Note: Thank you all so much for the positive reviews so far This is a longer chapter for you to enjoy! Please share and review 3
When I arrive at work a week after Aang gave me the beautiful Qilaut that I can't seem to stop playing, I'm almost twenty minutes early. I shrug my shoulders at the weird happenstance, I'm never early, and decide to grab a drink from Café on the first floor before heading to my office on the second. I scan the menu items as I wait in line; unfortunately they don't have delicious pastries like Aang makes, but the tea is pretty good. When I reach the front, I feel a smile tug at my lips at who I find.
"Katara, baby, it's been awhile," Teo coos as he stands behind the counter, his shaggy brown hair coiffed sexily.
"Yes it has," I simply reply. Teo and I had a thing right after I broke up with Jet. He always flirted with me, and when I came to work after the screaming match that ended mine and Jet's relationship, Teo just so happened to be working. So, we made out in the café's storage closet. Then he came over later that night. And we did more than just make out. Aang hated him though. He didn't understand why I needed to sleep with someone so soon after my breakup with Jet.
Well, I bet he understands now.
"Can I get my usual? Matcha?"
He nods and clicks a few buttons on the cash register as I hand him some yuan bills; the girl next to him begins to make my drink. He sets his elbows on the counter and leans towards me until his face is only a few inches from mine. "Have any plans later?"
I pause. Teo and I were good together. He was pretty fantastic in bed—very dominate, but sweet too. He wanted to be kissing me at all times and knew just the right things to make damn sure I was enjoying myself; he was considerate. But then I think about Aang. His memory may be too fresh in my mind to wipe it away. I want to savor the way his hands lingered on my thighs and the way his lips grazed my collarbone. But Aang doesn't want to be with me. Maybe it would be a good idea to try to forget him as soon as possible, as much as I don't want to; try to move on rather than focus on what will never be.
"I thought you were seeing that Smellerbee chick?" I ask, moving to the "pick-up" counter; Teo follows me.
"Nah, she's crazy; we're not together. Not for a lack of trying though—she's attempted to mount me about a hundred times." He reaches across the marble counter and touches the end of my braid. "But I like my women from the South."
I shrug my shoulders, ignoring his comment. Maybe one night couldn't hurt. Since Aang, I've been in a constant state of horniness. It's fucking terrible. And though I've been imagining it would be with Aang, maybe I just need a release from Teo.
"Well, I might be free tonight," I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
He grins. "Awesome. Text me later if you're down, okay?"
I nod and he hands me my Matcha. I give him a small wave before I leave him behind and head to the Residency wing.
Haru is waiting in my office when I open the door, leaning against my desk. I glance at the clock in the corner, worried I'm late again, but see that it's still five minutes before my shift is supposed to start.
"Hey Haru, what's up?" I ask as I hang my bag on the hook next to the door. He doesn't normally do this. In fact, I've never walked into my office to find him waiting for me like he's a hunter and I'm the prey.
"Do you have any plans tonight?" he asks, running a hand through his bronze locks.
"Yeah, I think I do—why? What's up?" I really don't want to work tonight. Once a month one of us stays late to do a quick inventory of the herbs, surgical tools and medications—and it's about that time again. But I did it last month, and I really don't want to do it again. It's so damn boring. I rather be in the OR.
"Uh, nothing really; I was going to ask you something but it doesn't matter. I can do it later." He gives me his sexy smirk, then exits my room, his usual swagger catching my eye.
Huh. That was weird.
"Got any plans tonight? It is Friday after all," Aang asks when I get home. Jeez. What is with everyone asking me that today? He's lounging on the couch, sketchbook in hand, with soft acoustic music on in the background. He looks over to me as I walk past him to head to my room to change.
"Maybe," I call over my shoulder. Once I'm in my room, I rip off my pants, and go to remove my top when I remember the shitty zipper of my shirt. It's one of my favorites—given to me by my mother the day I graduated high school; she said the blue Water Tribe ruffled fabric in front brought out the blue flecks in my ocean eyes. However, the five years since it was given to me haven't treated it well. The zipper is basically broken, and only moves when it feels like it. Fuck. I try to pull it off my head, but the silky material hugs my ribcage too tightly, and it won't budge past my shoulders. I let out an angry sigh. Dammit.
I throw open my door and head back to the living room to Aang without a second thought. When he sees me, his eyes instantly widen and flit down to my legs. Crap! I forgot I removed my pants. I cross my legs, suddenly overwhelming self-conscious, though I know it's ridiculous. He saw me completely naked not long ago.
"Um, can you, uh, help me unzip my shirt?" I stutter, suddenly realizing what a terrible idea this is.
He jumps up off the couch, his sketchbook tumbling to the floor. Licking his lips, he tucks the pencil he was drawing with behind his ear and walks towards me; I turn away from him, unable to look into his open, beautiful eyes—afraid of what I'll find there.
"So, what did you mean by 'maybe?'" he asks as I feel his hands gently touch my back. He tugs at the zipper and of course, it immediately moves for him. I bet it's his hands—zippers probably love Air Nomad's soft and gentle hands.
"Oh, um, I might be hanging out with Teo" I say with a shrug off my shoulders.
Aang stops his ministrations, the zipper only halfway down my back. "Teo? Seriously, Katara?" his voice is harsh and ragged—like he's been running at full speed and has just stopped. His rips the zipper the rest of the way down violently, and it falls away from my back. I immediately turn back around—I don't like his tone.
"What, Aang?" I raise my eyebrow up, challenging him.
"He's not good enough for you. He just wants to use you for sex, and you deserve more than that," he whispers, his voice angry and stern. His steel eyes flame, the silver flecks around his pupils becoming more prominent.
"Well maybe I don't want more than sex," I say, my voice rising. I mean, that's not exactly true, but who is he to tell me what I want?
"That's bullshit and we both know it." He lifts his big, smooth hands and places them on my neck before leaning forward and pressing his forehead against mine. He's done this a million times before, but I suddenly realize the intimacy of it. If he leaned in just one more inch, his lips would touch mine, and it would be ecstasy. He takes a deep breath. "I just want you to have everything you desire in love and life," he whispers, squeezing his eyes shut. I want you! I want to yell at him—but I can't. Then he opens his eyes again, staring into mine—grey vs. blue. "And I know Teo isn't it."
I instantly pull away from him; his hands drop awkwardly to his sides. "Well I'm sorry if I'm disappointing you, but Teo is…uncomplicated."
"Just don't let him use you."
"If anything, we're using each other," I point out.
He stiffens. His eyes change from concerned to furious in a matter of seconds. "And that's supposed to make it better?!" he yells, startling me.
Aang isn't one to yell. I can't remember the last time he actually yelled at me—or anyone. He didn't even shout when I told him I didn't think he should propose to On Ji; he just got eerily quiet. He's not like me; I get pissed off and scream at everyone. And I'm about to do it again.
"Stop judging me, Aang! Just because you're soooooooo perfect, doesn't give you the right to look down at me!" I shout back at him.
"I would never look down on you! I just don't want some douchebag to fuck you and then leave you like some piece of trash—because you aren't! You are so unbelievably amazing, and Teo doesn't see that like I do!" There's a vein bulging in his neck, and his fists are clenched at his side.
"I'm not attached to Teo, so it wouldn't be like that," I retort, crossing my arms over my chest.
Then he points his finger at me, his eyes flaming.
"You better not let him come inside you." His voice is cold, and full of uncontrolled contempt and jealousy that I've never heard from him before.
I feel like I just got slapped in the face. My mouth drops open, and Aang falters; a shocked expression forming on his face as he realizes what he just said. He opens his mouth to say something but I let my body act for me; I reel back and push him as hard as I can. He stumbles, tripping over the ottoman in front of the couch, and falls on his ass. I turn around and stomp out of the room, back to mine, slamming the door behind me so hard it shakes for a long time.
I throw off my shirt and crawl into my bed, pulling the covers over me. And then finally, since everything happened with Aang, and the first time in a long time, I let myself cry.
It's hours later when the tears finally dry, but I don't move from my bed. I still can't believe that Aang would say that to me. I know him, better than anyone else, and just know he understood how private and insecure I was about that. If I didn't let my boyfriend of four years have sex with me without a condom, why the hell would I let Teo? Aang said those things out of spite, and in a moment of anger, he threw something incredibly personal in my face; and that's what kills me the most. It's so unlike him and I am facing whiplash with all that I am uncovering within my best friend.
When the colors outside change from light to dark, and the chilly air begins to seep through my open window, I hear my bedroom door creak open. I feel the mattress dip and the covers shift slightly as he gets into bed with me. His big hand slides across my bare stomach and he moves closer until he's spooning with me. He takes shaky breath, the hot air skimming across my exposed neck.
"You will never understand how completely, entirely, magnificently sorry I am, Katara." Aang whispers. His voice is trembling, like he's on the verge of crying, and I unintentionally feel my stomach drop. I hate hearing him sad.
"I can't believe how terribly I fucked up. You mean everything to me, you're my whole family, and I said that—" he breaks off, his voice cracking, and I feel another tear slip down my nose. Aang grew up without a family. He was raised by his uncle Gyatso after he lost his parents in a freak house fire when he was only three. His uncle was great at raising him, but was a head Monk and nomadic and busy by nature and Aang's always felt isolated—alone in life. Until he met me. I became his family, just like he became that for me. We found each other in random circumstances, when we weren't looking for anything permanent. But we did. In Republic City University's philosophy class. He's a permanent part of me.
"Please tell me you can forgive me; maybe not now, but eventually. If you aren't in my life, I don't know what I would do." He sniffs. He continues
"Always, remember? We said that two years ago, and I still believe it to this day. I know what I said to you was inexcusable. Not only was that an insecurity of yours, but I acted like I had a claim on you in your intimate life. What kind of prick does that? Not a best friend. But I swear I will never do anything like it again. Please just forgive me."
I turn around, unable to hear him speak like that anymore, and bury my face in the crook of his neck. Like Aang said, I can't imagine my life without him. I'm not one to keep grudges—especially against Aang—even if he hurt me. I'm a bitter, selfish, moody bitch and he likes me despite that. I'm not going to let one mistake ruin what we've built. God knows I've screamed at him more than once, and I'm positive I'll do it again—probably soon. He wraps his arms around me, squeezing me to him and kisses my shoulder.
"Why did you say it, Aang?" I find myself asking, breathing in his scent; he smells like manly sandalwood and fresh citrus.
"I honestly don't know." His hand makes soothing circles on my back and I pull away from his neck so I can look into his eyes. "It just came out of my mouth; I have no idea where it came from." He shakes his head, astonishment and shame overwhelming his face.
I open my mouth, ready to tell him I can forgive him, but suddenly, he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. I feel the hunger I did when he first kissed me ignite my body, but I know this kiss isn't like the other one. It's not heated or sexual. It's a plea; an apology. His hand cups my jaw and he removes his soft lips from mine momentarily. "Forgive me, Katara," he whispers, then kisses me again.
I know that he's my best friend and he always will be. I know that he's hurting and he wants comfort. I know that he's sorry. I know that I will forgive him for anything. And I know that he doesn't love me like I love him. But most of all, I know that this kiss is more than just a kiss shared between two friends.
I'm a big girl, Aang. You don't have to take care of me," I say to him, trying my hardest not to grit my teeth.
"Yes, I do," he whispers, his hand running along my bare arm under the covers. I suddenly realize how close to naked we both are now that the drama and sadness and anger have faded for the most part; we're both only in our underwear. "Because you don't think you need help. And sometimes you do. Remember what I said to you the first time we met at school?"
I nod. "'There's nothing wrong with accepting a little help sometimes,'" I repeat his words verbatim.
"Exactly." He takes a deep breath and removes his hand from my arm to run through his disheveled hair.
"I really fucking hate that guy, Katara. He just irks me. So, I'm trying to protect you here. But if you want to meet up with Teo again, I can't stop you. And I know you don't like being helped, but I can't stop doing it. I want to take care of you as much as you will let me, but I know I can't make decisions for you—you'd never allow it."
I smile. He knows me so well. "Thanks, Aangy." Then a yawn escapes my mouth before I can stifle it. I guess crying really wears you out.
"Let's go to sleep, okay?" he says; I nod in response. He presses a kiss to my forehead, then I turn around and snuggle my face into my pillow as his arms wind around my bare stomach.
I grew up in a warm household. I had a father that was unbelievably in love with my mother, and a mother who reciprocated entirely; they thought the other one hung the moon. I was surrounded in their love. And they were good parents. My father came to every one of my waterbending meets and taught me to hunt. We weren't well off—in fact we struggled to pay the bills every month, for my father was a just a hunter—but we could always find fish in the cove.
So, when I left for college, it was the first time I was on my own. And I wasn't scared or anything—I'm not one that fears a lot—but it was all foreign to me. I couldn't hunt or bend, I barely had any money, and detested everyone I met. They all seemed so fake; like they made careers out of being douchebags. That was until my philosophy class with Aang. When the guidance counselor suggested it as an alternative course to fill my major requirements, I'm pretty sure I laughed for a half an hour—it just seemed so absurd! I could learn the philosophy and history of medicine, I guess. That was the extent of my skills in this class. But I couldn't go out and list about the dark history of the Fire Nation's genocide against the Air Nomads to save my life. That's a problem though because respect indigenous culture and I should know of it. So, I took her advice and went.
And who knew I would find everything I needed in that class. I found a home, a new life, a best friend and a love—all wrapped up in one 6'1" bald boy who loves to cook and ramble and double knots his robes he's still six years old.
But as I watch Aang sleep next to me, his strong chest rising and falling with each deep breath he takes, I worship Guidance Counselor Yue for making that suggestion.
Luckily, he's on his side facing me, so I can admire him secretly. His beautiful blue arrow tattoo drape over his forehead, and his delicate eyelashes cause a tiny shadow to cross over his cheekbones. His soft, pink lips are open a little bit, and I feel a tug in my stomach to move closer and mold mine to them; just like he did last night.
I'm not sure what the reason was behind him kissing me, but I enjoyed it. Even though that was our worst fight ever, we've never in the past done something like that after we've reconciled. It honestly came out of nowhere. Not that I'm complaining but I just want to know why he did it. Does he feel something for me? No, that's ridiculous. I know that Aang is shy when it comes to talking about women and all things sexual, but after five years, if he wanted to be with me, he would have told me. Right?
Aang stirs, his face snuggling further into the pillow, and I close my eyes, feigning sleep as to not be caught staring.
"Katara?" he whispers after a few seconds.
I blink my eyes open, pretending to wake up, and find him giving me a sleepy smile. I return it before I've even made a conscious decision to do so.
"Morning," I yawn at him. "What time is it?"
He glances at the clock behind him then turns his head back around. "9:37."
"Jesus, Aang, why can't you sleep in more? It's Saturday."
He chuckles quietly. "I'm sorry. But you know how I am—airbender and all. I wake up early whether I want to or not, no matter how little sleep I get the night before. The last time I slept in past ten was the night we—"
He stops himself, immediately turning red. The desire to poke fun at him wells inside me, but then I find myself remembering it too, and start to blush as well; the way his heavy breathing echoed in my ear, and the way his thrusts were hard and punishing but his expression was anything but. The way his fingertips skimmed my jaw as his mouth found my pebbled nipple and nibbled on the tip softly, then amplified the pressure, causing my moans to increase in volume. And the way he grinned against my skin when he realized that he knew what I liked.
I shake my head. No. I can't keep on reliving it. It's going to kill me.
Aang clears his throat. "Um, anyway, are you sure we're okay? Because I know you don't want any more apologies, but I have a million ideas for groveling."
I smile softly. "As long as you make more mango and raspberry tarts, we're even." Then, before I can stop myself, I reach across the minimal space between us and brush a strand from my hair away from his face. The his soft skin and tattoo are being caressed under my fingers, creating an intimate friction that makes my stomach flip.
I look to his face; afraid I've crossed a boundary. But his eyes are closed, his eyelids fluttering lightly.
I guess he doesn't mind.
"Hey, you never texted me last night," Teo whispers seductively through the phone.
I hold my cell between my ear and shoulder as I pull on a pair of blue linen pants. After what happened with Aang yesterday, I just want a lazy day inside.
"Yeah, I got held up," I lie, snapping my waistband into place. "Work's been stressful."
"I understand entirely. However, I'm an excellent stress reliever, baby. Don't you remember?" his voice gets even lower, essentially turning into a growl.
Oh boy, do I. The memory of his long fingers curling inside of me, rubbing me right where I needed, is something I've often thought about these past three months since we had our one-night stand.
"I've been dying to taste you again." Oh, Spirits. Don't even get me started on the things this man can do with his tongue. "I'm free tonight, Katara. Just say the word."
"Yes," I breathe. The word slips out of my mouth before I can stop it as desire racks my body.
I can almost hear him grinning through the phone. "I'll come over later."
"No!" I shout. Fuck. After my argument with Aang, there's no way I can sleep with Teo when he's right across the hall. "Um, how about we do it at your place?"
"Okay, sure." He spouts out his address and gives me simple directions to his apartment. "See you at ten tonight?"
"Yeah, see you then." I quickly hang up the phone and throw it on my bed. That was probably a mistake.
I find Aang in the kitchen, kneading up some dough that I assume is for the tarts on the kitchen island; the muscles in his forearms jumping and his biceps flexing. There's a streak of flour and fruit underneath his left eye, making him look all adorable and homemaker-esque.
"Hey, were you talking to yourself?" he teases as he looks up and sees me entering the room.
"I was on the phone," I say nonchalantly, hoping he doesn't see the panic I'm sure is glowing in my eyes right now.
He nods and twists around to turn on the oven. "With whom?"
"Teo," I whisper, hoping he doesn't hear it. But I watch as the muscles in his back go rigid and I know he did. I'm glad I can't see his face—afraid of what I'd find there. Hate? Disgust? Disappointment? Fury?
Aang is silent as his body begins to move again. Aang he is a guy who knows how to talk. In fact, he's beautiful when it comes to words. But when he is silent—well—it's even more stunning. You just know whatever he's not saying is chewing at him, and he's using everything he must to keep quiet. When he finally turns back around, his face is blank—no emotion in sight. I think that's even worse.
Finally, he speaks. "How is he?" he practically sneers.
I gulp loudly. "Fine. I'm, uh, going over there later."
He nods his head, his lips pursed. "Well, I hope you have a good time. And you know you can call me if you need me."
"I know," I exhale. That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I turn to exit the room, but he says one last thing that makes me stop.
"You don't need another Jet in your life."
Jet? What is he talking about? I mean, I know they were never good friends or anything, but they did hang out sometimes and most of that time the two of them were pleasant to each other. Jet never did anything to him, so why is Aang putting him in the same category as Teo—a guy he hates?
I march toward him, anger welling up inside me. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? You liked Jet"
He scoffs. "I liked Jet as a strange, hard-ass that became hilarious when he got drunk. But I didn't like him as your boyfriend."
This is news to me after 4 years. "Why?"
Aang lets out a sad sigh. He wipes his hands on his apron and then places them on his neck; his pointer fingers begin to move in soft circles under my ears; his grey eyes stare into mine. "He was a bad guy to you, Katara. You fought all the time, he never slept over an entire night, sometimes he'd ignore you for days, he was the cheapest guy that ever existed, and he forgot your birthday—all four years you were together."
I pause. That is true. He did forget my birthday, but I'm not huge on birthdays anyway—Aang is. He always buys me a billion gifts, makes me an extravagant dinner with all my favorite foods, and then we go out and do something together. Penguin sledding, waterbending—we even went to an Probending Match one time and battled some rookie benders.
"You both had too much fire and anger," he continues. "And Teo isn't exactly the most stable guy either. You should be with someone who levels you out; a guy who can mellow the fire within you."
His hands drop away from me, and lands on the kitchen island counter.
I raise my eyebrow at him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Have anyone in mind?" As the sentence slips out of my mouth, I automatically think of him. Aang's always been a calm presence when I need him. I mean, hell yeah, he can get pissed off, and not just like last night. I once saw him shatter a vase late one night after I came home crying because a particularly bad fight with Jet when he thought I couldn't see him. I'm not sure exactly why he did it, and he cleaned it up right away, but I saw the fury flash in his grey eyes as he hurled the blue glass at the cream colored wall of our living room. He regretted it afterwards, I assumed, as he fasted for a week and meditated daily to absolve himself of his anger.
Aang's eyes dart away from me. "I, uh, no. No, not really." His hands grip the side of the counter, his knuckles turning white. "But just—just try to listen to me, okay?"
Now it's mine turn to scoff. "I told you last night—I'm not going to marry the guy. He's just a scratching post."
Aang seems to shutter. "Okay, yeah. I understand now. Thanks for the image."
Then he goes back to his dough, pounding it a little bit harder than he was before, angry, uncomfortable silence filling the air that surround us.
It turns out Teo lives only a mile or so away from Aang and me. It's a large, light green duplex, and he swings open the door immediately after my fist hits its amber wood.
"Hey, beautiful," he says before leaning forward to give me a small kiss on my cheek. When he pulls back, I see that he's dressed in a pair of deep blue jeans and a black t-shirt that hugs his large muscles.
"Hi," I whisper. He waves me in, and I take the steps into his place. It's very manly. The carpet is a muddy brown and the walls are deep green. There's sporadic, mismatching furniture around the living room, all pointed a large entertainment center. Behind the living room is a small kitchen with an island and black and white checkered linoleum. I nod my head; I like it. "Nice place. Do you have any roommates?"
"Yeah, my buddy Pipsqueak." He takes a few steps closer to me, his eyes darkening. "But he's not here."
I nod my head, gulping audibly. My body is lightning up in his presence, but there's a little hesitation.
"Do you want to show me the rest of the house?" I ask, waving my hand in front of me. He nods.
We walk down a small hallway until it ends in a T, a bedroom on one side, apparently Pipsqueak's, and a bathroom on the other. Then we walk up a narrow staircase. Upstairs, there's another bathroom, a small closet, and then finally, at the end of the hall, is his room. He opens the brown door and the two of us walk in. The first thing I notice is that it's incredibly neat. Everything has a place and there's not a dirty sock in sight. He has a small brown closet tucked into the corner and large bookcase. But, taking up most of the room, is a king size bed with a silky black comforter.
Teo's lips are suddenly on my neck, kissing up and down my smooth skin; his large hands move down my ribs, caressing me through my shirt, until they land on my hips. I exhale as the nervous tension leaves my body, and I raise my arm to tangle my fingers in his silky brown locks.
He pulls his mouth away from my neck and forces my body to whip around; he crashes his lips into mine furiously. I kiss him back, moaning against his lips, and pulling at the hair at the back of his head. He moves us until my knees hit his bed and we fall down onto it.
I tear at him, ripping open his black shirt and causing the buttons to pop off, eager to feel his skin against mine. In a matter of seconds, all of our clothes are thrown around the room and we're slipping under his silky sheets in just our underwear. He grins down at me, pinning my arms to my side, and grinds himself against me; I release a silent moan. God, I'm so ready.
"I've missed you, baby," he groans into my neck, sucking and tonguing my skin; I know there's going to be a mark there tomorrow. "But now you're mine again."
"Aang, this is ridiculous!"
I set the heaviest box known to man onto the large kitchen island with an unnecessarily loud groan, then turn to him, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Katara, I'm sorry. I have a lot of kitchen supplies," he says, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead, removing the sweat that's collected there from moving in the hot July sun.
"Obviously." I wave my hands around at the ten large boxes, all filled with kitchen related things.
Aang and I are finally moving in together. We've been talking about it for months, and we found the perfect place. It was short notice, and we only had about four days to move in, but I don't care. This house is so perfect for us. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a large kitchen: the three things we wanted most in a house. There's also a cute dining room and a medium-sized living room, but the other stuff is what's important.
"Hey, it's not like you're perfect, babe. Could you have any more records? And the largest record played ever made. I'm pretty sure I broke my back." He places his hand on his lower back and pretends to wince. I chuckle at his expression, and he smiles at me, his handsome face lighting up.
I bite my lip, suddenly nervous. There's been something I've wanted to talk to Aang about, now that we live together, but I'm not sure how he's going to take it. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, exhale loudly, and take the plunge. "So, um, I think we need to have a rule." Aang starts to exit the kitchen and I follow him. We take the few steps to the living room, and then he stops and turns to me, his eyes questioning.
"Okay, what?"
"You need to keep the one night stands to a minimum."
His hand suddenly grabs my wrist, and he pulls me closer to him. His grey eyes are probing into mine. His eyes do this sometimes, and it bewilders me; it's like his gaze has the ability to see right through me.
"May I ask why?"
I suppress a shiver. Because I don't like the girls he chooses. They are always so damn perky and full of energy and so happy to be with him. It makes me sick. "Because I don't want to hear you having sex, obviously," I joke, lying subtly—though it is true. Hearing other people have sex is the most awkward thing in the world. And the idea of Aang having sex—ugh; that just makes me feel uncomfortable.
"You've known me for three years, Kat; you know I'm not the guy that has one night stands anyway." He raises his eyebrows up at me. "Is there another reason you're making this rule?"
Suddenly, the joking is gone. Vanished. What is he getting at? His eyes are dark and serious and staring at me unrelentingly.
I open my mouth, ready to say the thoughts whirling around in my head, when the door is thrown open, startling the both of us. Jet plows through our new living room and walks to where we stand. Aang drops my wrist. I suddenly feel incredibly cold.
"Are you guys done moving?" Jet asks, running a hand through his gorgeous brown hair. He is balancing a leaf in his mouth while reaching into his pocket for his joint and lighter. I see Aang stiffen beside me. Even though we've been dating for almost year, Aang sometimes gets a little hostile when it comes to Jet. I'm not sure why, but he just gets short with him—like everything Jet says is annoying.
"Yeah, we just finished," I reply, my eyes flitting over Jet's shoulder to my best friend; he still looks hardened. Huh.
"Well, it looks good. Do you want to show me your room?" Jet asks. I nod and turn around, walking towards the end of the hall, leaving Aang behind. Whatever his issue is, he'll need to get over it soon. I'm sure Jet will be spending the night here often. I turn to the left and hop into my new room; Jet shuts the door behind us.
"So, it's pretty cool rig—" I'm silenced mid-sentence as Jet pulls me towards him and presses his lips against mine. He pins me against the wall, his hips rubbing against mine and I find that he's already hard. But I push him away.
"Jet, no. I'm not gonna have sex with Aang right down the hall unpacking," I say, shoving his shoulders a little more. But he doesn't move away from me; he just moves his hand downward and begins to touch me through my jeans as his lips kiss down my neck.
"Come on, Kitty Kat. I want you so bad," he whispers, nibbling at my collarbone.
"Jet, no!" I give him one more shove and he finally releases me. He huffs out an angry breath and glares at me with annoyance.
"Is this how it's gonna be now?! Now that you live with Aang, your emotion husband, you won't want to be with me anymore?" He growls Aang's name—like it's a sin.
I cross my arms over my chest, rolling my eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?" Jet sometimes gets into his head like this. He goes on these large rants that are completely pointless—he's not going change what's happening, so what's the point in yelling about it? And this is kinda like that.
"You and Aang, obviously! You have some connection; and now that you live together, he's going to make a move!"
I move past him, walking over to the other side of the room, trying to separate myself from him as far as humanly possible. "You're an idiot. And Aang and I aren't like that. I figured you'd know that, considering I've been fucking you for a year."
"Whatever." He marches across the room to me and leans down to give me a quick peck on the cheek. "Just call me when you decide to stop being ignorant."
And then he leaves, slamming the door behind him. I let out an angry, long grunt and throw myself down on my bare mattress. Why does he have to do this? Get so moody when things don't have to be filled with drama. I'm starting a new chapter in my life with Aang—he should be happy for me. Not making up stuff about Aang being my "emotional husband." Whatever the hell that means.
Not two minutes after I hear the front door close, Aang enters my room and falls down on the bed next to me.
"You guys fought again?" he asks, even though I pretty sure he already knows the answer. He probably heard us yelling, and he definitely heard the banging of doors.
"What else do we do?" I joke, but it stings; because it's true. I'm pretty sure I'm in love with Jet, but all we do is fight—we rarely see eye to eye. And it's terrible sometimes.
"Well, I'm sorry about that." His face turns to me and I turn mine to him. He stares at me, his silver eyes bleeding truth. He lifts his left hand and sets it on my neck. His soft fingers linger on my skin, running up and down straining tendons; his touch causes a strange, welcome heat take over my body. "But now you're mine again."
I sit up in bed, startling Teo. He looks at me with quizzical eyes, still dark with arousal.
"I—I'm s—sorry," I stutter, wigging underneath him. He rolls aside and I crawl out from under his weight. I rapidly search from my clothes in the darkness, tripping over my own feet. What am I doing? How could I be so stupid? Aang is who I want. There's no point in denying it anymore. I don't want a meaningless fling with Teo, or an even a long relationship with him. I want to love my best friend until I explode; even if he doesn't want me back.
"Katara, are you alright?" Teo asks, his voice concerned.
"Yeah, shit, Teo. I fucked up." I pull on my sweater over my head and finally look at him.
"You're a good guy. And I wish I wanted to get lost in your body, because you are so unbelievably good at doing exactly what takes to do that." He gives me a soft, sexy smile. "But there's someone else. And I thought I wanted to get over him, but I don't."
He nods his head knowingly. "Your roommate, right?"
I furrow my eyebrows, struggling into my jeans. "How did you know?"
"You kinda moaned his name when I kissed you." I palm my face. Wow. I'm an asshole. He shakes his head at me, lifting up his hand. "Don't worry about it. We both knew it was just sex, so my feelings aren't hurt too much—just my ego." He gives a dry laugh. "I'll see you around, okay?"
I nod, grab my bag, and run out of the room.
When I enter the house, Aang is facing the door as he sits on the sofa, his work scroll perched on his knees, his head bent and his eyes are flying over the page.
He looks up as he hears me, confusion overwhelming his beautiful features. He glances down at his father's old watch and then back up to me. "You're home early."
I nod. And then before I think about how stupid it is, or how close I am to revealing everything, I just say what I need. "I need you, Aang."
He jumps off the couch and walks over to me. He puts one of his big hands on my cheek and intertwines his other with mine. "You have me."
My heart swells in my chest as my pulse races. I know that his words are only in friendship, but it makes me love him even more. "Will you sleep in my bed tonight?" I ask, leaning into his hand.
He nods his head, his eyes filling with worry. "Always. Let's go."
He drops his hand from my cheek, pulling me towards my room at the end of the hall. We strip down to our underwear before crawling under the covers. He wraps his strong arms around me and I tuck my head into his shoulder, breathing deeply. Teo's body didn't feel anything close to this. This is perfection.
"Are you okay?" he finally asks, after the minutes have passed. "Did Teo do anything?"
I shake my head. "I'm fine. He didn't do anything."
"'Tara, you don't sound fine. You sound broken." His hands begin to trail up and down my spine, shivers breaking out all over my skin.
I shake my head again. "It's nothing. I just, I just…" I trail off, words failing me. I just love you and just wanted to see you. I just remember everything you've ever said to me. I just wish things were different and wish you loved me back. But the words are stuck on my tongue, and I can't seem to let them fall.
"Just hold me."
So, he does. Until the moon disappears, and the sun rises, he holds me to him. He sleeps noiselessly, still wrapped around me, but I can't seem close my eyes. Because I don't want to wake up in a world that isn't his arms