Falling into the Moments
Rating: M (for adult language, alcohol use, and depictions of sex)
Summary: Sokka is not the only one with a natural curiosity in the family. Set before, during and after the Ember Island Players episode. Part two of three.
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It's Becoming Something That's Impossible To Ignore
Katara glanced out the kitchen window of the beach house that was meters away from the ocean front and witnessed her friends splashing in the water. Well, except Toph, who was showing off her sand-bending skills to Zuko.
Katara smiled, glad that everyone seemed to be getting along now. As she went back to preparing dinner, her mind drifted to what she discovered a couple of nights ago.
The first night they stayed at the property, Katara, not being able to sleep comfortably, wandered around the halls and different rooms that were not anyone else's bedrooms.
In one room, she found old paintings of Zuko's family hung on the wall, noting a few that were missing thanks to the dark outlines, vases that shone even in the moonlit area, and a narrow table that hosted dust covered knickknacks from days of old. After giving everything a once over, she left the abandoned room and walked down a long hall to an area of the house that seemed detached from the rest of the home.
Katara could only assume it was Zuko's parents' former bedroom and wondered if going inside was a good idea. Deciding that it was not, she went back to her room to rest.
On the second night, noises from Suki's room next to hers woke her from her slumber. Figuring it was Sokka causing Suki to moan in ways Katara did not want to know, and not wanting to hear anymore, she threw on her blue dress, belted it and left, closing her door as quietly as possible.
She walked the halls, passing by Toph's room, her snores competing with Suki's moans. Katara trekked on, leaving the night symphony behind.
Before she realized it, she was in front of the double doors from the previous night. Her fingers itched to grasp the metal gold door handle and pull one door open to peek inside. After a few seconds of mentally debating with herself, Katara yanked the door open before she lost her resolve.
The room was large, big enough to fit two Appas inside it with room to spare; the bed centered within it was huge, and the vanity against the wall had a mirror atop it that almost reached the high ceiling. Though there were few furnishings, the items inside were ornate and screamed expensive, even through the years of dust and lack of maintenance.
Katara walked over to the vanity, catching her reflection in the mirror, the moon, now full, providing her light from a big window on the other side of the room. Katara looked at all the items on the vanity, an old, ruby studded brush, a jewelry box with thin gold chains spilling out from the closed lid; a gold trimmed hand mirror, and a book of sorts, whose cover was blank of any writings.
Curious, Katara picked it up, blowing off some dust, and started to flip through the pages of parchment. She felt her cheeks heat up as she looked at the illustrations. The images were erotic in nature and Katara could not believe her eyes.
One page had a drawing of a woman on her knees, her head down on a pillow, her hands clutching the sheet as the guy behind her buried his member deep within her, his head thrown back, a look of pure pleasure etched onto his face. Another page had a guy on his back, head propped up via pillow, his hands holding onto a woman's breasts as she rode him up top. The next one had a couple in a sitting position, the woman in his lap, his hands gripped on her bottom as he suckled on her nipples.
The positions kept changing the more Katara flipped through. She could not stop looking, her eyes scanning every detail on every page. While she was not new to sex, thanks to a certain freedom fighter, a secret she was going to take to her grave, her encounter with him was nothing like this. There was more passion and emotion in the drawings, while her first and last act in intimate affairs left her unsatisfied and sore.
Katara placed the book back on the vanity, bit her lip, and then picked up the book again. She tucked it inside her dress and made her way out of the room, closing the door softly behind her, giving the hall a once over. Noting that the coast was clear, Katara silently but quickly jogged back to her room, thankful to hear only Toph snoring and no other noises.
Katara shook her head, her mind coming back to the present. As she chopped a few stalks of carrots and bok choy, she wondered was else she could find in that old room. Another book of illustrations, one that might have step by step instructions would be nice, or maybe a book with a story.
Katara placed the chopped bits of vegetables into simmering three inch deep pot to go along side the thinly cut mushrooms, tofu cubes, and noodles, covering the meal with a glass lid.
"Smells good."
Katara looked up from the pot on the cook top and saw Zuko step through the doorway.
"Thanks. It should be ready in forty-five minutes," Katara said, wiping her hands off on a towel from the counter.
Zuko gave a nod as he walked to the counter, grabbing an apple from a basket placed there. "Sokka wanted me to let you know that they left for the market."
Katara glanced at the remainder of their supplies in the few baskets littering the countertop and realized just how low on food they were. "Yeah, that would be good – wait, you're not going with them?"
Zuko shook his head. "I want to clean up." Taking a bite out of the apple, Zuko walked out of the kitchen and up the steps.
"Crap," was Katara's response to that bit of news. If everyone had left, she would have had some time to herself, but with Zuko being there, the opportunity was slipping away. Then again, he was going to be otherwise occupied, so maybe…
As she climbed up the steps and walked down the hallway moments later, she paused in front of the closed bathroom door, listening to the running water. Content with her findings, she went into her room, closed the door, pulled out the book from underneath the mattress, and settled into the bed.
She flipped to certain pages, already having favorites, and stopped on one in particular. The image depicted a woman on her side, her leg being held up and over the guy's shoulder while he thrust inside her, a fistful of the woman's long hair in his hand, his other hand pinching her clit. It looked like the position should hurt, but the woman's o shaped mouth and the guy biting his lip said otherwise.
Katara could feel herself getting aroused, and forgetting her circumstances, she slipped a hand down her red sarong, past her pants and in her under wrappings. As she flipped to another page with her free hand, Katara stroked her wet folds, slowly sliding her middle finger inside. She let out a low moan, flipping to another page.
Page after page, back and forth her fingers went, moan after moans, which were getting louder, Katara could feel herself getting close. Just a little more…
As Katara flipped to her absolute favorite page of all, an illustration depicting a couple going at it underneath a moonlit night by a riverside area, the woman on top, the guy under her, suddenly his face vanished and was replaced by Zuko's.
Startled, Katara stopped her fingers from moving over her sex and stared at the page. She inspected it slowly, running her eyes over all the details and with a shock could see the resemblance between the two, it was almost uncanny. Of course, the man on the parchment did not have the scar, but it was not like that ever made Zuko ugly, it was just a part of him. As Katara studied the man's face, it never stopped being Zuko's, and with an alarming thought, it did not bother her, so she started her fingers back up.
After all, it was just a fantasy.
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Zuko lathered his hair, massaging the scalp as the water rained down overheard. Even in banishment, he could still enjoy a few perks of being royalty: in-door piping.
As he finished rinsing out the remaining soap, the water in the air slowly started to crystallize and bead against his skin. Confused, Zuko heated the water once more, but just as he completed the task, the moisture again grew cold and stuck to him like icy jewels.
Perplexed, Zuko did not what to make of the water going awry, but he knew who to ask about the phenomenon.
He climbed out of the stone shower, grabbing his towel off counter. Zuko dried off, wondering of the possibilities behind the weird behavior of the water.
Just as Zuko was pulling on his underpants, he heard a loud groan from the room next door. Quickly tossing on his tunic, then regular brown pants, he left the bathroom in a hurried pace.
He reached Katara's room and knocked.
"Katara? Is everything okay?"
He heard a yelp, and then a thud as something fell to the floor on the other side of the wooden door.
"Uh, yeah. Just, um, hold on!"
Zuko waited, curious.
A moment later, Katara opened the door with a nervous smile.
"Hey."
"Hey…" Zuko started. "I heard a shout or something. Everything okay?"
Katara paled, worried that he might have overheard her finale.
"Oh that. I was just doing some water-bending moves and there was this one that was especially tricky and I kind of fell over, which is probably what you heard," she rambled, hoping he believed her weak lie.
He processed her words, feeling something was a little off about it, but not being able to think of why, he told her about the icy development in the shower.
Katara frowned. "That's bizarre. I don't know why it would act that way."
"Maybe you subconsciously bent the water when you were practicing your moves?" Zuko suggested.
Katara bit her lip, her mind whirling as she connected the dots. Not only did he hear her, she somehow bent the water in the bath he was in, and on top of it all, he was the subject of her recent fantasy.
To say she was embarrassed would be putting it lightly.
Face red, Katara darted her eyes away from his.
"Um, yeah, that could be it."
There was a pause.
Zuko felt like something was still amiss, but he let it be.
"Alright. Well, I'm gonna go lie down for a bit."
He departed to his room and Katara sagged against the doorframe in relief, glad the encounter was over.
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"What the fuck is that smell?" Toph's voice rang from downstairs.
Katara came downstairs and walked into the kitchen, the sight of confused and slightly uneasy faces of Toph, Sokka, and Suki greeted her.
Katara gave a nervous smile. "Welcome back."
"Some welcome. Dinner is ruined," whined Sokka, who blew out the small fire underneath the cooking pot.
"Still probably an improvement over anything you'd make," Toph remarked as she set two baskets on the table.
"Hey!" Sokka shot Toph a glare, not caring that she could not actually see it.
Suki walked over to him and patted his arm. "I like your cooking, Sokka."
"Someone has to," Toph mumbled, and then asked in her usual octave, "So what happened, Sweetness?"
Katara thought up different things to say, then settled on a safe bet, "I thought I had enough time to rest, but it turns out I didn't. Sorry, everyone." She figured mixing in a little truth with a lie would deter Toph from accusing her of fibbing.
"Hm," Toph started, and then shrugged. "Good thing we bought more food."
"Yeah… Where's Aang?" Katara asked, glad she was not called out.
"Feeding Appa," Sokka stated simply as he took the towel from the counter and used it as a buffer between his hand and the pot handle. "What do you want me to do with this?"
"I guess dump it, there's no saving it."
Sokka glanced down at the dried, burnt remains of what was supposed to be dinner and had to agree. He walked out, with Suki in tow, to the garbage can outside the house.
As soon as they left, Toph turned towards Katara. "Okay, spill."
Katara blinked, removing a few items of food from the baskets to start dinner all over again. "What do you mean?"
"Your heart rate has been all uppity since you came in. What's up?" Toph crossed her arms, waiting.
Katara both loved and hated Toph's ability to notice such nuances in the human body. At that moment, it was the latter. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Toph rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right, and I'm the fire lord."
At the mention of fire lord, Katara's mind flashed over to a soon to be fire lord and could not stop the blush that crept up to her cheeks.
"Oooh…So that's what this is about," Toph teased, grinning, her feet instantly picking up on the sudden spike in Katara's heart beat.
Katara sputtered incoherently, "I-what?"
Toph felt familiar feet coming down the steps and smirked. "Don't worry, Katara, I won't tell anyone about it."
"Tell anyone about what?" Zuko asked, coming into the kitchen, glancing at them both in turn.
"Oh, nothing, just Katara's crush on the fire lord," Toph teased.
"What!" Katara yelled, wondering how Toph got that ridiculous idea.
"You have a crush on my father?" Zuko asked, surprised.
"No! Of course not! Toph is just talking nonsense." Katara glared at Toph's smiling face. Realizing she could not see it, Katara laid out some celery and carrots on the cutting board, needing a distraction.
Zuko felt relieved to hear that and looked at the trickster in question.
Feeling that she teased them enough for now, Toph gave a simple shrug and left, calling over her shoulder, "Let me know when the food is ready."
The pair watched Toph's retreating form and Katara sighed once she was out of ear shot.
"What was that all about?" Zuko asked, walking over to Katara's side.
"I haven't the faintest idea," Katara answered honestly as she took a knife from the sink next to the counter and began chopping the vegetables.
"Oh," Zuko murmured. "So…do you need any help?"
Katara shook her head. "That's okay, I've got this."
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Dinner time soon approached, albeit later than anyone thought, and there were not any mishaps with the food the second time around. Katara was grateful for that.
Suki and Sokka came back just in the nick of time, their venture to the trash having a detour, to which no one questioned. Katara was thankful there was another cooking pot; she really did not want to go outside to look for the couple to ask for the first one back, just in case she came across whatever compromising position they might have been in.
Katara poured out stew into individual bowls and handed each one to everyone seated at the table. When she passed Zuko his bowl, she could have sworn her mind subconsciously let her finger tips linger on the back of his hand longer than needed.
Aang gave a sniff to the steaming bowl and smiled. "Smells great, Katara."
"Thanks, Aang." Katara took her seat at the table between Toph and Zuko; Aang, Sokka and Suki on the other side.
Suki stirred her share before scooping up a portion onto her spoon, taking a bite, everyone else doing more or less the same.
"So do we have anything planned for the night? I was thinking-" Sokka started.
"You're gonna hurt yourself doing that, ya know," Toph cut in around a mouthful of food.
Sokka shot her a glare before continuing, "Anyway, as I was saying, I was thinking we could go into town and check out the Golden Dragon festival. We saw a poster on a bulletin board and this is the last night for it."
Katara groaned. "Sokka, do you remember the last time we went to a festival in the Fire Nation?"
"I don't. What happened?" Toph asked, her interest piqued.
"Well…" Sokka started as he explained the story animatedly to Toph, Suki and Zuko who were not part of the group at the time.
"So that's how you met Jeong-Jeong. I was wondering that for a while now," remarked Toph as she held up her bowl and drank the remaining juices from the stew.
"Yeah. I mean, in hindsight, I guess you could say it was worth going to the festival," said Aang, scraping up the rest of the stew onto his spoon.
"Exactly, and besides, we deserve to relax while we can," Sokka declared, his food gone by mid-point in the story.
Suki nodded in agreement.
Toph burped, patting her stomach. "Sure, why not."
"It would be nice to do something other than train all day," remarked Aang.
Katara felt like the odd one out. She really did not feel like going, she worried that they were taking a huge risk going into the heart of the city, even in Fire Nation disguises.
"Yeah, it would be nice to get out this stuffy house for a while," Zuko remarked.
Katara peered at him questionably, but made no comment.
"All right!" Sokka shouted, jumping up from his seat and making his way out of the kitchen, muttering something about a beard and money.
Suki smiled after her boyfriend.
"Wait, Sokka, I want to wear it this time!" Aang yelled, using his airbending skills to speed after Sokka.
Toph stood. "I should probably bring some money to gamble."
Katara gave her a disapproving look. "Toph…"
Toph waved her off. "Don't get your breeches in a twist, I promise not to draw attention to us," and with that, she walked out.
Suki titled her head slightly, confused. "Do I even want to know?"
Katara shook her head, standing up, collecting the bowls. "It's a story for another day."
Suki took Katara's word for it, then asked, "Do you need any help with clean up?"
Zuko stood up then. "I promised her I would help this time around."
Suki chalked it up to him still trying to be on Katara's good side and left the pair to clean.
Zuko stacked the cookware into the sink, picking up a washcloth from the back of it.
"Wait, there's no need for that." Katara used a simple waterbending move with her arm and wrist, mixing liquid soap from a cup that was set aside into the water in the sink, whirling the mixture onto all the bowls and spoons, before removing the dirty liquid and transferring it to a bucket on the floor.
Zuko placed the unused washcloth back down. "Guess you didn't need my help after all."
"Sorry. I'm just so used to doing everything by myself that it's become second nature to me," Katara apologized, looking a little sheepish.
Zuko frowned at that, but he should not have been surprised. Back when he was chasing the avatar and the rest of them, he took note on how motherly-like Katara was, despite all of them being in the same age bracket.
Still, it felt unfair to him for her to carry all the weight of responsibilities in their rag-tag team.
Zuko lowered his hand over the stack of bowls and steamed them dry, doing the same to the cutlery.
"Thanks. And here I was just gonna lay them out to dry,"
"Well. Now that I'm around, you don't have to," Zuko replied with a small smile.
Katara smiled back, then a thought occurred to her. "Say…" she started, taking a seat at the now cleared off table.
Zuko followed suit. "Yeah?"
Katara tapped her fingertips against the wood, wondering how to broach the topic.
"Remember when we were on the beach and you asked me how you can make it up to me?"
Zuko nodded.
"Well…I know a way you can...I think."
"How?"
Katara bit her lip, stilling her hands. "I don't even know if this is a good idea, or if I should, and I haven't really thought it all out, and you're probably say no. In fact, I wouldn't blame you if you did, it's just—"
"Whoa, hold on," Zuko interrupted. "What are you asking me?"
She sighed, trying to get her thoughts in order. "I want you to be my teacher."
Zuko blinked, confused. "Teacher? Did you want to learn fire-bending?"
"No. Um…I know this is poor timing, but who knows what the next day will bring, and so…"
"And so?"
"I want you to teach me about sex."
Zuko stared at her, dumfounded.
"See, I knew you would say no, and damn it, I should have just kept my mouth shut—"
"I never said 'no,' ya know."
It was Katara's turn to stare at him in astonishment.
"Really?"
"Really."
As their eyes stayed locked on one another, Katara felt her face grow hot, and when she dropped her gaze to her lap, it suddenly dawned on her what she just asked of him.
She originally was going to leave him in a fantasy world, but as she thought about their time constraint until comet arrived, the fact that they could all die soon, the fact that he was a guy that was not related to her nor younger, but was older, probably more experienced, that made her think that maybe she could go to him for this.
And besides, he still needed to prove to her that he had really changed, so she intended to make it a win-win situation for herself. If she was able to keep him occupied, then he would not have time to plan anything insidious.
That was the plan, anyway.
Katara felt her chin being lifted gently by very warm fingertips.
"If you're reconsidering, it's okay, I'll understand," Zuko stated softly.
She looked up at him. "I'm not."
Zuko smiled bitterly, letting her chin go. "I wouldn't blame you, considering…"
Katara mulled over what he meant by that, but before she could comment on it, she heard someone coming down the stairs.
"All set?" Sokka announced from outside the kitchen.
"Yeah," Toph yelled, walking down the steps with Suki and Aang, who won against Sokka in rock-water-air-fire to wear the beard for the day, all of them decked out in their night time Fire Nation disguises.
Soon the gang ventured off towards the festival.
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The small inner city in the center of the beach was congested with shops, people, lanterns strung up on poles that were guiding the way, and good cheer. It was much like the previous festival the avatar and the water tribe siblings visited two seasons ago.
For the first twenty or so minutes, the group stayed together, going to various shops, looking at all the items the vendors had to sell. As they walked further into the festival they came across the eateries and Sokka made a vulture-bee line to them, Suki right in step with him.
The others lagged behind, still semi-full from the dinner earlier.
"I swear, where does all the food go?" Toph asked, referring to Sokka's food lust as she felt him speed over to shops with delicious aromas emitting from them.
"I've been trying to figure that out for years now," Katara answered, smiling.
Toph shook her head. "Let me know when you do. In the mean time, I'm gonna go play a few games. Come on, Aang."
"Huh? What do you need me for?"
"An accomplice, of course," Toph stated matter-factually, grabbing his arm and pulling him along.
"Don't con anyone," Katara said sternly as she watched Aang being dragged away by Toph, who waved her hand in a 'yeah, yeah' motion.
The pair remaining stood off to the side as they watched the people go by.
"It really is lovely here, despite everything," Katara stated softly. "I never thought it could be like this."
Zuko glanced at her. "What, you thought everyone would be marching in the streets from dusk until dawn?"
Katara laughed at bit. "No, of course not. Well, not anymore anyway."
"Not everyone has war on their mind. In fact, a lot of the citizens are sick of it. Many towns are poor, exhausted, and just want their families to come home already. During my travels, I've seen some things that are horrifying, not just here, but everywhere in the world. If I can help my nation get back on its feet, maybe we can be a positive influence, and showcase that we're not war-mongering, fire slinging ruffians." Zuko gazed upon his people, the same thought that has been plaguing him since he went back home: would he ever be able to restore his nation to its true glory, where fire was used with good intentions?
"You're going to make a good Fire Lord."
Surprised, Zuko looked at her sincere face. "You really think so?"
"I know so," was her simple reply.
Zuko had an urge to pull her into his arms and hug her tight, but he held back, in fear of one of their friends overlooking.
Instead, he leaned down just slightly and whispered: "Let's head back."
And so they left, leaving the people, their laughs and conversations, the scents of Fire Nation delicacies, the lights, everything, behind.
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Once they were secured behind the privacy of the beach home, Zuko did what he wanted to do since their last conversation.
He hugged her close, speaking softly. "Thank you. I don't think you know how much that meant to me to hear you say that."
Katara was taken aback. "Uh, you're welcome."
Zuko let her go, thinking he overstepped his boundaries. "Sorry…"
"It's okay, I was just surprised is all."
Zuko still felt like an awkward turtle-duck as a silence stretched between them.
"Ya know, since we're here…" Katara began, tugging at a lock of her hair. "Maybe we could…try something."
For a moment, Zuko was confused, but then it dawned on him what she meant.
"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"
Katara blushed. "I mean, we are alone, and we don't have to go that far, but…"
Zuko gently took her hand in his and led her quietly upstairs to his room.
They sat down on his bed, apprehension filling the air.
"How would you want to start this?" Zuko asked.
"Well…" Katara started, "we should start off with something light…Something sweet, I guess."
"…Sweet?"
"I don't know, just… something. Something a novice needs to learn first."
Zuko noted the nervousness in her voice, and he figured as 'teacher,' he should take some initiative.
"Lie back," he instructed.
Katara obliged, wondering what he had planned.
As he lie down next to her, he placed a soft kiss on both her cheeks, her nose, her forehead, and then trailed back down her face, ending with a kiss on her soft, slightly parted lips, eyes closing on both parties.
She raised a hand to the back of his head, playing with the small hairs on his neck as the kiss became heavier, wetter, heated, the faint taste of apple and carrots passing from his mouth to hers.
Zuko groaned against her mouth, loving the feel of her fingers threading through his hair.
He could not believe this was happening, and with Katara, of all people. Not too long ago she threatened to end his life if he betrayed her friends again, and the rollercoaster of hostility, snide remarks, glares and then their newfound friendship that occurred thereafter made him believe he would never be on her good graces.
His uncle was right; destiny really was a funny thing.
Zuko pulled back from the kiss slowly and looked down at her. He examined her face, her arched brows, her curved lashes, her cute button nose, her pinked cheeks, her plump lips; and when Katara opened her eyes to peer up at him, he was struck at how extraordinarily blue they were, they rivaled the seas.
He suddenly felt unworthy of this, of her.
"Zuko?"
He sat up, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe we shouldn't do this after all."
Katara sat up as well, confusion written all over her face. "What's wrong?"
"It's just…"
"I'm not doing it for you, am I?" Katara ventured a guess. A small part of her hated to think of the possibility, but he was royalty after all. The girlfriends he had were in such a contrast to her in every regard.
"No! I mean, no, that's not it at all," Zuko declared without hesitation. "Please do not think that. You are very beautiful, Katara, and very attractive. You made—Er…"
Katara blushed, then blinked when he stalled mid sentence. "Made what?"
"You…When we were, uh…You made me…erect." It was one thing to do this stuff, but actually talking about it was embarrassing the fire out of him. Why was he always so awkward around girls?
Katara could not hold back a surprised intake of breath at that. "Really?"
Zuko gave her a look. "Yes, really. Are you really surprised? I'm sure you had suitors back home that clamored for your attention."
Katara laughed at that, and when she saw Zuko scowl, she quieted. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. Well, that's a lie, it's just…The guys back home were babies, my father, his friends, and my brother. Let me tell you, they weren't 'clamoring' for me."
Zuko thought it over and chuckled. "Yeah, I guess not. But seriously, Katara, you are really pretty. If anything, I'm more surprised you would want to engage in…activities like that… with me." Zuko felt the urge to touch his scar, but resisted.
Instead, as if she knew what he was thinking, reached over to touch it for him. "This scar doesn't make you ugly, Zuko, it just makes you, you. You are handsome, don't let this mar that."
Zuko felt his heart swell unexpectedly at her statement.
.
.
"Zu…"
He mumbled his response against her bare breast, his hand caressing the other.
"Zuko, please…"
His mouth enclosed around her taut nipple, sucking it slowly.
"Zuko…"
Without giving a verbal reply, Zuko moved his hand down to her parted legs, bypassing her under wrappings and pants, letting his middle finger tease her sex.
Katara moaned low in her throat.
She marveled at how quickly things escalated between them since they reached his room. Tops were tossed aside, bodies fell upon cool sheets, and heated activities occurred. If Katara wanted to be completely honest with herself, things were going a little too fast, yet everything he was administrating was so tantalizing good.
"Zuko…Hold up for a moment."
Zuko stopped his actions immediately and sat up.
"Was I doing anything you didn't like?"
Katara shook her head. "No, it's just…It's all happening so fast."
"We can stop if you want."
Katara looked up at him, amazed, and could not help asking if he was sure.
Zuko clasped his hand over hers. "Katara, if this is becoming too overwhelming, we can stop."
Katara sat up, keeping her hand in his and gave him a thoughtful look.
"I do want to keep going, Zuko, it's just…" She could not help but think about what happened the last time she engaged in sex. She did not want it to be painful again, she did not want to feel unsatisfied again.
Zuko kissed her forehead gently. "It's okay."
Katara felt her eyes burn with unshed tears and shook her head.
"No, it's not okay because I do want this."
Zuko studied her face for a moment. "How about this, we take a break and if or when you're completely ready, we'll start again."
Katara hugged him, a tear escaping down her cheek. "Thank you."
Zuko felt his cheeks redden as their bare chests touched. "Uh, no problem."
Katara pulled back, blushing as well. "Sorry…I'll just, um…" She did not finish her statement, but merely got off the bed and picked up her breasts bindings, wrapping it around her chest securely.
Zuko looked away to give her a sense of privacy.
Katara pulled on her top next, fastening it place. "Ya know, the others will probably be back soon, so I better get going. See you later?"
"Sure, Katara," Zuko stated earnestly, giving her a smile to put her at ease.
She smiled back, and then left his room without another word.
As he watched the door close, Zuko sighed and lied back down.
He never thought in such a short span of time he would go from trying his hardest to gain her forgiveness, to becoming friends, to…whatever they were now. Not exactly lovers, but not exactly friends either. It was something more, something new, but something that was hard to obtain, like trying to cup water in ones hands.
He was determined to keep as many of the droplets in his grasp as he could.
.
.
The next day, the Ember Islands Players play happened, and he realized another was trying to catch the water that was escaping his hands.
When the group reached the theater, everything was okay, more or less, until the play started.
The actors were over exaggerated in every regard; from their wardrobes, to their acting.
Zuko could not help but groan at the actors, especially the actress playing Katara. It was hoping this and hopes that, yet there was so much more to the original than that. If they witnessed all the things she could do, they would be amazed, enthralled and possibly terrified at her capabilities.
As it were, he had to suffer through another awful play. Then, when actor Zuko came out, he cringed, and felt more than one set of eyes give him pitying looks.
When act one finally finished, the group waited out intermission on the steps in the hallway, everyone giving their two copper pieces thus far about the play.
Aside from one sentence, Zuko kept his thoughts to himself. He knew he should not believe anything that happened in the play, but there was one scene that nagged at him the whole time.
Then it was time for act two to start, and things became amusing, more annoying, and just plain old awkward.
Zuko let his mind wander and he wondered how things would have been if he did actually join the gang down in the catacombs. If he in fact did let Katara heal his scar. If they did actually became friends of sorts then, what they had been more now?
As Zuko side glanced over at Katara, then at Aang, he realized it would not have been that easy. Nothing was ever that easy for him, no matter which route he took.
.
.
The group assembled out in the hall once more when act two wrapped up (with the exception of Aang who left earlier).
Zuko watched Katara leave first to retrieve Aang, then soon after, Sokka and Suki left to give some pointers to the actors.
Zuko did not think it would help matters.
Before he realized it, he was having a heart to heart with Toph, and it felt like a balm was applied to an old wound. It helped, at least for a while.
That was, until he ventured off to collect Aang and Katara for the third act.
He never let his presence be known to them, he just overheard them speaking and it made him stay hidden.
He always figured the avatar had a crush on her, it was apparent even when he was their enemy. Yet, he did not know it went beyond that. As he listened in, it was quite clear Aang wanted more, and fast.
Zuko felt more confused than ever, and interestingly enough, so did Katara. When he heard her say she was going back, Zuko hurried off back to their booth and took his former seat. If the others noticed his odd entry, they did not voice it.
Once Katara and Aang returned, the air felt tense, and Zuko never imagined things would get so complicated. If anything, he thought joining them would have made things simpler.
His uncle was still right. Destiny was a funny thing, and it loved making his life one big joke.
.
.
Zuko was not a heavy drinker by far, but he had to get something strong in his system to erase the last four hours of his life.
He led the group back to the beach house, went straight to his room and grabbed his pouch of money. When he came back downstairs, he spotted Katara in the kitchen alone.
"Hey."
Katara bit her lip, suddenly feeling awkward. "Look, about the play…"
"You wanna go to a bar with me?" Zuko interrupted. If they were going to have this talk, he would rather go somewhere more comfortable and eliminating the chance of their fellow companions overhearing them.
Katara checked her pocket, feeling only a couple of copper pieces residing in them.
"Don't worry, it's my treat," Zuko stated, holding out his pouch before putting it on his person.
Katara, surprised, did not have a good reason to reject the offer, so she nodded, and they both left out quietly into the night.
.
.
"One fire-whiskey with some sliced honey-dipped lemons on the side."
"And for you, ma'am?" the bartender asked, already pouring Zuko's drink into a short, squat glass.
Katara eyed the menu above the bar, unsure. She never drunk anything alcoholic before and she did not know where to even start.
"The sunset surprise is pretty good, or you can try the volcanic elixir," offered Zuko, noting her troubled expression.
Still, Katara remained uncertain.
"I can get both and whatever you don't like or don't finish, I will," Zuko supplied, giving the bartender a nod, who went to work on the two drink concoctions.
"You didn't have to do that," Katara protested.
Zuko merely shrugged. A moment later, the bartender slid their orders to them slowly, and Zuko slid a silver piece in exchange.
"Keep the change," Zuko stated, and then turned to Katara. "C'mon, let's find a seat."
Zuko picked up his drink and side and maneuvered to a back booth, Katara following with her drinks in hand.
They sat across from one another, placing their respective items on the wooden table.
Given the hour, there were thankfully only a handful of people in the Tavern and none of them were within earshot, so whatever they wanted to talk about, they had some form of privacy.
Zuko plucked some chopsticks from the cup at the end of the table and used them to begin eating a sliced lemon.
Katara tilted her head slightly. "What exactly is that?"
Zuko swallowed down a bite before replying, "A Fire Nation treat. Since honey is hard to come by here, I always try to get this when I can. Plus it goes great with fire-whiskey."
"Could I try one?"
Zuko pushed the bowl over gently toward the center of the table, grabbing another set of chopsticks, handing them over to her.
"Thank you," Katara replied as she straighten up and picked out a slice.
For the first time that night, the atmosphere was comfortable, as the two benders enjoyed their treats and drinks.
Zuko knew they could not avoid the subject for long, though, and in that moment, it would be the last time they would have just each other's company without prying eyes and the listening ears of their peers.
He drank a good amount of fire-whiskey before starting.
"Look, the play was stupid and a complete farce, I know this, and yet…There is something I've been meaning to ask you."
Katara had a hunch on what he wanted to ask.
"It's about Jet."
Sometimes hunches were wrong.
"What about him?" Katara asked slowly, not liking where his line of questions might lead.
Zuko took another pull from his glass before continuing. "Well, it's just…The night before, when we were getting…ya know, you stopped, and now I can't help but wonder if maybe he had something to do with it."
Katara rubbed her upper arm and looked out at the bar, taking in her surroundings. A couple a few tables over were so obviously in love as they stared into each others' eyes, their hands clasped together over the table, as an older man a few tables from them looked forlorn as he peered into his glass like it held all the answers yet none of which that could help. Katara's eyes scanned over to the bartender as he wiped down the counter, then noticed as he stopped at a particular spot, trying to scrub something tricky. It was probably a stain from a long time ago, Katara figured.
She turned her attention back to Zuko, who was patiently waiting. She rubbed her arm once more, trying to relax her nerves.
"Jet and I share a history. Well, we did anyway…" Katara began as she picked up a lemon slice. "But I'd rather not talk about it beyond that. It's too personal."
Zuko nodded his understanding. A person's past was their story, after all.
"I knew him," Zuko started, looking down into his glass. "Back in Ba Sing Se. He was…Alright, though a little too gun-ho on wanting me to join his gang."
"Let me guess, to take out Fire Nation scum?" Katara asked, the irony not lost on her.
"Actually, he wanted to help other refugees on the ferry we rode into the earth kingdom. After that, he wanted to start a new life in the city, wanted a fresh start. "
Katara mulled that piece of information over. "I guess he really was trying to change…"
A moment passed as they both took another drink from their respective glasses.
"Ka-" Zuko stopped to correct himself. "Sapphire, there was something else that I feel like we need to address before I 'teach' you anything else."
Katara hoped it was not something too personal again. "What is it?"
"It's about…Kuzon," Zuko started, lacing his fingers together around his glass. He was going to need a re-fill soon.
"What about him?" Katara asked, dread creeping up her spine.
"Do you…like him?"
"Of course," Katara answered immediately, but then soon realized what he was really asking. "Oh! You mean, in that way? I thought I did, back at the invasion, but it felt…off, and more like we were just trying to make something happen because I guess we thought we wouldn't get another chance."
"So when you said you wanted me, was it just for the moment too?"
Katara looked at him from across the table, and then lowered her gaze. "Yes? No? I don't know, Zu-…Lee." She picked up the glass containing the volcanic elixir and took a swig, the liquid burning her throat, making her cough. It was a lot more potent than the sunset surprise she finished earlier.
"…I see."
Katara peered over at him. "I'll say this much to be true. I am attracted to you, and I am starting to like you…in that way. It's just…"
"You're confused, I get it," Zuko stated simply as he stood up. "I'm gonna get another drink."
He stalked off to the bar and Katara could not help but feel there was more to his first statement. It soon hit her that he overheard what she said to Aang back at the playhouse.
When Zuko came back, another fire-whiskey in hand and a bowl of fire flakes in the other, he sat down, placing the bowl between them.
"You overheard us, I take it."
Zuko took a swig from his drink before answering. "I did."
"Look, things between him and I are a bit weird, but I know I can't return his feelings, so there's nothing to worry about. I care about him, he's a good friend, but that's all. As for us…Honestly, an 'us' didn't happen until a couple of days ago, so it's taking me time to get used to it."
Zuko sighed. "I know. I didn't mean to give you a hard time over it. It's just, that play is-"
"Is something you should put out of your mind," Katara finished for him, her words slurring just a tad on her 's's. "Look, let's just forget it ever happened and enjoy the night."
Zuko knew she was right. It was not like the play was accurate, and the foreboding he felt earlier was quickly leaving him, the fire-whiskey taking its place.
"You're right. Too much over-thinking is bad right now. Have some fire flakes, they're a Fire Nation staple."
"Don't mind if I do," Katara said with a slight giggle, grabbing a handful and started to eat the chips. "Oh monkey-feathers!" She cried as the burning feeling hit her tongue. She dropped the rest of the chips in the bowl and reached for her drink, gulping it down.
She realized too late that, that was a bad idea too. "Shit! Why is everything so fiery here?"
Zuko laughed. It felt good to laugh. He did not remember the last time he laughed out of pure amusement.
"Hence why I got the lemon slices, they help," Zuko stated with a chuckle, sliding the bowl closer to her.
Katara fanned her tongue with her hand, eyeing him warily. "And how is lemon slices supposed to help? They're sour."
Zuko grinned. "That's where the honey comes in; it helps balance it all out."
Katara gave him a dubious look, but tried it anyway, and much to her surprise, it did work. She mumbled thanks, to which Zuko grinned more.
"Anytime. Feeling better?"
"Much. Although…"
Zuko looked at her. "What?"
"I still feel really warm, just not in my mouth anymore…It's a weird feeling."
Zuko quirked his brow. "That's probably from the 1.5 drinks you had. It's just now hitting you. They're sneaky like that."
Katara looked at the offending empty glasses. "How dare they!"
Zuko chuckled. "That's alcohol for you," he stated simply, taking another pull from his glass. He had no room to really talk, though, for the fire-whiskeys were starting to catch up to him as well.
"Say…"
Katara turned her attention back to him. "Yeah?"
Zuko licked his lips nervously, an action Katara followed with her eyes, a little captivated.
"We should probably start heading back, it's a bit of a walk."
"Oh," Katara sighed. "I thought you wanted to enjoy the night, though."
Zuko gave her a smirk. "I do, just not here," and with that said, he got up and held out his hand to her. "Shall we?"
Katara blushed, wondering if she caught his meaning fully or not. She downed the rest of her drink, only coughing a little from its burn, and then took his hand as she stood.
"Let's."
They walked out without so much of as a backwards glance.
.
.
"So, sifu-Zuko, what shall I learn tonight?" Katara asked teasingly as she tugged on his tunic, pulling him close.
"Depends…" Zuko began, dropping his head close to her ear. "What do you want me to do first?"
"Kiss me…" Katara whispered, closing her eyes already.
Zuko kissed the shell of her ear. "Right here?"
She shook her head slightly. "No…"
Zuko kissed her cheek next. "Here?"
"No…"
He kissed her chin softly. "There?"
Katara opened her eyes and shot him a glare. "Zuko, you know where I want you to k-"
The rest of her sentence was cut short as he kissed her lips.
She moaned, pushing his hood down and gripping the back of his head to make sure his mouth did not venture off again for a while.
Not that he planned on it anyway.
Zuko teased her lips with his tongue, coaxing them to open, which she gladly did without hesitation.
They kissed underneath the beach house property against a very large support beam, the late night air cool against their skin, the ocean providing background noise to their moans and groans; the moon giving just enough light for the pair as they moved on from kissing to groping.
Zuko massaged her breasts slowly, peppering her neck and shoulders with kisses. As Katara arched her back into his hands, she let hers wander down to the bottom of his tunic, slipping her hands under it to caress his bare chest, which she secretly admired for some time.
Zuko stopped, moving back to pull both the cloak and his tunic off, tossing them to the ground.
Katara watched, letting her hands roam freely over his chest. "Zuko, your chest is so nice," she confessed, her fingers flickering over his taut nipples.
Zuko felt his cheeks heat up from her compliment as he let out a groan. "Katara…"
She did not bother answering, but instead leaned toward his chest, dragging her tongue over one of his nipples, remembering how he performed the action on her only days prior.
He hissed out another groan, closing his eyes, gripping his hands onto her shoulders.
Katara sucked on the firming nipple for a moment before sliding her lips over to the other one, doing the same. She moved a hand down to the front of his pants, gently rubbing the growing hard on he was sporting.
Zuko gasped.
She stopped only seconds later to straighten up and looked at his face. "How am I doing so far, sifu?"
He opened his eyes and could not help but grin as he saw her pleased expression. "Hm, not bad. I do have one tip for you," he stated teasingly, letting go of her shoulders.
Katara frowned slightly. "Oh really? And what would that be?"
Zuko grasped her hand and guided first to his mouth, giving her hand a thorough lick, then moved it down inside his pants and underwear, wrapping both their hands around his penis.
"This."
Katara's eyes widen as she blushed hotly.
"As much as I liked you rubbing it, doing it through clothing can start to get uncomfortable after a while," Zuko explained as he slowly moved her hand up and down his shaft, letting out a groan, loving the contrast of how soft and calloused her hand was.
Katara could feel the difference as she rubbed him bare, growing confident enough to go a little faster.
"Just like that…Now, when you go faster, start to grip it—oh Agni—yes, just like that!"
Zuko pulled his hand out, knowing she did not need his help anymore, letting his hand submerge down the front of her pants and under wrappings, sliding two fingers against her slick entrance.
Katara moaned, glad to have some relief down there. "More," she gasped out, rocking her hips against his fingers slowly.
He obliged, working his two fingers inside, moving them back and forth in time with her strokes on his shaft.
They kept a good, even pace, bringing each other higher and higher to the top of orgasmic completion.
"F-faster, please…" Katara stumbled out over her moans, feeling the pressure between her legs build, knowing she was getting close.
Zuko quicken his pace, flicking his thumb over her clit, which made her shake and sigh out loudly. A moment later, he felt her tighten around his fingers and a good amount of her release coated his hand.
As he relished in effectively getting her off, she stroked him faster, her grip firm, semi-twisting her hand every time it reached the top of his member.
It became his undoing.
Zuko came, groaning deep in his throat as his load drizzled out and down her hand. He then laid his forehead against hers, catching his breath.
"You are an excellent student, Katara," he breathed, leaning back, pulling his hand out of her pants.
She did the same to him. "Well, I do have a good sifu," she replied cheekily.
Zuko looked down at his hand, then at her. Boldly, he lifted it to his mouth and sucked on the middle digits, staring straight into her eyes.
Katara watched, flushed. "That's probably the most erotic thing I've ever seen in my life."
Zuko smirked, sucking his fingers clean, letting them go with a soft pop. "Then I still have more to teach you."
She quirked an eyebrow. "Oh really? Such as?"
He glanced down at her hand that still had some of his release on it. He grasped it, bringing it between their faces. "Lick this with me," he instructed, his gold eyes shimmering in the night.
Katara tentatively ghosted her tongue over the palm of her hand where the bulk of the release resided. Zuko followed her lead, licking the back of her hand before letting his tongue wander to her ring finger, then her middle finger, curling it around the tender digit.
Katara swallowed, feeling the familiar ache start to build inside her. She stood corrected as she and Zuko worked their tongues on her hand, never realizing how sensitive the webbing between her fingers could be. Soon enough, their tongues met and they both kissed urgently, her hand finding purchase on his shoulder, pulling him flush against her.
Zuko gripped her hips, pushing her back against the big wooden pillar, their kisses heated, sighs and moans escaping ever so often.
As the kisses progressed, Zuko tugged down her sarong and pants slightly. "May I?" he asked breathily.
Katara pulled back a bit. "Please," she moaned.
No sooner she replied, he pushed down her bottoms in one fell swoop. He fiddled with her under wrappings for a moment before giving up, a bit aggravated with the material.
Katara giggled. "Here, let me," she stated and with practiced hands, had the bindings unraveling from her form in a matter of seconds. "The trick is to pull—oh my—Zuko!"
He did not let her finish, for he simply hoisted her up against the pillar, sliding into her with ease.
Katara secured her legs around his waist, grabbing hold of his shoulders.
Zuko thrust up inside her heated center, running his hands over her soft thighs and then to her firm ass, holding onto it as he pulled her down with every thrust.
Katara moaned, her fingernails biting into his skin, not that he cared. If anything, the slight pain seemed to stir him on more as his thrusts became faster, deeper, his grip on her behind tightening.
"Agni, you feel so fucking good," Zuko rasped out through gritted teeth, starting to sweat.
She could only give a nod, feeling her center clench around him in response. She never knew it could feel this good and could go on longer than a moment. She never wanted it to end, though the buildup was becoming almost unbearable.
"Zu…"
He picked up the pace and she could only hold on and enjoy the ride, getting close with each passing second.
"So close…"
Zuko lifted one of her legs up onto his shoulder, getting a sharper, deeper angle as he thrust harder, knowing he was extremely close as well.
Katara gasped as she felt him hit that spot over and over in the new angle, dragging her nails down his chest as she came.
He threw his head back, thrusting inside her a few more times, his release hitting him hard. He let out a puff of smoke from his mouth into the air as he slowed, then eventually stopped, panting heavily.
After a moment, both trying to collect themselves, Zuko gently lifted Katara's leg off his shoulder and guided it down, noticing the slight tremble in it. He pulled back, extracting his member from her when a thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Shit! I didn't think, yet again!"
Katara, taken back, looked at him, confused. "What are you talking about?"
Zuko turned crimson, fumbling over his words. "I… uh…went inside…and didn't pull out in time…fuck."
Understanding dawned on her. "Oh! That. Don't worry," she stated, pushing him back a bit and standing on her own once more. "I have just the thing." She hovered her hand over her stomach, did a circular motion and slowly but surely guided Zuko's release out from within her, along with her own, flicking the mix to the ground.
Zuko watched, fascinated. "That's handy."
"Somewhat. It only works if the sex happened only hours beforehand," Katara explained, bending down to retrieve her bindings.
Zuko could not help but look at her backside. "Is that something they teach young waterbenders?"
Katara stood up and began wrapping her bindings around her thighs. "Not necessarily. I mean, when I had to take healing lessons, while that topic never came up, I had a hunch that if I was able to extract poison or whatever from a person's body, why not other fluids?" she lectured, tucking the end to secure everything in place.
He mulled that over as he watched her pull up her pants and sarong, taking her lead to get dressed as well.
Once dressed, the pair looked at each other for a moment when Katara suddenly announced she really had to pee.
Zuko laughed, shaking his head. He gently grasped her hand and together, they walked out from underneath the house and up the steps to the beach property.
.
.
A/N: Chapter title credits go to Alicia Keys's 'Un-thinkable (I'm Ready).'