Archive of Our Own

Katara had always been a very affectionate person. She loved giving hugs: to her parents, before Mom was killed and Dad left to fight, to Gran Gran, even though she couldn’t hug her nearly as tightly anymore with Gran Gran’s advancing age, the little kids in the the village who tried so hard to be helpful, even to Sokka, as much as they bickered about everything else. 

Aang liked affection. Sometimes he pretended he didn’t, mostly when it came in the form of a headlock from Sokka or a shoulder punch from Toph. At least, that was what Katara had noticed in her very studious observations on the subject. He did seem stunned the first few times she hugged him, stiffening before accepting and returning the embrace. She’d watch him do brave, reckless things, jumping off Appa’s back to dive into the water from hundreds of feet in the air, just to wrangle the Unagi and put out the flames engulfing Kyoshi Village. Katara had been in awe of him then, the effortless and unflinching way he’d leapt into action to help, the way the Unagi threw him back into the air after. When he’d clambered back into Appa’s saddle, clothes soaking wet before Airbending the water away, she couldn’t help herself, tossing her arms around his skinny shoulders, relieved that he was unharmed after such a dangerous feat.

It wasn’t always good, however. When he was spurred into the Avatar State, powerful but not in control, she was the only one who could pull him out of it. She didn’t mind. Even though it was a heavy burden, she took it willingly. The Avatar State was meant to protect him; if her embrace made him feel safe enough to come back to himself, then she’d do it, every time. 

***

Girls didn’t often participate in ice dodging, but between the war and the increasing isolation of the villages scattered across the South, adjustments were necessary. The sting of ocean spray on Katara’s face as she and Aang and Sokka worked together to navigate the ship through the sharp rocks filled her with a thrill that couldn’t be compared to anything else.

And then when Bato swiped his thumb over Aang’s forehead, streaking black across the blue arrow, a look of such profound sadness fell over his face, and Katara couldn’t help but remember the night they’d sheltered from the storm in the seaside cave.

When Aang produced the crumpled map, all the pride and joy she’d felt at ice dodging with him and Sokka evaporated in an instant, replaced with confusion and hurt. 

He was her friend, her family, even. She’d trusted him, with her life, with Sokka’s. Bato had named him an honorary member of the tribe. 

But now…

Sokka was furious, grumbling as he paced around the room, muttering and throwing dark looks while he packed. Katara just felt like crying. Some part of her still wanted to go with Aang to the North Pole, but she knew Sokka would never let that happen. Her dreams of learning waterbending would have to be put on hold. 

Bato and Sokka were ready to go. They went to Aang to grab the last of their belongings from Appa’s saddle. Sokka marched off without a word and she and Aang locked eyes for a moment before they both looked away. She wanted to say something, to hug him, to climb on Appa’s back and figure out how to forgive him on the way north. 

She glanced over at Sokka who was tapping his foot impatiently, a glare on his face. She bid him goodbye and left, trailing behind Sokka and Bato.

Her stomach twisted with that same torn feeling she’d had at the South Pole when she’d impulsively declared she’d leave with Aang  before he told her she couldn’t leave her family. Aang was family. The hope he gave her, mixed with that new awareness she’d had since he’d stopped the volcano, made bitter with the realization he’d hidden information about her father from her. 

They stopped for a moment to check the map and that lonely, sad wolf howl pierced the woods. Aang was alone. Totally alone. No friends, no family, just Appa and Momo and the open sky. He could make it to the North Pole on his own, she had no doubt about that, but would he even feel up to the task of mastering the other three elements without someone to encourage him?

And would he even be able to come out of the Avatar State on his own? 

She and Sokka had claimed him as family in the Southern Air Temple, but they had abandoned him. 

No, if they had any hope of ending the war, Aang needed them. He might be the world’s hope, but they were his. 

Later, after thwarting Prince Zuko and bidding farewell to Bato, Katara leaned back against the edge of Appa’s saddle. The Sirshu poison had worn off, but she was still rather sore. 

Aang had forgiven them easily, but he was going on about how he felt bad they had missed out on seeing their father. She hastened to assure him that they’d have other opportunities and then he was holding up her mother’s necklace, grinning proudly. As the ribbon twisted in the wind, the pendant glinted in the golden light of the setting sun. 

“Zuko wanted you to have this.”

Katara’s breath caught, a flash of homesickness before incredulousness set in. She had known Aang to be quick and light on his feet, but the cunning it must have taken to get the necklace back from Zuko wasn’t something she’d been expecting from him. It was impressive and… appealing, making her heart race. Like using the Unagi to put out the flames in Kyoshi Village, but this time, he’d done something just for her. 

She snorted. “Give Zuko a kiss for me?” she teased before leaning forward to cup Aang’s face and plant a kiss on his cheek. She saw his face flush and busied herself with putting the necklace on, hoping her own face wasn’t flushing.

She felt Sokka’s eyes on her and when she looked up, he rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

***

They were still a day or so from Omashu, but Appa needed a break. As Sokka tried to search for food, Katara and Aang waded into the water. He had really been coming along lately, not quite full mastery, but Katara could tell he felt more comfortable with water than he’d been at the North Pole. 

He took up a stance and sent a stream of water towards her that hit her square in the face, sending her backwards into the water.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Aang said, rushing to her side, voice full of concern. He offered his hand and she took it, letting him help her up. “We can be done for the day.”

She shook her head, her fingers still in his grasp. “Barely even felt it,” she hastened to reassure him. “You need a better stance if you want that move to hurt. I could show you?” She asked the question before she could stop herself. He gave a nod and she grinned, wringing out her braid. She stepped behind him and took a breath, trying to focus. She braced his shoulders, letting her hands glide down his arms to his wrists. “What you did was good, but if you really want to mean it, hold your hands like this,” she said, adjusting the positions of his hands.She leaned closer, her cheek pressed against his.  

She heard his sharp inhale, felt a rush of heat skitter across her skin that had nothing to do with the sunlight. 

“Like this?” he asked.

“Great, good job,” she said, stepping away from him. “Let’s go eat lunch.”

The nomads were an interesting bunch. Sokka had no patience with them, which was sort of funny, but then came the cave in and she and Aang were separated from the others and the edge of panic started to set in. It wasn’t so bad, except they had no idea how to get out, and then the tomb was spooky and they only had the one torch and Appa’s agitation was starting to get to her.

Oma and Shu, without hope. She knew what that felt like. Her eyes snagged on Aang’s back, orange robes a bright spot in the dark.

Trust in love. 

She looked at the carvings on the wall again, the way Oma and Shu leaned towards each other, mouths meeting above their clasped hands. Her face heated and she  blew out a breath, trying to find her courage. She flicked her glance over to Aang again. “Well, what if we… kissed?” 

It was a dumb suggestion, a desperate attempt at escaping the dark cave. Not something she wanted to examine any closer. 

She was aware of Sokka’s teasing whenever she and Aang showed any kind of affection for each other, couldn’t shake the echo of Aunt Wu’s prophecy about her future husband being a powerful bender every time she’d looked at Aang the past couple of weeks 

Lots of powerful benders existed, though. Just because Aang was the Avatar and the most powerful bender alive, didn’t mean she’d marry him. 

Would he even want to get married? Did Airbenders marry? Why was she thinking about this so much? 

He was cute. Big, gray eyes, good-humored, lopsided grin, sweet, and sometimes daring, that nearly unwavering faith. Lots of good things. Things she had noticed more and more. Before, she hadn’t even thought of him as a possibility. When she’d thought about marriage, it was always to some faceless Water Tribe guy. But there weren’t any Benders at the South Pole and all of the Northern boys she had trained with were scared of her if they didn’t hate her for inserting herself into the boys’ club. Perhaps they’d meet a powerful Earthbender in Omashu, but she had a sinking feeling that she’d be comparing any other boy to Aang.

Fine, whatever. She wanted to kiss Aang. And fate had presented her a perfect opportunity to do just that without having to admit any feelings. Well, if ‘love lit the way’ and she kissed him and the cave lit up, then, maybe she’d have to admit to some feelings, but she was pretty sure Aang wouldn’t say anything to Sokka, so maybe it could just stay a secret between them.

“I definitely wouldn’t want to kiss you.”

She looked at him in shock, his eyes widening in alarm as he realized what he’d said.

She didn’t even remember what she said in reply, just that she was insulted. And hurt. This was not how the possibility of her first kiss was supposed to go. 

He was supposed to smile at her and say “yes, of course, you’re so smart for figuring it out, you’re so beautiful, I’d love to kiss you” 

She crossed her arms, turning away from him.

“I’m saying I’d rather kiss you than die, that’s a compliment!” Aang said quickly, voice desperate as he backtracked.

She shook her head, shoved the torch into his hand and stomped off. That hurt. If they hadn’t been trapped in a cave for hours, slowly losing light as they wandered aimlessly, she could probably be charitable and give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was just nervous, but here she was, practically begging to kiss him, and he was trying to get out of it. 

Maybe Sokka’s immaturity was rubbing off on Aang.

That was disappointing to think about.

She heard his footsteps and turned to look at him.

“We’re gonna run out of light any second now, aren’t we?”

“I think so,” she said softly.

“Then, what are we gonna do?”

“What can we do?”

She bit her lip. It was their only option.

They leaned towards each other in the steadily dimming light. She didn’t know why she closed her eyes.

She felt the barest brush of his lips against hers. The torch slipped from her hand, Aang’s fingers sliding into her empty grasp.

Lights blazed overhead, almost blindingly bright after the darkness.

They leapt apart, fingers still entwined. 

She looked up at the roof of the cave, green crystals glowing, lighting the way. She glanced at him, knew her eyes were as wide as his, then looked away, unsure what to say to him, and ran for the exit.

She had trusted in love enough for the day. 

***

Overall group morale had greatly improved after getting out of the desert, but Aang was still… sad. He stayed on the fringes of wherever they’d camp for the night, looking out over the horizon, twirling the bison whistle in his fingers. Most of his smiles didn’t reach his eyes. She and Toph hadn’t pushed him for bending practice, tiptoeing around the tension that seemed to ebb and flow around Aang. 

But that morning, he woke up and seemed to be maybe not his old self again, but something closer to it. Katara was relieved. She had missed him, missed moments like this, where they played with bending tricks, not sparring, not formal practice of specific motions, just seeing what the elements would do when they let the energy flow.

It was lovely.

Sokka revealed his plan for getting to Ba Sing Se, mentioning the lack of Appa as his decision to take The Serpent’s Pass, and Katara bristled, concerned that any mention of Appa would cause Aang to withdraw into himself again. 

Aang shook his head, dismissing her concern. “Katara, it's okay. I know I was upset about losing Appa before, but I just want to focus on getting to Ba Sing Se and telling the Earth King about the solar eclipse.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Oh ... well, okay. I’m glad you’re doing better.” She wasn’t entirely convinced. His dispassionate tone made her worry, even though she agreed that getting to Ba Sing Se was important. 

As Than and Ling joined them on their journey, she was glad the consensus had changed to the ferry instead of the pass. Far less harrowing. Even better when they were reunited with Suki, and even though Sokka was overjoyed to see her, Katara could tell that he was troubled. 

As they prepared for the ferry, they ran into Than and Ling, clearly in distress as they revealed that all of their belongings, including their passports and tickets for passage into the city had been stolen. Katara watched as Aang straightened his shoulders and headed for the ticket lady again. It did not go well, and as Aang returned, Katara knew what he was going to say.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get to the city safely. I’ll lead you through the Serpent’s Pass.”

This was going to suck. 

Hours later, after a narrow brush with a Fire Nation Navy ship, their party had settled down for the night. Aang, once again, had drifted away from the group, watching the water crash against the rocks below, his expression blank.

Katara approached him. With the addition of Than and Ling, the campfire felt crowded and she wanted a moment alone with Aang. He turned his head towards her before returning his focus back to the ocean. “You know, it’s okay to miss Appa,” she started, hoping to draw him into a conversation, but he remained silent, not even looking at her. She crossed her arms, irritation edging her concern. “What’s going on with you? In the desert, all you cared about was finding Appa and now it’s like you don't care about him at all.”

His shoulders slumped, his tone defeated and hollow. “You saw what I did out there. I was so angry about losing Appa that I couldn’t control myself. I hated feeling like that.”

Katara closed her eyes. That had been bad in the desert. The rage and grief had consumed him, made him lose control in a way she had never seen before and it was horrible to witness. All she could do was offer her hand and hope she could bring him out of it. She knew where his pain had come from, understood why he had reacted how he did and while she couldn’t fix it, she could offer him comfort. 

She didn’t like how he had rejected the concept of hope earlier, it seemed antithetical to his role as the Avatar. He was a symbol of hope, and here he was, rejecting the very notion. 

“But now you’re not letting yourself feel anything. I know sometimes it hurts more to hope and it hurts more to care. But you have to promise me that you won't stop caring.” She held out her arms to him. “Come on, you need a hug.”

He gave a small shake of his head, holding his hand out before bowing, a solemn look on his face. “Thank you for your concern, Katara.” He straightened, walking into the darkness, leaving her alone.

Katara blinked rapidly, feeling like she was about to cry. Aang had rejected her. He had never turned down a hug from her before, ever. She shook her head, trying to collect herself before she returned to the campfire. She ate some of the nuts and dried fruit they’d bought, drank some water and kept an eye on the shadows.

She stayed awake until Aang came back.

***

The next day was even worse. Part of the pass was flooded, which was difficult enough to navigate, but then the serpent appeared and they had to fight it off. Toph was out of commission until she could get to land, which hampered some of their abilities. And yet, even in his stoic state, she and Aang still managed to work well together, each sensing what the other needed at that moment. As the serpent sank back into the water, Katara breathed a sigh of relief, then breathed a second sigh shortly after when they saw the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. 

 Ling groaned in pain, realizing the baby was coming and Katara had to leap into action once more. Thankfully, unlike fighting a giant sea serpent, she had delivered a baby before. 

The birth went easy, and Katara grinned proudly as she handed the baby girl to Ling. Toph and Sokka came in and Katara called for Aang. She needed him to see this. 

As the others cooed over the baby, Katara looked up to see Aang watching them with a genuine smile and even though the baby was adorable, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. 

She saw a tear roll down his cheek and he wiped it away as he stared at the baby. “I’ve been going through a really hard time lately. But you've made me ... hopeful again,” he said, and Katara wasn’t sure if he was talking to the baby or Ling or her, but she didn’t care at that moment, finally feeling like the real Aang had returned.

Katara urged them outside, knowing the family needed a moment together and Aang looked up at her. “I thought I was trying to be strong. But really, I was just running away from my feelings. Seeing this family together, so full of happiness and love, it’s reminded me how I feel about Appa ... and how I feel about you.”

Her heart thudded in her chest as he gazed up at her, his grey eyes clear and bright, that soft but spirited twinkle finally back and she felt her eyes water. She brushed them away before throwing her arms around him. He had sidestepped any offer of affection from her since she’d pulled him back from the Avatar State in the desert, but last night was the first time he had directly refused a hug. His arms wrapped around her now and Katara relaxed into it, knowing his hope had been renewed and that it would help him find Appa.

***

Aang was alive. More than that, he was awake. Weeks spent watching over his nearly silent form, the only sounds she heard from him those weak, pained groans as she worked her water over that horrifying scar, it was all worth it, seeing his grey eyes, hearing his voice. Her fears weren’t gone, not completely, but at least Aang was back. She reached into her pocket, clutched the empty vial that had held the Spirit Water, and let out a sigh. She often traced her fingers over the pendant of her mother’s necklace when she needed to soothe her nerves, but ever since escaping Ba Sing Se, it was the vial she would clench in her fist, run her fingers over the delicate, fluted glass, hoping the Spirits would answer her prayers. It seemed they finally did.

He leaned into her as she led him back to his room, and it didn’t feel right, the way he felt so frail, yet so heavy against her. 

He was despondent, sullen. She wasn’t expecting him to do backflips or crack jokes after what he’d been through, but in spite of her relief that he had finally woken up, she selfishly wanted her Aang back. 

She shook her head. Aang wasn’t hers. 

Before she could stop herself, she stroked his cheek, tried to smile at him. He didn’t meet her eyes and she bit her lip, pulling her hand back. Urging him to get some rest, she left. 

When they had first stolen the Fire Nation ship, the first thing she did after setting up Aang and the pots of water, was find a quiet corner to be alone. 

It was something she did back home, during the two years she and Sokka had been entrusted with the care and keeping of their village, escaping to a quiet place away from everything, where no one needed her to be brave, to have answers. Of course, the months traveling with Aang and Sokka and Toph still carried some of that familiar responsibility, but they were all kids and it felt… different, fun, even. But the past few weeks, as the only healer in their group, she had felt the burden of bringing back, not Aang, but the Avatar. 

Whatever weight Aang carried for needing to end the war and restore balance, Katara had felt some of it slipped to her the few weeks he’d been out. If she didn’t bring him back, the war would be lost. Aang would be lost.

The Spirit Water had brought him back, barely. Everyone on board just believed she could heal Aang, that she had the skills to restore the Avatar. She recognized the expression some of them had given her, knew she had looked at Aang with that same expression.

Hope.

She shook her head, feeling the burn of tears in her eyes and let out a shudder. She was tired. She hadn’t slept well since escaping Ba Sing Se.   

She wanted to be outside, in her bed roll, wind rustling the trees overhead, campfire crackling nearby, looking up at the stars. The total safety she felt, even when in the middle of the wilderness. Toph and Sokka snoring, the way the ground would gently rumble underneath her as Appa sighed in his sleep, Aang’s soft breathing. 

The metallic creaking and oily smell of the ship, the way it swayed back and forth and up and down in the heavy rain only made her feel sick. Her mood didn’t help. She’d been trying to bury herself in healing Aang, terrified that if she paused her efforts, he’d be lost to her forever.

She squeezed the empty vial in her fist, almost wanting it to shatter in her grasp; a physical manifestation of the tension within her that hadn’t broken yet.

There were too many emotions running through her, relief, anger, exhaustion, fear. The worst part was, she couldn’t talk to anyone. Sokka was happy to see Dad again, she didn’t want to ruin that. Toph would listen, but Katara wasn’t sure she’d understand. She couldn’t talk to Dad; he felt almost like a stranger to her and he was treating her like she was still the little twelve year old girl he’d left behind who could barely waterbend and not the Master Waterbender who’d been entrusted to finish training the Avatar.  

She wanted to talk to Aang, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t lay all her problems on him, not when he needed to recover. 

She’d bear it alone. 

And when she walked back into Aang’s room and found it empty, she really was alone.

***

She slid across the wet volcanic rock, knew her knees would be bruised for a week, but she didn’t care, they had found Aang. She wrapped her arms around him, not as mindful of his injuries as she should have been, but again, she didn’t care, they had found Aang. She felt like she had lost him twice in so short a time and she couldn’t bear that thought.

She felt his arm slide around her, heard the short, pained intake of breath, knew she should pull away, have him lower his arm, but then Toph and Sokka were there, more arms wrapping around her, pushing her closer to Aang. 

Toph offered him his ruined staff, and Aang took it, getting to his feet before flying a short distance away, tossing the staff into the flames. 

Katara’s heart broke for him. He’d lost so much already, and now this. 

When he returned, subdued and exhausted, she took his hand as Sokka readied Appa. Between his previous injuries and the new ones from being adrift in the ocean, Aang struggled to lift himself up Appa’s side, so Katara helped him up. He leaned into her shoulder as soon as they were settled and he mumbled a sleepy thanks before he dozed off. She tugged a blanket over the both of them, finally feeling like she could relax for the first time in weeks. 

***

Katara did not like seeing Aang dancing with the other girls. She didn’t like the way the other girls were looking at him. He had barely glanced at her all evening. 

She had looked away from the dancing, lost in her thoughts, when a hand fell in her line of vision. 

Aang, looking at her with a question in his eyes. 

She looked past him to the girls from earlier who were watching enviously. “I don’t know, Aang. These shoes aren’t really right for dancing and I don’t–”

He grinned. “Take my hand.”

It wasn’t a demand, it never was with him. Warmth that had nothing to do with the heat in the cave poured through her. She grinned back, putting her hand in his and he pulled her out to the dance floor.

She was familiar with the feel of his hands. They always helped the other back up if they took a tumble while sparring and occasionally, he’d help her climb up Appa. His hands weren’t rough, exactly, just callused from years gripping the wooden frame of his glider or Appa’s leather reins, but his touch was always gentle. She liked the way his hands felt, the reassurance in his touch.  

He whispered in her ear and she shivered in spite of the heat.  “Waterbending stances.”

She gave him a nod and they began to move with each other effortlessly, barely had to think, her trust in him absolute. She’d been worried about not knowing the steps to a dance, but he put her at ease, made her comfortable with something familiar, something only the two of them could do together. 

“Everyone’s watching.” She glanced around the space, aware of everyone’s eyes on them.

He gave a small shake of his head. “Don’t worry about them. It’s just you and me right now.”

She felt herself flush, everything else melting away. Her jealousy, her nerves, their audience. Nothing else existed except her and Aang.

They moved with each other without words, effortless, a kind of freedom she really only had with him.

They leaned towards each other for a moment, and Katara remembered another cave, another time they had been this close, and then they both pulled away before they finished the dance with him dipping her, his hand on the small of her back. She was sure he could feel the sweat trickling down her spine, but he just grinned at her, cheeks red, chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath.

She certainly felt breathless herself.

And then his hand found hers again as he pulled her through the crowd, towards the back of the cave as they ran from the school headmaster. 

They all collapsed in a sweaty, tangled heap on Appa’s saddle, giggling at their close call. She was leaning on Aang’s shoulder, wanted to tug his arm around her. Instead, she shifted to her knees, pressing a kiss to his cheek. She watched him for a moment, seeing the way his face flushed, even in the dark, and bit her lip, leaning back.

Toph scooted closer, looping her arm through hers. “Your heart’s beating pretty fast there, Sugar Queen,” she whispered.

“I was dancing,” Katara hissed back, feeling her own cheeks heat. Her eyes found Aang’s and he grinned again, hair ruffling in the wind.  

***

As Hama was led away, Katara’s hands were shaking. Her whole body was, honestly. She was aware of Sokka and Aang guiding her out of the woods, back to Hama’s inn. They sat her in a chair in the dining room where just yesterday,  their host had served them a meal that reminded Katara of home. Her mind was racing, her heartbeat was erratic, her breath shaky. Her mouth tasted bitter and metallic, and all she could feel was the pulse of blood in her body. Hama’s ancient, taunting voice echoed in her mind. 

She was drawn out of it by tense voices and glanced over at Aang and Sokka in the kitchen as they whispered to each other while tossing food in a sack. Finally, Sokka left, pausing only to wrap his arm around her shoulders in a quick embrace. She heard his feet on the stairs, doors slamming as he ran around the second floor before coming back down and running out of the house.

She looked up at Aang. “Where’s he going?”

He frowned. “We can’t stay here tonight. Sokka and Toph are going to get Appa and then we’ll leave.”

“Do you need to help them?”

He shook his head. “He didn’t think you should be left alone.”

She made a soft sound, closing her eyes.

“Do you want some water?” Aang asked, his soft voice drawing her out of her thoughts.

She nodded and he pressed a cup into her grasp. 

“Both hands,” he said quietly, holding her fingers around the cup for a moment. 

She made a soft sound of assent, lifting it to her lips and took a sip. The water was cool, soothing, calming the heated rushing in her veins. She was sure Aang had manipulated the temperature of it; it was what she would have done. She took another sip and sighed. 

“That’s it,” Aang said with a nod. “Deep breaths.” 

His fingers brushed hers as he took back the cup and she tried to slow her breathing.

She reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his. “Don’t leave,” she managed.

“Never,” he replied, and she could hear the promise in it. “Come on. I need to pack your room and you should lay down for a moment before we leave.”

She tried to protest, but between his concerned expression and her hand in his, she let him guide her to her room. He sat her on the edge of the bed, then went around the room, closing the shutters, covering the room in darkness before gathering up her things.

She closed her eyes, stroking the blanket on the bed, feeling the weave of it under her fingers. She heard the sounds of Aang as he shuffled around the room. She counted her breathing, the way Aang had taught her, and that seemed to help the most. 

A low whistle sounded outside, breaking her from her thoughts.

“That’s Sokka.” Aang took her hand, leading her out of the inn. He tossed their belongings up into the saddle before taking Katara in his arms and jumping up. 

As they left Hama’s inn behind, Katara kept her arm looped through Aang’s, leaning into his side, barely aware of the way he kept stroking her back. No one talked, and Katara was glad for it. 

Eventually, they descended and Katara watched, helpless, as everyone else set up camp around her. Aang and Sokka kept glancing at her, worry knitting their brows. Even Toph was uncharacteristically gentle with her, spreading out her bedroll for her without a biting comment, just a hand squeezing her shoulder and a soft ‘get some sleep, Sugar Queen.’

Momo curled into her lap and she stroked his head. 

The moon was still blindingly bright overhead and it made Katara’s skin prickle with an itchy kind of discomfort as Aang approached her.

“You alright?”

She gave her head a small shake. “Aang, can you…” She felt silly even requesting it. She motioned at her bed roll. “I don’t really want to be outside tonight?”

“You want me to Earthbend a tent?” He’d done it before a handful of times, mostly during rainstorms, when they couldn’t find a cave to sleep in. 

She nodded, shoulders slumping in relief that he’d understood her request without having to explain it.

He grinned, somewhat more subdued than usual, but it still made her heart beat faster. “Easy.” He kicked at the dirt, the rumble and the crack of the earth as it sprung into a tent-like shape loud in the quiet of the night. 

She scooped up Momo, holding him carefully as she sunk onto the bedroll, watching Aang. “You said you wouldn’t leave,” she said, tugging on his hand when he tried to step away.

Something in his expression softened before he glanced over at Sokka, who was watching them as he fed the fire. Aang and Sokka exchanged a look, one of those weird, silent, masculine posturing conversations like she’d seen happen between the men in her tribe. Was there some super-secret sect of men who gathered up all boys on their thirteenth birthday to teach them that skill? Sokka tilted his chin up and Aang nodded.

He bent down,coming into the tent and  laid down next to her, linking their hands again. 

They were alone. In the quiet, in the dark. 

Her hands had stopped shaking as much.

With Aang, she was safe. 

He shifted closer to her and her other hand found the back of his head, fingers stroking his hair. It was still a little odd to see Aang with hair. She had wondered before, the times she’d seen him shaving his head, what his hair would look like if he ever grew it out. She supposed she had her answer.  

“Your hair’s soft,” she blurted, feeling the need to say something. 

“Not as soft as yours.”

She was glad it was dark, because she knew she had to be blushing. “Are you alright?” she asked.

He nodded. “Are you?” 

“I don’t know. Ask me tomorrow.” While her hands were no longer shaking, she wasn’t sure she could talk about it yet. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop her right away.”

He made a face. “You stopped her, that’s what matters.” He squeezed her hand, stroking her knuckles with his thumb. 

She shifted closer, resting her forehead on his shoulder, then frowned. “You're cool.”

“What?”

“Normally, you’re warm, but you’re so cool right now. Are you okay?” She lifted her head, put the back of her hand to his forehead, concerned. That was the last thing they needed, Aang to be ill. 

He shook his head, shaking off her touch. “Airbenders can manipulate the air currents around them. We’re taught young. Usually to keep us warm, like at the poles, but it’s so hot and humid here, so I’m doing it the other way.”

“That’s so clever.” She nestled closer to him, finally feeling relief from the oppressive heat. “I miss the cold,” she said softly. 

“Do you want to go back home after?”

“For a little bit, at least.” She ran her fingers over the back of his hair, hesitated before she asked the question that had been on her mind for weeks. “What will you do?”

He shrugged. “I’m a nomad, Katara. I’ll keep traveling.”

But he’d be alone. That thought was almost too sad for her to bear. “You’ll always have a place at the South Pole.” She wanted to go with him, to keep traveling the world. 

He let out a soft laugh, squeezing her hand. “I know. Get some sleep.”

She nodded, feeling drowsy. “You better stay,” she mumbled.

“Of course,” she heard him whisper before sleep claimed her.

***

The war was over. 

Aang was her boyfriend. 

She couldn’t keep the giddy grin off her face whenever she thought about it. 

It hadn’t happened immediately; they had all met back up after the final battle at the palace, spent a week resting and recovering, another two trying to figure out what their next move would be. 

They ended up going back to the house in Ba Sing Se. 

Katara wasn’t thrilled about it, still too many horrific moments wrapped up in her memories of the place, but it made the most sense to return there. They made preparations: a new saddle for Appa instead of the raft they’d been using, new clothes, anything they needed, Zuko made it happen. 

Finally, after Zuko’s coronation ceremony, they set off.

She and Aang hadn’t been avoiding each other necessarily, but after the awkward kiss during the play on Ember Island, their relationship was… uncomfortable in the days leading up to the comet. 

After the comet, an endless parade of advisors and representatives and councilors and officials filed in and out of the palace all day and it seemed as if none of them could get a moment to themselves, let alone a moment together. 

On the last day of traveling, Katara slid from the saddle to sit next to Aang up front, the way she usually did. It wasn’t completely private, but it was probably the only chance she’d have before they’d have to do the same song and dance in Ba Sing Se that they had just finished in the Fire Nation. 

“Hey, Aang.”

His back straightened. “Hey, Katara.”

She took a deep breath. “Could Avatar Aang possibly find a moment of time for Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe when they’re in Ba Sing Se?”

He laughed softly. “Absolutely.”

They sat there in silence, shoulders touching and Katara felt the tension between them dissipate. 

Aang had taken her hand the moment the city had appeared on the horizon as they made their approach. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. He didn’t let go of her hand until he had helped her off Appa. 

Over a week had gone by, more celebrations and ceremonies and representatives from all over pouring in, wanting to know what their group was going to do next. They finally had an evening to themselves; Iroh hosted them at the Jasmine Dragon for a private dinner, and they didn’t intend on going anywhere until at least tomorrow.

While they waited for dinner to be served, and  laughed at Sokka’s attempt at a painting of them all, Katara searched out the room for Aang, looking for a flash of orange. She felt the wind from the open doors to the balcony and followed it. 

Out on the terrace, she found him, the breeze catching at his robes as he watched the sun setting over the city. Quiet and still, but alive. He grinned at her, moving aside, offering space next to him. 

She closed the distance, felt the way their robes caught against each other as she hugged him. And then, as she looked at him, something beyond the mere warmth of friendship in his grey eyes. She leaned in again, this time, kissing him.

Of course, Sokka interrupted the moment, but she didn’t even care. She could finally let go of every last excuse she’d been holding onto about her feelings for Aang.

***

Katara liked planting a kiss on Aang’s forehead, right on the arrow. It had been at lip level for the first few months they’d been together, but by a year after the war’s end, Aang was gaining on her in height. It was vaguely disappointing, but not world ending. 

There were so many other forms of affection she could give him now. She definitely approved of the one-shouldered robes he’d taken to wearing because it meant she could wrap her hands around his arm, running her fingers over the smooth lines of his tattoos, could lean on his shoulder as they flew on Appa, plant a kiss on his collarbone. 

***

Some Air Acolyte woman giggled as she hung on every word of whatever Aang was telling her. Katara couldn’t hear their conversation from across the room, but they had been talking for the past twenty-two minutes. 

She tried to tune back into the conversation she’d been having with some Earth Kingdom representative whose name she couldn’t remember, but her eye kept wandering back to Aang and the Acolyte.

She thought jealousy would fade after seven years together, but apparently not.

He was wearing the one-shouldered robes he was partial towards in warmer climates, his blue tattoos bright and beautiful, curving gently over his muscular frame. 

And then she saw the Acolyte touch his scar.

Aang stiffened, moving away from her, but the woman moved closer.

Katara was on her feet in an instant, crossing the room, heedless of who she was knocking against in her haste to get to him. 

Aang had switched his staff to his other hand, using it as a buffer between him and the Acolyte, and Katara came up on his other side, looping her arm through his. 

“There you are, sweetie, I’ve been looking for you!” she said, standing up on her tiptoes as she pressed a kiss to his cheek. 

Aang relaxed, letting himself be led away, down the hall. She opened a door, finding a deserted room and tugged him in, locking the door behind them.

“You alright?” she asked.

He shrugged. “She was very persistent.” He sat in a chair, pulling her onto his lap. “Shame, really, because she’s well-liked amongst the other Acolytes.”

She draped an arm around his shoulders, leaning into him. “I was watching.” She stroked his forehead with her other hand, feeling the tension in him melt away. 

He laughed. “I know.” He was quiet for a moment, and she felt him drawing circles on her hip. “I… I don’t like it when other people touch the scar. If someone brushes up against me in a crowd or whatever, sure, that happens, but… when someone deliberately touches it…” he shuddered, pulling her closer. 

She stroked along his shoulders, curling into his embrace.

“Only you, Katara.”

She pressed a kiss to his temple, letting her fingers trail down the lines of his back until they met the edge of the scar, where smooth skin met the rough, lightning strike lines that spread out from between his shoulder blades. It had mostly healed over by now, almost a decade later, and with how much he’d grown, the scar was smaller than when it seemed to cover the entirety of boyish, slender frame. 

He inhaled softly, she felt him tense under her fingers for a moment before he melted into the touch, leaning into her chest. 

“Mare me?” he mumbled into her armpit. 

“What?”

He pulled back. “Marry me?” 

Her mouth fell open. “Are–are you sure this is how you want to ask me that? I mean, yes, obviously, but–”

He laughed, cheeks and ears reddening. “I’ve been planning to ask, but we’ve both been so busy, and I don’t think there’s ever going to be a perfect moment and at this point, I just want it to be official.”

She laughed. “I concur.” 

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I can give you a whole spiel about how much I love you, but I didn’t really plan to blurt it out like that and  also don’t have a necklace, but I know that’s more a Northern tradition and your mom’s necklace is so important to you,” he said, reaching up to stroke a thumb over the pendant. “But I can make you one if you want. I know what I’d carve on it if you did–”

She caught his face in her hands. “What would that be?” 

His blush deepened. “The water symbol on one side of the pendant and the air on the other.” His voice was soft, gray eyes shimmering in adoration.

Oh. She dropped her gaze. Sometimes she couldn’t believe the way the world had aligned to bring them together, that this man who had saved the world looked at her like she was his world. She gave her head a little shake, let out a laugh as she blinked her eyes, knowing she was about to cry. “That’s very romantic.”

He shrugged one shoulder, grinning. “I know.”

She bit back a snort, resting a hand on his bared shoulder. “You know, as much as I love your humility about being the Avatar and all…” she kissed the spot where his jaw met his ear and heard his breath catch. 

“Mhm?” he breathed, his hand flexing on her back. 

“I like it more when you’re a cheeky know-it-all,” she whispered against his neck.

His responding scoff turned to a moan when she kissed the spot again. “Cheeky know-it-all sounds so childish,” he complained.

“Mmm…what about cocky? I like you better when you’re cocky.” She dragged her teeth down his neck.

“Really?” The word had barely left his mouth when Katara felt his arms close around her and she let out a squeak as he lifted her off his lap before dropping her into the chair, leaning over her. His hands cupped her face, tilting her head up to look at him. “You like me like this?” He pressed a kiss to her neck. “Is this cocky enough?” His voice was silk-soft, edged with a playful curiosity that belied the fact he knew exactly what he was doing to her. 

She let out a giggle, twining her arms around his neck. 

“Am I making a necklace for you, Katara?”

“Will it hurt your feelings if I say no?” she asked, touching the pendant around her neck.

His brow furrowed in confusion. “Why would it?” 

“‘Cause you put thought into that design.”

He flushed. “I was trying to practice, just in case. Apparently, I can’t carve for shit. So, it’s kind of a relief.”

She snorted before a thought occurred to her and she grabbed his hand, flipping it palm side up, running her fingers over the life line. “Wait, is that how you hurt your hand last week?” 

He closed his eyes, trying to close his fingers over his palm. “Maybe. Thanks for healing it by the way.”

“So what happened to the pendant?”

“Chucked it off the balcony when I heard you come running after I yelled. Don’t think it hit anyone. I threw it pretty far.”

She laughed again and kissed his cheek. “Make me something orange. I’ll make you something blue. For the wedding.”

He nodded decisively. “I can do that.”

***

It had been three whole months since she and Aang had last seen each other. They had been married barely even a year and they had spent less than half that time together. And she knew it was to be expected with both of their roles taking them all over the world, but it was still so frustrating.  

It was ridiculous to think that they’d had more quality time while fighting a war than they did now, in this new era of peace, but she tried to tell herself it was worth it.

And it was, most days.

She was waiting in the courtyard for him, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she watched Appa circle the air before landing neatly on the ground.

She was in motion before Aang had even dismounted.

She took a running leap, launched herself at him, like always. He caught her neatly, spinning her in his arms before falling back with her into Appa’s side as she kissed him, moaning against his mouth. She could feel his body tense, his arms tightening around her, returning the kiss with equal ardor. 

When they finally broke apart, he looked a little dazed. “That’s… some welcome home.”

She grinned up at him, stroking her fingers along the back of his head. “This wasn’t your welcome.”

He made a strangled noise, his face going beet red. “Katara,” he said warningly. 

She laughed, grabbing his hand and leading him through the front door of their home, and up the stairs. She loved his hands, the warmth, the strength. After so many years together, her own hands felt empty without his to hold.   

She shook her head, trying to clear the melancholy. Aang was here and she would enjoy every moment of time she had with him. 

***

“Mmm, don’t lea-ave,” Katara whined, grabbing Aang’s arm and yanking him back to the pillows. She threw her leg over him, rested her head on his chest. She was sated and sleepy and wanted nothing else but to drift off in his arms.

He laughed. “Baby, we made a mess. We gotta clean up a little.”

She huffed, bending a stream of water from a nearby pitcher onto a washcloth before guiding it towards her. She let it fall on Aang’s chest with a wet slap and giggled as he jumped. 

He chuckled, the sound rumbling low in his chest where she leaned against him and she felt his hand on her waist before he deftly flipped their positions. She squawked in surprise and he let out another low laugh, sweeping the washcloth between her legs. 

“Oh, you warmed it,” she said, relaxing into the touch.

“Yeah, I’m polite. You slapped a cold, wet washcloth on me. Is that any way to treat the Avatar?” he asked, voice stern, as he raised one brow.

She shrugged, sticking her tongue out at him. “It’s the way I treat my husband.” She stroked her fingers against the back of his head, enjoying the way his eyes went heavy-lidded for a moment, head tilting back as his breath grew ragged. 

He leaned down, kissing her cheek, then rolled onto his back, pulling her against him. She curled into his chest, resting her head on his shoulder, drawing circles over his heart. “I love you,” she whispered. 

He pressed a kiss to her temple, drawing the blankets over both of them. “I love you, too.”