A/N: Get ready for some mindless femslash smut. It's non-explicit, but not along the lines of what I usually write. Read and review!

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Up and Coming

Moph: MaixToph

After she and Zuko had mutually split, Mai heard countless words of advice pass her ears. Visitors came and went from her chambers trying to cheer her, usually accomplishing nothing but failure in their conversations.

But then the short Earthbender had come in, not even knocking, and asked without prelude, "You're single now?"

Mai answered in the affirmative, and the nineteen-year-old had returned every day since then to talk.

Even now, Mai is not clear on what happened. Through the course of weeks and months, the young women had continued the meetings, and they talked about everything under the sun, much to Mai's satisfaction. Toph never apologized for anything, which was a great departure from Zuko, whose words and actions resonated with regret at any given moment. He had never forgiven himself for his actions with his ex-girlfriend.

Toph, however, was infuriating. She could get under Mai's skin like no one else. She was not gentle, but it fit her so well. Mai enjoyed it when she was around. And soon, for reasons unknown, they started inching closer together. And kissing.

And things got strange. The let their hands wander, and let their voices stop mid-syllable when their breathing became labored.

It was not love. Not exactly. But it was something, and they both liked it.

Late in the afternoon, Toph sauntered into Mai's chambers, leaning against the doorpost, as was her custom.

"Fancy seeing you here," she said.

"What do you want?" asked Mai from her desk. She set down the scroll she had been reading.

"Easy, Giggles. I just wanted to ask you a favor." Mai's lips curled into a sneer, not that Toph could see it. This was how it always started.

"What is it?"

The Earthbender removed a thick green ribbon from her belt. "Put this on," she commanded. "So we can both be blind." It slid through her hand.

Mai stood up to face her. The ribbon was a new addition to their meetings. She asked, "Are you asking me to physically handicap myself to sate your sexual fantasies?"

Toph smiled, "Absolutely."

"Good," Mai responded, turning so Toph could tie the ribbon over her eyes. She yanked it back slowly, making Mai extend her neck.

Toph breathed along the length of her pale skin. She said, "Just imagine what a precarious situation you would be in if we were still enemies." Her lips pressed down.

Mai hummed softly. "You could snap my neck."

"I could do a lot of things."

Her hands released the tied ribbon, leaving room to explore the area around the shoulders and collarbone of Mai, who did her best not to sigh at the touches.

The newly blinded girl said, "You know, these circumstances are unfair to me. You were born blind and it has never hindered you. For me it is a handicap. Perhaps we should even the playing field and bind your hands. Or maybe gag you."

"Or both," said Toph between kisses.

"With my knives," grinned Mai. She pressed her back against Toph, who had recently managed undo the hair that sat so neatly on Mai's head.

She chuckled, "That might hurt a bit." Her arms slid around Mai's hips.

The older woman turned, still blind, and clutched the front of Toph's robes. She growled, "Only if I want it to." Then she harshly pressed their lips together, not needing to see the distance between them.

With a slight gasp, they pulled apart. Toph whispered, "Now, now, Mai. You're going to bruise me with those lips. You know what a delicate little flower I am. We must be more careful."

She shoved Mai onto her bed with a laugh. Grabbing her foot, Toph drew her fingers from Mai's ankle to mid-thigh. She shivered at the contact, and the Earthbender felt her heart rate rise.

Mai hooked her leg around Toph's knees, forcing her downward onto her. They were face to face again.

Mai twisted her body, pressing herself on top of her partner. The ribbon-bound girl bit Toph's earlobe. She stopped only long enough to say, "I've decided that tomorrow you will wear my stiletto heels. And then you can truly be blind… and unable to walk."

In response, Toph arched her back quickly, pinning Mai beneath her again.

"Aye aye, Captain," she said. "But until then, you're blind and I'm not." Her hands deftly untied the knotted robe around Mai's waist, spreading her hand across the white skin of her stomach.

Feeling very pleased with the turn of events, Mai replied, "So be it."

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