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The lecture was already underway when Katara slipped through the doors, making sure to softly close them behind her. Her heart caught in her chest, just like it always did, at the heady, studious rasp of Zuko’s voice.
“So like we discussed last class, there’s ongoing themes of fate versus individual choice, of love in the face of death and violence, throughout the play. Can anyone give me an example from the text?”
His eyes scanned over the room, his good eyebrow shooting up the minute he noticed her. Zuko gave her a crooked grin and pushed his glasses up on his nose. Gods, she was so weak for those stupid glasses and the things they did to his already incredible face.
“Jun, would you like to share?”
The young woman blushed slightly and pushed her long, black hair behind her ear. Classic teacher crush, then, but really, who could blame her?”
“Professor Azulon, I can’t remember what Act it’s in, but when Lord and Lady Capulet arrange Juliet’s marriage to Paris, that is them being an outside force against her relationship with Romeo.”
He smiled. “That’s right, and it certainly plays into the love and death theme, as it immediately follows Tybalt’s murder. However, would you say that is an act of fate?”
Jun blushed a little deeper. “I think you could say that they’re acting as the hand of fate. Juliet was really young, like really young, and she was grieving her cousin even without all the secret marriage crap. They could have responded in a million other ways, but they chose the one that would push Juliet to do something rash and stupid.”
“Excellent point. Song, you have your hand up. Was there something you wanted to add?” Katara swooned internally at the way Zuko turned his entire attention to the other girl.
“I don’t think Juliet was being stupid,” she said, her voice barely over a whisper. “I think nobody listened to her. Not even the people who were supposed to, like the Nurse and Friar Lawrence.”
“Why do you think that is?”
Song shrugged. “Parents don’t always listen to their daughters.”
Zuko smiled gently. “That is sometimes the case, but I think here, we can dig a little deeper. Unfortunately, that’s going to have to wait until Monday. Read Act IV and finish your study questions. I’d love to have this unit on Shakespeare’s Tragedies wrapped up next week.”
There was a collective sigh as the students packed up their laptops and notes, chatting together as they filed out of the room. Katara smirked when she noticed Jun approach Zuko’s desk, but stayed comfortably seated in the back row of chairs. They chatted for a moment about an assignment that was due soon, though she could feel his attention straying from whatever his student was saying every minute or so. She crossed her legs, bringing his focus directly to her short red skirt and knee high boots.
“Jun, you’re going to do great on the essay. Just make sure to annotate as you go through the last two acts of the play and you’ll have plenty to work with. Have a good weekend, all right?”
Jun took the dismissal for what it was, pouting slightly when she spotted Katara on her way out. She slowly unfolded from her seat and sauntered down to where Zuko was leaning on his desk, hungry eyes tracking her every step.
“Hi,” she purred, draping her arms over his shoulders. “I think you just broke the poor girl’s heart.”
“Huh? Jun? She’s like 18 and a freshman.”
“I don’t blame her. You’re awfully sexy out there, being so handsome and brilliant.”
“Katara.”
“Are you finished for the day?” she slid her hands over his chest and pulled him closer by his blazer. “Those glasses are doing things for me.”
He wrapped his arms around her for a slow, filthy kiss. “Things?”
“Oh yes. All kinds of things. Things that don’t belong in the hallowed halls of academia.
Zuko chuckled. “Honey, you clearly have no idea what goes on in these buildings. I’ve found more than one couple in some compromising positions.”
“Want to show me? You still haven’t fucked me in your office.”
Katara squeaked as he lifted her up and perched her on the edge of his desk, settling between her knees. “You,” he said, pressing open mouth kisses down her neck, “are a very bad influence.”
She wove her hands through his hair and tugged him back to her face, nipping his full lower lip until he gasped and twined his tongue with hers. He slid his warm palms over the bare skin of her thighs, teasing the hem of the skirt higher and higher with every pass. Her nails raked over his scalp as she hooked her ankles behind him, pushing him flush against her. The kiss turned desperate in record time, Zuko running his hands up and up under her blouse.
“We’re going to get caught,” he breathed between biting, bruising kisses.
“Don’t care.”
The door rattled open. “Zuko, are you still -” Shaiko Piandao grinned as he strolled in. “Ah. Hi, Katara.”
Zuko rested his head on Katara’s shoulders and swore, colorfully and vehemently, for a good ten seconds. “Your timing is impeccable, Shaiko.”
“I can see that.”
She flushed and slid off the desk, subtly adjusting her clothes. “Hey Professor. Have any plans for the weekend?”
He laughed at her cheek. “Grading papers and losing at Pai Sho against Iroh. How are things going at the center?”
Zuko rested his hand on the small of her back as she beamed. “Things are coming along! We have all the permits in place to renovate the old building on Avatar Square, and I have a friend from the competition circuit, Toph, I’m pretty sure I mentioned her before, she’s coming to consult on all the ADA accommodations.”
“Right, she’s the blind woman who came to visit. She’s dating Aang now, right?”
Katara nodded. “They’re ridiculously adorable. I can’t stand it. She’s going to help me with interviews for staff, too. Her ability to read people is terrifying.”
“I heard you have Suki helping out with curricula?”
“She has been an absolute gift. I know tai chi, obviously, and I’m familiar with other kung fu styles, but I want it to be for the community, not just for martial arts. She put me in touch with some people who can help build out programming for other sports. Plus she’s getting her friend Ty Lee to come out and design some art pieces and possibly even lead some seminars. It’s been a year, but things are finally coming together.”
Shaiko smiled. “I’m so happy for you. For both of you.”
Zuko pulled her close and pressed a gentle kiss on her curls. “Best year of my life.”
“Well, I’ll let you two lovebirds get back to it, though I might suggest a change in venue? Bumi is using this hall for his guest lecture later.”
They both blushed crimson and said their goodbyes, the heavy door closing on Shaiko’s hearty laugh.
“I am never going to be able to look that man in the eye again,” Zuko groaned. “Which is incredibly inconvenient, seeing how he’s my boss and my uncle’s closest friend.”
“Hey. I recovered from finding out that my coach was not only friends with my boss at the cafe, who happened to also be your uncle, but was also my grandmother’s long-lost lover. Professor Piandao is definitely going to give you shit, but he won’t be mean about it.”
“How is it such an incredibly small world? You worked for Uncle Iroh, who’s friends with Pakku. I made friends with Sokka and Aang, Aang is dating Toph, we met at a conference hotel, like… it’s almost enough to make you believe in fate.”
Katara booped his nose. “But is it fate or individual choice? You tell me, Professor Azulon.”
“Behave.”
“Never.”
They walked out into the chilly twilight hand in hand.
“You look beautiful, by the way. Was there an occasion for the skirt?” Zuko asked. Katara blushed and fidgeted with her hair.
“I had an appointment.”
“Yeah?”
“So… yeah.”
He stopped and turned to face her. “Is everything okay?”
“Of course!” her giggle was nervous and high pitched. “Why do you ask?”
Zuko just shot her a speaking look. Katara rolled her eyes and fished something out of her purse. He felt cold metal against his palm.
“These are for you, if you want them.”
He glanced down at a pair of shiny bronze keys. “I don’t understand.”
“I bought a house. Well, a townhouse. Near the community center so I won’t have to walk as far and I can give Sokka and Suki some space because if I walk in on them one more time, I might kill somebody. I know you have your own place over Iroh’s shop, but the walls are so thin and I love Iroh, but he’s so… I just thought…”
“Katara. Are you asking me to move in with you?”
She forced herself to meet his eyes, and found only pure, genuine joy. “Yeah. I guess I am.”
Zuko yanked her into a messy, joyful kiss, both grinning at each other. “I love you.”
She pecked his lips again, even as she panted for breath. “I love you too.”
He turned the keys over in his hand. “So you’ve closed, and the place is all yours?”
“Ours,” she nodded. Zuko whisked her up, bridal style, swallowing her laughter with another heady kiss.
“Then let’s go home.”