Day 7: Jealousy

Zuko is approached by a young woman in a seedy bar after being mistaken for a male escort. They both come together due to their painful marriages. A attraction ensues, finding themselves falling in each others arms.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender

It was all a hoax. A cruel joke. It had to be. The young firebender tapped his empty glass on the bar counter, watching sullenly as his cup was filled, Agni knows how many times. No matter how many shots he's downed, it would not subside the raw-numbing pain that had him in the slums seeking solace at the bottom of a bottle.

He snorted crudely, thinking about how the palace was in an uproar over his absence. Right now, he didn't care. Right now, he didn't give a damn what other people thought, or what they expected of him, or how he was the figurehead of a whole nation that proceeded to bombard him with constant responsibilities that kept him up well into the night.

None of it mattered as much right now than his broken heart. How sick he felt. So, so fucking sick, he was tempted to crush the glass in his hand until it crumbled into a million pieces like his very heart.

Catching Mai with a man in their marriage bed while making a diplomatic visit to the Northern Water Tribe was the last thing he expected to witness returning home after almost five months away. After breaking her lovers hand, causing the poor man to stumble out the room nursing it while naked, him and Mai ended up in a screaming match.

Things were thrown, words exchanged with disdain, piercing each other like sharp knives, and tears were shed. Mai claimed that he was inattentive, weak-willed and a failure as a husband. Zuko claimed that she was unemotional, unfaithful and a failure as a Fire Lady.

Her stiletto cut through the arm of his robe, but not as deep as she cut through his heart. Angry tears welled, but he would not give her the satisfaction of seeing his frustration. Making his final statement, Zuko told her she was to leave the palace in three days' time, in which if she did not, would result in a public humiliating divorce that would ruin not only her reputation and that of her family's, but also hinder any chance of her remarrying.

Satisfied with her dumbfounded expression, Zuko rushed out the room, making his way to someplace no one would bother him.

The door to the sleazy bar opened. The Fire Lord's gaze flickered to the door unconsciously, and in walked a woman clutching her brown cloak. She carefully observed the bar in what looked like a debate before seating herself at the other end of the bar counter, hesitantly taking a seat after dusting off the chair.

Zuko shook his head, turning his attention back to yet another empty glass and waited for the bartender to pour another shot of firewhiskey.

"What will it be, dear?" The bartender spoke in a deep, baritone voice. It seemed to have startled the woman. Her striking blue eyes peeked from behind the shadow of her hood and she gave the man a forced smile.

"Just, um, a glass of your strongest saki please." She replied. To Zuko her voice was soothing, gentle like calming waves.

His mind replayed the days he playfully sat in his mother's lap, listening to the baby turtleducks splash in the pond of the palace's royal gardens. He would have easily sought sanctuary there, if he did not feel the need to disclose himself at the moment.

"Coming right up." The bartender tapped the counter. The woman gave a quiet 'thank you' before shyly averting her eyes to her lap.

If she was not the social type, why bother to come to a public bar? Zuko thought. Not that he had a better excuse, he wasn't exactly here to be social either. As long as everyone else kept to themselves, he could wallow in his own self-pity in peace.

Time passed. The only sounds in the bar were the quiet exchanges of three other people at a table and the bartender's movements. The woman at the end of the bar sipped on her drink, stopping to take a look around the facility.

Zuko tried to dismiss it but he had this uncanny feeling that the woman was staring at him. Her scrutiny did not get by him. His inner voice told him to ignore it and worry about where he was going to rent a room for the night and the other told him to tell this hag to piss off.

He chose the former, keeping his face forward.

A presence looming to his left caused him to go stiff. Zuko suppressed the irritated groan bubbling in his throat and his scarred eye caught the woman standing near him from his peripheral vision.

The woman opened her mouth as though to speak, closing it in a hurry before pursing her lips in a thin line. Zuko arched a brow, waiting for her to spit out whatever it was she was holding back.

"Um…I was told- Spirits…" Her cheeks burned red. She licked her lips, covering her eyes with a hand. "To be honest; I'm not good at this. This…"

The woman dug through the pocket of her clock and pulled out a brown coin pouch. Zuko could hear the quickening of her breath. He stared indifferent at the pouch, the alcohol delaying his thought process, and when it hit him what she was requesting. He spit out his drink.

The woman brought the pouch to her chest, startled by Zuko's coughing fit. "I'm sorry, was this supposed to be discreet?" she asked in a hush. "The, uh-" she cleared her throat. "The ladies by the docks had said I would be able to identify you."

Zuko inhaled once he managed to catch his breath. Her statement threw him for a loop. What in Agni's name gave her the idea that he was a male escort?

Before he could correct her, she removed her hood, revealing the face of someone not from this country. Zuko caught glimpses of her features when she first entered the facility, but now that he had a good look at her, she was absolutely stunning. Brown skin, long chocolate hair tied into a high ponytail. Her blue eyes were a glimmering cerulean, tinted with grief and pain that the Fire Lord was all too familiar with.

Water Tribe, he guessed.

Something told him she wasn't a thrill seeker.

"Look…" He started, running his fingers through his hair. How does he explain this misunderstanding?

"I-I know this is odd to say…" Her eyes caught his gaze and suddenly Zuko found himself swimming in those perfect irises. "But you are a lot more handsome than what I was informed."

Zuko's brows shot up and his curiosity got the best of him. "I don't mean to pry but, what was it exactly that these…references have told you?"

Her ears turned pink. How could someone he never met make his heart jump speed?

"Well, I was told that you were tall, long hair and had a scar…"

What are the odds? Zuko almost rolled his eyes.

"…and, um, you were Agni's gift to women."

Zuko buried his face in his arms. He could feel the woman's confused gaze on his back as his body shook with laughter. He meant no disrespect. He was just more humored by the situation itself rather than the woman that approached him believing that this particular gigolo she's been hearing about, is apparently some sort of Sex God. His day went from heartache to interesting. Zuko couldn't find himself discounting this woman.

"What is your name?" He asked.

"Ka-Kya."

Anonymous. That's okay.

"Lee." Zuko introduced. "Is there somewhere private we can talk?"

When he said private, he didn't mean alone in the room of an inn.

The shy smile on her face as she poured him tea made the corner of his lip twitch. He was thinking maybe a walk or somewhere less seedy than a bar. He had every intention of telling her that he was not who she was sent to find and that someone as lovely as her didn't have to stoop down to purchasing a man for the night.

But, he followed her, enchanted by her calm demeanor and cerulean eyes. A faint jump to his heart drew him in a daze, and now here he was, sitting across a small round table from her as she happily served him tea.

Not wanting to take advantage of her kindness, Zuko had to confess. "Look," He swallowed hard. "I think you have the wrong idea. I'm not an escort. I-I'm just a…guy." He awaited for her reaction, but she patiently waited for him to continue. "A-uh- married guy."

That seemed to have done that trick as her faced contorted in confusion. "Oh."

"Believe me when I say, I was not trying to lead you on." He tried to save. "I-I just thought you should know that something like searching for an escort…You're a beautiful woman, Kya, I'm sure there are plenty of men who would happily court you."

She cocked her head, before releasing a sigh. "I'm not exactly looking for an emotional affair, Lee." She admitted.

"Huh?"

She laughed sweetly. "I'm a lonely woman looking for…something physical. Unattached." Her hand caressed the betrothal necklace Zuko now noticed around her neck. "I- I spent the last two years mourning. I had barely left my home, leaving my two children to care for themselves while I laid pathetically in my bed day in and day out unsure of how I could move on without my husband."

Zuko knew that look. It was loss. It was what his uncle wore when Lu Ten died. It was a reflection of himself when he lost his mother.

"I'm, uh, I'm so sorry. I can imagine what it's like."

A sad smile graced her lips. "I'm not naive, Lee. I am aware of what I am doing. After my husband died, I miscarried." She breathed shakenly. "But I cannot allow my past sorrows to dictate my future. My children needed me, and after I forced myself to make my life right by them, I only thought it okay to, for once, make my life right for myself. I want to be selfish, because…because all my life I have done nothing but give."

Zuko grasped her hand, caressing the knuckles with his thumb. "You seem like a wonderful person, Kya. Your husband must've been the luckiest man in the world to have such a devoted wife." If only he could experience that kind of love. He felt a pang of jealousy which he immediately dismissed. What sort of idiot would be jealous of a dead man?

"Not all things are perfect on the surface." You're telling me, Zuko thought, disappointed when she slipped her hand from his. "Is it considered normal for a married man to accompany a woman from a bar."

Zuko scoffed. "If you consider it normal after catching your wife cheating on you in your marriage bed."

Her eyes widened. "Spirits, Lee. I'm so sorry." She licked her lips. "I don't blame you for wanting to drown out your pain at a bar."

"Yeah, well, not a lot could be done. This isn't the first time but after the years of putting up with this, it most certainly is the last. I thought...that after all these years, she would change. Now look at me, almost thirty and nothing to show for it. We don't even have children. She refused for so long. It should have been the biggest fucking clue where our marriage was going. Having a family meant everything to me."

Zuko chugged the tea, turning away when he felt the tears gloss his eyes.

He was so lost in a whirlwind of his self-entitled pity party, he didn't notice Katara move to sit next to him. Or her hand massaging his bicep. Or her head leaning gently on his shoulder. He cast his eyes in her direction, breath hitched at the sight of those alluring blue eyes.

"It's okay to allow yourself to grieve for your marriage. I learned that the hard way." Her cool breath felt good against his bare skin. When he had left the palace, he borrowed a servant's civilian attire, only wearing a sleeveless red tunic with gold armbands and black trousers. He tied his hair from his usual topknot to a low ponytail that now sprawled over his shoulder, Kya idly playing with the ends.

"Kya." He murmured. It did not catch her attentions at first. Zuko guessed because it was not her real name. "Kya?" He inquired a little louder, his voice vibrating from his chest, and he seen her shudder.

"Oh, sorry."

"Kya?" He said again, more coolly.

"Hmm?"

"Can I kiss you."

Her face went crimson, and the shyness returned. Bowing her head, she nodded. Zuko cupped her chin, tilting it upward. He leaned in hesitantly, closing his eyes tight and then opening them. He was once again struck by the eyes that reminded him of the ocean.

Doubt crept in his mind. This was wrong. Zuko wasn't the type to cheat and it especially wasn't a pass because his wife had done the same.

"You don't have to do this." Katara whispered inches from his lips. "Just know that I would never do anything to make you feel uncomfortable. Everything you had to endure will soon be a memory but don't let what happened to you be the reason that you choose to be with me tonight."

Zuko pursed his lips, running his hand through his hair and loosening the ponytail. "Then what should be the reason?"

"Simple." She grinned. "Because I'm a damn good-looking woman."

He snickered, burying his face in his hands, shaken with laughter. She was just too adorable.

They spent the evening talking, the alcohol he consumed earlier starting to dissolve. Kya was a breath of fresh air. She was attentive, a very good listener. She treated him as though he was an old friend and not like she was obligated to be nice to him due to his status. The way her eyes lit up when she spoke of her children reminded him of his mother. Which led to an even deeper conversation where she spoke about how the Fire Nation took her mother and Zuko sympathized. For her to hold no ill will towards the Fire Nation due to his ancestors was astonishing.

He could never be that strong. If he lost his mother like that, he could forgive anyone.

The night wore on and Zuko found himself kissing her closed eyelids. He traced his fingertips up and down her arm and he could feel the ridges of gooseflesh forming where they trailed. Her soft whimpers jump started his heart rate and he could feel his stomach clench in anticipation.

"Lee." She pleaded. Kya opened her mouth to say something else only to close it shut in a stifled groan when his hand moved from her shoulder to brush the peak of her clothed breast and he could feel the nub harden as his knuckle circled the areola.

"Zuko." He corrected, finally bringing his lips to hers before she could respond. And spirits did she taste good. The palate of tea and a hint of alcohol had him inhaling sharply through his nose. He flushed his body against hers, forcing her on her back and she hummed approvingly, locking her legs around his waist.

"Katara." She answered back, stopping to look into his golden orbs and they were beautiful. Her arms wrapped around his neck and brought him closer for a deeper kiss.

Zuko's temperature began to rise, the clothes he wore weighing down heavily on his person. He almost went cross eyed when Katara flattened her feet on the floor and thrust her hips upward to grind against his.

He hissed, grinding back and she shrieked, mouth gaped open, chest heaving from heavy pants. Katara clung to his body, fingers digging into the softness of his clothed back. She couldn't stop rocking her hips and his cock was as hard as steel, hard enough to send a perfect friction on her sensitive cleft. She threw her head back, crying out from her climax and Zuko moaned loudly, losing himself with her.

"Fuck." Zuko rasped. That's not how he wanted to end it. "I'm sorry."

Katara laughed, wiping the sweat from her brow. "No, no." she panted. "That was…wow. I haven't had an orgasm that way before."

Zuko blushed from his neck to his ears from how direct she was but it still didn't excuse the fact that it was over, and they hadn't even made it to the bed yet.

"Don't give that defeated look just yet, stranger." Katara patted his cheek playfully with a chuckle. "The good thing about being a housewife for eleven years, is that you have time to learn a thing or two in the marriage bed."

"Ho-How old were you when you married?"

"Hmm, sixteen." She answered casually while undressing. Zuko watched her remove every article attentively before shaking his head and remembering to do the same. "He was fourteen." Katara laughed when he stopped midway. "Don't give me that look. We loved each other very much, we just couldn't wait."

Wow, was all he could think.

"On the bed, handsome." She told him, flushing her naked body against his and groping his ass. He flinched from her cool touch and fell backwards when the back of his knees met the bed.

Katara straddled him, obviously amused by his reaction. Her hips rolled on top of him, Zuko's eyes pinched with a sharp gasp. She planted butterfly kisses down his chest, fingers ghosting over his neck and pecs, until she reached his nipple and circled the nub causing him to buck. Katara smiled against his skin as she felt him grow hard against her thigh.

Zuko allowed her to take the lead, curious of her next move. She mentioned wanting to move into a different position and the Fire Lord found himself buried between her legs while she lied opposite on top of him with his member in her mouth. She felt so good. Mouth hot and wet and tongue circling his base until she reached the tip and suckled gently.

Zuko groaned against her lower lips, having a hard time keeping up due to the distraction. He had never done anything like this before, and Agni, she had him on a whirlwind. His fingers dug into her thighs and he was eager to make her feel like she made him feel.

He suckled on her clit, teeth nibbling lightly on the swollen nub. Katara removed his cock from her mouth with a pop and he could hear her pants rising. Confidence warmed in his chest and Zuko suppressed a shudder. He moved to her slit, slipping his tongue inside and consumed her fluids like it was his last meal. Her moans turned to cries then shrieks, the last call to his name caught in her throat with a pitch and her orgasm flowed deliciously into his waiting mouth.

Mai never allowed him to do this, but this…this was more beautiful than he anticipated. Feeling Katara tremble, hearing her call his name from being pushed to the edge, Zuko didn't think he had it in him to make someone react to his ministrations.

His mind was still in a daze when she adjusted herself on top of him. Zuko hissed, clenching the bed sheets, mouth gaped open. He looked up to see Katara sliding down on his cock facing away from him and his eyes followed the beads of sweat trickling down her back as she concentrated on sitting on top of him. She had stated her husband died two years ago, so he couldn't imagine how it felt for her after so long.

But she was quick to recover, gripping his thighs and grinding against him. Katara undid her ponytail, her waist length hair swung back and forth as she rode him. It was the most alluring sight Zuko had ever set eyes on.

His vision began to blur as he rose higher and higher, so close to coming. Zuko's hands on her waist guided her movements. Katara encouraged him not to stop, begging him to bring her to another climax, and his body tensed as he felt her sleek walls clamp around him then contract. Zuko let out a low moan as he came with her, static obscuring his hearing and his vision faded in and out.

Zuko had never came so strongly. He licked his salty lips. He laughed delightfully when Katara got up and landed playfully in his arms. She was obviously giddy herself, stating that the night was not over and that he will be unprepared for what she had in mind.

He kissed her temple with a smile. This was wrong, of course, he was most likely stooping to Mai's level, but it didn't stop it from feeling so right. He had only known this woman for mere hours, yet he felt more alive now than he ever did his whole marriage.

"I look forward to it."