"You're more than welcome to stay the night," Hanna told them again.
"It could be like a sleepover," Hakoda added.
Iroh shook his head, "You've been more than generous today. We actually should have left a few hours ago."
Asami graciously said, "It was wonderful meeting you both and your adorable kids. I hope we see you again soon."
"I feel like we've become friends, Asami. Keep in touch," Hanna hugged her.
"You can count on it," Asami agreed.
"It's been a pleasure, Koda, Hanna," Iroh said as he took Asami's hand and placed it in the crook of his arm.
"Bye, Iroh. It's always good to see you," Hanna sighed.
"You crazy kids have fun!" Hakoda called to them.
In the carriage, Asami quietly asked, "Are we going to the ship now?"
Iroh silently nodded. Feeling like the physical distance between was too much he tugged her closer so she laid her head on his chest. Asami closed her eyes to focus on the feel of his hard, roped body beneath hers. The somewhat bumpy ride was shorter than she expected. Or maybe she didn't notice how much time truly passed.
They exited promptly to stand in front of the enormous docked black ship. Its size and power, metallic and cold, were intimidating. Since it was night, the feeling was emphasized.
"Now that I think about it, I've never actually seen one of these this close up," she mused.
"It's not as bad as you might think," he assured her. "Come on, Ms. Asami."
There were no lights inside but he fixed that with a little firebending. He led the way deep into the bowels of the ship. Finally he stopped in front of one room and allowed her to go in first.
Once the lights were on, the first thing she noticed was the large, sturdy wooden table in the center. Two chairs sat on opposite sides of the table. The room was bare otherwise. There was a set up of silverware, plates, and bundled things carefully placed on it.
"My private dining room," he explained.
"You did this?"
Iroh pulled out a chair for her. "If you may, Ms. Asami."
She took her seat after which he circled around and unbundled the two large plates of dumplings, drizzled with sauce. He warmed them with a small fire ball in the palm of his hand. He poured wine into both their clear glasses.
"Go on," he invited, gesturing to the food.
The intensity of his dark eyes as he watched her take a bite warmed her thoroughly. Coming up with a verdict, she declared, "This is delicious. I've honestly never tasted anything better."
Despite the possibility she might seem impolite, she readily finished her plate.
"It was my favorite dish that my mother used to make. She would release the servants for the day and spend almost three hours making them. When I grew older, I would help her with it."
"You cooked this?" she said incredulously. "General Iroh, the degree to which you are perfect is intimidating. Is there anything that's wrong with you?"
With all the seriousness of telling a fatal secret, he bent forward and said, "My sense of humor."
Trying to hold back a smirk, she replied in equal tone, "Or lack thereof."
"It's very difficult for me to understand jokes. When everyone else laughs at the parties, I silently question the humor."
Asami laughed whole-heartedly. "I've noticed. You raise a brow, force an odd smile, and the whole time glare at the poor fool who dared crack a joke. If I was chuckling at the joke before, then I was dying of laughter at your expression. Hakoda was on the receiving end all afternoon. Especially when he said 'I'm on a strict seafood diet. I see food, then I eat it'."
"How is that funny?" he cleared his throat, "Though I wasn't aware you were laughing at me, Ms. Asami, I'm glad to hear my lack of humor incites your own. Your laughter is relaxing."
She paused as she searched his eyes. "As is your presence, General Iroh."
He smiled wryly.
Asami lowered her eyes for a few seconds before locking them with his. "General Iroh, I have a confession to make."
"Yes, Ms. Asami?" he leaned forward to hear this alleged secret.
"Every time you say 'Ms. Asami' I get the strong desire to rip my clothes off."
A heartbeat passed.
Then another.
Then the plates and silverware crashed onto the floor. The couple was wrapped in each other's arms, limbs tangled, hair tugged, lips locked, tongues tied on top of the table. Already flush, she jerked her lips downward to explore any bare skin. He slipped a hand between them to undo his shirt and jacket. Her eager hands helped him along since she was dying to feel the muscles that pressed against her.
When the red splattered scars on his chest were exposed to her, she worshipped them with kisses. They were significantly less noticeable since his daily healing but they will always remain. Forever the reminder that he saved her life, forever a reminder of her. For some reason, this turned her on more than anything. His eyes were closed blissfully for a few long moments but eventually, he pushed her down.
With the hottest method she's ever seen, he tugged down her straps with his teeth then yanked the dress off from the bottom. The harsh friction was delicious against her feverish skin. The clothes were thrown carelessly across the room. In a very dominating fashion he pinned her wrists above her head with one hand, leaving her vulnerable to his lips' attack.
"From now on, it's your job to take off my dresses," she hissed in pleasure.
"That's a responsibility I'll take very seriously," he licked up her neck to her ear all the while marveling at the silkiness of her skin.
That so very naughty tongue of his trailed back down towards her full breasts. He traced the line above them making her shiver. Using his free hand, he burned the bra to a crisp. The additional teasing heat, close to burning her skin, worked to make her moan.
"I'll buy you another one," he promised thinking she would protest.
"Don't care, don't stop," she breathed harshly.
His hand ghosted over her body, starting at her cheek, down over her neck, down over her left breast. She arched up to reach him but he had a better plan. Iroh brushed his lips with her nipple and she cried out.
She wasn't above begging she decided at that moment.
Luckily she didn't have to since his lips came back down and captured her nipple with his teeth. Oh mercy, he was cruel. Cruel and delightfully amazing. Continuing down her body, his teasing hand reached her extremely sensitive stomach. Her hands shook under his large one in a failed attempt to get free. She moaned loudly as her muscles contracted under his light touch. Her hips rose intuitively to get closer. When they met his, they both moaned. She tried to do it again but his hand pinned down her hips.
"Asami," his husky, dark voice echoed, sending little spasms throughout her body.
Maddeningly slow, his hand smoothed over her thigh. She was dripping before he came anywhere near her core. With her panties, he burned the sides and tossed the rest. Still unable to move her hands, her nails bit painfully into her palms. She was completely naked to him now. Feather-light, his finger traced back and forth over her nether lips. Her thighs trembled. She was certain she was on fire because her body burned deeply.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered into her ear.
He plunged in a finger. And just like that, she came. Her toes curled and she shook, arching against him and screaming his name.
She fell back limp on the wooden table. Rapidly breathing, she basked in her release. Asami opened her eyes to find his dark and overwhelmed with what he saw. He withdrew his finger and licked it. Fire rekindled in her stomach.
"Let go of my hands."
He swiftly obeyed. One snaked up to run through his hair while the other caressed the large bands of his arms. She suddenly flipped them over so that she was on top straddling him. Edging backwards, she undid his pants and drawers. Once his erection was sprung free, she gripped the base of it. He was intoxicatingly potent. The expression on his face sent a jolt of power through her.
"I'll take care of you," she vowed seductively.
She leaned forward. Surprising her, he grabbed her shoulders and flipped them over again. "I prefer this method," he growled into the crook of her neck and nipped at the delicate skin.
"Iroh," she sweetly mewled.
The man she clung to was utterly enthralled with her. Her hips rolled against his. The way her soft body molded to his destroyed his restraint.
Her legs wrapped around his waist but he pushed them up further so they rested on his large, broad shoulders. The position left her completely open, leaving her blood hotter than ever. He grabbed a handful of her ass briefly, and then his hands gripped her hips. Iroh was disheveled, his breathing ragged as if he was barely holding onto the last shred of his control.
Finally, he thrust into her. She cried out from the shock of pleasure, her mouth forming the perfect O. He filled her perfectly, surrounding her like nothing else. When he fully pulled out her nails raked down his back, unintentionally drawing blood. He rammed again and again each time causing her breasts to bounce. He cupped them and ran his thumbs over her peaks. She met him thrust for wild thrust, practically dying when he hit the perfect spot. They established a hard and deep and fast rhythm.
"Ir-oh, Ir-oh," she chanted the word as if it were her salvation.
His lips came down to hers in a harsh kiss. He bit her lower lip instigating her uncontrollable orgasm to hit her. As her walls tightly squeezed around him, he found his own release with a final grunt. Her legs slipped off his shoulders. Iroh fell to the side, unable to continue supporting himself on his elbows.
She cuddled into his vast, muscular body and kissed the scars on his chest. Wordlessly, he kissed her forehead, basking in the, well, glowing afterglow.
Mere minutes later, Iroh sat up to collect his pants. She praised the spirits for such a perfect, beautiful, and strong man. But then she noticed the long red marks that raked his back.
"Your poor back," she quietly remarked at the angry marks.
"It's one of the better battle wounds I've had," he smugly grinned. "After all, I won the war. I got your heart."
She couldn't deny it. "So what are you going to do now?"
"Give you mine."
"General Iroh, I'm surprised. You surrender?"
"You defeated me with the first glance, even if you didn't know it. You already branded me," he stood straighter, expanding his chest.
Leaning up for another kiss, Asami slyly said, "It was my honor to be your adversary."