Chapter Twenty-One: Reunion

Kai was a nervous, angry mess on the five day trip to Ba Sing Se, and his mood didn't improve by the time they had actually reached the city. They couldn't dock at their usual ending point down the river, and Kai enlisted a select team of the crew members to accompany him: Skoochy, Otaku, Appa, Nukko, and Tyyo.

"We'll be back once we have her," Kai told his crew, as they set off in a carriage, restless and angry on the ride into the city.

It was even more chaotic than Pema had said. Some part of the wall had crumbled and less than half the trains going in between each ring were even running, and they had to bend over backwards to get on without the proper passports and tickets. They had to check Jinora's apartment first, which was honestly where he was hoping she was, safe and sound if scared. If she wasn't, they could look at the places she might've been trapped in when everything started, like the Yeshe Library. And if she wasn't anywhere she could be safe, then they'd see if there were any signs anywhere of where she could have been taken.

His heart dropped to his stomach when he got to her apartment. He didn't even have to open the door; it was already smashed open, to a completely upturned, looted room. He slammed his fist against the door, letting out a frustrated growl, only clamping his mouth shut when he heard the noise of shuffling coming from the bedroom, and drew his sword.

He crept towards the bedroom door, thinking of the nights he and Jinora had shared there, fury flaring in his chest at whoever had sacked her home, whoever was intruding upon it, before he flung the door open and found a long faced man going through her drawers.

The man gave him a somewhat sleazy grin—maybe he thought he was just another looter—until Kai pinned him against the wall with a dagger pressed against his throat. "Where is she?!" Kai demanded. "Tell me where she is or I'll slit your fucking throat!"

"I—I don't know—" the man wheezed, and Kai loosened his hold by a fraction.

"There was a young woman who lived here," Skoochy hissed. "Slim, brunette. She's not here anymore. You see who took her?"

"I'm just taking things, I didn't take her—"

"But did you see who did?" Appa said, cracking his knuckles.

The man gulped. "I think it was Shady Shin. He's—he's the head of a gang around these parts, he took most of the rich folks from this apartment, I think."

Kai levelled his sword, glowering. "You," he said, dangerously calm, "are you going to tell us every fucking thing you know about Shady Shin, including where to find him."

###

Jinora was miserable and aching, leaning against the wall with her hands bound. The warehouse—or at least she could only suppose it was part of a warehouse—was mostly empty now except for herself and her captors. The dozen or so people they had taken as well had already been let go after receiving the ransom, mostly from family members who lived close to the city but not in it, even if the released victims were expected to find their own way out of the hellhole.

Jinora only hoped her family would send the payment soon, even if her stomach churned at how high a sum they were asking for, and then maybe she could get a carriage if she found a kind stranger, or if she sent a letter to Kai. Her throat was dry and she didn't trust these men at all. The other hostages had been blatantly made fun of for their appearance, but she knew the men found her attractive, and it made her want to throw up every time she let herself dwell on it for too long.

The money would come soon and she could fight her way out if she absolutely had to. She still remembered how to fight with a sword, even if in this case it would likely be a stick, or how to throw a good punch or two.

She just wished, beyond that she was safe at home, that she wasn't so hungry and tired and thirsty all of the time. In the week they'd had her, roughly, they had barely fed her or gave her water, and sleeping like this, sitting up with ropes digging into her skin, was hardly comfortable. She had a crick in her neck that flared up with greater intensity every time she woke up, and she was always tired.

Hopefully she'd be back with her family soon. Hopefully.

She glanced up when she heard some noise from outside the prisoner's area, a light shining through the small window in the door. Someone was fighting? Someone was losing. Had another group of kidnappers come to raid whoever was left?

There was a heavy clang at the door—the sound of a lock being broken—but she couldn't find it in herself to stand up. If it was another group coming to steal her away, maybe she could escape when they transported her out of wherever she was. She could pretend to be exhausted (which admittedly wasn't far from the truth) and make a break for it when the chance came and they'd underestimated her.

The door swung open, and she thought her fatigue was finally making her hallucinate. Kai?

His eyes widened with recognition when he saw her, and he ran to her, pulling the cell keys out of his pocket—must've gotten them in the fight—and threw her cell door open.

"Kai," she managed, her throat dry. She wanted to jump up and hug him, maybe kiss him—it was alright in this case, right?—but she could only muster up the energy to lift her arms toward him, melting into him when he picked her up in a hug and held her against his chest.

"You're okay now," he whispered into her hair. "God, Jinora, I was—you're safe now, we're going to take you back to the ship and take you back home. I got you. I'm sorry I took so long. Can you walk?"

She took a shaky step forward, rapidly blinking back tears of relief, and only fell further into him. "S-sorry—"

He shushed her, and she buried her face in his warm chest, in his steadiness, as he reached down and cut her ropes. "It's okay, I can just carry you. It's gonna be okay." He scooped her up bridal style, cradling her as she let her exhaustion finally takeover.

She trusted him.

###

She was warm when she woke up. Slowly, Jinora opened her eyes, and the ache in her neck was mostly gone. Wherever she was felt familiar, and soft, and warm. There was a gentle rocking and the sheets smelt like the sea and something earthier and warmer. Kai. There was a calloused palm gently holding her hand, the one that dangled off the side of the bed, and she realized she was in his room, in his bed, on the Waterbender, safe and heading home at last.

"Hey," he said gently, running a thumb over her knuckles. "How are you feeling?"

"T-thirsty," she managed, her stomach gurgling loudly.

He smiled a little, even if she was disappointed when he let go of her hand. He felt like her anchor to the better reality she was now in, like she'd wake up back in that cold cell if she didn't hold on.

"Longshot said you probably would be," Kai said, taking a glass of water from his bedside table, and handing it to her. There was a straw, which was she grateful for, as her arms felt heavy and weak all at once, and she didn't want to slosh it all over herself, or the...new top she was wearing? "There's soup too, when you're ready for it."

"Who's clothes am I…" she trailed off. It was a relief to be out of her dress after a week of wearing it, but she couldn't help but be curious, even if she knew all the crew were perfect gentlemen and nothing but respectful.

The tips of his ears turned red. "Your old clothes were pretty dirty, so… I took them off and washed you up, just a bit. You're wearing one of my shirts, now."

She rested back against the pillows, taking a long drink from her straw, before saying, "Thank you."

"I wrote a letter to your family too, once we got you back here. Sent it last night, so they should be getting it soon."

Jinora took another long drink, a little bit of water dribbling over her bottom lip when she let go of the straw. "Kai," she said, her voice still weak, "can I have some of the soup now?"

He leaned up and kissed her forehead, before bringing the bowl of soup into her lap. It was a warm and comforting weight, with a yellowish hue and smelled as good as anything Daw had ever cooked, rich and full of vegetables.

"Of course, love," he said softly. "Daw made your favourite. Carrot-onion soup."

Jinora tested her strength, and was glad when it turned out she was able to feed herself in small spoonfuls. She had to go slow, which was probably the best for her deprived stomach, and Kai mostly watched her eat in silence, until the spoon hit the bottom of the empty bowl with a soft clink, and he went and put it on his desk before returning to her.

"How did you find me?" she asked, when her fingers fumbled against his, and he took her hand again.

"Found someone trying to rob your apartment. We were able to recover most of your belongings, but—"

"It's okay. I didn't have much of monetary value anyway."

"We interrogated the guy, he said you were probably taken by Shady Shin. We tracked down some of his followers, which led us to where you were being held, and…" He search her face, eyes full of concern. "Do you remember anything?"

She swallowed. "I...I was trying to blockade the doors and windows. The university was on shutdown, but I'm not on the main campus, so… I blocked off the door, but someone came in through a window I didn't get to, on the fire escape. We fought, I—" She smiled slightly. "I did manage to punch a guy in the nose," she said, and he chuckled softly, "but there were too many, and… It's kind of a blur from there."

"Did anyone hurt you?"

"Beyond tying me up, no." Her smile flickered, and his jaw clenched. "They were crude though. Made comments. I—I was so scared."

Kai squeezed her hand. "You're safe now. I'll never let anyone hurt you again."

Jinora almost smiled, but tears pricked at her eyes instead. "That's a hard promise to keep."

"And one I intend on keeping, no matter what." He pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. "I was so scared I'd lost you."

"When you showed up, I thought you were just another dream." She scooted closer to him. "Too good to be true."

He cupped her cheek with his other hand, stroking his thumb over its curve. "I will always come back for you. Always."

Jinora's eyes watered again, and she leaned up and kissed him, taking him by surprise. His mouth was as warm and chapped as she remembered, but she quickly pulled away, averting her eyes. "S-sorry, I know we're not supposed to—"

He kissed her, taking her face in his hands and holding her gently, even as he sucked on her bottom lip until they were both gasping for breath. "Not hindering?" he asked hoarsely.

"No," she managed, barely finding her voice. "Helping." She melted into him when he kissed her again, and she threaded her fingers through his hair as he joined her on the bed, their mouths softening when he wrapped his arms around her waist and she snuggled up to him. "I love you," she murmured, drawing away with a slight yawn.

Kai tucked her hair behind her ears. "I love you too, Jin." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close. "Sleep well."

She closed her eyes, sinking into his warmth. For the first time in a while she slept soundly, wrapped up in his arms.

###

She woke up to the smell of cinnamon, and opened her eyes to see Kai coming in with a full tray.

"Good, you're awake," he said, and Jinora smiled brightly, gently pushing herself into a sitting position.

"Kai… You brought breakfast?"

He nodded, setting the tray down on his desk. "Longshot wasn't sure if you'd be up to pancakes and waffles yet, so I brought some maple cinnamon oatmeal, and some lychee juice."

She smiled, warmth blooming in her chest as he placed the bowl of oatmeal in her hands, their fingers brushing in the exchange. He sat down next to her, brushing her hair out of her face.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice soft.

"Much better than yesterday," she confirmed, blowing on a spoonful of oatmeal before eating it. "God I missed Daw's cooking." She ate the rest of her meal, largely in silence except for the clinking of her spoon and the bottom of her glass against the tray he'd brought in, when she finally broke it, panic filling her for a moment. "Wait, the Fongs, and—"

Kai was quick to reassure her. "I had Skoochy check their library and he and Tyyo found their home address. There were no signs of a struggle and they had a hard time breaking the lock. It doesn't look like anything was taken, even if the windows were smashed. You said their daughter works in the police force, right? She probably knew what was coming and got Mr and Mrs Fong out in time." He brushed her hair out of her eyes. "But I've sent a letter anyway, just to check up. And you said your friends Min and Yalae lived in the middle ring?"

"Yin and Malae, yes," she corrected quietly, her heart rate going down now that she knew Aika, Tullik, and even the grumpy Misun, were likely safe. "I know they were planning on leaving the city anyway… they graduated early back in January and had finally saved enough for their honeymoon." Her shoulders sagged in relief as she remembered. "They left the city a couple days before everything went wrong." A small smile played across her lips. "I guess they just missed it."

She watched Kai swallow, before he said, softly, "I missed you."

Jinora looked up at him with a small smile, and rested a free hand over the curve of his jaw. "I missed you too. And, thankfully, we're not a rioting city." She leaned in and kissed him chastely, if briefly, before pulling away. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine." He leaned into her touch. "Less tired. I—I couldn't really sleep, when you were missing." His eyes flickered to her lips for a moment. "Are you sure that...this is okay?"

"I didn't know if I would ever see you again," she said quietly, "and Dr. Khun said allowing yourself to feel and act on your emotions is a good thing, as long as it's with a healthy coping mechanism. If I woke up and you hadn't been in the room, I think I would have been terrified—my head is still trying to convince my heart that you're really here, and that I'm with you." She ghosted her lips over his, nipping lightly. "Please, Kai. Convince me."

He cupped her face, his hands shaking as his other one found the curve of her hip. "Jin," he breathed, "please don't—tempt me, it's already hard enough—I don't want you to regret it—your reputation, your recovery—"

She smoothed a hand down over his neck, underneath the collar of his shirt. "Just once won't hurt. We'll give each other everything, one more time, to get it out of our systems, and then we can go back to our friendship… My reputation is already in shambles, and I've learned not to care, and being friends again has helped me make the biggest leaps forward in my recovery…" She moved closer, pressing her body to his. "I won't regret it. I could never regret being with you, even when you broke my heart or we fought or it ended badly. Never. Please, baby?"

Kai slowly pulled her closer, his eyes dropping to her mouth. "I want you," he said thickly, "so badly… are you sure?"

Jinora slanted her mouth over his, kissing him firmly. "I love you," she said, sighing when he leaned in to resume it. "I want you."

Kai drew away from her, undoing the front of his pants and pushing them down. Jinora glanced down at the sight of him, hard and erect, as she rested her forehead against his. She reached down and took him in her hand, stroking him once before going to remove her own pants and underwear.

Kai let his weight settle over her as they laid on his bed together, his hand cupping her crotch and stroking her entrance as she softly stroked him too. It was so nice to hold her and feel her like this again, warm and safe and knowing they still fit together just as well as they used to.

"I love you too," he murmured, drawing his hand away, and gripping her hip instead. Jinora moaned softly as he entered and filled her, winding her thighs around his hips as he thrusted slowly and softly, yet still deep. He threaded his fingers through her hair, cupping her cheek and stroking its curve as he kissed her.

Jinora let out soft, pleased sounds as they made love, slow and soft, his hands firm and anchoring her to him, to his steadiness and warmth, as he treasured the feeling of being inside her again, snug between her slick, warm walls. Her hands curled into his shirt, holding him close as she buried her face in his neck.

"I love you," she whispered, nuzzling into his skin. "I missed you so much baby."

Kai pressed kisses to her cheek and the underside of her jaw. "I missed you too," he whispered back, holding her tighter. "I missed this so much."

She clenched hard around him with a shudder, and a quiet hoarse cry, moaning as he continued to thrust deep into her once her grip loosened, until he spilled inside her, hot and thick. She clutched at his back, keeping him close when he went to pull away.

She pressed her mouth to his ear. "Not yet. Please. I need… I want you to stay, like this."

His voice was hoarse and hot against her neck, as he slid one hand up the curve of her waist and underneath her shirt. "Let me take this off?" he requested, playing with the hem of her shirt.

Jinora nodded, letting him pull away enough to undo the buttons, before he removed the shirt completely. She closed her eyes when his warm, rough hands cupped her breasts, and laid her hands over his. "God I missed this," she croaked. "I've thought of you so many times baby." She wrapped her arms around his neck, trembling, as she rested her forehead against his. "I am still so in love with you," she murmured, eyes wide as she searched his similarly flushed face.

He softened, and e raised his hand, gently cupping her cheek. "And I'm still in love with you," he said just as tenderly, their eyes locking. "So, so much." He kissed her more softly this time, but still just as desperately, shaping his trembling lips over hers, before he reluctantly drew away. "We should stop, this." He gestured to their bodies.

Jinora brushed a tuft of hair off his forehead, as she took his hand and held it to her heart. "Why, baby?"

"We're… I'm not ready to…" He ran his thumb along the inner curve of her breast. "Sex with you is always wonderful, but I don't know if I'm ready to have it yet without us having a relationship, again, and I… don't know if I'm ready for a relationship again, yet."

Jinora bit her lip, but she nodded slowly. "That's okay. This...this can be the last time we do this, at least for now, and then...whenever we're both ready to be...us, again."

He drew his hand away, and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Jinora."

"Of course." She gave him a small smile. "You asked me to be more patient, right?"

It was the first time he could look back on the night of their breakup, and smile, as he chuckled lightly. "I did, yeah."

"It's getting easier, now."

He pecked her on the lips, and then pulled out. "Well, I appreciate it no matter what. Hard and easy."

She smiled softly, curling into his side. "I'm willing to do all of it for you. I love you, remember? Relationship or not." She rested her head on his chest. "And… can I stay here with you for the rest of the day? I can take a different room tomorrow."

"It's okay. You stay here, and I'll have the boys clear out the cabin boy's room for me later." He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I don't want you to give up your room for me."

"It's okay. The cabin boy's room used to be mine, anyway."

"Really?" It still surprised her that after knowing him for almost seven years, there were still things she didn't know about him. But then again, it was also one of the things she loved about him.

"Yeah. I told you that I had nightmares when I was younger, right?" he asked. She nodded. "Because of that, they let me have a room to myself. I kept waking everyone else up with them. When you got to come into my room, I was already moved into the captain's quarters. It's a little bigger here, and the insulation's a little better, but there's not much difference otherwise. Oh, and that bathroom." He nodded towards the little bathroom door. "It's a lot more convenient."

She smiled at him fondly. "I like learning about you," she murmured.

Kai smiled back at her, even if his eyebrows raised a bit in surprise. "Tell me something I don't know about you, then."

"You know basically everything about me."

"I know a lot about you," he agreed, "but not everything. There's so much that's happened in our lives, and we're always changing." He smiled. "There's always something new to learn. Maybe something that happened when you were at school."

"Well… do you know what my favourite type of weather is?"

"Rain, I think? But only when you get to stay indoors."

She smiled, cocking her head to the side. "You really do remember everything."

"I like listening to you."

Jinora laughed softly. "You're still a sap."

"So come on. Tell me something." He nuzzled into her cheek. "Before we have to go back to not touching each other below the waist?"

She let out another giggle. "Fine. Um… Have I told you my favourite class so far at university yet? In my third year, not first or second?"

"Um...knowing you, it's probably history?"

She grinned. "Which one?"

"There's more than one?"

She laughed. "Yes, silly."

He leaned back against his pillows, and propped his cheek up on his hand, reaching over with his free hand to play with her hair, a gentle smile on his face. "Tell me all about it, then?"

"It's actually a specialized class on everything that happened during the war of the four nations, that divided them all up. All the generals, the different factions that arose because of some of the power vacuums, it's a two year long course I started taking in second year, although that first year was all background and context so it wasn't as much fun, but in third year we got to talk about the after effects, and…" She realized she was rambling and blushed, but Kai simply smiled at her.

"And?"

"You're not bored yet?"

"I could never get bored while listening to you talk about something you love. Besides, this might be your future career, and it's important to you, so it's important to me. I want to be part of your future, yeah?"

Her blush deepened, and she smiled. "Yeah. Well, we got to talk about the after effects, and the social structures that influence how the cultures of the four nations developed, and the particular isolation of the Water Tribes, and—"

Jinora didn't know how long she lay there talking, hours, maybe, Kai occasionally asking questions, but she did know his eyes were open and attentive the entire time.

###

"Jinora!"

Tears built in her eyes when she saw her parents standing near the docks, and she ran down the ramp as quickly as she could, flinging herself into their arms. Meelo hugged her next when she had barely parted from them, his eyes red, before Ikki and Rohan joined in too, followed by her parents again.

Kai stood watching at the foot of the ramp, his hands in his pockets as he smiled, before Pema broke away and hugged him fiercely.

"Thank you."

Kai froze, before returning the hug, resting his chin on Pema's shoulder. "I'll always bring her home," he murmured. "I promise."

She briefly pecked his cheek as she pulled away, then patted it gently, smiling at him with tears in her eyes. As she walked back to her children, Tenzin pulled him into another fierce hug.

"I was so afraid we'd lose both of you," Tenzin said quietly, and tears sprang to Kai's eyes.

"No, sir. We're okay." Kai's voice was tight. "We're okay."

Tenzin kept an arm wrapped around his shoulders, once he pulled away. "Join us for tea, son?"

Kai wiped at his eyes, smiling. "Of course, sir."

###

At first, Kai thought he imagined the knock at his door that night. He'd stayed up in the manor in the room that had once been his, still with a large comfortable mattress and a fancy ensuite bathroom, and snuggled more into his pillow until the knock came again, a little louder this time.

He dragged himself out of bed, running a hand through his bed head, and opened the door. "Jin?" She was standing there, fidgeting with her white nightgown (that left very little to the imagination now that it was in the warmer months) and while not crying, she looked upset.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Nah," he lied. "I got up to go pee. Are you okay?"

She slowly shook her head. "I...I'm just on edge, I think. Still spooked. I know it's silly, but I don't feel safe in my room. Can—can I stay with you tonight?" She had never had trouble sleeping when he was there on the ship, after all.

"Of course." He stepped aside, letting her into his room. "You still like the left side?"

She nodded, climbing into his bed and taking one of the spare pillows, as he got in beside her. "Thank you, Kai," she said quietly, her eyes flickering to his. They shone in the darkness.

He smiled. "You're welcome, Jin."

He fell back asleep before she did, but she still felt safe enough to fall, anyway.

###

Kai's four days on the Island came to a close all to quickly, for Jinora's liking. She hadn't spent anytime like this, easy and comfortable with him, in so long, especially now that her own issues weren't getting in the way.

Tenzin too, knew he would miss the young man once he was gone, and that there had to be some way to repay him for everything he had done for his family, and for Jinora. Which was how Kai found a cheque being shoved in his face, one day when he and Tenzin were alone in the library.

"Sir, I can't possibly take this," he said, eyes wide at the long line of zeroes.

"Yes, you can. I know you lost clients and trade opportunities when you went completely off route to Ba Sing Se. Hopefully this will help cover it."

"Cover it? This is triple what we would have made—sir, we don't need this—I don't need payment for saving the woman I love, I—" Kai clamped his mouth shut, his cheeks heating up.

Tenzin smiled softly. "Please, take it. If not as payment, as...as a gift. From your family."

Kai looked at him, and then slowly took the cheque, holding it carefully. "Thank you, Tenzin," he said begrudgingly.

"Thank you." He gave Kai's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Come back soon, son."

"I will. And let me know when Ba Sing Se University opens up again, I can take Jinora back."

"Thank you. Stay a little longer, next time?"

"I'll try."

"Also, Kai… I know Jinora has been staying with you the past few nights, and while I don't need to know the reason why, I know that your relationship… I understand your breakup has been hard on both of you, but please, be careful with her heart."

Kai swallowed. "I will, sir."

Tenzin smiled. "I know. And I know she'll be careful with your heart, too."

###

Jinora was waiting for him in his room that night, as Kai shut the door behind him.

"Jin. Hey."

"Hey." She was smiling softly, and her hair shone in the faint moonlight. "You really thought I wouldn't come visit you before you left?"

"Well, yeah, I just thought you'd already be asleep." He gave her a funny look, as she was in some kind of silk robe he hadn't seen before, sitting cross legged on the foot of his bed.

"I don't plan on getting much sleep tonight."

Kai frowned. "Jin."

"Joking, mostly." She stood up, striding towards Kai with a familiar glint in her eye. Her fingers hooked into his collar, and she played with it, a smirk lifting her face. "It's cold. Warm me up?"

"Jin, we can't—we talked about this."

"Yes, and I've been thinking about it."

He took her hands, and removed them from his collar, even if he still held onto them. "Jin, you know I want you. But I also love you, and our relationship to me means so much than sex. Even I really, really do want to have sex with you, I…"

Her eyes softened, and she squeezed his hand. "I know. But who knows when I'll see you again? And when we were in your room, it was so good. I know our relationship is more than sex. But we're friends, again. We're getting each other back, slowly. And while we're in the same place, and have time for it… I wouldn't mind having the physical side back too. There is the term friends-with-benefits, right? And it might help ease ourselves back into a proper relationship, with getting more familiar things back?"

"I guess that makes sense," he said, making sure he was thinking as rationally and carefully as he could, with his pants that were growing very uncomfortable.

"Besides," Jinora released his hands, and undid the sash that was holding her robe together, letting it hang open to reveal lacy black lingerie, with a matching bra, panties, and garters. "I don't think I've ever worn something special for you like this."

His throat went dry, as he looked her up and down, and took her smooth waist in his hands, his resolve crumbling with every passing second. "Where did you even get this?"

"I bought it here, one of the weeks you were away and we were still together. As a surprise." She took her face in his hands, holding it gently. "Kai, if you don't want to do this, I never want to pressure you. You can say no, and that's okay. I know intimacy has always been something special for you, and you've made it something very special for me. But I also miss sharing it with you, because we've been broken up for over a year and a half now—and I know it was the right call for both of us—but I also think that learning to be together again physically can help us see if we have any issues to still work through. I've worked through my insecurities in a lot of ways, and my jealousy—but I don't know if my jealousy will come back in the way it was, until you're mine again, at least in one way. And I know this isn't just about me, and it's also about you, and I want you to feel comfortable and loved in whatever we're doing, but I also don't want you to be scared of something that we used to love—"

Kai leaned down and kissed her firmly, and she quieted, smiling slightly against his lips as he slowly drew away, and rested his forehead against hers. "You talk too much," he murmured, kissing her again, and Jinora stepped into his warmth. "But you're also right. Let's try this, and if it hinders more than helps—"

"Then we can always stop," she finished. "So?"

Kai curled his fingers into her robe, pulling her flush to him, and resting his hands on her hips. "So first," he said in a low voice, "I should thank you for putting this on." He walked her over to the bed, pushing her down onto it and caressing her as he stood standing at the foot of it, sliding his hands over her curves of creamy skin, smooth silk, and black lace.

Jinora let out pleased hums, as he stroked her thighs and rumpled her robe, lightly touching her breasts, his other hand sliding down to her crotch. He cupped it firmly, gently massaging it over her panties. "Mm, do you like it baby?" she asked, breathless and smiling.

"I do," he said, "but I think it's about time for it to come off." He reached behind her to undo the clasp of her bra as he removed her robe. Jinora helped him pull both things off, curling one hand over the nape of his neck as he cupped her now bare breasts, squeezing firmly.

Jinora laid one hand over his, her eyes closing in pleasure. "I love the way you touch me," she whispered. "Please, make me yours, and be mine."

"Jinora." His voice was gravel in her ear, and she shivered. "I want to take my time with you, before I take you." He kissed her jaw, his hands leaving her breasts to pull her panties down along her thighs and garters, till they were on the floor with the rest of her clothes, and he laid down on his side beside her, his body slightly curved over hers as she laid on her back. He resumed stroking her skin and tracing her curves with his hands, now roaming over all bare skin.

She shivered against his touch, her fingers curling into the bottom of his shirt, tugging at it. "I want to feel you too."

He let her pull it off him, and she ran her hands down his chest, as he turned her on her side to face him, and started massaging and squeezing her ass. Jinora pressed kisses to the crook of his neck, continuing her exploration, and pausing when her hands came across new scars.

"How did you get this?" she asked, tracing one stretched across his hip-bone.

Kai pulled her closer. "Sword graze." Her hands moved upwards to another one. "A knife slash." Her hands moved lower, to his other side that was more pressed against the mattress. "Stabbing." Her eyes widened, but he kissed her softly. "I'm okay, Jin. I'm here. I'm always here."

Jinora slanted her mouth over his more firmly, desperately, parting his lips and tasting him hungrily. "Then prove it," she gasped, tangling one hand in his hair. "Fuck me."

He undid the front of his pants, yanking them down enough, and then grinded into her, hard enough to wedge his cock between her tender folds, as his hand came up to cup one side of her face, shushing her when she moaned. He sucked down on her bottom lip, coating himself in her dripping warmth, and he pulled away from her mouth, latching onto her pulse point.

Jinora trembled as she bit back moans, remembering that they did have to be quiet, as her nails dug into his strong back and he rutted into her. "Kai," she whimpered in his ear, "baby please, I need you—"

He took her hands and pinned them on either side of her head, tangling their fingers together, his eyes meeting hers as he slid into her slowly and completely. He ducked his head as he began to thrust, and kissed the spot on her collarbone where her promise ring fell, ramming into her hard and fast, before rising back up to kiss her mouth. Jinora fastened her thighs on either side of his hips, moaning into his mouth and squeezing his hands as he pounded into her with just the force of his hips.

She whimpered into his mouth as she began to clench around him, her breath ragged. "I love you."

"I love you too," he murmured, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. She arched into him as she came, squeezing his hands as she clenched hard around him. He trailed sloppy kisses along her jaw, as he began to thrust into her just as hard as before, until he came too, spilling into her in a rush of thick warmth. He slowly let go of her hands, and they nestled themselves in his hair as they rode out their highs together.

"Kai," she said softly, as he smiled. "Why can't we try things again? Officially, I mean? We're pretty much doing everything we used to. We're writing letters, kissing, sharing a bed… Is there something I'm doing wrong?"

"No," he said immediately. "No, it's not you." He kissed her deeply, but briefly. "And it's nice, having pieces of us back, but… if we're official then we can fail, again. You… you could break my heart, again. And I know you trust me now, so I guess I'm being hypocritical but… I don't know if I can trust you, again. At least not yet."

Her face fell, but she nodded. "I understand. I...I know I really hurt you." She let her fingers skim the line of his jaw. "Is this hurting you?"

"No." He kissed her forehead. "It makes me feel connected to you again. I think that's part of why I'm a little scared, to be reconnected. But I'm always going to be connected to you. You're my best friend, and I'll always love you. I'll always be in love with you. I think I just need to get used to the idea of being with you, again."

"Okay." She managed a small smile. "I can wait. If there's anything I can do to help?"

"You're already doing it."

"I am?"

"You're working to understand me, again. You're being patient. And you're reminding me of all the reasons I love you, and all the reasons you love me."

Her smile grew. "I'll always love you. And the reasons I love you are constantly changing and being added to, and...that's one of my favourite things about us."

"I think I can do this," he said. "Be physical with you beyond tonight, I mean. Whenever we're in the same place, and well, we can make time for it. I can take you back to Ba Sing Se whenever it reopens, or whenever you're ready."

"I don't know if I will be," she said softly. "When I think about going back my throat gets tight… and I only had a few exams left to take. I should be able to transfer my credits over and take it at RC University here."

"And then your research project on the Waterbender?"

That coaxed a smile out of her, and Jinora kissed him. "Will go ahead according to plan, Captain."

"Good. And since we'll be sleeping together again, there's no reason you can't stay in my room."

She smiled, tightening her thighs around his hips. "Mm, I like the sound of that." She leaned up to kiss him again, and he deepened it, his tongue sliding into her mouth. She rolled them so Kai was underneath her, and braced her hands on his lower, muscled stomach. "And this time," she purred, "I get to take you."

They were quiet mostly, in between whispered praise and heady moans until they came, one after the other, fingers tightening and hoarse moans slipping, until he slipped out of her and she nestled herself against his chest.

Jinora ran her hand over his lower stomach, as their heartbeats slowed. She could hear his under her ear, pressed against his chest. "You're sure you want this?" she said softly, and he took her hand, squeezing it.

"Positive."

Jinora smiled and lifted his hand to her mouth, kissing the backs of his fingers. "Okay."