Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, The Last Airbender
Katara leaned her head against Zuko's chest and felt his breathing as he continued to battle fatigue. His long and deep breaths of air calmed her as she rose up and down with his chest. She sighed as she looked up to the man holding her in his arms. Zuko was obviously losing a battle on the realm of consciousness as the two rested quietly in the pool. He inhaled the warm air softly as his head kept nodding and his eyes fluttered. Katara smiled as he nodded off every couple of seconds, woke up in a fit and then shook his head violently to shrug the feeling off.
It was strangely amusing to see him fight so hard to do something as simple as stay awake.
He continued to battle valiantly against the sandman but the tide was shifting. Katara lifted her head so her lips hovered just outside his ear. "Zuko?" she whispered softly. The silk of her voice seemed to push him farther into sleep. "Zuko?"
His head hanging limp pathetically he struggled to keep his eyes open. "Yeah?" he asked wearily.
"You can go to sleep you know," she said quietly. "I'm not going anywhere."
These words seemed to release any restraint he had left and he let his head lean against hers softly. His heart beat slowed and soon only the sound of his calm breathing filled the air. Katara smiled despite herself and held him closer.
Just the plain fact that Zuko could succumb to sleep seemed to ease Katara's mind. When he chased them he seemed like a lifeless monster that did not need food, water, or sleep. Now he was just plain old Zuko who enjoyed talking to his new group members about funny stories and could hardly stay awake when he comforted Katara in the pool. It was different to see this human side of him, and it sent strange feelings along Katara's stomach. Something about the simple fact that he was a living breathing person just as her helped Katara relax in his presence.
Katara held him tighter and positioned her head to rise with his chest but was careful not to disturb his sleeping. With every light intake of air she felt herself drift farther into a paradise of indescribable measure. Katara never really saw herself as female as most of the girls she met but resting in his comforting embrace she felt more feminine and smaller than usual. His expanding chest prompted her hands to explore his well chiseled body.
Lately Katara had caught herself admiring the firebender while he trained shirtless with Aang. She didn't think much of it, and just dismissed him as a good looking young man no matter who he was. With anyone else she would feel shallow, but with the knowledge that he was the Prince Zuko gave her hardly any care.
It was just another sense he had started dominating. She was addicted to his touch, longed for his smell, loved his mysterious voice, and now admired the sight of his muscles and golden orbs that melted her soul. The fact that all of her admiration for him was purely physical helped keep her mind at ease, or otherwise she would start to think she was developing a small crush for the firebender.
She supposed that he was not a horrible person however. He did take time out of his day to satisfy her, and he did tend to play a good big brother figure for Toph and Aang. She pondered how they were more like a couple together alone and more like enemies around everyone else. Katara shook the ideas away, deciding it best not to think any more positive thoughts about him.
He was Zuko after all.
In all of her thoughts circling the prince Katara felt her own eyes begin to bear the burden of sleep. She forced herself to stay awake and pulled Zuko's arms off of her. Quietly she positioned herself in front of him, strafing his hips and leaning her face closely into his. "Zuko?"
Zuko muttered in his sleep but did not wake. Katara brushed the long wet strands of hair from his face to reveal his scar. She subconsciously let her fingers brush the damaged skin while she silently pondered its true origins. She leaned in closer. "Zuko wake up."
His eyes fluttered open slowly to see her in front of him. Reality seemed to work its way back into his system and he stretched his muscles while yawning. "What is it?" he asked.
"Let's go to bed," said Katara softly while leaning her head against his chest. "I'm so tired."
Zuko sighed and wrapped his arms around her still a little groggy. He absolutely hated how she acted like an angel when they were alone, like some innocent little girl who cared about him. However he knew that beyond that facade was obvious mistrust, one she voiced without hesitation when they were around the others. It angered him how she acted like nothing else bothered her and how she pretended to enjoy his presence when they were alone. It was all a charade.
"Actually I was thinking," he said to the air mostly, obviously not wanting to look her in the eye. He struggled to find the words, his lips moving but no sentences forming. "Maybe we should not sleep with each other for a few nights."
Katara's eyes widened in surprise before they narrowed in anger. "What?" she asked, her voice on edge. "Why would we do that?"
"It's just that we have been sleeping together for almost two weeks and I think some of the others are starting to suspect something," he lied. It was true that they had been questioned on more than one occasion why Katara had not been in her room and why the two kept disappearing, but Zuko did not honestly believe any of them knew what was really happening. The two fought constantly when not in the seclusion of the pool or Zuko's room. Zuko needed the distance himself because he was afraid that soon he would not be able to sleep without her.
Despite his lie Katara seemed to believe him. She looked away, trying to think of a response. "But...but...maybe if we..." She tried to find some reason that the two had to sleep together without sounding needy. The last thing she needed was Zuko gaining absolute control over her, which whether he realized it or not he already had.
"It's just for a few nights," He spoke as nonchalantly as he could muster but inside he boiled over with want. "You can survive a few nights without me can't you?"
Katara furrowed her brow and crossed her arms. "Please, I was wondering if you could survive without me," she scoffed in response. Inside her mind screamed, looking for some excuse to stay with him but she could find no logical one.
"Well good," he said while stepping out of the pool. "Goodnight then."
Every fiber in Katara's being demanded that she scream out for him and beg to sleep with him that night, but stubborn pride proved more powerful and she just watched as he gathered his clothes and walked away. When he was out of sight she sulked miserably. How was she going to survive a night without Zuko? She couldn't even remember a night that his arms did not warm her with his gentle embrace. She could not imagine not waking up to his sweet aroma, his soothing voice as he coaxed her from sleep, his golden orbs that bore into her soul, and of course his warming touch.
Quietly she stepped from the pool and dressed slowly, the knowledge that she was going to bed alone weighing her shoulders. Katara moved silently towards the quarter chambers. When she arrived at her room she glanced over at his portal only to see darkness. He must have gone to sleep already. It made her feel even more vulnerable knowing he could sleep without her. She stepped into her room and looked around. She had only been in the room a few times in the last few weeks to get clothes and for appearances but now she kept most of her things in Zuko's room. A whole half of his closet belonged to her now.
It was strangely eerie and quiet. She already felt the cold of the mid summer night biting her neck. Katara lit a candle and prepared the bed. She remained in her clothes, knowing she was going to need all the warmth she could get with the absence of Zuko. The bed itself felt like a solid cold rock and it smelt like dirt. The blankets were stiff and seemed to only make her colder. Katara pulled herself into a ball and shut her eyes tightly. She could almost feel the warmth of her addiction from the other side of the wall but she knew it was only her mind tantalizing her.
Sleep alone. Easy for him to say. He could make his own heat. Katara was left in the cold, quite literally. It was going to be a long night.
Zuko stalked the halls in the temple of the Air Nomads quietly, his shoulders slumped. He did not even bother trying to go to sleep because he knew he would only waste hours starring at ceiling. He hoped that walking around for a few hours would help pass the time and exhaust him enough to put him to sleep when he returned. The firebender stumbled into the main courtyard of the section the gang had called their temporary home.
His mind seemed to hardly register the fact that a dim light radiated with the pulse of a heart from near the fountain. He narrowed his dust burdened eyes to see the late night fire still alive. He approached the still flames dancing with the wood with heavy steps. The fire grew stronger with its masters approach, almost excited to see the firebender.
"Can't sleep Scarface?" Zuko glanced slightly to his right to see Toph lounging by the fire, her hands behind her head and her feet propped up on a makeshift foot stool.
"Looks like I'm not the only one," he said while sitting where he stood.
The young bender shrugged. "I fell asleep by the fire after everyone left, so here I am."
Zuko sighed with exaggeration and looked off into the chasm. Toph smirked behind his back and snickered. "Sweetness giving you trouble?"
Any sense of weariness was lifted from Zuko and his eyes widened as much as they could, his scar limiting any movement in his face. He glanced over the Toph and opened his mouth to speak but found it difficult. "What do you mean?"
"Please," Toph chuckled. "Even if I couldn't feel your heartbeat racing like an emu horse I could tell you're lying through your teeth."
Zuko opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. It was obviously hard for him to find any words at all. "How long have you known?"
"About a week," she replied while picking her teeth. "But lucky for you I'm the only one."
Zuko closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands. "The waterbender is going to kill me."
Toph chuckled again, this time sporting a snort. "Relax I won't tell anyone," Zuko released a breath of relief. "But only if you answer a question for me."
Zuko studied her quietly. "What is it?"
Toph sat up and leaned closer to the fire. "I've been watching Sweetness ever since I found out. I catch her stealing looks at you and her heart races, a find her following you during her chores, and I have felt her watching you practice bending more than once."
"So what's your point?" asked Zuko, trying not to care about Toph's words.
"I can tell that she is warming up to you. I can tell that she enjoys spending time around you. I can see what she has to gain by taking an interest in you. But I don't see any reason why you should be pleasing her while she holds grudges above your head and forces you to take time out of your day to please her."
Zuko ran a hand through his hair closed his eyes. "You know about that?"
"Did you think I didn't do a little snooping after I found out Sweetness and her mortal enemy were sleeping together?" asked Toph.
The firebender looked around momentarily, obviously conscious about what he was about to say. He took a deep breath to prepare himself to speak. "Despite the fact that I don't like the waterbender, I can see when someone is weighed down by events beyond their control. Although the fate of the world rests with the Avatar no one knows that behind him is a strong mother figure that supports him and trains him. But when she is sleeping so peacefully, or lounging quietly in the pool I can see it all melt away."
Silence lingered in around the fire for a moment. It was crudely interrupted with a snicker. "Please," scoffed Toph. "That is the most pathetic excuse I have ever heard."
Zuko sent her a cold glare. Once more he gave a paranoid scan of the immediate area. "Don't tell her but...I don't exactly mind sleeping with her."
Toph broke into a smile. "I knew it, you like her!"
"Calm down!" He gestured for her to quiet down. "I don't like her, but she's not exactly the worst person in the world to have in your bed next to you."
"So if you like sleeping with her so much why did you leave her alone tonight?" Toph inquired sarcastically.
"We're taking a break," he replied while looking away. "Honestly I am just getting tired of her attitude."
"Trust me Scarface," said Toph while leaning back once more. "Sweetness takes some getting used to. She likes being in charge and when she loses control it makes her feel vulnerable. Just give her some time."
"I've given it time," he replied. "I just wish for once she would just ask me if she could sleep in my bed or if I would go to the pool with her because I would gladly do it. Instead she holds past mistakes over my head and treats me like a monster. Monsters have feelings too."
Toph's smile slowly turned into a frown. Her face molded into a sympathetic look but it was directed at the ground rather than him. "Sometimes she doesn't realize that she's hurting people until the damage is done."
Zuko studied her silently. She seemed to look off into the stars in recollection. "Well I cut her off."
"I think that's best," replied Toph, falling from her momentary day dream. "She won't realize what she has been taking advantage of until it's gone."
"Yeah well its hard on me too," he said while leaning back on his hands. "I can't sleep without her anymore."
Toph stood from her spot, stretching her muscles. "Well, good luck with your problem Scarface. Unlike you I can actually go to sleep."
Zuko sighed and waved slightly as she walked away. He rested his head on his knees and watched his element, the crackle of the fire provided his ears with a pleasant harmony. A few moments turned into a good hour and the prince was slowly starting to succumb to fatigue. The fire still burned intensely with its master monitoring its strength, but as he began to dose it began to fade.
The firebender closed his eyes one last time before sleep completely claimed him.
Katara tried to convince herself that she was just watching the two firebenders spar for Aang's sake, but in the back of the mind she knew it was not for that at all. Her eyes were on Zuko the entire time, his every movement lacing her thoughts with interest and desire. He always trained shirtless which made her need to watch even stronger. She found herself absolutely enticed by the smooth motions of his powerful muscles, how every breath was put to use and not wasted, and how the flames poured like her very own element from his body. The raw power behind the young man was astonishing.
She marveled at how every breath he took released a tidal wave of warmth across the courtyard. The fire bathed her body with the familiar sensation she felt at night in his arms, but watching them spar she was gifted some eye candy along with her craving. However she found herself longing for him to hold her, even when he used his body as an instrument of war.
All morning she had followed the firebender around. She had not slept at all the night before and she longed desperately for a few hours in the pool or a night in his bed. Excitement boiled over inside of her at the very thought of a whole night with him after the cold nightmare she experienced all night. The hours of daytime were going to crawl by as slow as a snail spider but she knew it would be worth it at the end of the day.
Zuko took a deliberate step towards his pupil and forced a fist forward. The result was a twisting column of flame that hissed like some vicious predator at its prey. Katara's eyes never left the magnificent sight of fire conjuration. Every muscle in Zuko's body tensed as he held his ground, beads of sweet forming across his skin. The fire was under his command completely. Unfortunately so were Katara's thoughts.
"Relax Zuko, we're just sparring," yelled Aang from across the courtyard. "I won't be able to defeat the Fire Lord if you take me out first."
"Until you treat every spar like a real battle for your life you will not be able to defeat the Fire Lord," replied the young prince while crossing his arms. Katara found herself mesmerized by his tantalizing voice. Every word from his mouth was like a sweet piece of candy for her ears. Despite her thoughts being manipulated she could not help but notice that Zuko had not referred to the Fire Lord as his father.
"But it's just practice," said Aang as he walked towards his master.
"Practice for actual battle," retorted Zuko. "Now go meditate for one hour. You're breathing is not in tune with your movements. You need to learn how to do one with the other."
"But I meditated before dawn and I've been doing drills all day," complained the monk. "Can't I take a break?"
"Sure," said Zuko while he began putting his shirt back on. Aang smiled and began to walk passed Zuko when a strong grasp restrained him. "After you meditate for an hour."
Aang sighed and trotted miserably back into the courtyard. "Fine."
As the Avatar left the two benders alone Zuko turned back to Katara. She had watched how Zuko had developed an almost older brother relationship with Aang and she admired him for it. She had developed a similar bond with the boy and understood how important it was for the sake of his training.
"We're done sparring for the day, so you don't have to watch us anymore," he said somewhat nonchalant, but she could tell her presence annoyed him.
"Did it ever occur to you that I may just enjoy watching bending?" she asked while crossing her arms. Even though he had every reason to be annoyed with her she felt compelled to argue. Although she admired his body, adored his smell, longed for his voice, and craved his touch the simple fact that he was still Zuko would always linger like some nasty cold in the back of her mind.
"No," he said simply. "Because I know that's a lie."
Katara simply shook her head and scoffed at his ignorance. "In any case, I wanted to talk to you."
"What is it?" he asked with a voice of ice while pushing passed her. She stumbled after him, obviously struggling to reply with the right words.
"I was thinking," she said while walking behind him. "I don't think anyone has any suspicions anymore. Sokka found me in my room this morning and Teo said he saw you in the courtyard when he woke up..."
"What's your point?" he cut her off. Katara fought the urge to insult him, knowing she needed every element on her side to sway him.
"I think it would be okay if we slept together tonight," she said. Zuko stopped walking and took a deep breath. The conversation he had with Toph rushed back to him. He reminded himself that he had to remain calm. Slowly he turned to face her, having his prepared speech for the off chance she decided to talk to him about it today. Her face was a mix of eager anticipation and a horrible attempt at hiding her desperate hope that he would agree with her.
"Listen...Katara," he said slowly and with difficulty. "I think we should still give it a few days."
Katara's face slowly metamorphisized into mud, sliding down into a horrible frown. Her shoulders slouched and she looked to the ground. Suddenly it seemed to strike her that she was giving him the satisfaction of knowing she needed him and immediately looked up, the momentary vulnerability gone as fast as it came.
"What more proof do you want that no one suspects anything?" she asked angrily.
Zuko snickered in his head. If only she knew how ridiculous she sounded after he had just had a conversation with Toph on the subject before. Quickly his mind focused back on the matter at hand. He knew she would react this way because she always did. Nothing would change.
"Look," he growled while stepping dangerously close. Katara gasped at how close he was. The scent she craved lofted lazily into her nostrils and the warmth she desired draped over her like a blanket. Silently she prayed that her knees would not give. "I decide when this happens, not you. You'll live another night." The firebender began walking away, his shoulders hunched and his fists curled.
Katara was speechless for a moment as he walked away, her mind trying a hundred different things to say. Much to her minds discontent her heart spoke for her. "Please."
Zuko stopped storming off for a moment to let his eyes widen as much as possible. He looked back over his shoulder to her suspiciously. Slowly he turned back to face her, his face plastered with confusion. "What was that?"
Katara rolled her eyes and looked to the ground in embarrassment. "I said please," she mumbled as quiet as possible.
Zuko smiled despite himself as he realized that he had finally shifted the power in the relationship. A small voice inside his head told him to take advantage of every second of it, to make her do whatever he wanted like she had done to him. However, he also remembered how he felt when he was used. "I'll meet you in my room after dinner," he said softly.
Katara looked up to him, her face revealing her complete shock. "What?"
"After dinner," he repeated. "I'll be in my room."
"R-really?" she asked, her voice edged with quiet relief and surprise. "You're not tricking me or anything right?"
Zuko chuckled and crossed his arms. "You think I'm that heartless?"
Katara fumbled with her words, trying to form a sentence. "N-no its just I didn't expect...I mean I just never..."
"Katara," he cut her off. She gave up in an attempt to speak and just turned away from him, almost humiliated. "This doesn't have to be so complicated. Just come to my room after dinner." Katara nodded in response, deciding it best not to humiliate herself anymore by speaking.
"Hey Zuko!"
The firebender looked behind Katara to see Aang waving wildly from the courtyard. "Can I only go for half an hour?"
"If you move from your spot at all from the next hour then you better be prepared to do five hundred fire squats," he yelled back. Aang's shoulders slumped and he went back to his meditation. Katara looked back to Zuko but he was already walking away. She watched him go, her mind racing wildly with thoughts of her drug.
Toph glanced back from her spot by the fountain to see Katara humming quietly to herself while she stirred what could only be described as mud that smelled like onions. The back of her mind silently cursed her luck of having to eat the pathetic excuse for a meal. Beyond that subtle thought however, she noticed how happy the waterbender was.
"Having a good day Sweetness?" asked Toph.
"Huh?" Katara looked up from the pot. "Oh...no not really."
"Come on," said Toph while standing from her seat. "Anyone could tell something good happened to you today."
Sokka noticed the two talking and glanced up slightly from the fire that had put his easily distracted mind into a hypnotizing trance. "You do seem cheery," he added to Toph's statement. "You'd think the war was over."
"Please, nothing could ever make me happier than that," Her fingers twirled in circles, guiding an invisible ladle to stir the liquid in the pot. "I'm just having a better day than normal."
"You're not the only one," said Sokka while shaking off his mesmerized feeling and approaching the two girls. "Everyone seems a little happier, considering the fact that we're losing the war."
"Don't talk like that Sokka," scolded Katara. "The war has nothing to do with anything here. That's why its so nice. We can finally let things go for a little while."
"Well not all of us have something to look forward to at night," whispered Toph. Katara stopped stirring and looked up to the earthbender in shock.
"What was that?" Sokka asked.
"Nothing," said Katara loudly. "Go get some more firewood Sokka."
"But we got plenty-"
"Please Sokka," said Katara sternly. "I want to make sure that we have enough for today and tomorrow."
Sokka sighed and began to walk away. "Fine but I better get extra food."
"I will gladly let you have mine Snoozles," yelled Toph after him.
Katara's eyes narrowed onto the young bender and she crossed her arms. "Toph," she said seriously. "Do you have something you want to tell me?"
"I could ask the same of you Sweetness," she said while sniffing the soup. "What did you put in there?"
Katara ignored her question and circled the pot to face Toph directly. "Toph, what do you know?"
"I know a few things," Toph said while continuing to examine the soup. "I know that for almost two weeks you and Scarface have been sleeping with each other. I know that almost every day you go to the pool and take a relaxing dip with our enemy's flesh and blood, and I know that he cut you off."
Katara closed her eyes and looked to the ground. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Relax," Toph said with a wave of her hand. "No one knows but me."
"You have to realize that I'm only doing it because I can't sleep and..."
"Save it," said Toph. "I've talked to Zuko about all this before. Let's just skip to the part where you give some excuse as to why you torture him by demanding that he always do what you want."
Katara stuttered for a moment, blindsided by Toph's words. "Slow down, you talked to Zuko about this?"
Toph nodded. "He told me everything."
The waterbender buried her face into her hands and clenched her teeth. A million thoughts raced through her head along with a million ways to end her life and put her out of this misery. She rubbed her temple slowly in an attempt to subside her growing migraine but it did not seem to work. Katara turned away from Toph and sat by the fountain quietly, obviously needing to rest. "I can't stop thinking about him."
Toph walked casually in front of Katara and sat herself on a pillar. "Is that your excuse?"
"You don't understand," said Katara. "I can't get enough of him Toph he plagues my thoughts constantly. Every day I wake up in his arms happier than I have felt in a long time. Being with him just lets me forget about this whole stupid war."
Toph set her sightless eyes for the ground. "Zuko said that the only reason he does this for you is because he likes being able to ease your stress, even if its only for a few hours in the night." Her voice was soft and quiet.
Katara looked up in surprise. "Zuko said that?"
Toph nodded and crossed her arms. "He said that he would be glad to do anything for you if you just asked."
Katara looked away from the other bender to the ceiling. She could not believe that Zuko of all people would say something like that. "He seemed like he hated it all this time."
"Actually its quite the opposite," said Toph with a snicker. "He likes spending time with you, but he hates that you demand it."
"This is too much," said Katara while standing. "This whole time I thought he just tolerated me to gain leverage, I thought he hated me. But he actually likes it? I feel like I don't know anything anymore. I mean two weeks ago I absolutely hated him. Now I can't get enough of him. He's like a disease."
"Do you still hate him?" questioned Toph.
Katara hesitated answering, thinking for a moment. "I don't think I can ever forgive Zuko for what he did. I don't think I can ever trust him. But I don't think I hate him." She seemed almost in argument with herself. "Its just that...every day I want him more and more. But I don't just want to be near him. I always want more. Its not enough to just see him I want to observe him. I don't want to just smell Zuko I want to breathe in Zuko. I don't want to just hear him I want to listen to him, and above all I don't want to touch him I want to feel him."
"Sounds like you're in deep Sweetness," said Toph. "You should take advantage of it now because you know that it can't last forever."
The waterbender just sighed and returned to the pot. "I know."
Katara eagerly accepted the last of the dishes from Teo who smiled his thanks. "Thanks for dinner Katara it was...different."
Katara smiled back and put the bowl with the rest of the dishes. The pile was high but she did not care because she was not planning on doing them until tomorrow. Nothing was going to prolong this night any further. She had waited long enough. The waterbender sat quietly with the rest of the group next to the subject her mind had longed for painfully. Zuko seemed rather passive about the whole thing, reclining back against a fallen pillar quietly.
Katara kept her eyes on him as subtly as she could but it was difficult. The entire group was uncharacteristically quiet that night but the silence was welcomed. The silence allowed Katara to think, something she did not really want to do. Every time she tried to think of something completely irrelevant to the prince the topic always drifted back to him and what Toph had said.
Zuko stood from his spot and stretched his arms. "I'm going to bed," he announced. "Meet me here tomorrow before breakfast Aang, we need to keep practicing."
"Sure thing Zuko," said Aang with a wave.
"Night Scarface," said Toph with a wave and a smirk. "Stay warm."
Zuko rolled his eyes and proceeded to leave. Katara watched him disappear in the lingering darkness that surrounded the light of the fire. Her heart raced and she knew that it would undoubtedly not go unnoticed by Toph. She decided to give it a few minutes at the least to assure herself that she had some control over her addiction.
Soon after he had left she stood from her spot as well. "I think I'm going to go to bed also, I'll see you all in the morning."
"Turning in this soon?" asked Toph.
"Yeah it is kind of early Katara," Aang noticed. "You usually stay up later, are you that tired?"
"Just a long day," she lied. Katara began backing away slowly. "So goodnight."
"Goodnight Katara," said Sokka with a wave.
"Yeah goodnight," added Aang, his curiosity in her behavior subsiding. Everyone else in the group waved her goodnight. Katara turned and walked away quickly, her anticipation growing with every step.
Soon she arrived in the quarter's section. She found herself lightly jogging to her destination with anxiety knotting her stomach. Katara felt all of the day's events melting away, even her conversation with Toph which had unsettled her. She stopped outside of his door and took a breath to steady herself. Katara smoothed the wrinkles on her dress and fixed her hair. It did not seem to occur to her that she was trying to seem presentable to Prince Zuko.
Katara took a deep breath and stepped into room. Zuko was slipping his shirt off to get ready for bed. He noticed her standing in the door way and paused for a moment. Katara did not realize she was holding her breath until her chest began to throb. A strange sense began to circle the air around them, a silent understanding forming.
"Hello," whispered Katara loud enough for him to hear.
"Hello" he replied. They stood in awkward silence momentarily before Zuko moved towards the bed and prepared to sleep. Katara untied her midriff and let her dress fall from her shoulders. The firebender got under the covers and put his arms behind his head. Katara followed under the blankets and rested her body on the bed, taking her time to enjoy the transition beyond the threshold into paradise.
Memories of the first night she decided to sleep with the prince flooded back to her mind. It was similar to the situation she was in right now, and awkward first step into something that seemed unfamiliar. However those strange feelings were melted away by the warmth that radiated from his body.
The feeling overwhelmed the waterbender. A girl could only take so much before she caved. Katara wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his neck. He seemed surprised at the sudden gesture but he welcomed the movement.
His smell flooded through her nostrils and hammered the final nail into her coffin. She lost control of herself and inhaled his heavenly scent. Zuko was almost shocked at how blunt she was. She let her hands explore his body without restraint and she continued to smell his neck like some wild animal.
"Are you feeling okay?" he asked quietly. He did not mind having a girl unable to control herself from touching him but it was still strange to have someone who threatens your life doing it.
"Say my name please," she whispered into his ear. "Please Zuko, say my name."
Zuko could tell she was so into every physical aspect of his body she was not thinking rationally. Her hands traveled over every part of him, taking in every dip, curve, and bulge of his muscles. "Katara."
She moaned lightly when he said her name. It was like his voice was no different than his touch. "Zuko?"
"Yes Katara?" he asked while she burrowed her nose into his neck.
"I hate you," she whispered.
Zuko felt a small ping of hurt in his chest. He looked down to her curiously. "Why do you hate me?"
"Because I'm never going to be able to sleep again without you." Zuko physically relaxed and smiled to himself. He was glad that she was finally able to be truthful with him, even if it was only in the confinement of his bedroom.
"Then we better enjoy it while it lasts," he said quietly while holding her tightly. He was able to let himself enjoy her presence almost as much as she enjoyed his because of her new attitude toward their little arrangement. His desire to run his hands along ever curve of her body resurfaced and he poured heat over her body like the fountain they bathed in. Her response was a satisfied sigh and her fingers running like water down his chest.
The result of the passion between the two teens was a tangled mess of hands and legs desperately trying to get even closer than they already were. Touching seemed to not be enough.
Katara smiled and intertwined her legs with his. "Goodnight Zuko." She put one of her hands around his waist and the other on his chest, finally able to calm herself down. She stopped smelling him long enough to let her head rest on his shoulder. Zuko rested his head on hers and closed his eyes. Katara had never felt so good before in her life. Every inch of her body was dipped into a pool of divine ecstasy that should only be reserved for the gods.
"Goodnight Katara."
She slept very well that night with the voice of her drug echoing across her dreamland.
Yep I know, its been almost a year. I really do apologize for this. I honestly had not planned for this story to be so well received, so I did not write a third chapter. I quickly saw how popular it became however and proceeded to start writing one but by then it was the final week of the show. With the end of Avatar came an abrupt halt to my interest. It was unnerving to see anything to do with Avatar, the very thought that it was all over plaguing my mind. However School came and I was slowly able to ease back into fan sites and stories. Of course this whole time reviews were still coming in. My avatar withdrawal had diminished enough that I decided to work on another chapter until I thought it good enough to publish. Again I'm sorry. However now I am more prepared and plan on adding at least 2 more chapters with or without review but please give any thoughts you have of the story. I always appreciate praise of course and constructive criticism is more than welcomed to make every chapter better. Thanks for reading.