I was putting off this idea for too long so I just decided to go ahead and upload this. It's not much just my take on what happened when Aang and Katara met up after the battle. Maybe it'll even shed some light on what could've happened to make the spur of the moment (but completely awesome) kiss more clear. This'll be a short collection of oneshots focusing on all the moments within the two months between Zuko's coronation and the finale scene at the tea shop that led up to the final kiss, because something must've happened.
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.
Relief
The ride back to the Fire Nation was grueling and almost unbearable to the young Avatar. Defeating the Fire Lord and taking away his bending really wore the very fabric of his being out to the point where he couldn't even sit up. So he resorted to lean against Suki for support. He also found it pretty odd that the Fire Lord, his mortal enemy, was slumped over the back of the Lizard-hound they were riding and he wasn't cringing in fear. He was just as weak as Aang was and was, all the more, not a threat to anyone.
"Aang," Suki's seemingly soothing voice called to him hours later. "We're here." Aang slumped up from her shoulder and took some time to observe his surroundings.
"Oh," he yawned and got up from the animal they had rode on for almost a day. He looked behind him only to see that Sokka and Toph had already taken care of the Fire Lord and handed him off to some of the awaiting soldiers.
"We're going to get you to a bed and hot bath okay." Suki told him; even taking an extra step as to carry him there. Aang smiled, figuring that all girlfriends took that natural motherly instinct.
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Katara had been staring out the window for hours. She overheard someone tell Zuko that Aang, Sokka, Suki, and Toph were coming to the palace in a day or two from the forest were the battle took place but it was almost day two and Katara was staring to worry.
"Something bothering you Katara?" Zuko asked through the doorway. He was already in his sleeping attire and was probably just waiting for the others to arrive.
"Nothing, it's just Aang and the others should be back by now, shouldn't they?" She fiddled with her hair nervously.
"Actually I was just coming to tell you that they're here." He smiled awkwardly and Katara dashed out past him to the main hall.
And that's when she saw them. Sokka, Suki, Toph, but no Aang. And her stomach dropped at the logic.
"Sokka," she sighed after she was done hugging and greeting everyone. "Where's Aang?" Her eyes began to water and Sokka immediately knew what she was thinking. But soon smiled and signaled Katara to turn her head.
"Aang," Katara chocked out and covered her mouth to hide the raising sob from escaping her lips.
"I'm okay," he whispered knowing very well that was the first question she'd ask him. He looked thoroughly tired and drained but that didn't stop Katara from almost tackling him down when she hugged tightly.
"Aang," she sighed again, completely sinking into his embrace. "Don't scare me like that."
"Like what?" He asked; his knees were getting a little weak so he fell to his knees slowly taking Katara with him, but not once did he dare to break contact.
"Like disappearing before the most important and dangerous battle of your life without saying good bye to me." She clenched his shirt more to pain his back a little; then quickly just rubbed the spot.
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't-" She placed a finger over his mouth with still wrapped his arms; hushing him.
"Don't Aang. Not now. Let's just be happy." Aang nodded against her shoulder and she stood them both up. "Let's get you to sleep." She waved to Sokka and the other, indicating that she was going to be with Aang for a while, the others nodded and made their way to the dinner hall.
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Normally he'd be blushing at the event Katara was actually bathing with him, but since none of them were actually naked it wasn't blush worthy. She was just gently scrubbing his back, easing the scar that had been re-opened during battle.
"So what happens now?" Aang asked sometime later, they were just about done in the bath and for the time being were just enjoying the warm water before it cooled.
"Zuko gets coroneted tomorrow, so I guess after that it's re-building the world."
"That's pretty vague Katara," Aang joked while nudging her in the shoulder affectionately, she just smiled back.
"Well the future is pretty vague right now, but I'm actually pretty excited for it, as long as you're with me." She was even shocked at herself for saying what she just did. She meant every word of it, no doubt, but just the fact of the last real conversation they had was enough to ruin their
friendship forever and it was all her words that hurt him it seemed so out of character to seem so chipper around him. Regardless, though, he smiled and leaned against her wet shoulder.
"I'll always be with you, you know that." He went as far as to kiss her shoulder slightly but backed away after he placed his lips on her skin. "I'm sorry." He spewed immediately "I wasn't respecting your decision."
"What decision?" Katara asked, she couldn't recall any time she had been mad she at him showing some harmless affection, except on the balcony the night on Ember Island.
"When you said you were confused, you made a decision and I need to honor that." He bowed his head earnestly and left it down. Katara almost laughed when she realized he was being completely serious, but instead she placed a warm hand upon his chin; lifting it slowly so he would look at her.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that," she commented quietly and marveled at how Aang's face shined yet dimmed all at the same time by one simple sentence. "I know I left the situation no better than it started and I'm the one to blame for that, I might've given you the wrong impression." He still had the same expression, not even moving a wince, so she continued. "When I said I was confused I didn't mean that I didn't want to ever consider the idea, I guess in way I was protecting myself."
"From what?" Aang finally asked.
"I've always believed in you Aang, you know that. But there was still this that tiny voice in my head after watching that play, watching how many times I almost lost you. I just didn't want to immerse myself in you only to have you taken away within a week. I wouldn't be able to live; it would tear me apart if I lost you Aang." He blinked at her a couple times. Katara could tell that he had something to say but was holding it in so maybe a few more words would pull it out of him.
"I'm going to bed down." He said randomly and stood, it almost startled Katara a bit when he moved so quickly out of the water and through the door.
But Katara wasn't going to make it that easy for him.
"Aang," she called to him after she finished cleaning up the bathroom but he was already in bed. "I know you're tired but there's something you need to know." He turned to face her; the covers pulled up to his nose.
"Okay." He said simply; awaiting her comment. She walked up to him, grabbing his shoulders, about to speak but only breathed. She was suddenly lost for words. "Katara, what is it?" Aang asked once more; yawning to emphasize that he was tired.
"Look Aang I……..I'm not confused." And with those three words Aang went completely numb.
"Wha-what?" He stuttered and Katara couldn't help by smile.
"I'm not confused. I know very well what I want out of our friendship." Her smile grew as she looked up at him and stroked his head lovingly enough to make him blush.
"I'm glad," was all he could think of to say after moments of silence.
"Me too," Katara cheered and hugged him tightly, which he returned but quickly backed away enough to look into her eyes. They were shining differently at him that moment, in a look he'd never seen before. It was oddly calming and intoxicating all at the same and enough to make him dive into her.
It was the third time he had kissed her and she responded the same every time. First she was shocked, then she relaxed, and then either she'd pulled away or just kissed him back. He was glad she went with the second option and grabbed his upper arms to pull him closer.
"Are you confused now?' Aang asked, trying to see if the kiss would change anything but she just shook her head.
"No," she added and stood. "I look forward to the next one." She winked at him but he grabbed her wrists before she could move any further.
"I-I love you Katara," he just spewed it out so suddenly he didn't even know why or how it came out so easily. The one thing he had worked so hard to hide for a year and he just said it so effortlessly in a mere minute. Maybe it was the buildup he had all this time and three kisses was the limit before he popped? But to his relief she didn't look angry, or even surprised for that matter.
"I know," she beamed and kissed him lightly on the forehead. "Tell me all about it later."
"So does that mean it's the right time?" He asked quietly as if he didn't even want her to hear. She just smiled once more.
"Yeah, I guess it is."
And when she left Aang fell back on his bed, exhausted on both ends. These next couple weeks of this special "time" were sure to be interesting.
I suppose you could say this could go along with my other story "Fire War Renaissance" but it can also stand alone. Just a drabble on what I think happened, because personally I think there was a big hole between the end of the war and the big kiss during the very end in which they must've discussed something. As for the Aang confession, I really think that after all the buildup and emotional stress he's been put through because of this he'd come out and say it if the occasion called for it. He's been like a balloon with the words "I love you' in it for, like, the whole series and he finally popped after kiss three!
Don't forget to review.