A/N: I hate writing chapter stories because I always end up starting them and never finishing them when I run out of plot or motivation. This was my solution – let me know what you think as I'm rather new to Kataang fanfiction (though not new to the TV series). Rating is for a reason. Intentionally fluffy.
Disclaimer: I only want to do this once because it's a pain in the ass – Avatar: The Last Airbender does NOT belong to me. The story & plot are mine though so please respect that
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Katara sighed, it'd been three years since Aang had defeated Firelord Ozai and since then his days had been filled with meeting after meeting. They managed to see each other almost every day, mostly by grabbing dinner with the Gaang, going over notes, or sneaking kisses on the way to the meetings, but she didn't get to see him nearly as much as when they'd been traveling the world together.
This time, though, it was different. This time he was going to be gone for at least six months on this 'Victory Tour' that Zuko seemed to think was necessary. Katara ground her teeth in frustration just thinking about it. She'd wanted to go with Aang but as a representative of the Southern Water Tribe, Katara's presence was necessary in the peace talks going on in Ba Sing Se. They could have managed with just Sokka but her presence was made even more mandatory by the fact that the rebuilding of the Southern Water Tribe and the restoration of its lands was due to be the next topic under discussion. They needed as many voices as they could get.
Still though, it sucked. Katara and Aang's relationship had barely started to grow its roots and all of a sudden Aang had to leave. They'd spent the first two years after the war tiptoeing around each other, equally embarrassed by their relationship status. It was probably for the best, since they were so young at the time, but only now - three years later - were they finally starting to be truly comfortable with each other in the context of a relationship. It seemed so unfair that their already slowly progressing relationship was interrupted by even more 'important world affairs.' Who knows how many gorgeous girls he'll see on this 'Victory Tour' of Zuko's... Katara thought…I wonder if I should do something special to help Aang remember me…
The date of Aang's departure had snuck up on them faster than they could've possible imagined. Suddenly a month became ten days and ten days became none. Katara gripped Aang's hand tightly as she walked with him to Appa's stable. The sky bison groaned happily as soon as the couple came into sight and thumped his tail a few times. Katara smiled at him and rubbed his nose as he butted his head against her head asking for more. Katara gave him another pat before turning to Aang, trying to swallow the lump in her throat.
"Aang…" She'd barely started before she was enveloped in a tight hug. She breathed in his scent, wanting to remember every part of him…his lean muscles, his woody musk…pulling back she looked into the stormy grey eyes that she'd fallen in love with. She smiled softly, a few tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.
As he brushed the tears from her face, Aang's heart wrenched. He couldn't bear the thought of leaving her already. I've spent so long hoping this woman would fall in love with me and now that she has, I have to leave her…I hate this… He, too, admired the woman in front of him, wanting to remember every detail; her striking sapphire eyes, the easy curls of her hair, the softness of her lips, the smoothness of her complexion.
Slowly, Aang leaned in to brush his lips against Katara's. He felt her slowly press herself against him and wrapped his arms around her, resting his hands on the small of her back. As she ran her hands up his neck, their kisses grew more frenzied, more urgent. Aang pressed his tongue into her mouth and their tongues danced together, communicating their feelings. Finally, Aang pulled back.
"Katara," he half-smiled, "If we keep this up it's gonna make it even harder for me to leave."
She simply looked at him before choking back a cry and throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him as hard as she could. Aang embraced her and hid his tears in her shoulder. Finally, they pulled apart again.
"Aang, I have something for you."
Katara reached in her bag and drew out a brown paper package. "In case you need something to remind you of me… there's a letter taped to the top that explains everything."
Aang looked at her questioningly but she just blushed and said "Promise you'll read the letter first!"
"Of course sweetie."
"RRRR." The two looked at Appa as he pawed the ground impatiently.
Aang smiled. "I get it buddy, it's time for me to leave. Just give me a minute more."
He turned back to Katara and put on a brave smile. "So…. this is it."
"This is it," she repeated.
"I'm gonna miss you Katara. More than you can imagine."
She smiled softly as the tears began to fall, unbidden. "Come back to me as soon as you can."
He wiped the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand. "I'll be counting down the days."
Then, after one last kiss and a deep hug, Aang jumped on Appa's back and was in the air. Katara watched as Aang and Appa flew further and further into the distance. She kept her eyes locked on his figure until she could no longer make the flying form out from the clouds. When they finally disappeared from her sight, Katara sighed. That's the first time he's left since he went to go fight Ozai…I don't know what I'm gonna do without him…
They'd been flying for two hours before Appa started to slow down. Aang sighed, running his hands through his best friend's fur. He didn't want to deal with the thought of being without Katara for half a year. Glancing around with glazed eyes, Aang realized he didn't know where they were. Oh well, Appa knows where we're going…
Rrr. Startled, Aang looked down at his stomach. "Did you hear that Appa? I guess even my broken heart doesn't stop me from being hungry."
Aang rummaged through his bag looking for some of his dried mango. Suddenly, his hand bumped against the package Katara had given him. Oh man, I was so caught up in missing Katara that I barely remember her giving this to me. I wonder what it is…
Aang removed the letter that Katara had attached to the front of the package. Tearing it open, he began to read.
Dear Aang,
I can't believe you're gonna be gone for six whole months. I know we've known each other for a long time but six months seems so long – I've barely been apart from you for two weeks let alone a month and I don't know what I'm gonna do without you.
I keep thinking stuff like "what if Aang meets some really cute girl while he's on his tour?" or "what if he forgets how he feels about me?" I know it's dumb to think that but you've been my best friend for so long and now that it's something more than that, I'm can't help but feel a little unsure. Not that I don't trust you, I do. But I can't help but worry.
Aang put down the letter. Now that Katara brought it up, he couldn't help but worry that maybe SHE would change her mind. He'd noticed the looks she got from guys when they got dinner somewhere public or browsed for stuff in the street market…. What if she falls for some handsome older guy… Shaking himself from his thoughts, Aang kept reading.
I was trying to think about what I could do for you…for us. That's when I came up with this. In this package, there are a bunch of letters. Each letter is in a separate marked envelope. The envelopes are marked with when you're supposed to read them. "Open: When You Miss Me, Open: When You Think About Our Future, Open: When You Get Jealous, etc."
Hopefully with these letters, you'll know that I'm there for you even when I'm not there in person. I want to be there with you for all the important things these next six months. I hope you'll let me be, and that you'll take these letters seriously – I put a lot of myself into them. Also, I know it's probably tempting but please don't read all the letters as soon as you get this. I want this to last you until you're back in my arms.
I already miss you Aang. Come back to me safe and sound.
Love from,
Katara
As Aang got to the end of Katara's letter, he grasped it to his chest tightly, trying not to let the water flow from his eyes. He slowly opened the package and sifted through the letters, tracing over her handwriting and imagining how much time she'd put into his gift. It was the perfect gift and it only made him miss her more. Katara…
XXX
