I got a few comments on the last round about "fiery smex" - let me just credit that to someone on LJ whose name I can't remember (step up if you know for certain you invented it!). Meanwhile, it gave me inspiration for this bit. So for the sake of comedy (and anyone who was squeamish about pre-marital sex), let's just assume that up until now, Zuko and Katara have only been engaged in heavy petting.

For something that's not written by a two-bit hack, go read AkaVertigo's Tempest in a Teacup: it's a beautiful AU series that puts my work to shame.

(I wanna see a write-off! Rashaka vs. RedNovember vs. wilderness-writer vs. AkaVertigo! Yeah! FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!)


The Talk


"I have to have the talk with you," Azula said sharply. "Uncle Iroh's making me."

"What 'the talk'?"

"The… uh… night… talk." Azula, normally unfazed by the birds and the bees, suddenly felt very uncomfortable talking to the Water Tribe girl about her brother's bodily functions. "See, on the wedding night, a wife and a husband…"

"Zula, it's okay. I know all about the 'flowers and the eels,' or whatever it is you call it in the Fire Nation," she smiled, the barest blush tinting her cheeks. Azula looked flustered.

"No, it's not that. Well it is that, but… you're from the Water Tribe, so you might not know what… else… is involved." Azula felt her cheeks burn. "Because men from the Fire Nation… when they're… uh… oh boy, this is going to be difficult…"


"What do you mean 'Water Tribe women are different'?" Zuko asked, feeling more than a little uncomfortable talking to his uncle about... that.

"It's not all Water Tribe women, mind you. Just the Waterbenders," Iroh explained. "And Katara is a master, which is why I feel it's important to warn… I mean tell you about…"

"Spit it out, uncle."

"Well, when you're doing… that… it gets, um, hot."

Zuko stared at his old relative. He pointed at himself. "Firebender, remember?"

"Well, that's just the thing. I've heard… stories… where… well, it gets very, um, hot, and a Waterbender's instinct is, naturally, to cool down."

"And?"

Iroh cleared his throat. "Well, Zuko, let me just put it out there. Do you know what frostbite can do?"


"His WHAT is on fire?"

Azula covered her face. "Sometimes… it's ALL on fire."

Katara whimpered and crossed her legs.