The young Airbender looked up at the dark, star spotted sky in wonder. His friends were back at camp, fast asleep, and he had wandered out to the lake. He wasn't able to get back to sleep; a girl's face haunted his dreams.
He remebered clearly the day that he kissed her before they invaded the Fire Nation. He was afraid that he wouldn't come back, but he feared more for her than himself. He looked down at the clear blue water and tossed a rock. It skipped across the surface and then was gone.
"It's late," the Airbender looked up to see Katara. "You should go back to sleep."
Aang shook his head, looking back out across the lake. "I can't," he whispered. The Waterbender placed her hand on his shoulder and he sighed heavily. Being the Avatar was hard, and she could feel the pressure he was under. He layed back on the ground and closed his eyes.
Katara watched him for a minute, and when Aang opened his eyes, Katara looked away quickly, her cheeks growing warm. "Do you remember the invasion?" Aang suddenly asked.
She nodded, refusing to look at him. "How could I forget?" she said breathlessly.
"When I kissed you, and you kissed me back... I thought, well, maybe we might be together..." he trailed off, his tone unsure. Katara closed her eyes against the tears that she knew were coming.
"Aang-" she turned her head, but stopped talking, because he had suddenly kissed her before she could continue. His lips were soft against hers, and she closed her eyes, her arms wrapping around his neck. He held her back at arms length and looked her in the eyes. His were gray, like clouds before a storm, but they were filled with so much for her.
"I know I'm the Avatar, and I'm just one kid, but I would do anything to make sure you're okay, Katara. I've liked you for a while, but its surpassed just liking you. I'm not the innocent child I was almost a year ago."
She touched his cheek and smiled. "I know, Aang, but you can't worry about me when the comet is so close..."
"I don't care, Katara." He kissed her again, and she couldn't help but return it. There was something about him that she loved. She didn't know what it was, she liked it.