The first place Zuko thought to look was back at Katalina's secret place. When he got there, though, he found that she wasn't there. So he started running in the direction she had run earlier when she had been trying to get away from him. He had no idea where it would lead him or if it would just take him in circles, but he didn't care at this point. All he cared about was tracking her down. And he knew that she couldn't run forever.
Then he began seeing familiar surroundings. He feared that this path actually was bringing him back to the teashop. Except the surroundings he saw weren't familiar enough. He recognised them, but he didn't see them everyday.
So why did they look so familiar?
When he came to a fountain, he knew exactly where he was.
And sitting on the edge with her back facing him was Katalina.
"You know," he announced his presence, causing her to freeze, "I've been here one other time," he went on. "It was with Jin, actually, when we had our date. She took me here at the end of the night. Except when we got here, none of the lanterns were lit like they are now. She was really upset by that, too. So I told her to close her eyes and I discreetly lit them all myself. And then she was happy."
She turned around to face him now, but remained seated. And to his surprise, she was smiling. "You risked getting caught for her," she stated.
"I'd risk a lot more for you," he replied. She blushed at this and stood up. He took her hands in his. "You're not trying to get away from me."
"What's the point?" She looked up at him. "You'll always come after me anyway, won't you?"
He smiled back. "I'm glad you know that."
"I ran into Mai before she left," she then told him, her gaze dropping back to the ground. "I'm sorry I didn't give you the chance to actually talk to me."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you first off that Mai had broken up with me."
"We're really bad at this, aren't we?"
"We can get better."
She nodded. "If I ever stop turning every conversation into an argument."
"Hey, you don't do that all the time," he pointed out in denial. "We've had a lot of nice conversations since we met again."
"But we've had mostly arguments."
"Don't start with me, Lina."
"See? I'm doing it again."
"You do it on purpose," he declared. "And that's the one thing about you I can't seem to figure out. I mean, I just can't figure out why."
"I wish I could tell you, but I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know, either."
He chuckled at this. "You're unbelievable, Lina."
"I'm sorry…"
"No, you don't have to apologise. Looking at me would be nice, though."
And that was when she realised that her head and gaze were still down. She had gotten distracted by their hands. She had started playing with his. She traced each of his fingers individually. She traced over every line and curve. Then he took his hands back and lightly traced them up her arms until his hands were cupping her cheeks. He tilted her head up so that she would look at him. He was smiling softly and it caused her heart to skip a beat. And then he leaned into her…
And she pushed him away.
"I'm sorry," she repeated. And she went to walk away.
"Please don't do this, Lina!" he called after her.
"Do what? Protect you?"
"Protect me? I thought you were protecting yourself."
"I don't know what I'm doing, Zuko."
"Then stop walking away and let's figure it out together."
She shook her head. "I'm scared," she then admitted.
He nodded. "Me too."
She swallowed hard. "And I lied to you."
Now he smiled again. "I know."
Before another word could be spoken, Zuko closed the distance between them and he kissed her. And finally, Katalina kissed him back. Then she couldn't help but to blush once they broke apart.
"You really think this is a smart idea?" she checked with him.
"No," he answered honestly. "I think we are going to drive each other absolutely crazy." He paused. "But I wouldn't want to go insane with anyone else."
She laughed. "Agreed."
"Better yet, I told you that I would always be there to catch you when you fall," he added. "I'm keeping that promise."
"Good…because I'm falling."
His smile returned. "Would you like to dance?" he then asked.
"But there's no music."
"Not like music's gonna make me any better."
She laughed even more. "I would love to dance."
And so the two of them began to just dance around the fountain to the silence that had filled the peaceful the air. Her arms were wrapped around his neck while his arms were wrapped around her waist. And they stayed just like that, losing track of the time.
Until Zuko spoke up again.
"Maybe we should head back," he suggested. "I wouldn't want the others to get too worried."
"What would they get worried about?" she wondered.
"They might think you killed me."
She laughed again. "I would never take such drastic measures."
He smiled back. "C'mon, let's just go." He turned to leave, keeping hold of her hand. He started walking away, but she wouldn't come with him. "Lina, what are you doing?"
"Nothing," she denied.
"Then come on." He walked again, but she still wouldn't budge. "Lina, what the hell?" He laughed. A wide smile spread across her face. "Oh no. What are you planning?"
"Nothing," she repeated.
He eyed her skeptically. Then he realised where they were standing and his eyes widened. "Lina, I swear, if you even think—"
Before he could finish, though, she pulled him forward as she leaned back. And they both went tumbling into the fountain.
"What is it with you and water?" he questioned.
She laughed again before rolling half on top of him. "That's twice now I've been able to take you down."
"Because I wasn't prepared either time."
"Just admit that I'm stronger than you."
Instead of replying, he lifted his head and kissed her again.
"Let's go home," she said once he pulled away.
So they climbed out of the fountain and finally made their way back to the teashop. Most of the walk was spent in silence, but they continued to hold each other close. And for the first time in a long time, they both felt content.
"Tell me, again, the difference between just loving someone, and then being in love with someone," she spoke up.
He smiled, halting the walk. He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. "The Fire Nation isn't my future, Lina. You are." He paused. "I'm in love with you."
She smiled back before kissing him another time. "Good answer," she said after they broke apart. "You know," she then started, "everyone's gonna think we're together now because of this."
He laughed. "Let them think what they want."