Everything happened in a matter of seconds, no, half seconds. But to me, I don't know, maybe it was the adrenaline of impending battle pumping through my veins that made me more perceptive of those few moments, it seemed like hours.

"What if I don't come back!?" Aang said, eyes widening in fear. I leaned in closer to him, as I always did when I comforted him. I watched his face apprehensively as he seemed to be deciding something very important. I tried to claim his attention again, "Aang, don't say that y-".

Suddenly, cutting me off, he grabbed my shoulder, pulling himself up to me and pressed his lips to mine. He was practically on his tiptoes, and I would have laughed if I wasn't so startled; so startled that I could only blink momentarily.

But as the shock resided I became very aware of the heat and warmth of his lips on mine. I closed my eyes and sank into the kiss further, trying to memorize every movement, every gesture. I was too afraid to wrap my arms around his shoulders so I could only let them hang limply at my sides. How I wanted to hug him closer, to deepen the kiss, but, and I am still kicking myself for it, I acted idiotically and stood stiff as a statue.

Soon, too soon, he pulled away with a determined, triumph and slightly sad look upon his face. He took off on his glider and left me without a word, standing there looking pink.