"Did you get a new tattoo?" Katara asked as they walked into her room and she went to her closet and Zuko sat on her bed with a long sigh.

"Yea, hurt like a bitch," Zuko ran his hands through his hair and undid the top button.

"What is it?" She asked curiously.

"It's Japanese, means never give up without a fight," he pulled the back of his collar down to show her as it was Japanese writing down his spine, it was small.

"Why'd you get it?" She grabbed one of her hoodies, it was her favorite XL hoodie that had a band on the front.

"I like tattoos," he looked down at his lap.

"Zuko can you be honest with me?" She sighed sitting on the bed next to him.

"I'll try," he nodded.

"Did you leave because of me? Because we had a little argument?" Katara asked seriously.

He stayed silent.

"Yea," he closed his eyes keeping his head down.

"What?" This caught her by surprise.

"Yes, it's because of that I backed off and left," Zuko said again he clasped his hands together leaning on his knees.

"Why? It was one argument and it wasn't that bad, I didn't think that'd be the reason you'd leave, I know you said everything was bullshit and you didn't mean what you said that morning but I don't believe you, so why, why did you leave? And saying because isn't a fucking reason," Katara snapped as her face twisted in anger and confusion.

"It's complicated, Jesus kat you don't know everything," he barked back.

"No apparently I don't know anything," she growled.

"You left for two weeks and I see you again with your father! What the fuck is that all about?!" She scoffed as her face scrunched up.

"I don't want to talk about it," he shook his head.

"This was a bad idea, I shouldn't have come," Zuko bit out annoyed as he went to leave but Katara spun him around grabbed him by the shirt.

"You leave me one more time Zuko I swear to god I'm slashing your bikes tires," she hissed close to his face.

"Your crazy," he glared back down at her.

"I'm upset!"

"I don't care what you call me, call me crazy, call me a bitch but your not lying to me saying everything was bullshit," Katara looked him in the eyes as she clutched his shirt making sure he didn't back down.

"Do you actually want to live with your father?" She asked quietly in a dark tone.

"No.." he whispered.

"Then dont," she let go and took a few steps back.

"It's not that easy, if it wasn't I would've been gone a lot sooner and wouldn't come back," Zuko crossed his arms leaning against the door.

"What does he have on you?" Katara sighed raking her hands through her hair trying to calm down.

"I'm literally a criminal," he said flatly like it was obvious. "There was a reason I didn't stay in jail that long, Ozai has a lot of money,"

"And there's some other stuff but I don't want to talk about it,"

"So your throwing your life away? It doesn't make sense," Katara didn't buy it.

"I just don't care anymore, what's the point?" He rolled his eyes, Kataras face softened.

"Come on, sit," she sighed grabbing his hands and led him to the edge of the bed.

"We're talking, and sorry to say, your dealing with it," she pursed her lips and he groaned falling backwards on his back.

"I don't want to talk about it," he mumbled into his hands.

"Fine, it doesn't have to be about that anymore... about you maybe?" She asked as she laid on her stomach next to him. He gave an unamused look but she took it as him agreeing.

"What do you want to go to school for?" She started off.

"Don't know, to get out of here?" Zuko shrugged.

"Do you want a career like eventually?" She poked at him.

"Kat, I'm going to be honest, I didn't think I'd last this long," he told her a little sarcastically and she smacked his forehead a little.

"I don't know, I've never really thought about it," Zuko swatted her hand away.

"I want to go volunteer, go help people," Katara laid her head down over her crossed arms as she looked out the window behind her bed.

"What are you proudest of?" She asked kicking her feet a little.

"My cat," he said flatly.

"Seriously?" She groaned.

"What are you most grateful for?" Katara tried again as she watched cars pass on the street.

Zuko looked over at her and pursed his lips a little, a small smile as she kept her eyes ahead. He gulped a little thinking about seeing the gun pointed at her, how much he's made her worry. She's to good for him, she was normal before he came around.

She's a good person. He wasn't.

But she made him feel like he could be...

"My cat," Zuko shrugged and she gasped sitting up.

"I give up," Katara scoffed but he rolled and laid his head against her leg.

"Are you okay?" She asked gently as he closed his eyes keeping his arms crossed.

"Not really," he whispered. "I'm tired,"

Katara smiled a little as she scooted back and laid against the headboard, she adjusted a little with the pillow and looked back at the confused boy.

Katara giggled and reached both her arms out making a grabbing gesture, Zuko frowned not understanding.

"Come here stupid," she chuckled and Zuko crawled over confused but she pulled him down.

"What is happening?" He asked as he laid his head against her chest and she pulled his arms up to rest around her waist, she giggled placing her legs around his lower waist and rested her ankles on his back. Zuko was stiff when she placed her hands on the base of his neck, touching the tattoo a little but they made their way at his nape of his hair.

"Have you ever just cuddled anyone?" Katara asked softly as his arms tightened around her waist and he started to relax.

"No..."

"Is this okay?" She gulped. He nodded.

"I can hear your heart," he breathed surprised.

"Yea, it's scientific that cuddles can help with stress, release oxytocin, human touch is necessary, it's good for you, healthy," Katara ran her hands through his hair and he groaned a little at the feeling. He felt like puddy as he melted into her touch, his eyes fluttering close.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled against her shirt.

"For what?" She smiled gently as one hand combed through his thick hair and the other rubbed the back of his neck gently.

"For being a lying asshole, I haven't slept really since I've been at his house," Zuko whispered.

"We're friends, friends fight but they make up, I'm going to be here for you Zuko," she hummed and he sighed a little.

"I don't deserve you," he felt himself drifting into sleep. "I feel safe..."

"You better sleep tonight, you need it," Katara smiled and he nodded barely.

"I love you kat,"

Katara froze as a small snore followed, she barely heard him, it was almost missed but she knew what she heard. Tears weld up in her eyes as she hugged him to her chest letting him sleep, he loved her? Like love love? Or friend love? She knew he trusted her, felt safe with her, relied on her for emotional support a little, but did he mean he was in love with her..? She didn't know if she should bring it up in the morning. She didn't know how she even felt..

She'll worry about it in the morning, she just wanted to make sure he slept.