Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Hey guys, I'm updating this little blurb today to let you guys know that I cannot update for a while, finals are a week away. I will update during study breaks hopefully, but come 12/10, it'll be back to an update a day or every other day. =)

Today's drabble is a reflection of Zuko and Katara from the perspective of the grad students. Enjoy.

Also, thank you so much for your sweet reviews. They truly make my day. =D

ZZZ

"Before I leave here, I want to watch an intra-lab romance," Haru said thoughtfully.

"What? Why would you want to see that?"

"Well, I don't know, maybe it's the romantic in me, but I really want to see it."
Sokka shook his head. "Well, Katara and Zuko have been awfully close lately."

"They won't resolve their relationship before I leave, they're both too stubborn."

Aang commented then. "The thing about Zuko and Katara is that they are the only ones that can come up with a reason why they should not be together. No one else around them can see their reasoning for that, but whatever…"

"Maybe they're right and we're wrong," Sokka said thoughtfully.

And the three men laughed.

"Good one, Sokka," Haru said after he was able to take a breath.

"I wonder why they broke up in the first place," Aang said.

"Hasn't Katara told you?"

"She's told me why she thinks they broke up, but I want to know from him, and he's the one who did it."

"He's spoken to me a little," Sokka said.

Haru and Aang stared at Sokka. "Well, tell us."

"He thinks he is not worthy of her the way they are now. When they got engaged and made plans to stay in Ba Sing Se together, he had no idea just how successful she was in school. When she told him that she wanted to go to a university but would stay in Ba Sing Se with him, he realized that he was holding her back. And what's worse, she didn't even realize it herself. She was perfectly content staying with him instead of pursuing all she could. And her being here has obviously shown the three of us just how much potential she has."

"She can go wherever or do whatever she wants."

"Yes, exactly, and Zuko knows that. He doesn't want to be the reason why she doesn't become all that she can be."
"Why can't he just go with her? He showed up here."

"That's the other side; he wants to better himself for her. If he follows her around everywhere, when will he have the time to make himself worthy of her? He says he wants to become an honorable man that can provide for her, or at the very least be her equal."

"Do you not think he is her equal already?"

"Maybe not when it comes to academics, but Katara is special in that. I think as a person, the very stock of his character, the way he treats her and his goals, he is equal to her. And she needs that. Katara can't have someone who is constantly trying to dominate her, but she also can't have someone who doesn't challenge her and make her grow as a person. I think they're life paths will always be crossing, just maybe not right now."

"Back to what Haru said about their both being too stubborn to get into a relationship."

"I think for right now though, that's what's best. Zuko is right though, it's dangerous for Katara to not realize that he could potentially hold her back. I greatly respect and admire his acknowledgement of it and his attempts to rectify it."
"You do not think his being her would still cause her to allow herself to be held back?"
"Without a full commitment, I can't see Katara risking her future."

The three nodded thoughtfully.

"I want them to be together," Haru said.

"Everyone does."

Just then, Katara walked into the lab.

"Hey guys," she said brightly.

"Katara!" The three graduate students jumped and pulled Katara into a hug.

"Um, guys?"

They just squeezed her tighter for a second longer. "We think you're awesome Katara, okay? Totally awesome. And we support any decision you make."

"Decisions about what?"

"Anything, just know that we support you."

"Thanks?"

And then they returned to their seats as Zuko walked in. Haru stood up and walked to Zuko.

"I support your decisions as well," he said to him and proceeded to walk out the door.

"What was that about?" Zuko asked.

"Don't know, but Aang and I agree," Sokka said as he stood up and grabbed Aang by the collar of his shirt, dragging him out of the room. Before he left, he turned and tucked Katara under her chin affectionately, and then they left, leaving Zuko and Katara alone.

"What was that?"

"I don't know," Katara responded. "I've never seen them act like that. That was weird."

"Yeah," Zuko looked around. "They left us here alone."

Katara put her hands on her hip and scowled. "Some psychologists are just really annoying."

Zuko nodded in agreement, but the two stayed in the lab alone.

Alright guys, I know that was short, but I'm writing in between classes here. Much love, you guys are totally awesome! Zutara for the win!