The Party

''Aaaah~ I could get used to this!'' Katara slumped into the warm waters of the natural hot springs of the Fire Nation, revelling in the relaxing atmosphere that prickled over her body. She was taking a sort of spa day with Toph beside her, both just basking in the warm water while wearing clay face masks and drinking cold pressed juices. Although Toph didn't admit it, she also had warmed up to the whole girly spa routines- she loved getting to fully relax every once in a while- she definitely wasn't girly like Katara, but she could appreciate the nice things.

This whole getup was to prepare for a royal celebration that night in the Fire Nation palace, to celebrate the peace between the colonies and both the earth and fire nations. It was quite the formal event, with tailors visiting each and every one of the avatar's friends (plus the avatar, of course) to take their measurements for their own personal formal garments.

Katara was excited to say the least- it wasn't her first formal event- but it was definitely the coolest. She was excited to finally attend an event together with Aang, and not just as friends anymore. She was excited to see what the seamstress had crafted for her. And she was excited to close off a stressful chapter in her life and welcome an era of peace.

She was lost in her thoughts until Toph interrupted her. "So.. you nervous?" the girl asked, completely casually- as if she wholeheartedly assumed Katara was, in fact, on the brink of a panic attack. Katara opened her eyes at the sky with a puzzled expression. "Nervous? Why would I be nervous?'. Toph remained calm while taking a sip of her juice before replying, "Well for the party...". She set the juice down and lay her head back. "...I mean, it's gonna be the first time showing the world you're, yknow, official with Aang. I would be nervous to do that given the circumstances."

Katara tensed slightly, which she didn't think possible under the warming, soothing water. "Um... Yeah I guess I'm just a little nervous, but more excited to show the world how I feel about him." She looked at Toph, who was now washing off her cracking clay face mask in the water. "Wait, what do you mean 'given the circumstances'?"

Toph waved her hand at Katara, a kind of 'oh whatever' gesture. "Oh you know, Aang's quite the catch, it's not unlikely that his little crowd of fangirls won't respond positively to the new change in his romantic life." Katara's eyes widened at her friend, knowing well she couldn't see her expressions. She tried to remain cool and composed and cleared her throat before replying.

"Oh yeah- that! That's- They don't bother me! I knew that! I love Aang and he loves me that's what's important... Just a couples of fangirls" She chuckled, trying to seem as calm and collected as possible. "That's so nothing, I mean, pfff whatever."

Toph raised an eyebrow in question before replying, "Sure, whatever you say. I'm sure that won't bother you aaaat all." She stood up and wrapped herself in a towel while Katara looked away in respect. "Well, see you in a couple hours- looking forward to seeing you as cool as a cucumber."

Katara scowled, "I will be! I will be calm. Just you watch!" She retorted, while crossing her arms and huffing at her departing friend. Due to the change in mood and not wanting to prune up like a raisin, Katara, too, stood up and dried herself off with the flick of a wrist, wrapped herself in a robe, and walked to her room to get ready for the party.

She was now slightly less enthusiastic about the upcoming event. Her mind swirling with anxious thoughts.

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Aang looked in the mirror and smirked. Oh yeah. He looked like quite the dapper young boy- his outfit was pretty much his basic, air nomad coloured, one-shoulder-out-outfit. But looking in the mirror he felt confident. His normal clothes didn't fit the way they used to, they were getting short and started getting tighter on his growing frame. But this wasn't the case with his current outfit- it looked a lot better on him and the details made it look a lot fancier. There were multiples fabrics included in the outfit, just like his original one. But this one included silk linings and whisps of see through, light, material.

Plus, his muscles peeked out more in this outfit. It wasn't slutty or super revealing, but it just showed how he had matured over the last year. He liked it. And he was sure Katara would, too. Speaking of Katara, he was extremely excited to see what she would be wearing tonight. He hadn't really seen her all day besides at breakfast, and he missed her. He wanted to check up on her but she told him not to distract her from getting ready, because he easily does so. Which was true, they often didn't focus on things just to giggle, chat, and exchange loving looks. Very oogie-ish.

Regardless, he waited until he should pick her up to see her, during which time he brushed his teeth and pursued the finishing touches to his outfit.

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Knock Knock Knock.

"Hey sweetie, can I come in?"

It was 17:45 and Katara had just finished her hair, and was spritzing on some perfume before someone knocked on her door. Though it wasn't just someone, she knew who it was. It was Aang. She jumped slightly at the noise and got up to steal one last look in the mirror before opening the door for her boyfriend. As she did so, his eyes widened while he took in the sight before him.

Katara was wearing a beautiful two-piece dress in a striking blue color. Think fire nation outfit but instead of just one shoulder strap covering her décolleté, it was a kind of blue crop-top situation with a plunge in the middle, in a v shape. Over her right shoulder to her left hip draped a light blue see-through sash with gold accents. the skirt was long satin and flowed beautifully beneath her hips, it was low-waisted to accentuate her form and allow her to move more freely. She wore high heels and gold accessories, with her hair long and curly.

Of course, it was extremely different to anything she had worn before, because her form and curves were accentuated in a way that she hadn't ever shown before. The fire nation seamstress practically laughed in her face when Katara didn't know what a bra was, and explained she wore bindings instead. The seamstress gave her a bra that fit her perfectly, not only for showing off her well-endowed properties, but also because bindings just simply weren't good for long-term use. Especially on a grown body, like Katara's had been growing into.

Aang had noticed this change, and he tried to discreetly take it in with his widened eyes while scanning up and down... and up again. Katara blushed and giggled. "Soooo, how do I look?". She twirled around in the doorway and he smiled. "You look beautiful honey.". He leaned down to kiss her, less than he had to lean usually, due to her practical high heels. He then grabbed her hand. "Ready to go?". She nodded and they made their way to the ballroom.

On the way, she noticed how Aang would discreetly steal glances at her, and not only at her make-upped face. This made her blush.

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The ballroom was beautiful, bustling with hundreds of people from all over the earth kingdom, fire nation, and colonies. Aang and Katara immediately drifted towards their friends group's table, where they were already sitting and enjoying drinks. Sokka was the first to acknowledge their arrival. "Oh hey guys! Want some refreshments?". Sokka wiggled his eyebrows at the couple while holding up a glass of what looked to be a mojito. Katara hummed an 'uuuum' while looking at Aang who swiftly declined. "No thanks Sokka, not risking that in such a public place." He said, while holding up his hand in a rejectful manner.

Sokka sighed. He didn't prod, he knew how Aang was with alcohol. He never actually drank alcohol. It wasn't like the air nomads didn't allow it, it was just slightly frowned upon. Aang always said it was the wrong time, place, or setting- that he wanted his first time drinking to be in a place where he can be sure he won't embarrass himself. It made sense to everyone, since he was the avatar.

Katara, on the other hand, made less sense. She had had alcohol before. Sure, not enough to get drunk, but tipsy. Coincidentally it was only once, and only when Aang wasn't around. She didn't tell anyone why but since then she always politely declined. It wasn't like anything embarrassing or scarring happened when she had drunk, she seemed to quite enjoy it actually. Well, no arguing against personal choice.

Katara sat down with her friends while Aang almost immediately got dragged away by some diplomatic important person. Katara would've gone with, but she just really didn't want to. Maybe it had something to do with Toph's comment earlier, but she just didn't feel like introducing herself to everyone at the moment. She was twirling her hair between her fingers and staring into space when Suki snapped her fingers in front of her face.

"Hey, you good?" Katara jumped slightly then looked at suki and softened. "Yeah everything's fine I guess I'm just...I don't know..." She looked down at her fiddling fingers. "...Nervous?" She said, looking back up at Suki with a contorted expression. Suki smiled at her reassuringly, seems to be that Suki knew why she had reason to be nervous. "Don't worry, there's nothing to worry about. Everyone will love you! Plus, it's not like your and Aang's relationship was something unexpected."

Katara didn't question why, everyone had already talked to her about how the two were dancing around the inevitable for months. She smiled and loosened her posture a little. "Yeah I guess you're right. I guess i'm just spiralling." Suki leaned back in her seat and placed her glass next to her. "This might help..." She smirked at Katara and pushed the glass of whiskey towards her.

Katara shook her head politely. "Nah, I don't want to drink right now. Too public, and Aang isn't drinking either so yeah." Suki didn't bother pushing. She shrugged and continued conversing with the rest of the group and Katara joined them, enjoying their company together.

This went on for about 20 minutes, just laughing and joking around until she caught a glimpse of her boyfriend in the corner of her eye. He was standing by the bar in the back of the ballroom. He was talking with a younger girl, looked to be about 16? She was pretty, dainty figure with long, brown hair. She was smiling up at Aang who seemed to be animatedly explaining something to her. He was gesturing with his hands, while her hands kept touching his arm during the conversation.

Katara's eyes widened. She kept watching, maybe she interpreted her body language wrong. The young girl laughed exaggeratedly presumably at a joke Aang said, while leaning her body into his and resting her hand shortly on his bicep. He pulled away, but kept talking to her. Yeah, no. She was definitely flirting with him.

And was he... flirting back? No. Aang wouldn't do that. Nothing in his body language indicated that he was showing any more than necessary interest towards this girl, but Katara couldn't help but feel her chest heating up and her eyebrows furrow in a worried expression. This expression quickly morphed into anger as she saw the girl sit on a barstool and lean into Aang, her shoulders resting on her lap, and her head resting in her hands.

This gave Aang (and Katara) the perfect view of her cleavage. And cleavage there was. Katara's mind flew from fascination, to anger, to jealousy. 'mine don't look like that... and I'm older...' she thought to herself. Aang didn't seem to mind or care. He finished explaining whatever he was talking about and was wandering off to his friends' table when he got stopped by another beautiful girl.

This continued for about an hour. He would get dragged away by an old diplomatic man, then by a string of beautiful- and quite provocative- teenage girls. Likely the daughters of these men. He never seemed to be romantically interested in them like he was in Katara, but he was still nice to them. Which made Katara's stomach turn slightly.

She sighed and dragged her hands across her face. "Everything okay sis?" Sokka prodded at her side, making her swat his hand away in annoyance. She furrowed her brows. "Yeah I'm fine." She grumbled. "Sweetness here is just jealous cuz her boyfriend is getting a whole lot of female attention." Toph said, in a slightly sing-songy voice. Katara rolled her eyes, even though what Toph was saying was true.

"That's not true. I'm just in a bad mood." Katara said. Zuko, who had just recently made his way to table and sat down, scoffed and retorted, "I would recognise that look of jealousy from anywhere." Katara sighed. "I guess you're right. I thought it wouldn't bother me but it is. I know, it's immature." Toph smirked. "I say beat the bitches ass." Katara gasped. "Toph! You know that's even more immature." She shrugged. "It's a solution to your problem, is it not?"

Katara contemplated shortly. "No! I'm not doing that, I'll just have to deal with it." "Well no you don't, you can show those spoiled brats who you are" Suki replied. "I'm NOT beating anyone up, Suki." The girl huffed again, slinking even further back into her seat, eyes still fixed on her airbender.

"That's not what i'm saying." Suki chuckled. "I'm just saying you should go up to him and show them he's yours. Kiss him or something! Maybe they don't know he isn't single and they'll back off when they find out otherwise." Katara looked at the two girls Aang was talking to. They were both unusually beautiful. One with short black hair, the other with long brown curly hair. Kind of like hers, but with prettier, more defined curls.

Katara looked down at her hair, a wild and wavy spectacle. She felt insecure once again. Maybe she should have straightened her hair. Maybe she should have worn more makeup, like the girls that got Aang's attention. She shook the thoughts out of her head. No, Aang loved her. He wouldn't choose or like anyone one else more than her. But seeing him laugh with those girls just made her feel... bad.

Katara felt herself slipping. She was obviously spiralling over something so insignificant. She didn't know what she was even doing staying at the event if Aang wasn't there with her. Sure she had her friends but she had been talking with them for the past couple of hours. She hadn't seen Aang all day besides breakfast and when he picked her up. She just wanted to be with him.

Katara decided to go to her room. She was starting to feel tired, and hanging around staring at her boyfriend while boiling in jealousy wasn't going to help anything. She decided to take the mature route and just leave. She could see Aang tomorrow, once she had simmered down. She wasn't mad at him, but she was more frustrated. At herself, the girls, and slightly at him. Why did he have to be so nice all the time?

All these thoughts swirled in her head like a storm while she sat up and made her way to the entrance. She glanced once more at her boyfriend, who was standing at the bar again, looking like he was finally getting socially drained from being pined at by all these different girls. Though of course, another girl was still talking to him while he drank a glass of water and forced himself to listen to her with his head in his hands.

Katara left, click-clacking down the hallway in her shiny heels. She was deep in thought, trying to rationalise the situation and planning how she was going to take a relaxing bath and just rest to destress herself. It was when she was about to turn the corner, when she heard something coming from the bathroom near the living quarters.

It was the public bathroom for the female guests from the ball, so it wasn't unusual to hear voices coming from inside- but it was unusual for Katara to hear her own name being uttered from inside. Although she knew it was stupid, Katara leaned forward to see if they were really talking about her. And that they were.

"Oh yeah- I heard that the avatar likes her." "Bahaha everyone's saying they're in a relationship- just because they kissed once." "What a slut. She just wants him for his fame." "You can tell she's ran through- just look at the way she walks!" "Pffff- you can't say that! You're so bad~" "It's the truth! Plus she isn't even that pretty... And did you see her hair? Ugh. Distasteful is all I'll say." "The avatar could never like something like that, I'll personally make sure he makes a better choice. Is this push-up too noticeable?"

Katara walked away briskly, her chest welling up with all possible kinds of emotions. She felt her mind spinning and her face heating up. She focused on putting her foot in front of the other, and walking away from that horrible place. She couldn't help but go over what those girls had said about her.

'Do I walk weird? Like a slut? How does a slut even walk? And my hair- what's wrong with my hair?? I love Aang! I don't want him just for that... What's wrong with me? There's no way I'm really that weird... is there?'

Her eyes welled with tears. She pushed everything down into her throat, which was now sore and aching from pushing back all the emotional turmoil in her stomach. She quickened her pace to her hallway in the living quarters. She tried not to break down before she got to her door but it was no use.

Her vision was blurry from all the tears threatening to spill out. She reached her hand for the doorknob and choked back a sob. She opened the door and slammed it behind her, letting her feelings spill out on the floor. She slid down the door with her back and just sat on the ground with her knees up to her chest, crying.

Tears hit the stone floors in a rapid pace as she thought about all of her flaws, and just how mean those girls were. How could someone say something like that? She cried and cried and cried. She touched her hair for comfort to try and calm down, but that only made it worse when she realised how ugly the girls thought it was. She broke down again.

After calming down slightly, she looked around her room to find some tissues to blow her nose. She usually left a pack on her nightstand. As her gaze grazed across her bed, they widened.

There, on her bed, was a huge bouquet of rose lilies. Her favourite. Beside them was a little box, some chocolates, and a letter. She immediately stopped crying to stand up and admire the grand gesture. She knew who was behind this.

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Aang finished off his glass of water while trying not to show how annoyed he was by this girl yapping her lips off trying to impress him. He decided he didn't really care and just walked away mid conversation. He was walking over to his friends' table when another girl came up to him. "Hey Aaaaang, I was-"

He stopped her dead in her tracks and put a palm up to her face. "Sorry. I'm not in the mood." He didn't mind talking to a lot of people during a ball, since he was quite the extrovert, but these girls just kept getting shallower and shallower. Initially, they wanted to know everything about him and his culture- which he was glad to elaborate on. But after a while, they all just wanted to know if he was single, wanted a drink, a date, or a stroll around the gardens.

He was fed up with them and just wanted to go back to where he felt most at ease- Katara. When he was in her arms, every worry and ounce of exhaustion just flew away. He needed that right now. When he made his way to the table, though, she wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Where's Katara?" He said, hovering over his friends. "Woah, nice to see you too man. Where you been?" Sokka asked. Aang smiled. "Yeah, sorry. Kinda hard to relax at an event when you're the avatar." He paused. "Anyways, where's Katara?" Sokka rolled his eyes while Suki told him, "she went back to her room, she said she wasn't feeling well." Aang frowned and excused himself before immediately heading to find Katara. He was worried- why was she not feeling well, was it physical or mental?

He paced quickly through the hallways of the fire nation palace, eager to see his girlfriend as soon as possible. He wanted to make sure she was okay. As he was thinking about her, he bumped into a group of girls making their way out of the bathroom. He apologised and stepped to the side. He paused for a second before asking. "Hey... you haven't happened to see a girl walk through here? Brown wavy hair, two piece blue dress, around this big?"

He lifted his hand to about his shoulder to indicate her height. The mood shifted immediately, the girls didn't seem pleased with his mention of this girl, though he didn't get why. One girl rolled her eyes and said, "oh that girl? No haven't seen her besides in the ball where she was bitching about something stupid with her friends."

Aang furrowed his eyebrows at the girl and started moving away from them, towards her room. "Um.... Thanks." He cringed, flatly. He made his way to Katara's room and wasn't surprised to see the light on through the cracks of the door. He took a breath and pressed his hand on the door, knocking three times, like he always did.

"Come in", a small voice creeked. Aang opened the door slowly to reveal Katara sitting on her bed in the very back, her legs curled up to her chest and gnawing on a piece of chocolate. Aang sighed in a frustrating way.

"Damn it- I told him to deliver this all later! I wanted to surprise you with it personally! Oh well, here it is." He smiled at her shortly before realising how odd her body language seemed. She croaked out a small 'thank you' and meekly smiled at him, revealing her puffy face and red eyes.

Aang rushed towards her bed, sitting in front of her. "Sweetie, are you alright?? I'm sorry, I thought water lilies were your favourite. I knew I should have asked for roses." This forced a small scoff out of her. "No, I love this. I love you. I'm sorry I can't appreciate it at the moment." She planted a small kiss on his cheek and took another bite out of the chocolate, her face full of sadness.

Aang looked confused. "Well then what's wrong? I can tell you've been crying honey what's wrong? I love you please just talk to me. If it's something I did I'm sorry but just tell me." He practically begged her to tell him why she had been so obviously crying, while reaching for her hand, which she hesitantly gave him. He squeezed it tightly.

She looked away from his gaze and shuddered a sigh. "Aang..." She paused, lip quivering. "Do you think I'm weird, or ugly?" She looked at his dumbfounded face. "Or my hair? Is it really that bad? I'm sorry..." She looked down with a certain kind of guilt that stabbed Aang's heart through and through.

He scoffed in disbelief. "Wha- What are you talking about??" He cupped her face to look at her better, tears now streaming down her check. "You..." He sighed. "You are the most beautiful being I have ever seen in my life. I love you for so much more than that, but with all of my heart I can tell you that your beauty is unmatched, in all of the worlds that exist in my head."

Katara looked up at him and pouted. "Do you really think so?" "I know so. Your beauty is indescribable. And you're not weird!! If anything, I'm the weird one. And your hair is so perfect. Why do you think I touch it all the time?" She blushed and smiled. She felt her worries slip away a little. "Sweetie, what brings this on? You're not the type to feel insecure over nothing..."

Katara looks away for the thousandth time. "Well..." She fiddled with her blanket under her fingers. "These girls-" Aang scowled. "A coupled of girls brought this on???" He said, louder than intended. "Yeah well, they said I'm weird and a slut and stuff like that... Is that why you talked with prettier girls all night?" Aang's faced softened into guilt.

"Spirits, Katara. I thought those girls just wanted to know about air nomad culture and you know me and my culture- but- they got extremely aggravating after a while. I didn't know they just wanted to talk to me to get something out of me. I just wanted to go home to you and get away from them. And they are not prettier than you are, are you kidding me??"

Katara chuckled and Aang kissed her salty cheek before continuing, "I am so so sorry baby, if I ever made you feel unwanted. I want you more than I want life itself. You are my earthly tether!! I mean spirits, Katara. You are everything to me!" The girl blushed.

"I know that, but everyone just thinks that I'm weird and ugly and I don't compare to those girls." She nervously stated. Aang scoffed, as if she were telling a half-assed joke. "Those girls need to be put in their place. And you're right, you don't compare to them because you're so much more than them! You are simply perfect Katara, from your hair to your face to your beautiful body-"

This forced a hot blush out of both. "-I couldn't think of anyone better than you! So don't listen to those whiny little bitches." "Aang!" Katara shoved his chest playfully, smiling. Aang very rarely cursed, so when he did- he was serious.

Aang stood up from the bed and reached his hand out to hers. "C'mon, we're gonna show those spoiled brats what we are." He said, with full confidence. Katara looked at him with a shocked expression. "What do you mean?" "I mean we're gonna go back to that ball, you're gonna look perfect as usual and stand next to me while I introduce you as my lovely girlfriend to everyone who asks. And maybe dance a little. Sounds good?"

Katara nervously contorted her face to squeeze out a reply. "I don't know Aang..." Aang took her hand and threw her body into his arms, bridal style- which forced a playful yelp out of her. "I personally will see to it that you feel better after tonight." He said, while planting a kiss on her forehead. "Now cmon, I think you can walk on your two feet." Katara groaned as she felt the hard stone floor underneath her feet again.

"I guess..." She mumbled, as they made their way to the door. Aang hesitated at the doorframe and looked back at her bed. "Hey... you didn't open the box or the letter." Katara looked back at her bed in regard to his comment. She looked guilty. "No... I felt bad that I wasn't in the best mood so I just ate the chocolate... I didn't think I deserved anything else."

Aang scoffed and walked over to the bed, pulling Katara behind him. They sat on the bed, Aang pulling Katara onto his lap which, yet again, forced a yelp out of the girl. Katara blushed at the gesture of her boyfriend. He leaned back and took the little box and set it on her lap. He put his hands to the side, waiting.

"Well? Are you gonna open it?" He asked. Katara fumbled with her fingers trying to open it and finally got it open. It was a piece of jewellery. A necklace. It was dainty but beautiful. A thin gold chain with a beautiful blue pendant in the middle, diamonds lining the pendant, so it shone a beautiful array of lights that danced when it hit the sun. Katara gasped.

"Wow... Aang it's..." She paused to inspect the necklace further in her fingertips. "It's beautiful!" She set it down gently and flung her arms over the boy, soliciting a smile from him. He wrapped his arms around her too, "I'm glad you like it." He said, muffled in her hair. "Now let me put it on you." He took the necklace from her and wrapped his arms around her to put it on.

He clasped it closed on the back of her neck and let her hair fall. He turned her so her torso was twisted to face him. He smiled at her. "You look absolutely stunning, sweetie." Katara obviously blushed at this and stood up. "Well cmon what are you waiting for?" Katara stood up and made her way out, skipping in glee due to her new present. Aang hesitated. "You don't wanna read the letter I wrote for you?" He frowned. She laughed. "Of course I do, but right now I wanna dance." His face softened into a smile. "As you wish."

They made their way back into the party, Katara was feeling much better now with Aang by her side, she clung into his bicep while scanning the crowd for any sour faces. Aang led her to their friends' table. "Hey guys! Weeelcome back." Sokka hiccuped, an telltale sign he had been drinking just a little too much. Zuko started "We missed you! Miss Katara here was so jealous of your womanly powers I mean, she almost ripped those girls apart herself!" He giggled, also obviously not sober.

Aang cringed at the thought of Katara feeling that way but shook those thoughts away as he looked at her smiling face next to him. The couple sat down for a couple minutes, catching up with their friends on the drama that went down at the party since they left. "And then this girl shoved this other girl for talking to her 'guy' which started a full-blown passive aggressive fight. It was crazy." Sokka said, as if this was the most interesting thing he had experienced.

Toph snorted. "These girls are too soft. They need to learn how to throw a punch!" Everyone chuckled at this comment. Aang stood up and pulled Katara with him. "Hey guys we'll be right back we just need to dance a little." He smirked, making his way to the dance floor. The group just waved them away, aware of how much the coupled liked dancing together.

The music was lively and fast-paced, perfect for them. They started dancing together, similar to the way they dance in that fire nation cave years ago. Aang smiled and pulled his girlfriend in for a twirl. She obliged, then pulled away from him to stretch the dance out a little longer. This went on for a good couple of minutes, the couple laughing like crazy in each others company while messing up the stupidest dance moves.

Katara managed to step on Aang's foot and fall back slightly, before Aang caught her in perfect synchronisation with the music ending. They stood in the same position as they had in that cave, Katara leaning on his hand which easily supported her weight under him, their noses just barely touching. But this time, Aang did what he wanted to do so badly years ago. He kissed her.

The kiss deepened quickly, forcing a blush out of Aang. Katara grazed her tongue on his bottom lip, which he easily reciprocated. Aang pulled away after a few seconds after the kiss got too deep. It wasn't foreign to them to kiss in public- but it was usually just a peck on the check or lips. This kiss was different... It was almost private. Very intimate, to say the least.

And they weren't the only ones who noticed it, too. A group of young girls were staring at them with an array of expressions. Some shocked, some disgusted, most just annoyed and jealous. Katara saw this and smiled, pulling herself back onto her two feet. The coupled danced and danced and danced until they couldn't anymore, then danced some more.

As the night progressed, the dances got slower and slower until the coupled was melting into each others arms, slowly rocking to the rhythm of the music guiding them. Katara propped her arms over Aang's shoulders, and his arms rested on her waist. She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes, breathing him in. He did the same, leaning his head on the top of hers. They could stay like this forever.

But Katara was getting tired. She almost fell asleep right then and there in the boy's arms. She grumbled to him. "I'm so tired..." Aang pulled away to look at her tired face. Eyes heavy and eyebrows at rest. He smiled softly at his cute girlfriend. "Why don't we get you to bed? It is getting late- the others are already gone." She looked at the table they had been sitting and noticed their friends were, in fact, gone. She also noticed how the crowd had thinned out in the past hour or two.

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The living quarters were set up in a very practical way. You made your way to the living quarters, where a door would greet you. You would open the door to a long hallway to your left and right, To your right was the living room, kitchen and balcony. Kitchen was a generous term for the little ice-box and counter that stood next to the living room, but it would make do. The living room comprised of a coffee table in the middle of a conversation-pit inspired couch. Then, to the right of that, there was the balcony.

To the left of you, were the living quarters. It was a hallway with 5 doors, for everyone except Zuko, since he slept in his royal room or something.

Aang was carrying Katara on his back, backpack style, as he fumbled with the doorknob to get into the living area. He heard voices from inside so he assumed his other friends were continuing their shared company together in the living room. He managed to get the door open with swift manoeuvring, trying not to drop the sleeping girl on his back. She knocked out almost instantaneously after she requested he pick her up and carry her. She was tired from everything that had happened that day, and Aang just put her to peace easily.

Aang stepped inside and closed the door behind him, making his way to the living room first, to announce his arrival to his friends and grab a quick snack. He walked to the right and his friends immediately greeted him loudly which was followed by a 'SSSHHH!' and a finger telling them to be quiet and pointing to the sleeping Katara on his back.

"Hahaha all that dancing tired her out I guess" Suki chuckled. Aang smiled and lay the girl down on the couch, so he could have free movement to grab a mochi ball from the kitchen cabinet. He made his way back to the couch and sat next to Katara, who was still sleeping with her head cocked back, resting on the wall behind the couch. He put his arm around her and she stirred, instinctively leaning into his grasp, and resting her head on his shoulder.

"So how was it?" Toph asked the boy. Aang smiled even wider. "It was good. The girls managed to stay away after I proudly announced what Katara meant to me." Suki smiled. "See? I knew everything would be okay." Sokka was sitting on the floor arguing with Momo while Zuko backed him up. They were drunk. Everyone could tell. Toph and Suki were only slightly buzzed, with Suki being the most sober of the group besides the couple.

The group just stayed there for a good couple of minutes, laughing at Sokka and Zuko and telling jokes and stories around the coffee table. After a while, everyone made their way into their living quarters except for Aang and Katara. He didn't want to disturb her peace so he let her just sleep on him for a couple minutes longer before attempting to wake her up.

"Hey sweetie." He planted a kiss on her forehead and brushed her hair away from her face. "You gotta get to bed." He told her. She scowled and stirred, practically melting into him at this point. "No..." She grumbled incoherently. "Carry me." Katara practically demanded at this boy. Aang chuckled. "Well what makes you think you can just boss me around like that?" He teased.

"Because you love me." She retorted, softly. He slumped and sighed because she was totally right. He would do anything for her, he was just teasing. He gladly put his arms around her and carried her to her room. On the way she gripped him tighter and lazily kissed him on his collarbone, where her head rested. This made Aang blush because of the sheer intimacy of the gesture.

Katara nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck and continued lazily kissing him. "Mmm... I love you." She mumbled. His blush only grew hotter. "I love you too." He replied. He felt the girl smile into his neck. He managed to open the doorknob in one swift movement, not disturbing the peace of the girl in his hands.

He stepped into her room and lay her on her bed and walked back to close the door. He sat next to her and nudged her awake. "Sweetie you gotta get dressed and get yourself ready for bed." She moved onto her side, not letting herself get any more awake. "You do it." Aang scoffed. "What do you mean 'I do it'?" Katara groggily replied, in a slightly irritated tone, "I mean you do it. I'm too tired and you're so strong and handsome."

Aang didn't know what the relevance between these two statements was, but he just accepted the compliment and thought about how he should help her get ready for bed. "Alright, sit up." Katara obliged and lazily sat up, leaning her head against Aang. Aang reached for the hairbrush on her nightstand.

He positioned himself so he was sitting behind her, Katara sitting on his lap so he had perfect access to her hair. He started carefully brushing her slightly tangled hair from the bottom, working his way up to ensure minimal damage or resistance. After he had worked his way through her thick hair, he started on braiding it. He knew Katara liked to have her hair in one big braid for the night, so it was more manageable and didn't tangle throughout her slumber.

He finished with her hair and slinked away from behind her, moving towards her closet. He pulled out her pajamas. Long, flowy pants with a mismatched t-shirt. Nothing fancy, but he liked it on her. He made his way back to her and started taking off her accessories. He started with the necklace, carefully placing it in its box and putting it to the side. Then her bracelets, earrings, and shoes.

It didn't seem like she was wearing a lot of makeup, so washing it off wasn't too essential, sure it would be a nuisance to wake up in the morning with day-old makeup on your face, but he didn't want to risk waking her up with dragging her to the bathroom sink. Usually, he would let her sleep in the clothes she was in if he ever put her to bed, but the dress was just too poofy and formal and... expensive. He didn't want to risk her being uncomfortable or the dress getting damaged.

"Hey sweetie, you gotta change." He whispered. Katara sat up and put her arms up to the ceiling. Indicating once again 'you do it.' He looked at her with raised eyebrows. "You want me to change you?" Katara nodded sleepily. Aang sighed. It wasn't like he hadn't seen her undressed before- well- not naked but, in her underwear. It wasn't anything inherently sexual, it was just a human body.

At least, that's what he tried to tell himself when the images of Katara unclothed flooded his mind. He shook his head. He didn't want to turn something loving into something sexual. He didn't want to sexualise her if she didn't want it. He breathed in and out slowly to calm his...nerves.

He told her to stand up and he supported her weight while she leaned on him and he tugged her skirt off. He tried to be respectful and look away but it was kind of inevitable due to the fact that he had to fumble with the fabric to get it off of her body. Once that was off, he set her down on the bed, folded the skirt and put it away. He breathed in and out again trying not to stare too closely at the half-naked Katara in front of him.

He then put his hands on her top to take it off, telling her to sit up and raise her arms. She did what he told her, and he opened the zipper at the back and slid her top over her head and up her arms until it was off of her body. He averted his gaze immediately and turned away to put the top in her closet. Katara was now laying in her bed in just her bra and underwear. Aang tried as hard as he could not to stare or get excited. He looked away and put the blanket over her. He didn't even try to put her pajamas on her, he just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible, so he didn't get any more flustered.

She hummed at the comfort of her bed and groggily kissed Aang. "Thank you honey." She mumbled. Aang smiled and replied, "No problem sweetie. You know I'd do anything for you." Aang made his way out the door, stopping shortly to whisper an 'I love you' before leaving and closing the door. He quickly made his way to his room and tried to calm himself down. Although he would never admit it to anyone, barely himself, but just the mere thought of Katara in her underwear made his pants grow tight.

"Damn it Aang get ahold of yourself." He whispered to himself. He got himself ready for bed hoping that the feeling would die down but unfortunately he would have to go to sleep frustrated. He felt extremely guilty thinking of Katara in that way, but he couldn't help it.

He eventually drifted off to sleep with the memories of Katara floating in his mind. "Fuck."