at the counter. Katara could tell that one girl in particular was their leader of sorts, and obviously the most beautiful. Long, black hair has been braided and swirled into a large bun at the back of her head, ornamented with a crystal hair comb. Her dress is a similar style to Katara's, but in a shade of warm pink.

A waiter comes to offer Katara a refill of her teapot, which Katara accepts. Before the waiter can leave, Katara gently grabs his apron, keeping him in place while she leans closer to him.

"Who is that girl?" Katara asks, gesturing to the counter. The waiter chuckles.

"You must not be from around here. What are you, water nation?" He says, referencing the blue of her dress. When Katara does not respond, the waiter awkwardly clears his throat. "That is Miss Sosha Hou, eldest daughter of Hou family. Surely you've at least heard of the surname."

"Yes, actually, I have." Katara says slowly, her gaze not leaving the girl in the pink dress. She hyper-analyzes Sosha for any visible flaws, hoping to find some form of comfort in them. Unfortunately for Katara, she presents herself gracefully, her rosy complexion hugging a sweet smile. She truly is beautiful, Katara thinks woefully.

The waiter tugs his apron away from Katara, snapping her back into reality. He leaves before she can apologize, leaving her slightly embarrassed. When she turns back toward the tea counter, Sosha is gone. Katara's eyes dart around in an attempt to find her. At a table on the opposite side of the room, Sosha has sat down with her posse of girlfriends. They are sipping on their tea and having a funny conversation, indicated by the dainty laughter.

Katara sits for what feels like ages watching Sosha. Although she looks like a stalker, she convinces herself that her behavior is not odd. After all, she just happened to be here when Sosha walked in. They're in a public space, she's allowed to look at her. Katara orders food in order to throw off the suspicions of the waiter, who was eyeing her like a hawk. The shop has surprisingly good smoked sea slug.

Sosha turns toward Katara's table. Katara quickly drops her gaze to her dish, not wanting to be caught staring. She eyes the plate for an extended period of time, just to be safe. Suddenly, a scratching of wood against the floor lifts Katara's head. Sosha has pulled out the other seat at the table and sat herself directly in front of Katara.

Crap.

"Hi there," Sosha says cheerfully.

Katara fiddles with her chopsticks. "Um, hi."

Sosha crosses her arms and sets them on the table. "So, my friends say that you've been staring at me all night."

A bead of sweat forms on the back of Katara's neck. How was she supposed to get out of this?

"Was I? I'm sorry, it's… it's been a long day, I must have just spaced out."

"For the entire evening?"

"...yes."

Sosha giggles. "My name is Sosha."

"Yes, I know-I mean… I-I recognized you, ah-I've heard of your family, so…" Katara isn't quite sure how to cover her tracks as she stammers out excuse after excuse.

Sosha waves a hand at her. "Don't be worried, I get that a lot. It's okay." She leans back in her seat. "So, Katara, what's your story?"

"Ah, well… I'm from the Southern Water tribe."

Sosha's green eyes widen. "Does that mean you're a waterbender?"

"Actually, yes."

"That's amazing," Sosha remarks, "I've never met one before. Why are you in Capital City?"

"Oh, just, visiting… visiting a friend, you know, the usual."

"Well, I hope you're enjoying yourself." Sosha is smiling at Katara.

There is a moment of silence where Katara sips on her tea before sitting herself up in her seat. "So, I hear you're being courted by Z-the Fire Lord." A little too much fake enthusiasm coats the words. "That must be exciting."

Sosha's smile fades. "Where did you hear that?"

"Oh, I-I've just heard it around. People love to gossip."

Perfectly manicured hands smooth out the wrinkles on Sosha's lap. "Yes, well, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't spread that rumor. It's not true, after all."

What?

"I'm confused."

"Well, I was to be courted," Sosha explains, "but we've decided to not move forward. I actually met with him earlier today regarding the...arrangement."

Katara's heart flutters, but she wears a mask of curiosity. "If you don't mind me asking, why did you end it?"

"I didn't exactly have a say in the matter. My father made the decision for me. It's the Fire Lord who ended it; he claims he already loves another," Sosha says as she tucks a stray hair behind her ear. Katara tries to hide her excitement.

"I'm sorry. You must be disappointed," she says disingenuously.

"Actually, I'm grateful it didn't work out." Sosha extends her hand and places it so that the tips of her fingers graze Katara's. "He's not my type."

Katara's face flushes with realization.

"Not that my father knows, of course. I'd be an embarrassment to the family," Sosha sighs. "I'll be married to a man of status one day. I know that. But I'm not going to deny who I am. Hopefully, my future marriage will not be for quite some time."

Guilt floods Katara. She's been, for the past few hours, searching for some reason to hate a girl she hadn't even met. Unbeknownst to her, Sosha has been struggling with her own battles. On the more petty side of things, she wasn't even a threat to Katara. She felt sympathy for Sosha.

Grabbing Sosha's hand, Katara smiles. "I know that must be tough. I admire you for your bravery. I should let you know, however, that men are my type."

A bittersweet smile graces Sosha's face. "Well, at least I gave it a shot." She squeezes Katara's hand before standing up. "It was nice meeting you."

Katara nods. "And you, too."

Sosha retreats to her own table.

In an instant, Katara places enough money on the table for her tab and rushes out the door. By the time she makes it back to the palace, she is sweating. Royal guards are standing at the closed gate.

"Ma'am, it is outside visitation hours. Please return to your home."

"I'm a guest of the Fire Lord, now let me in," she says defiantly.

The guards laugh. "I'm sure you are, princess. Move along."

"I am the Water Nation Ambassador here on a diplomatic visit, and your Lord will not be happy to hear that you are refusing me entry to the palace. Now, let me in."

"You heard her," a gruff voice says from behind the gate. The guards turn to see Zuko walking towards them. "Open the gate."

In a slight panic, the guards reach for the handles and open the double-doored iron gate. Katara glares at them as she passes through. When the gate latches closed behind her, she flings herself onto Zuko and kisses him. Zuko holds her head like it's the most precious thing in the world, kissing her back with a deep passion. When they part lips, Katara tucks her head against Zuko's chest and embraces him.

"Where were you? Are you okay?" Zuko says softly.

Katara lifts her head to meet Zuko's. "I know about Sosha."

Zuko's eyes widen. "What? Katara, I didn't accept a courtship, I swear. I only met with her to-"

Katara gently places a finger over his mouth to silence him. "It's okay. I know you rejected her. But why did you even have to meet with her?"

Zuko hesitates before speaking. "It's complicated. The privy council wants an heir to the Fire Nation. They've been seriously pushing for me to get married lately. I told them to stop inviting these girls to meet me, but they don't seem to listen. So, I had to meet with her personally to decline."

"Why are they so adamant about you having a kid?"

Zuko pinches the bridge of his nose. "They seem to think that a usurper will try to kill me."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Yeah," Zuko shrugs, "it's crazy. They're afraid that, without someone from my family to succeed me, I'm a target. My family has hurt a lot of people, Katara."

"But what about Azula? Or your father? They're still alive."

"Yes, but in prison. Prisoners, no matter their blood, become ineligible to accept the throne."

"So, let me get this straight," Katara starts, "by taking you out, your family would be permanently removed from the throne."

"Which is why I need to marry and have an heir."

"So why couldn't you just tell me this?" Says Katara, reaching up to cup his face.

Zuko pulls her hand away from his face and kisses it. He rubs his thumb over her hand as he continues to hold it. "I didn't even want to bring up the concept of marriage with you, not just yet. Katara, I know that I want to spend my life with you. But you just recently called off your engagement to Aang... I didn't want you to feel pressured into another engagement so soon."

Katara smiles. Zuko's compassion was beyond words. After all he's been through, to remain unhardened by his trauma is impressive. She gently pulls him in to another kiss.

"Zuko," Katara practically whispers, "I love you, but for this to work you have to trust me. I can handle the truth; you don't have to protect me."

"Got it," Zuko says, "I don't know why I thought I could hide anything from you, anyway. You always uncover the truth. Speaking of which, how did you find out all of that stuff about Sosha?"

"Hey, I forgive you for lying, you don't question my sources. Deal?"

Zuko chuckles. "Deal."

"Alright. Oh, and one more question."

"Yeah?"

"When am I getting that betrothal necklace?"