This isn't the last song, there's no violin

Katara Luna's life seems to be nothing but difficult lately. Living with her family in a cramped apartment, they have seven mouths to feed, Gran-Gran's care facility bills to pay and Suki has a baby on the way. But they're strong people and Katara has hope that things will get better—Once she finishes her degree. No more working multiple jobs for shit pay and shittier customers. All she needs is one good stable job, life will get better. She knows it will At least until she meets Zuko Agni. Zuko's life has always been painful, but he doesn't mind it—It drives him. Pain is a lesson and suffering is his teacher. Pain comes with everything in his life, especially being an up and coming MMA fighter. He's fought hard to make a name for himself—Away from his father, from their family name. It hasn't been easy, but they've made it work. With Iroh as his coach and his own stubborn determination as his fuel. And now he has a chance, to make it, really make it—for his father to see him as more than a failure. He just has to work even harder—and apparently put together a 'winning team'. Something he doesn't need… He knows his limits. It's not like they can afford something like that anyway. Someone who's skilled enough to get him the results he needs to win… it's not in the budget. No he just needs to keep pushing, even if it's painful… Both of them are wrong, of course Also, way too stubborn to admit it, of course And maybe, one day, they'll find out that what they wanted in life, was not what they thought they needed. Well, that's what Iroh hopes for any way—once the shouting matches end, of course…

The Water Tribe ambassador and Fire Lord are working late one evening Both of them tired, Zuko suggests they have a few drinks. After drunkenly opening up about their sub-par sex lives, Katara suggests they try one another out. And Zuko agrees. After an intense--and admittedly mind-blowing--night of sex, they enter an agreement to explore things further, as 'Friends with Benefits' OR “What if we had an arrangement?” I suggest, the idea forming even as I speak it. “When I visit you here in the Fire Nation, or if we're in the same place while traveling, if we’re both wanting it, we could... have sex.” Heat rises to my cheeks. “Not a relationship. No strings attached. No complicated emotions. Just two friends taking care of each other’s needs.”