Review responses:
Grandkhagan: ME TOO! We need more MaixAang so I will be writing a fic about them once this is finished!
Jonathan2000: Mai and Aang will be together for a few more chapters, and I will be writing a Mai and Aang fic once this one is finished!
TheQuietReader: Yeah, the Mai and Aang relationship is a really wholesome one to write, especially in the context of this fic. I agree, I think it's my favourite non-canon ship. Yeah, I am wondering what to do with Zuko for the end of this fic… I might just leave it open ended, but I know you guys want to see what happens with Mai, so I'll definitely write something about it. Ahahah, you cheeky monster! I won't be having Katara join in on the fun in that sense, and this chapter and the next should give you a few hints, though the next chapter is less of a hint and more of a full-on admission…
TheLastSoulBender: Yeah so the MaixAang approach I took was a bit of a surprise, I didn't even realise I was going to do it. I think in most fics its more of a revenge type thing, which is great, but I wanted to try something different. Yeah Jin and Aang wasn't a major breakup for me, I just wanted to show the issues Aang was facing. I love your story though, so I don't mind how Aang acts! Similarities and differences are what make us humans! Lets see what you think about this chapter…
GordonXir: Yes! My point exactly, I don't understand why people cant just enjoy what the show gave us! Instead they like to step on Aang. Though, I am writing a fan fic abt all this stuff…
I am vegito: no problem bro
Bay45220: ahah, spreading the MaixAang love! And you should see about Jin and Zuko in this chapter…
Ashley Barbosa: Thank you Ashley! I'm glad you enjoyed the MaixAang
Okay, so you may have seen that I have put RCHS on hiatus. Let me explain: the story is not being abandoned! I'm just struggling with where to take it, I'll need time before I can start it up again. I also have many other ideas; a MaixAang story and long-winded story of the war in an AU. I will not stop writing! RCHS will just have to wait, I'm sorry if you were looking forward to it.
Revelations
The anniversary of the end of the war was always bittersweet for Aang. On the one hand, it marked the day he had brought the world into a new era of peace, the day where he had ended the suffering of millions and avenged the lives sacrificed by just as many. On the other hand, it was the day of his people's cruel destruction and although it wasn't exactly on the day, he had lost Katara to Zuko only a few days later three years previously.
Not really like he had her in the first place anyway… right?
Anyway, you get the point; the anniversary was always a testy part of Aang's year.
He did the same thing he had been doing for the past two years on the day of the anniversary and left his room in the earliest few hours of the morning, though he didn't really know the exact time, nor did he care. He picked up his incense sticks and a small piece of fabric and headed for his private gardens.
Aang was staying in the Avatar's wing of King Kuei's palace, a place long forgotten during the war and only recently rediscovered by the palace caretakers. He would have stayed in his normal home in the Upper Ring, but it was being refurbished, so he brought his friends along with him to the palace and bedded down there.
The private gardens that were attached to his lodgings were the only redeeming quality of the palace in Aang's opinion. You know Aang; luxury wasn't really his thing.
He found a quiet spot near one of the simple fountains, underneath a cherry blossom tree. He stuck his incense sticks into the dewy soil and lay the piece of fabric down; an Air Nomad funeral rite and mourning guide gifted to him by the Mechanist. Aang lit the incense and let it's calming scent fill his nostrils before he quietly chanted the faded inscriptions sprawled out before him.
Aang wished his people to the sky, where they could be truly free. He let a few tears drop as he said a silent prayer for Gyatso. After that, Aang tucked the fabric into his robes and leaned against the tree, admiring the crimson hue that was beginning to spread across the mountains to the east as the sun began its slow ascent into the sky.
It wasn't long after that he heard splashing from behind him. He turned slowly from his position against the tree to look at the fountain.
Aang watched, slightly awestricken, as Katara moved in the shallow water, pushing and pulling, throwing and thrusting with as much grace as she had when she was a girl of fourteen. He also saw the glimmering sheen on her tanned cheeks meaning she was crying. Aang would have usually been worried to no end at the sight of the smallest tear beading at the edge of her eyes, but she didn't look distraught or terrified, she just looked upset.
Aang smiled inwardly at his own predicament, though he wasn't sure why. He supposed that it was the fact that she still had the same hold on him sometimes, even after showing him that she was not interested in that sense. That was laughable.
He felt strange watching her. Not because he was watching her, I mean how could he not? No, rather because he had a beautiful, strong and loving girlfriend down the hallway who he absolutely adored. Aang chuckled then, he didn't doubt that Mai would be doing the same thing if she was in his position and Zuko was in front of him.
Though as he stood and began to peel the top part of his robe away, he reckoned that Mai would probably have more self-control then him.
Aang slipped into the fountain without a word, Katara acknowledging his presence by passing him an orb of water. They remained silent for a while, passing the water between them, never making eye contact. A strange tension had settled between them, one that had started on Kyoshi Island a few months earlier as Aang celebrated his coming of age. Aang had treated her with the same respect and indifference he had afforded her for the past three years, so it wasn't him; but Katara always managed to play off whatever was bothering her well enough to throw Aang of her trail.
When Aang grew tired of Waterbending, he sat at the edge of the fountain. Katara seemed to have the same idea and sat opposite him. The distance between them was neither comfortable nor uncomfortable.
"Why were you crying?" Katara asked, having noticed the red trails on Aang's cheeks when he stepped into the water. Her question hung in the early morning air for a few moments.
"I was mourning Gyatso and my people" he answered quietly, his head down, his feet waggling slowly in the water. Katara nodded, not really having anything to say to that. She knew whatever she said wouldn't be enough. She wished she could do something to make it easier for him. There was something she thought might make it better, but trying it was a risk, so she pushed that thought to the back of her mind, forgetting about it and its consequences for a while. It was all she had been thinking about since Kyoshi, and more specifically her little chat with Mai.
"What about you?" he asked suddenly, pulling Katara from her own thoughts.
"What about me?" she asked with fake curiosity. She knew that he knew. He always did.
"Why were you crying?" he asked quietly, finally looking into her eyes. Despite the relative darkness that surrounded them, Katara could still see those swirling storm clouds, the ones she found herself dreaming about more and more. Maybe he should know the truth.
No. He doesn't deserve that, not now, not after years of keeping him at arm's length. She felt unworthy. But maybe she could clue him in…
"I was just reflecting" Katara responded, looking away from him. His inscrutable gaze could be overwhelming sometimes.
"On anything interesting?" he prodded.
"No… yes. My mistakes, things I've lost…" she answered uneasily. Aang scooted a little closer.
"What did you lose?" he asked softly, leaning forward in his position. Katara sighed.
"Someone, it was my fault, I let my fear get the better of me" she said, something inside her compelling to meet his eyes again. Aang stared at her blue orbs for a moment before scooting backwards and then leaving the water entirely. Katara felt the tears coming again. She didn't know if he understood or not. She desperately wanted him to, but that wasn't a possibility, not whilst she was still with another man, not while she couldn't summon her courage to just tell him.
Aang stared at her shrunken form as he pulled the water out of his trousers. He gazed upon her with uneasy eyes.
"I hope… I hope you find what you lost Katara" Aang said quietly before spinning on his heels and disappearing back into the hallways of the palace, ignoring the muffled sounds of her sobs behind him.
XOXOXOXOXOX
Mai was already stirring when Aang made it back to his room; years of being forced to wake up at dawn was a habit that wasn't easily broken apparently. She instinctively wrapped her arms around Aang's warm body when she felt him slide back under the covers, pulling him to her. She felt him pick up her hand that lay around him as they spooned.
Aang kissed it softly, barely grazing his lips across the milky skin wrapped around her knuckles. She hummed quietly behind him as he stroked her palm carefully. He kissed it once more then turned in her hold to face her. Mai could tell almost immediately that something was bothering him, so offered him a small, supportive smile, the one that would always lead to him saying he loved her. She balanced her head on her elbow as she leaned over and kissed him tenderly. Aang let out a comforting sigh at the contact and whimpered slightly as she pulled away. Mai understood that as him wishing he could escape his problems for a while and normally she would let him, but not today.
"What's wrong Aang?" she asked softly, gliding her fingernails up and down his bare chest. Aang looked into her eyes and calmed down slightly.
"I had a weird discussion with Katara… I feel like she might have… feelings for me" he admitted. Mai was surprised, not by the information she had just received – she had recognised that the Waterbender might have liked Aang as more than a friend since she spoke to her on Kyoshi – it was more Aang's tone that shocked her. She would have put money on Aang being ecstatic at the idea of Katara returning his feelings, but the Avatar sounded morose at best.
"How does that make you feel?" Mai asked, still leaning over Aang. He shifted onto his back to stare at the ceiling, his eyebrows scrunching in thought.
"Is it weird if I feel slightly angry?" he asked, his eyes remaining fixed on the roof above him.
"No, not at all," Mai said, cupping his cheek and swiping her thumb over his bottom lip, "but may I ask why?" she added. If it was even possible, Aang's brows pressed closer together.
"Because… why now?" he asked no one in particular, "I mean I feel like she's expecting something. And why can't she just tell me if she is? And…" he turned to look at Mai, cradling her face in his hands, "I don't want it to hurt you" he admitted. Mai leaned down to kiss him. Their lips lingered on each other's, barely moving.
"I care – I love you too much to see you get hurt because of my inability to get over her" he said solemnly when she pulled back. Mai smiled, supporting herself on her elbow again.
"Aang, you could never hurt me" Mai said quietly and when Aang opened his mouth to protest, she silenced him with her lips.
"We've always known that we have feelings for them," she began, "but they haven't done anything concrete to prove that their finished, or to show they return our feelings, so let's enjoy what we have for as long as we can, okay?" Mai finished. Aang nodded and pulled her naked form on top of his.
"Now, how did your mourning go?" Mai asked, their faces inches away from each other, eager to get away from any talk about them ending, though she had to admit, she could have chosen a more light-hearted topic. Aang smiled though, clearly pleased by her concern.
"It was ok, it gets a bit easier every year" he answered, then started caressing the space between her shoulder blades softly, "and it gave me some time to reflect on us" he added. Aang flipped them so that Mai rested beneath him. He kissed her, and Mai could taste a sense of rejuvenation on his lips. She sighed in relief, pleased that he wasn't going to let the issue with Katara get in the way of the celebrations. He pulled back to favour her with a smile that made her heart flutter.
"I hope you feel like I cherish you, Mai, because I really do" he said, his smile softening as his eyes filled with unbridled adoration. "I can't put into words how I feel about you, you're just one of the most amazing people I've ever known" he squeezed her tightly, "you're my beautiful girl, and I thank you" he said happily. Mai dragged his head down to kiss him when she felt tears stinging her eyes.
"I've never felt more cherished then with you, Aang" she said, her voice thick with emotion, "I love you" she added before kissing him properly for the first time that morning, their tongues beginning to creep into each other's mouths. Mai wanted more and Aang knew because she started rubbing his leg with her foot, her silent way of saying "I want you; I need you". Aang laughed breathlessly.
"Oh, I see. None of those words meant anything; I'm just some boy toy you keep around" Aang said sarcastically, a wide grin on his face. Mai laughed as she expertly hooked her toes around the waist band of his trousers, yanking them down his legs in one move, revealing his semi-erect manhood.
"Yep" Mai answered dryly, cupping his face to pull him in for another kiss, sighing as she felt his length rubbing against her slick folds.
"Good, now what can I do for my beautiful girl?" Aang asked. Mai leaned up to nip at his earlobe, causing Aang to grind slowly against her.
"Fill me up" Mai whispered seductively before trailing her tongue down to his neck where she sucked on his pale skin. She revelled in the way her boyfriend shivered at her words, and gasped as she felt his head penetrating her wet centre. Three, or sometimes four, times a day of daily sex for the seven months they had been together had done little to quench their thirst for each other, even when Ty Lee would occasionally join them.
Aang rocked back and fore, only letting his head in before pulling out and doing the same thing again. Mai grew frustrated, bucking her hips at the slightest contact before finally snapping.
"I want every inch, right now" she commanded sternly. Aang blushed at her comment before nodding frantically and pressing into her slick, vice-like grip. Mai moaned loudly as she felt her folds being pushed apart, and flung her arms around Aang's neck, pulling him down on to her.
Aang pumped into her slowly and moved his mouth from her neck to her breasts, licking and sucking her hardened nipples. Mai moaned every time he flicked his tongue over her pink buds, pressing his head down so that he was engulfed by her large bust.
"Faster" she begged, an aching need in her voice and core. Aang acquiesced, and with a final kiss, leaned back and thrusted with a vigorous pace. Mai fought to keep her eyes open, raking them over his muscular form, but she lost the fight when he used his thumb to rub her clitoris. She let out a strangled moan as she climaxed, writhing and spasming beneath him.
Aang didn't give her a lot of time to recuperate, picking her up with his length still buried deep inside her. Mai let out a girlish squeal as she was lifted of the bed, wrapping her strong legs around his waist, trapping him inside of her.
"We've never tried this before" Mai commented with laboured breathing as Aang carried her away from the bed, his length twitching inside of her.
"I don't know why, it feels great" Aang responded, resting his arrowed forehead against hers as he carried her to the windowsill. Mai cupped his face as he set her down on the wooden ledge, kissing him hungrily in agreement.
Aang began thrusting into her again, searching for his sweet release. In a moment of clarity, Mai opened her eyes and saw Aang grunting and puffing and realised that he was one of the most beautiful creatures she had ever seen. The sight of him exerting himself for her was almost heart-breaking and Mai couldn't stand the little distance between them any longer. She pulled his head forward, into the crook of her neck, and cradled it. As she devotedly kissed the arrow that snaked over his scalp, she could feel her walls trembling again and the tingling feeling of ecstasy beginning to flood her entire body again.
"Oh Aang" she cooed into his ear as her leg began to jerk uncontrollably. Aang remained fused to her neck, his hot breath sending pleasant shivers throughout her body.
"Me too," he grunted, "together" he added after a moment. Mai pulled his face up to her and kissed him passionately as they both fell over the edge. Mai relaxed backwards onto the perspiration-covered window as Aang gave a few last pumps, filling her folds with his hot seed. Mai hooked her arms around his neck once more, kissing Aang's face with a lazy smile, her lips sticking ever so slightly because of his sweet sweat.
"Take me back to bed Aang" she said lazily. Aang nuzzled her neck as he picked her up, his length falling out of her in the process. Mai sighed at the loss of him inside of her; she never felt as complete then when they connected like that. Aang lazily bent his seed out of her before dropping backwards on to the bed, Mai spread out across him. With a deft bit of Airbending, the covers were resting over their forms once more. Mai felt a simple smile spread across her face as Aang dragged her as close to him as possible. She buried her face into his neck, one of her most favourite places in the world.
"I don't know what will happen, Mai, but I need you to know; a part of me will always belong to you" Aang said as he buried his nose into her jet-black locks. Mai swung one of her legs over his core, eliminating whatever distance remained between them.
"I know Aang," she sighed, "me too" she added quickly thereafter. He kissed her pale forward and intertwined his hand with hers.
"I love you, beautiful" he said quietly as sleep began to take over again.
"I love you too, beautiful" Mai murmured into his neck.
XOXOXOXOXOX
"Aang! I seriously have to go this time!" Mai exclaimed, laughing incredulously at the sight of her naked boyfriend trying his best to drag her back to bed.
"But I don't want you to go, who cares about what you wear? You'd look better naked anyway" he said as he began to kiss her stomach through her robes again. Mai nearly gave in to his protests, because she would much rather spend the day in bed with him, but the anniversary ball was not going to stop for them, and things needed to be done. She leaned down to kiss him softly on the lips, slipping away as soon as his grip on her loosened.
Mai snorted at his dumbfounded look, "I just need to get this dress, I'll be no longer then a few hours, okay?" she asked, standing in the door frame as she awaited his response. However, Mai knew she should have left when she had the chance when a devious grin spread across his features.
"You sneaky girl" he said as he slipped off the bed.
"Aang, no, NO!" she screamed as she opened the door, but it was too late, and Aang had grabbed her as she stepped out into the corridor. Mai screamed in girlish delight as Aang exacted his revenge through tickles. As Aang spun her around, he noticed a flash of green and blue and immediately put Mai down, stepping behind her in the process.
"Are we interrupting something?" Toph asked through her laughs as she leaned on a blushing Katara for support.
"Not at all" Aang answered as nonchalantly as possible as he manoeuvred his naked form behind Mai towards the door to his bedroom. He could hear and feel Mai laugh despite the awkward situation. Aang loved that he had brought out that part of her. Toph bellowed even louder at his lie, whilst Katara tried to look anywhere but the parts of Aang that Mai couldn't cover.
"I can tell when you're naked Twinkletoes" Toph reminded him. Aang blushed heavily as he finally reached the door.
"Like what you see?" he teased back. He earned a small elbow from Mai for that, despite her knowing that those were Toph's favourite kind of jokes and that there had been a point where she had indeed liked what she 'saw', "sorry, sorry" he murmured as he tried to stifle his giggles.
"W-We should go find Suki, Toph, Mai can catch up" Katara muttered, the blush spreading down to her neck as she caught a small glimpse of Aang's well… you get the picture. If it was even possible, Toph cackled louder then before.
"Why? Are you saying that Twin-"
Katara covered Toph's mouth before she could finish what she was going to say, mumbling apologies for both of them as she dragged Toph around the corner.
Mai turned to face Aang and smirked.
"I've really got to go now, no funny business" she said. Aang nodded and leaned his forehead against hers.
"Okay. Play nice with Katara, for me?" he asked quietly. Mai nodded reluctantly, earning a comforting smile for her troubles. That was enough; his smiles tended to light up her day.
"Can I get anything for you?" she asked as she stepped back. Aang tapped his chin in fake thought, flinging his finger up into the air after a few moments.
"Yes! Could I get a kiss from my beautiful girl?" he asked sweetly, putting on his biggest puppy eyes. Mai giggled at his goofiness and stepped forward to capture his lips, moaning slightly when Aang squeezed her plump bottom. She pushed back after that, lust darkening her eyes slightly.
"I said no funny business" she said half-heartedly. Aang smiled and slapped her rear, earning a scowl that quickly turned into a grin.
"Okay, okay," he said, "no more funny business. Have fun, I love you!" he shouted as she walked away.
"I love you too" Mai shouted in return as she disappeared around the corner. Aang sighed as he disappeared into his room, flopping down on to the bed dramatically. That morning had been a confusing one, and a bit of a turning point, not for him specifically, more for Katara; but whatever happened to her usually had an effect on him. He had to ask himself some important questions.
Did he love Katara? Yes, with all the power his broken heart could muster.
Did he love Mai? Fiercely so.
Would he take Katara back if she was offering herself? He didn't know.
That had been a hypothetical question that Aang had asked himself nearly every day since she had announced her relationship with Zuko and for a long time, even when he was with Jin, the answer had been an easy yes. But when he met Mai, he stopped asking that question so much, and when he did, he wouldn't be able to answer.
He had never felt so fulfilled then when he was with Mai. Their personal history had combined to create something very special. Their understanding of each other, and the acceptance of each other's feelings for other people, had allowed them to give each other the small parts of their hearts they still had. They had given each other the opportunity to fall in love again.
Now Aang was faced with the idea of Katara returning his feelings, and he wasn't sure if he would trade what he had with Mai for the unknown with her. He had seen the way she raked her eyes over his naked body just minutes before, and he was sure Mai had too. But Mai had said it herself, nothing was concrete, Katara was still with Zuko, she hadn't told him anything to prove she wouldn't stay with him. He would cherish every moment with Mai, even more so than he had before.
Aang's thoughts had made him hungry, so he pulled on his trousers and threw on a cloak, not bothering to tie it up. He walked slowly to the communal area where everyone ate and relaxed, only to find it devoid of life, apart from Sokka, who was staring intently at some scrolls whilst he shoved fruit into his mouth.
"Morning Sokka, where's Zuko?" he asked as he sat on the couch opposite the warrior. Sokka looked up at Aang and blushed, much to Aang's confusion.
"Zuko is meeting with his ambassadors," he responded as he swallowed a ridiculous amount of fruit, "and the girls went shopping" he added, his blush widening more as looked anywhere but Aang.
"Okay… everything alright Sokka?" Aang asked, his confusion reaching a peak.
"Yes! No? I… um, can I ask you a question?" he mumbled in response.
"Uh, sure" Aang said hesitantly.
"Okay," Sokka said, shaking his head to hype himself up, "how is your sex life with Mai?" he blurted out.
"Private!" Aang yelled as he shot up from his position. Sokka blushed even more.
"Okay, I could have asked that better" Sokka conceded weakly.
"Or maybe don't ask at all?" Aang shouted, "why would you even want to know about that in the first place?" he added as he stared at the warrior. Sokka hung his head in shame and embarrassment.
"Because… when I do it with Suki, I can tell she's not enjoying herself. You and Mai always seem so… fulfilled in that department…" he trailed off. Aang brushed off the questions as to how Sokka knew that they were so 'fulfilled', choosing to laugh instead.
"Hey! It's already enough of a hit to my pride to ask a younger boy for sex advice, could you not rub my face in my own mistakes?" he growled. Aang could see that he was genuinely upset that Suki wasn't enjoying their most intimate moments. He stopped laughing.
"Okay, sorry. This is very thoughtful of you, Sokka. Ask as many questions as you want" Aang offered, understanding that he was putting himself in a potentially awkward spot and not caring. Sokka was the closest thing he had to a brother, and he would be damned if he couldn't help him.
"Thanks, Aang" Sokka said gratefully, "how many sexual partners have you had?" he asked. Aang wasn't really sure how that would help Sokka, but he decided it didn't matter.
"Four" he answered honestly.
"Four?!" he asked incredulously, "You're barely sixteen!" Sokka added. Aang scowled at the warrior.
"Do you want my help or are you going to act like my dad all day?" Aang shot back. Sokka gulped and shook his head quickly.
"No, sorry" he said hastily, "who though? Just out of interest" he added hastily as he saw Aang begin to contest his question. The Airbender sighed.
"There was Jin, she was my first" Aang explained, "then Mai, of course, and Ty Lee-"
"Ty Lee?" Sokka asked, "but aren't Mai and her best friends?" he added. Aang nodded, but it wasn't enough for Sokka.
"Have you ever heard of an open relationship?" Aang asked when Sokka continued to give him a confused look. Sokka's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh. Right." Sokka said through his shock, "well that's three, who's number four?" he asked. Aang blushed slightly; he wasn't sure how Sokka would take the next name out of his mouth.
"Toph" Aang admitted shyly, wincing in anticipation. For a moment, Aang heard nothing and assumed that Sokka didn't care. He was wrong of course. Aang looked up to see Sokka's jaw completely slack.
"TOPH?!" he finally screamed, jumping several feet into the air from the couch.
"Shhhh, I don't want anyone to hear, I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone" Aang pleaded as he pulled Sokka back down. The warrior run his hands over his face warily.
"I didn't even know… when did this even happen?" he asked once his shock had worn off.
"Right after Jin and I broke up and just before we left for Kyoshi, it wasn't really a serious thing" Aang explained. It really wasn't a serious thing; Toph had merely explained that she knew Aang was attractive and was interested in having sex with him, and Aang, still reeling from his breakup with Jin, agreed.
"Oh at least it was only a one-time thing" Sokka said presumptuously.
"Yeah…" Aang trailed off with a nervous laugh, one that Sokka immediately spotted, his features turning downwards again.
"You didn't! You said it wasn't serious! How many-"
"FOUR!" Aang shouted in exasperation, "it was… we did it four times" he said weakly, his energy being sapped by the awkward tension of this conversation.
"Wow." Sokka said, "well, how was it?" he prodded. Aang couldn't even be bothered to reflect his questions anymore.
"Rough." He said.
I mean yeah, it is Toph, so that kind of goes without saying.
"But also… surprisingly good" Aang admitted, a tinge of curiosity in his voice. Sokka sat in silence, and Aang felt the need to fill the silence.
"Remember that massive bruise I had on my back when we were travelling to Kyoshi?" Aang asked. Sokka looked at him with confusion.
"Yeah, the ugly yellow one Toph gave you during training. What of it?" Sokka asked.
"Well… Toph did give it to me, but it wasn't from training…" Aang trailed off, smirking slightly as Sokka's face changed from one of confusion to realization and then disgust.
"Ew! Too much information!" Sokka squealed as he covered his ears.
"Right. Sorry. Now about you and Suki" Aang said, getting serious. Sokka snapped to attention, shifting immediately into battle plan mode.
"Ok, so what do I do?" he asked. Aang sighed.
"First of all, relax. This isn't invading the Fire Nation Sokka, this is making love to your girlfriend" Aang said firmly. Sokka took the message and flopped back on to the couch, stroking Momo casually when he settled on his stomach.
"I'm going to be honest, from what I understand about Water Tribe customs, I think I know what your issue is" Aang began.
"Well?" Sokka asked in anticipation.
"One moment, let me ask you something. What have you done to make it better?" Aang asked suspiciously. Sokka pinched his chin.
"I go faster and harder" Sokka said after a while. Aang slapped his forehead like he had just heard the dumbest thing on earth.
"That's the issue you ass!" Aang yelled.
(Okay, so that was a little joke scene, the Sokka part has no effect on the story, the first part does)
XOXOXOXOXOX
Katara felt herself getting jealous. Mai looked beautiful in orange and red. In his colours. And she would arrive back at the palace and be swept up in his strong arms. He would fall in love a bit more, and the window of opportunity would close even further.
She had no right to be jealous of course; she could have had what Mai did if she wasn't so scared of what might happen. She could have had him.
Still, that reasoning didn't make it any easier, not when Mai wore the orange and red dress with the pride and self-confidence that would be expected of the Avatar's girlfriend. It was Mai who would be undressed by him when they returned from the ball that night. It would be Mai who would be showered in praise by him as they made love.
It wouldn't be Katara. And she wouldn't get any of that from her boyfriend; she hadn't since they returned from Kyoshi – not that they had been doing much of that before Kyoshi either.
No, Katara would return to her chamber that night and slip into bed to cry on her own until she could fall asleep and dream about him holding her.
She didn't know why her and Zuko were still together, if you could really say they were still together at all. They never spent time together. He would be enveloped in his work during the day and he would disappear at night to lay with another woman. Katara had never called him out for it, even when he found him with a servant one night. She supposed it was the embarrassment of the whole situation that had made her move past it. And it was probably the immense guilt of their mistake of a relationship that kept Katara from leaving. She knew what her friends, her family, what he would think of her.
Katara hadn't even notice the tears in her eyes as Mai walked up to her. Suki and Toph had disappeared to another shop, whilst Katara waited for Mai to pick up her dress.
"Okay, I've got my dres- why are you crying?" Mai asked, the smallest semblance of concern in her voice. Katara somehow knew that was Aang rubbing off on her. She pawed helplessly at her eyes in a vain attempt to hide her tears.
"Sorry, I was just thinking" Katara supplied pathetically. She was surprised, however, when Mai sat down next to her, albeit uneasily.
"Do you… want to talk about it" Mai said through strained teeth, keeping Aang's word at the top of her head. Katara looked up in surprise at her words and sniffled, nodding her head slowly.
"It's about Aang, isn't it?" Mai guessed.
"Partly, but I won't bother you with that" Katara said. Mai softened a bit at her understanding words.
"Then what is it about?" Mai asked, a bit more curiosity in her voice. Katara breathed in and out, trying to retain whatever calmness she had left.
"Zuko" she said shakily. Mai nodded in empathy. This was one of the only topics that would allow Mai to feel sorry for Katara; she knew how testy the Firebender could be.
"Let me guess. You got in an argument and he won't apologise?" Mai supplied. Katara scoffed, much to Mai's surprise.
"No, not quite – though there have been plenty of arguments" Katara asked with a slightly delirious laugh. Mai felt slightly unnerved sitting next to the Waterbender all of a sudden.
"He's been… sleeping with other women" Katara said weakly after her laughs subsided. Mai gasped. She had known Zuko to be hot-headed and impulsive, but never did she expect him to be unfaithful.
"You seem surprised" Katara said dryly.
"Um, yeah. How long has this been going on?" Mai asked. Katara shifted uncomfortably. In the spur of the moment, Mai placed a supportive hand on her shoulder.
"I caught him with one of the servants about a year ago" Katara started, "we don't spend time together, only when were on trips like this," she said, her body trembling lightly, "he said he was meeting with his ambassadors, but I s-saw him w-writing a letter to Jin yesterday…" she finished, a sob wracking through her body as she slumped against Mai. The older girl held Katara, awkwardly patting her back.
"What has this got to do with Aang?" Mai finally asked. Katara shot up at the mention of the Airbender.
"I don't know if I should tell you…" Katara said uneasily.
"You can, I asked you." Mai reminded her. Katara nodded her head and gulped, wiping at her nose compulsively.
"It's just that…" Katara started hesitantly, "I have all of this shit going on with Zuko, and then I see how much Aang adores you and I'm reminded of what I pushed away and how much I love him" Mai shifted away from her, something that didn't go unnoticed by Katara. "I get quite jealous if I'm being honest" Katara admitted with a sad smile, "I know that you don't like me and that Aang's asking you to be nice but thank you for listening to me Mai" Katara finished.
"No problem" Mai said in her usual monotone. Katara stood up and dusted herself off then tried her best to put on a smile.
"Oh, and Mai?" Katara asked over her shoulder.
"What?"
"Could you not tell Aang?" Katara asked hopefully. Mai stared at her blankly for a moment. She and Aang always told each other everything.
"The Zuko part or the you love him part?" Mai asked.
"Both?"
"Fine." Mai answered. And she wouldn't tell him, not for a while anyway.
XOXOXOXOXOX
(back at the party)
Katara followed Aang, Mai and Ty Lee out of the ball room, keeping a safe distance as they walked around the winding halls of Fire Nation Royal Palace. When she heard a door click open and clothing fall to the floor, she halted.
She had been hoping to get Aang alone for a moment, but she really should have expected that he wasn't 'going to sleep' as he had said. Katara had come to understand that Aang had the same sex drive as a Sky Bison during the mating season.
When it quieted down a bit, Katara's intrigue got the better of her. She crept to the heavy door of Aang's guest room and pushed it open, slapping a hand over her mouth at the sight that awaited her.
On the bed in the centre of the room, Aang lay flat out. Mai was riding his length whilst Ty Lee sat atop his face, both girls moaning loudly. Katara had suspected that Ty Lee had been a part of Aang and Mai's relationship for a while. I mean, the kiss Aang had given Ty Lee in the ballroom was not one you would expect between friends. Still, actually seeing it was a bit of a shock.
Katara found she couldn't move from the door, the image of Aang being pleasured, and pleasuring, both women captivated her. She realised she had overstayed her welcome when she felt her own underwear beginning to soak.
The Waterbender stood quickly and turned to head for her room, the image of a naked Aang swirling before her eyes.
Spirits did she want that boy!
Woah! What did you think? This is the last chapter of flashbacks, now we head on from after the dinner party. For any people who don't like Zutara, I have a strong feeling you're going to like this next chapter…
Please review!