a/n
What? An update? Yes, FINALLY! Thank you for waiting so long! I'm so sorry for my infrequency, everything got so busy… But enough with excuses let's talk about the story!
The POV does switch, however, it only progresses the story (so there isn't the whole rehash of what you just read). Also, most of it is told from one POV. Also the beginning part of this chapter is M-ish for sure. Enjoy!
Chapter 17 ~Now~
-Katara-
She was warm. Very warm. Why am I so warm? Her eyes fluttered open to find out why and two golden orbs stared back at her. Oh.
"Good morning," she said and smiled up at him. They were both on their sides facing each other under a silky sheet. Her head rested on his arm like a pillow and his other arm lay wrapped around her waist, keeping her close.
"Hmm…" he hummed, "it is a good morning now." She decided to feign her understanding.
"Whatever do you mean, Prince Zuko?" she replied, batting her eyes at him innocently. He grinned, accepting her challenge.
"Oh, I think you know what I mean." His voice was thicker and huskier now. She remained quiet, coyly looking at him. The muscles in his arm under her head as he rolled on top of her. His two hands cradled her head and neck and his legs entwined with hers. "I love you." He growled quietly in her ear.
"I love you, too." She replied breathily. His warm breath soon left her ear and he looked seriously into her eyes.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, anything,"
"Di-did you like it?" he asked then quickly clarified, "Last night I mean." She blushed. YES! Of course, I liked it! "Did I ever tell you how sexy you are when you bite your lip?" he added. And she immediately released her bottom lip. She wasn't even aware she was chewing on it.
"No… I mean I did like it…last night… you were…" she shook her head, giving up on the words. "Did you like it?" she asked quietly. She wasn't sure how it had been for him, but it felt incredible and mind-blowing to her.
"Honestly, I have nothing to compare it too. All I can tell you is that it was special. You made it special. You made it the singularly best night of my life. You made my heart ache, speed up, and then burst." The love she felt for him somehow managed to increase. She had never heard anything so perfect. In fact, she felt moisture gather in her eyes. What? Am I seriously about to cry? No.
"How-erm" she cleared her throat, "how long have you been practicing that speech?"
"Since I woke up," he shifted and grinned guiltily.
"Uh-huh…" it was getting hard to concentrate with him so close. She became hyperaware that neither of them was wearing any clothes…
"And…" he began. A twinkle in his eyes, "if it's not asking too much, I'd like to feel it again."
"Hmmm…" she purred in appreciation and false contemplation. She could feel how much he wanted to do it again. Suddenly he stilled against her.
"But only if you're okay. I never got the chance to ask yo-" Here he goes again. It was both sweet and annoying that he kept asking if he'd hurt her.
"Zuko, I'm fine. You never got close to burning me."
"How can you be sure? What if I hurt you… inside."
"You didn't." Ever since she had learned healing, she had become hypersensitive to her own health. She knew she was fine.
"But if I had hurt you…" his voice cracked. The look in those eyes above her reminded her again just how much he cared.
"But you didn't. And you won't."
"How do you know? I'm so confused at times. I love you so much, but I couldn't bear it if I hurt you again." He rolled off her and stared up at the ceiling. Even though he was still right beside her, he felt so far away.
"Hey," she said and gently moved to lie half on him. She placed one hand on his warm face and he shivered. Whether it was from the coolness of her fingers or the touch itself, she didn't know. "Look at me?" he slowly did, a battle was waging behind his eyes. "Just as you can warm your body, I can cool mine." She exhaled and blew out wintery air. He still didn't look convinced. "Oh for the love of Agni!" she rolled off the bed. "You need to get over this 'fear,' Zuko. One moment you're all sweet and asking for us to…" she blushed despite of herself, "…and the next you close up." Where did my bindings go? She asked herself as she bent to find them. There you are and she started to put on the one for her breasts. Maybe you're too hard on him... "Look." She stood up to find him standing still an arm's length away, eyes wide. "I love you. And I know you love me, but you can't be so worried about hurting me. We can't keep having this same stupid conversation. There isn't enough ti-" The next thing she knew she was slammed against the wall. One of his hands held her wrists above her head and the other forcefully held her head still while his mouth crashed against hers. Confusion soon melted into desire. Yes…yes…yes… She liked it gentle, but his commanding and rough actions were a huge turn on.
The hand holding her head slithered down to her half-on-breast bindings. A puff of smoke filled the air and an intense, but brief, heat hugged her chest.
"Wh-" she tried to speak, but his mouth reclaimed hers. His rough, warm free hand attacked her freed breasts. She closed her eyes to absorb the sensations. She gasped and quickly reopened her eyes as his tongue gained entry to her mouth. His eyes were closed and she felt him grin slightly as she moaned. Her thoughts were scattering. She could feel him hard pressing into her. His whole body was pressing into her. She needed air. She needed him. She wasn't sure which was more critical.
-Zuko-
He didn't want to get lectured by her, but he also couldn't let her walk away. He knew he might be being a little repetitive, but he also knew that he couldn't stand it if he hurt her, again.
"I love you. And I know you love me, but you can't be so worried about hurting me." But I do worry… "We can't keep having this same stupid conversation." No, you're right. He had next to no experience with women, but he knew that some women liked to be commanded and controlled. But he didn't think that's really what she was asking for. Maybe he could just step it up a notch…It wouldn't be very hard for him to unleash his desire…he just hoped it was what she wanted. "There isn't enough ti-" So let's start now. He slammed her against the wall. He quickly secured her hands and head before he plundered her mouth.
To call it a kiss would be a lie. It was powerful and dominating. He could feel her wetness increase against his thigh and he hardened even more against her. Her breasts must be freed. Now. As he touched the binding's fabric smoke started to rise. He wasn't sure when he had exactly decided to burn it off her, but that was what he was doing. The red glow quickly dissolved her bindings. She tried to speak, but he didn't want her to. His hand pawed at her beautiful, smooth breasts. He watched as her eyes closed and she arched against him. Now or never and he slid his tongue into her gasping mouth. Oh, Agni! He moaned inside. His eyes closed with the intensity of what he was feeling. He needed her. Now.
He released her wrists, tore his mouth away, and looked into her hazy eyes.
"Now?" he rasped. He needed to make sure she wanted this. Like this. She nodded while she caught her breath. He pushed her back, higher up onto the wall and held her with one hand while he lined himself up with her dripping entrance. With a quick breath, he plunged into her.
It was almost better than before. It was so much deeper this way.
"Agni! Spirits! Zuko!" came out of her mouth in a mantra. He loved the sound of his name on her lips.
"Oh…Katara…" he groaned. He pulled out almost all of the way, loving the slide of himself against her. With a grunt, he thrust himself forcefully back in. Unintelligible words and moans tumbled out of her mouth. It almost sounded like his name over and over. He put his lips against hers, eating them up. The sounds they made together were so sexy he could hardly stand it. He would thrust and grunt, she moaned, and the smacking sounds of his body colliding with hers were enough to drive anyone to the edge. He still needed her to finish first. He wasn't sure he could support her anymore after he came.
"Come Katara. Now. Let go." He ground out as he continued to drive into her. She screwed up her eyes and her mouth fell open as she shuddered around him. That was it. He was done for. His mouth opened in a silent scream as he pushed into her twice more. Then he stilled and groaned as he shot his load into her warm wet depths. They slid down the wall, breathing hard.
-Katara-
She lay on the floor next to him. Her heart was still pounding in her ears. Stars from her release were only now starting to fade from her eyes. Wow.
"That was…that was…" he tried to say, between breaths.
"That was… intense." She managed.
"Agni. Wow. Phew." He sighed, resting his eyes for a second. She laughed lightly. "What?" he asked, turning his head to look at her.
"It's just you were so crazed and rough and now you're almost stunned with your…performance." She giggled. Since when do I giggle? She asked herself, then immediately replied Since Zuko. He chuckled too, embracing her description.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just… I never wanted to be that guy that just uses you to get himself off…but after what you said I thought I also didn't want to be the guy that was overprotective and constantly going on about the same thing. Not to say that I won't or don't still worry about you… but I guess I trust that you are tough enough to handle stuff on your own and strong enough to talk to me when you need it."
"Zuko," she whispered, so touched by his words she couldn't say anything else.
"I know you are not a fragile doll, but you have to see that the reason I worry about you so much is because I love you so much. I will never stop loving you. I will never get enough of you. I will always be here for you."
"I-" Before she could reply a voice cut her off.
"Whatever you guys are doing in there stop and get your butts out here! Aang's gone!" yelled Toph.
"WHAT?!" Zuko and she yelled as they scrambled to their feet.
"Zuko…" she whined, "I don't have another breast binding."
"Right…uh…" he opened the wardrobe and unthinkingly tore a long strip of fabric off a red robe. "Here, use this." He said and tossed it to her.
"Thanks." They tossed other articles of clothing between them and pulled them on before they burst through the door. Toph was nowhere in sight.
"AANG?" Katara called running to the courtyard were Suki and Sokka were packing up Appa.
"Katara what's wrong?" Sokka asked.
"Toph says she can't find Aang!" she replied, looking around as if he'd suddenly appear.
"He's probably in the house somewhere. Let's split up and find him." She nodded and everyone ran back in the house. Katara decided to check Aang's room first. Nothing. She walked out onto the balcony and discovered his dinner from last night and his glider.
"He left his staff, that's so strange." Sokka noted, entering the room followed by Suki and Zuko.
"Aang's not in the house," Reported Zuko, "Let's check the beach."
They walked in silence down the path to the beach.
"Hey, there's Toph!" said Sokka, pointing to a figure on the sand. Everyone rushed towards her. "And look! Those are Aang's foot prints!" Aang-sized footprints walked in a straight-line into the water, but they didn't come back out.
"So he went for a midnight swim and never came back?" asked Suki, noticing the one-way prints.
"Maybe he was captured?" Katara ventured.
"I don't think so. There's no sign of a struggle," answered Sokka, looking up and down the beach.
"Then what do you think happened to him, oh sleuth-y one?" grouched Toph.
"What's your problem?" Katara asked her.
"Nothing. Let's just find him." She grumbled, crossing her arms defensively.
"It's pretty obvious. Aang mysteriously disappears before an important battle? He's definitely on a Spirit World journey." Said Sokka triumphantly.
"But if he was, wouldn't his body still be here?" Zuko pointed out. Sokka frowned.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that."
"Then he's somewhere on Ember Island." Toph said, turning on her heal and walking along the shore.
"Toph! Wait up!" Katara called after her.
"No. We need to find Aang. I'll check the beach and cliffs." Toph hollered back, not stopping.
"Maybe I should go with her?" Katara asked Zuko, Sokka, and Suki.
"No, I'll go." Zuko said, "You and Suki can check the town."
"And I'll fly around on Appa." Added Sokka. Everyone agreed and Katara watched as Zuko sprinted after Toph.
Katara sat on the steps to the Summer Palace with Suki, waiting for the others to return. They hadn't found him. Zuko and Toph trudged up the path to them.
"Did you find him?" asked Zuko, sitting down next to Katara.
"No. I'm guessing you didn't either?" Katara asked.
"No." said Toph angrily. She chose a step farthest away from everyone else.
"What's wrong with her?" Katara whispered into Zuko's ear. He shrugged.
"I don't know. She was so focused and quitet during our search. When I tried to talk to her she just shut me down and said that 'we should really focus on finding Aang.'" Hmmm… thought Katarashe knew Toph and Aang were close... she must feel hurt that he left without saying anything. Before she could say anything Sokka and Appa landed. Katara, Zuko, Suki, and Toph all rose to their feet.
"Judging by the looks on your faces, I'm guessing you guys didn't find Aang, either." Said Sokka as he jumped off Appa.
"No. It's like he just ... disappeared." Zuko replied.
"Has anyone noticed that Momo is missing, too?" Suki asked. Horror spread across Sokka's face.
"Oh no! I knew it was only a matter of time!" he yelled as he turned back to Appa and opened his mouth, "Appa ate Momo! Momo, I'm coming for you, buddy!"
"Sokka, Appa didn't eat Momo. He's probably with Aang." Katara said, slightly annoyed. Honestly, her brother.
"That's just what Appa wants you to think!" Sokka retorted climbing into Appa's mouth.
"Get out of the bison's mouth, Sokka! We have a real problem here. Aang is nowhere to be found and the comet is only two days away!" said Zuko.
"What should we do Zuko?" Katara asked, looking up at him. Everyone else turned to look at Zuko, too (even Sokka, now covered with bison spit).
"I don't know." Zuko shrugged, "Why are you all staring at me?
"Well, you are kind of the expert on tracking Aang…" she said, hoping she didn't sound too mean.
"Yeah, if anyone's got experience hunting the Avatar ... it's you." Toph said, getting excited. "So find him, Sparky."
Per Zuko's instructions, they all boarded Appa and flew away. Was it wrong to think he looked handsome piloting Appa when they were on an important mission to find Aang? Probably. Toph planted herself near the back of the saddle, unmoving. Katara looked onward as they flew. She trusted Zuko completely, but Sokka was a little doubtful after they took off.
"Zuko, I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but why are we heading towards the Earth Kingdom? There's no way Aang's there." Sokka said, trying not to sound worried.
"Just trust me." Zuko replied. They flew onward among the pink clouds of the setting sun.
The sky was dark by the time they landed outside an Earth Kingdom bar. They entered.
"And the reason you've brought us to a seedy Earth Kingdom tavern is what now?" Sokka asked.
"June." Was all Zuko replied, pointing to a familiar face in the bar. She looked the same, long black hair, red dress, and bare shoulders. And she had a drink in her hand while easily throwing off attackers.
"Oh yeah, that weird bounty hunter with the giant mole."
"Mole? Her skin is flawless." Said Suki.
"No, she has this giant mole creature she rides around on." Sokka clarified. Zuko nodded.
"The shirshu. It's the only animal that can track Aang's scent anywhere in the world. It's the one shot we have of finding him." In a dance-like move, June threw her drink into the air, flung an attacker at a table, caught her drink, and took a sip.
"I don't know who this June lady is, but I like her." Grinned Toph, seemingly out of her funk.
"Wait a second!" Sokka said, stopping, and turning to Zuko, "She helped you attack us!"
"Yup, back in the good old days." He replied and walked up to June.
"Oh great. It's Prince Pouty. Where's your creepy grandpa?" she asked, annoyed.
"He's my uncle. And he's not here." Zuko replied. Katara had almost forgotten how brusque he was with everyone else.
"I see you worked things out with your girlfriend." June said, nodding to her and Zuko. Zuko blushed and glanced at her.
"Yeah, I guess I did." He gave her a quick smile and she twined his fingers with hers. June looked surprised for a moment before recovering.
"So what do you want?"
"I need your help finding the Avatar."
"Hmmm. Doesn't sound too fun." Replied June, sipping her drink. Zuko yanked his hand from Katara's so both hands were clenched in fists.
"Does the end of the world sound like more fun?" he asked, seething. Now he was the angry-determined man she first met, but this time was different. Now she was his girlfriend.
a/n Thank you so much for reading (and waiting for this update...). Don't forget to review! ^_^