Work Text:
The gaang was hunkered down on Ember Island, awaiting the comet that would again change the world forever. They didn't have a well-defined plan, but they had enough of one that there was a glimmer of hope they'd end the Fire Nation's reign together.
Nevertheless, Aang, ever the selfless monk, was determined to handle the major face-off with Firelord Ozai on his own. That night at dinner, he had shared his version of their plan with the rest of the group to much displeasure from the group. Katara had, of course, immediately refused his idea.
While the rest of the group eventually retreated into the depths of the house, Katara and Aang had been loudly debating his plan in the courtyard.
"Did you ever stop to think about what I felt? What I went through when we didn't know if you'd wake up? When I didn't know if you'd come back to me at all? No, of course not!"
Her voice was loud enough to reach the second floor of the beach house. Sokka and Zuko looked at each other, covering their ears with a pillow. Suki had a worried expression on her face.
Toph, of course, didn't seem phased.
"How could I know if you won't talk to me!? You've been dead silent on a few things, Katara. You don't have to hold it all in for me, but you do anyway! And now you're upset? That makes no sense!!"
"No sense!? No, what you’re doing doesn’t make sense. You’re just going to walk away. From us, from me."
"I am not walking away. You know that’s not what this is. I'm doing this for you, okay! For. You."
Now that Aang's voice had deepened, it really carried. So did his exasperation.
"Oh, for me? Really, Aang? Really!? Running off to figure this out on your own, leaving me behind not knowing whether you're safe or alive! How very sweet and considerate. You know, I think I've fallen for you all over again."
Sarcasm and pain dripped from her voice. Her words were honest, if a bit harsh. Suki raised an eyebrow, noting the probably unintentional confession Katara had just made.
"Yes, yo-," Aang’s voice shifted. "Wait, what?"
His voice faltered as he seemed to realize what she had said.
She must have caught herself too because her next statement came out more softly. The rest of the gang, minus Toph, inched closer to the window so they could hear it.
"I didn't -I mean, you weren't-...that wasn't supposed to come out," Katara sounded a little defeated.
"It wasn't supposed to come out? Why not? Are you -Do you…," The friends could hear Aang's steps, perhaps moving toward Katara.
Longing intertwined with his words, "..Do you feel what I'm -I feel? Do you, do you...love me too?"
"Of course I do. You're my best friend." Curtness.
"That's not what I'm asking, Katara." Exasperation.
Sokka peered out of the window on the second floor to watch the situation. Suki and Zuko joined him. This was getting good.
Katara turned away from Aang, arms crossed. He was staring at the back of her head, shoulders slumped.
"I...I don't know… maybe…"
"Maybe?" The young Avatar's voice sounded cautiously hopeful.
He stepped closer. She turned back to look at him, hands on her hips.
"Ye-yes, okay. I do. I love you, Aang."
He moved like he wanted to embrace her but remained in his place.
"Why hadn't you told me? You know how I feel. I've made it painfully obvious! And you were just going to let me fly off to my death without knowing?!"
He sounded hurt this time.
Katara crossed her arms again, exasperated as well, it seemed.
"I would not have let you fly off to your death. Honestly, what were we just arguing about? Do you really think I'd let you go off into battle without me? After everything!? I need you alive and with me, Aang. Don't you understand that by now? You're as much a part of me as I am of you. Maybe I haven't said it, but I am certain I have shown it."
Indignation rang firmly through her statement.
Aang nodded slowly. Then, without a word and in the blink of an eye, he closed the space between them. His lips crashed against hers. Katara looked frozen in place for a moment before she sank into the kiss, arms draping over his shoulders.
Suki, Sokka, and Zuko exchanged silent expressions of mild surprise before slipping back away from the window. That had been unexpected.
Toph, who was still sitting on a chair in the opposite corner of the room, blew her heavy bangs from her face with an annoyed puff of air.
"They're making out now, aren't they," she dead-panned.