I've often asked myself what would've happened if Aang hadn't interrupt Katara with this kiss on the submarine. That's not the possibility I'm sure had happened; it just seemed better to write. So tell me what you think. It's short and stupid but I'm bored and I wanted to write a new oneshot.

I do not own Avatar : The Last Airbender or any characters of it.

There were two friends, standing together on the top of a submarine and talking. The young girl was desperately trying to convince her best friend that he had the power to do that -to fight the firelord- but at the same time she tried to convince herself, too.

"You've grown up so much!" She paused and smiled uncomfortably. "... I guess what I'm trying to say is... I'm really proud of you."

Aang blushed and looked to the side while a small smile appeared on his face that let his lips almost reach his eyes. Then, he remembered what he had to do in one hour. Or minutes.

"Everything's gonna be different after today, isn't it" he asked. It wasn't a real question; he was quite sure that it'd be different. Especially after what he was planning to do.

Katara's lips went down. "I guess it is."

"What if... what if I don't come back?" Aang hoped for more encouraging words; something that would help him fight the firelord, something that would give him a clear sign for her feelings.

"Aang, don't say that! Of course you'll come back!" she said.

"Do you really think so?" He became more nervous. In a couple of seconds everything between them would change, maybe it would ruin everything, maybe not. He hoped for the second reason so badly, he hoped for a stronger bond between them and not a scissor that'd cut it.

Katara simply nodded. "You're so strong, Aang. You can do this. I know it." Even if she wasn't quite sure she wanted him to know that there was no reason to be anxious. "It's your turn now, Aang" she said.

"W-what?". The young Avatar snapped back from his thoughts that were planning every detail of his next step.

"I told you what I wanted to say. Now you can tell me."

"Uhm... Right. Katara, listen..."

"Of course I'll listen. Here's no one else to listen to." They shared an awkward laughter.

"Okay, Katara, it's something I've wanted to tell you since a long time. I tried so often but everytime someone showed up and I couldn't finish..."

"Yes, Aang?"

He couldn't hide the fact that he was blushing furiously and he knew that she knew. "Katara... I-..., you know that you're my best friend, right?"

She nodded, hoping that he wasn't going to tell her something like he had a crush on her or so... That couldn't be. She wouldn't know what to say. But it was kind of obvious; she could tell by his flushed cheeks. When she said nothing, he said everything.

"Katara, I love you" he said.

Her eyes widened. He blushed. And in the background, Sokka was opening the submarine.

"Katara, you have to come now! And Aang, you should fly. Time's running! Good luck!"

The girl looked away; everywhere, just not into Aang's eyes. She felt like telling him one last time that he could make it. But now, everything had changed. Just because of three simple words. They were running through her head, again and again. Aang loves me, he loves me, he...

He opened his glider and flew off. She watched him, regretting it badly that she hadn't said anything to him anymore. He loves me.

She jumped on Appa and bended some water.

He loves me.

Aang wished Katara had said something. Or that he'd said those words after he had gotten one last hug from her. Because now, he flew off without it.

Because he had ruined it.