Night had fallen, and everyone was retiring for the night. Aang lie on the sand looking up at the stars feeling the fire die with every passing minute. Eventually all was quiet except for the crash of the waves, but they were soothing; like the rhythm of the night. Sleep evaded him and he got up to walk along the shore. The moon illuminated his path as he ventured off to a more calming place. It's a full moon tonight and he smiled in spite of himself but his smile dimmed when he realized how much he felt for her. For Katara; His "forever girl." He slid his hand over his smooth head feeling stressed. He knew that he loved her. and he always would. But how could he tell her?
Katara heard Aang leave the camp site, and when he was far enough away, she crept out of her sleeping bag and followed him. His footprints were her guide ,and when she could see him she quickly hid from his line of sight. She watched him gaze at the moon and smile. but it eventually became a look of defeat that took its place. He reached up to run his hand over his head and she could feel the tension even from behind the tree line. She wanted to go over and comfort him but she knew that if she got too close to him she would make him uncomfortable. And since he was shirtless; he would do the same to her. She knew she had feelings for him but with the end of the summer approaching, she didn't know how much time they had left together. Or if they had any time at all.
Aang heard the rustling of the bushes in the darkness of the tree line, and turned to go explore. Before he even took a step, Katara emerged from the darkness and smiled tentively at him. He gave a crooked smile back, but it wavered and turned to a frown. " What's wrong?" Katara whispered. "Nothing, everything, all at the same time." The clouds covered the moon and the beach became dark, but Aang looked down at Katara and she seemed to have a faint luminosity that seemed to make her glow. "Do you remember what the inscription said in the cave of the two lovers?" Katara whispered. "Aang smiled and murmured, "Love is brightest in the dark.'" She smiled and looked up into his eyes. Aang took her face in his hands; he looked deep into her eyes and whispered "I love you." They closed their eyes and kissed until the clouds parted and illuminated their surroundings. They lie on the beach all night whispering sweet nothing to each other. When the sun did rise Aang looked at Katara's sleeping face, and smiled to himself. 'Finally' he thought.
