Chapter 252: Mothers Love Nik

Chapter 252: Mothers Love NikChapter 252: Mothers Love Nik

"I'll be fine!" Katara draws in slight annoyance. Her father's circumstances were already stranded heavily on her mind and even if Yue or Jin wanted to console her, Katara didn't want to be consoled.

They'd left the island shortly after Kya, Sokka, and Katara returned and Kya only went into detail once they left the island.

The situation... was truly disheartening. And it also showed that Ozai's death means jackshit as the man had left an impression so deep that society will need years to recover whether anyone acknowledges it or not.

Katara continues to ignore the figure and lets her gaze roam the wide ocean with the evening sun threatening to set beyond the horizon which left an amber glow to the sky and a shimmering reflection upon the waves.

At least... water doesn't disappoint her. It's only after a few minutes and fleeting glances at the hands of the figure leaning beside her that she looks up with a sad smile, "Hey... I guess you're stuck with trying to cheer up Ozai's victims, huh? First Zuko and now me and Sokka."

Nik shares her glance but doesn't reply and turns to watch the ocean beside her.

In reality... the group had made plans. A lot of it. Even 'fun' ones since they were curious about his new dimensions but... things hardly go as planned. The news of Hakoda's fate came as a gut-wrenching kick to the group which left a mark especially because they thought they won.

No. They just killed Ozai. The damage is done.

'I'm no winner... I'm a killer,' Nik feels slightly exhausted, 'A part of me wants to laugh at the rhyme it sounds but... no need to distract myself from the truth. And that is— I'd do it all again.'

Restraining from recollecting how he has grown over his adventure since he has done it many times and the conclusions are almost always the same, Nik finally whispers once the amber in the sky receded and dusk crept past the horizon.

"I'm sorry..."

"Yeah..." Katara sighs but doesn't try and pry away the unsettling yet oddly comforting silence of Nik's company. Not now, at least.

Unwilling to do nothing for Katara, however, Nik gently beckons his hand up and bends away a small globe of seawater that soon transforms into a band of water. Making it coil like a snake chasing its tail, Nik questions Katara softly, "Would you like to practice a bit?"

Katara looks hesitant for a moment but eventually shakes her head, "No... Thank you, though."

Dropping the water, Nik finally exhales audibly, "Zuko wasn't a victim."

"Pardon me?" Katara looks up to Nik who repeats, "Zuko isn't a victim... that thing you said about me comforting Ozai's victims... Zuko isn't one. I don't believe you're a victim either."

Katara stays silent as Nik thinks about his words carefully. With Sokka, Aang, and Zuko, even in the toughest time, he could speak freely but... he didn't know how to handle THIS situation because even if he puts himself in Katara's or Sokka's shoes... he doesn't understand their intricate emotions.

From their love for their father to their final decision of letting go of it.

One thing he IS clear on, however, is losses do not equate to victimhood.

"Maybe... you feel that the world is working against you," Nik contemplates how he would feel if things turned to shit after a rather happy event, "Or maybe you feel that whatever you did wasn't worthwhile... you just have to believe otherwise."

"If only it was that simple," Katara whispers back.

"It isn't," Nik exhales heavily.

"Nik... I know you told us you were technically an orphan in your past life... but did you ever want to meet your parents?" Katara suddenly questions.

"Huh?" Nik looks at her with a surprised expression.

"Why are you so surprised?" Katara glances at him, "We know you don't like to delve too deep into your past but... if it isn't too difficult, I am interested to know more about you. If nothing else, just to... think of something else."

"Oh, you got the wrong idea," Nik smiles, "I'm surprised... because I never thought about it until this moment."

"Seriously?" Katara looks at him with a weird expression as he shrugs.

"Well, before my 'Mother' took me in, all I had in my mind was trying to find something... well, edible from anywhere. You know, breakfast. I'd try not to get any wet stuff because it felt icky to me at the time but... that's about it. And after I got picked by my 'Mother', again, life didn't really give me enough time to wonder seriously about my parents."

"I'm sorry," Katara voices out. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

"Don't worry about it," Nik chuckles.

"No... I'm sorry I had the gall to call myself a victim."

"Hey, now," Nik rolls his eyes, "No need to be coy."

Katara smiles briefly and then sighs deeply, "But... still, don't you like... hate your parents? They left you... abandoned and forgot you..."

"I would never know if I was forgotten out of necessity, love, indifference, or any number of things," Nik reaches out and holds Katara's right hand and gives it an assuring squeeze, "But you're still the luckier one, Katara. Unlike me... you know. Take it from a veteran... don't hate he who loves you unconditionally."

Katara turns to look at the tides once again as Nik continues to hold her hand.

His words bring forth a similar tide of memories. They are gentle. They are soothing...

And these memories are loving.

Katara's eyes warm up once again and glaze over with tears slowly leaking out from the corner.

She isn't crying. She isn't sobbing. She is still calm and... just peaceful. She is simply... tearful.

"I know I haven't been always easy to deal with... thank you for everything," Katara whispers as she snuggles her way into a hug and wraps her arm tightly around Nik.

"I'll accept your gratitude only if you eat something. Even Sokka and Kya are worried for you," Nik chuckles.

"Hey, you just posed a condition... so I guess you don't love me unconditionally?" Katara looks up from his chest with a cheeky smile despite her red watery eyes and tear stains marring her cheeks.

"I know I'll love what will come from us. Unconditionally."

Flushing slightly, Katara lowers her head and buries her face into his chest. With her voice now muffled, she questions meekly, "Gee, you really thought about all that stuff?"

"Of course," Nik grins and holds her closer, "Again, I want that future. But working on it is what's going to be the more interesting journey."

"Oh, and Nik..." Katara whispers, "Don't you ever forget to give me your attention. No matter who or what more you have later down the line."

Nik understands fully what she means but he still chuckles, "That would be hard, you know... children always take priority."

Pulling back with an unamused expression, she promptly rolls her eyes and questions, "So? What's for dinner?"

"I think our Aura has a good match," The acrobat's cheeks redden slightly but instead of being an incoherent mess, she sports a beautiful and sincere smile, "But... if your only doubt is that you think I might not take your words seriously then you're wrong. I... I..."

Glancing at the other girls watching her like trained hawks, Ty Lee's composure finally slips and she lowers her head once more in this moment of honest vulnerability. Red overtakes her face and steam threaten to escape her ears as she whispers in a soft and sweet voice, "I... like you..."

"Oh, hmm, yeah, I know," Nik's rather casual tone makes Ty Lee whip her head up and stare at him as he grins, "Me, too. But again, my story is more outlandish than the spirits'... well, maybe not MORE outlandish than theirs. Just as much."

"So... you'll tell me?" Ty Lee questions quickly, eager to change the subject from her confession and suppress the rapid beating of her heart at Nik's response.

"Uh... no? Not tonight... I was actually hoping to..." Nik chuckles wryly and looks past Ty Lee, making her look back at other girls who sport knowing smiles, not the least bit ashamed. In fact, a part of them feels delighted that Nik prioritized them.

It's not jealousy toward Ty Lee that makes them think like this but the fact that Nik chooses to put them before other girls he isn't related with when push comes to shove.

"Oh..." Ty Lee's lips part and she struggles not to feel conflicted. While the group isn't envious... she certainly is and noting her expression, Yue sighs, "Please don't feel so down. We can... shift tonight's arrangement—"

"Like hell we will," The Fire Princess butts in and scolds the water princess, "Besides, you're the one who wanted it the most ever since Nik came out swol and all. Don't you deny it. We were all there when we sparred."

Yue sputters and blushes before stealing glances at Nik as he winks, making her feel even more... well, hot. Bothered.

"Hmm... I should leave..." Ty Lee accepts reluctantly and proceeds to leave when Azula chuckles, "Hold your horses. What I don't get is what's so wrong about getting down on him in a matter of days. I did it, Jin and June are the same. Toph's mom and Mai's mom, too, had him in days and Yue is no exception. And should I even go into details about him and Zuko?"

"Would you drop it?" Nik groans, "We got dragons, alright. And we fought dragons. Get your head out of the gutter."

"Anyway," Azula asserts with a lick of her full lips, "I don't see why you get to spare Ty Lee when you didn't spare me at Mai's whims."

Ty Lee gulps and leans back slightly, "Azula?"

"And you know? A few of the girls wouldn't mind taking you BUT... he's more dangerous." Azula pouts and throws Nik an annoyed glance. Girls like Azula and June got their fair share of pumps in the name of discipline the moment they tried something and although they are quite satisfied now, it is only in their nature to want more. A kind of nature that is more vicious than Nik's own needs.

Standing up and walking to the bed, Azula straddles herself on Nik's waist and exhales heatedly, "I'm done with this game of waiting as if you two don't want it done already."

Katara's gaze briefly shits before she looks at Nik while Azula looks back at Ty Lee and chuckles maliciously, "About time we stopped going easy on you just because you like more attention and unlike before where I snapped at you wrongly... I mean every word now."

Ty Lee glares slightly as Nik stares at Azula, "You done? This isn't how you court a woman."

"No worries," Azula suddenly winks, "The thing with Ty Lee is that she isn't alone. If you can't get Ty Lee, I'll help you get other... similar faces. Maybe the whole collection EXCEPT Ty Lee—"

"Alright," Nik pushes Azula to the bed as she lets out an 'OOMPH' and he looks at Ty Lee who is already on the verge of a breakdown, "We can't get a whole collection without you, right? Don't mind her words."

"Pfft," Jin suddenly burst out laughing as Ty Lee snaps, "That's the part you had a problem with?"

"Look," Nik glances at her seriously, "Just because you think you will get forgotten in a sea of similar faces doesn't mean I will forget you."

"Hey! You broke my flow!" Azula doesn't sit up but lays on her side and drawls in annoyance like a cat.

"Um... the whole point of NOT discussing your situation right now was to wrap up the conversation," Yue interjects with a cough, "So... can we... ehm... get on?"

Ty Lee feels even more conflicted as all the gazes land on her once again. Nobody is really forcing her to stay here or filling her ears with how she should just fuck... well, except Azula. But that's the thing about Azula, she loves being THAT toxic presence. Not others, however, and Ty Lee knows that.

But... despite all this, she slumps on the bed and raises her voice rather childishly, "I'm just lying here... don't mind me."

"That's not how this works," Even Katara deadpans, feeling more than distracted from her own heavy feelings due to Ty Lee's antics.

"Works for me," Azula shrugs, "I just know where to sit after a good fill-up."

"And there you go..." Nik massages his head, "How about I send you back?"

Yet, Ty Lee doesn't answer and stubbornly keeps silent.

"How about we return?" Jin smiles in amusement, finally stirring Ty Lee once more, "I... just... uh..."

Sitting up, Ty Lee requests, "Can I stay...?"

"Nope," Nik scoffs, "This ain't a show."

Clenching her fist and then lightly pounding them on the mattress in frustration as if others weren't feeling equally frustrated, Ty Lee finally slumps her shoulder, "This isn't how I expected my first night..."

"I—" she turns to look back at Nik only to find Azula on top of him once again as they heatedly share a passionate kiss.

"Uh..." Ty Lee falls speechless as Jin giggles, "Don't worry. Azula is basically a firecracker. Eager, bright, and loud... but a short duration of joy nonetheless."

"Oh wow... so you guys even have metaphors..." Ty Lee blinks in surprise, not expecting Azula to be a 'firecracker.'

"We don't," Suki smiles, "Only Jin does."

Although Ty Lee still feels a little nervous, she feels quite a bit comfortable in a few minutes as things begin to develop for the whole group.

***

Alternate Title: One of the Many Firecrackers of the Harem; This Ain't a Show— You Participate or You Leave; Gotta Get the Whole Collection

***

Join discord for Harem and Nik Pics.

Support the Fanfic through comments, likes, reviews and such (if the published site allows it—your boy's multi-site-nal!) and of course, the big P!

Shoutout to Tyler H!!

Read 30 advance chapters on—

Patre /fanharem

Join the discord for character pics (most of them are too heavy to be updated here)

https : //discord.gg/egdFUe5