Review responses:
TheQuietReader23: I'm glad you enjoyed the Sokka parts. It was quite risky to have him say those things so it's good they payed off. And yeah, Aang's outburst was really great to write, I like when he is firm and slightly angry, it adds a great layer of tension. Yep, Katara saw everything she was missing out on when she walked in on Aang and Jin, I tried to do that through Jin rather than a big description of Aang, we've seen that too many times before. That was supposed to be the main comedy part of the chapter, so I'm glad you found it funny! Major respect to Aang; that was my attempt to have him as more mature.
Bay45220: Thank you! Yeah, good on Sokka and I wanted to show that part of the Fire Nation, not everything is fixed after the war.
TheLastSoulBender: Yep, Aang finally had the stomach to stand up to his friends! Yu Dao part was great for making a meeting place, but I didn't really think about how it might act a nice layer of canon to the story, so I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yeah so that's kind of what I was getting at with the whole Zutara discussion. Like I genuinely understand that there can be a level of attraction there, but that's all it is. And Aang has great capability for that once he is aged up a few years. Zuko's reasons and Katara's regret will play a big part in the next chapter..
Anayeli12: Thanks!
Snoozles: Thank you! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Jonathan2000: glad you enjoyed!
IWantColouredRain: I pretty much 100% agree. Zuko's arc is fantastic, and worthy of high praise, but so is Aang's! People seem to overlook that a lot.
Ashley Barbosa: Thank you Ashley!
Hey guys! I got you a nice, fat, juicy chapter here! This is a very important one for understanding Aang's feelings and outlook, as well as the beginning of Zuko and Katara's downfall as a couple. Enjoy!
By the way, if anyone needs a beta reader, I'd be happy to help! PM me or leave a review, and I'll get in touch.
Okay, so I cocked up Aang's age. I know in the first chapter I described him as a few days over 16, but let's say he's 16, nearly 17, at the party. Okay? Good.
WARNING: detailed lemon!
Damaged goods
(1 year ago)
The proud warriors presented themselves before Aang, their green uniforms swaying in the light coastal breeze, their head dresses unyielding as they scraped the floor beneath them, bowing to him. Aang had made it clear that he did not require any special treatment, but they never listened; so, he bowed deeply in return before hopping off of Appa and going towards the Kyoshi Warriors.
Suki had dragged Sokka into the mass of female warriors, whilst Toph had wandered off during their show of respect, probably to Earthbend all her pent-up energy out after the long flight from Ba Sing Se.
Aang was lost amongst the Warriors mainly because he couldn't remember any of their names, often trying to avoid a conversation longer than ten words for fear of insulting his hosts. He was saved from any further embarrassment when he heard a familiar, squeaky voice.
Ty Lee cartwheeled out of seemingly nowhere and straight into his face, giving him a small hug before pulling back.
"My, my, Aang, have you been exercising?" she asked brashly, eagerly eyeing his exposed shoulder and chest. There was a time when Aang would have turned into a blubbering mess when a pretty girl spoke to him so crassly, but that time had passed, and the thought of a girl as good looking as Ty Lee flirting with him only flattered him.
"Oh, you know, here and there" he answered nonchalantly, "so how's life Ty? It's been a while." Aang continued, happy to have someone to finally talk to without having to worry about upset them. Ty Lee opened her mouth to answer but was stopped when a person Aang had all but forgotten about walked up to the bubbly acrobat.
"Ty Lee! What did I say about leaving me with your warrior friends? All they do is ask me about Zuko" she huffed angrily, showing more emotion then Aang had ever seen from her in the short time they had spent together at the end of the war.
"Oh Mai," she admonished, "I was just catching up with Aang" Ty Lee explained, gesturing towards the Airbender. Mai turned to Aang, her eyes widening slightly before she dropped her head in a bow of respect.
"Avatar." Mai acknowledged in a curt monotone; a tone that had no doubt been perfected over many years of boring introductions to Fire Nation nobility.
It was a bit of a shock to see Mai for Aang. It was not like they knew each other well, but they shared a common friend – or ex-boyfriend in Mai's case – and on some nights when he would sit atop his home in Ba Sing Se and watch the stars whilst reflecting on his life, his mind would wonder to the oft-emotionless girl. Aang had swiftly pieced together that Mai had left the palace when she found out about Zuko and Katara. Yikes. That can't have been an easy night. Aang thought he had it bad that evening two years prior, and I mean, to be fair, he did, but Mai's experience must have been a whole lot worse. Aang had been led on, but Katara had never given him definite signs… right? That was a rabbit-lemur hole Aang wasn't prepared to go down right then.
No, back to Mai.
That must have fucking sucked. Imagine literally stopping a killer and getting locked away as a result, only to return to find your boyfriend all over some other girl. Okay, Aang supposed, Mai and Zuko weren't together when Zuko had joined them, but it was clear that Mai had expected something. Other than heartbreak, of course.
Aang now looked at Mai, who had lifted her head and waited respectfully for a response. In a move that was becoming a regular occurrence, Aang could feel his hormones bouncing around in his body excitedly, telling him to do something about the girl in front of him. Mai was beautiful in an austere and cold way, though Aang could sense a great warmth within her. Her hair was worn down with two small buns on either side of her head. She wore a similar outfit to the one she wore in the war, apart from the long sleeves had been stripped back, revealing her milky hands and wrists, not just her fingertips. Aang had never felt so excited about seeing such an obscure part of the body. In another regular move, all of his hormones made the decision right then to shoot downwards.
Whoops.
That was annoying… but exciting. And in terms of the issue that Mai had created downstairs, Aang's billowing robes did a pretty good job at hiding it. The Avatar realised that Mai was still expecting an answer.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Mai" Aang said, taking one of her silky hands and pressing his lips to it whilst he bowed his head. He strained his eyes to see Mai blushing. Mai. Blushing. Aang didn't know whether that was embarrassment or pleasure lighting her face up, so dug his foot into the ground ever so slightly. Her heart was all over the place.
Interesting. Very interesting.
"What have you been up to, Aang?" Ty Lee said, cutting Mai and Aang out of their movement. They sheepishly stepped away from each other, whilst Ty Lee gave a knowing smile to Mai.
"Um, not much Ty" he asked in a daze, stealing looks at Mai.
"What brings you to Kyoshi then?" she prodded.
"Suki had to come back, Sokka wanted to go with her – obviously – Toph thought she might as well visit the island and I needed a change of scene" Aang responded.
"Avatar work too much?" Ty Lee asked. Aang chuckled.
"No, work isn't the issue" Aang started, "I've been in Ba Sing Se for the better part of two years, I needed to spread my wings again. That and I recently got out of a pretty serious relationship" he added with a bittersweet smile. Ty Lee gave a sad look and hugged him, and over her shoulder, Mai gave him a commiserative nod.
"What happened?" Ty Lee asked softly as she pulled back.
What had happened? I suppose I should explain that.
Aang's relationship with Jin had been amazing. She had taught him so much about himself and had always been so sweet and supportive of him. Aang cherished the time he spent with her and there was a time when he felt like he could fall in love with her. She had carved out her own little place in his heart, a place where she received all the care and attention she could ever need, but when she had said that she loved him, Aang couldn't reciprocate. Jin knew about Katara, and she knew how Aang felt about her, yet she had never judged him or berated him, but it didn't matter, because whilst Jin had made a small home for herself in his heart, it still belonged to another girl. A girl who lived halfway across the world with another man.
They had ended it together. There was no spite, or argument, or heartbroken sobs. Jin had kissed him softly for a final time and left him in the night. They were still friends, very good ones, but they had both come to realise they weren't the one for each other. Aang had been sad for a while, not depressed or hollow or rotten, just sad. Ba Sing Se had held mixed emotions for him, and so when Suki said she had to return to her home, Aang was more than happy to come along. To clear the air.
He was angry at Katara for a while again. Why did she have such a hold on him? It seemed the only time he could move past his feelings for her was when they were together. He could ignore them whilst he was with Jin, but when she says something like that, he couldn't bring himself to lie.
It boiled down to the same reasoning: it wasn't Katara's fault. It wasn't his fault. It wasn't anyone's fault.
Love is a bitch.
"It ran it's natural course, Ty" he said simply, his sad smile still present. He looked over to Mai again to see an understanding look in her eyes. Her face remained stoic and unbending, but her eyes showed everything.
"Would you like to accompany me on a walk, Avatar Aang?" Mai said suddenly, surprising both Ty Lee and Aang. Her eyes seemed a bit desperate. Aang chuckled.
"Only if you stop using my title" he negotiated with a cheeky smile. Mai nodded quickly and fused her hand to her hip, creating a space for his arm.
"I'll see you later, Ty" Aang said, kissing her cheek. Her furious blush was hidden beneath her white face paint. Aang turned and looped his arm with Mai's. They walked in silence, away from the onlooking crowd of warriors and into the woods, following an old path. Aang never pinned Mai for the type of girl who wanted a person to hold her arm whilst walking, but he wasn't complaining. Something about their linked arms felt… justified. He wasn't sure why. They walked for a while and Aang was content in the peaceful silence of the woods, but he could sense Mai had something she wanted to say.
They reached a waterfall, one where Aang had once had a portrait of him and the Kyoshi girls abandoned. Mai stopped and Aang did as well.
"Would you like to sit?" Aang offered, trying to provide her with anything that might bring her out of her shell. She nodded, and Aang stepped away from her, raising his hand in one swift motion to reveal an earth bench on the water's edge. He waved Mai over and they sat down together, a few inches apart. Aang was about to speak again to break the uncomfortable silence, but Mai beat him to it.
"You know Ty Lee really likes you right?" she questioned, "kissing her on the cheek might send her into overdrive" she chastised.
Okay. Not really where Aang had expected the conversation to go. He chuckled light heartedly.
"I know" he confirmed with an easy nod. Ty Lee had not done a very good job at hiding her feelings during their occasional meetings in Ba Sing Se, though Aang supposed she probably didn't want to.
"Who knows? I like Ty Lee, maybe I'll see where it leads" he added in an afterthought. Mai turned to her, a little expression of shock on her face.
"Really? Just like that?" she asked, showing more and more emotion. Aang laughed lightly again.
"Sure. Why not? I'm really struggling for options" he said. Mai looked confused at his reasoning, so he elaborated. "I'm saying when there's a girl who likes me, and I like her in return, why wouldn't I explore the opportunity? Most girls see me as only the Avatar, I want a little more than that" he explained.
Mai nodded and then leaned back on the bench, allowing the silence to creep in again. He could tell Mai still had something on her mind, so he decided to keep the conversation going. Mai had started the conversation talking about his love life, so Aang decided to stick with it, sensing that might be where her issue lies.
"What about you? Any suitors knocking at the door?" he teased lightly but didn't laugh to make sure Mai understood that he was being earnest. She sighed slightly.
"A few, here and there, but nothing serious" she confessed and then something in her eyes changed and Aang could tell she was about to talk about whatever was bothering her.
"How… I mean, how did you…" she mumbled, struggling to get her question out. Aang grabbed one of her silky hands – which he was now obsessed with – and stroked it lightly with the pad of his thumb.
"You can ask me anything, Mai. No judgement. And if you want to stop, then we'll stop" Aang comforted. Despite barely knowing him, Mai could tell he was being honest and took in a deep breath before exhaling it loudly.
"How did you get over her?" she asked. It was a bit of a blunt question, and it knocked him off kilter slightly, but he couldn't say that he hadn't been expecting something like it. He continued to stroke her hand gently, treating it like some precious thread of fabric.
"I'm sorry if it's a personal question, but I don't know what to do anymore. I'm at the end of my tether" she admitted. Something about seeing Mai, who didn't allow herself to show emotion, who had chased him around the world, who could pin an enemy to the wall in a matter of seconds with her knives reveal herself so vulnerably did something to Aang. He was going to tell her, but he guessed he didn't have to sugar coat any of it anymore, she had just shown him she could take it. In fact, she seemed rather desperate for it.
"I'm going to be honest with you Mai, I never got over her" he said solemnly. Mai let out an exasperated sigh, disheartened at his words, but Aang continued to softly rub her hand with his thumb, and that seemed to calm her down a bit.
"But you said you were in a 'serious' relationship" she pointed out. Aang nodded.
"I was, and it was great… I managed to find a place where I can view my feelings for Katara objectively and work around them" he said before shaking his head quickly, eager to help her and forget about himself for a while.
"I want you to try something with me, I think it might help you. Do you want to try?" he asked softly. She nodded, looking into his grey eyes all the while.
"Do you ever think about that night? When you found out?" he asked. Mai's eyes widened in fear. Aang was correct in his assumption that it had been harder on her then himself.
"I try not to think about it. Every time I do, I do something else to forget about it" she said weakly, like she was sick. Aang continued to stroke her delicate hands.
"I want you to talk to me about it. Everything you felt, just lay it on me" he said simply.
"Why? What could that possibly achieve?" she said, pulling her hand away from his in her confused anger. Aang remained calm, despite her confrontational manner.
"You need to get over your fear of that night if you even want to consider moving on" Aang said, "worked well enough for me" he added. Aang offered his hand again. Mai hesitantly slipped hers back into his. She breathed deeply for a while, summoning all her courage to face the painful memories.
"I-I had just been released from the Boiling Rock" she started shakily, "I had returned to the capitol a day later, headed straight for the palace" Mai explained. "That's where I saw you guys…" she recalled, trailing off slightly. "Anyways," she said, snapping back to the focus of their discussion, "after I had seen you, I went straight to the private apartments. I was so excited to see Zuko, so ready to forgive him" she explained further. "I had gotten to his chambers, but I heard noises on the other side. I was worried he was talking to one of you guys, so I opened it slightly to check, and then…" Mai suddenly squeezed Aang's hand with the force of a constrictor, steeling herself to power through. "T-Then I s-saw Zuko, a-all over that… that bitch!" she spat, a few tears spilling over, leaving dark blotches on her maroon gown. Mai let her grip loosen, but she pulled their conjoined hands into her lap, placing her other soft hand over his.
"I left after that" she said, "but I couldn't – can't - get over what he did to me" she choked. "I k-know that we had broken up, b-but I had sacrificed myself for him, and h-he moved on in less than a month" she sobbed, a full, wracking cry, and buried her face in the crook of Aang's neck, her salty tears streaming off her cheek and onto his exposed chest. Aang wrapped her in her arms, pulling her towards him.
"I'm s-so a-angry and sad a-and disappointed in him… and myself" she shuddered with every word, hiccupping into Aang's collarbone. Aang held her slender frame, rocking her slowly whilst encouraging her to breathe. After a while, the tears had stopped, and Mai peeled her damp cheek away from Aang's neck.
"I'm sorry for calling her a bitch" she said soon after. Aang smiled sadly and cupped her face, wiping away the lines of salty moisture that her tears had left on her cheeks, leaving her opaline skin unblemished.
"It's okay, I thought the same for a while" she offered him a small smile as he took her hand in his once more. Aang looked at her closely. Her eyes seemed lighter, freer.
"I'm very proud of you, by the way" Aang said with a smile. Mai scoffed sardonically.
"Proud? I just spent half an hour crying into your shoulder. I don't think that really deserves merit."
"Do you think crying is bad? Or going to others?" he asked to which he received a shrug. "Well, let me tell you something; it's not" he said firmly, which seemed to surprise Mai slightly, "spirits know I did a lot of crying! And I would have loved it if I had someone other than Toph to talk about my feelings with" he joked, earning another small smile. He was beginning to like that smile. Aang decided he needed to drive his point home, so he did.
"Mai, I'm so proud of you!" he said excitedly, "you're so strong and brave. It took months of Suki getting me to talk till I finally faced my feelings from that night; you did it on first asking!" Mai's smile grew a little bit. "I'm sure you'll find someone great! I can tell that somewhere in there is a glowing young woman, I mean you're stunning, and don't get me started on those badass knives!" Mai blushed and turned her head away, but Aang could see the grin on her face.
Mai turned back around after a few moments, the blush mostly gone, but a full smile on her face, the bits of skin around her eyes creasing the tiniest bit. It was beautiful, one of the best-looking smiles Aang had ever seen, like an undiscovered treasure.
"Is that a smile I see? On Mai's face? I don't believe it!" Aang teased, pressing his hand to his chest and pretending to faint. She laughed at that. Mai laughed. It sounded like the chirp of a waking bird. Once she had settled down, Aang leaned in unconsciously.
"It's beautiful, Mai" he said in a low voice, "you're beautiful" he added softly. Mai stared directly into Aang's eyes as he leaned over her, darting her eyes down towards his lips every few seconds. As the moment got close to losing its intimacy, Mai crashed her lips into his, swinging her leg over Aang's, straddling him. Aang's hand wrapped tightly around her small waist and pulled her forward, her chest pressed to his. When Mai's tongue slid across his bottom lip, Aang's mouth opened. She tasted his entire mouth before coiling her own tongue around his, tugging it with her loose grip. It wasn't long before a heat pooled at Mai's core, wetting her underwear. As she began to lose the struggle against her need for air, Mai realised she had been slowly grinding against Aang's lap. She didn't want to break apart from the boy beneath her, but she had to, and as she did, she could feel his hardened length pushing against his robes and onto hers.
They panted for a while, wide grins on both of their faces. As Mai was about to go in for more, Aang grabbed her hand.
"If this," he started, pointing his finger between himself and Mai quickly, "goes anywhere further – which I gotta admit, I would really like – you should make sure you're okay with knowing that I still have feelings for Katara" he advised. Mai raised their connected hands into the air, admiring his arrow tattoos in the late afternoon sun. She brought them to her face and kissed the tip of the arrow softly before dropping them into the small amount of space between them.
"I don't mind" she confirmed, "and let's face it, we're both damaged goods" Mai said with a small snicker, one which Aang shared. "I know you're heart is pretty set on Katara, and I realise that mine is all over the place, but you've been in a relationship since then, and I want to try one with you" Mai admitted, "and if it doesn't work, then it doesn't work, our feelings have been hurt enough to know how to deal with it" she added simply.
Aang smiled, tugging her closer again so that he could give her a soft kiss, one which they both smiled into. Then a question hit him.
"What about Ty Lee?" Aang queried. Mai gave a dark smile, kissing him again before saying:
"Have you ever heard of an open relationship?"
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
Aang woke from his sleep when he felt her slip out of his arms, though he kept his eyes tightly shut as he felt the early morning sunlight of Kyoshi Island dance across his eyelids.
He smiled as he felt the covers being pulled off his naked form and her supple hands glide up and down his thighs enticingly. He opened his eyes with a sleepy grin when he felt her run her tongue up his semi-erect length.
"Good morning, beautiful" he said with a yawn. She laughed lazily as she clambered up his muscular body, kissing him sensually when she reached Aang's face, gripping his hardening manhood as she did so.
"Happy 116th birthday, Avatar Aang" Mai teased between kisses as she stroked his erect length with the tips of her fingernails, making him shudder beneath her.
"Is this my present?" he teased in return. Mai groaned in affirmation as she sat back on her knees and stretched her twirled arms into the air, dawns light casting her lithe, naked form in a heavenly glow. Aang watched her, stunned by her beauty
"Of course, it is, we can't have the Avatar's libido getting restless on his special day" Mai said, running her hands up and down his chest.
"We? I don't see Ty Lee anywhere" Aang said. Waking up to both girls cuddled up to him had been a pretty regular occurrence in the three months since his arrival on Kyoshi.
"She left after you fell asleep. I'm sorr-" she started, but was silenced as Aang pulled her onto his chest, kissing her passionately. He pushed his shaved head back into the pillows to look his girlfriend in the eyes.
"No apologies" he commanded, "it just means I get to focus all my energy on you" he said wholeheartedly. Mai smiled at his words as he began kissing her neck, sucking on her pulse once he found it. Aang cared deeply for Ty Lee, and his respect for her was boundless, but it was evident to both Mai and Ty Lee that Aang was more focused on the former, no matter how impartial he tried to be. And Ty Lee didn't mind one bit; she had discovered that the casual nature of her relationship with Aang suited her much better then contending for his attention. Her sexual needs were satisfied almost nightly, she didn't feel like she was second-best and, most importantly to the Kyoshi Warrior, Mai was happy and no longer engulfed in the sadness surrounding her situation with Zuko.
As Aang trailed his lips down to the tops of her rounded breasts, Mai sighed. If he allowed him to do much more, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from letting him take over. Reluctantly, she pushed his hungry lips away from her breast as he neared her taut nipple. Aang looked up at her with a confused look, one which Mai only laughed at.
"Patience is a virtue, Avatar" she joked. Aang groaned and tried reaching for her breasts again, but Mai slapped his hand away, "just let me have my way with your body" she said in a low tone. When Aang's pupils dilated and darkened, Mai knew she had succeeded in winning him over.
She kissed him a few times more before trailing her lips down his body, stopping when she reached the patch of hair that led down to his manhood. Mai crawled over his leg, settling in the space that had been made for her by Aang. She lowered her head whilst raising her plump behind, waving it from side to side seductively as she began kissing his length softly. When Aang groaned in longing, she decided to stop teasing him, taking his tip in quickly. Mai swirled her tongue over his head, smiling inwardly whenever he groaned in desperation. When the sounds of his pleasure lessened, she took his whole length in her mouth, wrapping her lips around his base as his head hit the roof of her mouth. The exasperated groan he elicited at that made Mai's own heat coil at her womanhood and she felt her folds begin to grow slick.
Soon after, Mai released him from her mouth and wrapped both of her hands around his length, moving them up and down slowly, teasingly. The sound of her saliva squelching beneath her hands as they slid over his length made Aang melt.
"Mai" he groaned, making Mai heat up even more. She sped up her pumps, making him instinctively thrust up into her hands.
"If you do this for much longer, I won't be of much use to you" he said, his brows pinched but his lips curling into a blissful smile. Mai smiled at his thoughtfulness. With the small number of sexual partners she had been with before Aang, including Zuko, the emphasis was on their pleasure. Aang was worlds away from that, however, and he was very, very giving.
"Okay" she relented, letting go of his pulsing length. Aang immediately tried to sit up and spin around, but Mai shoved him onto his back once more.
"I didn't say I was done" she scalded playfully. Aang just nodded. Mai smiled at his submissiveness. She preferred to be in charge once in a while. Aang was so strong and defiant in his job, Mai had seen as much as he did his work from Kyoshi Island, and it was so gratifying to be able to take control of him in the bedroom. The Avatar, the most powerful living being, under her command.
She crawled onto his lap, her wet heat hovering a few inches above his length. Mai was ready to give in and take him properly, but she still had a little bit of teasing left in her. She lowered herself fully, her wet heat gliding across his flattened length as she grinded against him slowly.
Aang squeezed her voluptuous thighs softly as she slid against him, smiling at the look of pleasure on her face.
"You're so good to me. I hope you know that" he said in a tone akin to a low hum. Mai looked at him with a small smile, leaning forward to kiss him softly.
"Quite the contrary, you're far too flattering Avatar" she teased. Aang chuckled at her words, but squeezed her thighs a little tighter, telling her to stop. Mai did just that, looking down at him with intrigued eyes. Aang leaned forward slightly, hooking his arms around her waist so his hands rested on her plump rear.
"I mean it though, Mai" he said with a solemn smile, "I'm so happy I found you" he added. Overcome with a plethora of emotions, Mai cupped the back of his shaved head and pulled it up and into her chest. She nuzzled and kissed the top of his head as he softly pecked her cleavage.
"Me too, Aang" she said softly as she cradled him to her chest, "you have no idea how much you've done for me." Aang pulled back to give her a bright smile, one that she shared until it turned into a mischievous grin. "Now, enough of this mushy shit. Let me ride you" she commanded. Aang grinned as he lay back down.
Mai crouched slightly as she picked up his length, lining it up with her entrance before she slid down it, eliciting a loud moan. Mai placed her soft hands over Aang's as they made their way to her thighs once again.
"You feel so big today" Mai commented as Aang groaned beneath her. He chuckled heavily when her words registered.
"Mighty Mai can't handle it?" he commented, earning a light slap from his girlfriend. Words were forgotten for a while after that as Mai began to ride his length properly, rocking against its angle, sliding up it until only his head remained inside of her before slamming back down again and again. Despite having done relatively little other than lie there and stroke her thighs, Aang could already feel her walls beginning to tighten around him. He reached his hand forward and began to rub her bundle of nerves methodically. Mai moaned loudly atop him again.
"Let it all go, Mai. For me" Aang said in a low tone. His words were enough to send her over the edge as her tight muscles constricted fully around him, her juices lapping over his length within her folds. Mai collapsed onto his chest, kissing his face lazily as she came down from her ecstasy. Aang was content to hold her against him for a while, his own needs could wait for a bit. When Mai had fully recovered, she realised her boyfriend needed to finish and got back on her knees, ready to mount him once more. But as she went to pick up his length, Aang flipped them over so that he was now hovering over her.
"My turn" he said simply, his dumb, goofy grin making its arrival. Mai giggled at his child-like smile, but nodded her agreement, nonetheless. Aang leaned forward and kissed her thoroughly for a few minutes. Somewhere during those kisses, both Aang and Mai felt their relationship, their bond, deepening. They loved each other, they had realised that a month prior, but they weren't in love with each other; Aang was still in love with Katara and Mai had begrudgingly admitted that she was still in love with Zuko. It would've seemed strange to anyone else that they loved other people whilst in a relationship with each other, but as Mai had said, they were damaged goods. So, neither was really sure what had happened, but Aang could feel that he and Mai had moved to a place where neither had gone before. Theirs was a special relationship indeed.
"Did you feel that?" Aang asked as he leaned back from Mai's swollen lips. Mai looked up at him with a stunned expression but gave small smile and a nod.
"Yep" she whispered. Aang leaned forward and kissed her softly.
"Cool… back to business?" he asked. Mai felt her heat coil once more at the mention of what they had been doing minutes before.
"Yep" she echoed her previous answer. Aang kissed her quickly a few more times before shifting down her lithe form to take in her hardened nipples. Mai moaned quietly, pressing Aang's head further into her soft breasts as he alternated between nipples. Once he was done, he leaned up again and kissed her, kneading her large breasts all the while. After that he disappeared down her body, sliding himself in front of her heat. Mai closed her eyes as she waited for him to enter her once again but shuddered as she felt Aang's tongue run up her slick folds, darting in and out of her entrance.
"What about you?" she asked half-heartedly as she felt herself being engulfed in pleasure fuelled bliss. Aang looked up and smiled at his half-lidded girlfriend.
"I'll take my serving after you've had a second helping" he teased as lust began to take over again.
"If you say so…" Mai trailed off as he began licking at her folds again. Soon, though, his tongue wasn't enough and Aang had to switch to using his fingers. He quickly pumped his two fingers in and out of her slick folds. Her second climax came when he hooked his finger inside her, finding her sensitive spot whilst also licking the bundle of nerves just above her entrance. She writhed beneath him before turning into jelly and going limp against the mattress. Aang devotedly kissed her soft, toned stomach as he patiently waited his turn.
"I think it's time for your turn" Mai said after a while, her voice lazy and relaxed. Aang kissed her stomach one more time before looking up at her.
"Unless you want to go back to sleep, it's not even six yet" Aang said, his voice full of care. Mai shifted his head off her stomach and flipped on to her knees, pressing them together as she shoved her rear into the air, swaying it from side to side, inviting him, begging him, to come to her once more. Aang's pupils dilated again at the sight of her swaying hips.
He got up on his own knees behind her, kissing the trail of her spine as he pushed into her wet folds. Aang took a leisurely pace for a while, enjoying the feeling of her walls tightening and relaxing around his length. When that wasn't enough, Aang sped up, the front of his thighs slapping into the back of hers. When he felt himself close to release, but recognised that Mai was still a bit off, he slowed down again, opting to focus on her. Aang leaned all the way up her back and looped his arms around her, squeezing her breasts and rubbing her nipples when he passed over them. Mai moaned loudly and her walls began to tremble, so she turned her head as far as possible, searching for Aang's lips. He met hers, kissing her passionately as her walls tightened fully, taking him with her this time. Aang groaned as he emptied himself into her folds, his seed shooting up into her centre. They collapsed next to each other; their legs tangled. Once they had calmed down, Aang bended his seed out of her folds and flung it out of the window.
Mai kissed him softly, tiredly. "I love that you can do that, it feels so good when you come inside of me" she said tiredly. Aang scooped her up and pulled her flush to him, kissing her passionately one more time before allowing her to bury her face in the crook of his neck. Before he could bury his face in her luscious, black hair, he spoke.
"Thank you for my present, Mai" he said, tiredly kissing her forehead. Mai squeezed him tighter.
"It was more of a shared present, so thank you" she laughed lazily into his neck, "and thank you for what you said earlier. I know our little thing is weird, but I'm so happy I found you" she said sincerely. Aang squeezed her weakly, already half asleep.
XOXOXOXOXOX
Aang was awoken when he felt something hit his back. Mai was still tucked snugly in his arms, sleeping peacefully, so it couldn't have been her. Right as he was about to brush it off as his imagination, he felt the same feeling and then heard something bounce off the bed an onto the wooden floor with a dull thud. He released Mai, who had coincidentally begun to stir, and looked at the floor to see two pebbles. He sensed the next one and stopped it mid-air, following its trajectory back to the window, where he saw the unmistakable bangs of Toph Beifong peering over the windowsill.
"Morning Toph" Aang said as he stood up stretched, walking over the window to look at the sun, forgetting that he was naked.
For once, Toph was genuinely happy she was blind.
It was about nine by then, far past either Mai or Aang's usual wake up time, but for once, Aang didn't have to worry about work.
"Happy birthday Twinkletoes!" Toph said excitedly, mainly because of the big parties that the next few days would hold, but also because somewhere beneath her 'healthy coating' of earth, she was genuinely happy for her best friend.
"Good morning Toph" Mai said, having finally woken up fully. She wore a satisfied look on her face as she eyed Aang pulling on his robes.
"Mornin' moody!" Toph said from the window, "are you guys ready to come down, or do you need a few more hours to fit in another boning session?" Toph asked with a wide grin. Mai scowled whilst Aang laughed. He walked over to Mai and leaned down to kiss her, ridding her of any anger.
Once Mai had pulled on the red and white robe she would wear for the first day of celebrations, she took Aang's outstretched arm and they left the small home Aang had been given during his stay. Sat atop the hill overlooking the main town of Kyoshi, Aang could already the see the inhabitants hard at work, and the first few ships pulling into the port that Aang and Toph had created the day before.
Aang, Mai and Toph walked into the town where Aang was quickly swarmed by well-wishers and a few desperate fathers offering their daughter's hand in marriage now that the Avatar was of official adult age. When the fourth one approached Aang, he turned to Mai, who had been slightly cut off from him by the crowd, with desperate eyes. Mai only smirked at her boyfriend, winking at him when he saw him pout.
The magnificent sound of an Arctic moose-lion tusk horn was heard coming from the port, signalling the arrival of the Southern Water Tribe convoy. Toph used the arrival as an excuse to get her struggling friend away from the crowd, pushing through the villagers till she found Aang and promptly launching them both into the air by way of an earth pillar. Aang caught Toph and landed them gently at the beginning of the dock where Sokka was already waiting.
After Sokka had reunited with his father, Aang greeted both Hakoda and Bato with a traditional handshake. Hakoda skipped the handshake and pulled the Avatar, whom he had considered a son since he had seen him as little more than a lifeless body outside of Ba Sing Se, into a bone-crushing hug. Aang happily obliged.
Soon after they had caught up, multiple large bursts of fire coming from a large frigate heralded the arrival of the Fire Nation guests. The ginormous, black painted ship sailed alone and bore the insignia of the Fire Lord meaning Zuko, and Katara, were on board. Aang gulped at the thought of seeing Katara again. He hadn't seen her since that week she had spent in Ba Sing Se nearly a year ago, and whilst the anxiety caused by Zuko's controlling nature had faded, it had never really disappeared. He felt his worries lessen slightly when a familiar pair of milky hands wound around his waist.
Aang leaned back into Mai's comforting embrace as she sneered.
"Show-offs" she spat. Aang chuckled. Even at nineteen, and as one of the most sophisticated, enticing and fierce people he had ever met, she could still sound like a nine-year-old once in a while. Aang turned around in her embrace and leaned down to kiss her softly. When he pulled back and saw that small smile that was reserved for him only, his heart warmed.
"Zuko's going to be here. You ready?" he asked. It was a question he had been meaning to ask for the past few weeks, but he had been rather busy, and had never gotten around to it. Mai buried her face into his chest at his question.
"I'll be fine," she said in a muffled voice as she took in his comforting scent, "plus, your kind of my main focus" she said with a cheeky grin as she squeezed his ass sharply. Aang yelped and squirmed in their embrace before laughing loudly.
"Let's save that for later, shall we?" Aang suggested as he chuckled. Mai gave him another small smile as a question came to mind.
"What about you? Katara is going to be here as well" Mai reminded him. Aang squeezed her tightly, thanking her silently for her concern.
"It has the potential to be awkward sometimes," Aang admitted, "but I've done this before, and I have to agree with you," he leaned down and gave her a deeper kiss, one that left them wanting more, "you're my main focus right now, have been for the past few months actually" he said with the same dumb grin. Mai smiled a little more widely and tugged him down by the collar of his robe, kissing him deeply. When the klaxon sounded, saying that the passengers of the Fire Lord's ship would be ready to disembark, Mai pulled away from him and straightened his robes.
"I've got to find Ty Lee" she explained, "I'll be back in a few minutes" she added before breaking off their embrace and disappearing into the crowd that had formed to see the arrival of the Fire Lord.
Aang turned around to see the gangplank of the ship being lowered on to the raised earth of the dock. He folded his hands behind his back as he saw the first passengers step down to the dock. It was a small mission of Fire Sages, led by the chief Sage. They walked down the jetty till they were in front of Aang where they dropped to the floor and bowed to Aang, eliciting a cheer from the crowd behind him. Aang bowed deeply in return as the sages shifted to the edges of the jetty, bowing towards each other.
The crowd roared as Zuko revealed himself, Katara standing next to him, hand in hand. Aang observed the Waterbender closely and let out a sigh of relief when he could tell her smile was genuine, not forced. It was nothing concrete, but Aang knew that Katara wasn't very good at hiding her true feelings, so a genuine smile was enough to dispel any fears for the time being. He smiled warmly when he made eye contact with the Waterbending beauty as she and Zuko walked down the jetty towards him. This was the greeting, often the most awkward moment, but Aang was well practiced by now and he steeled himself as they neared him.
Aang bowed deeply, as did Zuko and Katara.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Master Katara, it is good to see you on the day of my sixteenth birthday" Aang said with a smile as he nodded at both of them. Whilst Aang and Zuko were content with bows – they weren't really back at hugging yet – Katara had other plans. She launched herself at Aang, who couldn't help but notice Zuko's heartrate explode. However, it returned to normal when he took a deep breath.
At least he wasn't going to throw a hissy fit like he did in Yu Dao.
"Happy birthday Aang!" Katara squealed as Aang returned her fierce embrace. Zuko smiled and added his own congratulations from behind them.
"Where's Jin?" Zuko asked, a hint of excitedness in his voice that Aang noticed but Katara seemingly didn't. Katara had informed him in a letter that Zuko actually knew Jin, but they had met whilst he was acting as a refugee, so Jin never knew him to be the Fire Lord. Aang frowned slightly at his weird tone, but neither Katara nor Zuko looked too much into it.
"Jin and I broke up about five months ago Zuko, she's in Ba Sing Se right now" Aang said, noting his slightly crestfallen demeanour. He didn't get much time to think about it as he felt Katara's hand slowly, soothingly rubbing his arm.
"I'm so sorry to hear that Aang, she was so nice" Katara offered, though Aang didn't really hear her. Having her hand moving so softly against his own arm was a spiritual experience, but he was reminded that it was a friendly gesture and one fuelled by pity at that. It left a slightly bitter taste, so he stepped backwards slightly, ignoring Katara's sad expression as he moved. Katara recovered quickly however, and as usual, tried to help Aang out whatever funk he was in. Or at least that she presumed he was in…
"So, a bachelor again, eh?" Katara joked, nudging Aang with her elbow in a suggestive manner. Aang chuckled, both at the joke and the shock she was about to get. What can I say? I guess Aang really is an 'incurable prankster'.
"Not quite, Katara. I'm actually seeing someone" Aang said, grinning as he sensed Ty Lee step out of the crowd, Mai in tow.
"Oh really?" Katara asked, clearly surprised, "Who?" she added. Aang was about to answer when he felt those silky hands he had become so enamoured with cup his cheek and tilt his face downwards. Her soft lips met his in deep kiss, one he could tell Mai was putting extra effort into. Aang smiled into the kiss, partly because of his girlfriend's statement but mostly because of the heartbeats of his other friends. He could sense Katara's heart race, meaning he had successfully shocked her – at least that's what he thought had been the cause – and he could feel Zuko's heart literally skip a beat. When they broke apart, Aang could barely suppress a smirk as he saw Zuko.
The Fire Lord stood there, barely returning Ty Lee's hug, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. Ty Lee stepped away from him, but Zuko remained in the same stature. Aang took Mai's hand in his and smiled at Zuko, acting none the wiser.
"M-Mai?" he stuttered in confusion, before his brain caught up and he nearly screamed, "Mai!". Mai's grip on Aang's hand tightened quickly, and Aang stroked her hand subtly, showing his support silently.
"Fire Lord." Mai said in an icy monotone that made Zuko cringe as Mai barely dipped her head, a clear sign of disrespect among nobility. Mai turned to Katara and her grip on Aang found renewed strength. "Master Katara." She said curtly and bowed her head a bit lower, more out of respect for Aang's feelings for the Waterbender then actual respect for her.
Katara looked queasy, most of the colour on her face seemingly vanished. What had happened to Mai was one of Katara's greatest regrets, she had told Aang as much, and it showed by the look on her face.
"We should get going Aang, the celebrations will start soon, and we haven't seen Oyaji" Mai said, pulling Aang away from the distraught couple on the pier.
The rest of the day was a tense affair. As the Fire Lord and the Avatar's best friend respectively, Zuko and Katara were around Aang all day, and Mai had no intention of leaving her boyfriend's side. The awkwardness of the morning was only worsened by Sokka's tendency for idiocy, Suki's prying and Toph's incredibly ill-timed 'observations' (which Toph considered to be perfectly timed, because she's Toph) and by the end of the opening ball that evening, the atmosphere was comparable to that of an Agni-Kai.
Aang and Mai had managed to slip away some time close to midnight, practically sprinting back to their hilltop home, Ty Lee following behind them.
The sexual tension had been so palpable that night that by the time Ty Lee had undressed, Aang and Mai were already at it. One look at the vigorous and passionate movements of both had led to Ty Lee wisely deciding to go home.
The sex had been nothing like they were used to. Mai was particularly clingy, refusing to unwrap her legs from around his waist as he pumped into her and Aang was not his usual giving self, taking one night to focus on himself. They were so exhausted after Aang had finished, that Mai didn't even bother finishing herself. They fell into an uneasy sleep.
XOXOXOXOX
Aang awoke and immediately felt like shit. He looked out the window and saw the sun already creeping up to its full height. He sighed. The previous night had been unsatisfying and unfulfilling, words that Aang had never associated with his and Mai's sex life. Aang turned to see Mai sitting at the edge of their bed, the covers pooled at her waist, her bare back facing Aang.
"I'm sorry about last night, beautiful" Aang said groggily, deciding to skip the bullshit. Mai turned to him and gave him a sad smile.
"Guess we really are damaged goods, aren't we?" Mai joked sadly. Aang hated seeing her that way and sat up against the backboard of the bed.
"Come 'ere" Aang said, motioning towards himself. Mai crawled back onto the bed and towards Aang. When she was close enough, Aang grabbed her and yanked her to him, kissing her softly. Mai sighed at the contact, nestling her naked body against Aang's, resting her head on his chest. Aang made small swirling motions with his finger against her back.
"I think we can both agree that yesterday could have gone better," Aang suggested, earning a slow nod from Mai, "but I'm still proud of you. You did a good job" Aang said supportively. Mai kissed his chest in thanks.
"We're going to need to figure out how to be cordial around them, to try and limit our feelings for them as much as possible" Aang said. Mai sighed.
"You mean I have to figure out how to" Mai said dejectedly. Aang cupped her chin so they were looking at each other square in the eyes.
"No," he said firmly, "not just you, me as well" Aang confirmed.
"Any suggestions?" Mai asked. Aang nodded.
"I think we should remind ourselves of our feelings for each other" he said, Mai tilted her head in interest. "I'll go first if you want" he offered, and Mai agreed.
"Mai, I… adore you" he started and Mai buried her face into his chest, trying to hide her blush, "I feel like every time I speak to you, or hold you, or just see you that I've found a kindred spirit. You're one of the most amazing people I have ever met, I feel like we share such a deep bond – even though we've only been together for a few months" Aang recalled the feelings he had the previous morning when he was kissing her, and then it dawned on him.
He sat up, straight as a board, and Mai slid off his chest to sit on her knees, staring at him, confused.
"Aang? Is everything alright?" Mai asked quickly. Aang looked at her, an awestruck look in his eyes. He didn't know how, but he had taken back a part of his heart from Katara, and unconsciously given it to Mai. Aang smiled widely, and Mai, despite not having a clue what he was so happy about, shared it.
"Mai, I think… I think I'm in love with you" he said quietly, "I'm in love with you" Aang confirmed to himself.
Mai froze before him, her eyes wide.
"How do you know?" she asked, a certain amount of fear and apprehension in her voice. Aang picked up her hand, which was limp from his revelation, and kissed it softly.
"Yesterday morning" he said simply. Mai gulped. So that was what that was. But then, as suddenly as Aang had, Mai realised she was in love with him too. It didn't feel like love the previous morning, because it was a love like neither of them had felt before. They couldn't love each other with all their hearts, it wasn't possible, but they could love, and be in love, with one another with small parts of their heart. That was enough. And, spirits did it feel good to able to know that.
Mai looked at his simple smile and crashed her lips into his. They broke apart and looked at each other for a moment, admiring their discovery.
"I am too, Aang" she said softly, "I love you" Mai confirmed, "I'm in love with you" she reminded herself. Aang squeezed her and buried his face into her hair.
"As great as this is – and it really is great – how does this help with our current predicament?" Mai asked as Aang continued run his nose and mouth across her scalp.
"We both know we love each other, but we also know we love other people as well" Aang started, his voice muffled by her locks. "We're here to support one another, and I for one know that my faith in you makes it easier to deal with my feelings for Katara" Mai smiled at his words, "when it gets tough, we just have to remind ourselves that we're here for each other" he finished. Mai snuggled further into his warm body, running her feet up and down his leg suggestively. Aang got the hint.
"Bath time!" he said happily, scooping Mai up bridal style. Mai squealed and giggled at the sudden movement and her boyfriend's child-like excitement. She buried her face into the crook of his neck as he kicked open the door to the back yard where a small pond was. Aang shot a few subtle fire balls into the water till steam started to rise from it and he quickly submerged them both into it.
"Let me wash you" Aang said softly after they had spent a few minutes clinging to each other in the warm water.
Mai kissed him, "How should I sit?" she asked. Aang motioned for her to turn around before grabbing her waist and pulling her backwards till he hit the edge of the pond. He grabbed the bar of soap they left at the edge and lathered up his hands. He ran them softly across her shoulders first, feeling her muscles relax under his hands, and then submerged them in the water to scrub at her stomach and arms.
Aang reached for the soap again and got some on his hand again but reached under her arms to rub them over her wet breasts. Mai moaned as he kneaded her soft mounds thoroughly, leaving a coating of white foam over them. Aang nuzzled her throat, kissing and sucking, his hands never straying from Mai's breasts.
"You really like these don't you?" Mai said as she felt his length press into her back. Aang groaned in affirmation as he pressed his nose into her damp hair. Mai smiled before spinning around and kissing him soundly.
"Get up on the ledge" she commanded. Aang gave her a confused look but got up on the ledge, not worried by the idea of being naked as a thick bunch of trees and foliage surrounded his garden.
Mai dipped her chest into the water again, wetting them, before grabbing the soap and adding a thick coat of bubbles. The slick skin of her breasts gleamed in the sunlight. Aang watched in awe as she picked up his length and slid it into her cleavage and started to bob up and down.
"spirits" he muttered as he leaned forward to capture her lips. Having his length between her soft, slick mounds was an amazing experience, but it wasn't enough, so he hoisted her out of the water and into his lap.
"Make love to me, Aang" Mai said softly. Aang smiled and was inside of her in seconds. It was far better than last night, and better even than all the times before that, their new understanding of each other at the front of their minds.
Mai and Aang finished soon enough and she lay on top of him on the wet grass by the bond. Aang kept a firm hold on her, stroking her back whilst kissing her forehead repeatedly.
"Should we be exclusive? You know, now that we are in love with each other?" Aang asked after a few minutes. Mai folder her arms on his chest and rested her head on them.
"I quite like having Ty Lee look after you with me," Mai purred, beginning to stroke his softened length back to full mast again, "but maybe not every night" she added, kissing his chest. Aang dragged her up his own body to kiss her, lovingly, tenderly.
"Okay" he said happily, "I love you, Mai". Mai kissed him again.
"I love you too"
XOXOXOXOXOX
A knock came at the front door about half an hour later. Aang was still getting dressed so Mai stepped through their small house and opened the door. Katara stood before her, shrinking slightly as the older girl glowered at her.
"I'll get Aang" she said after half a minute of glaring.
"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you" Katara said quietly. Mai turned to look at her with a bit of surprise but motioned towards the bench lining the wall of the house. They sat together in silence for what felt like hours.
"I'm sorry" Katara blurted out. Mai kept her gaze focused on the town below her.
"For what?" Mai said coldly. She felt Katara sink next to her.
"For yesterday and… for what happened at the end of the war" she answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why are you doing Zuko's apologies for him" she spat. Katara snorted, despite the tense atmosphere.
"Because he's an ass sometimes and doesn't know what's good for him" she answered, a little more life to her voice. Mai softened at her comment and smiled inwardly.
"I'm inclined to agree," she responded, "and I can just about forgive you, but I don't forgive him" Mai added. Katara nodded in understanding, but instead of getting up and leaving, she remained seated. She clearly had something else on her mind.
"How's Aang?" she asked softly. Mai raised an eyebrow at her tone.
"He's great" Mai said in a tone that surprised Katara. She smiled at the thought of what they had been doing minutes ago, and at his loving words. Katara sighed next to her.
"That's good," Katara said, "I was worried when he said he had broken up with Jin. I don't know if he's told you, but he used to have pretty strong feelings for me-"
"Oh, I know," Mai said sharply, "and there not as long gone as you seem to think" she added, standing up from the bench. Katara sat frozen, the shock of Mai's biting words coursing through her veins.
"W-What do you mean? He s-seems so happy with you" Katara said desperately. Mai, who already had her hand on the doorknob, turned to her.
"We are happy – we're in love – but people can be in love with more than one person" she answered coldly before disappearing into the house.
Katara sat on that bench for a few minutes, her head in limbo. Aang was still in love with her? But he was with Mai, and apparently loved her as well! It made no sense, and all of the issues with her relationship with Zuko mixed with that bombshell was too much.
Oh fuck, here come the tears.
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
(back at the party)
Mai's words rang in Katara's ears as Aang got up and said goodnight before leaving the room with Mai and Ty Lee already trying to undress him
"people can be in love with more than one person"
Was it possible that he still might love her? She had to find out.
Katara got up from the table whilst Zuko was still occupied by a few eager generals and left the ballroom.
There would be no turning back after that night.
Woah! Okay so Aang and Mai might be my new favourite non-canon ship. I'm definitely going to be writing a fic about that pairing. Kataang still OTP of course.
Important info about beta writer and character ages up top.
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