Zuko stood on the balcony overlooking the bustling streets of the Fire Nation colony. A group of people went past, laughing and carrying baskets of flowers, and then a short time later, a cart rolled by, carrying ornate lanterns. Everyone was laughing and smiling, their moods light. As theirs should be. As his should be. Zuko wiped his palms on his pant leg. When had he started shaking? Taking a calming breath, Zuko ran through the preparations again, mentally checking that they'd put enough soldiers on duty, that they'd established a secure perimeter along the coast. All the right foods were prepared. The gifts were bought and laid out. The decorations had arrived in just the right shade of blue and red and white and gold, the purple had been blended to their exact specifications. The schedule had been set and reviewed, and everyone knew their cues. Offerings were made to gods and ancestors, signs were consulted and the best possible day was chosen.

"Son?"

He started, hand going for his sword before he remembered that he wasn't wearing it. That he shouldn't have to be wearing a sword on his wedding day, unless it was ceremonial. But there was what should be, and what actually was.

"Son…"

Hakoda smiled softly as he walked out onto the balcony, arms open, and Zuko didn't even pretend that he wasn't in need of comforting just then. Hakoda held him tightly, and Zuko tried to siphon a little of his strength.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Since before sunrise," Zuko said, reluctantly letting go of Hakoda.

"Have you actually tried to go back to sleep?"

Zuko shrugged, looking out over the street so he wouldn't see Hakoda frowning at him, even though he could feel it. That was one thing he'd always assumed Katara inherited from her mother, right until the time that both of them frowned so hard at him that Toph could feel it. Hakoda sighed, then leaned on the railing next to him, and the two stood in silence for a while, enjoying the peace of the early morning. For the past two years, the war had been in a stalemate, neither side attacking in force, and as the days stretched out, Zuko was worried that Ozai was planning something big and devastating. Iroh had been adamant that they take advantage of the silence from the mainland; little by little, they made their way toward the colonies closer to the Fire Nation, doing their best to set up a court and establish his rule as a Fire Lord. It worked, more or less. By the time they got to Sheyran city, a colony on the northeastern coast of the Earth Kingdom, Zuko was finally starting to feel like a ruler. The people supported the revolution, and had even given Zuko the house the Fire Nation governor used to occupy before they'd run him out of town. Zuko frowned. He couldn't imagine that, in two years, news that his rebel son set up an opposing court in the colonies hadn't reached Ozai.

"I'm scared," Zuko whispered.

"I am, too. We can plan for so many things, safeguard against the normal attacks, do our best to protect people. But when Ozai hears about this? There's no telling just how badly he'll react. And make no mistake, as terrible as this war has been, Ozai can and probably will make it a lot worse. We just have to be ready."

"For what?"

"Anything. As unhelpful as that is."

Zuko found himself smiling a little. Hakoda was right; that was unhelpful. They were always ready for anything, but the anything that Ozai would throw at them after hearing about this wedding would be markedly different from the anything they'd dealt with before.

"How do you know I was talking about my father?"

Hakoda laughed, slapping Zuko hard on the back. "Son, I don't think there's a person on this planet who would think that you were scared of marrying Katara.

We practically have to pry the two of you apart. You're almost as bad as Sokka and Suki. It took the two of you long enough to get around to it, though."

"We knew, even if we didn't want to say it right away," Zuko said, feeling a little lighter. A little more at ease. "It's just…everything that surrounds a relationship between us. We had to be sure, you know?"

"Believe me, I know." Hakoda beckoned for him to come back inside. "Even so, I'm glad you did. I don't think my little girl has ever been happier. And you. Eleven years I've known you, and you've never smiled more than you have in the past few years. I doubt you've smiled this much in your whole life."

Zuko laughed long and hard. It wasn't even that funny, but it felt good to laugh, to let all of his anxiety and fear bleed out in a joyous sound. To have Hakoda standing next to him, smiling and proud, to be surrounded by people who thought that he was right and just and worthy. It felt good to know that, by the end of the day, he'd be married to the person he loved more than life itself.

"Sleep, son," Hakoda said, as he headed toward the door. "Meditate before the ceremony. Clear your head. You never want to forget your wedding."

Hakoda spoke so softly that Zuko almost missed his last words as he closed the door.

I've never forgotten mine.

There was no way that Zuko would ever be able to forget this day.

The whole town turned out for the wedding, people lining the streets to the town square where a raised platform had been set up, honored guests sitting in chairs before it. The day was perfectly sunny; large, fluffy clouds drifted lazily over them as birds flew past, chirping as they went. People chatted excitedly, complimenting the decorations, in awe at the splendor that was laid out, wondering what foods would be served, greeting old friends, making new ones. It was like a fairy tale. Everything felt like a dream.

Six fire sages moved up the street, spreading incense and saying a prayer to Agni, asking for a blessing for this day and their union, and when they reached the platform, they stood to the side as the Fire Nation procession made its way down the street. Zuko's household went first, Chief Secretary Hau and Mistress Yina at the head, followed by a few of his councilors. Toph had actually worn a dress, had allowed them to do her hair for the wedding, and Zuko's heart twisted a bit, seeing the beautiful young woman she was becoming. Even she looked happy that this was finally happening. The spectators tossed out red and gold flowers as Iroh made his way down the street, the biggest smile on his face. Everything had come together perfectly, the wind swirling the petals, and Zuko took a deep breath of the fragrant air, hoping to calm his nerves. Or at least stop shaking. The last thing he wanted to do was pass out at his own wedding, before the ceremony even got under way. Beside him, Druk snorted, rubbing his head on Zuko's side, and Zuko held onto his dragon tightly.

Druk had grown exponentially in two years, too big now to fit inside any of the buildings, though that didn't stop him from trying from time to time. He was young, energetic and wild, often getting into trouble and harassing the livestock on the farms at the edge of the settlement. Many times when Zuko went to complain to his uncle about what a handful his adolescent dragon was, Iroh would laugh, saying that at least Zuko was ready for parenthood before giving him advice about stubborn teenagers. Still, Druk had always been a constant companion, and Zuko thought he finally understood just how Aang felt about Appa. Druk blew steam in Zuko's face, and Zuko returned the gesture, smiling. He should be happy. He was marrying his best friend and an amazing woman. Katara would be by his side for the rest of his life. When his foot hit the flower covered path, Zuko felt strong and sure, his steps steady and firm. People cheered for him as he made his way to the platform, and it felt good.

Finally, Zuko was sure of the person he'd become and the path that he was on, and as he watched as his family from the South made their way down the street, Gran Gran and Pakku at the head, resplendent in blue and white, he knew he could best whatever Ozai threw at them. Everyone was smiling, though Suki wiped a tear away as she, Sokka and their toddler son made their way toward him. Even Sokka looked a little choked up, and Zuko felt the excitement building in him. After Sokka and Suki would be Hakoda, escorting Katara, and even the short wait felt too long as the red and yellow flowers mixed with blue and white, and finally, finally, there they were. Hakoda had the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen by his side. Her dress was the same light blue that her family wore, but long and flowing, her hair half pinned up and half flowing over her bare shoulders.

Zuko inhaled sharply, tears prickling in the corners of his eyes. Eleven years after he first met her, eleven years after he'd crashed his ship into her home, intent on razing the settlement to get to the Avatar, eleven years after he first begged for forgiveness and helped her hunt her mother's killer, after sharing secrets and joys and comforting each other through tragedy and supporting each other through triumph, he was marrying Katara. Hakoda placed her hand in his, and her smile was brilliant, and there were people talking around him, but all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and never let her go.

"You're beautiful," he whispered.

She giggled and smiled, using the end of her sleeve to wipe away a few tears.

"And this union will mark a shift in the Fire Nation," the elder sage was saying. "Others will look at this marriage and say that water will weaken fire, but let the success of this fight against injustice be a testament of the opposite!" A roar went up among the crowd and the sage waited for the noise to die down. "Let this be proof that fire and water compliment and make each other stronger, that we are all stronger together! Let this union be proof that there can be peace among the world."

Zuko forced himself to look out at the faces and the mix of colors gathered, the joy and the pride of people who finally found the courage to stand up against a corrupt Fire Nation. They shouted and tossed flower petals and confetti, and in his mind, Zuko saw the world as it could be, free of global conflict, with people actually working together to create something good.

"Let us witness this union," the sage continued, coming to stand behind them.

They were first married in the Earth Kingdom way, Kuei stepping forward, more sure of himself than he'd been at Sokka and Suki's wedding, saying words of blessing as he ringed them with flowers, then draped a ribbon over their shoulders. Iroh reprised his role, this time with a few people in traditional Air Nomad clothes behind him, people who'd agreed to keep the Air Nomad beliefs alive even though they weren't benders. They said traditional blessings, using fans to cover them with the Winds of Life. The Water Tribe elders came next, giving them a dagger to hold and wrapping a length of leather around their hands. Finally, the elder sage stepped forward, holding up his hands for silence. A little nervousness seeped into Zuko's stomach, and he was glad for Katara by his side. She squeezed his hand, knowing what would come next, knowing that this, if nothing else, would get a reaction from the Fire Nation and Ozai.

"Traditionally, when the Fire Lord marries, his wife is asked to set aside her older self and swear an oath of fealty to the Fire Nation as she is crowned Fire Lady. It is, however, time to do things a little differently."

Zuko and Katara knelt before the crowd in a practiced movement that kept their hands joined and the Earth Kingdom ribbon around their shoulders.

"Fire Lord Zuko and Lady Katara have worked to bring peace to the world, and so it is their wish that they swear an oath of fealty not just to the Fire Nation, but to all the nations."

They repeated the words after the sage, vowing to fight for global prosperity, to not shut out one nation or another, to never turn their backs on those who need help. They promised that they wouldn't forget those who helped in the war or the lessons that they learned. Finally, they promised that their union would always be a reminder that they are all stronger together than they are apart. They remained kneeling when the oath was done and the Fire Sage removed the crown prince's crown that Zuko had worn since the first year of the rebellion. Zuko swallowed thickly, his head feeling weird with the weight removed, his heart racing as he heard the gasps of the gathered.

"The old crowns carry the weight of too many wrongs, and with these new vows of unity, love and peace, Fire Lord Zuko thought it fitting that the crown be forged anew. Let Agni above witness this symbol of the rebirth of the Fire Nation. Let Agni above send down his cleansing fire and let us all be reborn! I crown you Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Katara!"

Zuko desperately wanted to believe that deafening cheer was for them and for their promise and the hope they brought to the world. He wanted to believe that the cheer was for him and Katara together and everything their love meant. He banished all doubt from his mind as Druk roared behind them, sending up a great burst of flame.

"Rise," the sage shouted, hands raised toward the sky.

They stood as one, and Zuko turned to his wife, his breath catching as he saw her with the golden crown in her hair, the tips of the flames adorned with blue sapphires. Tears were streaming down her face, and he didn't even realize he was crying until she wiped away a few of his own tears, and Iroh was beside him, furiously whispering "kiss your wife, nephew," and Katara wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him with all her strength.

It was the sweetest kiss he'd ever had.

Fury churned in the pit of Ozai's stomach as he looked at the scorched paper in front of him. Nothing he read in the report was pleasing. This was pathetic. He'd defeated that worthless excuse for an Avatar, had so summarily destroyed him that there was almost nothing left of that petulant child. And yet, this war had continued for eleven years. Eleven years.

"They should have given up long ago," Ozai said to the charred, crumbling bodies on the floor in front of his desk. "This farce… And now he dares to set up court? To name himself Fire Lord? To crown a Fire Lady?"

The wall scones flared as he slammed his hands on the desk. He balled up the offending report and finished burning it. As if crowning himself Fire Lord wasn't enough, as if crowning his own Fire Lady wasn't enough, he'd dared to marry a waterbender and claim that she made him stronger. Fool boy.

"I should have smothered you in your sleep when I had the chance," Ozai grumbled as he exited his office.

Servants scurried out of his way, dropping to their knees and pressing their heads to the ground as he moved past them, shakily whispering "my lord," or "your majesty". This was the way a nation was meant to be run. People should have a healthy fear of their lord so they don't get out of line. Insubordination should be punished, swiftly and harshly.

"Clean my office," he barked at a man polishing one of the statues. The man nodded and ran past, leaving the statue only half shiny.

Ozai looked at himself in the breastplate of warriors past. There was more gray in his hair, and dark circles under his eyes. He looked like an old man. People thought he couldn't hear them whispering about him, but he heard everything. His spies were everywhere, reported everything to him. He knew that some of his advisors were worried he was becoming more unhinged as the war dragged on, worried that he was excessively cruel, his punishments harsh to the point that they were having trouble finding people willing to serve him. It didn't matter. None of those soft bellied cretins understood what it took to win a war against such a persistent weed. He would have to do this thing himself, go to the Earth Kingdom and rip that boy's heart from his chest, make him watch his own heart die for as long as his consciousness remained. But first, he would make that boy watch everyone he loved be tortured, starting with his treacherous, disgusting uncle and ending with that peasant waterbending bitch of a wife he took. He would make that disgrace of a son watch as everyone he cared about begged to be burned alive just to escape the pain, and not even when their voices were gone, their throats raw and bloody, would he show them mercy. Banishing that waste of seed was the last mercy he'd shown anyone.

There was only one way that Agni's greatest joke would ever take the Fire Nation from him, and Ozai wasn't about to die any time soon.