Chapter Text
Spring was beginning to make its way into summer, sweet flowers bringing a delicious warmth to the breeze. Katara looked in the mirror, smoothing over her hair and dress out of nervousness. Toph helped her pick a floral, light blue sundress, grinning widely as she ran her hands over her figure after trying it on. (“He’s gonna short-circuit for sure,” she promised.) She let her hair loose, waves cascading over her shoulders and down her back. She pulled her shoulders back, lifting her chin and elongating her neck for that practiced, ballet-perfect poise.
The late afternoon air kissed Katara’s shoulders as she was greeted by a bashful, nervous Aang. “Hey…” He presented a bouquet of daisies, wrapped in a blue paper that matched Katara’s dress perfectly. Somehow, he blushed even deeper, stuttering out, “they reminded me of you.”
Her cheeks warmed as she took the bouquet, smelling it and looking up at her suitor. He smiled nervously, charming and genuine as ever.
“There’s a dim sum place close by with the best cheung fun I’ve ever had. What do you think?”
She smiled up at him, threading her free arm through his. Her hand rested in the crook of his bicep, warm and solid under her touch. “I’ve never tried that before! It sounds lovely.”
They weaved through the streets of Republic City, making small talk to try and shake off the nerves they were both feeling. They chatted about the welcome change in weather, midterm assignments, and their sweet dance students as they ambled along the cobbled pathways. There was a particular lightness to the conversation, the gleam of a new connection mixed with a familiarity that felt like they had known each other for ages, perhaps even lifetimes.
As they made their way into the teahouse, taking up a small table near a wall with a window, they grinned at each other, the brightness in their chests betraying any front they could have put up. They felt like fresh air to one another, soothing and beautiful, as they chatted about sweet nothings and gave each other unhurried glances.
At one point, between steamer baskets of dumplings and jasmine tea refills, Aang’s face dropped, studying Katara with a seriousness she had only seen once before. She chuckled a little, reaching for a napkin.
“Is there something on my face?”
His cheeks flushed a sweet pink, as his lips stretched into a lopsided smile. “I was just thinking about how lucky I am.”
It was her turn to widen her grin. “Lucky how?”
He leaned forward, elbows narrowly missing the plate in front of him, chin perched on the heel of his palm. “I have the most beautiful ballerina in all of Republic City sitting with me, laughing at my terrible jokes. I don’t think anyone’s been luckier in the history of the universe.”
She laughed, trying (and failing) not to roll her eyes. “You’re not too bad yourself, Mister Airbender.”
He laughed, a low and deep hum vibrating through her. “A sweet talker as well. Do you think I can keep up the lucky streak?”
She tossed her waves over her shoulder, leaning her forearms on the table. “We’ll see where life takes us.”
She leaned back, threading the same piece of hair over her shoulder, absentmindedly playing with the locks. “I haven’t really done this whole dating thing before. I’ve been so concentrated on my career, thinking about boys has only ever been a distraction.”
His gaze steeled, becoming more serious as he lowered his hands onto the table, a gesture full of reverence and respect.
“Katara… I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but I’m serious about you. Whatever you see yourself doing in the future, I want you to know I support you.”
She nodded, blue eyes wide and observant as he continued.
“I want you to see me as someone you can rely on. I would rather die than try to get in the way of your dreams.”
She laughed, but she could tell he wasn’t actually joking.
“I’m serious, Katara. Sorry if that seems a little intense but… I just have this feeling I can’t shake. I think about you so much and I just want to see you achieve your dreams. I’d do anything I can to help you be happy and at peace.”
She released the lock of hair she had been twiddling with to grip his hand, now connected across the table. The warm lighting of the teashop and quiet hum of reverent conversations bathed them in a comforting glow as she took a moment to look in his eyes. He was deadly serious, and genuine to an almost terrifying degree. Her heart skipped a beat, the warmth between their hands contributing to the flush in her face.
“That means a lot, Aang. I appreciate you saying that.”
He smiled, sweet and goofy. She couldn’t help but smile back at him.
Eventually, after the fourth pot of jasmine tea had been finished between easy conversations, Katara couldn’t help but fight a yawn.
“Is it bedtime for my beautiful ballerina?”
Katara smiled, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated manner.
“Only if my beautiful breakdancer walks me back.”
He grinned, all perfect teeth and pink flush. “It would be a pleasure. No – an honor,” He bowed his head reverently, before standing up and reaching a hand out to help her up. She snaked her hand through the crook of his elbow again, equal parts terrified and pleased with how natural it felt. She took the adorable bouquet he had given her, holding it gracefully as they began to meander once more through the streets of the city.
They took a detour along the coastline, the topics of conversation deeper than before. Childhood, upbringing, future plans and big dreams. She absentmindedly let her thumb brush across the front of his bicep, appreciating both his physical and psychological strength after he had been through so much. He was so gentle, almost naively kind, and made her laugh in a way no one had ever done before.
As they rounded a corner onto her apartment building’s road, a deep sigh escaped her, surprising even herself. Aang chuckled to himself, the emotions seemingly shared.
“This has been such a nice evening, Aang.”
His free hand covered hers, warm and strong, as his thumb brushed over the top of her hand. He gazed at her with what could only be described as reverence.
“This has been the best evening of my life.”
She laughed, shoving him playfully with his own arm. “Dramatic much?”
“You know I’m never dramatic, Katara. At all.”
She was smiling so hard she felt her cheeks were threatening to split open. “Suuuuure.” His smile, bright and full of warmth, was so disarming she hadn’t noticed they had slowed to a stop in front of her apartment.
She looked up, smile fading slightly, as she saw a warm glow coming from her apartment building. “Would you like to come inside?”
He was still smiling at her, although the grin had melted away into a soft smile. His eyes were on her face, almost unblinking, as if he wanted to memorize her features.
“I would love to, but I promised the boys we would go to the gym early tomorrow morning. Besides, you look two minutes away from napping right here on the street.”
A larger yawn began to break free from her, as she removed her hand from the crook of his elbow to try and cover it. He exhaled softly, the kindest laugh she had ever seen.
She looked up at him, hoping she would never forget this evening or the gorgeous features of his face. He leaned towards her, ever so slightly. The familiar scent of sandalwood and fresh laundry felt a bit stronger now, as he breached the short distance between them to tuck a stray hair behind her ear.
She swallowed, heart thumping in her chest. She had never experienced such tenderness before, especially not from someone as large as Aang.
“Can I… kiss you?”
She smiled softly, placing a hand on his chest and moving closer to him.
He placed a hand on the side of her face, thumb brushing her cheek as his fingers dove between the waves of her hair.
Slowly, they closed the distance, connecting in a soft and tender kiss. Their lips were soft, and the warmth felt chaste, a drop of sunshine bursting between them.
They both gazed at each other, goofy smiles revealing their inner feelings.
She pulled away, scurrying towards the door before anything else could happen.
She turned to smile at him before opening the door to the building.
“Good night, Aang.”
“Good night, Katara.”