Back with another ATLA fic with the superior ATLA ship! And it's a oneshot (the first of many i hope lol)
Enjoy!
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"What was that?" Katara asked, her voice a perfect blend of bubbling laughter and pure shock as Zuko closed the door. He froze suddenly. One of his hands rested stiffly on the door handle, the other gripping tightly to the small bag he had just acquired.
Katara bit on her bottom lip, trying desperately to contain her laughter as she took in his stiff demeanor. It was a stance he took when he was embarrassed, his entire body turning to stone, parts of his body reddening. She should know after all, because she took to embarrassing him often, and enjoyed his misery every time.
"He turned towards her suddenly, trying for nonchalance and failing horribly. "What was what?"
He dropped the bag on the table before her, sinking gracefully to his knees parallel to her. It was something they – Aang, Suki, Sokka, Toph and of course Katara – often mocked him for, calling him a "Prim and Proper little prince", but he paid them little to no mind and took pride in his prim and proper etiquette. It was one of his mothers favorite things about him, - and one of his favorite memories of her - so he couldn't be bothered who didn't.
He began to frisk roughly and noisily through the bag, much to Katara's amusement. Uncle Iroh had introduced not only a new delivery service, but also food and snacks to go with his tea. He had been insisting heavily that they try out his service, and what better time to do so now that they were all in Ba Sing Se for a quick holiday?
Well, a holiday of sorts. Zuko was actually there on official Fire Nation business and came to meet with the Earth King to talk trade. Sokka had come for similar prospects, also meeting with the Earth King for business purposes on behalf of the Southern Water tribe. Toph and Aang were invited personally to train a special unit of Earth Kingdom soldiers, by the Earth King. Apparently there he had suspicions that a successor of Long Feng was planning another coup deep within the ruins of the cave beneath lake Laogai, and the Earth King felt his own soldiers were ill-equipped to navigate the ruins without causing further destruction, so who better to help them, than Toph Beifong, who learned her bending from badger moles underground, and the Avatar?
Suki had also been invited by the Earth King to train the non-bending unit of his army, - a good number of the bending portion of his army were underground, so he needed more soldiers watching over the city while they were away - and Katara had been invited alongside Sokka to meet with the Earth King on behalf of the Southern Water Tribe. Truthfully though, she needed a small break from her responsibilies as Ambassador of the Southern Water Tribe, and being hard at work at the Northern Water tribe, training the female waterbenders. She hated the fact that the only thing they did was heal, so she took it upon herself to teach them what their male counterparts wouldn't.
They had all decided to use the opportunity to meet, while in Ba Sing Se, for a small holiday of sorts, and to catch up - It felt like it had been ages since they last saw each other, as their last holiday had been a year prior at Zuko and Azula's Ember Island beach house - and conveniently, they were all going to the same place around the same time, so they found themselves at lake Laogai, all except Azula who had made prior engagements with Mai to visit Ty Lee on Kysohi for a time. But Katara wasn't too sad about it though, because that was one less couple to bother about. She could handle both Sokka and Azula, and Toph and Aang individually, but together, It was all so sickening. And in her opinion, the more annoying of the two couples were Sokka and Azula, because ever since they got together after spending a night in a freezer on Ember Island during their last holiday (odd right?), they were pretty much inseparable, with Azula taking time off her duties from the Fire Nation to see Sokka all the way in the Southern Watertribe, and Sokka doing the same, which left most of his responsibilities, along with her own, on her. That's why she needed this vacation to begin with. So with Azula unavailable, that was one less couple to deal with, and thankfully, it was the less annoying couple.
"What just happened with Iroh's delivery girl?" She asked, mischief dripping from her voice.
He stared at her blankly, sticking his chin out, his voice the very embodiment of confusion, as he said "Why, i haven't the slightest idea what you mean…"
He dug deep into the bag, and brought out a small lump of bread, still hot to the touch, encased delicately in a wrap of paper. The delicious aroma of blueberries wafted around as Zuko tore it into two. He smiled slightly to himself at his uncle's creativity.
Quickly, he tore of a large tuft that idly resembled a billowy clowd, and stuffed it roughly Into his mouth. It tasted as soft as it looked, and had the faintest hints of blueberry, and as Zuko reflected chewing slowly, a proud smile creeping on his face, was quite possibly the most delicious thing Iroh had ever made. And Iroh made a lot of delicious things.
Katara smiled at the hurried action. That was okay, he hadn't stuffed her mouth after all, so she would just keep asking her questions till she got suitable answers. "I mean," she began, "the desperate attempt at flirting that happened just now."
"Flirting?" He asked after a long while of slow chewing, finally swallowing when the bread turned to complete mush in his mouth. He continued "I wasn't flirting…i was just trying to catch up, it's been a while since I last saw Jill." He paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing, and added, "and even if I were flirting with her, which I wasn't!...she would have swooned, because…well, look at me!"
Katara rolled her eyes at him. For someone who could barely get a word out when she was here, he seemed pretty confident that she would jump his bones if given the chance.
Jill. She had heard tales about her and Zuko's little affair from Uncle Iroh, during one of their mini gossip sessions, the last time she had come to Ba Sing Se. Apparently, she really liked Zuko and they had even gone on a date, but he didn't feel the same way. After the war was won though, he felt bad about how he had treated her and after he had "heard around" that she was seeking employment, and asked Uncle Iroh to employ her at the Jasmine Dragon. Katara inwardly rolled her eyes even at the thought. She knew the only reason Zuko asked Iroh to hire her was because he just needed an excuse to see her. Ever since he and Mai broke up – she didn't really know all the details but she had heard whispers about him being too busy with his responsibilities/her not being understanding and emotionally unavailable or something along the lines of that…it wasn't really any of her business –, he had been very desperate to get back into the dating scene, after all, everyone craved companionship, but his awkwardness got heavily in the way of that.
He was a skilled fighter, strong ruler and loyal friend. In most aspects of his life he was pretty much perfect. But when it came to romance…well, that was something entirely different. Just the thought of Mai and his interactions was enough to make Katara giggle. Everyone had their own way of showing love, and she didn't have anything against them for that when they were together, but theirs was so odd and sometimes awkward it was funny, so it hadn't surprised her when they had broken up. Making out, "I don't hate you's" and "I don't hate you too's" can only take one so far before you actually have to emotionally connect with someone, that's when problems start to arise.
Katara snatched the other half of the bread he had torn into before he had a chance to stuff the whole thing into his mouth. She tore off a small piece, watching Zuko with careful eyes as she threw it into her mouth. "Zuko, I have eyes and-...oh wow, that's delicious!" Katara exclaimed, forgetting what she had been about to say as the delicious warmth and the light taste of blueberry settled on her tongue. "Uncle Iroh's really outdone himself!"
"Yeah, he has! Its been all he could talk about since he first got the idea, and I'm so glad he's executed his goal, and so well too!" Zuko grinned, his eyes shiny with pride.
"Yeah, I may have to come back to Ba Sing se more often because-" he started,
"Hey, don't change the subject!" She interjected, as she narrowed her eyes, pointing her finger accusingly at him.
"It was not that bad!" Zuko exclaimed suddenly.
"The poor thing was frightened…!" Katara countered
"Now you're just being dramatic." He deadpanned.
"And I think you're terribly delusional if you think that it wasn't 'that bad'." The poor thing never could've seen it coming. As far as she knew she was coming to deliver food to normal everyday customers, only to find herself in a really awkward interaction with her ex entanglement. It had been brief yes, but that didn't make it any less painful to witness. He had opened the door with such a force that she had jumped back in surprise. After she had recovered from the initial shock of seeing him for the first time since he broke her heart, he leaned against the wall, trying for a cool calm, and failing miserably as he began making small talk, asking her about herself, her family, how she had been keeping busy all this time, stammering awkwardly along the way. Her body was frighteningly stiff, but she remained courteous and polite. She had been trying to hand him the bag of food for a while, but he had kept pretending not to see it, knowing fully well that if he took it she'd leave. It was terribly awkward, but they had found a way to pull through it… that was until Zuko dove into the topic of relationships, particularly if she was seeing anyone presently, to which she responded, "Would you look at the time!", shoving the bag into his hand before turning to walk hurriedly towards her delivery ostritch horse.
"I'm pretty sure she could feel your annoying presence lingering over us, that was why she was acting weird." He said poutily.
"Okay, first off, I was all the way over here, and on my knees for that matter, so don't try and pin your awkwardness on me! And secondly, she was acting weird? Says Mr. 'so..uh-...you-...how-...are you s-seeing anyone right now?'" She accused in a mocking tone to which he replied with a scowl.
"How could be this bad at flirting?I thought you had your whole sexy-banished-scarred-lord thing going for you!" She exclaimed.
"I know how to flirt, you just-...wait a minute-" Zuko trailed off as his face took up an expression of realisation and shock "You think I'm sexy?"
Katara flushed crimson as she realised that in her attempt to mock him, she actually complimented him. She frowned as a small smirk played on Zuko's lips.
"Hey," he said amused, throwing his arms up defensively, "your words, not mine!"
"I-...I didn't say I found you sexy! I mean people, people find you sexy!" She flushed even deeper at her attempt at an explanation.
"And who are these people?" He drawled.
"I don't know…People!" she yelled "the firenation girls you somehow brainwashed to believe any thing about you is desirable!"
"What can I say? The people like what they like…" his lips curled into a lazy smile that Katara wanted to smack with a water whip.
"Stop trying to change the subject! We're talking about you and your horrible flirting!" She tore off another tuft of the bread, chewing slowly to savour the taste, "What about Mai?"
"What about Mai?" He repeated, his smile falling. The whole reason he had come to Ba Sing Se – besides coming to meet the Earth King to talk trade amongst other things – was to get his mind off Mai and the last thing he needed was people talking about her to get his mind started again.
"Relax Zuzu," Katara mocked, seeing his change of expression. Katara had taken to using Azula's little nickname for him after she heard her use it to make fun of him on their last trip to Ember Island. "I just meant didn't you have some practice with her or something?"
"Mai…" Zuko said testing out her name, focusing on a spot on the wall behind Katara. He and Mai had been friends since his childhood, they had practically grown up together. She had been his best and only friend in their childhood, and as time went on, it became very obvious to both of them exactly what was to become of their friendship. He was a Prince and she was the daughter of a nobleman, a high ranking politician of the Fire Nation. It was a match made in Heaven. And it wasn't to say that Zuko didn't love or care for her, because he did, but he felt like things didn't come naturally to them, like it was an obligation, a duty, rather than a powerful force of attraction. And yes, they were very…very physically attracted to one another, but physical attraction could only take one so far in relationships. Doubt had slowly crept into him when he, Azula, Ty Lee and Mai went on their mini-vacation to Ember Island. But after returning to the Fire Nation and getting to spend proper time with her, he began to realize their relationship was very surface level. They cuddled, they kissed, they had sex…yet Zuko felt that they lacked the emotional intimacy that was needed for any relationship to survive. Their conversations were stiff and awkward and didn't go deeper than surface level stuff. He couldn't fault her for that, because that had been the way she has grown up, as did he. In an environment where she had to surpress and push down most of her thoughts and feelings. But apparently he wasn't the only one who was growing full of doubt, as a month or two later, she had approached him about the issue and they resolved that the best thing for them was to remain friends as they had always been. It was a mutual decision, but Zuko still found himself thinking of her often. She had been his childhood friend turned lover, his first and only relationship, and they were no longer together. He didn't know anything else, so navigating the world of romance was already proving difficult for him because everything had been laid out in front of him for as long as he could remember.
"Earth to Zuzu," Katara snapped at him, jolting him from his thoughts "if you're not comfortable talking about it, you dont have-"
"No..no," He cut her off "It's fine, I was…just thinking."
"About?" She inquired lightly, pinching at her bread.
He sighed lightly. She wasn't going to stop till she got a satisfactory response, was she? The thought made him smile to himself. "It's different with Mai. I knew her since I was a kid…and when you grow up with someone or are around them for a long time, it's easy to be comfortable with them."
He stood up suddenly and began to pace the length of the room, gesticulating with his hands as he spoke. "I don't think the two of us really ever loved each other. Don't get me wrong, I love mai and she's my best friend, but it felt like loving her romantically was more like an obligation
than me having actual romantic feelings for her…you know what I mean?"
He didn't wait for a response as he continued, "We tried to love each other romantically for the sake of our country, because it was what was expected, and we were able to stay together out of habit, because we were used to each other. So when we finally had a choice and say in the matter, we realised that we were just better off as friends."
He turned towards her, her head tilted slightly to the side as she studied him, one side of her lips tilted into a small half-smile. Zuko smirked crookedly, a small breath of laughter escaping him. "You probably think I'm crazy."
"Zuko I've always thought you were crazy…" she stood and strode towards him, "but this is the most sense you've made in a while…I know exactly what you mean."
He cocked a brow at her, his interest piqued. She gave him a quick eyeroll before she sighed, "When Aang and I got together, It didn't feel like it was because we wanted to, but because everyone expected us to. I mean, I love aang, he's a total sweetheart! But I never really felt like I was in love with him. I mean, we were just kids!"
"Everyone kept calling me the Avatar's Girl and the thing with Aunt Wu-...dont ask!" She responded to his puzzled look. "…and it just felt like the whole world was trying to…to force us together!" She exclaimed. "But we talked about it and both decided it would be best if we just stayed friends. And now he's with Toph and he's so happy! They both are! They balance each other out, like Yin and Yang…" She said walking back to the table to eat the rest of her bread.
"Yeah, they do." He smiled at the thought of them. Truly an unlikely pair, and yet in an odd way, very likely. Do opposites really attract? His eyes drifted suddenly to katara and he blushed lightly.
"So, I don't think you're crazy…in this specific situation," she said walking back towards him and placed a light hand on his shoulder "You just need…help."
He felt something like a spark of electricity shoot through his arm and his pulse quickened. He stared at her hand on his shoulder as she removed it, the spot still tingly. He cleared his throat suddenly to snap himself from his transfixion on her touch.
"Help?" He said confused, remembering the last word she said.
"Help." She affirmed.
"Help with what?" He eyed her skeptically.
"Help you learn how to act…? Acts the word, yeah." She whispered to herself, contemplating. "Around girls…or flirt if you'd prefer…yeah."
Zuko felt the giant horse laugh burst out of him before his brain could process it. A frown marred her beautiful features.
"What?" She asked.
He wiped at the tear that fell from his eye with the back of his hand. It really wasn't that funny, and yet…it was. Just the prospect of Katara teaching him how to flirt, teaching anyone how to flirt for that matter was enough to get him going.
"It's nothing…" he said finally, after catching his breath, "it's just…what do you know about flirting? I mean…Sokka, I can get, he's a lady magnet, Aang probably, I mean, girls want him even when he isn't trying, he's the avatar!" He exclaimed, "but Katara and flirting, aren't two words I'd usually use in the same sentence. Maybe Katara and aggressive, Katara and bossy, Katara and annoying-...OW!" He yelled as he was suddenly slapped painfully on his cheek. Zuko wondered idly when she had bended the water whip as he rubbed at his stinging cheek.
She stared murderously at him, her eyes narrowed into slits."Wanna keep going?" She asked. The water was still close to his face, and it buzzed fainlty, as though preparing to unleash another whip. He didn't say anything, just glowered as he rubbed at his cheek. "I thought so…and I will have you know, I'm a bit of an expert on these things...being a girl and all."
Zuko felt a smile creeping up his face despite himself. "These things?" He feigned a confused expression "you're…a girl?"
"Haha." She said dryly, rolling her eyes at him, "and yes, these things. But If you think you've got it covered, good for you. You can use the time to prepare for your imaginary date with her… you can even pick some imaginary flowers!"
Zuko rolled his eyes at her sarcasm and felt a slight twinge of annoyance at the fact that he realised her rude, but well made point. As much as he hated to admit it, he didn't actually know much about relationships. He had only been in one relationship since he was old enough to date, but they hadn't really been in love, they just had a system that worked for them, till it didn't. And now that he was back in the dating scene, it all felt so new to him, because he had never actually interacted with any girl romantically apart from Mai.
He eyed her suspiciously as he said, "well, you are a girl…"
He studied her as he continued "And I suppose you're a little more experienced than I am…"
The corner of her mouth tugged into a half smile "a little?"
"Haru and Jet don't count," he replied. "You were with Jet for what? A day? and I don't even think you and Haru were together-"
"The details aren't necessary!" She said as a blush creeped up her cheeks "all you need to know is I know what I'm doing!"
"I wouldn't necessarily say know-"
"Do you want my help or not?" She huffed, crossing her arms.
"I was only teasing," he smirked "learn to take a joke."
"I thought jokes were supposed to make people laugh…?" She asked, feigning confusion.
"Yeah you would know…because you're always making people laugh." He retorted.
She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm, "Look, I don't have time for this. If you want to impress her you've got to take this seriously, otherwise I think I'll just take my amazing advice to The Jasmine Dragon and offer it to some other guy who possibly likes Jill."
His slight desperation and the idea of imagining some other guy going out with Jill before he was even able to woo her, was enough to call him to order. "Whatever," he huffed.
"I'll take that as a 'I'm going to take every word you say seriously because you're much more experienced and smarter than I'd ever even dream to be Katara…'" her eyes flicked briefly in a quick inspection of his body "Okay first we have got to talk about your body."
"What?" Zuko asked, taken aback, "What about my body?"
"I don't mean like that you weirdo…" she sighed, "I mean everything you do with your body when you try to talk to Jill, or any girl for that matter…romantically"
"I don't do anything with my body." he said with a slight forrow of his brows.
"Really?" She said as she began to imitate his usual jerky actions around women. Her hand flew so quickly that for half a heartbeat Zuko thought she wanted to punch him. It landed in her hair and began furiously fake-scratching. She slumped slightly foward and began looking all around the room. She did this for all of 15 seconds before zuko yelled, slightly agitated, "I get it!"
"Good," she said with a smile that made Zuko frown. He hated it when she was right, and she was almost always right. She continued, "Now, if we're going to do this you have to stop interrupting me! I know what I'm doing, I'm the expert here."
Zuko had opened his mouth, – about to interject that it was in fact Sokka, and not her, that was pretty much the closest thing they had to a relationship expert amongst them, and the only reason he was fueling her delusions was because Sokka was busy meeting up with the small council the Earth King appointed to handle the matter of trade with the Southern Watertribe, while he was with Aang and Toph at the ruins of the underground cave in Lake Laogai, Suki was still busy training the non-bending unit of the Earth King's army, and she was the only one home – when Katara gave him a death glare that silenced him immediately.
"Yes ma'am," he said laugh-smiling.
The two and a half hours they spent trying to work through Zuko's awkwardness proved to be completely unresourceful as by the end of it, they were both tired, angry and frustrated, yet there was no significant progress made. They had agreed that by the end of their little crash course in romance, if there had been any progress made, they would go to Uncle Iroh's, and Zuko would try to talk to her, and ask her out on a date. But at the rate with which they were going, that didn't seem likely. They lay flat on the ground in an exhausted heap, an arms length away from each other, nibbling on the last pieces of Uncle Iroh's bread.
"Well, this proved to be a complete and utter disaster." Katara said, tearing up a small tuft of bread.
"And it's all your fault," Zuko replied as he chewed through the last piece of his bread.
Katara jerked up suddenly at the accusation. "Me? What did I do?"
"You tricked me into believing that you're some kind of relationship expert, when in reality you're really not." He said with a small smile as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Tricked you?" She said, rising to her feet, "Oh please forgive me Firelord Zuko, I didn't realize that it was my fault that you're so damn unteachable!" She bowed sarcastically.
He stood up, suddenly annoyed. Of course she'd never admit she was a bad teacher, it was Katara after all, – she was more stubborn than a sky bison being led into a dark cave, if not more so – but calling him a bad student was completely out of the question. Uncle Iroh could easily vouch for him! "Have you considered the fact that maybe you're just a really shitty teacher?"
"Shitty teacher? There are at least three hundred Northern Water tribe girls that would say otherwise!"
Zuko rolled his eyes. "Yes, because everyone know that romance equates to bending!"
Katara flushed, frowning so hard Zuko thought the throbbing vein on her forehead might burst at any given second. She hated it when he made her feel stupid because she was supposed to be the one doing it to him.
"Well maybe you can ask Mai to teach you!" Katara huffed.
Zuko stared blankly at her for a second, laughing dryly as he walked towards her, and stopped so close that he could feel her labored breaths as her chest heaved in anger. "You mean the exact same way you learned how to flirt from your imaginary boyfriends?"
They both stood, staring daggers at each other for what felt like ages, anger ans frustration radiating like ice off their bodies, before pulling each other into a lip lock.
Their kiss was intense and urgent, skipping first base and hopping right into second as their tongues fought to establish dominance. Katara buried her fingers in his hair, as his hand slid down the length of her, stopping at her bottom and giving it a light squeeze, eliciting something of a gasp and a moan from her. She pulled away suddenly, greeting Zuko's confused expression with one of pure shock.
"You just kissed me!" Katara exclaimed
"No, you just kissed me!" Zuko added.
Katara stared at him, her shock rendering her mute. She wasn't shocked by the fact that they had kissed. What had shocked her was the fact that they had kissed and she liked it. She began to ponder the last time she has felt anything during a kiss, if she had ever felt anything during a kiss for that matter…
She had kissed Aang, and Jet, but yet none of theirs felt quite like Zuko's - albeit rushed and rough, but passionate - kiss.
"Katara!" Zuko snapped his fingers, jolting her from her thoughts. He stared at her, wondering vaguely if she too felt that weird surge of electricity that currently coursed through him, causing his body to thrum roughly at the very feeling of being near her.
"Zuko!" Katara exclaimed, equally forcing him from his reverie. "This is serious! This isn't the time for the blame game. It takes two to tango."
He gave one slow nod of his head, confused and affronted, but listening nevertheless.
She continued, "we just…kissed…"
He nodded again, even slower.
"And I…i think- I think I liked it…?"
"Oh…" He croaked, scratching roughly at the back of his head. "I think I did too…?"
"Oh…well…um, that's- that's good to know…" Katara added, nodding her head as though she had been asked a question.
He wasn't actually sure what had happened, how it had happened, or what was currently happening, but he was sure of one thing. He started, "Yeah…but do you maybe want to…do it again-"
Katara grabbed his shirt suddenly, pulling him roughly towards her, and cutting off the rest of his sentence.
Their lips were mere inches apart as she whispered slowly, "Not a word of this, to anyone…ever."
"My lips are sealed," he said smirking as he wrapped his hand found her backside and gave it a firm squeeze, his lips cutting off any reply she thought to have.
She moaned and her body relaxed against his hands as continue to ravage her, his busy fingers prodding, squeezing and teasing every part of her body.
Zuko bit his lower lip. Just the sound of her moans was enough to make him unravel at the seams. His hands suddenly found the tight knot of her robe and he began to tug lightly on it, questioningly.
With the tiniest nod of her head, Zuko pulled at one end of the sash with one hand, brushing the robe off her slender shoulders with the other.
Before his curious hands could go any further, Katara stopped him suddenly, shaking her head, "Not here. Bedroom…"
"Yours or mine?" Zuko asked as he planted a kiss on her neck.
"Mine. Now…" her voice was a needy whisper.
She felt weightless he scooped her up suddenly, their lips interlocked as he quickly but carefully navigated his way to her bedroom.
He set her down on the bed, his eyes never leaving hers as he began slowly undoing his own clothing.
She felt herself go red and her breath catch in her throat as he stripped, and audibly gasped at his near-nude physique, the bulge in his shorts very visible.
Zuko smirked at her surprises, his tone cocky as he said, "I'll take that as 'oh zuko, you're the literal embodiment of perfection'." He said with a mock female voice.
Katara made a sound between a grunt and a moan in response.
He walked over to where she sat perched by the edge of the bed, his forefinger moving slowly, almost cloying, across her chest, her eyes following every pattern as it made its descent into the hollow between her breasts.
"Let's get this off, shall we?" And with a swift tug of his finger, Katara's breast bindings were hanging loosely off her midsection, blushing lightly as Zuko's hungry eyes devoured her newly exposed breasts.
Katara moaned lightly as his large hands immediately cupped the fullness of her breasts. "You're perfect."
"I know." Katara said with a smile, suddenly feeling witty.
"A thank you would be nice," he returned, with a smirk.
"Kinda like how a thank you would've been nice after all my teachings, and-" he immediately smacked his lips against hers, his tongue slipping lightly into her mouth, tasting her warmth and sweetness, before pulling away from her with one final tug of her bottom lip.
"You talk too much…" she could only nod in response, as Zuko trailed a line of warm kisses down her neck, temporarily stealing her wits away from her.
"Zuko!" She gasped as his mouth found her nipple, his hand grasping her other breast. He sucked and kneaded her breasts, interchanging between the two, his light bites and pinches, eliciting different gasps and moans from katara.
Her nipples ached deliciously as he pulled away, resuming his light trail of kisses until his thumbs rested on the hem of her under wraps.
He looked up and into her face questioningly, his labored breaths on her stomach sending immediate tingles down there.
He wasted no time in ripping the flimsy fabrics off her as she nodded her ascent.
He let out a shaky exhale that sent a pulse directly to her maidenhood, his eyes never leaving hers, his voice dripping with sincerity and adoration as he whispered, "You're perfect. Absolute Perfection."
Katara couldn't help the shy laughter and light blush that escaped her. She had never had anyone look at her like Zuko was at the moment. It made her feel like she was his only concern and bother in his busy world. Special, adored. And she loved every second of it.
She gasped as he slid a finger into her moist entrance, his pumps slow and measured, then a second, and as she began her incoherent whispering, he pulled out suddenly, licking her juices of his fingers.
"You're amazing" he closed his eyes lightly, savoring the taste of her.
Katara, still flushed from the sudden withdrawal, whispered between huffed breaths, "Well, why settle for just the appetizer when you could have the whole meal?"
Zuko's eyes shot open, staring in mild surprise. Even with a light shyness, he could tell she meant every word. He smiled, mischief dancing in his amber orbs as he said, "It would be my pleasure."
A small yelp escaped Katara as he suddenly pulled at her legs, placing them on his shoulders, his hands hooking the softness of her inner things.
He inhaled deep, "You smell amazing, Katara…"
"Oh Spirits!" She exclaimed, moaning as Zuko's tongue slid lightly into her.
Zuko reflected on how warm she was and how good she tasted, his tongue making light circular motions inside her, nearly sending her over the edge.
"Z-Zuko-!" she gasped as his tongue further explored her, her eyes glazing in ecstasy. She buried her fingers in his hair, squeezing tightly as she felt Zuko slip a finger into her.
She cried out as he began pumping his finger lightly, barely having a minute to process the action as he stuck another into her.
"Faster!! Don't stop, please!" She cried out as Zuko worked skillfully beneath her. He pumped his fingers twice. Thrice. Katara had lost count past three. His tongue teased her, tracing light, circular motions that matched the rhythm of his pumps.
A muffled cry escaped her as she bit down on her bottom lip, eyes shut tight in the throes of her climax. Turning away from him and laying on her side, she clamped her legs together, savoring the delicious pulsing between her thighs.
"Wipe that smile off your face", she whispered after regaining her composure, eyes still closed.
"What smile?" Zuko said, his voice laced with amusement.
"The smile I just know you have on your face right now-" As she opened her eyes, her attention was immediately drawn to Zuko's now exposed manhood. She gasped.
"And why is that a bad thing, Katara?" He smirked at her dumbfounded expression.
"W-when did I say it was a bad thing?" Her eyes fixated on his throbbing member as she spoke.
He claimed atop her, nestling his body between her legs. Little beads of sweat had formed on Katara's forehead, and as Zuko ran his knuckles over them, with a small smile on his lips he whispered "Are you always this jittery?"
She squirmed as she felt his swollen manhood pressing itself against her. She whispered, breathy "Zuko, please…"
"In a minute, but first…" His mouth found her ear and sucked slowly on it.
"Zuko, I need you now! Please!" She cried.
"Admit that you're a bad teacher, and I'm a great student." He drawled.
"Are you kidding me right now?" She asked, incredulous. Was this really the time for witty banter? Now, when she felt like she was going to combust from need?
"All you have to do tell the truth Katara, I thought that was kinda your thing." As his warm lips descended on her nipple, she thought she might explode.
"D-do I have to?" She squirmed again, but Zuko used his weight to restrain her.
"Say it." He whispered.
She whimpered as he blew hot air against her nipple, finally succumbing. "Okay, okay! I'm a terrible teacher and you're a great student! Now can you please-"
She gasped, as she felt the fullness of Zuko's member move slowly inside her. She had not expected it to be so…large. It's not as though she didn't have any experience in that area, but it's not something she did very often and she had never done it with someone of Zuko's size before.
He held his breath as he embedded his length into her, savoring the tight, warmth of her maidenhood. He caught the quick look of fear that washed across her face.
"Are you okay? Do you want to stop? Because-" he started.
Katara interjected, "No. I want this…please. It's just not what I'm used to, but I think I can handle it."
Zuko searched her face for any doubt, but he found in it's place, determination and desire. He was going to make this special for her, for them both.
He gave her a light kiss on the lips as he assured her, "I'll be gentle, okay?"
"Okay…" She replied, her voice a whisper.
Their eyes never left one another as Zuko pushed the entirety of his length inside her, and began to thrust.
"Zuko!" She moaned loudly as his hips thrashed slowly against her.
Her nails clawed mildly at his back, as she whimpered at his agonising pace. Zuko smirked slowly, his lips finding her ear.
"Am I too slow for you?" He whispered
Katara made an assenting sound, nodding slowly.
"Would you like me to go a little faster?" He drawled.
She repeated the action.
"Then say it…" He said, his ember eyes gazing deeply into the watery blue of hers.
"Please?" She whimpered.
Immediately, Zuko thrust into her with a new force, eliciting something between a gasp and a moan from Katara.
"Katara…" He grunted as Katara began to thrust suddenly, matching the rhythm and energy of his movements.
Katara moaned as she felt him hit an unexplored part of her. She let out a desperate plea, "Don't stop! Please, never stop!"
Zuko smiled at her ecstasy-filled request, wondering how long he could possibly continue with the rhythm of his thrusts.
The muscles of his arms and back were beginning to ache from resting his weight on them, his lower abdomen tightening as he was inching closer and closer to the finish line. And from Katara's wild screams of pleasure and the feel of her walls quivering mildly around him, he could tell she wasn't far either.
"Oh…Oh, Spirits!" Katara gave one final cry as she buried her fingers in the sheets, her eyes squeezing shut as her climax came upon her.
In an instant, she was engulfed by the delicious burst of pleasure that washed over her. Multiple colors danced behind her closed eyelids as she writhed beneath him. She didn't think she had ever experienced a sensation quite like this before. She felt as though a thousand flames licked at her body, but instead of scorching her, consuming her, they took her to places she had never known. She wasn't aware of much in the moment, only this new strange but exciting, faraway place she was being teleported to, and Zuko, who set off this flame.
The feel of her walls tightening around his member, the way she was clawing mildly at his back, and the fact that his muscles were beginning to ache desperately soon sent Zuko over the edge, as his own climax suddenly came upon him. He grunted out her name as he collapsed atop her, his muscles giving out.
They rode out the waves of their orgasms, their bodies aching deliciously when they stilled finally, their breaths heavy.
The setting sun, streaming in from the little window above them, bathed them in it's lazy orange glow as they stared silently at each other.
Zuko sat up slightly, resting his elbow on the bed, his palm holding his head up as he gazed lovingly into her eyes.
Katara, who was seemingly back on the planet, and very aware of her naked body next to his naked body, and the act they had just performed, bit down tightly on her lips, the brown of her cheeks suddenly taking up a deep crimson color.
"Well, why are you staring at me like that?" She suddenly snapped.
Zuko smiled a small smile, refraining himself from letting loose the giant laugh that bubbled inside him. "Because I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight…"
At that moment, Zuko was certain he had never seen a lovelier sight. In the orange light of the setting sun, the sweat that stuck to her body glistened like little beads of water on a lily. Her eyes had taken up an otherworldly blue twinge like that of a summer morning sky, her cheeks stained a perfect shade of red. So he really couldn't help staring, and who could blame him?
Katara, pleasantly surprised by his statement, bit down on her bottom lip to surpress the wild giggle that was about to tear out of her. She swallowed slightly, "Oh, is that so?"
"It is so," he replied, smiling sheepishly.
They layed in silence for a beat, gazing into each others eyes and basking in the serenity of the moment, when suddenly muffled words and heavy footsteps could be heard descending quickly down the short hallway. The door flew open.
"...I love the guy, really, but sometimes he can be so reckless, and that's saying something coming from me-" Toph was cut off by Katara's horrified shriek.
Quickly, she buried herself under the covers, Zuko simply staring in slight embarrassment.
"Oh relax," she scoffed, "I could feel you miles away. For a second I thought it was an earthquake or something!"
A slight twinge of pride shot through Zuko and he smiled lazily. Katara made a noise similar to that of a wounded animal, and Toph chuckled heartily.
"What are you even doing here?" Katara inquired.
"I came to borrow some bandages because twinkle toes got a little reckless and hurt his hand." She answered.
"Is it serious?" Zuko asked.
"Nah. Just a small scratch, he'll be fine." She stated.
The room was silent for a beat, before Toph smirked, rubbing her hands mischievously, as she said, "Man Sokka owes me so much money."
"What for?" Asked Zuko.
"We made a bet a while back about when you and Katara would finally hook up. He bet on our next group vacation, I bet on this one," Toph smirked, "And I was right!"
"You bet what?!" Katara screeched from under the covers as Zuko only smiled, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"Well, I'll let you get back to it…Aang and I still have a lot to do," Toph said, picking up the bandages off the shelf in the corner, as she turned to leave.
"As do you guys. Oh, and try not to break the bed, we're renting, remember? Also, use protection! Have fun!" She added with a cheeky smile, as shut the door behind her. After a beat, Katara peered meekly from behind the covers, her blue eyes glazed in embarrassment.
"Is she gone?" She croaked.
"Yes, Katara," Zuko answered smiling, "She's gone."
Katara pushed off the covers as she asked, exasperatedly "Do you think she'll tell anyone?"
"Nah, I don't think she'll tell anyone." He answered, bemused.
"Really?" Her eyes glimmered with hope.
"She'll tell everyone!" He laughed.
"It's not funny!" Katara whined.
"You're right, it's not." Zuko hurried off the bed, scrambling to gather his discarded clothes scattered round the room "and yet, strangely…it is."
Katara watched Zuko don his clothing, her voice dripping with suspicion as she asked, "What are you doing?"
He paused as he picked up his vest, giving her a deadpan look as he replied. "Putting on my clothes?"
She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm "I mean, where are you going?"
"The Jasmine Dragon…" Zuko said absentmindedly as he tied his sash about his waist.
Katara felt as though a hand wrapped itself around her heart. She swallowed, "Umm…why?"
Zuko turned to her, his eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "What do you mean 'why'? I have a date…well, of sorts, remember?"
"A date of sorts?" She asked, equally confused. And quickly thoughts of the afternoon she spent coaching Zuko on how to flirt filled her mind. Jill.
"Well yeah, but…." Katara trailed off at a loss for words. She suddenly felt very nauseous, and self aware as Zuko stared at her, puzzled.
How could she have been so stupid? Of course he was still going to The Jasmine Dragon to see Jill, that was the whole point of the time they spent together. And yet, her heart still ached terribly at the thought. She was disappointed in him, and in herself. She didn't understand how he could even think about Jill after everything that just happened between them, like it meant nothing, and worst of all, how she could allow herself to hope and dream that they could be anything more than what they had been before all this.
She could feel the sting of the hot tears welling in her eyes. Why was she crying? It's not like they were in love in the first place. And she wasn't about to look as stupid as she felt. She forced a small smile as she said, "Well, goodluck on your date! Tell me how it goes."
"Why would I need to tell you that when you're coming with me?" Zuko said as he struggled slightly with one of his boots.
Katara's smile dropped, her face the very definition of confusion "...I am?"
"Yes, you are." Zuko deadpanned.
Katara held in a scoff. She couldn't believe his audacity. First, he makes passionate love to her, then discards her like some red lantern district girl to go on a 'date of sorts' with some girl that barely wanted anything to do with him, then he wants to make her follow him on said date of sorts so he could crush what was left of her broken heart.
She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of hurting her further though, she was stronger and smarter than that.
She took in a deep breath, asking with a quiet force, "Why?"
Zuko tilted his head, his eyebrows scrunched in confusion "What do you mean 'why'? How am I supposed to go on a date without my date?"
She felt lost as the words 'my date' echoed in her head. "Your date?"
Zuko studied her face with knowing smile, which quickly turned into laughter. "Yes, my date. My date as in you Katara. You're my date and we're going to the Jasmine Dragon together for dinner."
"Me? But I thought-" She began.
He interjected "-that I was going to ask Jill out?"
She nodded slowly, to which he responded, "No, I'm asking you out…" his expression was solemn as he added, "...and I hope you'll say yes?"
She felt her growing smile drop as doubt snaked into her mind. "You're not asking me out because we just slept together are you? Because if you are, thanks but no, I don't need a sympathy date."
Zuko stared at her in disbelief, and after a beat, chuckled in exasperation. He titled his head thoughtfully, and studied her for a moment, before sighing deeply. "Katara. I'm not asking you out because we slept together, or because I feel bad for you." He paused, hesitant before saying, "I'm asking you out because I like you."
Katara tried and failed to hide her blush as he continued, "I've always liked you, Katara. I just never knew how much before today. And although, what we did here-" he gestured towards the bed and Katara chuckled, "-was absolutely incredible, I'd be just as happy, maybe even more so, if we could spend an evening together - not getting at each others throats, or learning how to flirt - dining over delicious food and getting to know each other better, just you and me…that is, if you'll accept my invitation?"
Katara blinked back the tears pooling in her eyes, as she stared into his, and saw the sincerity in them. Cry-laughing, she responded, "Yes Zuko, I would love to go out with you."
Zuko walked over to where she lay on the bed, sitting next to her and wiping at her tears. He smiled as he joked, "who wouldn't?"
He leaned in to give her a kiss when she stopped him with a hand to his chest. "Zuko?" He tilted his head in response as she continued, "I…like you-"
Katara was interrupted as Zuko's lips descended upon hers, passionately exploring the warmth of her mouth. He felt her smile against his lips before she pulled away from him.
"-Too! Why don't you ever let me finish?" She asked, laughing.
"I told you, you talk too much…" he replied, his tone dream-like. "plus, I always know what you're about to say before you say it." He added, grinning.
They gazed at each other for what seemed like forever before Zuko observed the deepening orange tint of the setting sun painting katara a magnificent golden brown.
"I don't know about you, but I like my food hot." He said.
"Right!" She said, remembering their dinner plans. She slipped out of the covers, scrambling for her scattered clothing and blushing furiously as Zuko's eyes gazed mischievously at her naked frame.
"Are you going to ogle at me the whole time?" She joked, with a quirk of her brow.
He smiled coyly, "maybe…?"
Katara only laughed as she went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She stared at her dishevelled appearance in the mirror and smiled, thoughts of their intimacy flooding through her mind.
Zuko called from behind the door, "I take it you're not a fan of fresh food?"
She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm, bemused as she said, "Oh don't be so dramatic, you know Uncle Iroh would make us a fresh batch if we asked, and he'd do it happily too."
Katara could practically see his face through the door, rolling his eyes at her smartness, all the while smiling in amusement. "And besides, I'm almost done." She added.
She dipped her hands into the basin in the corner and splashed her face with water, drying her face with a towel afterwards. She quickly donned her attire and was almost done running her brush through her sex-matted hair when Zuko suddenly opened the door.
"Along with not knowing how to flirt, you also never learned how to knock…did you?" Katara asked with a scoff and a playful quirk of her brow.
Zuko opened his mouth to retort her sarcasm, but discovered he was at a loss for words as he took in the sight of her. She didn't look any different than she had earlier in the day, but there was something about Katara's beauty that seemed to renew itself. Everytime Zuko looked at her, it was as though she had grown and was growing more beautiful by the second.
"Hello? Earth to Zuko!" Katara exclaimed with a snap of her fingers. He was staring at her like she had a gigantic pimple on her forehead.
"You look amazing…" There was a dream-like quality to his voice that made Katara flush.
"I always look like this…but thank you." She replied with a shy smile.
"I know…" He said with a knowing smile making Katara blush harder.
Zuko extended his hand, "Now, are you just going to stand there looking amazing? We have a great date and delicious food to catch at Uncle's."
Katara smiled a big, happy smile in response, taking his outstretched hand. Hand-in-hand, they stepped onto the busy streets of Ba Sing Se, catching the very last of the orange rays of the setting sun as it vanished behind them, stalking in the direction of The Jasmine Dragon.
*
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Sooo...what do we think? The original draft of this fic was just kinda depressing, so i scrapped it to go in a more...comedic direction.
Also, I'm certain that Toph, Sokka, Azula, Iroh, etc, are Zutara shippers and i refuse to hear otherwise!
I hope you liked it!