A dangerously close wave of lava brought Katara to her senses. Quickly ending the kiss with the new fire lord. The waterbender's fingers touched her lips. Avoiding Zuko's reaction, she turned away, chest heaving. A million thoughts rolled through her mind as the sleigh was brought to an abrupt stop by several attendants while fully armored guards kept the crowds at bay. Somehow news had spread that the fire lord's life was threatened, though no one knew that the culprit was Zuko's annoying, younger sister, Azula.
Katara felt her breathing shorten as Aang's glider flew overhead. She was relieved that he had not witnessed what she had done with Zuko in the Burning Mistletoe Wreath's tunnel. The caress of Zuko's lips against hers had threatened to engulf her. She had felt so, complete for a moment. It alarmed her. Zuko was her friend now, of course, yet it was not very long ago that he had done some horrible acts and even betrayed her at Ba Sing Se. She still remembered her intense emotions when he had convinced everyone that he was somehow "good". She had been the last to believe him, though he had foolishly and romantically saved her from his sister's comet-enhanced lightning bolt during the height of Azula's insanity.
Katara tried to forget her tears when the young firebender was struck down in a wave of electric light. She had revived him with all the skill that she could muster. When he finally opened his eyes, and thanked her, she had longed to kiss him there. Aang had been so far from her mind at the time that she had almost forgotten that they were in the midst of a war. That was until Azula's mind-numbing cries filled the air. The poor princess had fallen from grace, and she was completely broken, spewing fire in all directions in a fit of madness, almost committing heinous self-harm before Zuko had her sedated and transferred to the mental institution.
A year passed. Zuko and Aang were at odds over the future of a war-torn world that still feared and hated anything having to do with the Fire Nation. Things were not faring well for the new fire lord's reign. It had hurt Katara to see her boyfriend and his best friend, the man she had passionately just kissed, come to blows after all they had gone through. She did not want to choose then as she did not want to choose now.
"Look, Everyone! It's the avatar!" Someone in the crowd bellowed, distracting the crowd from the tense expressions of the fire lord and his waterbending passenger.
Zuko was the first to break the tension. "Katara," he stated in a low tone that sent shivers to her "hair loopies". "I know this changes things between us".
Turning back to meet the firebender's golden gaze, Katara's voice cracked as she spoke. "No, Zuko, it doesn't. It shouldn't," she hissed. "I am with Aang. You know this". Feeling her guilt turning into a growing anger, she changed the subject. "You should do something about Azula".
Zuko looked away. "She's my sister. We're not much different, you know".
Katara allowed an attendant to help her out of the sleigh. "You're right," she agreed when Zuko was safely out of the lava pool as well. "Neither of you are loyal to anyone, but…each other. Maybe it's Azula you should be kissing".
Thankfully, no one, but the fire lord heard her ridiculous outburst. Marching harshly, Katara left the man staring at her back. It was the eve of the solstice, a time to share with the man she loved and not his best friend.
That very man had settled lightly next to a gang of Kyoshi Warriors, talking among each other. Katara hurried to Aang, wrapping her arms about his neck and kissed him like no tomorrow as Suki and her sisters giggled and cooed at them, playfully.
"I missed you, Sweetie," she whispered in his ear.
Aang giggled like his preteen years. Katara had to admit that although the avatar was, technically, old enough to be her grandfather, and quite literally was the fire lord's grandfather, he was still, in her eyes, the quirky boy she had met in the iceberg. Sometimes this fact annoyed her, yet he loved her unconditionally and she could not ask for a better boyfriend. She kissed him again, alarmed when her mind thought of Zuko. The feel of his breath against her cheek, his hand on her head, the rough patch of his scar against her fingers.
"I missed you too, Sweetie. How was the ride? I knew you would be ok with Zuko".
A shiver of guilt rolled in Katara's gut, forcing her to pull away and wring her hands. "Well, I kind of need to tell you something," she started, trying to think of the right words to say that would not send her powerful boyfriend into the raging avatar state. "Not here, though," she added, deciding against risking the lives of the crowd enjoying the Solstice Festival.
Aang's brow wrinkled in concern. "Everything ok?" He asked, his hand taking hers.
"I bet the waterbender is too terrified of her opposite element to go again!" A high pitched voice pierced their conversation.
Katara and Aang looked towards a tumbling Ty Lee. Bracing herself, Katara could not help tensing up as the reformed, Kyoshi Warrior wrapped her in a tight embrace. A brief reminder of the skilled woman's chi blocking in Omashu came to mind immediately.
"You may be right," chuckled Katara shrugging out of the embrace. "Though, I think Azula showing up terrified me more".
The circus acrobat's face fell immediately as she processed Katara's words. The waterbender barely had time to process the sudden change before Ty Lee unleashed, her face reddening.
"What the FUCK, Katara? I was only joking! You…you don't have to be so mean!"
"What?" She asked, confused.
Ty Lee crossed her arms, darting her eyes away. "That wasn't funny. You didn't have to bring her up," The girl seemed to be choking back tears, panting as she continued. "I know she's probably…de-, far away". Her voice softened and Katara was shocked to see a tear escape her eyelid. "I…had hoped when she returned, things would…be…things would be different. That she would be more, um, complacent, no, complicated, wait. It's got a comp-uh sound".
"Compliant?" Offered Aang.
Ty Lee's face brightened somewhat. "Yes, that's it. I thought we…SHE had a chance, ya' know?"
Katara shook her head. "Well she's definitely neither dead nor compliant. She attacked us, Zuko and me".
Confusion clouded the warrior's face. Biting her lip to control a small smile from forming, Ty Lee wrapped her arms about herself and seemed to be in another world. Her leader, Suki, however shoved past the acrobat, anger in her tone as she jabbed questions at the waterbender.
"Wait, what? Azula's back? Is Zuko ok? Where is she?" Suki growled angrily.
Katara held her hands up. "We're fine, really," assured Katara, dryly taking her boyfriend's arm. "Sweetie," she said, looking to him. "Do you want to go lava sledding? I would rather be with you".
Aang blushed nearly scarlet. "Sure, as long as I can get another kiss like before," he cooed, bashfully.
"For you, My Love, anything," the waterbender promised.
#
Zuko stormed towards the palace. With his cover blown, the fire lord did not want to risk any real attempts on his life from the New Ozai Society members still around or rogue assassins. He was done with the Solstice Festival anyway. Frustration welled when he entered the room to find Azula on his newly cleaned bed. His red sheets had been replaced with white, satin ones. Azula lifted a glass of his whisky in a cheer upon seeing him. When his face snarled, she shrugged and took a gulp of the drink, casually tossing the empty glass to the floor for someone else to clean up.
"That was my best performance, yet, Brother," she announced, proudly. "You should thank me, you know".
Zuko grabbed Ozai's cigar box from underneath the bed and lit a cigar, taking a seat on the bed with his back to his sister. After a long intake, he exhaled slowly, forming "O" ring shapes with the dancing smoke.
"Well, don't hog it!" Called Azula, flopping onto her belly next to where he was sitting on the edge of the bed. Looking up at her brother, the princess flailed her arms, dramatically. "We should be celebrating!" With that, she snatched the cigar as he lifted it towards his lips again.
"Would you like for me to pour you a glass? Or I could have something special delivered straight from the nuthouse if your waterbender's joining you later. Then it would really be a party".
Zuko shrugged, passively. "Party's over, unless you mean partying with myself tonight". He grumbled. "Thanks, but you managed to ruin my last chance with her, Little Sis".
Azula turned over unto her back, blowing smoke through her nostrils. "Really?" She asked, surprised as she lifted herself unto her elbows. "Thought I'd scared the undergarments off the ice princess. Oh, well, there's always Plan B".
The door to the fire lord's quarters flung open, interrupting them. The siblings stood, taking their signature fighting stances, ready to battle any threat that dared to risk its life. The expensive cigar dropped from manicured nails to the floor along with Azula's jaw at the presence of the curvaceous circus freak garbed in a loosely tied bed robe.
Zuko averted his eyes, respectfully as the two women stared at one another. Clearing his throat, Zuko picked up the burning cigar, taking careful steps away from the tense moment, though he observed the scene, cautiously, wondering when the two former friends, turned nemeses would tear at the other's throat.
Ty Lee had been Azula's guard while she was mostly sedated at the mental institution. The Kyoshi Warrior took any chance she could to strike the dangerous princess if she threatened herself or others. Zuko understood that the acrobat feared his sister and possibly hated her. It seemed so long ago that the two were the best of friends. Even Mai had been shocked that Ty Lee had chosen to turn on the princess at the Boiling Rock. Since that moment, their close friendship was destroyed.
"Apologies, My Lord," Ty Lee spoke, her eyes not leaving Azula's as she bowed in the proper fashion, her cleavage all, but spilling out of her robe. Zuko swallowed, blood surging lower. "I am here to escort the princess to her house arrest. She needs a lesson in restraint and compliance".
The acrobat was stunning, yet he never had the patience to deal with her airheaded ways. She was a tease and a flirt attracting swarms of male suitors like dragon-mosquitos to blood. Though, seeing her in her current erotic state, made him want to kick both girls out of his bedroom and call on a concubine to service him immediately. The softness of Katara's lips against his came to mind. He imagined wrapping his fingers around her neck, pressing her brown skin against the white satin on his bed and devouring her into a fit of screams before spreading her slender legs as wide as the Si Wong Desert, pushing into her with his entire length until she flooded around him.
Agni! He thought, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He had almost forgotten the impending double murder about to occur in his bedroom. Quickly, turning his attention back to the scene, Zuko came to Azula's defense to avoid having her imprisoned again. Holding up his hand, he spoke regally. "That won't be necessary, Ty Lee".
Finally finding her voice, Azula ran an index finger across her red, bottom lip. "Actually, Fire Lord, it is completely necessary," she assured him, removing her topknot in a single movement, approaching the acrobat as if possessed. "Chains, yes, chains should do the trick. Are the restraints still in my room, My Lord? I will need them in order to be compliant".
Before the confused fire lord could answer, Ty Lee hurried the answer. "Come and find out for your self, Kitten. I hope you have not forgotten my name after all this time".
Azula smirked deviously. "No, General".
The prodigal firebender flew from the room before Zuko could blink following the acrobat with the speed of a lightning strike.
"Out of our way, Filth!" Zuko heard her growl from down the hall, her voice echoing and surely sending the servants into a frantic.
Zuko scratched his head, snubbing out his cigar. Maybe Ty Lee would keep Azula out of trouble for the rest of the evening at least. Though, the two of them seemed to wreak more havoc together, especially when he and Mai were younger. Zuko could not help chuckling at the ludicrous flaming apple game Azula forced them to play so long ago. His sister was always insane, yet so were her two closest friends.
Sighing, he thought on his ex-girlfriend, briefly wishing he could at least have a one night stand with her to take his mind off fantasies of a dangerous affair with the avatar's girlfriend. There was absolutely no chance of his ex-girlfriend returning to him, now. Their relationship was over thanks to Kei Lo.
"I really wish I had drowned her sometimes".
Zuko whirled around at the familiar voice. "K-Katara?" He asked, dumbly, worried that he was dreaming about the waterbender standing in his doorway.
Katara stopped midway in the room as if just noticing where she was. She stared at her feet as if examining her shoes.
Zuko took the chance to close the gap between them, his heart pounding as he shakily reached for her wringing hands.
"Please, let this be real," he whispered, fearful that his heart was about to be crushed again when the waterbender spoke.
Katara swallowed, her fingers curling around Zuko's calloused hands. "Can we go somewhere to talk? I mean, we don't have to leave the palace. I just would feel better if we weren't in your bedroom".
Zuko nodded frantically. "Of course, anywhere, I-I could get a palanquin arranged or we could go to the throne room".
The two decided leaving the palace was the best option. A heavily cloaked palanquin was hurriedly arranged for them and the two found themselves passing the streets of the capital in the dead of night on the eve of the solstice.
For much of the trip, they rode in silence, neither willing to speak first. Fire Lord Zuko enjoyed the silence, however. Just being in the presence of the woman who had made him completely question his entire philosophy on life was enough. He only hoped that this was not some cruel dream, then again, even if it was he would be fine with that too.
Feeling bold, his fingers found Katara's knee and stroked soft circles. Surprisingly, she did not flinch, but instead tan fingers entangled between his. The action caused them to speak simultaneously.
"Sorry!" They said.
Katara giggled while Zuko smirked with a blush. "I.." They spoke again. "You…?"
Katara let out a sigh, shaking her head with a warm smile. "You go first," she ordered, giving his shoulder a nudge with her own, her fingers clasping tighter with his.
"Well, I was going to say the same to you," started Zuko, ashamed of his reddening face. "I hope this isn't a dream".
Katara's eyes widened and Zuko wanted to kick himself hard at his poor choice of words. He was not much of a smooth talker, though he had gotten better thanks to his sister's coaching, yet even she would struggle in this type of social interaction. During their secret meetings, Azula had taught him how to take command with his voice. The last lesson had been on how to threaten public executions without batting an eye.
Zuko wondered what was going on in the mysterious, young woman's mind. Barely hours before, she had lashed out at him after saving his life again. His guilt burned in his chest as he knew she was thinking of Aang.
I shouldn't want this. He reminded himself.
"And now we're friends," Aang said on the day of Fire Lord Zuko's coronation.
"Yeah, I guess we are friends".
"In the water tribe," Katara spoke, interrupting his thoughts. "We are taught that time is precious. Even mistakes are a lesson learned and we should seize the little moments with all of our power".
Zuko thought on this philosophy when a thought occurred to him. Leaning his head out of the palanquin, he said, "Sir, please, let us down here, we'll walk".
The palanquin halted and the two stepped out. It was very late on Solstice Eve, but Zuko pulled his hood over his face, his shoulder length hair covering much of his scar. Katara was dressed in traditional Fire Nation clothing, her look somewhat disguised as the two walked hand in hand into a rundown tavern on the outskirts of the capital.
The place was popular with the city's underground world as well as commoners looking for somewhere to commence secret love affairs without the risk of disapproving eyes and ears. A band was playing when Zuko and Katara spotted a round table at the back of the tavern away from the crowd.
"Dancing's back I see," Katara observed as she leaned closer towards the fire lord.
Zuko was glad to see her seem to relax. It made him feel more at ease as they were serenated by the band on the stage. "Best law I've overturned so far," he said, carefully placing an arm around the waterbender's naked shoulders. Thankfully, Katara leaned in, placing her head on his shoulder. The action made Zuko's heart melt impossibly more for her. He desired the warm-hearted woman bred in the cold lands of icy water tribe with his whole heart. It terrified him that he could not shake his feelings for her. Aang would be furious enough to perhaps attack him for how he felt for the waterbender. Yet, at this very moment, Zuko could care less. A burn of envy rippled in his chest at the thought of Aang being allowed full access to Katara. The thought of her lips touching anyone's, but his made his chi flare.
"This is nice," said Katara, placing a quick kiss on the young ruler's neck as if knowingly easing his feelings.
"It is," Zuko said, returning a kiss on her forehead.
Katara's head lifted at the very moment his lips lifted and theirs met. The music stopped abruptly, making Zuko panic. Did someone notice him? The crowd was dispersing, taking seats at tables, or the bar.
"Excuse me," called Zuko to a nearby waitress. "What's going on?"
The pretty woman smiled. "Just the karaoke competition's about to start. Is this your first time here?"
Zuko nodded. "Well, you're in for a treat. I hear the reigning champion's here tonight. It's been weeks since she was last here. How about I get you and your lady a drink on the house for your first time?"
Looking to Katara for approval, the waterbender leaned up, asking, "Do you guys have, um, Ocean Breeze or…or cactus juice?"
Both Zuko and the waitress raised confused eyebrows.
"Nevermind," mumbled Katara, turning red.
"How about two Ember Island Iced Teas?" Zuko ordered.
The waitress nodded, hurrying off.
"Tea?" Asked Katara. "I, um, thought we were drinking alcohol, sorry".
Zuko chuckled at the beauty's innocence. "Don't worry, it has plenty of alcohol," he assured her.
Katara giggled, squeezing the young ruler's hand playfully. The waitress brought their teas just as the competition's first contestant, a woman, appeared onstage in front of the band.
"Jin?" Zuko mistakenly muttered aloud.
Katara squinted in the performer's direction. She had never seen the woman before, yet the fire lord obviously knew her. The girl began to bellow a beautiful rendition of Where are you Christmas? Swaying the audience with her voice.
"You know her?"
Zuko nodded. "I met her in Ba Sing Se". Though she felt there was more to the story, yet instead of pursuing it, Katara simply nodded.
After Jin blew the crowd away, a young man stepped onto the stage next.
"Jet?" The secret couple asked simultaneously.
"Hmph, looks like I'm not the only one who made friends in the Earth Kingdom," Zuko said with a smirk as Jet broke out with a beautiful, blues ballad called Hard Times.
Katara shrugged, kissing the man on his smirking lips. "Perhaps," she said, sweetly.
They chuckled, exchanging another liplock that lasted a while. Aang's face appeared in Zuko's mind, glowing eyes and powerful surges of the elements at his beck and call. Former Fire Lord Ozai's disheveled form through silver bars, disgraced and powerless in every way made the new fire lord feel sick. He banished the thoughts quickly from his mind and deepened the kiss, eliciting a delicious moan from the avatar's girlfriend that eased him.
"What are we doing, Katara?" He whispered, panting as their foreheads touched.
"I don't know, Zuko. I should be with Aang right now". She whispered back.
"But…you're not," Zuko said, hating himself for stating the obvious.
He wanted to further mutilate himself when Katara pulled away suddenly, taking her lovely hand with her.
Please…don't leave. He begged silently.
"I should go," Katara said quietly.
"Yeah," Zuko answered.
The waterbender was about to leave when the crowd roared as a woman emerged from the front of the stage, her flowing, pink dress dragging behind her as she took to the stage. She was obviously the crowd favorite and the reigning champion that the waitress had mentioned. Blowing a kiss at the admiring spectators, the woman winked at someone seated in the front row.
"It is always great to be here". Said the high pitched voice of Ty Lee to the crowd. "I know you guys love my party songs, but I am hoping you are with the person who has your heart no matter how wrong others think it may be".
She paused as the crowd applauded. Zuko glanced at Katara. The waterbender's hand found his knee and her head, his shoulder as she sighed, deeply.
"This song is special to me for many reasons. I hope you will listen to the words and feel the love I feel right now. I have waited so long for my dragon to return to me. This song is for you. I will always be in your flame, My Love".
The band began a slow ballad that had the crowd on their feet in a slow waltz before Ty Lee's voice broke in.
"Should we?" Asked the fire lord with a hopeful gaze into ocean blue eyes.
Katara smiled, taking his hand to be lead into the thick of the crowd. Ty Lee's voice filled the room, surprisingly as beautiful and majestic as an angel. Even Zuko, who had known his sister's best friend for years was stunned at how her voice seemed to melt the tavern with its beauty.
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance".
Katara's lips met Zuko's as they danced, a tear dropping between them. Neither knew to whom it belonged, nor did they care as their bodies pressed together. Zuko's hands wrapped about the small of Katara's back, the waterbender's hand rubbed his scar.
".I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance".
The two were lost in each other as the multi-talented acrobat bellowed the song's ending. The band continued playing as Ty Lee spoke to the roaring crowd. "I've realized Time is a wheel in constant motion, always rolling us along and really who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone?"
Bowing, the reigning champion was crowned once again and with a smile she gestured to the person in the front row that she had seemed to sing to personally. The band continued playing the melody even after Ty Lee finished singing. Zuko thought about commending her on a great job, until the long, dark-haired guy she was with caught his eye. At first, Zuko figured it to be some new boy toy Ty Lee was smitten over, yet he immediately recognized the dragon emperor mask covering the petite man's face as well as the royal Fire Nation uniform.
"Wait here," he commanded to Katara as he rushed towards Ty Lee as she was lifted down from the stage by the masked man.
The acrobat and her beau pressed against each other and the dragon emperor mask was slightly lifted so their lips could meet. Zuko caught the red lipstick immediately. His eyes bulged at the new revelation.
"Azula!" He nearly choked, snatching the mask from his sister's head.
The crowd could care less of the drama unfolding as the band played on.
"What is this? Ty? Sis?" Zuko stepped back, seeing his sister in a different light.
He thought on his decision to betray Katara in Ba Sing Se, and how Azula and Ty Lee seemed inseparable on the ship and Ember Island. The two had insisted on sharing a bed each night. Finally, he remembered his sister's release from the mental institution. She had calmed immediately despite being chi blocked by the acrobat. After they had made their deal to go to Hira'a in search of their mother, Azula had insisted that Ty Lee guard her the night before their departure. Everything…made…sense, now.
Ty Lee grabbed Azula's arm possessively. "She's not hurting anyone, Zuko," she insisted. "Please, just leave us alone. We are having a good time".
Zuko looked between the two, mind awhirl. "I don't know what to say".
Azula smirked in her usual manner, much calmer than the trembling Ty Lee on her arm. "You will say nothing". She commanded. "You will keep your mouth shut about us as we will about you and the avatar's beloved. You owe me. Do you accept my proposition, Brother?"
Zuko nodded. As quickly as he came, Zuko left the women to their business. "We have to go. I can escort you back to Aang if you'd like".
Katara gave him a confused look. "Well, I was hoping to go home with you," she answered, nearly flooring the fire lord.
The two left for the palanquin just as the sun was rising on the solstice.
Notes: Credits to kdinthecity for the alcohol names, I totally "borrowed" them without permission, forgive me, Friend, but you did challenge me haha! Also Ty Lee's song and part of her speech come from I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack. As always, reviews are always nice. Next prompt coming soon. Hope you enjoyed, QTZ.