A Kiss in Ba Sing Se
[A/N: This is an A/U story. The Toph character does feel inferior to Katara and so in order to compete for Aang's affections pulls out all the stops. Aang is a boy with near infinite power and is being offered love and comfort from the two girls most dear to him.
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights or titles to the characters of Avatar: The Last Airbender. ]
Chapter 20
Cuddle Buddies
The waterbender was still sitting at her table, having regained her composure and deep in thought about her situation.
"Uh... Katara, may I sit and speak with you?" a soft voice asked.
Katara looked up, her normally bright eyes, expressionless. "Do what you want Mai, I believe this is your table as well... you took the liberty of using it as a notepad," she said, turning back to stare into her teacup. " By the way... I got the message... and you don't have to worry about me anymore."
The tall dark lady retook her seat, looking over at the downcast young girl.
"Katara, I..."
"Do I really look that gullible Mai?"
The blade wielder tried to put on her best smile, "What do you mean... I just wanted to apologize."
Katara gazed up at her with a look of incredulity, "And you expect me to believe that bear-bull? After all you put me through... because you think, somewhere in that twisted head of yours, I'm after Zuko. Well, I'm not! I love Aang... but he's got other interest now apparently... so laugh it up!"
Mai stare down at the words she had carved into the table. Somehow they seemed to be very apropos at the moment. She could really relate to how the waterbender felt.
"I'm not laughing Katara. I admit, I was jealous... of you and how Zuko looked at you all the time. He talks about you incessantly, do you know that? Katara is so smart... such a good cook and she is such a powerful bender, he drones on about. I just want to tell him to shut up. I took it all out on you... and for that I was wrong. Please Katara, forgive me."
"Mai you've made a fool of me so many times just tonight, how can I ever trust you again? I would be a fool to say, yeah okay, I forgive you."
The golden eyed girl looked hard the waterbender, "What if... what if, I brought your little boyfriend over here to sit with you for awhile... would that be a start?" she offered.
Katara leaned forward on the table, "Really... you aren't shitting me, are you Mai?"
"No... I am not... eh... shitting you... Katara," she replied, leaning in as well. "I know that this would just be a small gesture, but would you then see that I am making an honest effort?"
Katara nodded, "If you can get him away from that little elbow leech of a princess, I think that would be a definite start... Mai," she said with a smile.
"Consider it done," Mai replied in her customary deadpan voice.
Katara watched as Mai stood and walked as if she was gliding across the floor. She approached Aang and Toph, who were standing in a corner of the room they had occupied for most of the night. She saw her say something to first Toph. The petite princess nodded and walked towards where Zuko and Sokka, who were standing with King Lao. She then took Aang's arm, and they started for the table.
It looked all so simple, but Katara's heart started to beat faster the closer he got.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she thought, "... he might be angry with me. He might think I'm a jealous, selfish, shrew-cat."
When they got into ear shot Katara now overheard Mai talking to the young Avatar.
"… so you see Aang, Zuko was saying how lovely Katara was tonight, but how lonely she looked and that maybe he should keep her company..."
Aang's jaw dropped, "He said that? He said that to you... his girlfriend? I-I can't believe that guy!"
Mai nodded,"Well... I think in all fairness, he was trying to frame it as a friend... but I did hear about a certain cavern here in the city... and a misunderstanding."
Katara's face flushed and she dropped her head at the mention of that incident, one she would sooner forget.
"If anyone is keeping my lonely girlfriend company, it will be me!" Aang insisted as they arrived at the table.
Mai offered him her seat, "I thought you would see it that way... enjoy your time together. You do make a splendid looking couple."
As the young airbender sat, the tall lady winked at her comrade. Katara's heart started to sink though as she spied Toph making a beeline for the table, no doubt to retrieve her prize. To her shock and relief, Mai intercepted her. They appeared to have a brief argument and then they walked off... together.
"I don't know what magic you used Mai... but thank you," she thought as she focused on the young man before her.
"Thanks for coming to sit with me... finally," she said all to harshly.
His gray eyes narrowed, "I told you... I was busy and that..."
She leaned up on the table, "Yeah, I saw how... busy... you were and with who. Standing in that corner, making that you twos own little private world. Laughing and giggling... looking like the perfect couple... don't you?"
"I come over here to sit with you... an-and all you can do is accuse me of... of what Katara? Why don't you come straight out and say what you mean?" he demanded, clenching his jaw.
"The only reason you came over here at all, or even looked this way, is because Mai told you too. Some caring boyfriend you are. You've been sniffing up Toph's butt all day... and I do mean all day. I've seen you for less than an hour today, do you realize that Aang?" she asked, determined not to cry. "Of course not, because she has been the center of your world. And if I sound jealous, well, I am. And I think I have the right to be. This is suppose to be our second day, but instead it's been her day."
Aang bowed his head, rubbing his forehead, "I-I see your point Katara. I've been a complete butt. I haven't been fair to you and that need to change. Starting right now, you have my undivided attention."
Katara sat back crossing her legs, "But what if your Sifu told you to run and fetch her a glass of something or other... wouldn't you have to jump up and fetch it?"
He smiled, "I would have to just tell her that I'm off duty as off now... because I'm with my girlfriend for the rest of the night."
They both leaned over the table, holding hands, "I like that... and maybe after this... we can maybe take a long carriage ride back through the park," she suggested in a sultry voice.
"Huh... about that Katara..."
Aang stood next to Toph in the reception line as the guest departed. His face still stung from the vicious slap that the waterbender delivered a short time before. He watched as she ran over to her brother, falling into his arms. No doubt he would be hearing about this tomorrow.
Toph nudged him, "Hey Twinkles, Suki's was really weird tonight. As she was leaving, she gave me this big hug, and told me that everything was going to be alright," the new princess whispered. "I had to pinch myself to keep from laughing in her face."
"I'm just happy it all worked out..." he replied, his voice trailing off as the cerulean eyed waterbender stood in front of him. She kissed him lightly on the struck cheek.
"Sorry Aang... the King told me everything. I guess I really did overreact. I-I should have believed you... trusted you. I'll work on it." Katara stepped over, kissing the earthbender on both cheeks, "Congratulations Toph or should I say Princess Toph."
"Thanks, but you're still the queen... the Sugar Queen," the princesss jested with a warm smile.
The two girls giggled a bit before Katara shifted back over one to stand in front of her boyfriend.
"Hey Aang, I'll help you move your stuff to..."
The young monk tensed, "Huh not needed, they've even moved my stuff over from the Inn already, Katara."
Her face darkened as she stepped closer, "Let me guess... Toph's idea?"
Aang rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah, how did you know?"
Katara stepped back glaring at the blind girl, "Wild guess."
Aang stepped out of the line, taking her by the arm, "Look Katara, this is just like what I was doing with Zuko in the Fire Nation, but on a wider scale. You know how the war really hurt this country. The King is giving me an opportunity to make a real difference."
Katara dropped her head in defeat, "Well, it is official business, and a new King needs all the help he can get, I suppose. It's fine, we'll get to know each other better... some other night. There will be lots of nights... if don't keep me waiting too long, Avatar Aang." she warned, kissing him lightly.
"I won't Katara, I promise." he replied with a hug.
As soon as all the guest were gone, Aang was led to his chambers. He was surprised that all his stuff had been put away, neater than he would ever do it.
He yawned, "By the four winds, I'm beat."
He looked around the suite, locating the facilities and the wardrobe.
With a quick wash up and rinse of his mouth, he disrobed down to his skivvies and dove between the cool satin sheets. The moment his head hit the pillow, lights out.
Aang awoke to the sound of a small groan beside him. "Wh-where am I," he asked himself sitting up in the darkness.
The surroundings were totally unfamiliar and he was still trying to clear his blurred vision when an arm flung over his chest.
"Whaaaa!" he cried, rolling off the edge of the bed, unto the hard, cold floor.
"Uuugh..." he exclaimed, shaking his head and getting up on his knees. He lit a fire in the palm, peering over at the bed. The non-descriptive lump under the covers moaned softly once more. He lifted the edge of the blanket slowly, "Toph," he sighed to himself. "Toph... Toph," he whispered coarsely into her ear. "What are you doing here, in my bed?"
The sleepy earthbender yawned and stretched. She then turned her head his way, puckering for a kiss.
Aang kissed her softly as she hunkered back down into the downy soft pillow, apparently drifting back off to sleep.
He sighed throwing up his hands. When she was like this, wasn't much anyone could do to wake her. He scooted in under the blankets and sheets. Suddenly he noticed that she was just under the blanket.
"Hmph, a morality barrier," he thought with a smile. That's what they called it on the road when they had to all share beds like this. "Somethings never change..."
Aang felt a stirring in his heart as the idea that they belonged to one another came into his mind. He reached over and hugged her, getting as close as possible, morality barrier not withstanding. The connection was so powerful, it brought tears to his eyes.
"Wuss," she whispered with half smile.
He found her lips in the darkness with his own. The kiss tasted salty, seasoned with her tears.
"Oh... so who's the wuss now," he asked cuddling further.
"Just go back to sleep Twinkle Toes," she said with a little yawn, "I am really tired, not getting any sleep last night... plus I have to sneak out of here early."
Toph rolled over, offering her back to him, as he drew her in even closer. "Goodnight Twinkle Toes... best day ever!" she sighed as she once again fell asleep.
He buried his face into her thick, raven hair, smelling her jasmine orange scent. It was all so intoxicating. He felt himself stirring with desire... but soon sleep won out and he floated off into Toph filled dreams.
The young Avatar woke with a start. He couldn't believe he had done it... and with her... right in his arms!
"Oh man... this is so embarrassing," he exclaimed as he verified what had just occurred in his sleep. An obvious product of that last dream.
He sat up slightly, hoping to tell if she was still asleep. "Thank the winds... she's sleeping," he thought.
He was only wearing his underwear, but with her being blind, that really didn't matter. He slowly rolled out of bed, careful not to bang into anything in the dark. Aang soon reasoned that he could take the shades off the luminescent crystals, since she was blind!
"Duh," he said to himself.
He as quietly as possible, filled the wash basin and heated it with his bending. He proceeded to wash where was needed and changed quickly into a new pair of shorts.
As he walked back into the room, about to cut off the light, he saw Toph, leaning up on one elbow, "Sheets wet Twinkle Toes... and if I recall... you don't wet the bed... or do you?"
His face exploded red, "Uh... Toph... Tophy... uh..."
She giggled, "I know what it is Twinkle Toes...remember, we've already crossed that line."
He rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah, I know, but this was... ya know.. a dream."
"Was I in it?" she asked, stand up and stripping away the soiled sheet.
"Yeah, it was all about you... you were my...my... this is too embarrassing Tophy."
She smiled, lowering her eyes, "Your what... please tell me. What could be more embarrassing than wetting the bed at your age?"
He shook his head, "I didn't wet my bed... though it's called a wet dream... it's not pee!"
"Duh, I know that. So, why don't you just tell me about the dream? Maybe one day... I'll make it come true for you," she said in a husky voice. "Should I rub any special part..."
"No..." he exclaimed backing up, "wh-why would you ay that?"
"I thought it would help you recall the details Twinkle Toes," she said in a singsong voice.
He gazed over at the petite princess. Her floor length nightgown didn't appear very thick in the green light of the crystal. The monk's mind began to wander. Aang had to reign himself in, thoroughly rejecting her offer, "Well Toph, I don't think you really want to hear about…"
"Oh please... tell me Aang about the dream," she requested with the cutest pouty face he had ever seen her make. And just as fast it was gone. "And remember don't lie to me... you already owe me," she warned him.
Aang felt like he was on fire now as sat back down on the bed... absent the sheet, "Okay... I'll tell you."
He closed his eyes and let his mind replay it. "Well, I fell asleep beside you, as you know, an-and, you were there... in my dreams..."
"Go on," she urged him sweetly.
"It started with you... you were teaching me earthbending, and of course, I screwed up. I didn't let the boulder squish me like you wanted me too. You then stood over me, making that angry face and I really wanted to kiss you... just like in real life."
He stopped for a moment, savoring the moment, hearing her gasp of surprise.
"Then you ordered me to kiss you Toph as well as do other... naughty things."
"Oh, so I order you around like a boy floozy.. huh? Does that turn you on Twinkles... do you like being bossed around?"
He chuckled at the question, "Well it starts that way, but then I take control and we... huh..."
She laid across the bed in his direction, "We what Aang?"
"Please love... this is very embarrassing," he whispered as if being overheard.
"Oh... we made love you mean," she clarified.
"Yes... and other things," he confirmed.
"There's more?" she asked with a bright smile.
"Yeah... especially the dancing," he exhaled with a big grin.
She picked up the excitement in his voice, "Ah, the dancing is what you really like, hey Twinkle Toes?" Was it like the dancing you did with Sweetness?"
His eyes got a faraway look to them, "No, i-it was like a dancer I saw here in Ba Sing Se, down at the slave district... she was wearing veils... and not much else. I saw her, when I was looking for Appa that time," he admitted shyly.
Toph's cheeks tinged red, "Wow... so veils... not much else you say?"
"Yeah, you were wearing sheer veils... lots of them, and I would be your, huh... Sultan," he explained, almost reliving it in his mind.
Toph's heart was starting to beat stronger, "Dancing girl... so do I... uh, dance around and take these... veils off, or something?" she asked, hand waving in the air.
Aang couldn't control his heart now, "Well no.. you are more like my love slave, with gold bracelets and bangles and such."
"Hmm, even better, so what does Toph, the love slave, do for Sultan Aang in this dream. How does this love slave go about satisfying her master?" she inquired in an ultra sexy voice.
"Well she... I mean you... let me pull off the veils, one by one, until there are none left, as you sway to this really soft and sexy music."
"Then what Aang?" she requested as her breathing became more labored, diving into the scene.
"That's when I... let loose," he concluded with a shrug.
"Oh," she clicked her tongue looking somewhat disappointed. "Good start Twinkles, really gotta work on that ending."
"Hey, I can't control a dream Tophy... it's just a dream. I said you probably wouldn't like it," he groaned.
She rolled unto the far side of the bed and under the blanket.
"What I don't like is a whiny man... that's what I don't like. The dream is fine Twinkles, and it's good that you were dreaming of me and not her... and you don't have to even say her name. This is our room... our time. If your good, I'll get those veils... plus... I'll dance for you... now shut up and come to bed... morning comes too early," she told him, lifting the edge of the covers.
Aang covered the crystal as he flew beneath the blanket, settling down beside her. They kissed passionately once more.
"Goodnight my love. You know... this is the first time I ever slept with anyone... well you know personally, like we just did... and I'm glad it's you," he exclaimed, hugging her tightly.
She returned his hug and then flipped over. They cuddled together, minus the morality barrier.
He buried his face into her thick hair again, "Toph... you smell so..."
"I said, shut up and go to sleep Twinkle Toes! And whatever is poking me in my back... tell it to go to sleep as well," she told him with a small laugh. "Veils... hmmm..." she muttered as she fell to sleep once more.