Fire and Aether

Chapter 54: Rose's Lost Days (Part 2)

    "Marry me...right now."
    Rose stared at Zuko in surprise, not expecting this answer from him. She took a deep breath and smiled. She stood and urged Zuko to do the same. He stood next to her and she placed her hand in his.
   "I will."
   It was Zuko's turn to be surprised. "Right now?"
   "Right now." Rose confirmed. She gestured and opened a portal to her personal pocket dimension. "Unfortunately, I gave my main tome from the Aether Realm to the spirit of Wan Chi Tong so we could look for information on the Fire Nation inside his library."
   "What?" Zuko asked in confusion.
   "Long story. But on the bright side, I kept a second copy of the more important rituals in our culture. Including...a bonding ceremony much like a wedding."
   "So we can actually get married right here and now?"
   "Yes." Rose confirmed. "Is that what you really want?"
   "More than anything."
   "Because once we do this, nothing can break this bond. There's no separation, no leaving. We cannot exist without the other--"
   "Rose." Zuko interrupted. "My love, you told me something similar when we became soul bound and I give you the same answer I gave you then. I'm ready. I want you and only you...forever."
   Rose felt her breath catch at his words. "Ok."
   She took both his hands in each of hers, whispering an ancient prayer. Their hands bound together and she spoke with the power of the Avatar:
   "In the times of our forefathers, a soul bond was the strongest bond ever created. When one found their soulmate, they would bond themselves to each other forever through consummation of their eternal love."
   She gestured and the book rose into the air and began flipping through pages as she continued:
   "However, over the years as many developed celebrations of weddings, the Aether created their own: a ceremony stronger than any other. While regular wedding rituals could end in separation, divorce, or death, nothing could separate the souls that made this bond. Once the words were spoken, the pair were bound forever, consummated through another soul bonding ceremony. This declared eternal love...
   "So, as we stand here today, we perform it of our own volition. I, Rosalia Reign, Princess of the Aether Realm and the Avatar, pledge myself to be married to this man today, for now and all eternity."
   She gazed at Zuko. "Repeat what I said with your own name and title."
   Zuko exhaled sharply. "I, Zuko, Fire Lord of the Fire Nation, pledge myself to be married to this woman today, for now and all eternity."
   "It is as we stand here now that each soul may speak from their own hearts to complete the bond then consummate it to make it unbreakable."
   Rose took a deep breath. "Zuko, when I met you, I didn't see the spoiled, hateful Prince you believed you were. I saw a broken young man who just wanted to be loved. As time passed, I began to see more and more of that needy soul. Until one day, you rescued me from the clutches of an evil man. I knew then that day that I was in love with you and my love only grew day after day.
   "When we were in Ba Sing Se, I knew a soul bond was the only thing that made sense. I never regretted that bond because I knew you were meant to be mine as I was meant to be yours.
   "So as I come to you this night as your soulmate, your true love, and now, as your wife, I vow to love and honor you all the days of our lives. I vow to be yours forever, never to desire another. And I vow that from this day forward, nothing in this world, the heavens above, or the depths of Hades below, can ever separate us. For what we have is true love. And true love is unbreakable, all the way into death...which I will follow you when the time comes. I will never leave you and my love will never fade.
   "I love you, Zuko. Now and forever."
   She gazed at him then, tears in her eyes and saw tears in his as well. As she held his hands, a mark appeared on her ring finger, a red dragon holding a bright flame.
   "This is your mark and I'll wear it with pride always." She bit her lip. "Now you can say your part."
   Zuko exhaled sharply again and began, "I cannot begin to compete with the words of love you have expressed to me but I hope I can say how I feel. The truth is when we first met, I wasn't looking for your love. I was looking for you to fulfill a purpose. I was ready for everything...or so I thought.
   "Love wasn't something I ever expected to find that day. But you..." He broke off, chuckling. "You were so different than I thought you would be. And somewhere in all that flirting, I felt something. I denied it, of course. I was afraid. I know that now. But your love made me strong.
   "It wasn't long before I found myself in your arms, never wanting to leave. What happened in Ba Sing Se...I can never make up to you what I did. But my love for you has never ceased and our bond has only made that stronger.
   "So as I come to you this night as your soulmate, your true love, and now, as your husband, I vow to love and honor you all the days of our lives. I vow to be yours forever, never to desire another. And I vow that from this day forward, nothing in this world, the heavens above, or the depths of Hades below, can ever separate us. For what we have is unbreakable, all the way into death...which I will follow you when the time comes. I will never leave you and my love will never fade.
   "And I will never again question your love or worry you will leave as I will be with you forever. I love you, Rose. Now..." Here he choked up a bit as the tears almost completely took over, "and forever."
   As he finished speaking, a mark branded itself onto his ring finger, a blue dragon holding a star.
   "I'll wear your mark with pride, too."
   That said, Rose jumped into his arms, kissing him passionately. His hands wound around her waist, pulling her closer.
   Finally, they parted. "We are bound together forever now." Rose said. "Now there's only one thing left to do: consummate the bond."
         ***SMUT WARNING****
   Their lips met again in a passionate, fiery hot kiss. Zuko's arms wound around Rose's body and, with one quick movement, he lifted her into the air.
   She caught herself, wrapping her legs around his waist as he led her to their shared bed. He set her gently upon it, moving his body to settle over hers, as if shielding her from prying eyes.
   Zuko's hand darted out and caught the tie of her robe, pulling it open. He sighed through their kiss, his lips moving down the column of her throat. She moaned, her hands twisting into his hair.
   His lips moved further, gliding over to her chest. He buried his face there, nipping at the skin. His lips surrounded a nipple, sucking. Rose laid back, allowing Zuko to worship her body. His lips ended at her sweet heat.
   Slipping his fingers inside the silky warmth, he groaned. "The heat of the hottest fire is nothing compared to you." His tongue darted out, teasing her most intimate of areas. "So sweet...my perfect wife...finally."
   Rose pulled him back to kiss him again. "Enough teasing. I want you."
   He groaned again. He felt he could cum from those words alone but he forced himself to calm down. She stroked along his robe, coming to rest on the tie to it. One quick tug and it came undone.
   Zuko swallowed hard as Rose kissed along his neck, her hands exploring the expanse of skin that was revealed. Her hands moved from his chest, down his stomach, and finally grasped his cock.
   He gasped in surprise and lost his patience. With one swift movement, he tore off his robe. Hers quickly followed. Then he had her on her back. His powerful hands held her legs in place as he thrust towards home, filling her up and causing a sharp intake of breath from them both.
   Zuko laid his forehead against Rose's. His voice was rough as he spoke. "It feels so different than before....like every sensation has been magnified tenfold."
   "That's because it has." Rose answered simply. "A bond like this is meant to cover any areas left unchecked with a soul bond. We now feel everything the other feels. That's why if one of us dies..."
   "So does the other." Zuko realized, staring into his new bride's eyes. "So I can feel what you feel?" She nodded. "So if I did this...?"
   He nuzzled against her neck before biting down on the sensitive spot he'd taken to calling her sweet spot. She moaned and he responded in kind.
   "I felt what you felt."
   "Toldya so." She raked her nails across his back, causing him to flutter his lashes as a gentle moan escaped his lips. The same response came from Rose.
    "This I think I can get used to." Zuko smirked playfully.
    "I'm sure you could." Rose teased. "But, for now, do you think you can move? I'm getting frustrated and I really need my husband right now."
   Zuko smiled, a feeling of ecstasy coming over him. "Say that again, please."
   "What? I need my husband?"
   Zuko thrust into her roughly. "Yes!" He groaned. "Call me that again. Tell me you love me."
   "I love you...my husband."
   "Yes!" Zuko continued to pound into her relentlessly, losing himself in the feeling. "I love you...Rose, my love, my soulmate, my wife...hmm I could get used to calling you that."
   "Zuko!" Rose gasped out. "Please!"
   "This is gonna be a long night, love. I suggest you get used to this because you're not leaving my arms for awhile."
   Rose took Zuko's hands in hers and the pair came together, holding one another tightly. Hard, panting breaths came from the two of them. Zuko turned and kissed his wife passionately.
   "Zuko?"
   "Hmm?" Zuko hummed, contentedly.
   "By the way, it's morning."
   Zuko rolled over, placing Rose on her side. Cocking her leg up, he slipped inside her again. "Well then I guess we have plenty of time."
   That said, he began pounding in her again, quickly ending the conversation.
              **End of smut****
   Later in the day, Rose and Zuko sat on the bed, freshly cleaned after taking a long shower. She was in her Avatar outfit with him in the clothing he wore after joining Team Avatar. Zuko ran his fingers through his hair, smiling as he gazed at the image of his new bride sitting in his bed, braiding her hair.
   "You're beautiful." he said, quietly.
   Rose giggled. "You always say that."
   "Well you're also funny and sweet and kind and smart--"
   She placed two fingers against his lips. "Thank you, Zuko, but you talk too much."
   Zuko feigned hurt, one hand stretched across his forehead like a damsel in distress as he leaned back against the bed. "Already nagging me? How am I ever to deal with my newly wed wife?"
   Rose tossed a pillow at his face. "Dork." She leaned over as he removed it from his face and kissed him. "I love you."
   "That's more like it." Zuko said with a smile.
   "Well, now that you've gotten what you wanted, may I continue telling you my story?"
   Zuko rolled over and propped himself up on his elbow. "Do tell."
   Rose giggled and nodded. "So time passed and I got what I wanted. The day then came when Aang became my Guardian."
                       * * * * *
   Inside the Southern Air Temple, the monks stood over a very important proceeding. Rose and Aang stood, facing each other, both in the more fancy versions of their outfits, the same ones they would later wear at the end of the war.
   "You may now begin your vows, Avatar."
   Rose spoke. "I, Rosalia Reign, Princess of the Aether Realm and the Avatar, claim you, Aang, as my Guardian, I pledge myself as your friend, family, and equal in all things. And now, we are bound til death."
   "Now you."
   Aang took a deep breath and spoke. "I, Aang, airbender of the Southern Air Temple, accept your vows and pledge from this day forth to be your friend, family, protector, and equal in all things. I will honor and obey your wishes and protect you to my dying breath. And now, we are bound til death."
   A golden glow settled over the pair and the monks clapped. "It is done. You are now bonded, Avatar and Guardian, for life."
   Rose hugged Aang and the pair laughed together as they headed outside to play a game of airball.
                        * * * * *
   "Why does that sound a lot like a wedding?" Zuko asked, sitting up quickly, a feeling of jealousy rising despite his efforts to keep it down.
   "It kind of is in a way. A bonding ceremony is very important, especially between an Avatar and their Guardian. And bonds made with an aetherbender are very strong." Rose explained.
   "I remember telling Aang sometime before our bonding ceremony that a bond with an aetherbender is absolute because developing a bond with us is difficult."
   She looked down, adjusting her outfit. "We don't get close to people easily so when we develop a bond with someone it's even more sacred. The most sacred is a soul bond, not just because of the bond itself but because of the complete and infallible love behind it."
   Rose turned her gaze to Zuko. "Remember how I told you I'm over a hundred years old and never dated?"
   Zuko turned away, thinking. Then he remembered. "I believe what you said is that you weren't the dating type...?"
    Rose nodded. "Aetherbenders believe in soulmates. We don't date and we don't leave anything to chance."
   Zuko turned back to Rose, pulling her close to his body. "So do you have a close bond with all your friends?"
   She grinned. "Only the ones that matter." She joked.
   He laughed, leaning in and kissing his bride for a second. When they parted, she frowned. "What's wrong?"
   "Well, things weren't always so good. Bad times lay ahead for Aang and I."
                         * * * * *
   Things became difficult for Aang after becoming the Avatar's Guardian. The other kids began to shun him as they thought playing with him made games unfair what with the extra power he was given to protect Rose.
   Despite that, however, his kinsmanship with Rose grew and they became closer than ever. She began referring to him as her little brother and soon enough, he responded in kind, calling her sister or sis.
   Monk Gyatso also helped both children. They spent a lot of time with their beloved guardian/surrogate father, training, pranking the old fuddy duddies, and playing pai sho.
   One day, the three were playing pai sho after a long day of airbending when the sour old man entered the room. "You're playing games with her?!" he cried, indignantly. "The Avatar should be training! And his Guardian should be too!"
   "Rose and Aang have both already trained enough for today." Monk Gyatso told him flatly.
   "Time is short." the old man said, gesturing to Rose and Aang. "Come with me. I must test you both on some high level techniques."
   Aang reluctantly stood but Rose remained seated. "I'm not going anywhere."
   Monk Gyatso waved the other monk aside. "No. As long as I am their guardian, I will decide when they train...and when they get their butts kicked at pai sho."
   Later that day, Monk Gyatso and the sour old man stood before the rest of the elder monks. "Rose and Aang need to have freedom and fun." Monk Gyatso explained. "They're only children and to grow up as such. Rose doesn't have many years left before she is grown and Aang is only a boy. He needs to grow up as a normal one. And Rose needs to remain a child as long as she can."
   The sour old man retorted, "You cannot keep protecting them from their destiny. Rose is the Avatar and has a duty to the world. And Aang is her Guardian. He has a duty to help her fulfill her destiny."
   One of the elders raised a hand to silence him. "Gyatso, I know you mean well but you are letting your affection for the boy and the girl cloud your judgement."
   "All I want is what any father wants...what is best for them."
   "But what we need is what's best for the world." The elder lowered his gaze in sorrow. "You must be separated. The Avatar will be sent away to the Eastern Air Temple to complete her training and Aang will follow."
   Monk Gyatso sadly nodded.
   No one was aware that Rose and Aang had heard everything.
                        * * * * *
   Zuko looked down. "So...they planned to send you both away just because the monk wanted you to be kids for just a little longer?" He ran his hands through his own hair. "That's just...cruel." He thought about everything he had been through. "It seems like we've both been through so much."
   Rose took his hand and he looked up into her eyes. "Did they really send you away?"
   "They never got the chance. That's what's so messed up." Rose stood and moved to the other side of the room. "And it's the reason we were missing for a hundred years."
   Zuko followed her. "How so?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her.
   "Aang and I decided we didn't want to be separated from what was essentially our father. So...we decided to run away."
   She turned to him. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me, honestly. I would've run too."
   Rose's eyes filled with tears. "But we got caught in a storm. I...I panicked. And, for the first time in my life, I went into the Avatar State." At his confused look, she explained, "It's that state when my eyes and tattoos glow and I can use all the elements at once? You've seen it before."
   Zuko nodded. "Oh. I keep meaning to ask, how did you get the tattoos?"
   "It's a collection of symbols, each to celebrate a different accomplishment of mine." Rose explained. "This one," she gestured to a star on her forehead, "is a celebration of my birth and a symbol of how special I am." Then she gestured to her back. "This one on my right shoulder is a symbol of each of the elements. I got it when I was revealed to be the Avatar, shortly before I left home."
   Zuko raised his hand to trace each of the tattoos she revealed. "There's so many, all over you. I wonder what they all mean."
   She smiled. "Would you like to find out?" The gaze she sent him was intense and he visibly shuddered. She giggled. "I'm only teasing you, love. For now, we both need rest."
   He pulled her into his lap. "Do we have to?" he asked, pouting like a child.
   "Don't pout, love. You've been through a lot and had a lot of stress on you. You haven't been sleeping well and just went through a difficult transformation. Not to mention we both performed a powerful bonding ceremony early this morning, not to mention what happened after."
   Zuko smirked.
   "So, yes, we're going to get some rest."
   He rolled his eyes. "If I must."
   So saying, he pulled her into his arms. They laid next to each other on the bed, him spooning her. She was right, of course, because as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep.
                         * * * * *
   Faint light was just starting to shine through the window when next they woke. Rose rolled over and cuddled up to Zuko, running a hand over his chest.
   He grinned and pulled her closer. "Good morning, my beautiful wife."
   "Good morning to you too." She giggled. Then, she sat up quickly. "Aang's gonna be so pissed when he finds out!"
   "Why?"
   "Because we got married without telling him. He really wanted to give you the "brother filling the dad's role" speech."
   Zuko shrugged. "He'll get over it. Besides, he'll be there for the big celebration." He grinned playfully. "Do me a favor though. Let me tell him."
   "You're an idiot."
   "Yep and you're stuck with me." Zuko grinned proudly.
   Rose hovered over him and smiled. "There's nowhere I'd rather be." Then she sealed it with a kiss.
                        * * * * *
   Rose and Zuko met with Iroh in the kitchen. Moments later, Aang and Aurora joined them.
   "Thank you, Rose, for bringing him to me." Iroh said. "He really should have come earlier, of his own will. Sometimes he forgets that he always has a place here." He gestured back to her. "You both do. He may be Fire Lord now but he's still a stubborn boy."
   "Don't I know it!" Rose said, giggling.
   Aurora, who entered the room after Aang, rushed forward. Rather than hugging Rose, she grabbed her arm. "Is that what I think it is?"
   Everyone looked up sharply. "What is it?" Aang asked.
   Aurora appeared next to Zuko and grabbed his arm too. "I was right." A smile broke over her face. "Congratulations to the both of you."
   "Congratulations?" Iroh and Aang asked in unison. "For what?"
   Rose took her spot next to Zuko. "You wanted to tell him, love. Go ahead."
   Zuko glared at his wife. "You did that on purpose." He turned his gaze to the rest of the room. "Rose and I performed a special bonding ceremony last night. We're basically married now."
   "The Aether Bonding ceremony." Rose clarified.
   "That was incredibly reckless and dangerous." Iroh spoke up. "But I'm not surprised. Honestly, I'm more surprised that the pair of you didn't perform it a year ago, after the war ended and Zuko proposed."
   "It can be reckless and dangerous..." Aurora added, "but only if they had performed it before they were ready. They are ready now."
   "But--" Aang stepped in.
   "We'll still be having an official ceremony." Zuko said. "You can yell at me then." Everyone laughed at that. "Besides, I want to do this right. I just couldn't wait any longer."
   "You just want to see me in a fancy dress." Rose teased.
   "Maybe." Zuko said. In his mind, he thought, "Or maybe I just wanna see you out of it."
   "Heard that." Rose said with a smile. In her mind, she answered, "We not only feel what the other feels but we can share thoughts."
   "That's gonna get old fast." Zuko thought.
   "So how long was I out this time?" Zuko asked no one in particular.
   "Just four days." Aang answered.
   "On and off." Rose added. "Technically you only slept two and half days then we started talking." She turned her attention to the group. "He told me about the Agni Kai and his banishment. Then I told him how I found out I was the Avatar and my time among the monks before we had the bonding ceremony."
   "Aww!" Aurora said with a smile. "I think that's sweet!"
   Aang was strangely quiet. They had clearly shared very private and intimate moments of their lives and performed a ceremony that most aetherbenders wouldn't. Their love for each other must be very strong then. And maybe...he shouldn't be so harsh when it comes to Zuko.
   "The Earth King's agreed to talk when you're ready." Aang said. "We'll meet him in Yu Dao. A small group of the city's residents are gonna join us, roo. Whatever happens though, Yu Dao can't remain a Fire Nation colony."
   "It can't go back to being an Earth Kingdom city, either." Zuko retorted.
   "It has to be something else." Rose consented.
   "Something new." Aang agreed.
   "But what?" Zuko asked.
   "That's why we need to meet."
   Zuko sighed. He explained how on the way to Yu Dao, he and Rose both had the same dream of a fight. Ozai stood behind Zuko and Ruko stood behind Rose. And Aang killed him.
   "When Rose found out, I realized something. I hate seeing her cry and I never want to see her do it again. And I learned something else: I was wrong to ask you for that promise, Aang. I've struggled for so long to do what's right--to even know what's right. Then, when the war ended, I thought the struggle had finally ended, too. I thought I had won for good."
   Rose took his hand, comfortingly. "It's never that easy."
   "I know. Because a visit to Ozai in prison changed that. I realized the struggle was actually just beginning.  I didn't think I could handle it so I asked for your help, knowing Rose would never approve."
   He clutched her hand tighter. "But asking you to end me if I went bad--that was like asking you to figure out right and wrong for me. I didn't just want you as my safety net--I wanted you as my escape hatch.
   "I can't put that on you." He continued, looking away. "And I can't keep hurting the one person who always loved me. I'm sorry....to both of you." He nodded to Aang then to Rose.
   Rose took him into her arms. "Don't despair, my love. You are not alone. You still have us--all of us."
   "Rose, I saw my mother in that dream."
   "Sometimes dreams are the way a person's spirit reveals the answer to his own problems."
   "The only problem...after I became Fire Lord, I sent out search parties looking for her. I even hired Jun. What can I do now that I haven't already?"
   Everyone turned to Aurora. She shrugged. "I don't know all the answers. What I do know is this: your mother will mend more than just one broken heart when she's found."
  "Clear as mud...as usual."
  The group laughed.
                           * * * * *
  Ozai groaned as he heard the door to the prison open. "I am not in the mood, Zuko."
   "Guess again."
   He looked up in surprise to see not Zuko, but Rose standing over him. "Well, well. If it isn't the Avatar, the bane of my existence. Did Zuko send you? I will tell him nothing."
   "Zuko doesn't even know I'm here." Rose said, waving away his hateful words. "I just need to know something. Why do you hate your son?"
   Ozai growled.
   "I have no son." He finally admitted.