That night as they stopped, Zuko's mind was racing. How was he supposed to act now that he was her boyfriend? He wondered if he should offer to get the whole camp ready. Should he… he didn't even know what to think!

Katara looked over at Zuko as he stood there frozen. She rolled her eyes at him, walked over, and grabbed his water skin. "I'll get water while you overanalyze everything. If you want, you can start a fire while I'm gone, though.

He gave her a wry smile, "So, keep going on like normal?"

"We were in love with each other before. The difference now is that we know about each other's feelings. Why should our routine change?"

"Hey, there will be some changes," he countered. "I was hoping for another kiss."

She gave him a sultry look, and his heart thudded. "Oh, there will be kissing." She placed her hand on his chest and gave him a chaste kiss. Zuko groaned, and his hand went to the back of her head, stopping her small retreat. He then pressed his lips to hers, then nipped at her bottom lip, begging for entrance. She opened to him, and his tongue swept in and caressed hers. He lost his patience to go slowly and surrendered himself to desire.

When they parted, Zuko was smiling down at Katara. "That kind of kiss."

She blushed and said, "Then you won't be getting one. I will want many of those," she teased.

"You don't even have to ask. They're yours whenever you want." In his head, he added that everything about him belonged to her.

She kissed his chin and said, "Fire and water, does that mix?"

"I expect not easily, but if it were easy, we'd both be bored. You've never taken the easy way, that isn't you, and I find you exciting. I think we'll be great together."

She laughed out loud, "You're so right. Leave it to me to fall for someone from the Fire Nation."

He pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek, "You've conquered a Fire Nation Prince."

"If I put it that way to my father, maybe he won't disown me."

Zuko frowned at that, "I'm sure he would rather you were with the Avatar."

"I don't know how I would have felt about that if he'd stuck around, but he didn't. Don't tell Sokka, but I care more about what he'd think. Good news for you, he liked you even before I did."

"Yeah, he did decide to like me when I first stopped being the enemy, but now I'm kissing his sister. That has to change things."

She got up on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear, "I don't think it will just be kissing."

He swallowed hard, and his grip on her tightened involuntarily. "What will it be?"

"It gets cold here at night. I was thinking you could keep me warm."

"I'll do whatever I can to warm you up." He then kissed the top of her head.

She rested her head on his chest and said, "You're warm. I like it."

He, however, felt like he was on fire. He was burning for her, and it was more exhilarating than anything prior in his life. He was so happy to have Katara there with him.

"We better set up camp. We still have food from the last town, so we don't need to get anything."

They both set to work and quickly had everything in order. One thing was different, though, this time. This time their bedrolls were next to each other. Katara had set them up, and Zuko realized it was going to be a very long night. No way was he going to be able to hold her and not be massively affected by her. He wondered if she had any clue how much she affected his mind and body.

He was going to die.

She was cuddled up to him, and her perfect little rear was nestled up against his manhood. She was sleeping the sleep of the innocent.

He was hard as steel and desperately fighting against his urges. He refused to take advantage of her while she was asleep. No matter how big her breasts were or how close his hand was to them, he wouldn't move and touch her. He refused. Damn, did he want to, though.

Finally, he released her and rolled to his back. He couldn't take having her that close anymore. She rolled over and laid half on top of him. She then started making the cutest snoring noise.

He barely slept that night.

Mid-morning the next day, Katara sighed. "Why do you have bags under your eyes? Didn't you sleep well next to me?" The amount of vulnerability in her eyes almost made him suck in a breath. It was hard to process how she didn't feel she needed to hide her emotions from him.

He hated that he had to tell her the truth. He refused to lie, even when it would hurt her feelings.

"I…" he started again with the grim determination to tell her. He still softened the truth, "I enjoyed you cuddling up to me so much that I struggled to sleep."

"It made it hard?"

He swallowed uncomfortably. He knew she didn't catch her unintended meaning —or that she was absolutely right. "I just -"

"Tell the whole truth!" She said, crossing her arms.

"Fine! The whole truth is that I desired you so much my mind and body couldn't settle and fall asleep. Having you pressed against me made me want to touch your perfect boobs, and I refused to take advantage of you while you were sleeping."

"Not even a little bit?"

He looked at her as she pouted. "What?"

"What if I'd be okay with that?"

"Katara, when I touch your hot body, you'll be awake and wanting it. I don't want it any other way."

He was so exhausted that night he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.