mars

“Master Katara,” he breathed out.

She tried not to let his reverence sink its teeth under her nape, shooting him a warning look instead.

When did he even drop to his knees, she wasn’t sure. But the glow of the early morning sun was gentle against his skin, outlining the glistening raven hair that stayed barely out of place despite recently falling out of bed, and his bare feet tucked properly underneath his weight while he rested his palms on his thighs. He looked as if he was already on the that throne of his, spine straight and head high before her—Katara would have allowed herself to properly appreciate him more if she hadn’t been busy running today’s itinerary through her head, making note to find her fellow business partner before their event began.

“Lord Zuko,” she answered plainly, letting him pull her near, his chin digging into her front, golden eyes glinting with quiet mischief. “You need to get ready, or you’ll be late for your appointment.”

For a man who had connected with supposedly extinct dragons and faced down homicidal fathers, he had no right to look adorable when he jut out his bottom lip. “Why can’t I join you instead?”

“The Caldera Hospital doesn’t need you now,” Katara busied herself with her hair, collecting the wayward strands in a half-hearted top knot to resolutely ignore the warmth of his hands on her hips. “Besides, you don’t like networking, and the opening ceremony will last for more than a few hours, at most.”

The audacity of this man to sigh so heavily, rubbing his face against her stomach, trying again with, “I promise I won’t get in your way while you work.”

“Are you thinking of avoiding Chancellor Jin again?” She asked in amusement, and got her confirmation when he tightened his hold on her. “Really, Zuko, you’d think the man isn’t helping you.”

“He’s too helpful,” he grumbled, lifting his head again to meet her gaze with the hopeful gleam of his own. “I can be the Fire Lady’s chaperone instead of listening to him try to get me to transfer some land to his cronies.”

“It’s cute that you think you can convince me,” She leaned down to kiss his forehead, bypassing his frown entirely. “And you’ll be fine. Just remind those two buddies of his of their excursions to the seedy part of business, threaten to forfeit their positions in the Chancellor’s circle of ministers for how long they’ve been doing it and how much money they’ve taken from them, and you’ll get all three of them off your back. What kind of ministers do we have to do that, anyway,” she added with an aggrieved mutter.

Zuko hummed in interest. “Audit did present to me more damning evidence that’d quickly wrap them up.”

“There you go.” Katara was about to slip out of his hold, and pushed back a smile when he wouldn’t let her go. “Yes?”

“Another?” He innocently asked, to which she made a big show to roll her eyes, making him chuckle. “Wow, sorry, really.”