****DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NOR CLAIM TO OWN ANY PART OF AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED FOR THE ORIGINAL OWNERS.****

Blessing

1.) the formal act of approving

Zuko had never known this kind of terror in his life. Sure, being hit by fire so brutally by his own father when he was a child was scary, especially since it would leave a scar that covered half his face. Sure, letting Katara touch his scar beneath Ba Sing Se was terrifying; feeling her cool touch against the rough, swollen, most hated part of him, all the while hoping she wouldn't pull away in utter disgust. Sure, taking that bolt of lightning for that same water bender that was discharged from his crazy sister, slicing through his chest as easily as a knife, was terrifying.

But nothing, nothing that he had experienced in his life was quite like the sickening feeling that twisted his gut today.

The day that he was going to ask Katara's father for her hand in marriage.

Just the thought of approaching the man was enough to cause him to pale, to want to run and hide and hope that he would never be found, because he was terrified to his very core of Hakoda, Chief of the Southern Water Tribe.

Taking a deep breath, he knocked on Hakoda's study door, and once he heard the gruff 'Come in', he pushed through the threshold. Zuko felt his knees hitting each other, shaking with unbelievable intensity. Hakoda looked up from his desk, saw Zuko, and let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. Discarding the scrolls of parchment he was reading, the elder man of the Southern Water Tribe arched in his chair, stretching his limbs before returning his gaze to his daughter's suitor.

"Ah, Fire Lord Zuko, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Hakoda asked with a grin. However, unbeknownst to Zuko, the elder man knew under what conditions the leader of the Red Nation had decided to pay him a visit. It didn't exactly take a genius to figure out, after all. Katara and Zuko had been dating for one year, and were perfectly happy. Katara had already told her father that she loved Zuko with all her heart. Plus, the intensity of Zuko's shaking, the paleness of his face, and the tremor in his voice didn't exactly dissuade Hakoda from this theory.

Zuko was frozen at the door, his hands fisting, trying to calm himself. Hakoda raised an eyebrow at the younger man, fighting another smile, and motioned for him to take a seat in one of the chairs set before his desk.

Zuko complied, not quite right away however; his brain was still taking a while to process basic things.

"As I was saying," Hakoda continued, "to what do I owe the pleasure, Fire Lord?"

"Ac-actually… I came today as just Zuko. A personal trip. Fire Lord Zuko is unnecessary." Zuko managed, his voice shaking slightly.

"All right. Zuko, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Hakoda said for the third time.

Zuko took another deep breath, and a sense of calm overcame him. He didn't wait for his nervousness to overtake him again, he simply said what he'd come to his girlfriend's home to say. "As you know, Katara and I have been dating for a year now, and we're very happy. I love her so much, more than I ever thought possible. I understand that you might not think that I am the right one for her, but I do think I can make her happy. And, she would never be unloved. Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe, I would like to ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage."

Hakoda's reaction was not unsurprised, nor outraged, as Zuko was expecting; the man simply sat in his chair, unmoving, a thoughtful expression on his face. Finally, he spoke, "I knew this day would come. I always imagined that she would end up with a Water Tribe warrior, though." He stopped talking, his ice blue eyes piercing Zuko's golden ones. "But, I have to say, I think I like you more than any of our current warriors. I do believe that you can make her happy Zuko; I've seen it. Her eyes light up when she sees you; it's impossible not to notice the love that you two share." He paused again, surveying Zuko, who was holding his breath, "It surprises me to say this, but I think that you might be the perfect match for her."

Zuko released a breath, "So… that's a yes?"

Hakoda shrugged, "It's really not my decision whether or not she marries you is it? But, yes, I do give you my blessing. But, Zuko, if you ever hurt my daughter, you better be prepared for yet another war on your hands." He said darkly.

Zuko gulped, and nodded, rising to his feet and hurrying out of the room, ignoring Hakoda's deep laughter that could probably be heard from the Fire Nation.

Author's Notes: Hi again! I was looking through other drabbles today, and decided it was time for this! So, as always, I hope you enjoyed, and please leave your thoughts, questions, opinions, etc.!

****Here's a question for you all, what would you like to see next in this drabble series? Something sappy, something sad? Leave your ideas, and maybe I'll use them!

Thanks guys! Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

~Moonlit- Silhoutte