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It was nearing the end. This move would determine everything. A pair of blue eyes analysed every possible route, every possible strategy she could use against him.
An opening.
She narrowed her gaze, determined to give nothing away to the eyes she was well aware of watching her every move intently. The small wooden tile rolled between her fingers as she made a show of last-minute planning, even though her next move was already set in stone - she wouldn’t give anything away.
With one upward glance, she saw Aang, his hand over his mouth, deep in thought; but his attention was on her rather than on the board. Their eyes met, and he looked down, no doubt with a smirk behind his palm. Katara knew it was a ploy, a way to knock her concentration, but despite the dim burn of her cheeks, she placed the tile, positive the move marked her victory as she leaned back onto her hands, a smirk gracing her lips. Aang only raised a brow.
“Well, well, Avatar. Looks like I-” But he took a breath, lifting his hand, to her discontent, and placed his white lotus tile on the board. “…win.” Katara couldn’t hide her look of envy, but his smile was proving difficult for her to stand her ground, the corners of her mouth threatening to tug upwards.
“Don’t get too upset,” Aang sighed, beginning to remove his tiles from the board, acting like a cocky teenager. “I did tell you I was a master of Pai Sho, too.” She rolled her eyes, trying her best not to laugh at this nonchalant cool boy act Aang was pulling. It was too far from his true character to be convincing.
“Alright,” She planted her hands into the sand, leaning across the board. “If you really are the master, let’s make this…interesting.” Making nothing of her attempt to be intimidating, he copied her, their faces inches apart.
“Interesting how?” Grey eyes peered into blue. He had his game face on.
“If I win, we have stewed sea prunes for dinner.” In an instant, his eyes widened and he backed up a little.
“No way! You know how much I hate those things!” She shrugged, holding back a laugh at his mini outburst.
“Surely, if you really are the master, you won’t have to worry about it.” He knew what she was doing, eyes fixed on him, looking as innocent as ever. So he let out a breath, and assumed his previous position, challenging her.
“Fine.” She smirked, but he wasn’t done. “If I win,” There was a certain mischief in his eyes that made Katara giddy. Only the spirits knew what he had in mind. “You have to give me a back massage.” She raised a brow at his forfeit; that really wasn’t a forfeit at all.
“That’s it?” She giggled. “Honestly, sweetie, I’d give you one if you just asked-”
“Every day. For a week.” Aang continued, taking her off guard, his facade unwavering. He leaned back on his hands, confident and cocky, leaving Katara in the same place, glaring at him.
“…A week?”
“Mhmm.”
“Seven days?”
“Yup.” He smirked at the girl, all too self-assured for her liking.
“Okay then.” She mirrored him, eyes narrow, never leaving his. If he wanted to play dirty, then she would too. “Stewed sea prunes for a week.” Sitting up straight at the declaration, his jaw almost dropped.
“Oh come on-”
“Ah-ah!” She commanded with a finger. “If you can’t deal with that, then you change your forfeit.” She stared him out, tension building as he weighed his options. No. There was no way he was backing down.
Aang breathed deeply, sitting up straight, readying himself for the game that would change everything. She simply smiled, waiting in the silence. “Let’s play.”
——————
“I could get used to this…”
“Well don’t.” Katara huffed. Her hands were getting sore already. But she couldn’t pretend she didn’t enjoy admiring the muscles that adorned his back. Maybe she would get used to this? Who knows. “This only happened because you’re a complete nerd.” With a roll of her eyes, she proceeded to use her thumbs to soften the knots in his shoulders hearing a throaty groan of approval. Katara would never let him know she kind of enjoyed this too.
“Well-” Thumbs pressing harder cut him off: he didn’t know his muscles were this tense. “Sometimes, being a complete nerd comes in handy.” He chuckled, thankful that stewed sea prunes weren’t on the menu for him tonight.
“Yeah,” Katara sighed, her hands moving further down his back. “I suppose it does.” With a smile she leaned down, her lips placing a soft kiss on the back of his neck. Maybe a week of this wouldn’t be too bad after all?
Aang felt his eyes drifting to a close. This was the most relaxed he’d been in a while. The sun was setting and the waves were peaceful, washing up on the shore with grace. Pure bliss was the only way Aang could describe it.
“We should play pai sho more often.” Katara mused, watching as the setting sun cast the sky into a stunning array of colours. From red to pink, to orange. The picture before her was breathtaking.
“You don’t have to tell me twice…”