"Why are you out here?" She came and sat down beside the silent, new Fire Lord. He turned his head at her presence and took a moment before answering.

"Just getting some air." She had a suspicion that wasn't the only reason, but she nodded and settled into silence beside him, gazing out over the earth-bending city. Celebrations were happening all over the Nations, but tonight was calm and millions of stars vibrantly shown up in the sky. She took a deep, contented breath. After a few silent, but not uncomfortable, moments, she turned to face him again.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, inclining her head to his chest when he gave her a questioning look. His hand absently lay across his wound and he shrugged.

"Alright. It comes and goes." She felt the familiar pang of guilt fester in her stomach, as it always did when the memory came back to her. She felt herself, against her will, heave a sad sigh and he turned to her again.

"Hey, Katara," He raised a hand, placing it on her shoulder and giving a reassuring squeeze. "I'm fine, okay? Stop blaming yourself for this." She was surprised at how well he could read her. She'd done a fairly good job at swallowing the guilt and hiding her shame. She bit her lip, looking away.

"I just… it keeps playing over and over in my head. What if I hadn't reached you in time? If I hadn't been standing so close it would have never happened. I just feel so stupid, I mean-"

"Katara." His low voice came firmly, his hand tightening on the one shoulder and the other reaching to grab the other, squaring them to him, forcing her to meet his eyes. His tone softened again, "You can't keep thinking of 'what ifs', you'll go crazy. You did get there in time. Azula would have found a way to you eventually and besides," He released her and smirked, turning back to the quiet city. "I've never seen you so upset over me."

For some stupid reason, she blushed. She punched his arm and he laughed quietly. They fell back into another comfortable silence. When he spoke first, it surprised her,

"The last time we were here… I told you things I'd never been able to tell anyone before. You offered to use sacred water to heal my scar. I never got to tell you how much that meant," he turned back to her and she didn't attempt to hide her surprise. He smiled gently. "Thank you, Katara."

And then, on impulse, she leaned and pressed a quick kiss on his temple. He tensed in surprise, but neither of them said anything, just accepted what had happened. She lowered her head onto his shoulder, still confused at her own actions. After a second he relaxed, his stiff shoulder softening under her cheek. After another long second, his head tilted and lowered itself to hers. It was a strange, confusing moment of silence and peace, just listening to each other's breathing and staring at the stars in the dark. After a time, they parted, stood up and rejoined their friends and family. They never said a word of what had passed between them. No one else needed to know.