"Stay." his voice is quiet, almost cautious, as if he is afraid of her answer.

"What?" she never expected for him to ask her this. Even after everything they'd been through and even after he'd risked his life for her.

"Stay, please. I mean, if you want to, but I'd really like you to, to want to I mean. If you actually do, want to that is."

His face is bright red and he's folding in on himself, arms crossed awkwardly. He scowls as she stares at him. He's embarrassed? She used to think it meant that he was mad, but she knows him better now. Now she knows him well enough to recognize things about him that most won't.

"So?" he asks, nervously, rubbing the back of his neck, peeping out at her from behind his bangs.

"Um..."

Why would he want her to stay? She always figured she would go home, or just continue travelling with Aang. Really, she hasn't put much thought into it. They had all been so busy trying to survive a war and she had been so busy focused on Aang...and then Zuko came. He came and he earned her trust again and he did for her what none of the others would. So maybe, the question isn't why would he want her to stay, but why wouldn't he?

He's backing up, shuffling away awkwardly, muttering, babbling. It's infuriating, but also strangely cute. Zuko's had his awkward moments, but they're so few and far between that she can't help but enjoy them when they come to pass.

"It's fine, I completely understand. I mean, why would you want to? Forget I said anything."

"Zuko stop it. I haven't said anything."

"Oh."

"I've never really thought about what I'd do when this was all over. Whether I'd go back home, or travel with Aang, well none of us really ever talked about it."

"Well if Aang needs you..."

"I don't know if he does. I mean, he's a master and all now, he's the Avatar and he's always been better with people than me. I don't know, maybe we just need some time apart..."

"Oh I completely understand. I-"

"You know I haven't seen much of the firenation..."

He straightens, actually looking at her properly. Zuko doesn't hope, but she cant help but wonder if he is anyways.

"You haven't?"

"Well just the countryside and Ember Island, if I stayed for a while maybe you could show me some more."

He smiles. "I could do that."

"Besides, that burn is going to take a while to heal, I should be around for that."

"You probably should."

He walks towards her, slowly, carefully. She hasn't been this close to him since after Azula.

"So you really want me to stay? I mean, you're sure? I know I can be pretty annoying and I don't exactly make things easier for you."

"Katara, I think you know what a good team we make."

She smiles up at him. "The Blue Spirit and the Painted Lady right?"

"Right." he's smiling too.

"I'm really glad I forgave you."

"I'm really glad I risked your wrath and came back."

And she's hugging him. It lasts longer than the last time, but it feels the same. He is warm and solid and her head fits under his chin. She can hear his heart beating and if she concentrates, sense the blood rushing through him. She steps back, breaking their embrace and smiles up at him. Now that she's just signed up for another one of those life changing field trips, she has a feeling she'll be hugging him a lot.