the thief and the airbender

the cave of two lovers

{drewtee99 and VintageGirl71}

"You just had to pick this cave, didn't you?"

"I don't know why you're in such a bad mood - it's a good thing we got out of that storm when we did! You don't even seem worried about the others!"

"I am worried about the others, and I'm not in a bad mood, I'm just... You know what, never mind," Jinora snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. "Let's just focus on finding the others and getting out of here."

Kai rolled his eyes, huffing in annoyance. "Fine." They walked in an angry silence, Kai holding their single torch aloft.

He and Jinora, along with two other airbenders, Yung, and a girl their age named Yana, had been heading to Omashu when a massive storm had hit. They had taken refuge in a cave, but unfortunately gotten separated after some wolfbats attacked them. Yana and Yung had been sent off in one another, Kai and Jinora in another. As if it wasn't bad enough, Jinora was being unusually snippy with him, constantly biting his head off.

And Kai didn't even know why. He didn't think he had done something, and when they had gotten into arguments in the past, Jinora had never acted like this. She seemed frustrated and hurt; Kai just wished she would tell him why.

Kai's features softened as they walked along the dark corridor. "Look, Jinora, can you just tell me why you're mad at me?" he said softly, and they both stopped walking.

"It's not that simple, Kai," Jinora mumbled, pursing her lips. She wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Why not?" Kai said, staring hard at her.

"Because..." Jinora trailed off, her eyes narrowing. "Because of precious Yana!"

Yana was one of the newest airbenders, their age, having come from the Fire Nation. She was a nice girl, and Kai thought she was on her way to becoming his friend... Kai blinked, taken aback. "What does Yana have to do with anything?"

"I know she has a huge crush on you," Jinora said bitterly, "always going on about how handsome you are! I just..."

"Wait, hold on," a look of comprehension came across Kai's face, "you're jealous."

"I am not," Jinora protested, her face burning, and Kai knew he was right. "Just because Yana's prettier than I am, and that all you'll ever -" She shut her mouth abruptly, looking mortified.

"Jinora?" Kai lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. "You are the most beautiful girl in the world. And I..." He gathered up his courage. He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. He was pulling away when Jinora cupped his face with both of hands and pulled him closer, kissing him harder; the torch fell out of his hand and onto the floor, the fire flickering.

"You're such an idiot," she murmured fondly against his lips, kissing him again. Kai responded with equal enthusiasm, wrapping his arms around her, linking his fingers together and resting them on her spine. She ran her fingers through his hair, and he closed his eyes. When they finally broke apart, breathless, he looked around in wonder: all along the ceiling of the cavern were glowing crystals.

"Of course," Jinora gasped. "I don't know why I didn't realize it before - this is the Cave of Two Lovers!"

"That's like Omashu, right? Avatar Aang and Master Katara got stuck in here?" Kai asked, grinning widely at her. He pressed his forehead against hers, electing a smile.

"And all we have to do to get out of here is follow the crystals," Jinora explained. She broke free of his grasp. "Let's go." She took a step forward but when he didn't move she looked back at him. "Kai?"

He grinned at her, and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. "I hope you allow me the honour of telling Yana I'm taken?"

She pecked him on the cheek. "Of course."

Because jealous Jinora and confused Kai in the Cave of Two Lovers is something we all need in our lives.