Whatever Zuko was expecting when he saw Katara again, it definitely wasn't this.

He had rushed back to her door the moment he was released, and entered to find her calmly going through her bending exercises, her leg healed and ribs only affecting her movements minimally. Her pants were a little bloodied, and her face was a bit torn up, but she looked better than she had when he left that afternoon.

To say he was a little confused would have been an understatement.

Katara didn't look up when the boy arrived, just kept practicing a form that would freeze her enemy's ankles to the ground. If she could just figure out how to alter that to make some sort of cuff around a fire bender's wrists…

"Um," Zuko interrupted. "I… guess you're feeling better.?"

She gave him a side eye before pulling herself from her thoughts. "Water benders heal faster. I'll be good as new in a few days. Maybe faster."

"So you're- I mean I wasn't allowed back until they- I thought he would have"

"Zuko," she said gently. "I'm fine. But I do need more water." She grabbed the empty bucket and held it up to him, shaking it expectantly.

The boy just looked at her like she'd grown a third eye.

"Aren't you the water boy?" she teased, pushing the pail into his hands.

Zuko blinked before shaking his head, seemingly snapping out of his confusion.

Once he left, Katara sighed, looking over at the dirty mattress. She flipped it over to the cleaner side, avoiding any reminder of what had happened just a few hours before. She may need Zuko's help bringing her supplies and food, but that didn't mean she'd let him pity her or see her weak, as Zogen had implied she was.

She washed her clothes as best as she could and healed her face when he got back. She tossed the dirty water down the toilet hole, reasoning that she'd have to bathe herself later.

They ate in awkward silence, neither really wanting to say anything. Katara decided it was up to her to attempt some sort of normal conversation. They may as well talk to pass the time, and she wasn't about to give him an opportunity to bring up whatever he was going to say earlier. As they ate the dried oats and plums he had brought, she tried to come up with something easy to talk about, something relatively normal. She recalled a story from home, hoping he'd find it as funny as she did.

"…And then he said: 'and that's how you can use penguin pee and snow to grow a plum tree.' So of course all the kids are trying to find the patches of yellow snow, and started shoving plum pits and apple seeds and whatever they could find down into the ice. And they would sing to their plants every day, just like Sokka told them. You should have seen the look on Hakoda's face when he and the other men came back from a hunt to find a half dozen children dancing and singing around penguin piss," Katara couldn't keep herself from laughing.

Zuko remained silent.

She cleared her throat of the last few chuckles before settling down. "I, um, I guess you had to be there."

They sat in the awkward quietness once more.

"One time my sister lit my bed on fire and blamed it on the cat. I had to get rid of him after that."

Katara blinked at him. "I don't think you quite get the concept of a funny story, Zuko."

He just shrugged, standing up with the bucket in hand to leave.

"Zuko wait," she grabbed his hand. Both of them looked at their joined hands for moment before she caught herself and let go, rubbing her palm on her knee. "You don't have to go yet."

He exhaled heavily, letting the bucket fall back to the ground with a clang as he swiped a hand through his hair.

"I just- I just don't get how you can joke around about apple trees and penguin piss when you're here. Does it not even occur to you how bad this is? Sherik doesn't mess around. People die every day in here and you just act like nothing's even wrong when you could barely walk after, after yesterday. I was just stuck in my bunk all day worrying about you when you don't even take it seriously- "

"You were worried about me?"

Zuko opened and closed his mouth a few times, gaping at her like a very frustrated fish. "I mean, I just," he breathed out, smoke coming from his nostrils. "This isn't some joke, Katara. I know what they can do to a person. I've been here for years and have seen so many people just disappear like they weren't even here in the first place. This is where the worst enemies of the Fire Lord are sent to be tortured and killed. This is bad. You have to understand that and quit treating it like it's not a big deal."

"You don't think I know that? People like them killed every waterbender in my tribe decades ago. They killed my mother because they thought she was one, too. They want to make an example out of me to show what happens to those who defy the Fire Nation. They won't stop until there's no one left to resist them." They were both practically yelling now.

She breathed out a frustrated groan, hands tight fists at her sides. She looked at him and at the bucket again and her gaze softened a bit. He's been nothing but kind to her when no one else was. And he worried about her. Even when her family had been together, she'd been able to take care of herself, and no one had a reason to worry about her.

Now, with circumstances being what they were, it was nice to have someone… care? Is that the right word? She thought, unballing her fists and biting the inside of her cheek. Does Zuko… care about me?

Somewhere, she knew it couldn't be much more than just a casual worrying over her wellbeing, just because he was a nice guy, but she couldn't help noticing the small voice popping up almost instantaneously and whispering none-too-quietly that, yes, she cared about him too.

Definitely not the time or place to be thinking about this.

"What did you do?"

"…What?" Zuko asked, as confounded with her change in mood as he was with the question.

"What did you do to be sent here? Why haven't they gotten rid of you yet?"

"They sometimes send political enemies here. People who can't be killed, but can't be actively defying the Fire Lord. They work for the guards and do upkeep and stuff." He was talking slowly, unsure if she would call him out on his vagueness.

"So they took you here because of how your mom took in refugees?"

"Um, not exactly. I-"

"What use would they have for you? I mean, no offense, but why would they keep you here instead of, uh…" she made a gesture, swiping a finger across her neck, hoping he'd get her meaning.

"It's because of who my father is. He's… pretty important."

"Like, a hand to the Fire Lord, or something?" Katara asked, confused.

She concentrated on his face again, reading the harsh lines that always lay there as strained and conflicted.

"Give the prince my regards…"

It was known that Fire Lord Ozai had two heirs: a son and a daughter. The Southern Tribe hasn't had much access to news since the start of the war, but a trading ship passing through a few years ago had informed them that Ozai's son had disappeared. Katara didn't remember the full story, but no one from home seemed to pay it much mind. They just saw it as one less member of the royal family who wanted them destroyed.

It never occurred to her that he could still be alive.

She looked at Zuko's scar, taking in the angry shape and shadowy complexion of it that stood out against his pale skin. What had he said about it? Not much. It was a warning against defying the Nation's laws, yes, but how did he get it…

"Who burned you?" she asked. It may have been a little insensitive, sure, but she had to know. Had to get answers.

Zuko looked as uncomfortable as ever at the mention of his scar. "My father. For not respecting his orders."

Orders?

"I thought you said the Fire Lord had you punished for what your mother did for those refugees."

"That is correct."

He was avoiding her eyes now. But that was ok. She had everything she needed. Just when she thought she had a friend in here...

Zuko caught her arm as she pulled away from him, betrayed. "Katara, it's not-"

"It's exactly what it looks like. You lied to me. Even after you knew what the Fire Lord had done to my people, what he's ordering done to me."

"I haven't spoken to him since I was sent here. I'm stuck here, just like you. Practically disowned. I don't have any part in what's happening outside of here."

Katara yanked herself from his grip. She may have felt a thrill when they'd held hands earlier, but now-

"If that's true, why would you act like you're just some regular guy in here. Why would you just not tell me?"

Zuko scoffed bitterly, "Because I knew you'd be like this! Finally, I'd get one chance to just be a person, not the disgraced son of the Fire Lord. I thought we would be-"

"What? That we'd be friends? Your people kill my people. That's just how it is. Your people lie and hurt and burn, and you're just like them."

"Katara, I didn't lie to you, I just wanted you to know me for who I am, not what I am. I'm not-"

"Was any of that story about your mom even true?"

"Yes," he snapped, now. "The Fire Lord—my father—had her killed because she was helping his enemies. I defended her, and was given this," he pointed at his scar with an accusatory finger. "When it was healed enough, I was banished and sent here. For who knows how long."

Katara was quieter, now. "Your father gave you that?" she asked for clarification.

The sour look she got answered that question well enough.

"Look," she started, pinching the top of her nose between her eyes to relieve some of the tension there. "I can kind of get why you hid it from me. I mean, I'm basically just a stranger and you were right, it's hard to look over something like this. But it doesn't change the fact that you're the, the…" she couldn't bring herself to say it, because it was really weird to think about the boy who brought her things to basically keep her alive as a prince. She settled for making a crown with her hands above her head.

Zuko smirked. But it wasn't so much mean as it was frustrated.

"Maybe we should just… forget about it."

"What?" he ventured.

"I mean, I know what we are and that we shouldn't even be civil with each other, but then again we're here and this is really happening and I don't know how much longer it'll take for me to be rescued and I really do appreciate all you're doing for me and would probably be dead if it weren't for you and this is all really confusing and I don't know-"

She broke off when she noticed how close he was. When did he get so close?

"Katara."

She'd never heard her name sound like that. Firm and unyielding but at the same time almost scared. He looked at her with a mix of admiration and annoyance. She stood transfixed, waiting for him to say something else.

Zuko knew she was right. He did. By all standards, they should hate each other. Sure, he was tasked with bringing her the necessities and had to continue doing so if he was to avoid punishment, but he shouldn't be enjoying it so much. He looked forward to talking with her. Even if it was about something as dark as the war, or as light as a stupid story about her home. He kept looking for opportunities to touch her, always hoping he'd get the chance to hold her like he had on that first day, when she had been cold and scared (although she wouldn't admit that first part). This girl was in a position that should have made her terrified, but she stood as strong as she could, pissing off the guards with her resistance. The fight in her usually ended up making it worse, but she dealt with that too. He didn't know how she did it, but he had felt hope welling up in his chest for the first time since he'd been banished. He really thought that this woman, this Water Tribe girl, could be the key to the plans that the underground resistance had been making for months.

Of course, there was the nagging little voice in his head reminding him of the emotions she so often elicited that didn't have to do with the greater good as much as his own personal good, but he pushed that back to deal with later.

He shook his head clear. "Katara," he repeated in that soft voice that she really really wished he'd use more often. "I just really need you to be okay. This isn't some open-access jail where prisoners are released or tried. Once you're here, you don't get out. And as much faith as you have in your father and brother… they're not going to be able to get you out."

She knew that. Of course she knew that. But hearing him say it was another thing entirely.

"So, what? I'm supposed to just give up? They'll kill me if that happens. You didn't hear what he said today-"

"I know what he'll do," Zuko snapped. He ran a hand through his hair before repeating more calmly "I know. Just… I don't know. I know you're not scared or anything, but it's going to get a lot worse and you need to be ready for it. And if joking around and pushing it aside helps you deal with it now, it might not work forever."

Katara considered his words, looking down and focusing on her dirty boots, which were the same ones she had been wearing when she'd been taken from the South Pole. She traced each seam with her eyes, trying to memorize where each stitch was before answering.

"I am scared," she murmured. She almost hoped Zuko couldn't hear her, but the room was silent except for their voices, making her quiet admission seem deafening to her ears.

Zuko looked at her, waiting for her to look up to meet his eyes. When it became apparent that it was his turn to say something, he sighed before responding. "You'd be stupid not to be."

She let out a weak laugh, more of just a sad "ha."

"…Zuko?"

"Mmm?" He mumbled from his spot beside the mattress, half asleep.

"Why are you so nice to me? I mean I know I'm basically your job assignment, but you don't have to be nice about it."

He thought for a moment. "I guess it's because I didn't really have a reason to believe in anything in the years I've been here. And then this girl shows up and starts breaking guard's noses and stuff. I haven't met many people outside of the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdoms, but I don't know. It surprised me. In a good way."

"You're nice to me because I cause trouble?"

"I'm nice to you because you're not a bad person. Some of the people here are, but you're not. And you… tolerated me. You didn't judge me for what my father did. Well, I guess now it'll be different, but…"

Katara leaned up onto her elbows to look at him. He had extinguished the light, but she could still make out his face. "I won't hold that against you. It's not your fault."

His eyes flicked up to her face. "Thanks, I guess."

The silence stretched on again, and Zuko would have thought she'd gone back to sleep if he didn't know she was still propped up, looking down at him.

He let out a heavy sigh. "What now?"

"I was just. Um. You've been sleeping on the ground."

"Yeah, so?"

"And you could really sleep in your own bunk, but instead you're here."

"Katara. What's your point?"

"I was, uh, thinkingwecouldsharethebed," she hurried.

Now it was his turn to sit up. "Are you asking me to sleep with you?"

Her face heated up. "I mean. Then we could pile the blankets underneath and on top of us so it'll be warmer and then we don't have to… be so close to the mattress? I don't know. If you want. I was just thinking."

The want for more blankets made sense, he supposed. But Zuko had hoped she'd had other reasons. He hadn't had many intimate situations even back at home, and absolutely none since he'd gotten here, obviously. His sister would have made fun of him for wanting something so… cozy, but he did miss the simple things like sharing a bed with another person. And he'd be lying if he hadn't thought about getting closer to Katara…

Katara mentally kicked herself for being so stupid. She knew it would probably be too hot with all the blankets and him underneath them, anyways. He'd been so warm when he'd held her one of the first nights, reminding her of the colder days back home when she would snuggle up under the furs with her family. She missed it. But Zuko probably thought she was being needy, and would rather keep his distance from her, anyways. After all, he'd seen the things that had been done for her. It was stupid for even asking.

But, to her surprise (and excitement), he was already scotching over onto the mattress, laying out blankets underneath them with a "sit up," and then laying one over the both of them.

Their shoulders touched, but neither seemed to want to move any closer.

Katara ended up turning onto her side towards him, her head almost, but not exactly, resting on his arm.

"Zuko?"

He just grunted, not trusting himself to say anything because she was so close.

"Does this mean I have to call you 'Your Highness?'"

He breathed out, trying to ignore the feeling of her hair brushing up against the bare skin of his neck. It was a small mattress.

"I'd prefer if you didn't."

She was quiet again for a few more minutes.

"Zuko? Last time, I promise."

He turned his head to look at her, putting their faces so close he could feel her breath against lips.

"I know this is stupid but… could I maybe… could we…?"

Zuko wouldn't have understood clearer if he could read minds. Gently, he shifted closer, tucking a shoulder under her head, hoping she'd take that as a "yes."

She did, positioning her head in the junction of where his neck, shoulder, and chest met. His chest was strong, but the muscle there had just enough give to make it a comfortable place to rest on.

She took a chance, throwing an arm around his torso. She could feel his breath hitch in surprise, and she almost removed it, but was stopped when he brushed his hand with hers, imploring her fingers to separate enough for his to slide in between them.

The both lay there, focusing to each other's breathing. Zuko could feel her breath, while Katara felt the steady bump of his heart against her ear.

She fell asleep first, the day's events catching up with her and leaving her to give into her exhaustion.

Zuko listened for a bit longer, in awe of how he ended up holding a girl- a Water Tribe girl- in his arms in a dirty cell after being alone for so long.