Chapter 265: The First of Many
Back in the room where she and Nik did many things after sticking it to Hahn, Yue cannot help but feel more excited than usual as she observes Nik's confidence fade ever so slightly under her blank gaze hiding her thoughts. "So this is what Sokka meant about you, overcompensating things," Yue smirks shortly, not in the slightest way condescending, as her emotions start betraying her gaze.
"Sokka said that?" Nik scoffs before flicking his free hand across his hair and grumbling under his breath, "It's not overcompensating by any means. I just wanted you guys, all of you, to know I appreciate everything you're willing to do for me. And not just when our lives are in danger, although that happened one too many times than I'd like."
Yue hums, her gaze refusing to leave the article in his hand. She would like to explain how people around Nik were more than willing to do what they did. After all, he did not force them by any measure. But she realizes quickly that he needs to say all this out loud instead of her being the recipient of these words.
"What I'm trying to say is," Nik looks at her unflinchingly. "I am not doing this because I feel obligated or promised to do this before we left. This is not a token to relieve you of the future and fool you into thinking things will get better. I have no way of promising that. I am doing this because—"
"Will you make me yours already?" Yue interjects with a huff and an unbecoming roll of her eyes. Everything Nik spoke made her heart pound harder. His words are as sweet as they are honest, and his intention of providing the article in his hand is sincere and personally selfish. But she could not wait, not after staring at the slate-grey, smooth stone locked on a silver cloth band. The carving on the polished rock resting flat on one side is a simple circle. But Yue KNOWS this choker belongs to her.
A moon.
Nik licks his dry lips and hesitates. He actually prepared many things to speak to make sure this gesture does not come off as oily or any shady attempt at making Yue stay with him for her valued healing skills. He wanted her for the kinky princess she is. Not in those exact words per se, since this is his first time proposing to someone in a long time. The first time he professed his true love did not go splendidly well after all. But hey, if you consider your head being separated from your body a romantic gesture, then maybe Nik wasn't half bad.
He makes his way to Yue with a nod before settling behind her. His fingers wrap the band around her nubile brown neck, the silver color contrasting with her skin as well as her hair. The surface of the round stone is cold on her neck, but it's compensated by the warm breath beside her ear.
"I have half the mind of locking you away until I present this gift to everyone," Nik chuckles as he hugs her from behind and rests his chin on her shoulder. "I think there will be many... well, only Azula and maybe the Tys raising a ruckus."
"I'd be more than happy to take it off now if that's what you want," Yue offers just to feel Nik's nasal huff. His right hand glides up her body to feel the texture of the pendant on her neck as he plants a gentle peck on her ear.
"I didn't decorate the pendant with you just for you to take it off! Besides, I was joking. You should get to rub this into others' faces, no? You only have a small window of time to feel smug."
"I would never do that to others," Yue pouts. Indeed, she wouldn't.
"And that's why I put a choker on you before others," he snickers.
"Hmm, and would you like to... have a ceremony?"
"Only if you want," Nik reveals. "I realize there is only so much I can initiate. For me, we're already... you know?"
Yue smirks comfortably as they sit on the edge of the bed, "You can say it," she encourages with a whisper.
"I'm torn between saying married and mates," Nik chuckles as he starts kissing the back of her neck. His fingers unbutton her large overcoat as Yue leans further into his touch, mewling in reply, "It's the same thing in our case, right? Or are you the kind to mate with someone with no intention of making them yours?"
Nik blinks in surprise as he recalls Mitsuko. Then again, Nik from then was a different man.
"Why would I seek simple gratification if I can have that with you?" Nik grins. "Married, it is. But, it feels underwhelming."
Yue turns around and sits on Nik's lap with a soft smile on her plump pink lips. "Others may want something more. But this." She touches the pendant hanging from her neck. "This is enough. I had my ceremonies before. Besides, it is considered quite a curse for a widow to marry again."
"So, the next time I run into some fatal situation, I can blame you and Ursa, huh? Nice to know that."
"You could blame your own actions. After all, you're the one who marked me right now," Yue scoffs before pecking his lips. Their kiss is gentler than before, but their bodies grow heated as their hands start to disrobe each other. Her juicy lips pull back for a short breath as she offers, knowing fully what she is doing, "But if you think I'm such an eclipse to your fortune, maybe you should leave me in this bedroom."
"And what? Let you actually curse me? That's the line of stupidity I refuse to cross!" He promptly pushes Yue down on the bed with a grin. "Besides, you willingly entered the mouth of the beast, remember? There is no coming back!"
---
She won't have a way to come back from this. Katara knows it all too well as she stands in front of Nik's door and knocks on it. Her breath hitches as she comes to terms with the lines she is about to cross. Things will never be the same as before... if she stays here for a second longer. But she does not move. Maybe it's because Katara has grown a little more fond of the idea than she cares to admit ever since squaring things with Kya, or maybe Nik simply answers his doors swiftly, even if it means answering the door half-naked and displaying his well-trained body brought to its current state after months of resilient discipline.
"Hi," Nik greets Katara with a pleased smile, "It's a truly great morning, right?"
Katara notes his tone being chipper than usual as she nods. It is clear at a glance that her agitation does not rise from seeing Nik in this state. It's not her first time, after all. But as she curiously peers past Nik, she finds Yue smiling back with a questionably-stained sheet around her breasts. Yet, Katara's ocean-blue eyes fixate on the silver band around Yue's neck, letting a greyish, polished pendant with a carved circle hang.
Her lips part.
Katara shifts between foolishly grinning Nik and an increasingly bashful Yue through her gaze as the youth eagerly supplants, "Looks good on her, right, Katara?"
The waterbender nods before scoffing a chuckle and smiling widely as she comes to be, "Congratulations!" She shoves Nik away and beelines toward Yue before pouncing on the adorable princess. Katara's positive reaction only relaxes Yue as the silver-haired ball of kink hugs Katara in return, not the least bit caring if the thin sheet between them falls in the process.
"Ehm?" Nik clears his throat and opens his arms to welcome Katara in his waiting embrace.
"You must be really excited to forget that you dropped naked on me the moment you arrived in this world," Katara looks back and scoffs. Just because she is happy for Yue does not exclude the fact that she is downright envious at the moment.
"Katara is right, you know?" Yue agrees wholeheartedly as Nik crosses his arms and calls out his first mate. "Oh, sure. You're going to agree with everything others have to offer because you still get to be the first, is that it?"
Yue's smile brightens as she chooses not to answer, but her response is clear to Katara and Nik.
"So, Katara. Did you need something?" Yue questions as she comfortably leans back on her pillow. Yue and Nik hadn't stayed in her room within the Northern Tribe and moved back inside the manor instead.
"It can wait," Katara informs with a smile. She already knew what she'd want for herself the second she saw the silver choker on Yue's neck. But she also felt a little uncomfortable admitting certain things to others except for Nik.
Yue nods quietly as Nik starts getting dressed.
"Going somewhere?" Yue inquires.
"Yep, practicing Lightningbending," Nik replies with a grunt as he belts his trousers before looking at the duo on his bed. "The two of you are going to stay here or...?"
"Well, I planned to visit the settlement and help the few residents from the Northern Tribe settle. But you're going to be on the clock, right?"
"Not necessarily," Nik glances at Katara, who huffs and looks at Yue again.
"Sorry, I didn't know Nik planned this," Katara admits, looking nervous again.
"Don't be. I think only Sokka, Zuko, and Rena know about it."
"You asked Sokka?" Katara whips her head in Nik's direction as he shrugs.
"I wanted to have some input about the chokers." Katara notes the plural as Nik continues, "Sokka helped me optimize some designs. Besides, I wanted to swing things by Sokka and Zuko before I officially asked you, Azula, and Ursa. I get that it's what you three would want... well, not Azula, but you get the point, right? I would have asked Tom-Tom... but I got better sense than asking a child for an adult's permission."
Katara nods with a slump of her shoulder.
Nik looks at Yue, who shakes her head slightly and gives half a shrug. Getting the green light, Nik smiles and looks at Katara, "Come on, I think I have a good idea why you came here."
"I doubt it," Katara mutters a little sullenly.
"You think I can get the name of Ty Lee's sisters right, but not this? Obviously, you want a dowry. But I can't give away Ignit. So, you'll have to settle for something that spits equally hotter things but isn't wrapped in scales."
"Nyla's tongue?" Katara scoffs back, ignoring the obvious innuendo.
Nik smirks and gestures to her to follow him as he waves at Yue, surprising her with, "I decided we'll have our ceremony without a doubt. I want it." He half-turns to look at her with a broad smile, "Bad Luck or not, it's you. And I have a good portion of the spirit and dragon spring here, so we can wait for everyone to regather."
Yue blinks before nodding slowly. She wouldn't try to dissuade him. After all, superstitions should not be the barrier that stops her from having a ceremony with Nik just because she had one earlier with Hahn.
---
Katara follows Nik quietly to her room. However, Nik stops midway and looks at her calmly with a hint of curiosity.
"So, did you and Kya get a chance to hash things out?" His question is met with an affirming nod from Katara. Her blue eyes wander around the hallway, refusing to meet his gaze as she voices out, "We came up with something... acceptable."
"Something I should know? Of course, if I'm a part of this decision?" Nik smirks, enjoying Katara fidgeting at his words. After all, the girl is usually composed and steadfast.
"I'm in no mood for your jokes," Katara mumbles and pouts. "Why... couldn't you have proposed to me first? You planned for it, did you not?"
Nik sighs, "It's where I met Yue."
"This is also where Suki, you, and I..." She doesn't finish the sentence and stares at him questioningly.
"Suki would want it beside her villagers, I suppose. I'm not sure, but I'm betting on it. And to be honest, I did want to ask you first. But... I just didn't want to push you in any way unknowingly while you and Kya are trying to smoothen things out."
Katara accepts the reasoning with a nod and replies, "Well, we have."
She stares at him in anticipation as he smiles, "Would you truly feel satisfied by doing things this way? I don't mind wrapping another one around your neck." He leans forward and traces the choker on her neck. "I've always enjoyed the idea of fixing my pendant on you. But right here? In the middle of the hall? When we have something more pressing?"
"Now, I wouldn't want to get in your training, right?" Katara snorts, "We can leave all the pressing issues for later."
"Hmm, so I should leave, is that it?" Nik wags his brows. "I should, right?"
Her stare falters as she huffs in annoyance before leaning into him and slowly wrapping her arms around him.
Nik quietly wraps his arms tightly around Katara as her tense body relaxes and her breathing eases. They stay like this for a few minutes before Katara pulls back and smiles slightly, "Thanks. I needed this." Her blue eyes light up with surety and confidence as she quietly holds Nik's hand and leads him to her room.
"Ah," Nik exhales and nods as Katara opens her bedroom door, adding, "I see. Maybe I dreamt of dropping Azula and Ursa at Iroh's yesterday."
---
"Woah! Lemme see!" Toph shoves past everyone with her tiny but solid build before grinning, "Get it?"
Yue smiles as she hugs the excited Earthbender. "I did," Yue chuckles when she feels Toph's face vibrating between her bosom as the blind bandit's muffled words echo, "At least, the stone feels made of some good quality."
Word about Yue and Nik's engagement spread within the manor, and their neighbors from the Ty Manor rushed in, too. Several curious, happy, and envious sets of eyes trace Yue as she barely falters in front of them. Eventually, Jin is the one who speaks for almost everyone present.
"So, did Nik say anything about us?"
"Why so eager?" June cocks her hips and crosses her arms, "Wouldn't you like surprises? Although the surprise is kind of ruined now."
"I never considered you, of all, looking forward to an engagement, June," Michi smiles from the sidelines as she stuffs Tom-Tom with a spoonful of Crusted Mango cereal. The invention of milk with cereals made out of crumbs of crusted mango solved a lot of problems for Tom-Tom's breakfast in Michi's eyes.
"Why? Because I'm a hard ass?" June scoffs.
"Pretty much."
"Was that a question?"
"And kind of a slut, no?"
"That's right, bitch!"
June's smirk broadens at the unanimous agreement from the group.
"I appreciate the kind words, but a woman like me dreams of retiring from my work. And I think I worked hard enough in one lifetime chasing bounties to enjoy riches earned by my man~!"
"I just remembered," Jin smirks mischievously, "She was a furry goat, too, for a while."
"Woah! Really?" The news surprises the Ty Siblings as June works her jaw and stares at the busty and 'ordinary' village girl with the looks that bagged her a Princess and Nik.
"Moving on," June scoffs and looks at Yue, "You wanted me to tag along with you to help your villagers settle?"
"Something like that. And Toph, if possible, to help build them a temporary house and other facilities for the time being."
"Can we join?" Ty Lee questions and looks at her sisters, "We want to develop a schedule for our performance."
"What's going on?" Sokka walks out to the shared room with a yawn as Rena tags along sleepily. "And where's Nik? We had training."
Jin suddenly shivers as she hurriedly speaks, "Wait, I will come with you—"
"No. No, you won't," Suki scoffs and stares at Jin intensely, "I vowed to Kyoshi that I will build a disciplined character out of you!" Ignoring the faint Jin, Suki looks at Sokka as Rena congratulates Yue.
"Nik should be with Katara."
"Hmm," Sokka rubs his jaw and then exhales a groan.
"Will you be alright?" Poppy pats Sokka's back comfortingly as he looks back at the mother of one and smiles wryly, "I think you've got it wrong. I was just thinking it would take us longer to return to the Southern Tribe."
"About that," Yue voices her opinion, "I wanted to discuss if it's possible to develop an area for your villagers before we get to them. The same for your village, Suki." The white-haired princess smiles, "It may just make your case for your friends to follow, right?"
Suki and Sokka look at each other as they see merit to the idea in each other's eyes.
After all, only the two of them had more extensive roles in their homes and wished to bring others along, or at least try.
"So... you're okay with Nik doing your mom?" Ty Woo blinks. Her voice silences the room as the innocuous pretender looks around and shrugs, "What? I can't be the only one thinking about it."
Sokka closes his eyes and exhales a heavy sigh.
"I'm going to sleep again."
"Would you like breakfast—" Rena sighs and shoots Ty Woo an annoyed stare as Sokka cuts in.
"OF COURSE!"
"If this manor was built from rock, I would be seeing them doing it," Toph nods at Ty Woo.
"Oh! Tell me more!" The two of them calmly walk out of the manor as June silently works her jaw and then smiles, "I should make sure the two of them don't do anything stupid."
"She may need a hand," Jin tosses a pleading stare at Suki as the Kyoshi Warrior stares back sternly, "I want you in Kyoshi colors in 30 minutes."
Suki then looks at Michi and Poppy, "Mai already left for the flower shop early today. Would you like to train?"
"Of course!" Michi smiles as Poppy only releases a bitter sigh. Michi has always been more adventurous, be it in her clothing or decisions, unlike Poppy.
"Mom, can I go play in the village?" Tom inquires quickly as Michi nods, "Only if you return by afternoon, oh, and let me pack something for Mai before you leave." The boy was quick to make friends in the personal space, too, as he nods eagerly and awaits Michi to prepare Mai's breakfast.
***
Alternate Title: Decorating a Jewelry with Yue; Moon for the Moon Princess; Nik's Luck Cannot Get Any Worse; The First Mate; Katara's Double Reaction; A Hot Cock for a Dowry; Meeting 'Ursa and Azula' Again; Spread News; Ty Woo Bags Emotional Damage; Sokka—Why are we here? Just to suffer; Suki's Going to Straighten Jin; June the GOAT; Yue's Plan to Develop the Personal Space; Best Breakfast Cereal; Suki, the TRUE Milf Trainer; Making Kyoshi Proud; A Menace in Bonding—Ty Woo, Toph, and June; Nik Does Not Have Male Friends, He Has Stepsons!
***
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