Zutara Month Day 15- Courting
Katara brought in a pile of heavy, blue, wool-lined clothes. Zuko stood there, hugging himself, trying to stay warm. He stared at his girlfriend, grateful that she’d thought to bring him clothes fit for this kind of weather. He would have thanked her verbally had it not been for the fact that he had his jaw locked to keep his teeth from chattering.
He was a long way from home, home being a warm place in the middle of a ton of volcanic islands. Now, he was on his way to the Southern Water Tribe. Katara had seen most of his culture. It was his turn to learn a thing or two.
He quickly threw on the wool clothes. Instantly his body felt like it had heated ten degrees. “How did you live in this cold, Katara?,” He asked.
She laughed. “When you’re born into it, you kinda get used to it.”
Zuko guessed she had a point there. He shrugged it off just as the ship jerked under his feet. “We’re here!,” He heard Katara yell from somewhere down the hall.
Zuko’s stomach tightened with nerves. How was he supposed to do this? The last time he’d been here… Well…. He hadn’t exactly come in peace. He’d destroyed some of the structures the Tribe had worked hard to build. He’d even snatched Katara’s grandmother, taking her hostage in exchange for the Avatar.
Katara’s grandmother. How could he have forgotten about Gran Gran?! Katara had gotten her fierce spirit from somebody… God help him if it were her.
He reluctantly made his way to the door of the room. He groaned before he pulled the handle. It was now or never.
Zuko made it to the deck just as Katara made it onto the icy shore. He watched her leap into her Grandmother’s arms, both of them smiling so big he thought their faces might break.
“Gran Gran!” Katara said. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been doing pretty well, Katara. I’ve missed you so so much.”
Katara beamed at her grandmother. “I missed you too, Gran Gran. I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long.”
Her grandmother laughed softly. “No need to apologise, Katara. I may be old, but I do remember what it’s like to be in love. Your father has told me much about this young man. He helped you find your mother’s killer, right? And he’s the new Fire Lord?”
Katara blushed slightly. “He did, Gran Gran. He’s an amazing man. I think you’ll like him. Zuko!”
Zuko had made his way to the shore while Katara spoke to her grandmother. He stood, smiling sheepishly, waiting for Gran Gran’s reaction. The elderly woman released Katara from her grip and walked around her granddaughter until she stood face to face with Zuko.
It may have been negative forty degrees. It may have been a land made entirely of ice. But in that instance Zuko had never felt hotter. Sweat began pouring down his neck and back as the woman dragged her eyes up his body to his face.
Her eyes lingered for a moment on his scar. “I know you. You’ve been here before.”
Zuko bowed. “Yes ma'am. I have… I know the last time I saw you, I wasn’t exactly kind. I destroyed a lot. I broke your trust before I ever had a chance to earn it. I promise, though, I’m not that person anymore.”
She narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before closing them completely. She released a heavy breath before opening them and speaking. “You’re right. The last time I saw you, I hoped I would never see your face again. I swore that if I ever did I would kill you myself. But. I trust my granddaughter’s judgement. If she believes you have changed and that you are worthy of being her boyfriend, then I believe that too.”
Both Katara and Zuko breathed out a sigh of relief. That had gone a lot smoother than they had planned.
“So, Gran Gran,” Katara spoke. “I’m gonna take Zuko and show him around camp. Do you want to join us?”
Gran Gran beamed at Katara. “I would love to.”
They spent the rest of the evening walking around the Southern Water Tribe’s camp. Zuko found himself fascinated with the way they had learned to build everything from the ice. He loved learning about the polar bear dogs and playing with their puppies. Sokka had done a lot of construction on the village since the end of the war. It had grown into a thriving little community.
Finally, it was time for dinner. Zuko’s heart pounded in his chest as he searched frantically for Hakoda. He’d been wanting to do this for so long. He’d hoped Hakoda would say yes. His approval was something Zuko wanted.
No, it was something he needed. He knew how much Katara’s father meant to her. He knew how much it would mean to her to know that he had asked her father before asking for her hand in marriage.
He found Hakoda near the butcher shop. He was skinning some seals, preparing them for seal-jerky. Zuko cleared his throat to catch Hakoda’s attention.
The Water Tribe Chief turned to face Zuko. His face broke out in a smile when he saw Zuko. “Hello, Fire Lord Zuko. How have you been?”
“I’m great, Chief Hakoda,” Zuko said with a bow. It was weird hearing a man twice his junior acknowledge him as a royal equal. “How have you been?”
Hakoda wiped his hands clean from blood, extending one for a handshake. “I’ve been doing well. Things are finally coming together for us. What’s on your mind?”
Zuko’s mouth suddenly felt drier than cotton. “I- See- I wanted to ask- You know I love Katara very much, right?”
Hakoda gave Zuko a nod. “I do. Why are you asking me that, though? Is she pregnant?”
Zuko felt his face go red. “N-No sir! We haven’t- I mean-”
Hakoda raised his hand. “Calm down, Zuko, I was only joking. Breathe. Tell me what’s going on.”
Zuko took a deep breath. “I was wondering if it would be okay for me to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage.”
Hakoda paused for a second before leaping forward to wrap Zuko in a tight hug. “Of course, Zuko. You can ask my daughter to marry you. It would be an honor to have you as my son-in-law.”
Zuko felt like jumping up and down, screaming like a little kid in a candy shop. Instead he managed to keep his composure, running one hand gently over the small box he had deep within his pocket.
“Thank you, Chief Hakoda.”
