Thanks once again for reading every body. This chapter has a bit of lemony business because I think it's about time to start making things interesting! Warning will be clearly posted! Thanks again to Vosck for being such an amazing reader and reviewer! You keep me going!
As the day wound on Kitsu became more and more bothered by Lee's behaviour. What kind of husband was so rude to his wife in front of people? Had she married a man that did not respect her? Kitsu was maddened by the fact that she couldn't remember her marriage or the time leading up to it. What if marrying Lee had been a mistake, or something she did out of necessity? She couldn't imagine herself doing that, but she couldn't remember either.
Aside from a brief glance as they went through the security checkpoint she had not looked out the carriage window. Her stomach was tight and uncomfortable from the anxiety her thoughts were causing. She spun her Beifong coin around and around in her hands, feeling the cool metal heat beneath her touch and rubbing at the inscription. In a matter of days she would be meeting her Beifong family for the first time, and that alone was enough to put her teeth on edge. Dealing with a temperamental husband was the last thing she needed.
The streets gradually became more crowded, and their travel slowed significantly. The sound of livestock being herded and the rumble of heavy carts drowned out the sound of their little caravan. After what seemed like ages they came to a halt. Ai was practically vibrating with anticipation. Kitsu could not help but smile at her companion's innocent excitement. If only she could bring herself to feel like that.
The carriage door swung open abruptly and Lee stood there with his hand outstretched to Kitsu. "We have arrived. The men will handle loading our luggage. It seems like the word ran ahead of us that a Beifong was coming." Lee may as well have been given a commanding officer his status report.
Kitsu looked at Lee's hand and took it reluctantly as Ai took her blankets and helped her to stand. Zuko guided Kitsu down to the first step and scooped her up exactly the way he had on the night they fled from Lord Gumo's palace. Kitsu swallowed and placed her arms around his neck as loosely as she could. As angry as she was, being cradled in his arms still did terrible things to her nerves.
Lee gently placed her in the rolling chair that was now all too familiar to her as she looked around at the crowd of people bustling to board the ferry.
"Are you comfortable?" Lee asked as he bent down and guided her silk slippered feet to the foot rests. Kitsu eyed him suspiciously but nodded. He wasn't exactly tender but at least he wasn't ignoring her. "Good." He looked up for a brief moment and kitsu caught an odd flash in his eyes. She couldn't place it, but it made the heat in her belly much worse. She couldn't help but look around her at the foreign surroundings. There were so many people all going in different directions. Strange animals cried out, and above all else, the smell of fresh water hung over everything like a damp cloth.
Ai and Mooshi tumbled out of the carriage and Ai immediately produced a parasol which she opened and held over Kitsu, blocking the young lady from the sun.
"Here you go my lady!" Ai chimed with a broad smile. She slipped the parasol into a hole on the rolling chair and nodded in approval. "To protect your lovely skin from the sun!"
Zuko almost chuckled at the thought. A girl like Kitsu had probably never hidden from the sun in her life. She wasn't vain like that. It was something he'd come to admire about her.
A tall man in his mid forties pressed through the crowd with a smile that was a bit too wide for his face. "Lord and Lady Beifong!" He shouted exuberantly. "I hope your journey has been pleasant! We have prepared our Imperial Suite in anticipation of your arrival!" Every word out of his mouth seemed to be shouted. "I am Zhang Wei, your concierge! Anything you need, simply ask me!
"Thank you." Zuko responded formally. "Please show us to our rooms. My wife is tired from our journey and would like to depart as quickly as possible." He took hold of the rolling chairs handles and unlocked the wheel.
"Yes of course, my lord. Right this way!" Zhang Wei turned on his heel and began shouting at the crowd. "Make way! Go on, clear a path for the lord and lady!"
Kitsu watched as disgruntled dock workers scattered and formed an open pathway. Through the gap in the crowd she caught sight of something that took her breath away. A boat the size of a house bobbed lazily ahead of them. It looked too big to float, and the thought made Kitsu very nervous. She glanced to her side and saw Ai equally enthralled, eyes wide and hands clasped against her chest.
"Is that the ship we are taking?" Kitsu asked reluctantly.
Zhang Wei laughed and shook his head adamantly. "Oh no, my lady!" Kitsu took a premature sigh of relief. "The ship you will be taking is much bigger! We would never insult a lady of your station with that little ship!"
Ai watched the color drain from Kitsu's face and without saying a word took Kitsu's hand and squeezed it comfortingly. Kitsu didn't look at Ai, but she gave the slightest smile at the girl's sweet gesture. It was odd to have someone around when she was nervous or overwhelmed, but she was beginning to see the appeal. The slight comfort Ai had given her disappeared when she saw the floating behemoth that would carry them to Ba Sing Se.
The Lianhua was easily two times the size of the first ship. There were two decks that Kitsu could see and all of the railings and trim were painted green and gold. The ramp up to the boot seemed treacherously steep for the rolling chair, but she swallowed and forced herself to believe that her husband wouldn't let her fall over the edge.
Zuko could see Kitsune's knuckles whitening as she gripped the arms of her chair. She was clearly frightened, but hadn't said a word to alert anyone. As soon as they were on the main deck Kitsu's body slackened slightly, but she still was obviously not in her element. It had never occurred to Zuko that Kitsu might be nervous about sailing. After three years aboard his ship, he felt as at home on the open water as anywhere else. The easy sway of the boat was almost relaxing to him. He hoped for Kitsu's sake that their voyage would be smooth and uneventful.
Zhang Wei led them first to the Imperial Suite and waved the young couple in. "Your servant and uncle will be housed elsewhere in suitable accommodations. There is a full ensuite and a beautiful view of the sunset just after departure which can be viewed through the porthole there. Your trunks have been placed in the wardrobe and will be unpacked at your request. Is there anything I can get you before I direct your companions?"
"No thank you." Zuko answered firmly. "Ai." Zuko watched as the young girl jumped at the sound of her name. Was he really that frightening? "Take the evening off. I want to be left alone with my wife." Ai nodded, her eyes darting between Kitsu and Zuko. If Kitsune thought she couldn't be any more nervous she was wrong. Her whole body felt wrong without the firm ground beneath her to give her some sense of stability. The room was gorgeous, with a bed big enough to fit ten comfortably, everything was a shade of moss or gold and in the center of the room a low table sat surrounded by pillows where tea and meals could be served. The posh surroundings only made her feel ill at ease.
"This way!" Zhang Wei chimed as he ushered Ai and Mooshi out of the room. Before the door to the suite closed Zuko heard his uncle inquiring about when dinner would be served.
Zuko removed the ridiculous parasol from her chair and closed it before setting it in an umbrella rack by the door. He wasn't sure what he was going to say yet, but he knew what he planned to do. Silently he knelt down in front of Kitsu and gently lifted the skirt of her Kimono.
"Hey!" Kitsu snapped, feeling her cheeks flush as her stomach rolled. "What are you doing?"
Lee looked at her like she had three heads but didn't stop. "I'm checking your bandage, Feisty." He answered, unbothered by her outburst. "What do you think I'm going to do?" Zuko turned his focus from Kitsu's blushing face reluctantly and he swallowed awkwardly as he pulled her silk slippers off of her small feet and set them next to him. Her slippers were adorably tiny. Something about them made him feel even more guilty for upsetting her. He'd had enough time to think, and realized he'd acted like an ass. "I'm sorry about this morning."
Kitsu blinked in surprise at his apology before crossing her arms. It was hard to be angry with a man who was literally on his knees taking care of her but damned if she wasn't going to try. Zuko began unwrapping her linen bandages and his warm fingers brushed her calf as he worked.
"I shouldn't have treated you like that. You deserve better. Can you forgive me?" Zuko's hands paused at the curve of her ankle. Every time he looked at her he was reminded how strong she was, but he couldn't escape the feeling that she was inescapably delicate. The entire ride since the check point he'd been chewing on the scolding she'd given him. It wasn't her fault he couldn't keep his dreams out of the gutter.
Kitsu stared at him, lost for words. His face was deathly serious, and the faint crinkle in his scarred brow told her that he was sincerely bothered. She didn't expect him to be so good at apologizing. "I just don't get it, Lee." Kitsu said with a disheartened shrug. "I can't follow your moods. You're like a storm, calm one second and raging the next. I just can't keep up. What could I have done to upset you? Last I remember we fell asleep together and next thing I know you won't speak to me!" She watched as his square jaw clenched and his brow wrinkled further.
"You didn't do anything wrong." He answered firmly. "I was angry with myself and I took it out on you."
Kitsu's confusion only deepened, but her anger softened at his confession. "Why were you angry with yourself?" She'd never imagined that Lee's foul temper could be because of his own anger at himself. He always looked infuriatingly confident. What could he possibly be so angry at himself for?
Zuko didn't answer immediately. He resumed unwrapping her bandage and Kitsu shivered as the cool lake air touched her clammy leg. Zuko felt his throat tighten. What was he supposed to tell her? That he'd fantasized about her and almost lost himself to it? That he'd had a dream that conflicted him deeply and that it was making him question everything?
"Well?" Kitsu was becoming angrier as his silence stretched on. Lee's amber eyes flicked up from her bare leg and delved into her own.
At first Zuko had been unsettled by Kitsu's peculiar eyes, but now, after everything that had happened he couldn't deny that they drew him in. The woman before him flushed and looked away from him with a frustrated huff.
"Let me get you settled, and then I'll tell you." Zuko stood and placed her bandages on a pillow just by his feet. "It's been a long journey, and I've neglected you." He mumbled before running his thumb along the healthy flesh just next to her wound. It was still healing and the skin was an angry red, but her wound was no longer weeping.
"Fine, I guess." Kitsu stammered. Once again something in his behaviour shifted, but Kitsu couldn't identify it. Would she ever be able to read him? She watched as he stroked her calf a moment longer before righting himself and offering her his arm.
"Think you can make it to the bed?" He asked gently. Kitsu nodded and took his arm. He pulled her up until she was standing on her good foot, and placed a hand on her low back to help her stay up, careful to place it appropriately. Kitsu hopped to the edge of the bed, using him for balance and plopped onto the comforter with a sigh. She had to admit that she was at least happy to be out of that uncomfortable carriage. Lee withdrew his elbow and gently tugged his outer coat off of her shoulders. Kitsu couldn't help but notice how attentive he was being as he set his coat aside.
"Will you just tell me?" The words blurted out of her. "I can't handle you acting so strange." Every moment he spent being kind to her the more her stomach became tighter with… well she didn't know what.
Zuko closed his eyes and let out a sigh as he covered his eyes with his hand. He still hadn't decided on what to tell her. "What is strange about a husband caring for his wife?"
"I don't know! You're just being different!" Kitsu felt dumb for being unable to clearly convey what she was feeling.
"Alright, alright!" Zuko growled as he sat on the bed next to her, unable to face her. "I had an inappropriate dream about you and I was angry with myself." The sentence shot out of his lips, forcing him to commit to the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be. He locked his gaze onto his shoes and felt more and more embarrassed the longer the pregnant silence grew. Why the fuck did he tell the truth?
"Oh." Kitsu had absolutely no clue what to say to his confession. "I mean… you are my husband after all." She stammered. "Unless I'm mistaken you're the only person who has a right to think of me that way." She could feel the heat building in her cheeks.
Zuko shook his head in exasperation and gripped his brow. Of course. She thought she was his wife. That would give him license, if only it were true. Zuko felt dirty for his continued deception.
"You're not well, I should be taking care of you, not having filthy dreams the first time I get to hold you!" He couldn't help but let his frustration leak into his voice. He couldn't see Kitsu's wide eyes or the way her chest was rising and falling with anxious breaths. "No matter how beautiful you are I should have better control."
Kitsu felt like the air was sucked out of the room. He'd called her pretty once. Just once. It hadn't prepared her for the way he practically groaned when he called her beautiful. So beautiful in fact that he'd shamed himself by merely dreaming of her. The way he talked about holding her made it sound like a privilege. It was the sort of thing princes said in fairytales, not the way real men spoke to or about her.
"B-beautiful?" She murmured timidly. Lee's hand slid down to his jaw and he gazed at her sidelong. Her tanned face looked like the earth had cracked open right in front of her.
"Yes." How could she not know how beautiful she was? Anyone could see it. He watched as her hand reached for an ebony braid that was twisted into a bun on the back of her head. She'd done that at the compound, when she was nervous to ask him something or thinking deeply. The gesture was so familiar to him now.
"Oh." Was all she could muster. Embarrassment rolled in her stomach as any remnant of frustration left her. Kitsu felt Zuko's warm, rough hand take her own and she watched as he closed his eyes and pressed her palm to his good cheek. It was an impulse that he couldn't deny himself, and she didn't try to stop him.
"If anyone says otherwise I'll make them regret it." He whispered. "You deserve to know you're beautiful." The gentle touch on his cheek disappeared and he opened his eyes.
"No I'm not." Kitsu said with a look that made Zuko feel as though his ribs were crushing in. The agony in her gold and mossy eyes made him want to kill anyone who'd ever harmed her. "I'm damaged, Lee. Scarred irreparably. Don't you know that?" The hand she took from him clutched her own scar defensively where it peaked above her collar. Zuko grabbed her other wrist and this time pressed it against his scar, looking at her intensely as he did.
"Don't ever say that again." He growled. Kitsu looked at him wide eyed. Zuko felt fire and desire pumping through his veins. She was making him feel too much at once. He was angry at the world for the hand she was dealt, and desperate to correct the terrible wrong done to her.
"But-" Kitsu was about to argue but he cut her off.
LEMON INCOMING
"But what?" He demanded. "Just because you're scarred I'm not allowed to desire you? I can't possibly want to kiss every inch of that scar and make you feel like it never existed? Because I can tell you that while I held you that was the only thought I had about it." He was probably rushing right into a slap across the face, but his temper had the better of him. His dream was nothing more than lust, but in this moment he was feeling something much deeper.
Kitsu felt like she was going to faint, her ego would never allow it but she was sure this was what it felt like. Lee had leaned in closer to her, meer inches away from her face. She could see the honey colored flecks in his amber eyes, and the beginnings of stubble on his jaw line. His words rocked her to her core and she had no idea how to answer him. Never in her life had she imagined a man would say such lustful things to her. The image of Lee trailing adoring kisses down her naked body made her shiver and heat pooled between her legs.
"Tell me more." Kitsu's words were barely a whisper. She could almost pretend she hadn't said anything, but the way Lee's eyes clouded with lust told her that he had heard her perfectly.
"I want to kiss your lips." He answered truthfully. Zuko had no idea where this conversation would end up but in the heat of the moment he wanted nothing more than to show her exactly how desirable she was. The little voice in the back of his head telling him to stop while he was ahead was drowned out by the sound of his thundering heartbeat.
Kitsu's eyes flicked from the amber pools that had ensnared her to her husband's lips. Every fiber in her being wanted to kiss him, but she was too nervous to make the move herself.
Zuko watched as she examined his mouth and he finally lost control. His hand slipped under her chin and gently tipped her gaze up to look at him as he pressed a kiss to her lips. He forced himself to be gentle as he felt her delicious mouth against his own. She tasted like tea and the sweet mangos she'd eaten that morning. The surprised whimper that rose in her throat and hummed against his lips made him pull away and look at her. Her cheeks were rosy and she looked at him in shock.
"I'm sorry." He groaned as he pinched his eyes shut. Did he go too far? Kitsu shook her head adamantly and pulled him into another kiss. This time it was deeper, more passionate. She was desperate to feel the jolt of pleasure that came when their lips met. Her hand slipped around his neck and her fingers shyly toyed with Lee's hair. The slight stubble on his chin tickled her face delightfully as she melted into his touch.
Zuko growled low in his throat as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him until she was pressed against his side. He flattened his palm on the small of her back and relished how it dipped into a sensual curve just above her rear end. Her body was so supple and warm beneath his hands. Zuko was shocked when she suckled gently on his bottom lip. He pulled away and shuddered as he struggled to maintain his composure.
"I want to see you." Zuko had never felt so close to begging in his life. He wanted to see Kitsu sprawled naked beneath him, relishing his touch as he explored her body. The woman in his arms looked breathless and her lips were puffy from his attention.
Kitsu swallowed nervously. No one had ever seen her so intimately, but this was her husband, and she wanted nothing more than to see the desirous gleam in his eye as he looked at her. Kitsu maintained eye contact as she timidly untied her obi and let it slip through her fingers to the floor. Her kimono hung loose on her frame, threatening to fall away at any moment. Despite how nervous she felt she couldn't look away from Zuko's face.
Zuko grinned and without warning scooped Kitsu up before gently laying her in the center of the bed beneath him.
The sheer weight of her husband pressing her into the mattress made an unfamiliar ache begin at her core that made her want to wriggle beneath him. A hot, calloused hand slid from her collarbone to her arm as Lee revealed her naked flesh. The rise of her collarbone was laced with scar tissue and in the light it looked indescribably beautiful to him.
Zuko revealed her body as though he were unwrapping a present, worshipping every inch of tan skin that slid from beneath the confinement of her dress. She was exactly as he'd seen her before, but this time was different. This time she was showing herself to him willingly, allowing him to enter uncharted ground. She was welcoming his affections without pushing him away.
"You're perfect." He murmured before dipping his head and pressing a hot kiss to her collarbone. The moan that uttered from her lips was like the sweetest music he had ever heard. She writhed beneath him as his hot breath tickled her neck and her eyes squeezed shut in ecstasy.
Kitsu's entire body was alive with electricity as his hands teased more and more of her form. Her head felt as though it was swimming. She had no clue how they'd gotten to this point, but she was too enamored with newfound sensations to care.
LEMON OVER -ISH
Zuko paused in his worship of her body to look at Kitsu's face and cup it gently in his hand. She was panting heavily, and looked dazed. Her beautiful face was a picture of wanton vulnerability. All at once the realization of what he was doing took hold of him. She was trusting him implicitly, based on a lie. She thought she was lying with her husband when he was really a liar and a fugitive. He wanted to get up and leave, storm off and pity himself but he was too wretched to do it. Zuko pinched his eyes shut and pressed his face into her neck. His arms wrapped around her and he clung to her like a lifeline. Why couldn't she be his? Why couldn't he have her and make her his wife? Would that be so wrong? If she was happy to have him, who would it really hurt?
"Lee?" Kitsu rasped after a long moment. She had sensed another shift in Lee's mood, but could not deny that she enjoyed the way he pressed her against his body.
"Just let me hold you. Please." Zuko ground out. He wouldn't take her. Not like this. He had to do right by her first, and win her over properly.
Kitsu blinked drowsily, but nodded her approval. Lee didn't say anything after that. He simply held her half naked body against his own, unmoving and firm. Kitsu hesitantly reached up to stroke his hair. He didn't protest and after several moments of tender caresses they both fell into a deep sleep.