Walk on Water

The Adventure had officially begun. Trepidation tainted the air as somber understanding meshed with the excitement of the expedition. As the crewman focused on ensuring the security and speed of the large vessel, the royals and knights all found ways to amuse themselves till the action began. Sparkling blue locked on the solemn figure of the reading fire prince. Zuko had hid away, still dealing with the shame and guilt after the revelations the night before. He had not seen, nor attempted to make contact with any of the others on the ship, not even Toph, who after a bit of searching, decided to practice her metal bending.

"Zuko…" Said male startled as the voice he had been obsessing over for the past few days called out to him. "I've been looking for you." He had to stop himself from gaping at the lovely vision in red standing before him. Katara looked amazing in fire-nation clothing, especially to Zuko, who couldn't help appreciating all the exposed skin. He really loved his kingdom sometimes. "Are you… up for some company?" Katara bit her lip, clear indecision painted on her face. She was re-thinking her decision to strike conversation without a solid game-plan.

"Uh-yeah." The prince blurted out, almost slapping himself at the sheer level of uncool he was exuding. "I mean… I'd love that… if that's what you'd like." He scrambled to save himself. Quickly he stood, before gesturing to the seat beside him. "You can uh, take a seat? That's if you want, of course, no pressure." Katara just smiled softly before taking the offered seat, Zuko reseating after mentally patting himself on the back for managing to remember his manners. He ensured he looked nowhere but her eyes.

Katara watched with a dry mouth as Zuko towered over her when standing, eyeing the muscles moving beneath his loose fire nation garb, suddenly feeling a little under dressed in her crop top and slitted skirt. She had to admit though, as she sat, when her legs were exposed basically to her hips, she felt electric zip through her spine as his eyes darted down for a split second. "What are you reading?" The brunette hesitated to speak, caught off guard with just how attractive the firebender was, but couldn't help smiling at the floundering prince. He was kinda cute when flustered… he was cute in general.

"Nothing too interesting, just some war logs and fire-bending techniques… do you wanna see?" he asked, unsure of exactly how interesting Katara would find that. He forced himself to swallow his nervousness, trying to keep his cool, as the vision of his fantasies engaged him in casual conversation. He didn't mean to look at her bare legs, he just couldn't really help it.

"You want to show me, war materials?" Katara blinked in wonder.

"Well I mean, only if you want? I'm sorry, I know its not the most fascinating thing but-" Zuko rambled.

"No, no!" she cut him off. "I wanna see… please." Katara was just so baffled at how he was so at ease with women in battle and sharing such important war ideals with her. Her tribe always kept women out of the loop with this kind of stuff, but she had always wanted to learn and discuss. She scooted a little closer, ensuring he was still able to see the materials, regardless of him handing them to her.

After a bit of amicable silence, Zuko dared break it with a question. It was about time, he had finished reading, and was staring at her an unhealthy amount. "You have any particular thoughts on undercover work and espionage?" Katara blinked, again positively surprised by his openness and honest eagerness in knowing her opinion.

"I think that it's necessary but extremely dangerous. No one should go into battle blind, but going into deep cover, you also run the risk of losing your soldier to the other side, or to death." Zuko nodded gravely, he had been thinking along similar lines. "I think the most effective espionage is the most dangerous."

"Are you talking about when feelings get involved?" Zuko frowned.

"Yeah, a person sleeping with the commander is sure to get more intel than someone just working for them." Katara shrugged, inwardly clapping in amusement as she side-eyed the prince's widened eyes.

Zuko almost choked, but regained himself. "Uh, yeah… developing the stronger bonds of trust. People are willing, even wanting to vent, to those they believe they can trust, it's only natural." She really shouldn't be talking about sex when in his direct vicinity, he was trying to be on his best behavior.

"Yeah…" Katara nodded. 'Like if I was sleeping with you, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to keep my trap shut, I feel like I could trust you with anything.'

"I uh…" Zuko wanted to rip off the bandaid. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry… if anything my sister revealed made you uncomfortable in my presence I-" he was doing that cute rambling thing again.

"Zuko no." Katara stopped him once again, laying a hand on one of his well toned arms. Blinking, she mentally shook herself to stay on topic. She met his gaze steadily. "I think, you are a good man, especially from my point of view, considering who raised you and who you grew up with." She shuddered a little thinking of Azula. "You don't have to apologise to me." She smiled tentatively at him. The firebender felt warmth ripple through his body from where she touched him. He put a hand over her's, trying to convey to the princess how much that meant to him. Katara laced their fingers, she couldn't deny the attraction she felt for him, and his sincerity and respect for her was really stirring her feelings. It helped that he was very good looking.

Zuko wasn't entirely sure of exactly what was happening, but god he wanted to kiss those plush pouty lips so bad the need was burning him from the inside out. He let his gaze trail down to the large, tatoo like birthmark of dark swirls that ran up her left arm. "Are these… traditional markings?" he asked, to be sure, letting his fingers ghost over the patterns.

Katara shuddered lightly at the pleasant sensation. "They're a birthmark." Her voice fell to a whisper, suffocated by the intimate turn.

"Do you… have any more?" Zuko kinda felt naughty for asking, but he was curious, sue him!

"Mmm, yeah-" Katara was getting quite breathless as Zuko continued to touch her with his rough fingers, calloused and scarred from bending, sliding to her upper arm, toying with the strap hanging by the sides of her arms. Zuko bit his lip to contain a grin when he heard her breath hitch. "I have one that wraps from my hip to my waist to my inner chest… my inner thigh and on my ankles…" she trailed off as he slid his fingers under the material of the strap.

"…Can I see them?" Electricity crackled in the air at the question. There was no doubt exactly what Zuko was asking here. He wanted her naked. She was very aware of what his intentions were, and he was leaving the ball in Katara's court. She could either choose to laugh it off, get mad… or she could succumb to this feeling burning through their veins.

Katara looked up at him, searching his face, for what, he wasn't sure. Her expressive eyes allowed him to witness the exact moment she made up her mind. Letting a shaky breath out, she pressed herself closer to his touch, letting his fingers pull the strap down, exposing the tops of her breasts to his hungry gaze. "Okay…