Hey everyone! I've been missing from this app for a while but I felt like I wanted to contribute to Zutara Week this year any maybe get back into the writing groove. Hope you like this post. Much love and many thanks.
Disclaimer: I do not have nor do I claim any ownership to any of the characters or places you may recognize from ATLA. I am merely responsible for the plot of this fan fiction story.
An icy wind blew across the deck of the Fire Nation ship ferrying Zuko, his uncle and their entourage. He had very nearly paced a hole in the floor of his quarters, nerves plaguing him as he contemplated this trip and the reason for it. He was equal parts excited and anxious, more the latter considering his mission. Not even Uncle Iroh's gentle prodding had gotten him to relax.
What if they rejected him?
He was the Fire Lord after all. His people, under his father, had committed great crimes against the world. He felt guilty by proxy considering some of the things he himself had done to help with the oppression. This tribe, specifically, had suffered much – as had his bride to be.
He wiped sweaty palms on his tunic and continued to pace. Before long, a guard came to inform him that the shores were in sight. They had arrived. The plan was to anchor the ship at a far enough distance so as not to agitate the Southern Water Tribe. Zuko and his delegation would arrive ferried by Sokka and his crew on their own boats. In this way, maybe there wouldn't be so much tension.
It had been several years since the Avatar had sealed Ozai's powers and peace was restored to the world, but it would be supremely naïve of him to assume that all was simply forgiven for that reason.
Standing on the deck, Zuko fidgeted, visibly anxious about what was happening. Iroh, understanding his plight, lay a comforting hand on his shoulder. The wait was fairly agonizing. But Sokka appeared with some of the Water Tribe men from behind an iceberg, waving goodnaturedly. That put Zuko somewhat at ease and he gave a friendly wave back.
There was no backing out now. Then again, he didn't back out of things because they were difficult. And he loved Katara. And she loved him. As the daughter of the current chief, it couldn't have been easy convincing her tribe that this match was a good one.
But the union was an auspicious one. At the very least, the Fire Nation making peace with the Water Tribes through marriage wasn't too bad of a political move either. However, that was the last thing on his mind. He had trouble thinking of much else besides Katara.
Their heartachingly bittersweet goodbye, their plans for their future, their upcoming nuptials… and the fact that he hadn't seen her in more than a month. They had sent messenger hawks often but it wasn't the same. It could never be the same. And now, after all of that waiting, here they were, ready to complete one more step towards their forever. He steeled himself as Sokka led him to the door of Hakoda's hut. Sokka chuckled at how woodenly his friend was walking, but he understood.
Giving him one last reassuring smile, he opened the door and Zuko walked in to meet his future father in law and the elders of the tribe.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Katara saw him before he saw her. She hadn't been so nervous given how much work she'd put into buttering up her father, step-mother and the tribe's elders.
There were dissenters to the union, of course. She was well aware of how much her people had suffered at the hands of the Fire Nation. She was also aware that members of the Fire Nation, having been fed so much propaganda over the years, also felt unsure of her own ability. The hurt on both sides was great, but hopefully this would be a good first step to reuniting the nations.
That said, she was sure that Zuko had received a warm welcome and had received the blessing he had come to seek. She'd read the clear worry in his letters, despite him trying to hide it.
But there was no need for letters any more. She would travel with her family to the Fire Nation at the end of the week and there, they would be wed. It was finally time. She would miss her old home and her people. She would come visit as often as she was able, but she would have a new home now.
Then a cheeky thought crossed her mind.
She bended some of the nearby snow and launched it at her fiancé, hiding cleverly behind a snowbank. She peeked around it to see him glaring confusedly in her direction. The realization dawned on him and a slow smile crept on his face.
The next time she peeked at him, she only barely dodged a face full of powder. She laughed and launched an attack of her own. The game was on.
Of course it wasn't fair since here, surrounded by cold and ice, she had a clear advantage. But they were no longer at war. And this wasn't a battle she'd begun with the deep desire to win. That didn't mean that it wasn't satisfying to get his call for surrender before she stopped her onslaught. He'd landed on his behind in some snow and was laughing joyfully despite his defeat, a familiar gleam in his amber eyes.
She was glad he was in good spirits. That meant that they had the okay to proceed with the wedding. Her tribe would support her decision. She went over to help him up but he pulled her down onto the snow trapping her in his warm embrace.
He did always run hot and once or twice since coming back, she'd missed having him nearby; a human heater of a sort.
This time it was she who yielded, and they lay in the snow for a moment, looking up at a mostly grey sky. Patches of blue appeared and were covered up here and there. It was going to be a cool day.
Zuko reached for her hand and she smiled sitting up. He sat up too and scooted closer enclosing her in his warmth.
"Welcome home," she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He kissed her forehead in response.
"I missed you."
They would have to be apart for a few days while she completed her family's traditions before she joined him. For now, however, he held her tight knowing one clear truth.
It didn't matter where he was, as long as they were together.
Because she was his heart. She was his love. She was and would always be his home.