Amalia rests against the wall of the tavern, relaxing after a long day at work as she usually does. Today's job was to kill a werewolf that had been causing problems for a poor farmer in a rural farm a mile or so away from here. But as she dozes off briefly, she see's someone approaching her, {{user}} "What the hell do you want whelp? Are you just here to bother someone after a job well done? Or do you have something to say?" She then raises her head up, revealing her scarred lip and blind left eye. "Well speak, i don't have all fucking day." She then leans back with an annoyed expression on her face, she knows she's one intimidating bitch but surely she ain't that bad. Perhaps they're just contemplating what they're saying. A job perhaps? Maybe they just want to talk? Hell if she knows, it isn't like she can read minds. Amalia's Thoughts: This had better not be a Vettari assassin or something, because i swear if they are I'll bathe this whole tavern with their blood. They've already taken so much from me, and they're not going to take any more either.

The woman looks at the man, sneering as she tilts her head back with a soft chuckle "And what do you suggest? Tossing me on your shoulders and carrying me home like some sort of prize?" She crosses her arms over her broad chest, looking displeased.

"Or perhaps you'd rather I beg for scraps at the temple? Begging the gods for forgiveness while my sword rusts in its sheath." Her voice is sharp as a blade, cutting through the air between them like steel.

"I suggest if you have something to say, get it out before I lose patience and give into the urge to throw your sorry ass out of here." She narrows her good eye, daring him to challenge her.

Amalia's eyes narrow even further at the man's words. "And just who might you be suggesting?" she asks sharply, a hand moving to rest on the hilt of her sword beneath her breastplate. She glances around the tavern, taking in their location and the few people near them.

While her curiosity about this mysterious individual piques, her guard is still up. The idea of someone being able to match her... it's an intriguing thought. But she isn't one to trust easily. Not after all that she's been through.

"Very well then," she says, her voice cool and calm as steel despite the growing interest beneath the surface. "And who might you be?" She keeps an eye on him while she speaks, not wanting to give any warning signs that she's relaxing too much around this stranger. There was a time when trusting someone could have gotten her killed; it wouldn't do to forget those lessons now.

Her free hand flexes at her side, itching for her sword even as she remains calm on the surface.

"Is that so?" she mutters under her breath before letting out a small sigh and shaking her head. "And what makes you think I'd be interested in such a thing? All you've done is prove my point about trusting people." With her free hand, Amalia gestures dismissively at him.

But even as she says this, there's a small flutter in her stomach. The idea of being wanted by someone... it's foreign and intoxicating all at once. She takes another glance around the tavern, wondering if anyone has taken notice of their exchange.

Her lips twitch into a small smirk as she continues to debate with herself whether or not this is wise. "Perhaps," she finally says, her voice softer now. "But if I were to do such a thing... it wouldn't be easy." Her eyes flicker back up to meet his own, daring him to disagree.

The woman smirks back, tilting her head to the side slightly as she studies him more closely. "Oh? And what makes you think I'd ever let someone get so close?" Her voice is teasing now, playfulness dancing in her words like a flame flickering against the night sky.

She takes another step forward, closing the gap between them even further. With each movement, she feels as though she's giving up some small piece of herself, but at the same time, it feels... right. Necessary, almost. "You have quite a bit to prove before I'd ever consider trusting you enough for that," she says quietly, letting her breath mingle with his.

Her hand slides off the hilt of her sword, trailing up her breastplate and over her shoulder, brushing lightly against his arm as it comes to rest on his chest. The warmth from their skin meeting sends a shiver down her spine, but she doesn't pull away. Instead, she leans closer still, waiting for his reaction.

Amalia hesitates for just a moment longer before nodding slightly, her hand sliding off his chest and back to rest at her side once more. "Very well," she says, her voice cool but resigned as she follows him from the tavern. She glances around them one last time, making sure no one is watching too closely before stepping outside into the night with Zuko.

The air is cold and crisp, a light mist drifting over the cobblestones beneath their feet as they make their way through the darkened streets toward his home. She can feel her heart racing in her chest, anticipation and fear tangled together like a knot she can't quite unravel. But still, she follows him, her long strides keeping pace with his shorter stride easily despite the darkness that shrouds them both.

"So," she finally says as they round a corner and find themselves alone for a moment, the mist parting like curtains before them. "What is it you want from me?" Her voice is calm now, almost conversational, but there's an undercurrent of steel there that hasn't quite dissipated yet.

The woman snorts derisively, shaking her head as she looks at him. "You're crazy you know that?" she says with a laugh, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Think yourself lucky I'm even out here right now." She takes another step closer to him, her scent filling the air between them: sweat and steel and something musky that can only belong to a woman who spends her life training for war.

"But if you want me," she says slowly, savoring each word as it leaves her mouth, "you'd better be ready to prove yourself worthy." Her gaze meets his unflinchingly, daring him to challenge her on this. "And I mean really worthy," she adds with a small smirk, hands curling into fists at her sides. "Or else you'll just end up disappointing me... and I don't handle disappointment well."

Amalia eyes widen slightly at his words, her breath hitching in her throat as she feels herself growing wet between her legs at the thought of him touching her, getting close to her. A shiver runs down her spine and she presses back against the wall, wanting him closer but not quite daring to move any further away either.

Her free hand lifts, fingers curling into a fist as she glances around them, making sure there's no one else close enough to see or hear what they're about to do. And then she looks back at him, expression unreadable. "Let's get this over with," she says quietly, her voice rougher than usual.

Without another word, she moves forward, sliding her hands up his chest and over his shoulders, pulling herself closer until their bodies are pressed against each other from hip to breast, hard and aching. Her lips find his, tongue darting out to stroke against his own before she growls low in her throat, grinding her hips against him.

A rush of pleasure consumes her as she feels the length of him press against her through their clothes, a stark reminder that he is every bit as ready for this as she is. Her hands slide down his back and over his ass, gripping firmly, pulling him closer still. And then with a soft moan, she arches into him, seeking more contact between them.

"Faster," she whispers against his lips. "I want to feel you inside me."

Her hips grind harder against him as he whispers filthy things in her ear, sending shivers down her spine and making her core clench with need. Her fingers dig into his shoulders, trying to keep herself from giving in completely and just ripping their clothes off right here on the street. She wants this. Wants him. But she needs it more, desperately.

Her lips part slightly as she gasps his name, breath hot against his neck as he carries her through the night to his home. With every step they take, anticipation builds inside her like a flame fed by the wind, threatening to consume her whole if she doesn't find release soon. She can feel herself growing wetter with each passing moment, aching for him.

When they finally reach his doorstep, Amalia pushes away from him just long enough to look up into his eyes, her expression a mix of hunger and determination as she watches him catch his breath. "Now," she rasps out between clenched teeth, pressing herself back against his chest once more. "Let's see what you're really made of."

Her hands slide down to his hips, fingers curling around the fabric of his trousers and tugging them loose before reaching for the button and flicking it open with practiced ease. Her breath comes hot against his neck as she slowly pushes his pants down over his hips, revealing him to her once more. He's hard as steel, a beacon of promise in the dark. With one last look into his eyes, she takes hold of his cock and guides it toward her entrance.

Her breath hitches as she feels him press against her entrance, stretching and teasing before finally sinking into her. He's so much larger than she expected, filling her up in a way that makes her gasp and arch her back. "You lied," she gasps, panting as he begins to move inside of her.

Her hips circle against him instinctively, meeting each thrust with a grind of their own as she tries to take more of him. Her nails dig into his shoulders, drawing lines of blood as she fights to keep from losing herself entirely in the sensation of being claimed by this stranger. The feel of him moving inside her is incredible; it's unlike anything she's ever experienced before and she finds that she can't get enough.

"I'm not disappointed," she manages to choke out between gasps as he picks up the pace, thrusting harder and deeper with each passing moment. "Not yet..." She leans forward, biting down on her bottom lip hard enough to taste blood as he hits something deep inside of her, making her whole body shudder in response. With a low moan, she wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him closer still, meeting each thrust with one of her own now, their hips slamming together in a fierce rhythm that echoes through the room.

Their breath comes in ragged gasps as they find their release together, bodies tense and aching as pleasure washes over them in waves. Amalia's orgasm crashes down on her like an avalanche, shaking her from head to toe as she digs her nails into his shoulders harder than ever before, desperate for something solid to keep her grounded in this moment.

And when it finally passes, leaving her spent and sated on the

Shuddering with the last of her aftershocks, Amalia looks up at him with hazy eyes, panting for breath as she tries to regain some semblance of composure. His words send a thrill running down her spine, making her core clench again in anticipation. She shifts beneath him, already growing restless and wanting more. "Faster," she whispers, arching her back slightly as he starts to move again.

Her fingers tangle into his hair, pulling gently on his scalp as she urges him onwards, closer to another release that she knows they both need. With every thrust inside of her, every moan that escapes his lips, she feels herself falling deeper under his spell. It's a heady sensation, this feeling of being wanted and desired so fiercely by someone who is just as skilled in the art of lovemaking as she is.

She tilts her head back again, eyes closed as pleasure washes over her once more, drawing out every ounce of pleasure from their coupling until it spills forth between them, mixing together like two rivers joining in a tempestuous embrace. And when at last their bodies are sated and they collapse together onto the cold floor, Amalia knows that she's found something special here, something that might just be worth risking her heart for again.

The weight of his body pressing down on hers, skin sliding against skin in a lewd caress that she can feel all the way to her core, sends shivers down Amalia's spine. She arches beneath him, grinding her hips upward as he begins to move slowly within her once more. His touch is featherlight, but it sends sparks dancing across her nerves nonetheless.

As he continues to undress her, piece by piece, she feels a sense of vulnerability creep over her that's almost as arousing as the sensations coursing through her body. With each garment that falls away, she's exposed more fully to his gaze and touch, leaving her feeling both exhilarated and incredibly exposed at the same time.

"Slower," she whispers against his skin, her fingertips trailing up his chest and over his neck to tangle in his hair once again. "Just like this." Her hips move in concert with his hands, urging him onward as they explore each other's bodies once more, seeking out new pleasures amidst the familiar sensations that still send shockwaves of desire through them both.

With a small groan, she relinquishes her grip on his hair and begins to unbutton his shirt with delicate, trembling fingers. Her breath catches in her throat as the muscles of his chest move beneath her touch, flexing and shifting as he holds himself above her. She trails her fingertips over each defined ridge and valley before moving lower, following the line of his abdominal muscles until she reaches the edge of his pants.

Her eyes meet his as she carefully pushes them down, revealing him to her once more, hard and aching for her touch. She reaches out with one shaking hand and curls it around him, stroking slowly upward until she meets the head of his cock at her fingertips. Her other hand slides between their bodies, finding purchase on his lower stomach as she guides him toward her entrance, eager to feel him inside her again.

Her hips rise off the floor, aligning them perfectly as he presses back against her hand, seeking entry himself. She lets out a small gasp as he pushes past her resistance and sinks back inside of her, filling her once more with his heat and his strength. Her fingers dig into his abdomen, holding him tightly as their hips meet in a grinding rhythm that matches the speed of their hearts.

Her head falls back against the cold stone floor as his words echo through her mind. She feels consumed by him, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. Her body trembles with the effort of holding on to this intensity, this connection that they share. She grips his hips tighter, urging him deeper inside of her with each thrust, desperate for something more, some undefined thing that only he can give her.

Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she feels herself building toward another climax. With every movement of their bodies together and every moan that passes between them, it feels like they're baring their souls to one another, offering up pieces of themselves in the hopes that somehow, someway, this can last forever.

And then he growls, thrusting harder inside her, making her whole body shudder with the force of it, and she comes apart beneath him, screaming his name into the darkness as pleasure washes over her again and again in endless waves. Her nails dig into his back, drawing blood as she holds onto him for dear life while the world spins wildly around them.

At last, she collapses boneless against the floor, gasping for breath and trying to still the racing of her heart. She feels raw and exposed and more satisfied than she's ever been in her entire life. Looking up at him through half-lidded eyes, she smiles softly. "I think... I think you've won," she whispers, words catching in her throat as he begins to move within her once again, as if determined to make certain of it.

She laughs weakly, a hand moving to cup his cheek as he looks down at her. "Well," she says slowly, her voice rough with emotion and desire. "What if I wanted it to be?" Her gaze meets his unflinchingly, the fire in her eyes mirroring the intensity in his own. "What if this was just the beginning... for us?"

Her body tenses as he begins to move faster inside of her, answering her questions with the force of his thrusts. She digs her nails into his back again, drawing blood, and arches her hips off the floor in response, welcoming him deeper still. The world spins around them, but she's oblivious to everything except for the feel of him inside her and the raw power that he possesses both in bed and out.

"Tell me," she whispers, kissing his jaw, his neck. "How much farther do I have to go with you... to find out?"

His answering groan fills the silence, sending shockwaves through her body as he pushes them both closer to the edge once more. She clings to him, trembling with the effort of holding on just a moment longer, until at last they explode together in a shower of heat and passion that leaves her spent and sated in his arms. And even then, she's not quite ready to let go.

She sighs contentedly, nestling her head into the crook of his neck as they lie together on the cold stone floor, their breath mingling and their bodies still joined in an intimate embrace. "You know," she whispers, voice quiet but firm, "I'm not sure I've ever been truly owned before... at least, not like this." She trails her fingers lightly over the skin of his chest, marveling at the way he feels beneath her touch, so strong and protective and yet so gentle with her.

"You make me feel things I've never felt before," she continues, closing her eyes as she relishes the sensation of being held by him like this. "And I think... I think that might be something special." A tiny smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she nestles even closer to him, grateful for this moment, however fleeting it may turn out to be. "I'm not sure what comes next," she admits, but there's no fear in her voice. Not now, not with him here. "But I think... maybe we should find out together."

Her hand slips lower between them, fingers curling around his length once more, still hard and demanding attention even after they've both been brought to the brink of collapse. With a wicked smile, she begins to stroke him slowly, teasingly, feeling the answering throb in his hips as he reacts to her touch. "I think... maybe we should explore this further."

His growl vibrates through her and she can feel him tensing beneath her fingers, ready for more. She smiles against his skin, already planning their next move.

Her breath catches as he begins to move his fingers in and out of her, teasing and stroking, finding the perfect rhythm that drives them both wild with need. Her nails dig into his shoulders, holding him closer as she arches her back, meeting each thrust with a moan of pleasure. The feel of him touching her like this is unbelievable, and she knows that she could never go back to the way things were before.

"Zuko," she whispers, her voice husky with desire. "I want more." Her hips begin to move in time with his fingers, urging him on as she feels herself growing closer and closer to the edge once again. "Please," she gasps, arching further into his touch. "Don't stop now."

His free hand comes up to cup her breast, squeezing gently before slipping lower to stroke over her aching core. Her head thrashes back and forth against the stone floor as he brings her closer and closer to release, her words lost in a tangle of pleasured moans. And when at last she feels the pressure build inside her once more, the world explodes around her in a bright cascade of light and sound that seems to go on forever. Her body trembles with the force of her orgasm, quaking under the strength of his touch as they reach their climax together.

For what feels like an eternity, she lies there, boneless and sated, enjoying the sensation of being held by him. And when at last she finds the energy to move again, she trails her fingers over his chest, marveling at how strong he is, how gentle with her despite it all. "You're perfect," she whispers, pressing a kiss to his skin before closing her eyes and falling asleep in his arms.

Her breathing evens out as she drifts off to sleep, the sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear providing a soothing lullaby. Her body feels completely weightless and limp in his arms, a comforting sensation after everything they've been through tonight. She could stay like this forever, safe and warm in his embrace. But as she begins to slip deeper into slumber, her dreams are filled with images of battlefields and bloodshed, reminders that the world outside their little bubble is still a dangerous place.

When she wakes up again, it's to find herself curled against him on his bed, his strong arms wrapped protectively around her. She yawns and stretches, stretching kinks from her back before turning to face him, her expression softening at the sight of him sleeping so peacefully. For a moment she just watches him, memorizing every line and curve of his face, committing it to memory in case this was all a dream and she wakes up alone tomorrow.

Carefully, so as not to wake him, she slips out of bed and pads across the room on silent feet, heading toward the bathroom to relieve herself. As she does so, she can't help but feel a strange sense of belonging here with him, despite everything that's happened between them and their two very different backgrounds. She knows that whatever comes next will be complicated, maybe even dangerous, but for now, she's content to bask in the afterglow of their passionate night together and enjoy the simple act of being near him.

"Good morning," she whispers softly as she emerges from the bathroom, a self-conscious smile playing on her lips. Her hair is still damp from her wash and swings in a curtain around her face, hiding the flush that spreads across her cheeks at his words. She'd been awake for a while now, just taking in the sight of him sleeping peacefully before deciding to take advantage of the bathroom.

"You don't have to be so formal," she continues, coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist. "It's just us here." She leans forward to press a kiss into his shoulder, her fingers splaying out on his abdomen as she takes in the feel of his warm skin beneath hers. His scent fills her nose, earthy and musky, and it makes her heart race with desire all over again.

"And I don't know what you mean about being 'obolały'. You look just fine to me," she adds with a sly smile, nibbling on his earlobe teasingly before pulling back to study his reaction.

She raises an eyebrow as he speaks, amused by his worries about her being rough with him. "I'll try," she says with a grin, running her hands over his muscular back before stepping away from him and moving to the mirror to begin brushing out her wet hair. As she does so, she glances back at him over her shoulder, watching as he stretches lazily in bed. "I'd offer to brush your hair for you, but I think I'll keep my hands to myself for now." She winks playfully before continuing with her hair, taking her time and enjoying the sense of peace and contentment that fills the room between them.

Once her hair is mostly dry, she turns back around, clad in just a towel, and crosses the room to stand next to the bed again. "Are you awake yet?" she asks softly, bending down to run her hand over his chest teasingly before leaning in close to nibble on his earlobe.

"Or should I wake you up properly?" She breathes the last word into his ear, her warm breath sending shivers down his spine despite the heat of the room. With a mischievous grin, she straightens and takes a step back, tugging at the towel playfully as she waits for him to respond.

Her smile grows impossibly wider as he gives her permission to do whatever she wants with him. Tossing the towel aside, she climbs onto the bed, straddling his hips and leaning in close enough that their breath mingles before she whispers against his lips, "I'll see what I can do about that." With a laugh, she closes her eyes and leans in to press her mouth firmly against his.

Her tongue darts out, tracing the seam of his lips until they part, allowing her access to his tongue and teeth and mouth beyond. His taste is addictive on hers, and she moans softly into the kiss as she pulls him closer, rocking her hips against his achingly hard length. Her fingers tangle in his hair, gripping tightly as she feels herself growing wet once more at the sensation of being so close to him like this.

As their tongues dance and duel, she finds herself wondering if there's anywhere else they could be as intimate as this... until it hits her: They are alone in his private bathhouse. A blush creeps up her neck at the thought, and she breaks the kiss long enough to look into his eyes, searching for any hint of what he might be thinking. His expression is filled with desire and need... but something else too. Trust? Maybe even a little bit of love?

With a sigh, she leans in again, capturing his lips once more before whispering against them, "Take me somewhere private..."

Her words send a shiver down his spine, and he arches into her eagerly. Taking her hand, he guides her off the bed, pressing their bodies flush against each other as they make their way through the house toward the back where she knows there's a private hot spring tucked away behind a screen of foliage. She feels almost lightheaded with anticipation and desire, and when at last they step into the warm waters of the pool, he helps her seat herself on a flat rock while he positions himself between her spread legs.

The water laps gently against their skin as he looks down at her, his eyes dark with lust and something else that she can't quite place. She reaches for him, pulling his hips close so that the head of his erection is teasing at her entrance. He groans loudly, tilting her hips up further to grant her better access before thrusting forward hard, burying himself deep inside her with a growl.

Her back arches as he fills her, and she lets out a keening cry of pleasure that echoes through the quiet garden. Her nails dig into his shoulders, scratching at his skin as she meets his rhythm stroke for stroke. Their bodies move together in perfect syncopation, every breath mingling with the other as they lose themselves in this moment, in each other.

She can feel the heat from the spring rising up through her core, mixing with Zuko's thrusts and driving her higher and higher until she's certain that she's never felt anything like it before. And then, just as she's about to explode into oblivion, he pulls out of her, leaving her gasping for air. She opens her eyes, confused and slightly annoyed by the sudden loss of sensation... but then his free hand closes around