17. The Ember Island Players

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Everyone wondered back to the house, shoulders slumped and hope barely alive. The end of the play revealed a future they couldn't handle having, they didn't know what to do.

"We'll talk in the morning, everyone should get some rest," Iskra advised and they all agreed, parting ways.

She sighed, turning and walking to her room. Zuko caught up, holding her hand in his with a bright smile.

"Why are you so happy?" She asked with a slight giggle, his happy mood brightening hers.

"Because I get to hold your hand and kiss it," he kissed her hand.

They reach her room and he opened the door, walking behind her into it. She turned to face him, smiling as she shook her head.

"After Toph revealed she knew you've been sleeping in my tent, I think it's best you sleep in your own room," Iskra said.

"Well I think that Toph can pick up her feet," Zuko smirked, holding her hands.

Iskra struggled to hide her smile, biting her lower lip as her head tilted back to make eye contact.

"I have to get changed," She added, leaning against the now closed door.

"Ok," he shrugged, moving closer.

"Zuko," Iskra whispered.

"What?" he asked with a smile, moving even closer.

"I-," She paused, unable to find words.

"Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?" Zuko cupped her face.

Iskra looked up, their eyes meeting again. He gazed at her with nothing but love and patience.

His gaze drifted to her lips, trailing down her body as his shadow casted over her. She gulped, barely noticeable but he noticed. Of course he noticed.

Zukos hands rose, resting on the door behind as he leaned forward till their faces where level.

The dark lighting hid her blush but the moonlight highlighted her eyes. Her round eyes, soft and pure in contrast to his sharp ones, cutting across his face.

Their faces where so close yet so far. They needed more, they neededeach other in ways too shameful to admit. His breath fanned against her neck, raising to her ear as he spoke carefully.

"Please let me kiss you, hold you," Zuko whispered with awe. "Please let me touch you."

Iskra gasped softly, head turning to face his. Her lips brushed against his, breaths twirling together once again. A low groan escaped Zuko's lips as his hands found their way to her waist. His touch sent a jolt of electricity sparking through Iskra, making her knees weak.

It started slow, tender, almost reverent. He explored her lips with a newfound gentleness, as if savoring the feel of them against his.

But then, as if a dam had broken, the kiss deepened. The tenderness replaced by a desperate urgency. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs tracing the soft contours of her cheeks.

She responded in kind, her fingers tangling in his dark hair, pulling him impossibly closer to her body. The kiss became a whirlwind of emotions, confusion, desire, thrill.

Iskra noticed the way his breath started to hitch. How whenever he had to fill his lungs with air, he would make sure it was just the necessary amount to kiss her back again.

His kisses then started a slow, agonizing pace towards her neck. Right under her ear, over her pulse, on the dip of her collarbone; every hot kiss he placed only made Iskra's body unconsciously stick closer to his, head logging back in pleasure as her breaths became hitched too, turning into small gasps and little moans.

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