A/N:
Back with more!
Part 2:
3 Years Later…
"I think this would be a horrible idea." Katara said as she looked at Iroh, who had come to visit.
Ozai tilted his head and stroked his beard, "Why would it be a horrible idea? You need a break."
"I'll get a break once my son is on the throne." Katara explained. "Until then I will continue as I am to see to it that the country is in good shape for him."
Iroh and Ozai exchanged looks.
For four years, Katara had been at it endlessly, working hard and sleeping so little. She was only twenty-two and needed to do something for herself. She was young and had an entire life ahead of her. Ozai asked his brother to come here in order to talk some sense into her since she wouldn't listen to him.
"It'll just be a few days." Iroh insisted. "Most of your work is done and there are several members of the council that will be maintaining the court while you are gone."
Katara sighed, "Okay, well then why is he coming?" Point her thumb at her father-in-law.
"I'm just going to make sure you have fun. That's all."
"I'll be with my friends so yeah, I'll have fun but-"
"But you get too wrapped up in your head." Ozai pointed out. "I can't even count how many times I find you spaced out or trapped in your own head. You're too young for that."
Katara folded her arms, "I feel like you're trying to babysit me."
"I am." Ozai smirked.
Rolling her eyes, "Fine. I'll go."
"Excellent, I'll stay behind to keep an eye on things. You all have fun."
Zhu-Shang packed Katara's trunk for her travels and as she did, Katara heard a knock on her door. She answered it and saw her father-in-law barge his way into her room. She tried to stop him but he made his way to Zhu-Shang and asked her what kind of bathing suit she was planning to wear at the beach.
"This one, your highness." Zhu-Shang pulled out a red two piece bathing suit that was a bit skimpy in his opinion.
"What the hell is this?" He grabbed the swim suit and turned to his daughter-in-law, dangling it in front of her. "You can't wear this!"
Katara walked up to him and snatched the swim suit from him, stuffing it back into her trunk. "Zuko bought it for me when we went for our honeymoon."
"Yes and I can tell you why." Ozai scoffed. "You're young and pretty, put this on and you'll have the whole beach staring at the Fire Lady's ass cheeks hangout for all to see."
"That's why we're going in disguise." Katara pointed out. "That way no one will know it is me."
Ozai scoffed, "What other blue eyed short brown skin woman lives in the Fire Nation?"
Katara sighed and pinched her brows, "Then what do you suggest?"
"Wear a sundress." Ozai told her.
Katara laughed, "Ha! No. I'm wearing this and if you have a problem with it, you can stay behind."
"Fine, wear your skimpy swimsuit but don't come running to me about how people are eyeing you funny." Ozai told her as he left.
Katara sighed and shut the door behind him. Ever since the two of them got on the same page three years ago, he had been up her ass about everything. She couldn't do this, couldn't do that, not to mention he felt like no man was supposed to talk to her unless he was around. He must be worried that with it being four years since Zuko's death that she'd be approached now that the mourning period was over. She wished he wouldn't get in the way. Zuko always told her that he didn't want her to be alone in the end and gave his blessings for her to move on when she was ready. Sure, there was no law against the Fire Lord's widow having a lover or two, even remarrying, but it was always frowned upon and in many cases, she was shamed from doing so. But Katara didn't care about shame. She was young and hot blooded and she wanted to have the company of a man she took interest in.
Truth was, she did want to go on this trip but was trying to play things off as Toph told her in a letter that she was bringing a cousin of hers that was a widower. Little did anyone but Toph knew, she and Toph's cousin had been writing for a few months. They were excited to meet and planned to possibly make a romantic getaway out of this trip. She didn't want her father-in-law coming because he'd shut it down. Maybe she needed to just come out with it and explain herself to him. Maybe he'd understand.
"You look mighty giddy for someone who didn't want to come on this trip." Ozai said as he found his daughter-in-law leaning against the railing of the ferry they were on. "Who all is coming?"
Katara sighed, "Nothing gets past you, does it?"
"Not ever. So cough it up, you're trying to meet someone on this trip, aren't you?" Ozai cut his eyes at her.
Pulling her hair that she was wearing half up and half down behind her ear, "The mourning period is over and Zuko gave me his blessings. I'm a woman and I want to feel that way, want someone to treat me that way. You know?"
Ozai gave her a disapproving look, "You're the Fire Lord's widow, do you have any idea what would happen to your reputation if you do whatever it is you're planning?"
Katara hugged her arms to herself, "So I'm just going to be alone? Until I die?"
"You won't be alone. You have me, Lu-Shin, your friends and family. We'll all be in your life."
"But I want-"
"If you're just trying to rub one out just say that."
Katara blushed and looked away from him, "That's not all and don't make it sound so crude."
"I'm just trying to understand why you're so concerned with this now. You knew what you were getting yourself into when you married my son." Ozai told her. "If you're just looking to have a 'good' time, I'll see about having someone who can keep their lips tight come visit you after this trip."
Katara furrowed her brows at him, "What if that's not all I want?"
"Then you're just shit out of luck, sweetheart." Ozai tilted his head at her. "No one is going to want to have a long term affair with a Fire Lord's widow. It's too complicated and it never ends well for them. The best you can do is try to find someone motivated by gold and wanting to keep their head attached to their body, fuck them and keep it moving."
Feeling a little defeated, Katara slumped against the railing and gazed down at her feet. "Sometimes I just feel miserably alone. Like it's just me in this little world of mine. When Zuko was still around, I felt like someone else had finally understood me and that there was someone else in my small world with me. When he died, I just…" Katara blinked her eyes a little and looked out at the sunset as they were slowly approaching Ember Island. "I don't know, I just need something that can fill that void, even if it doesn't last, just long enough to get me through another four years."
Ozai sighed and patted her head, "I'll try to figure something out for you, okay? Just don't act rashly. The mourning period might be over but people expect you to mourn a little longer."
"I mourn everyday."
"I know."
…..
Arriving on Ember Island, Katara ran to hug her friends as they were all already settled into the beach house. Her friends were all married and had children and looked so happy. A part of her was jealous a bit which is why she didn't see them often because she hated that she envied them and their happiness. She should be happy for them. She should be.
"You look great, Katara." Aang said as he patted her back.
"Thanks, Aang."
"How you been holding up, Sugar Queen?" Toph asked. "Twinkletoes reads all your letters to me. I just hope he read them right when he said you've let Sparky's dad be your co-regent."
Katara chuckling awkwardly, "I've been fine and yeah, he read that part right."
Toph suddenly felt a familiar present enter the beach house and felt Aang's heartbeat a little faster with anxiety.
"Aang, I know you two have already met but this is my father-in-law." Katara said as Ozai came up beside her. "Father, this is Aang and his wife Toph."
Ozai and Aang greeted each other but very cautiously.
Feeling the tension, Suki stepped in and told everyone she made snacks. As Aang took Toph to the kitchen to have snacks, Katara sighed and asked her father-in-law which rooms he wanted. He picked the room right next to hers as he told her he needed to keep an eye out for her as he didn't trust her to keep it in her pants with how needed she made herself out to be. Katara was flustered from his comment and yelled that he needed to not be nosy.
"It's my business to make sure you are not reckless." Ozai pointed out to her. "If you are patient, I can find what you're looking for."
Katara sighed. "But Toph, she has a cousin that she brought with her, he's staying at an inn in town and will be over for dinner."
"So?"
"So…he and I…we've been writing to each other for a few months."
Ozai palmed himself. "Fucking Agni. Dear, you cannot let yourself be this desperate."
"I can't help it."
"Fine. I'll turn a blind eye." Ozai scoffed. "But you had better be responsible. Understand?"
Katara nodded with a smile on her face.
Patting her head, "I'll be in my room reading most of the trip. Just let me know if you need anything from me, okay?"
Katara nodded again.
The beach trip went off without a hitch. Katara was having a blast and she enjoyed just being her youthful self, not worrying about anything. Toph's cousin and her got along well as their group traveled into town to take in the wonderful culture of Ember Island. They spent the first two days hitting up to local bars and restaurants, just taking it all in. Toph's cousin would whisk Katara off for walks around town trying to better get to know each other. Things were going wonderfully.
On the day they were planning to go to the beach, Katara changed into her red swimsuit and wore her hair completely down. It was her goal to appeal to her friend's relative as best she could. She was just touching up her hair when she got a knock at the door and Toph was there, standing a little awkwardly there.
"Umm, Sugar Queen, I've got some bad news." Toph told her.
"What's up?"
Sighing, "Umm, Rohan, my cousin, he…"
"He what?" Katara was trying to figure out what was going on.
"He said you're nice and all but he feels like you being the Fire Lady is a bit off putting and he doesn't think it will work." Toph reluctantly told her friend.
The glee she had had on her face melted away as she told Toph that it was alright but Toph could tell she was lying. Shutting the door, Katara walked over to her bed and settled on it. She told herself that it was alright and that it wasn't the end of the world, that she'd eventually find someone. However, she could help but cry a little as she sulked.
Katara spent the next day in her room, curled up under the sheets, refusing to come out. Everyone felt bad for her and decided to end the trip sooner rather than later. With her friends leaving, letting her know they were heading out, Katara sighed and stood in the beach house doorway watching her friends leave. She suddenly noticed her father-in-law finally leaving his room stretching, he yawned and pulled her way, wearing a night robe and baggy sleep pants. His hair was down, hanging over his shoulder and he looked like he just woke up despite dawn having been two hours ago.
"Where'd everyone go?" He yawned again and walked over to her.
Katara sighed, "They left."
"Why?" He raised a brow while ruffling his hair.
"I'm a buzzkill." Katara chuckled sadly. "Rohan, Toph's cousin, said I was nice and all but he doesn't want to be involved with the Fire Lady. So…I sulked all yesterday and now they've gone."
Ozai sighed as he took a seat in the sitting area, "You're dealing with a lot. They don't understand. Come, let's have a drink."
Katara walked over to the seat across from her father-in-law as he poured some fire whiskey in two glasses and passed her hers. It was far too early to be drinking but with the way the two of them functioned, it didn't matter.
"First thing I'm going to do when we get back is petition for you to remarry." Ozai said drunkenly.
Katara snorted from laughter, also drunk, "How would anyone go for that?" she sipped her fourth glass of fire whiskey.
Smirking at her, "I'm your father-in-law. Everyone loves me at court. If I say I want you to get back on the horse then they'll just go along with it. Then, whoever you take interest in won't be worried about your relationship with them. It'll be great. You'll be happy and cheer up some and I can relax at night without worrying about you all the time."
Giggling, Katara shook her head, "You don't worry about me."
"I do." Ozai sighed and poured himself more whiskey. "You're always working so hard and trying to prove you're good enough even when people tell you otherwise. Sometimes I hate myself for the part I played in Zuko's death…if I had been a better father then maybe he'd still be here. You shouldn't have to be so young and live the rest of your life without someone by your side."
Smiling at her father-in-like, "Sounds like I've really grown on you." She beamed like a kid.
Seeing his daughter-in-law beam at him, Ozai sighed and shook his head as he smirked. "We should probably sober up and go out on the beach. Would be a waste to not get in the water while we're here."
Meeting her father-in-law out on the beach after changing into her swimsuit, Katara rushed over to him and tried not to trip from how she was still tipsy. As she made her way over to him, she saw him open his mouth to say something to her but suddenly paused as he looked her over a bit. She saw his eyes linger on her longer than they normally did and noticed the way they seemed to be taking in her appearance more than usual. She felt a slight blush form on her face as it felt like he was looking at her in a less than innocent way just before he forcibly removed his eyes from her.
"Umm…."
"I look like a skank, don't I?" Katara's expression shift to a disappointed one.
Ozai scratched his head, Dear fucking Agni son. You sure know how to pick em. Turning back to his daughter-in-law. "You look fine. Just used to you covering up more."
"Well duh, it's the beach." Katara jumped out of her low mood and grabbed onto the beach robe he was wearing and tore it off, "Showing some skin is fine." She told him.
Letting her pull his beach robe off, Ozai sighed and gave her a slightly annoyed look. However, he noticed his daughter-in-law looking at him in shock. "What?"
Katara closed her mouth and looked away from his torso to his face, grinning awkwardly. "Sorry, I just didn't think you'd be so fit for your age. Like wow. You'll look better than most younger men I've met."
"I'm only fifty-one, dear." Ozai took offense to her calling him old. "Besides, I workout a lot."
"Oh." Katara's eyes wandered back to his torso and swallowed hard before blushing and looking away. "Anyways, let's go get in the water! Yeah!" she quickly said before taking off running towards the ocean.
Ozai shook his head and ran after her. He caught up to her and grabbed her, launching her into the water as soon as he got close to the shore. Katara screamed with laughter before splashing into the water and swimming about. She broke the surface and waved for him to come in but he told her he hated sea water.
"Fine, have it your way." Katara bent a tentacle at her feet and dragged him into the ocean. She brought him to her and flipped her wet hair out of her face, splashing water in his face as she did.
The two went for a dive and swam around, seeing fish sea around them. For the most part they had a good time and were able to unwind from the stress they came with their duties as regents. Making their way out of the water, Ozai threw his daughter-in-law over his shoulder and carried her back to the beach house. There, he placed her on her feet and saw her giggling at him. She told him she hadn't had that much fun since Zuko got really sick and became less mobile. Ozai patted her wet hair and told her to get dressed as he was tired of seeing her so lightly clad. Katara nodded her head and went to change but halfway to her rooms, she heard her father-in-law enter his room and slam the door shut. It caused her to flinch a little and worry to herself.
Entering her room, Katara sighed and walked past her mirror. She stopped in front of it to look herself over and honestly, she had to say she was in great shape. However, she felt like her father-in-law had a serious issue with her wearing the swimsuit. He preferred her to be modest and she knew she needed to be because of who she was but would have liked it if he at least complemented her or something. Instead he looked at her like he couldn't stand to see her that way.
Sighing as she slumped her shoulders, I really don't want to go back to the capital tomorrow.
In his room, Ozai felt nothing but utter shame. He couldn't believe what he just did. As soon as he got to his room, he locked the door and got rid of the hard one he had been sporting for over an hour. He had no clue how Katara didn't notice it but he just assumed she wasn't looking down at him. While trying to get rid of his arousal, Ozai tried thinking about the different women at court that he found attractive and had slept with over the last few months. However, his mind kept going back to Katara and in the end, he just let his thoughts settle there as he stroked himself while leaning against the wall, cumming on the floor as he climaxed. Oh fuck.
During dinner, Katara had much to discuss about them getting back home and if he was serious about his plans to see to it that she was allowed to get back on the 'horse' as he said. Ozai only grumbled a 'yes' and toyed with his food. Worrying about him, Katara got up from her seat and went over to him, placing her hand against his forehead.
"You don't seem to have a fever."
Swatting her hand, "Don't touch me." He hissed.
Katara stepped back and looked at him in a bit of confusion, "Sorry, I just thought maybe you caught a cold from the water."
Ozai saw she looked genuinely concerned and sighed, "I'm fine. Just tired is all."
"Then we shouldn't stay another day?"
Shaking his head, "We have work to get back to. We shouldn't neglect our duties."
Nodding her head as he gaze fell to the floor, "You're right."
….
Iroh was confused as his brother and niece returned home looking like they had done everything but relax the entire time. He tried greeting Katara but she didn't bother replying and went onto her chambers with Zhu-Shang, who waited with him to greet the Fire Lady. The older man asked his brother what was wrong and Ozai told him to follow him to his room. There, his younger brother explained that Katara was lonely and wanted to find someone to fill the void left by Zuko's death. He was against it at first but seeing how truly somber the woman was under the facade she put on for everyone, he felt guilty not letting her attempt to find a lover. So, one of her friends brought their relative who was a widower and it didn't work out.
"I told her to make it public that I wanted her to remarry and give my blessings for her to move on from Zuko, since he already seemed to do so."
Iroh nodded, "Yes, I remember when he told her he wanted her to find someone else when she was ready. But what seems to be the problem?"
Ozai ran his hand through his hair and came out with it. Apparently, at the beach wasn't the first time he visualized his daughter-in-law in his head while in the act or relieving himself. It started a while ago. Two years ago to be exact and on her twentieth birthday. She didn't recall it. She had been drunk out of her mind and he was just trying to help since she was such a mess that night.
"What happened, Ozai?" Iroh looked at him like he was about to hear something awful.
Sighing, "It's not what you're thinking. I was lounging on her sofa, watching her to make sure nothing happened to her and then she came over to me."
"Then what?"
"She climbed on top of me and just laid against me. I didn't move her or tell her to get off. Just let it happen and truthfully, I realized I didn't want her to get off. I wrapped my arms around her and we fell asleep like that."
Iroh sighed in relief.
"Zhu-Shang found us and scowled at me as she hurried me from underneath her, kicking me out before Katara woke up." Ozai slumped his shoulders. "Ever since then I've been struggling to maintain myself around her."
Iroh exhaled heavily, "Katara is a very beautiful young woman with many good traits that make her even more beautiful. I would not think for a second you'd be unaffected. However, your honesty is a bit surprising. Admitting your attraction to your daughter-in-law."
"It's not an attraction, Iroh." Ozai placed his head in his hands. "It's worse."
"How so?"
"I think I'm in love with her." He confessed.
"Brother!"
"Iroh, you don't get it. She and I work closely with one another. She's a great daughter-in-law as she looks out for me and I feel like she treats me as she would her own father."
"That's how it should be."
"Yes but-"
"You can't have her, Ozai." Iroh said firmly. "Never. No one can ever know you see her that way. Especially not her."
"I know that already, damn it!" Ozai said in frustration. "That's why she's moping around. She thinks I hate that she wore that skimpy swimsuit to the beach and doesn't want her to move on from Zuko." Pinching his brows, "This morning she told me she would suck it up and face the music, just cope with the void until she could be with him again in the afterlife. That's decades from now. I just want to help her."
Iroh couldn't believe this. His brother was in love with his son's widow and his niece was drowning in loneliness. It was no easy solution to either of these issues but it seemed his brother was willing to push his feelings aside for her sake. Which was good but could his brother manage to keep his feelings to himself?
Over the next few weeks, Ozai would go on to make public comments about his daughter-in-law being all work and no play, stating it was a waste of a beautiful girl for her to remain a widow all her life, and then finally expressed wanting her to remarry. The notion came off as absurd at first but the more Ozai explained himself and pushed the issue, the more it grew on people. Eventually the council would call for a meeting and ask how Katara felt about the issue brought to their attention.
The young Fire Lady explained that she was the youngest Fire Lady in their nation's history and that it was unrealistic to expect her to be alone all the rest of her life. She expressed not yet knowing if she was ready to move on but she did live with a large void with the absence of her late husband. Feeling an exception should be made for her, the council told her co-regent that he was in charge of matching her with a well suited man that would be the first male consort in over two hundred years. Remarriage was too extreme but they could allow for a male consort for the Fire Lady to keep her company in her more private hours.
Returning to her office, Katara sighed and sat at her desk as he father-in-law invited himself in, already seeming to have a plan.
"So, tell me, what is your type?" Ozai asked her as plopped in the chair in front of her desk.
Katara blushed and giggled awkwardly, "My type? Well, I don't really have one."
"Come on, you have to have a preference of some sort." Ozai leaned back in his chair. "Young, old, tall, short, hair, groomed, any of those things?"
Katara sighed and tried thinking about it, "Well, facial hair is fine and age isn't an issue really, though if they were a little older than me, that would be nice. And tall. Definitely tall." She stated. "He has to also be funny and romantic. Caring and devoted. Passionate and outgoing. I want him to be intelligent and witty. Not afraid to share constructive criticism but not brutal in his honesty. There's a way to say everything without being mean about it. And I want-"
"Slow down, sweetheart." Ozai told her. "You're asking for a lot. Not to mention, where do you expect me to find a man that's not brutally honest. Sorry but we're in the Fire Nation, the men here are going to be honest and it might hurt your feelings."
Chuckling, "I guess you're right. But Zuko, he was able to be honest without being cruel and even you, you're kind in your honesty."
Ozai sighed and shook his head, "I'm supposed to be. You're both my daughter-in-law and Fire Lady. I watch what I say to you."
"And you're quite tall, have nice facial hair, caring and devoted, and passionate when you want to be. Outgoing and funny. You're also Intelligent and witty." Katara pointed out. "Find me someone like you, father. They say girls always want men like their fathers."
As flattered as he was that she wanted a man like him, he doubted he would find one and that just made it even harder on him to relinquish his feelings for her. "Sweetheart, I do believe they are referring to a girl's actual father."
"Yes, well, I think of you as my actual father sometimes. Why do you think I try to be the doting daughter?"
Yes, she was the doting daughter every father wanted. Ozai bounced one leg as he got a bit uneasy with his own feelings on the matter. "How about I find you someone like Zuko, hmm?"
"Yes but I don't want someone like Zuko." Katara sighed. "It would just make it difficult for me."
"Ah, well, I'll come up with a list of men I think will be to your liking and you tell me which you like." Ozai stood from the chair like he was in a hurry.
Before he could leave, he felt a pair of arms go around his middle and hug him.
"Thank you, father. I really appreciate this."
Sighing as he looked down at the pair of hands holding to his middle, Ozai tried to keep it together and patted them. "I just want you to be happy. You deserve it."
…
It took a few weeks and the help from Iroh to figure out what men would be good for Katara. They looked at men older than her with some height on them and had a gentle air to them. While the first two attributes weren't hard to come by, the gentle part was difficult. The kinder of the men weren't exactly interested in Katara or any woman for that matter. The few that were, were closer in age to them and they worried that would be too old for her. Ozai had to reconvene with her about what she wanted and she saw age didn't bother her but kindness did. So, he added the older gentlemen to the list though Iroh advised against it. Pointing out that Katara was young and likely wanting to have a physical relationship with these men, she needed someone that could 'keep up' with her.
"Are you currently sexually active?" Ozai asked the fifty-nine year old man he was interviewing to be the consort of the Fire Lady.
The former war general chuckled at the question, "I am an unmarried bachelor, your highness. Even without a steady woman in my life, I still have needs."
Ozai sighed and wrote this in his notes he was taking, "Her grace is twenty-two, would you say you could 'keep up' with her needs if the relationship were to become physical?"
"I mean-"
"Alright, that's a 'no'." Ozai wrote. "If you have to think about it, you're going to disappoint my daughter-in-law and I'm not allowing that. Next!"
The servant to the former general out the room and brought in a middle-aged man with long hair like him, was forty-six, nice height on him, and looked like a decent man. Ozai asked his first set of questions and continued onto the man's sex life.
"Am I sexually active? Well, that's not exactly anyone's business."
"So you can keep hush about things, I like it." Ozai notated. "Do you think you can satisfy the needs of my daughter-in-law?"
The man raised a brow, "What kind of father-in-law asks that kind of question?"
"A concerned one." Ozai replied.
"Kind of makes me thing you have a thing for her and you're just doing this out of formality so she doesn't notice and you don't get suspected when you're gawking at her."
"Excuse me?" Ozai put his notebook down.
Sighing, "Listen, you've written off every man that's walked in here and sits with you. I'm the last one. So, I saw you allow me to meet with your daughter-in-law or I'm going to make it known that you're trying to sleep with her yourself."
Ever since being released from prison, Ozai had been in control of his temper for the most part, only really angry the first few months with his daughter-in-law. However, in this moment, the rage from his years as Fire Lord returned and he snapped. Whether it was the offense he took with the man's attitude, his need to protect his secret, or his desire to protect Katara, it mattered only that he beat this man within an inch of his life and beat him he did.
Ozai held the collar of the terribly beaten man and growled viciously, "I'll tell you this only once you little punk! If you even think about telling anyone anything, I will kill you and every last member of your family in the most painful way possible, got it?! Don't fuck with me, you piece of shit!"
Calling for the guards after he knocked the man out, Ozai told them to get the disgusting piece of shit out of him and kick him down the palace steps. When the man was taken out, his brother caught sight of the injured man and looked at Ozai in shock.
"What happened?"
"That bastard thought he was so smart. Though he figured me out and tried to threaten me, well, I showed him." Ozai laughed maniacally as he felt his adrenaline pumping.
Iroh saw Ozai's knuckles and told him to have Katara heal them so it wouldn't get around that he just beat a man unconscious.
Sighing as she shook her head, Katara tended to her father-in-law's knuckles after Iroh explained one of the men he interviewed made a disrespectful comment about her and it resulted in a physical altercation.
"Well, were there any candidates you found for me?" She asked as she had her hand over his knuckles, healing it with glowing water.
Ozai shook his head, "Sorry, I think I scared them off.
Finishing healing his knuckles, Katara looked at her seated father-in-law and offered him tea as they were in her courtyard. He nodded his head and she poured him a cup before pouring herself some and taking a seat across from him at the stone table.
"Maybe I could sit in on some of the interviews to ask my own questions."
"I think not." Ozai told her as she passed him his tea with two clumps of sugar added to it. "It takes a man to vet another man. If you sat in on those interviews, they'd be too busy trying to convince you rather than be honest."
Katara could see that. "Well, am I only allowed to pick from men of the Fire Nation?"
"You're already a foreigner, Katara. I don't think anyone can stand to see another foreigner so close to the throne."
"I understand." Katara stared down at her tea, "No luck finding anyone like you either?"
Ozai chuckled, "There's only one me, dear."
"I thought so." She laughed sadly. "Too bad, huh?"
Ozai felt it might just be him but he kind of got the hint that she was trying to say something without saying it.
Katara sighed to herself and drank her tea. Something was really wrong with her. Terribly wrong. She thanked the spirits that he didn't catch onto her. It would be awful if he found out she accidentally developed feelings for him. He was her father-in-law for crying out loud. Her late husband's father. How could she ever have that sort of relationship with him? It was wrong to even consider, worse to imagine it, and just terrible that she dreamed about it.
"I guess it's just you and me until we find someone, huh?" He tried lightening the mood as he took her hand to reassure her.
Katara nodded as she gazed at him with a hopeful smile, "Just us. I can live with that." she squeezed his hand back.
The next few days were a bit difficult for both regents. With the workload being so light lately and their spare time being spent in each other's company, it was getting harder to pretend there was nothing between them. Iroh had returned home and the two were often in each other's private spaces. Sometimes Ozai would visit his daughter-in-law in her chambers, having dinner with her there or chatting it up in her sitting room. Zhu-Shang always kept an eye on them as it seemed Iroh gave her instructions to not leave them alone. Other times, Katara ventured to his domain and they'd lounge about reading on the sofa together.
It suddenly came to both their attention that the other was acting very odd as whenever Katara would lean against her father-in-law while on the sofa reading, she felt him tense up. Then there was the time Ozai made an inappropriate comment about her nightgown one evening when stopping by to wish her a goodnight. He referred to it as sexy by accident and Katara blushed as he mentally wanted to strangle himself. She thanked him and told him to sleep well.
The last straw was when the two were in the archives together searching for documentation they needed for something they were working on and Katara cut her finger on the old wood of the shelves. Ozai took her finger and looked it over.
"It's not too bad." She tried to tell him.
But he couldn't help himself. He took her finger and put it in his mouth, lapping the speck of blood up with his tongue. Katara stared wide eyed at him as her face heated up. Removing her finger from his mouth, Ozai realized he couldn't take it anymore and grabbed her face, smashing his lips to hers. It was insane what he was doing but it just got to be too much for him. The two of them had been inseparable for weeks and the more time he spent with her, the more it overwhelmed him. To his surprise, Katara latched onto his face and pulled him closer to her as she returned his kiss. The two groaned into each other's mouths as bliss washed over them at this moment. It hadn't dawned on them that the other felt the same and it was so satisfying to discover they were on the same page.
Ozai reached down and pulled up her robes to make it easy to lift her up in his arms, pushing her back against the shelf without breaking the kiss. Katara drank him in as she continued holding his face and sliding her hands into his hair, gripping it tight. The two kept at it until it was apparent things were going in a certain direction. Parting from one another's lips, the two panted as they stared in one another's eyes, Katara pushing his hair from his face as she caressed his cheek.
"I'm sorry." He apologized, still holding her against the bookcase. "I just got tired of pretending I'm not in love with you."
Katara looked him over and smiled, "I feel the same way."
Ozai shut his eyes and she did the same as they pressed their foreheads together.
"No one can know." He whispered to her.
"I know."
"But I don't want to go back to lying to myself." He reopened his eyes and looked lustfully at her as she opened her eyes.
Cupping his face again, "You don't have to." She whispered back and pecked his lips. "We just have to be careful, okay?"
Ozai nodded his head. "Can I see you tonight?"
Knowing exactly what he was asking, Katara smiled and nodded her head. "Of course, I want you to see me tonight."
And it was settled.
It was nearly midnight and Zhu-shang had gone home for the night, believing the Fire Lady had gone to bed. However, Katara quickly got out of her bed and hurried to fluff her hair out and change into her black all lace nightgown that hugged her curves. She knew Ozai would be coming in through the secret entrance of the chambers so as to not be caught coming to her chambers at this hour.
Hearing the knock at the bookshelf that hid the secret door, Katara pulled a book and watched the bookshelf slide away to reveal her father-in-law on the other side. She watched his eyes roam over her and what she was wearing before smirking. Nothing was said as he scooped her up and she wrapped her legs around him, circling her arms around his neck as they had their lips hungrily devouring one another's. Ozai carried her to the bed and laid her in it as he towered over where she was splayed out before him.
"You're so fucking beautiful, Katara." He said as watched her grab at her breasts and push them up a little, squeezing them as she did.
Ozai reached down and took the hem of her nightgown, pulling it up slowly to reveal she was completely naked underneath it. He hissed 'fuck' under his breath and felt he was going to have a hard time holding back tonight. Yanking the nightgown off, Ozai tossed it on the floor and looked over her naked body as she laid in a seductive pose. He grabbed his night robe and threw it off, wearing only his night pants.
Katara sat up and placed her hand on his toned chiseled abs, running her hand up his chest to drag her nails down to the waistband of his pants. He grabbed her hand and shook his head.
"Not yet, sweetheart." Ozai purred at her. "I'll need to loosen you up before we get there."
"So this will be a long night, huh?"
"A very long night, dear." He pushed her back on her back. "Now be a good girl and spread your legs for me."
Katara bit her lip and spread her legs for her father-in-law, she even pulled her knees to her chest, watching his gaze of lust intensify. His hand reached back down to her and fell on her belly. He formed two fingers and slowly drew it down her body to her sex where he rubbed her clit a little, hearing her moan and feeling how wet she already was. He dragged his fingers down a little further to the entrance of her sex and pushed inside a little.
"Shh, sweetheart." Ozai purred as he began fingering her gently as he watched her face contorted in pleasure. "You like that?"
Katara nodded as she kept her eyes focused on him as he stood at the edge of the bed fingering her. She felt him spread his fingers a little while inside her and she clasped her hand over her mouth as he eyes widened. She moaned loudly into her hand as he did this, trying to stretch her out a little bit before they got to the main event.
Pulling his fingers out of her, Ozai licked them and eyed her dangerously before slipping his hand in his pants to stroke himself. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, I want to."
"There's no going back once we do this, you understand that, right?"
Katara nodded.
Ozai pulled himself from his pants and he watched as Katara's eyes widened at him. He couldn't help but smirk at her surprise and stroke himself right in front of her.
"Is that going to fi-"
"You leave that part to me, sweetheart." Ozai told her as he placed his thumb on her clit and rubbed it. "Let me know if it hurts."
Katara swallowed hard and nodded as she continued to hold her knees to her chest with her thighs spread to him. She couldn't believe she was doing this with him, her father-in-law. It was so wrong but Tui and La, she couldn't help it. She wanted him badly for a while and now that they knew each other's feelings, she wanted very much to embrace him. Even if it hurt, she wouldn't tell him as she wouldn't want him to stop.
Still rubbing her clit, Ozai held himself to her and began probing at her entrance. He bit his lip as he pushed into her ever so gently and watched her face for any signs of discomfort. Agni, she was so tight and he was having a hard time not just shoving himself inside. He didn't want to be stopped. No, he had to see this through, he would. After two years of falling for her, he just couldn't deny himself anymore, even if it was wrong. He didn't care. Not anymore now that he knew she felt the same. Oh, there would be nothing to stop him. Not anymore.
"AH!" Katara cried out as he sheathed himself completely inside of her.
"Shhh," Ozai kept rubbing her clit as he pulled himself out a little and pushed back in. "If someone comes in here and sees us, I'm not going to stop. So save yourself the embarrassment and quiet down."
Whimpering as he started thrusting into her little by little, "Oz-"
"Call me daddy." He smirked at her.
"Daddy," Katara looked at him with fluttering eyes. "I want more."
Hissing through his teeth, "Fuck, you're going to make me ruin you, aren't you?"
Katara nodded her head as she giggled.
"Fine." He grabbed a pillow from the bed. "But bite down on this."
As soon as Katara did, Ozai gave her what she wanted and she screamed into the pillow as she held it over her face.
All the rest of the night, Ozai had to find ways to drown her voice out. When he took her from behind, he forced her head into the sheets and she shredded them with her nails. He pulled her back on him to meet each of his thrusts, trying to give her more and more of what she wanted. It was brutal but to his surprise, she was enjoying it. When he had her on her back again, both of them settled in the bed, he held his hand over her mouth, and fucked that tight little pussy of herself until she came gushing around his length. And when she rode him in his lap with her arms around his neck as he was sitting upright, he drowned her voice out with his lips, swallowing all her cries and moans. It was in this position that he reached his climax, spilling into her with each drop.
Still in that position, the two continued devouring one another's lips and pulled at one another's hair. It took them coming up for air for them to finally break their lips apart, panting against one another. Katara dropped her head against his chest and listened to his heart race out of his chest.
"We're going to get caught if you keep being loud like that." Ozai told her as he chuckled.
Katara smiled against his chest, "Sorry, it's been awhile for me."
"I know." He said as he held her to him.
"Can you stay till morning?" Katara asked him as she lifted her head to look him in the eyes.
Cupping her face, "Sorry, sweetheart, we can't risk it."
Katara's gaze fell from him, "Will it be like this always?"
"Not if we plan in advance." He kissed her lips. "I'll find a way for us to be together. Don't you worry."
…
A month went by since that night and neither of them could find the time to do it again as things started getting busy again. All they were able to do was sneak a few kisses in every once in a while. Whenever one of them was dropping documents off, or Zhu-Shang stepped away for a second, or they got a few minutes of alone time. The kisses were just enough to sate them for the time being. It was fortunate of them that there was a summit in Ba Seng Sei that they were both expected to attend as regents.
On the ship, the two were amongst their servants only as the council that came along with them were on the other ship heading in the same direction as them. Ozai had come to visit Katara's cabin under the pretense that he wanted to discuss their plans during the summit, he asked Zhu-Shang to get them some tea from the kitchen and as soon as she left, Ozai locked the door behind her and grinned at his daughter-in-law as she approached him.
"I stole all the tea from the kitchen and stashed it in my cabin, we have ten minutes, I say we get in a quickie." He told her as she giggled.
Katara shook her head, "How about you wait till we stop for fuel at the island we're approaching? You and I can slip away for a few hours."
Ozai smirked at her, "Even better." He grabbed her face and kissed her on the lips, drinking her in.
Breaking apart, Katara looked him in his intense gold eyes and rethought his suggestion. "No reason we can't do both."
"I like how you think."
Ozai whisked her off her feet and carried her into the bathroom that was on the other side of the cabin. He pushed her up against the sink and lifted up her robes. Katara gripped the sink as she felt him enter her and held it tight as he started thrusting into her. She watched him stare at her wanton expression in the mirror with an intense gaze, pulling her hips to meet his thrusts. He pounded into her and she held one hand to her mouth, swallowing her moans.
"Fuck, you feel so good." He whispered in her ear. "I'm about to cum."
"Yes, daddy, give it to me." She moaned.
Ozai pulled out and came all on her round ass before pulling her robes back down. He kissed her forehead after she turned around and then kissed her lips. "I can't wait to take my time with you later."
"You're clearly very horny."
"I can't help it. Ever since that day, I haven't been with any other woman."
"I like to hear that." Katara smiled.
Ozai bit his bottom lip as he wanted very badly to take her again right now.
"Zhu-Shang will be back soon."
"Damn that servant."
"Zhu-Shang is loyal to me. I don't see why I can't just tell her, it would make things easier for us." Katara told him.
Ozai sighed, "I don't know if that's wise."
"Please, I want to have more time with you. Not just for sex but to be held, cuddled, and loved on." Katara explained. "If Zhu-Shang knew, then-"
"Then we'd be discovered."
"And so what?" Katara asked him.
Ozai sighed, "It wouldn't go well for either of us, least of all, you."
Katara sighed. "I'll tell Zhu-Shang, if she can't accept it then I'll deal with her."
"How so?"
"I don't know." Katara shrugged.
"Fine, I'll deal with her if it comes to that."
Katara decided to tell Zhu-Shang the truth while on their carriage ride towards Ba Seng Sei. Surprisingly, Zhu-Shang didn't find anything the Fire Lady said shocking. She suspected as much when she came to the cabin and the door was locked. Apparently, she saw it coming as on Katara's twentieth birthday, she drunkenly fell asleep on top of her father-in-law and the two of them slept there the entire night until she found them in the morning and kicked the man out the room. From there, Zhu-Shang didn't see much of anything until the two returned from the beach trip and were spending time with one another more closely in their freetime. She suspected something but kept her thoughts to herself as she didn't want to offend her grace.
"So, have you two already…?"
Katara nodded.
"I suspect as much when you two disappeared for several hours at the island. Everyone was looking for you both but I lied and said you weren't well." Zhu-Shang stated.
Happy that her loyal servant already knew to cover for her, Katara thanked her and gave her a hug.
"So does this mean you are less lonely, your grace?"
"Yes, it does."
"Then I am happy." Zhu-shang expressed.
Arriving at the palace in Ba Seng Sei, Ozai exited his carriage and went to help Katara out of hers. She took his hand and stepped down to the ground. Thanking him politely, Katara retracted her hands and walked beside her father-in-law as they made their way to the palace steps together. She held her hands to her middle and glanced over to him.
"I informed Zhu-Shang." Katara told him simply.
"How'd she take it?" Ozai kept his eyes focused ahead. "Does she need to be dealt with?"
Katara shook her head, "No, she took it well, says she had her suspicions and was just happy to know I am less lonely."
"You are?" Ozai raised a brow.
"Yes, I am."
Ozai smirked slightly, "Then it's the same for me."
Katara looked away from him and smirked, "Come see me in my chambers tonight for dinner. It's been a month too long since we stopped on that island."
Ozai paused as she continued on and a minister accidentally brushed shoulders with him.
"Sorry, your highness." The minister apologized.
Inside the palace, the Fire Lady and her co-regent were shown to their rooms before being escorted to the throne room where there was an assembly of leaders from other nations. There was the Northern Chieftain and his wife, King Bumi from Omashu, Avatar Aang and his wife, Chieftain Hakoda and his son, along with Fire Lady Katara and her Co-regant. They all took their seats where their names were labeled to be and Katara noticed she was sitting beside Norther Chieftain Arnook. His wife sat to the other side of him as Ozai sat to the other side of her and the chieftain began chatting with her, giving his condolences for her husband's passing.
"You are much too young to be a widow, child. I hate that you must live your life devoted to only your responsibilities as regent." Chieftain Arnook stated.
Having heard this, Ozai cut Katara off before she could speak, "Actually, I've given my blessings for her to move on with her private life. Right now, we're in the middle of finding a suitable match."
Arnook raised his brow at this, "I assume this 'suitable' match is not a tribesman?"
Katara sighed as she rubbed her temples, a little annoyed with the man as he had expressed years ago that he was not for her marrying outside the Water Tribe as the last surviving Water Tribe princess. Fortunately, for her, Ozai didn't take to the comment either.
"She's the Fire Lady, I do think it's appropriate for her suitable match to be of Fire Nation descent."
Arnook scoffed, "She should return home and remarry into the tribe."
Hakoda had caught wind of the conversation and invited himself into it. "What's this about my daughter and a suitable match?"
Ozai gritted his teeth. Over the years, he and Katara's father did not get along very well. He had fought in the war for many years so there was a lot of distrust there, distrust that Ozai was prepared to deal with. However, when the Southern Chieftain visited on the handful of occasions he did, things always got heated. Katara usually had to break things up between them and send them to opposite ends of the palace.
Now here they were in the same room at the same table and Ozai wasn't sure he would not upset Katara with the words he had for her father after his last visit to the Fire Nation.
"The council has agreed to allow your daughter to have a consort." Ozai informed him.
"A consort?"
"Yes, because she's Fire Lady and mother of the future Fire Lord, marriage is out of the question but she is able to now find someone to enjoy in her private time."
Oh Katara hated how he just worded that outloud.
Everyone suddenly was listening in on the conversation.
"My daughter is just fine as she is. We tribes folk love only once in this life and she loved your son, I know that much. She's not interested in having a consort to 'enjoy' in her 'private' time. She's devoted to her duties and responsibilities." Hakoda said in her daughter's defense.
Ozai opened his mouth to say something but she placed her hand on his thigh under the table and he shut up.
"I am very devoted to my duties and responsibilities as Fire Lady and regent. And I loved Zuko with all my heart, father. I still mourn his death but this is a decision I've thought over and have moved forward with. So please, respect my decision to not live my life in solitude when this would not be expected of him if it were I that passed away." Katara stated.
Hakoda could only stare at his daughter and shake his head disapprovingly before removing his gaze from her. It stung a little but she knew her father expected her to be like him. He never moved on from her mother, even when she and Sokka expressed that he should.
King Kuei came forth and the meeting commenced.
Afterwards, Katara yawned as she and Ozai exited the meeting side by side. They were going to retire to their chambers to rest before dinner when someone called out to one of them.
"Ozai!" a man shouted from behind. "Long time no see, buddy."
Both Katara and Ozai turned around at this.
"Natsuki?" Ozai raised a brow.
"I'm glad you still remember me." A man with short dark hair combed over and a small strip of gray hair approached them. He looked like a Fire Nation man but dressed in Earth Kingdom clothing.
"Hard to forget the boy who went gray before everyone else in the academy."
Chuckling, "Surprised to see you haven't gone gray."
"Oh trust and believe I dye my hair regularly."
Katara raised a brow in surprise at this.
"So, who's the little hot broad next to you? Finally let go of your prejudices and for you a hot foreign girl?"
Katara furrowed her brows, "Excuse me!"
Ozai furrowed his brows too, "This is my daughter-in-law. Fire Lady Katara. Show some respect."
Natsuki bowed his head as he quickly apologized for his rude comment.
Katara glanced at Ozai, trying to figure out how he knew this man.
"Forgive me, I've lived in the Earth Kingdom for so long that I forgot the Fire Lady was Water Tribe." Natsuki lifted his head back up. "You are quite lovely, your grace."
Katara glared at the man and turned around, "I will see you for dinner, father." she said before turning to leave.
Ozai sighed and eyed his old friend.
"She calls you father?"
"Yes, as she supposed to as my daughter-in-law. It's out of respect."
Natsuki snorted at his, "Sure but if you're going to fuck her, it's kind of weird, isn't it?"
Ozai's eyes widened. "How-"
"I didn't know. Not till now." Natsuki smirked and lowered his voice a little. "So, you're really giving it to your daughter-in-law. How scandalous."
Ozai grabbed the man and dragged him along with him to his chambers. Slamming the door shut, he turned around and pulled out the dagger he always kept on his person.
"Whoa! Hey! Ozai! Calm down! I won't tell anyone!"
Ozai shoved him up against a wall and growled, "You had better not utter a single fucking word or I'll gut you and your entire family!" Holding the dagger's blade to the man's neck.
"Damn, I forget how frightening you get." Natsuki eyed the blade pushed to his neck.
Retracting it in a way that nipped his skin a little to solidify the threat, Ozai stared numbly at the man. "How'd you guess?"
Rubbing his neck, "It was a wild guess. She's pretty and I know how you about the young and beautiful."
"Bullshit. How did you really guess?"
Natsuki looked his old friend up and down, "I don't know. You two just look like you both have some inside joke or secret that no one knows about. I took a wild guess at what it was. Maybe next time don't react so quickly and someone else won't figure it out for themselves."
Ozai knew the man was right. He put away his dagger and sighed.
"Seems like it just happened recently with how you're doing a terrible job at maintaining your composure."
"Two-three months to be exact." Ozai rubbed his temple.
"Ah," Natsuki looked around the chambers of his old pal, looking for somewhere to take seat. "I suppose you two really hit it off from the start, huh?"
Following the man, "No, we couldn't stand each other at first."
"Oh, must make the sex wild and freaky."
"We haven't gotten to that point yet." Ozai told him.
"No sex?"
"No freaky sex."
"So let me guess, finding time and place to bump uglies is challenging."
"You haven't a clue. We've managed to have sex twice in bed and once as a quickie in the bathroom." Why the hell was he telling this man all his business? Ozai rubbed his temple. "I shouldn't be discussing this with you."
Natsuki sighed, "No, you shouldn't but it feels like a weight off your chest doesn't it?"
It did, he would admit.
"Anyway, I heard her mention dinner. Probably shouldn't fuck her here. Don't doubt someone will discover you both." Natsuki suggested.
Ozai sighed. He was really looking forward to dinner tonight but it was probably wise he didn't go at all or he'd be tempted. He decided to just let her know that he wasn't feeling well and wanted to rest. It was something her regretted as he stayed up all night unable to rest with the blue balls that he got at the thought of how their night could have gone if he just ignored Natsuki.
The following day, Ozai was tired and didn't look all that good which helped with the story he gave Katara. She was concerned about him and checked his vitaled with her healing bending.
"I don't see anything that would be wrong with you." Katara was a bit confused.
Pulling her hand from his forehead and holding it to his cheek, "I'm fine, dear. Just need a little more rest."
"You sure?"
"Very."
Katara placed a kiss on his forehead and told him to go back to bed as she would attend the meetings in his stead. He didn't refuse as it wasn't often that he sat anything out. Plus, she had the council that would be attending the meetings with her. She would be fine.
Later on, Katara came back to check on his and found him snoring in bed. She thought it was so cute to find him like this. She never knew he snored. Walking up to the side of the bed, the short Fire Lady climbed her way into his bed and straddled his waist. She had Zhu-Shang stand outside the chambers to keep an eye out.
"Ozai." Katara whispered. "Ozai, wake up."
Stirring, Ozai's eyes cracked open and looked up to see her on top of him.
"What are you doing, Katara?"
"I came to check on you but then I heard you snoring and thought it was cute." Katara told him.
Smirking as he looked up at her, "I'm not cute."
"You are." She cupped his face and leaned down to kiss him on the lips.
Returning the kiss, Ozai groaned into the kiss and placed his hands on her thighs that were exposed from her rolling her up her robes. "You know, it's a bad idea to be doing this here."
"Zhu-Shang is outside the door."
Ozai sat up, "Even worse. They'll know you're in here."
"Yes but it's the middle of the day. For all anyone knows we're having a private meeting." Katara pointed out. "We can make it quick."
As much as he wanted to tell her 'no', he couldn't endure it any longer trying to hold himself back. Ozai grabbed her and threw her on her back. "You'll seriously need to keep it down this time, Katara."
"I will, daddy." She bit her lip.
…
Seemed neither could stop themselves when the opportunity showed itself. They were at it like jack rabbits and nothing could slow them down. Whether it was in their beds during the day, in the temporary office they shared, or a quickie in the carriage whenever escaping to the middle ring to go on a romantic date. No one seemed to suspect them at all and this only encouraged them to continue.
One evening while rolling her hips in Ozai's lap as they dominated one another's mouths, the two were startled by a knock at the door and Ozai quickly slid out of bed to go run into Katara's bathroom to hide. The Fire Lady quickly fixed herself up and threw on a robe before answering the door.
"Dad." She smiled awkwardly. "What are you doing here?"
Hakoda sighed, "We need to talk. It's been a few days and I haven't really spoken with you since the first day."
Katara sighed and opened the door for him to come in. The two sat and talked for a few minutes about how things were going. Her father had much to say about her coming to the South Pole and seeing how far they came in the eight years since the war ended. However, she insisted she wouldn't have the time to the South Pole unless it was for the benefit of the Fire Nation.
"Can't you have that co-regent of yours run things without you?"
"Yes but we operate as a team. He needs me as much as I need and-"
Hakoda sighed and pinched his brows, "You're sleeping with your father-in-law."
Katara's eyes widened. "Wait! Wh-what are you talking abo-"
Groaning in irritation, "My dear Tui and La. Katara, why are you in a night robe in the middle of the day?"
"B-because I was resting is all."
Eyeing his daughter with disappointment, "Then why are there a pair of men's clothing on the floor by your bed and before you even say, it's not his, explain why I saw him wearing those exact robes this morning in the meetings?"
Katara fumbled to come up with a lie but the jig was up.
Coming out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, "Sweetheart, there's no point in lying to him. He clearly has us figured out."
Hakoda scowled at the bastard that was naked in his daughter's bedroom. "She's your son's widow! How can you sleep with her?!"
Ozai rolled his eyes, "My son isn't here anymore. That's a fact that she's accepted, I've accepted, even the country has accepted it. He's not coming back. Is she supposed to live her life in solitude?!"
"No but she's not supposed to be sleeping around with you either!" Hakoda stood up and shouted.
Glaring at the man, "So what? I'm supposed to unfuck your daughter or something?"
"Ozai!" Katara shouted at him.
Hakoda growled, "That's it, I've had it with your ass!"
Katara tried to get between the two men as they were about to fight but Ozai pushed her behind him and stuck her father dead in his face. She screamed and Zhu-Shang quickly entered the bedroom and saw that the Southern Chieftain was unconscious on the floor as the two regents were lightly clad.
After both regents redressed, Zhu-Shang had the Southern Chieftain taken away to be looked at by the palace physician. Of course, the Earth King wanted an explanation for why the Southern Chieftain had a black eye and Ozai had no problem explaining that he wasn't fond of the man. However, this did not sit well with his daughter-in-law. She was furious with him. He put his hands on her actual father and everyone knew it. She avoided him all day everyday for a week. Nothing he did made it better. If he got her a gift, she tossed it back at him. Flowers, she threw them on the floor. A kiss, she shoved his face from hers. If he hugged her and tried to apologize, she kneed him in the nuts.
As the summit came to a close, Katara was on her way to the carriage when Ozai approached her, coming up by her side. She rolled her eyes when he tried apologizing again and told him to leave her be. However, he was persistent and climbed into the carriage with her, knowing damn well they came in separate carriages to avoid any misgivings.
Zhu-Shang sat beside the Fire Lady and Ozai sat across from them, his old friend tagging along with them, giving Katara a goofy smile.
"It's an honor to be riding with you, your grace."
Katara rolled her eyes.
Natsuki nudged Ozai and whispered, "Kind of fiery, ain't she?"
"I can hear you." Katara narrowed her eyes at him.
Ozai sighed, "What can I do to prove I'm sorry about hitting your father?"
Katara folded her arms, "You shouldn't have put your hands on him to start."
"He was trying to fight me anyway. Am I supposed to just let that happen?"
Katara looked outside the carriage window, "You egged him on with your crude comment."
"But it's true, I can't unfuck you."
Katara sighed as she palmed her face.
Zhu-Shang chimed in, "I do believe her grace is rather upset that you didn't try to mend the issue by speaking with her father."
Ozai raised his brow, "You wanted me to apologize to your father?"
"He's the one that had a black eye."
"Then I'll write to him."
Katara glanced over at Ozai. "Not necessary."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"Allow me to be upset. I'll let you know when I'm over it."
Ozai sighed, "fine." He opened the carriage door and told Natsuki to come with him and the two men went to the other carriage.
….
Arriving home finally, Katara went straight to her chambers to unpack and settle into bed. She did most of her work while on the ship here and decided she'd go into the office tomorrow morning, so that she could spend the rest of the day relaxing. All she wanted to do was soak in the tub but as Zhu-Shang ran her bath water, a knock came from the secret passage door. She sighed and went to pull the book off the shelf to reveal her father-in-law.
"What can I do for you, father?" Katara asked him in a monotone voice.
Ozai let himself in and Katara closed the bookshelf back. "I told Natsuki to cover for me."
"Why?"
"So I could be here. I've barely seen you on our way here. That's been a month. You can't still be upset with me, can you?"
Katara shook her head, "I'm over it. Just wanted to be alone for a while."
"Why?"
Shrugging as she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his middle, hugging him to her. "Sometimes I have to ask myself if this is right what we have between us. I always tell myself that if it ever got out, I don't think I would care so much because I just really don't care what anyone thinks of me. What they think of us. You've been by my side like this, helping me every step of the way, and comforting me through this whole process. I just don't think I could care if someone told me it was wrong. Even my father's words didn't get to me."
Ozai held her to him, "You really feel that way?"
Katara nodded her head. "Stay the night please?" She lifted her head.
Cupping her face, Ozai leaned down to kiss her and tell her he would. Just for tonight.
"I love you, Ozai." Katara told him.
I love you too, Katara." He whispered back to her.
…..
A/N: Still working on the final act, part three of this story