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Zuko had never been kissed before.
Well, he supposed it might be more accurate to say he had never been kissed like this before.
Before his banishment, he had had a brief encounter with Azula's friend Mai who had a very large, very noticeable crush on him. Azula had dared them to kiss, with a slightly cruel edge, even at the age of 11. Mai was two years younger than Zuko, and though she had grown into her thin frame now, back then, she had largely resembled a boy. It was obvious that Azula hoped Zuko would refuse her friend for her looks and age, and it would be another thing Azula would be able to hold over them.
Zuko often thought fondly of this occasion as one of the few times he thought he had not fallen for Azula's tricks. He had outwitted her and simply kissed Mai softly on the cheek.
They had both blushed and, at the time anyway, he couldn't have imagined a more glorious feeling.
Even though he was only 13, Zuko could not believe his younger self had been so naive to think that innocent kiss on the cheek was what love was.
Later, when it was his 15th birthday and he was spending yet another night with his Uncle and crew aboard the ship, a few of the men had left the harbor for town for a secret 'mission' as they called it.
That night, his crew poured alcohol down his throat as they prepared him for his first time having sex. His first time having sex was to be with a prostitute.
Zuko supposed it was common enough. If he had still been at Court, no doubt his Father would have arranged for one of the palace concubines to see to his...education.
His Uncle, no doubt wanting things to feel as normal as possible for him (and probably wanting the opportunity to embarrass him with tips from his 'glory days'), had arranged it all. When the crew felt him drunk enough, they carried him on their shoulders to his room laughing uproariously. They dumped him on a bed that was already occupied by two women wearing revealing clothing.
Zuko didn't want to think about the things they had done, though he hoped he might be able to put the knowledge to good use one day and please Katara. Suffice it to say, he hadn't kissed them, and he had no illusions in thinking that was love.
Here, in his dark bedroom with his lips on Katara's, it felt as though time had stopped. The ship, usually emitting an endless cacophony of moans and groans, now had fallen completely silent. The relaxing whoosh of the waves of the ocean against the bow of the ship had disappeared too. And his chi, his whole spirit...everything inside of him was buzzing with the energy flowing between their lips.
Zuko had not known much love in his life, and he did not know if he loved Katara, but he remembered Katara's thoughts he had overheard just before they kissed.
Of course they didn't need to be together, but why would they want to be with anyone else?
The connection between them was buzzing so much it felt loud now, but Zuko did not want to stop and it was clear Katara didn't either. Zuko had never kissed anyone like this, but he tried to remember every piece of advice he had ever been told. He hesitantly opened his mouth and rubbed his tongue against hers.
The connection between them was a veritable explosion of sensation and color. Katara responded back enthusiastically, moaning slightly.
Just like that, she drew back. Zuko, unprepared for her sudden movement, fell forward slightly, panting a bit.
He couldn't look at her as he tried to get his breathing (and other things) under control.
Katara was looking at her hands as though she had never seen herself before.
"That一that was," she gasped, then she blushed, "I don't, I don't usually moan like that I don't know一" she was cut off by Zuko's disbelieving laugh.
He couldn't help but press his lips to hers again briefly, keeping her silent.
Trust me, he smirked against her lips, I love that I can make you moan.
Zuko surprised himself with that statement, though it was more than true. He felt possessive of everything about Katara, even her moans. He wanted to be the only one to cause them, and the only one to hear them.
Katara blushed even more deeply as she picked up on his thoughts. He smirked at her, blushing only slightly.
Are you okay with that?
She blushed again, but she had a small smile as she nodded.
I think you're the only one I would like to hear them.
They both blushed then, and when she looked down he took that second to collect himself.
Katara looked back up to start speaking.
"So back to what Yue suggested-"
"Hold on!" Zuko exclaimed, interrupting her, "You haven't agreed yet."
"Agreed to what," she asked confusedly.
He grinned wickedly, and kissed her again.
"Agreed to be mine," he nearly growled against her lips.
Katara blushed, then smile saucily.
"If I agree to be yours will I always get this many kisses?" she asked.
He looked at her in shock (and a little lust, if he was being honest. Who was thisgirl?). She grinned in response as he floundered. As confident and accepted as Katara made him feel, there was still a small part of him that felt like he was dreaming, a part that was just waiting to wake up.
"Just say it," he grumbled, a little bit sulkily.
"Promise me kisses."
"I'm not saying that out loud!"
"Promise me kisses, Zuko."
He paused, then relented with a wicked grin. Risks bring rewards, he thought.
"You'll get lots of kisses," the Prince promised, "and one day, I'll kiss every inch of your naked body." His eyes roamed her body pointedly. She flushed, and seemed to realize she couldn't win this battle.
"I'll be your girlfriend, okay!" she yelled exasperatedly.
"You'll be mine, Katara", his eyes were penetrating. He didn't know why he thought it important that she say that, maybe it was some deep-rooted male instinct to mark his female as his own (he laughed at the thought). Somewhere, deep in his bones, it felt important to acknowledge.
The Waterbender blushed as she finally met his eyes and spoke again. "I'll be yours, Prince Zuko."
She looked at him demurely. Zuko felt her surprise with herself. After all, Katara had never addressed him as a prince before (not without sarcasm anyway). Whatever the reason she said it, it made his blood boil. He kissed her softly, trying to get back to their conversation as he could see through the window that over an hour had gone by. They did actually need to go to sleep at some point.
Whatever he planned flew quickly out of his head when his lips met hers.
The increased tingling alone told Zuko he was right about Katara needing to acknowledge the fact that she belonged with him and he with her. The loud buzzing and the explosive sensation of fire meeting water over and over again told him their bond had gotten stronger. It felt stronger, he felt like he could even feel her thoughts stronger. The impressions were even more distinct now and flashed quickly in his mind.
She slowly pulled away from him, her lips slightly swollen and flushed from their activities.
"Fuck," she said dreamily. Zuko laughed at her outburst. No way did you just say that. Katara smiled back sheepishly.
"Gran-gran was really strict about cursing back home," she explained, "she would wash our mouths out with whale-blubber soap if she ever heard us." She paused. "Those rules feel really...childish," she shrugged, "I'm not a child. I don't want to feel like a child with you."
I want to be your equal.
Zuko took pause at that. Though it hadn't always been this way, today, the core tenant of the position of the Firelord was no one was equal to or above you. The position carried with it a spiritual designation, a divine 'right to rule'. Though the Fire Lady was the Firelord's companion, as she was not born of royal blood, there was no way her authority could ever be considered equal to her husband.
And yet, here Katara was, confident laying out her terms for a relationship between them. She was already negotiating for herself, had mastered her element, and was already proving herself to be more than worthy of equal rule. He shook his head at the small Water Tribe girl in front of him. When are you going to stop turning my life upside down?
While he was lost in thought, Katara made herself more comfortable. She took his left hand in her own and lifted his arm just enough so she could slide under it.
Their chi slid against each other and reached out to meet in the space between. Zuko relaxed into the feeling, getting over his slight discomfort at being hugged. He hadn't been hugged except by his Uncle in years, and it was strange letting people into his space that weren't the old general.
As though she could hear his thoughts (and he supposed she could), Katara wiggled out from under his arm to look at him.
"I'll have you know, hugging is very important in the Water Tribe," she said in a mock official sounding voice, "If you're looking for someone to give you lots of hugs around here, it'll be me."
Zuko squeezed her hand. It was strange to be grateful for things he didn't know he was missing. Although he could choose to be angry at having Katara in his head, eeking away at his privacy, he instead felt like he had found something he had been missing. Here was someone who could know his deepest thoughts, who would almost always know how to cheer him up, and he could do the same for her. Here was someone he would never have to find the words to explain his fears and feelings to, as she would simply instinctively know. For a man like Zuko, a man who had spent so long searching for belonging, companionship, and acceptance, there could be nothing better.
And, in his signature 'both feet in' fashion, he vowed to spend the rest of his life thanking her.
He did not say any of this out loud, because he knew she already understood. Katara had succeeded in distracting him from his depressing thoughts about his Uncle. She could tell that as well.
"Thanks," said Zuko, not explaining what he was saying it for. There was silence, but he knew she understood.
Author's Note: Alright kids, how are we feeling about the kiss? The teasing? The possession? ;D I'll be honest, I love a possessive Zuko. Not only is it hot, but it definitely follows from the show and what we know of his childhood that he would be possessive. The only person who might encourage him to share was banished, and the only person he probably would have shared with was a psychotic bitch!
I hoped you liked my explanation about Zuko's lack of anger or denial about the bond by the way. I think it would be the same Katara. Both of these teenagers are lacking a best friend. They're lacking someone they can talk to that isn't a mentor, someone they have to take care of, or their brother. They will both be possessive of this relationship, because that's how new relationships are. Idk how long that will last but we'll let the characters speak for themselves ;D