Katara POV

Spirits, Yue if you are out tonight please look away. I must not be in my right mind. I had been doing my best to keep Zuko out of my thoughts these past few weeks but I knew it would be only an amount of time. We'd become close after the Southern Raiders. Zuko had seen the worst of my abilities and instead of running, he relished in it, welcomed it, and expressed his curiosity.

"Your bending is like no other I've ever seen," he said with wonder in his eyes one evening during our nightly tea sessions. "If only the world knew what you were capable of…"

I blushed at his proclamation. "I don't think the world is ready for what I'm capable of… I don't even think I'm ready."

"We never are, but I think there's more to blood than control, Katara." My name fell softly on his lips. "It ties the world with the most harmonic truth, we are all human."

I dismissed the memory as I gulped down the water on this unnecessarily hot night. I guess if you think of the moon slayer he may appear too.

The kiss stoked my fire just as he had said. Never mind that he had been gracing my nightmares every night since our arrival on Ember Island. I was supposed to be thinking realistically. Despite our newfound trust, a relationship with Zuko would not be probable. It was unlikely the Fire Nation would accept a Water Tribe Fire Lady. The passion I shared with him was doomed from the start. We were best as enemies, but fate had chosen otherwise, because at that moment, in that kiss, I didn't care about seeing our future beyond the war. We could die tomorrow.

I watched him bid me goodnight letting the fire in his eyes simmer, as I went back and forth in my mind with him and I, crossing the line. He made it halfway through the door when my heart lurched and a shiver went down my spine. No, I was not satisfied.

Now here we are standing in the Fire Lord's bedroom, inches apart from each other, frozen. I breathed in the scent of him. Smells of cinnamon, soot, and sweat danced across his essence and into my mind like a drug. Spirits, shouldn't we be closer by now?

"Did you mean to call me in here?" Zuko asked, tucking another loose strand behind my ear.

"Yes," I answered instantly, "b-but, I'm not entirely sure what for now…"

"Can I kiss you?"

The hand that tucked my hair was now traveling past my ear and across my jaw. Finally, settling under my chin as he tilts my head towards him, his thumb caressing my bottom lip. I instinctively licked my lips and he let out a hiss at the contact.

"Please," I nearly whispered.

This kiss was unlike the other. It was not desperate and needing, it was tentative and lazy. It was a kiss that made me feel like we had all the time in the world. A kiss that promised tomorrow and a future, though we know tomorrow and a future are far from promised. Tonight, we might pretend.

He pulled away and leaned his forehead against mine breathing heavily, "I've been wanting to do this since Ba Sing Se."

"Just Ba Sing Se?" I let my hands entangle themselves in his hair.

He smiled softly and stole another kiss. "The North Pole, honestly. I just allowed myself to want it in Ba Sing Se."

"Then why did you leave?" I felt myself ask before I prepared myself for a response.

Ba Sing Se harbored a lot of emotions for us. It's the first time he blatantly chose their side not just his own. He fought alongside his sister, he made his choice still even knowing what he felt. I began to brace for impact.

I began to pull away from him but his hands around my waist suddenly locked in and he pressed his palm against the back of my neck. At this angle, I was forced to gaze into his eyes and he looked broken. The memory of Ba Sing Se left us shattered on both sides.

"Just because I allowed myself to want it, it didn't mean that I could believe it," he cracked. "There was so much history between us, between our kind. Wanting you is second nature, believing in us…" he trailed off.

"Impossible," I finished for him.

Just like that, reality set back in with the suffocating air of the summer night, hanging thickly between us. Zuko released me and I took a few steps back and leaned against the bedpost.

"Is that what you truly believe?" He asked with eyes full of hope.

I let the gaze between us linger. Before me, stood my greatest enemy turned greatest desire. Zuko was unobtainable. If we survived this war he would have a duty to uphold, a role to fill despite his personal desires. In what world would he and I be a match? In what world would his kind love mine? Openly, harmoniously? Yes, opposites are easy to attract, but is the connection supportable? In this lifetime, I'm not too sure…

I let my nails dig into the wood of the post as if it could anchor me to this moment for eternity. "I don't know what I can allow myself to believe in anymore," I cracked. "If we're lucky, we'll have faith."

Zuko pursed his lips and shut his eyes. "How lucky do you think we are?" His voice was ghostly.

"You'll have to ask me that after the war."

Zuko hung his head and ran his hands across his face as if the sense of dread could be wiped away. His mouth gaped for a moment then shut, and he clenched his fists and then let them go. With nothing else to say, he nodded in acceptance then turned his head to leave.

"But Zuko," I called to the back of his head and he looked at me over his shoulder with his unmarked profile. "Please remember to ask me."

He walked out of the room and shut the door behind him.

Zuko POV

There was no rest to be had last night, and it wasn't due to the heat. We were close, but only for a moment. Never close enough, as we were meant to be. She the moon, I the sun and no matter how lovely it is to eclipse her, the nature of my kind was still too much. The Fire Nation would always engulf her beauty. The world as we knew it would always stand between us.

So the next morning was awkward. She didn't say much, I hardly met her gaze, and Toph kicked us both vigorously under the table. We acted like nothing happened, though it was obvious something happened.

I put my energy into training Aang, taking more anger out on the Avatar than necessary but he kept up. Perks of being the Avatar, being a bending prodigy. Katara still sat to watch us train and Toph sat next to her glaring between us. She didn't seem to be engaging the earthbender much, which was apparent in the way her temper made the ground shake slightly. Before Toph could start an earthquake and demand an explanation, Sokka bounded into the training arena cheerfully.

"There's a play about us!" He exclaimed and displayed the poster for "The Boy in the Iceberg," an Ember Island Players production.

"They butchered 'Love Amongst the Dragons' every year," I groaned. Mom's favorite play. Maybe father was cruel…

The gang made our way to the theater to spend the evening doing, "wacky, time-wasting nonsense" as Sokka put it. We were going to regret this. Despite Katara's and I's awkward morning there was no way I was going to miss my seat next to her. Fire Nation pride and all that. So when I cut in between her and Aang I felt no remorse. No way in Agni they were going to sit cozy while this play made them love interests. Aang doesn't need the encouragement, and she doesn't need the practicality. I was holding onto luck when it came to her and me.

"Ok." The Avatar conceded, and I fought the small smile of satisfaction from creeping onto my face.

Sokka was just as unbearable in the play as he was in real life. They sure did do a number on Katara's mannerisms, but when Ms. Avatar jumped from the iceberg I couldn't hide the smirk on my face. I really did get the best seat in the house.

"Oh, they nailed you Twinkle-Toes!" Toph laughed. Somehow the blind girl was having the most fun at the play.

My doppelgänger was atrocious. I knew I was a bit of a teenage brat but Spirits, the ponytail was overkill. Uncle didn't have any notes of his wisdom. Just a fat, old general. If this is how the world saw us I don't know how the Fire Nation would take me being Fire Lord. I might have to do something about this play in the future.

"Actually, I think that actor's pretty spot-on." Katara quipped next to me. The first words she's said to me all day.

"How could you say that?" I turned and saw her small smirk. It was only a joke. Leave it to a shitty play to help lighten the mood.

Despite the horrendous casting, the context of the play was surprisingly accurate. Even the details of the Blue Spirit made their appearance. I tried not to let the jealousy burn through my body at Katara and Jet. I could tell from Toph's laughter and Katara's embarrassment that that was when the waves of pleasure took place. Yes, we were all suffering. Well, everyone but Toph.

When Mr. Toph took to the stage she took it extremely well. I guess it is an honor to be so good with your element that no one understands how you do it, let alone assume a 13-year-old girl must be a grown man.

"Did Jet just, die?" I couldn't help but ask. It was unclear, and I really can't have that guy popping back up… no offense.

The private moment that should not have been in the play was on display to the world. Katara and I in Ba Sing Se. The moment we just rehashed, the moment we allowed ourselves to hope, and allowed it to die.

"I have to admit, Prince Zuko, I really find you attractive," Not-Katara said.

I felt Katara stiffen next to me and she shuffled a bit of distance away. This moment was personal, and the actors were hitting way too close to home for comfort. As embarrassing as it was, I couldn't help but take pride in the performance. The play solidified our feelings, it made them real. I guess the Avatar noticed too as he sat there with his brows knit together.

"I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way," Not-Katara clarified.

Aang lifted from his his and left the room. I looked at Katara with sorry and worrisome eyes. She knew the gravity of the situation when it came to the Avatar's morale. Yes, she was his friend, but he was not entitled to a forever girl. I hope she remembered that once it was time to do damage control. Better her than me, I'd simply tell the Avatar to get over it.

The play continued to get more awkward. My choice in Ba Sing Se was made to be dramatic, complete with a spotlight and the flags of the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation hanging over Uncle and Azula. I tried not to watch, but no man should shy away from his misdeeds. This was the moment I chose to break Katara's, and my uncle's trust.

"You didn't really say that, did you?" Katara asked next to me. The weight of the situation truly hit her. She knows what Uncle means to me.

"I might as well have," I responded and looked away.

Thankfully, Aang was away for the lightning strike. He didn't need another trigger. The way this play was going, he might be put in such a state of shock it unblocks his chi and sends him into the avatar state.

Another intermission and I'm holding the wall waiting for Katara to talk to Aang. I know she has to control the situation, but it doesn't mean I like it. Sokka and Suki leave to find Sokka's actor, leaving Toph and me. Toph may be a bit rough, but she is a great listener. She was the first to give me a chance at the temple, and now she is listening to my monologue about all my mistakes.

"I once had a long conversation with the guy, and all he would talk about was you," She said.

I yanked my cloak off and smiled, "Really?" Of course, Uncle would befriend Toph, they were both surprisingly wise.

"He'd be proud," Toph said right before her fist connected with my arm.

To add insult to injury, this little twerp dressed as Aang told me my scar was on the wrong side. They got Katara's and I's imprisonment in Ba Sing Se, but they couldn't get the Prince of the Fire Nation's scar right.

"The scar's not on the wrong side!" I bellowed at the back of the kid's head. At least Aang had some small* support in the Fire Nation. If the children could dress as Aang who was not the hero of this story, then maybe there was some hope for the future.

After tossing my hood back up I continued to stare at the door Katara had gone through. She had been outside for a while now. What if she was captured? What if she had found Aang and things went too well?

"So that's what happened in Ba Sing Se?" Toph asked next to me with a smirk.

I chewed my lip and did a quick look around to see if Sokka was coming. "Not literally but…" I trailed off.

"That's where the hope started," Toph finished. "Leave it to Katara to make anyone hopeful," She chuckled.

"I still didn't choose her, and now that I can, it also hangs over our heads that we can't." I let my shoulders slump.

"Say's who?" Toph asked.

I scrunched my brows and shook my head at her. This should be obvious right? "S-Say's the world, each of our kind, my duty," I begin. "When we come out of this war-"

"If," Toph interjected. "If we come out of this war, there will be an entirely new world, with new expectations, new rules, and new duties. Luckily for you, you will be a major part of creating what new looks like."

"But to maintain Fire Nation tradition-" I began again.

"Fire Nation tradition is warped. Not all of it I'm sure, but your kind has been on the winning side of a 100-year war. It's time to integrate and create new traditions. Lead by example, Zuko." Toph finished.

"Integrate," I said softly. The illusion of divide is what has kept these nations apart for years. The distance and lack of knowledge across the world led to arrogance and prejudices. If we are to perceive one another as equals, the Fire Nation must be the first leader. What better way to do so than a Water Tribe Fire Lady? She is the daughter of a Chief, she's the only option, she's perfect.

"Don't get too excited over there, Sparky" Toph quipped. "Sweetness is coming back and she doesn't seem too happy."

Katara stomped through the curtains and quickly made her way back to our seats. Toph and I rose to follow her, Aang followed us a few paces behind looking dejected. I'll ask Katara about it tonight at tea.

Sokka's efforts to get backstage did not go to waste. The crowd erupted with laughter. The Fire Nation was way too stiff if these were the jokes that shut the house down. Agni, what did they do to my hair, now?

Where the play should've ended it continued. The reality of our situation played on stage as a replica of Sozin's Comet hung over our heads. The Avatar versus the Fire Lord. Azula versus me. I figured my sister would be a factor in the war, but a final battle between her and I? An Agni Kai? She wasn't someone to best face alone.

"You are no longer my brother," Not-Azula declared. It stung more than I realized.

Not-me went up in flames and the crowd roared with cheers. I let my eyes shut and breathed. Azula was too far gone in this war. With Ozai reigning over the entire world, no doubt he would pass the torch to Azula. We stood in the way of what each other wanted. Nothing gets past Azula, but the future I want is worth fighting for.

When I opened them Not-Aang was lying under cloths of fire, defeated. If the Avatar failed, it would be up to us to continue the war effort. The future would not die with him.

"The world is mine!" The Fire Lord proclaimed, and the applause shook the building.

The gang couldn't get out of there fast enough. We walked in silence and once out of earshot of anyone from the building, I said what I knew we were all thinking.

"That wasn't a good play."

The night died down quickly after that once we arrived home. The gang ate dinner in silence and once everyone was done, they made their way to their rooms. Katara stayed behind to do the dishes and I stayed with her, beginning to brew a pot of tea.

"We're having tea tonight?" She questioned.

"Of course, we're having tea tonight," I mused. "Don't think the way you came back in from talking to Aang went unnoticed."

She finished up the dishes as I finished tea and we sat across the table like usual. I poured her cup and topped off mine letting the aroma still our nerves.

Katara took a sip and the corners of her lips turned up slightly. "Not bad."

"I've been improving," I smiled back. "What happened?"

Her shoulders deflated and she shook her head rolling her eyes slightly. "He kissed me."

The tea in my cup began to boil, but she continued without notice.

"He was going on and on about what not-me said, and he asked why we weren't together after the invasion and I told him I was confused but then he kissed me anyw-"

"You're confused?" I interjected.

Katara pursed her lips and shifted her gaze to take another sip. "Yes, I'm confused," she admitted. "Even if what's confusing me is near impossible…"

"What if it was possible?" I presented to her. I needed Katara to see the possibility I did. She needed to feel like luck was on her side.

"How would it be possible, Zuko?" She asked exasperated. "How would it be possible with your kind-"

"My Kind needs to change its ways," I calmly stated. "My kind has clung to prejudices in place of tradition, and arrogance where unity should be. My kind knows no better than it did 100 years ago.My kind needs to witness something new."

Katara's brows knit and she chewed on the inside of her cheek trying to picture what I was saying. "As Fire Lord, you'll have expectations-"

"The next Fire Lord will be at the mercy of the world, but as for determining what harmony looks like I am the example of my nation. The Fire Lady would be an example as well."

Katara reeled back and sat her teacup on the table with a clank. "I am not a prop!"

"You're not," I said putting my hands up. "But the position is convenient. You're the last royal Water Tribe princess of the two sister tribes. You have duties that might be expected of you after this war as well. I want us to share our duties, to rebuild this new world together. And it's not so much being a prop if it's real."

"They will hate me," Katara produced another excuse. "The Fire Nation will never accept a water-bending Fire Lady."

"The world hates me, but they'd hate us less with you by my side. You'd be protected, and I would protect you. I know I'm asking a lot of you but the future I see-"

"What do you see?" She squinted across the table at me.

Across the table, Katara was haughty and unyielding. Her lips pouted and her arms supported her breasts beautifully. Her actress didn't hold a candle to her. The ice behind her eyes could not hide her curiosity, her hope that what I was saying could be true. That we could be so lucky to possibly have it all.

"In our future I see the first water-bending Fire Lady, master to the Avatar, and war hero. I see her ruling alongside me for peace as we discuss trade negotiations and budgets to rebuild the Southern Water Tribe. I see the Fire Nation celebrating the Summer and Winter Solstice. I see her pioneering the greatest healing techniques in the Fire Nation, making it a hub of information and knowledge for medicine. I see you blood-bending. Not for power but for good and the nation taking to a Fire Lady who embraces our color through that sentiment. Blood is water, blood is the fire that drives harmony, blood is humanity. I see us being the greatest rulers in history leading the world into a new era." I concluded.

Katara remained silent the entire speech but she softened with every word. "You didn't say you saw us happy," she whispered.

"That's a choice we'd have to make every day," I admitted. "I didn't say it would be easy but happiness is a choice if we choose to make it. We even struggle to make it now."

I looked at her with a fire I hope she recognized. I want this. I want a future with her. I trust her, I would protect her, I would give her the world she wants. The world she deserves. She will not have to worry about marriage arrangements to traditional Water Tribe men, she can create her own traditions with me. If she would have me, damned if the world allows it or not.

Katara stands from the table and discards our teapot in the sink silently. She stands over the sink with her back to me and after a few beats, I stand from my seat. I sigh and brace my hands against the table letting the rejection consume me. What good is the fight if you can't have what you're fighting for? I turn to head back to the room when Katara's hand catches mine just as it leaves the table.

I gaze into her tear-brimmed eyes as she clutches my hand tightly. For a moment I thought I truly upset her. Presented her with a reality that she possibly didn't want. Power that she didn't want. I unloaded on her a wave of responsibilities that she did not foresee when becoming involved with me. Maybe this was truly the end of us.

Then she smiled.

"I want to be happy," she breathed, and once again led us to the master bedroom.

I'm getting there! I am getting there, I know this is slow but it's a timing thinggg. I'm thinking some lemons next chapter, but don't quote me ;)