Beauty in the Beast (Zutara)

Chapter Twenty-One

Zuko took opportunity to entangle his hand in her locks as they kissed against the denser parts of the park, the shade and the trees shadowing them as she shuddered under his firm touch. His other hand squeezed her waist hungrily, sending shivers up her spine as she pulled him closer to him deepening the kiss. Zuko had pushed her back into the tree trapping her in between himself and the hardened bark as she pushed herself closer to him chasing the electric feeling her gave her. His lips abandoned hers as they traveled southward, peppering gentle pecks at her jawline, under her chin and nipping her neck, listening to her breathless shudders her fingernails starting to claw at the beginning of his back. His hand moved from her head to her back pulling her against him making her blush at the familiar feeling. He was so strong, so hard against her, her thoughts grew hazy as she purred feeling his teeth capture some of her skin before feeling a slow lick in the same spot as he pulled back.

"Sorry, I shouldn't try to mark you." He whispered, his voice getting a little more guttural. She nodded slowly as she clutched the back of his shirt.

"Yeah." She agreed nearly breathless. "It wouldn't end well if someone saw it." Zuko shuddered at the thought before licking the same spot on her neck slowly, enjoying the way her body seized up from it.

"I mean as much as I would like seeing that on your neck..." he trailed off with a chuckle, making a small smile tug at her lips.

"You're this frisky on a first date?" She teased. Zuko chuckled and kissed her jaw softly.

"Only if my tongue has been in the other's mouth while in a hospital bed." Katara let out a soft laugh as he bit her neck again making her blush and let out a breathless sigh. "Especially if she got on top of me."

"Smart ass." She playfully chided.

"You like it." He smirked.

"I like you." Zuko smiled and kissed her again, feeling his heart soar as he felt her wrap her arms around him, a smile on both of their lips as they collided again and again.

~~
Mai watched Ty-Lee and Azula chatter away as she watched her feet move her down the paved path, her eyes narrowed in frustration recalling their fight in his room, how he began to distance himself from her. She cast a side glance to Azula. She has to know something is up between us by now. She thought. Sooner or later, Zuko won't be willing to follow through with her little orders. And she's going to pry more than she usually does. She scoffed to herself turning her head away from her friends gathering the attention of Ty-Lee, her hands clasped in worry as she felt prying calculating eyes on her.

"Mai." Azula called gently. "You seem even more gloomy than usual. Whats going on?"

"Its nothing, Azula." Mai lied. Azula stopped in her tracks, her hands behind her back as she continued to gaze over at her friend.

"I know I said I didn't care much about your affairs with Zuko, but now I'm curious. Even when you two fight, it doesn't take much for him to come crawling back to you like he normally does." She remarked. Mai's fists tightened as she grit her teeth. "What? Is it taking longer than usual this time?"

"Stop prying!" She snapped shocking the other two as Mai looked them both up and down, her shoulders hunched as if she were going to attack. "Just leave it and me alone for once, Azula!" Ty-Lee moved in-between her and Azula.

"Mai, we're just worried about you is all. You're so sad, more so than usual." Mai scoffed and waved the pink clad girl off.

"Wake up and realize that not everything is going to have a sweet happy ending Ty-Lee and save yourself the heartbreak." Mai pushed ahead of them starting to leave her friends behind.