There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful

~Alessia Cara

Normally he wouldn't stomp around in the arctic forest like this. If he were hunting, he'd be as quiet as a hamster-mouse in order to sneak up on his prey. He was looking for something, but he didn't need the element of surprise to find it. He just wasn't very happy about coming out here in the first place. It was all his sister's fault.

Dad should have never given it to her. He should have known she'd have terrible aim. But, noooooooo, since I have waterbending, she had to have something, too.

Out of frustration, he formed icicles in his gloved hand and hurled them at a nearby tree. Snow and pine cones rained down from the frozen canopy above. He squinted up at the midday sun.

Maybe it's stuck in a tree?

He wasn't sure if the method of launching ice daggers at tree trunks would be effective in his search, but for the time being, it was fun. The whole forest erupted in a flurry of activity as he haphazardly flung water here and there. He always felt better when surrounded by his element. Waterbending always provided a release.

"Ouch!"

It took a moment to register that he was not alone in the forest.

"Who's there?!"

He waited for the snow to settle and the air to clear before cautiously moving toward the source of the sound. He could see red fabric just beyond the outline of a tree trunk. The forest was deadly quiet except for the faintness of heavy breathing.

"I said, who's there?" He summoned water just in case. Red was the color of the enemy.

"If you'll release me, then I'll tell you. And we can work out… an agreement," said a raspy female voice.

Release you? He circled around just as the other person finished speaking. What he found there made him forget he had been looking for something else altogether.

Pale skin, dark hair, golden eyes. Most definitely Fire Nation. His icicles had pinned her raised hands at the sleeves and parts of her cloak to the tree. She was the enemy, of course, so he had her right where he wanted her, even if just by chance. But he noted a certain beauty about her. Even as she scowled back at him, her face seemed to glow. Even the burn scar across her left eye added to the intrigue. It didn't phase him. He'd seen worse injuries after a Fire Nation attack on his village. It just meant she was a fighter—and a survivor.

She began eyeing him with equal intensity. She noticed his reaction—or lack thereof. "You didn't—nevermind." She cleared her throat and diverted her gaze. "So… the icicles?"

He folded his arms across his chest. "You think I'm just going to release you? A Fire Nation citizen in Water Tribe territory."

"I'm not just any citizen. I'm the princess and the heir to the throne. I can get you whatever you want. Name your price."

"Last I checked, there were no women ruling in the Fire Nation. Unlikely story."

"Fine. I'm a firebender, so I'll just melt my way out of this. And then you'll be sorry."

"If you could do that, then you would have already."

She shifted her weight—and her tactic. "I... I have a ship... with a crew. They'll come looking for me. Let's make a deal, and my men will leave you and your village alone."

That was the first thing that made sense to him. Because he knew he could handle this Fire Nation girl on his own, but it only took a small spark to light a fire. The village couldn't sustain a full attack, not when it was just women and children. Even still, they made all their decisions as a tribe. This should be no different.

"Well, we can't negotiate here. I'm taking you back to the village. You can stand before the Chief. My Gran Gran and older sister will have something to say, too, I'm sure."

"The Chief isn't there. He's out fighting in the war. Do you think I'm that stupid?"

"Well, I'm next in line to be Chief!"

"Last I checked, there were no second-borns ruling in the Water Tribe. Unlikely story." A smirk spread across her face.

Dammit. Why does she have to be beautiful and smart?

He closed the gap between them. He knew better than to allow himself to be that vulnerable, but she made him feel on edge—angry, yes, but also adventurous, and a little aroused if he was willing to admit it. There were no girls his age in the village save his sister.

"Listen! You're in enemy territory and you're MY prisoner, so I don't think you—"

Something shiny hanging around her neck—her slender, perfect neck—caught his eye. It was a gold chain with a brilliant red gemstone pendant. She saw where his gaze had landed, and her breath quickened. His attention then shifted to the rise and fall of her chest.

Oh, for the love of tui and la, why me?

Her voice was low and husky. "I said let's make a deal. But that's not part of my terms."

"Wha-what!?" He didn't know how they did things in the Fire Nation, but he would never think to ask for that. But maybe if she offered, he wouldn't decline. It would be for the safety of the tribe after all.

She swallowed hard, and he watched her throat as she did, fighting the urge to get started—and start by kissing her there.

I wonder what the scar feels like. He was taking off his gloves before he even realized he was doing it.

"The necklace," she said. "It's not part of the negotiations. It's special."

Oh.

"And why not? It's bound to be valuable. I could make it worth it to you." He tucked a lock of her hair behind her scarred ear. She flinched.

"It is valuable. But not like you think. It's my… mother's."

"Even better. Something that belongs to the Fire Lady. You said I could name my price."

"No!" she said forcefully. "It's all I have left of her." Her face reddened at the admission, matching the color of her cloak. The color of the enemy.

Oh.

He backed away. "S-s-sorry. That's something we have in common, I guess."

Neither of them spoke for a while. He could still hear her heavy breathing. He wondered if she was scared. He wondered if she felt the same way he did. Like maybe they weren't really that different. Like maybe if they weren't enemies, they could be something else.

"So, why are you even here?" he asked.

"I lost something. This is where the trail led me."

"Oh. I lost something, too. Maybe we could look together. What does your, uhh, thing look like?"

"It's not a thing, it's a person. And I don't need your help."

"Well, unless you're looking for a village full of Water Tribe women and children, there's nobody here but you and me."

She let out a long exaggerated sigh. "Yes, it would seem that way. So, are you going to let me go, or what?"

"I told you. I'm taking you back to the village. The question is, do you want to walk on your own? Or do I need to bind you and carry you?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"Well, if you come along on your own, the tribe will go easier on you."

"Oh, yes, please save me from the peasants!" she mocked.

Damn, that's sexy.

He was in her space again—this time with the intention of releasing her from the icicles, one by one, slowly and sensually. First, the one by her left rib cage, and he let a hand graze across her midsection as he reached for the one on her right. He heard her gasp and watched the steam from their quickened breaths join together in the narrowing gap between them. Then, the icicle by her thigh, and he could swear she rolled her hip into him. Then, the icicle piercing the fabric of her right pant leg. He yelped as she hooked that leg around him and pulled him into her.

She was close enough to whisper in his ear. "Is that an icicle in your pocket, or are you just—"

He cut her off with a kiss, deep and hungry. It didn't matter that it was his first kiss. It felt familiar—it tasted familiar, like… toasted marshmallows. Yes, that was it—like something burnt combined with something sweet—mmmm, chocolate.

She must have freed her hands herself, and if coherent thought were possible at this point, he would have wondered why she didn't just do that in the first place. But those hands—those burning hands—were now rubbing him all over and pushing him to the ground, and he had no choice but to melt underneath her.

He would have never thought removing clothing in such frigid temperatures would offer relief, but his captive was making quick work of it. With his fur coat as a cushion below them and her cloak as a canopy above them, he imagined they were imprisoned there together—soon to be set free. The smell of sweat and sex was thick in the air, but before she lowered herself on him, he reached out and gently caressed her face. It was as if to say, this isn't part of the negotiations. It's special.

At his touching of the scar, she froze. And shivered. Still hovering over him, she spoke just above a whisper, "So… it doesn't… bother you?"

"Huh?" What about this situation could possibly bother me?

"The s-s-scar. It's horrid."

"I didn't—it doesn't still hurt, does it?"

"No. It was—it happened years ago."

He saw pain flash in her eyes as she started to pull away. He wanted nothing more than to take the pain away. He would heal her if he could. And if maybe they weren't enemies—with benefits—he could be someone who would take care of her. He would make sure no one ever hurt her like that again.

He pulled her back toward him. "No. It doesn't bother me. I think you're beautiful."

She looked doubtful at his confession, so he kissed her again. And then again. And again. And the rest was just a jumble of in and out, rise and fall, fire and ice, build and release, blue and red, warrior and captive, princess and peasant...

Then, lost and found.

She did end up going back to the village with him. His sister met them just at the clearing between the tundra and the forest. She glared at the other girl, but he didn't care. She hadn't caused any trouble, yet. Quite the contrary, in fact.

"Sorry, sis. I couldn't find it."

"Of course you didn't! That's because it's a boomerang! It came back!"

He smacked himself on the forehead. "Of course! It's always in the last place you look."

His sister rolled her eyes. "Well, I don't know why you went stomping off into the forest in the first place. So, who's your friend here?"

Oh. I never even asked her name.

They both eyed each other nervously and exchanged a series of ums and uhhs before his sister lost her patience. "Oh, nevermind. Aang just arrived, so hurry up, OK?" With that, she bounded off ahead of them.

"Who's Aang?" the Fire Nation princess asked.

"Oh, he's the Avatar. He's a friend of ours," the Water Tribe boy answered.

He couldn't read her expression just then. It wasn't flirty like when she was pinned to the tree. It certainly wasn't sultry like when she was rolling around in the snow. It was dark. And determined. He literally jumped when she summoned a flame and held it strong and steady in the palm of her hand.

"Oh, good. My bending is back," she deadpanned.

"Uhh, that's nice."

"So, I'm ready to begin our negotiations."