Chapter Text
Epilogue
Just when they thought their troubles were over. Agnisol sends another letter.
The threats are getting bolder, reminding them that though their issue with the plot rearrangement has been solved and the debts paid off, they are still obliged to adhere to the contractual ties.
And there is no money to pay a lawyer. Hakoda assures the family it’s okay, that the biggest problem has been dealt with and they will find a solution. Katara trusts her father, and she’s glad he found his optimism again, but she doesn’t quite share it.
(they have seen episode three by now and Sokka keeps commenting on how amazing his girlfriend, sister and best buddy are. Every time Katara sees Zuko’s face she remembers how tired he looked, and the sensation of his scar under her hand. It makes her want to wash her hands until the feeling disappears).
After another week, when the rains of autumn have begun to poor continuously, Aang, Toph and Suki are hanging out with Katara and Sokka in the store after closing. They are just trying to decide which movie to watch, when the bell above the door rings, silencing everyone.
In the door frame, soaked from the rain outside, stands Zuko.
Katara’s first instinct is to slam the door in his face.
“What are you doing here,” she says instead, venom in her voice.
He looks at her, and he reminds her of the mellow competition Zuko. Then his gaze sweeps through the room and, before anyone can speak, he kneels on the threshold, the rain still pelting his back, and bows until his forehead is touching the floor. When he looks up, he addresses Hakoda but keeps glancing at Katara as well.
“I have wronged you and your family. I understand if none of you forgive me, but I want to offer my apologies. I have brought you incredible pain, and hardship, and I am ashamed of my actions.”
Katara wants to step forward, to say something or to throw the door in his face, but Hakoda stops her with his hand on her shoulder. He nods at Zuko to continue.
“I was at a very low place when Agnisol offered me something I couldn’t refuse. I accepted, but regretted my actions immediately.”
Katara remembers his soft voice, the distraught words, the last words he’d spoken to her.
“What do we have of your apology, now?” Katara tells him, clenching her hands to fists.
Zuko’s face changes subtly, but he doesn’t retort. Instead he reaches inside his coat and puts a heavy A4 envelope on the floor in front of him.
“Before I cut ties with Agnisol, I gathered all the information of your case. Here are all the files you should have had access to, any information that should have been publicly available but was kept under wraps. An attorney should be able to win a case for you with these.”
Hakoda carefully picks up the hefty pile of paper, retreating to sit down at the counter, eyes still on the man sitting on his knees in the rain.
“What money do you think we have to pay an attorney?” Sokka growls, “after the stunt you pulled on us, all of the prize money was put towards the debts.”
Kanna waves a hand towards him to tone him down, and Suki squeezes his hand.
Zuko shifts his gaze to Sokka. “I am also giving you the sum of money they offered me to return. There’s a cheque in the envelope. I also included the contact information of several highly esteemed lawyers, as well as the phone number you can reach me on. If you want to, that is.”
Katara doesn’t want to look at Zuko anymore. His face reminds her of her own guilt and anger, and underneath it, the gentle feelings she held for him before. His breath on her hand palm. The ridges of his scar under her fingers. The conflicting feelings are too much for her.
“You need to leave. We won’t forgive you, and I don’t ever want to see you here again.” She steps his way, but again her father stops her. Hakoda walks past her and stops in front of the kneeling Zuko. His face is lined with worry, and responsibility, and he looks more tired than angry.
“get up, Zuko. No need to kneel like that.”
Zuko looks up. “Will you accept my apology?”
Hakoda nods, and Zuko gets up. He whispers “thank you”. His knees are soaked and dirty.
“Listen, Zuko. We’re all still pretty upset with you.” Katara snorts and crosses her arms. Hakoda ignores her. “I need some time to look through your papers. In the mean time, where are you staying?”
“At the Jasmine Dragon, sir. The phone number is my uncle’s.”
So the tea shop is open again? And his uncle forgave him? Toph reacts immediately, asking if Iroh is okay and the shop is in business again. Zuko nods, and Aang vocalises the affirmation for Toph.
Hakoda nods. “Just so I know where to find you. Clearly my children know that place, so I’ll take your word for it.” He looks at Zuko, and Katara can see it in the way her father’s shoulders relax - Kya’s Kargi. A community house for everyone who needs it. Hakoda’s heavy voice echoes in her ears; everyone deserves a second chance.
“Listen, Zuko. I can’t promise anything, or speak for everyone, but you have brought us promising things and I am glad for it. Go home, get out of the rain. We’ll stay in touch.”
Katara swears she can see tears in Zuko’s eyes, but perhaps it’s the rain running out of his hair.
Zuko bows, thanks Hakoda again and turns away, but glances at her over his shoulder. She just glares at him. Hakoda closes the door.
“Dad, how could you?” Katara unleashes her anger. “He’s tricked us before and he’ll do it again! We can’t trust him!”
“Katara, enough.” Hakoda sits down at the counter, the papers spread out in front of him. He holds up a cheque with six numbers on it. When he speaks he sounds tired, and sad. “This is a lot of money for a young man who’s lost everything.”
It makes everyone stare at the numbers on the paper. It’ll easily pay for a good lawyer. It would easily sway someone. Just give some information, and go back to the life you always dreamed of. Katara swallows hard. Aang grabs her hand and Toph gives her a one armed hug. Before she knows it, Sokka and Suki join in, Sokka calling his dad and gran gran to join so the group hug is complete. Hakoda touches his cheek to their forehead, one by one, and then takes his papers to his study. Gran gran likewise brings her fingers to their foreheads, and tells them she’ll bring them snacks.
//
“You’re back.” His golden eyes are wide, staring, mouth more a pout than a scowl. His hair is longer and he is wearing his serving uniform again. Toph pushes past Katara and bellows for Iroh - causing a commotion, but none of that registers for Katara. He really is here. Serving tea, like he didn’t carve out her heart, like he didn’t disappear on her and push her into despair, like the last few weeks never happened.
“I’m not here for you.” Katara is more embarrassed than angry, but anger is a comfortable mask to hide behind.
“Ooh, Zuko, you look pretty nifty in that green outfit,” Suki crows as she loops an arm through Katara’s. “Do you have a table for three? We came here to try some of that legendary tea.”
Bless the spirits for Suki’s existence.
Zuko, slightly red in the face, motions to a table near a window looking out over an inner garden Katara hadn’t registered before. Toph is hanging over the counter, talking to an excited Iroh. He looks a bit rough, and quite a bit thinner as well, but he seems as jovial as ever.
“How is Iroh?” She really doesn’t want to talk to Zuko.(she really doesn’t, she tells herself).
“He’s okay. Better now than he was.” Zuko’s voice is fond, laced with sadness and oh how she missed the sound of it. (she didn’t miss it, she tells herself.)
“How are your father and grandmother?”
Is he really making small talk? Why can’t he just take their orders and go? Katara remembers all the things she told him about her family and hates that someone like him carries such intimate details about her loved ones with him.
“They are fine,” she says, finite, conversation over.
“Hey Zuko, which tea would you recommend?” Suki saves her yet again, putting Zuko in serving mode.
“For you, perhaps the Oolong, or the green tea with mango.” Suki nods along, tapping her chin with an index finger. “I’ll go with the green tea with mango, thanks,” she smiles sweetly.
Katara distracts herself with looking at the menu.
“Katara?” His voice, saying her name, is an evil thing. She wants to hear it again.
“I’ll take the Jasmine,” she blurts out, trying to get rid of him. He nods curtly, and walks off to Iroh to relay orders.
When Iroh notices them, he bounds over to their table stringing Toph along.
“Miss Katara! You are here again, how lovely, I hope you are well! And you bring a new guest,” he beams at Suki, who introduces herself. He bids her welcome.
“What a blessing to have three such lovely ladies grace my tea shop. Have you ordered yet?” Suki and Katara nod, Toph orders her regular drink. “On the house,” Iroh says solemnly, patting a protesting Toph on the shoulder.
“I didn’t pay last time ,that’s no way to run a business,” Katara half-jokes with Iroh, but Iroh laughs it off and says he hopes they will come here often as he turns back to the kitchen. Suki sighs Iroh sure seems awesome, and Toph socks Suki in the shoulder with an “I told you so!”
Zuko comes to their table, scowling, red in the face, carrying a serving tray-
oh spirits, not this again.
Katara is looking the other way, to the garden, as he gives them their order. It comes with a generous helping of almond biscuits and chasan in the shape of a lotus. She tries one and hates to admit that Zuko probably would have come very far in the competition.
Suki tries the tea and a happy, ethereal smile spreads over her face as her eyes close. She sighs, and Toph chuckles at the sound. Katara grins, realising that this is what she must have looked like. Suki declares she is moving in here so she can drink this tea every day, and Toph says she can’t do that to Sokka. Suki actually looks conflicted about having to choose between Sokka and the tea shop, which makes Katara laugh. She doesn’t notice Zuko has approached until he’s right by her side.
“Hey. Can we talk?” He’s scowling and he’s taken off his apron.
Katara’s mouth is forming a no but Suki and Toph both (both!) kick her under the table, so she nods instead. Zuko motions for her to follow and she does, glaring at her two friends. Suki just throws her a handkiss.
They walk through a back door, where a set of stairs lead up to what she assumes to be the living quarters. Zuko keeps walking until they are outside, in a really lovely garden.
“So what do you want to talk about?” She asks as she crosses her arms. Zuko just shakes his head and keeps walking. Katara follows, wondering how big this garden is. A row of high bushes hides a small fountain and two benches. It’s a very nice, private place and very tranquil too.
Zuko sits down on a bench, stretching his legs and rolling his ankles. Katara just stands, arms crossed, waiting for him to speak.
“Sit, please,” he motions to the bench.
“What did you want to talk about.” She stresses the words one by one.
Zuko sighs. “Look, I just want to apologise to you personally. I know I did a really stupid thing, and I hurt your family and I hurt your trust. I just want you to know I’ve changed. I thought I had before, but well, clearly not, and now I’m here and I felt really bad about betraying you like that-” He takes a big gulp of air. Then he starts over a bit calmer.
“I’m sorry. You reached out and told me things I should have kept secret. For what it’s worth, I really enjoyed your company, Katara. I did a really, really stupid thing and I hope you can forgive me one day, but I’ll understand if you don’t.”
Katara feels her nails digging into her arms and unclenches her muscles. “You’re not even willing to try and earn my forgiveness?” She didn’t mean to sound so sarcastic, but Zuko’s head snaps up to where she’s standing, eyes wide.
“What? I mean, if there’s a way! But uncle tells me forgiveness has to be given freely. But I’ll do anything, Katara, to help you and to earn your trust, trust me.” He flinches at that last part, and it almost makes Katara laugh.
“Look, Zuko, it would be the easy way to just yell at you to leave me alone and never bother me again, but you know what?” Katara sits down on the other bench, far away enough but on the same eye level now. “You helped out my family so much with your papers and the recommendations and the money. If it’s not all a trick.”
Zuko opens his mouth to object, but Katara holds up a hand.
“You want to prove you’ve really broken ties with Agnisol? The attorney says we need a testimony from a witness. If you don’t want to do it, fine. But-”
Zuko interrupts her. “I’ll do it.”
Katara lets a small smile break through. “Our attorney is Mr. Jeong Jeong. You’ll know how to find him. If you just send him your written testimony… Well, we’ll see. Maybe then we can talk.” Katara doesn’t wait for Zuko but gets up, hoping she didn’t just make a big mistake again. She pretends not to have seen the hope in his eyes.
When she gets back to her friends they leave a generous tip for Iroh, and she tells them what happened while they go back.
//
On the day of the court case, Katara dresses in an outfit in mostly black, sharp enough to cut Agnisol to shreds.
When they all settle in the court room, Mr Jeong Jeong goes through some of the last explanations and procedures. When Katara asks about the written testimony, he looks at her funny and says Mr. Zuko will be testifying in person. Katara gapes at her lawyer, and just then, as if on cue, Zuko walks into the room. Murmuring breaks loose.
Hakoda walks up to Zuko.
“Do you think this is a good idea, son?” He asks him, and for a moment, Zuko looks as if he’ll be reprimanded. “Don’t you think Agnisol will take this up against you?” Hakoda clarifies.
Zuko shakes a quick no. “They already know I’ve supplied you with the information. I was plenty clear when I left, don’t you worry about me, sir,” and he smiles.
Katara can’t help but stare at Zuko’s profile. He looks determined, and proud, and a little bit nervous.
The court case is opened, and Katara focuses on the words being spoken.
Mr. Jeong Jeong more or less wipes the floor with Agnisol’s lawyer, Yon Rha. Hakoda and Sokka are called forward to answer questions, and then Katara (and when she looks in Yon Rha’s eyes, she sees nothing, he’s just a man getting a paycheck to destroy people). Then the witness is called forward. Zuko gets up, spine straight and chin high, and reads a speech that is completely devoid of awkwardness or rambling. He leaves no room for questions, and goes into detail what the company has done to him for years. When the judge asks him if this isn’t just emotional retribution, Zuko shakes his head.
“No, your honour. These are good people, who are just trying to earn their living. Agnisol tried to stamp out their flame, and I realised how wrong that was. I cannot allow this kind of malpractice, manipulation and illegal pressuring to ever happen again.”
The judge nods. Yon Rha is allowed to ask questions but Zuko stands his ground, sending the lawyer back to his seat defeated. The case is adjourned.
Hakoda and Sokka both pat Zuko on the back, saying he did well. They exit the room. Katara walks off to get drinks, glad to be away to sort her thoughts - when she gets back and hands everyone their drink, she gives Zuko one as well.
“You didn’t have to come in person, you know,” she tells him.
“I know. But it was the right thing to do,” he says, and lifts the drink towards her like a toast. She taps his can with her own, with a quiet “thank you.”
The judge returns and reads the verdict. As everyone hoped, and expected, Kya’s Kargi can stay as it is; Agnisol must pay a hefty fine and all contracts are nullified. An investigation into Agnisol’s practices will be opened. The hammer slams down, the decision is final. Hakoda pulls his children into a hug, and Suki, gran gran, Aang and Toph come from the spectator seats to join in the hug. As Hakoda walks over to thank Mr. Jeong Jeong, Katara walks up to Zuko.
He turns around as he sees her, and smiles.
“Congratulations, I’m very happy for you,” he says.
Katara laughs a bit, her eyes full of tears, and flings her arms around his neck. He breathes in, surprised, before carefully wrapping his arms around her waist.
“It was all thanks to you, Zuko,” Katara says.
She lets go, and smiles up at him as he grimaces. “Well, the bad stuff was because of me, too.”
“I think you made up for it more than enough,” Katara tells him, squeezing his shoulder. “I guess you’ve earned my trust. And I suppose my forgiveness, too.”
Zuko’s eyes widen, and his whole face softens. “Really?”
Katara smiles even wider, smoothing his bangs off his face and resting her hand on his scarred cheek. “Yeah.”
(After, they celebrate in Iroh’s tea shop after hours, and a few days later they have a big party in the street in front of the shop. Zuko and Iroh are invited too, and Katara spends most of her evening at Zuko’s side, their fingers loosely enlaced).