Chapter Text
I. Storm
Zuko needed rest for his duties, so he went to his house in Ember Island. He wouldn't be surrounded by his council, but still, he would have to check some scrolls. He was preparing tea in the kitchen when he remembered Katara. They used to hang out there back in the days when they were trying to end the war. He helped her to light a flame or sometimes to chop the vegetables. They talked about everything; sometimes; she told him folktales about her tribe, and he recounted the stories that his mother had narrated him. In that house, they became best friends, and also there Zuko started to fall in love with her.
Five years had passed since the war ended, and his heart still ached for her. The distance hadn't vanished his feelings. He missed her every day. In the beginning, they used to send letters regularly, but then their obligations had demanded more time.
One year after the end of the war, Katara accompanied him on a journey to look for his mom. They hadn't been alone, though. Their friends had gone with them too. But these days, they grow up closer, and it was harder when they said goodbye.
Zuko sat on his bed and glanced at the baby picture of him. He had shown it to Katara years ago when she was looking for pictures of him. His friend had told him that he looked adorable, and probably his babies would be too. He had blushed and tried not to imagine how their children would look.
He missed Katara so much that his chest stung. On her last letter, she had promised that she would visit him soon when she got time. That had been three months ago, but he still hoped that he would see her again soon. Zuko closed his eyes and fell asleep.
In the morning, he heard someone knocking at the door. Zuko was surprised that someone visited him. He hoped it wasn't for work because something had happened while he was away. He hadn't expected the girl who was standing outside the door.
Zuko stared at her agape. Katara beamed at him and threw her arms around him. Zuko lifted her and buried his head on her neck, smelling her scent. He thought he was dreaming.
"You're here," whispered Zuko.
"I'm here," said Katara, "I promised you that I would visit you."
Zuko released her and gazed at her beauty.
"How did you know that I would be here?"
"Your uncle told me," she said.
"I should've guessed."
Katara laid on the coach and closed her eyes.
"If I close my eyes, I can hear Toph and Aang running around the house," commented Katara.
Zuko nodded remembering those times.
"And I can hear you singing to me."
It had been one night when Katara couldn't sleep; they were laying on the beach gazing at the stars. Zuko had looked at her while she was staring at the sky. That was the first moment he had wanted to kiss her.
"What are you thinking?" asked Katara.
"Uh, nothing," he said, "How many days will you stay?"
"I just arrived, and you already want me to leave."
"You know that's not true," said Zuko hastily, "I loathe seeing you leave."
"But you have never asked me to stay."
"Would you have stayed?"
Katara licked her lips and shrugged.
"Maybe."
They decided to go to the square; they ate in a restaurant, and Katara told him about her pupils in the southern tribe. He had accompanied her when she had inaugurated her school. She had looked joyful that day.
They spend the rest of the day on the beach; they swam in the ocean. Katara splashed water at his face and laughed at him. Zuko stopped her holding her wrists. They were a few inches apart; he could lean in and kiss her on her lips, but he let her go one more time.
It was night, and they were resting on the sand. Zuko was laying facedown while Katara was sitting beside him. He felt her fingers tracing a shape on his back. He shivered for her touch.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Writing my name."
"As if I am yours."
"Have you ever been mine?" she inquired in a whisper.
"Always."
Katara stopped abruptly and sighed. Zuko was afraid of looking at her expression. He shouldn't have said that, but he was tired of hiding how he felt. They had almost kissed during the journey when they had been looking for Ursa, but they couldn't do that to Aang and Mai.
"How's Mai?" she asked bitterly.
He knew what she was thinking. You were never mine.
"We broke up," he said.
"But you always get back together," sighed Katara.
"Maybe not this time."
"What would be different?"
Zuko looked at her. The girl had a blue expression; her lips were trembling. He sat up and placed his hand on her cheek.
"Don't make this more difficult," she pleaded.
"What?"
"If we do this, leaving you will be harder."
"So, we'll never leave this place."
The first raindrops fell on their faces and mingled with their tears. They had always known about how the other felt, but they had never done something because they thought they couldn't be together.
"You know we can't."
"Let's forget everything else just for one night," suggested Zuko.
The rain had increased. Lightning illuminated the sky, and Katara leapt for the clatter. She glanced at his scar under his heart and touched it; then she looked at him. They both remembered the moment when Zuko was willing to die for her.
"Are you sure?" she whispered.
"Yes."
Katara smiled and closed the space between them to kiss him on the lips. Zuko tasted the salt of the sea and her tears. The rain continued dropping; they decided to enter the house. Their clothes were soaked, but later it wouldn't matter.
The week slipped away into a moment in time.
Their last day, Katara sobbed in his arms, and he promised her he would write every chance he got, and they would see each other again soon, but destiny wouldn't be lenient on them.
II. Steam.
A year later from their encounter, Katara visited the palace. This time was for diplomatic duties. They were negotiating the new routes for the trade ships. During the first meeting, Zuko was distracted glimpsing at Katara. She had noticed it and snickered at him. He smirked at her; he wanted the assemblage to end so he could talk to her again.
When it finished, Zuko followed her into the balcony. Katara hummed pleased when she felt his presence.
"I've missed you," he said.
"Me too."
Katara touched his face on the side of his scar. Zuko closed his eyes for a brief moment. She tiptoed and kissed his forehead; he wrapped his arms around her. He had yearned for being that close with her again.
"I will stay here for a while," said Katara, "Until the end of the negotiations."
"Will you stay in the palace?"
"If you'll have me."
"Of course, you are always welcome here," said Zuko, "This is your home, too."
Katara smiled at him. They broke apart when they heard footsteps. They kept in secret what had happened between them. And with the glance they shared at the moment, they agreed that they would continue with it in the shadows.
The first night, Katara spend it in his chambers. In the morning, Zuko had to contain the urge to caress her bare back. When she woke up, she beamed at him and kissed him on his lips. Zuko loved waking up with her at his side.
When the rumours started, they decided to stop seeing each other inside the palace. Zuko found a spot in the town when they reunited every day. Katara arrived with her hood covering her face. They would kiss and forget everything else.
During their meetings, they would share longing stares that they hoped no one would notice. Sometimes, they sat next to each other and tried to interlaced their fingers under the table. He felt his heart rushing every time their skin brushed slightly; maybe that was how Toph found out about their affair.
"You are sleeping with Katara, aren't you?" asked the girl.
Zuko looked at Toph, who was crossing her arms and had a smug grin on her face. They were discussing about the colonies in his office.
"No," he lied.
"Zuko, I can detect when someone lies," said Toph.
"How did you know?" asked Zuko massaging his temples.
"I am a good listener," said Toph, "And there was a rumour that Katara left your bedroom every morning."
"Yeah, we were kind of careless," said Zuko rubbing his neck.
"I don't get it," said Toph, "What are you hiding it? You aren't with Mai anymore, and she isn't with Aang."
"I don't know if the council would approve of our relationship."
"Why the fuck you care about that?"
"I am the Fire Lord," answered Zuko simply.
"You are an idiot," said Toph punching his shoulder.
He couldn't think of anything else but his conversation with Toph. Zuko looked for Katara in her bedroom.
"What are you doing here?" asked Katara smirking, "You couldn't wait for the night."
Zuko closed the door and looked solemn at her. Katara faded her smirk.
"We need to talk," he said.
"We are doing that."
"Katara, this is serious, Toph knows about us," he said.
The woman couldn't contain her laughter. Zuko frowned at her.
"And why are you worried?" asked Katara, "Of course, Toph would notice."
"Perhaps, someone else knows about us too."
"Maybe," said Katara shrugging.
"Why aren't you taking it seriously?"
"Because it's not a big deal for me."
"I thought you wanted to keep this in secret."
"Only for you," admitted Katara, "But I don't care if the world knows about us."
"I wish this would be easy," said Zuko.
"It is, I think you are making it complicated," said Katara raising her voice.
"You don't get it. The council won't approve this. Some noblemen won't like the idea of me marrying a waterbender. You know I have had problems with them. They had tried to start a coup."
Katara put her hands on her waist. Zuko distinguished her anger in her blue eyes.
"We shouldn't have done this," said Zuko.
"So, do you regret it?" asked Katara with hurt in her voice.
"We were just acting like fools in love without thinking about the consequences."
"Since the start, I knew the consequences, Zuko," said Katara, "You know that I will ruin myself for you."
Katara covered her mouth to restrain her sob. Zuko approached her slowly, but she stepped back.
"Will you do the same for me?" asked Katara.
"Yes," he answered without hesitation.
"The negotiations are about to end," said Katara, "You have to make a choice. I will stay if you ask me to."
"I have never wanted you to leave me."
"But if I stay, our secret has to end."
Zuko didn't know what to say. He was afraid of losing Katara again. He had to make the right choice, but when the last meeting finished, he asked her for more time. Katara walked away from him, and he didn't stop her. She left the Fire Nation the following day and placed a piece of paper on his fist, which said: You once told me you were the only one who determined your own destiny.
III. Eclipse
He couldn't believe she was there. The moon was illuminating her features; he couldn't tear his eyes apart from her. Zuko had thought that he would never see her again.
"You came."
"You need me, Zuko," she said, "I will never turn my back on someone who needs me."
That was the only words that she had spoken to him. He didn't bare her cold attitude toward him. The night of the blood moon, before the battle in which they would fight, Zuko approached her.
"I need to talk to you."
"I have memorised the plan," said Katara, "Don't worry."
"It's not about this fight."
"So, we don't have anything to talk about."
Katara walked away from him.
"I love you, Katara," he confessed abruptly.
The woman stopped her steps and turned to him.
"Don't say things you wouldn't say if you weren't afraid to die."
"I should have told you that in another moment; and you are right; I am telling you this because I need you to know that I am willing to give my last breath to you tonight. After all, I love you."
"We are here to protect you, Zuko," said Katara, "Don't you dare to die tonight."
"I thought you had came because peace was threatened."
"I told you I came because you needed me."
She left the room without saying anything else. He had hoped she would say it back, but he deserved her rejection. He had broken her heart in the past.
Later, during the battle, Zuko heard her screaming his name in distress. He remembered a similar scene that had happened years ago, but this time, the pain was more arduous, and he was bleeding out. He whispered her name. Katara. She was rushing toward him, but he didn't find out if she reached him on time or not, because he let the darkness take him.
He dreamt about a life with her. She would travel around the world and visit the South Pole. He would accompany her. They would have children; a little waterbender girl, and a non-bender boy. They would love them with all their hearts.
Sometimes, he heard her crying his name. Zuko tried to reach her, but he couldn't find her. He didn't know where he was. He suspected that he was on the verges of death. He didn't want to die. He couldn't leave his nation, nor his friends.
"Zuko, don't leave me again," she had said.
He couldn't abandon her. Katara . He had to live for her.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Katara snuggled at his side. He thought he was dreaming. His body ached when he moved. He screeched in pain, and that sound awake Katara. She looked at him with her big ocean eyes.
"Zuko," he whispered.
"Yes, it's me."
She helped him to sit up. Her eyes were unsettled.
"How are you feeling?"
"In pain," he admitted, "How many days I was asleep?"
"A week," said Katara, "You lost a lot of blood."
He remembered the battle. They had been rumours that they were planning a coup. Zuko had informed his friends, and they decided to come to help him.
"How are the others?" asked Zuko.
"They are fine," said Katara, "Well at least better than you. Suki was injured, but she is getting better."
"I own all of you with my life."
"You would've done the same for us."
Katara grinned at him and caressed his cheek. For the way she was looking at him, he thought that maybe she loved him too, even though she hadn't said it back.
"I will tell the others you are awake," said Katara walking toward the door.
"Wait," he pleaded.
He couldn't continue talking because, at that moment, the healers came into the room to check on him. He didn't need anyone else but Katara, however, he didn't complain.
His friends visited him. Sokka told jokes to cheer him up. He also looked tired for being taking care of his wife. Aang talked to him about his journey for searching airbenders. Toph bragged about how she took down many soldiers. His uncle visited him too; he announced him that the noblemen, who had betrayed him, were in prison.
His uncle left when Katara entered the room. She sat next to him. He noticed a cut on her lip; without thinking, he stroke it with his thumb. Katara leant at the contact and covered his hand with hers.
"I thought I would lose you," said Katara containing her tears.
"Come here," he said.
Katara laid next to him with caution to not hurt him. The girl placed her hand on his chest and glimpsed at him.
"All these days, I thought that you wouldn't wake up, and you would never hear me say that I love you too."
Katara caressed the scar on his chest even when it was patched up.
"I've loved you since you took that lightning for me," said Katara, "And I tried to get over my feelings, but I couldn't. I will always love you, Zuko."
He cuddled her and wrapped his arm around her waist. Katara buried her head on his chest. He stroked her hair. Zuko considered it was necessary to affirm his love.
"I love you, Katara," he declared, "I don't know when my feelings started, but they have been inside my heart for many years, and I have resigned that my love for you won't go away."
Katara beamed at him and kissed his lips. He had missed the taste of her lips and feeling the softness of her touch. Zuko thought he was dreaming again, but it was real. Katara loved him back, and she was in his arms.
"I'm sorry," apologised Zuko, "I made the wrong choice again, and I lost you. You were right; I am the one who made my own path. And I want you in my future."
"Are you proposing me?" asked Katara.
Zuko chuckled softly but stopped when he felt his injury throbbing. Katara looked at him with worry.
"I am fine," he said, "And about your question, one day, I will do it properly. For now, let me be your boyfriend."
"I like that," agreed Katara, "Zuko, the boyfriend of Master Katara from the Southern Tribe."
"It sounds good."
Katara grinned at him and kissed him again. They snuggled in the bed. Zuko felt completed having her at his side. He would never commit the same mistake again. He would never let her go and would accompany her everywhere. During the last years, he had learnt that Katara was his home. Zuko had any doubt that Katara was his destiny.