Author's Note: I never felt compelled to write anything for this masterpiece of a series until now, after recently attending a panel featuring several of the original ATLA voice actors and meeting the voice of Aang (he's a sweetheart).
This idea came about as a result of wanting to explore a slightly aged-up Kataang as well as Toph, who's one of my favorite characters. Enjoy, and please take a moment to share your thoughts afterward.
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender © Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
Seventeen-year-old Toph Beifong stood with the grace she so scrupulously concealed from the world, lest anyone get the wrong impression about the greatest and almightiest earthbender to ever exist. Her heels pressed flat against the cool cobblestone beneath her as she enjoyed the tranquility of the still, shallow body of water surrounding it. A pond, it seemed. Not terribly exciting, but still quite nice nonetheless.
Normally, she wouldn't be into what was clearly such a romantic setting, but she had to admit it was relaxing, and she definitely needed that every once in a while. What with all the traveling, pitching in wherever she could, and taking part in important discussions as part of their ongoing efforts to unite the Four Nations, it was nice to stop and take a breather every now and then.
She felt a presence approach her, and she jolted upright. The footsteps were soft, deliberate, making it obvious who it was before the person even had the chance to open their mouth.
"Hey, Katara," Toph said, turning in the waterbender's direction. "What's the matter? Bored without me?"
"You said you were going to the bathroom but hadn't returned for a while," Katara pointed out, as if Toph needed the recap. "And then I spotted you out here, so I figured I'd check and—"
"'Make sure everything was okay,'" Toph said in unison with Katara. She couldn't help but toss her friend a cheeky smile. "So like you. I'm fine. It's just, between Sokka and Suki, and you and Twinkle Toes, a single girl can only take so much lovey-dovey crap day in and day out before she needs some time to herself."
"Excuse me? Aang and I aren't lovey-dovey all the time," Katara said in an outright defensive tone, which only made Toph smirk in a twisted and very much unsympathetic way.
"Oh, please." She proceeded to cup her hands together and dip her head in mock bashfulness as she raised her voice an octave to mimic Katara, "'You're so handsome, Aang.'" She then dropped her hands and tossed her voice much lower to mimic Aang, "'Well, you're the most gorgeous person in the world, Katara.'" She brought up her hands once more. "'I love you so much.'" She dropped them again. "'I love you so much.'" Finally, she made a noise of disgust and shook her head. "I could write the world's sappiest soap opera using all the sickening sweet nothings I've heard you two whisper to each other."
Katara's breath hitched, and she went on to sputter in complete and utter embarrassment, "I… We…" She paused, collecting herself, only to snap, "Those are private conversations, you know!"
"Trust me, I'm well aware," Toph said. It was almost too easy to get Katara all worked up. That was something she and her brother very much had in common. Of course, she knew for a fact Katara wouldn't appreciate her pointing that out, but it was still a fun observation. Relishing in the awkwardness, she added, "Unfortunately for the two of you, I've witnessed moments way more private as of late."
Katara's breathing only grew harsher, her speech anything but coherent. "Hold on, you—what? Don't tell me you… Are you saying you actually…"
Toph's brows shot up in a purposely dramatic fashion, a teasing smirk filling her entire face as she asked, far too slyly, "When were you going to tell me you and Twinkle Toes finally had sex?"
If ever there were a way for a person to literally drop dead of embarrassment, it would be right at this very moment. Between the most palpable silence she'd ever experienced, not to mention the way Katara's heart thundered so fast she could be on the brink of hyperventilating, Toph almost regretted saying anything in the first place. But only almost. Because truthfully, while it was always fun to poke fun at her friends, she would never do so with malicious intent. Unless someone deserved it, of course.
But certainly not Katara of all people, who was practically a sister to her. She was, by far, her closest female friend. Probably her closest friend, period. It was Katara who'd been there to help when Toph blossomed into womanhood around her thirteenth birthday. As far as she was concerned, that monthly "friend," as other women claimed to call it, was no welcome gift at all. In fact, it only served as an annoying reminder of all the ways she still felt like an inexperienced girl instead of a young woman whose burgeoning sexuality she'd slowly but surely started to explore in the past few years.
Now, sensing Katara's mounting discomfort, Toph stepped sideways, bumping into her in a friendly manner. Katara gasped, but didn't move away, her fingertips wrapped tightly around her arm.
"I'm happy for you two," Toph said in complete and utter sincerity. She'd dropped any last pretense of playfulness in hopes that it would quell Katara's unnecessary embarrassment. "'Bout damn time, I'd say."
She felt Katara's tense body language start to relax a little bit, her fingers loosening around her arm.
"Yeah…" she conceded, a newfound dreaminess to her voice, like she was getting lost in herself for a blissful, private moment. Toph knew better than to draw attention to it at the risk of embarrassing her yet again. "I guess it has been a long time coming, hasn't it?"
"In more ways than one," Toph said without thinking, which prompted Katara to devolve into a mortified mess yet again, groaning under her breath in a way that only made Toph chuckle in good nature. "So, tell me. Just between us. How was it?"
She could hear the smile in Katara's voice, chipping away at her sheepishness over discussing such an intimate subject.
"It was everything I hoped it would be, yet at the same time, not at all what I expected it to be," Katara said, a vague response that didn't exactly give Toph much to go off of, until she went on to express in more detail, "We were both really nervous at first, but somehow his nervousness made me feel more confident the more we started to let go and fully give ourselves to each other. I don't know. Something about being with him so intimately, getting to experience this new side of him, and of myself… It was like we were the only two people in the world, exploring a previously unknown, almost forbidden pleasure together. It was…magical."
The poetic description rang out through Toph's entire body as she suddenly became conscious of the quickened rise and fall of her chest. It took her a few moments to steady her shallow breathing, which had managed to get away from her in listening to Katara's lustrous telling that both gave her a lot and yet still so little to imagine. It was quite the feeling, this strange yet wondrous titillation. She could feel sweat collecting at her brow, heat rising to her cheeks, and she exhaled in a quivering sigh.
"Sounds…intense," Toph finally managed to say after her breathing restored to its normal tempo. "Although, I can't say I'm surprised that Twinkle Toes was able to get you there, given how infatuated he is with you. You're both awfully vocal."
Katara's mortification rushed over her again in full-force. "So you did hear us?! Toph, that is so—"
"Oh, relax, will ya?" Toph said, squelching Katara's tirade before it could swell past anything more than a quick outburst. "It's not my fault you two aren't exactly discreet about it. Besides, it's not like you're the only couple hooking up. Sokka and Suki are very much…enthusiastic."
"Stop, that's my brother," Katara shrieked. She abruptly turned away from her in a huff of childish anger, reminiscent of when they were younger. She gave a short exhale, only to turn back. "You know what? I'm not ashamed. And you want to know why? Because Aang and I are happily in love. And let me tell you something, missy, when you finally fall in love, I'll be sure to ask all about the naughty details of your first time, too."
"Go right ahead," Toph said with an unabashed smirk. "But, I should warn you, I don't plan on ever falling in love. I don't even believe in soulmates. You and Twinkle Toes may be the exception, but as far as I'm concerned, I'm staying tied to absolutely no one but myself. And I'll have plenty of fun along the way with hundreds of different lovers."
"Hundreds?" a stunned Katara repeated.
"That's right," Toph said proudly, soaking up the glowing warmth of her own cat-like grin. "The more, the better. I don't even care whose heart I break in the process, not even my own. And eventually, if I decide to have children someday, I'll encourage them to be free with their sexuality when they're older, too. Especially if I have daughters. 'Cause, frankly, no one's going to please me better than I please myself."
"Please…yourself?" Katara said, her voice dipping to another timid decibel.
Toph let out a lighthearted laugh, nowhere near as serious as Katara's mood was noticeably getting. "Of course. Surely you must've experimented with yourself long before you and Aang started doing it, right?"
But Katara's hesitation was all the confirmation Toph needed. She couldn't help but let her jaw drop as the realization hit her like a blast to the ground.
"Wait. You've seriously never masturbated?" she asked, like it was the must unheard of thing in the entire world, which probably wasn't the best way to broach such a personal topic, but she couldn't help herself.
"You don't need to shame me for it," Katara said, her voice deflating into a mere whisper.
"I'm not," Toph said right away, and she meant it. "It's just ironic, that's all. Here I am, still a virgin, yet I have plenty of experience with one pleasurable act you still have yet to try. And, let me tell ya, you don't know what you're missing."
Thankfully, whatever hurt feelings Katara was on the verge of had managed to extinguish in favor of a new sense of curiosity taking over as she inquired, "Really? How exactly do you…"
Toph held up two fingers, pressed firmly together. "It's all about motion. Finding what works for you, the pacing, the pressure. Me, I like a slow buildup, taking my time, no rush at all. You'd think I'd like it rough, but nope, on the contrary. Although, once I get into it, there's no stopping me. The pressure builds up, my breathing grows erratic, I'm no longer in tune with the ground or anything around me, until finally…I explode."
The faintest moan escaped Katara's lips, an alluring sound of intrigue. Likewise, Toph had to pause and compose herself again, her mind traveling to the countless acts of pleasure she'd experienced on many occasions, be it sleepless nights, a need to let off steam, a secret curiosity, or sometimes, out of sheer boredom.
"Wow, that sounds…intense," Katara said, echoing Toph's earlier musings.
"Yeah… It's a good time," she said. Openly talking about it was giving her a new thrill, a feeling so freeing it urged her to add, "I tend to get vocal when I least expect it, too. I know you've heard me at least once before. Remember that one morning you asked if I'd had a bad dream because you heard me scream the night before?"
"You mean…"
Toph's shameless smirk returned. "That's right, babe. Just Toph enjoying Toph."
"Huh," Katara said, when finally, she let out a small chuckle. "Sounds like we're both a little depraved."
"Yep, we sure are," Toph said. As they fell silent, each getting lost in their own private, pleasure-filled thoughts, she welcomed the small gust of wind that breezed through at the opportune moment, cooling down the feverish heat that had spiked to her face. "Anyway, give it a try sometime. It's usually a solo act, but I'm sure Twinkle Toes would more than enjoy the show if you give him a little preview."
"You are such a perv," Katara said, though it was all in good humor as she lacked any hint of hostility, not even when she added, "My brother has clearly rubbed off on you."
"Can't deny that," Toph said with yet another prideful grin. "Who knows, maybe he'll be one of the lucky ones who ends up on my long list of lovers one day."
She couldn't help but laugh when Katara screeched in horror and exploded into a fit of giggles all at once.
Toph's bold words rang out in the back of Katara's mind long after everyone retired to their respective sleeping quarters for the night. As they travelled to all different parts of the world, she and Aang technically still didn't have an actual home they could call their own yet. However, at this current stage in their lives, it didn't matter all that much. Anywhere with Aang was home to her.
Presently, she lay on her back in their latest makeshift bedroom, staring up at the ceiling. She knew she should've felt tired, but her body seemed to have a mind of its own. She could feel her heart pumping in an escalating rush of anticipation. For what, exactly, she wasn't too sure. Try as she might, though, the feeling persisted, this deepening need for some sort of release.
And then Aang walked in, and immediately her gaze transfixed on him, taking in the subtle ripples of his toned muscles throughout his slender body. Her stirring arousal must've been evident on her face judging by the way he paused mid-stride to regard her with a furrowed brow.
"Hey, you," she said in a playful tone despite herself.
"Hey," he said slowly, still not quite catching on to her admittedly coy attempt at seduction. "What's—"
She decided to make her intentions loud and clear by throwing her arms around him and kissing him. Aang's reaction was instantaneous as he wrapped his arms around her, entangling his hands into her hair. Gratified moans reverberated between their meshed lips as she cradled his scalp, fingertips digging into his heated flesh, until she finally broke away, catching the lustful look in his eyes that aroused her all the more.
"Wow," Aang said, flushed and breathless. "What was that for?"
Katara tilted her head with a breathy, dizzying chuckle. "Do I need a reason to kiss you?"
"Not at all, except…that one seemed to be leading somewhere," Aang said in a suggestive tone, like he was still trying to piece together the true meaning behind her brazen actions.
She cupped his face in both hands as their lips crushed together again. This time, their tongues found each other, stroking heatedly, like they couldn't get enough. Her legs parted in invitation as he pressed his body flush against her. She could feel his arousal, pulsing hotly, and with her lustful instincts taking control, she pulled away from him long enough to breathily whisper, "I want to try something."
"Okay," Aang said eagerly, voice gruff with desire.
Katara untangled herself from him and scooted back, very much aware of the flicker of confusion that crossed his face. For a second, she almost became too self-conscious to proceed, but she knew if she didn't power through now, she'd lose her nerve altogether. And after her talk with Toph, she had to see for herself what all the fuss was about.
"Watch me," she said, not that she really needed to, as she already had his full attention.
With nothing but Toph's suggestions and her own impulses to guide her, she daringly slipped her fingers between her wet folds, stroking along the slick heat of her inner walls. Her chest heaved as her breathing quickly grew labored, a deep blush swiftly rising to her cheeks as she locked eyes with Aang, who evidently liked what he saw as he watched her with a glazed, rapt countenance. She arched her back, the pleasure intensifying as she started circling the small bundle of nerves that desperately begged for more stimulation.
"Aang," she moaned, an excruciating plea for release.
An all too enticing smirk lit up his face as he leaned in to ask, voice low and husky, "Need a hand?"
Katara nodded almost too emphatically, only to let out a silent cry of pleasure when his fingers joined hers, gliding in and out of her slippery wet folds, all the while she kept rubbing herself faster and faster.
Out of nowhere, his lips pressed to the hollow of her throat, and she stiffened and cried out in ecstasy as the pleasure burst through her body, unfurling itself in a long, satisfied groan. When it was over, she simply fell against him, shutting her eyes to bask in the euphoric tingles that washed over her in the aftermath.
"Wow," she panted. "That was fun."
"I can tell," Aang said.
Emboldened and in need for more, Katara gave him an audacious smile, eyelids drooping as she leaned forward and brushed a kiss to his lips and whispered, "Now it's your turn."
Aang's eyes popped, an attractive blush blooming across his face. "You want me to…"
He looked down in a bout of inherent shyness, while Katara took it upon herself to lean in so closely she could feel his breath hitch against her lips.
"Don't worry. I'll be sure to give you a hand, too."
A choked moan erupted from the back of Aang's throat, a noise so deliciously primal it only turned her on even more. She willed herself to draw back and give him some room, though the moment she did, it became evident he was fully cognizant of her gleaming eyes now watching his every move.
He looked away, as though he'd become too overwhelmed by her presence, only to shut his eyes entirely when he slipped his hand below his waistband. He stroked himself in a slow, concentrated, almost mesmerizing motion, a whimper escaping his thinly parted lips as his face contorted in pleasure.
Katara's heartbeat doubled in tempo as she watched him in pure fascination, soaking up every single one of his changing expressions, noting the way his stroking got faster the further and further he lost himself in gratification.
Suddenly, his eyes flew open, dilated pupils locking onto her. Her heart jumped, and she swallowed thickly, her hand reaching out of its own accord. The second she grasped him in her palm, his whole body went rigid, though his hand didn't stop moving, if anything pumping even faster. She followed his movements, building up a rapidly quickening pace until his breathing grew louder and harsher by the second, and it was clear he was on the verge of exploding.
"Katara," Aang groaned in an aching, all-consuming need for her.
Fueled by her own overwhelming need for him, she guided his throbbing member toward her entrance, wanting to feel him inside her when he finished. Heavy moans escaped the both of them as he sank into her wet heat, and they rocked against each other in a frenzied way they never had before, letting go of all control.
Her hands came up to grasp his shoulders, fingertips curling into his sleek skin as he thrust inside her so deeply he managed to completely send her over the edge right then and there. She tossed her head back as she clenched around him, crying out his name. He moaned hers in return against the crook of her neck, and their bodies ruptured together in a powerful climax.
Katara went limp against Aang as they fiercely panted, coming down from their highs. Her arms lovingly draped around him while he held her by the waist. Eventually, they drew back to catch each other's matching satisfied grins. She pressed her fingers to his warm cheek before meeting his lips in a passionate yet tender kiss.
Definitely see what I was missing, Katara concluded with a lazy smirk as she snuggled into Aang's chest, the two of them drifting off to a peaceful sleep.
Toph tossed and turned, her body thrumming as her conversation with Katara lingered in her thoughts, making it impossible for her to fall asleep. Overcome by the growing heat of her frustrations, she instinctively slipped her fingers between her thighs, a salacious grin sliding across her face as she let her desires take over.