((AN: Bweee, another short little one-shot for this collection again. x3 I was in another of my fluffy moods, too; this one jumps all the way back to Katara's pregnancy with Tenzin, and how she was dealing with all the stress on her body for the first time. I imagine Aang would be a rather diligent husband, all ready to ask "how high" when told to jump. xP But, I also think he'd have some power to his methods, when it comes to soothing her inner fire.
So yeah, enjoy this little chapter of pointless preggy-fluff. ^^
Everything here is owned by Mike and Bryan.))
Katara had many opinions about her first pregnancy in the entirety of the nine months she went through it. But it would always be a blessing, foremost in her mind. She woke up every morning and smiled when she could feel that the little bump on her abdomen had still safely cradled the new life growing within, and she went to bed every night hoping that it would continue to be so.
There were of course times, however, when being pregnant felt more like a curse than a blessing. As the baby grew, her body was put under more and more stress, and she could feel it in even the most subtle changes. Her patterns of hunger were irregular…her moods switched constantly between one emotion or another…and sometimes she even found it uncomfortable to stand up or walk for a long time, let alone practice her bending. A part of her—the part that knew how to deal with expectant mothers and the feelings that were ingrained as a portion of her own instincts—knew it was all natural.
But another part certainly wouldn't have minded things to go by faster, until the time when she would no longer have to trudge through her bouts of unsolicited depression or fear or irritation.
Thankfully, whenever he had time at home away from his travels, meetings, and various duties, Aang was always helping and staying by her side, catering to her every need. She was constantly impressed with her husband's enthusiasm for the baby and the loving protectiveness he showed around her, and never once did she doubt how lucky she was even in her worst days. Even if sometimes his hovering became annoying, she never wanted him to stay away from her for very long.
It was a particularly bad day for the Waterbender one warm summer morning…or at least, the weather felt too warm for her tastes. Although she tried to keep herself calm, it was as if she was finding fault with everything having to do with herself. It was another day where she couldn't Waterbend properly, for her emotions weren't enough at peace. She was neither hungry, nor sociable; she had preferred to stay in bed over saying goodbye to their visiting friends and relatives as they left for their various homes.
It was just after lunchtime when she awoke and ordered herself and her growing belly with a minimum amount of difficulty down to one of the sitting rooms near the kitchen of the Southern Air Temple. At first she had the idea to fix something to eat, but decided against it once her sleepy eyes fell to the sight of one of the comfortable couches surrounding the hearth.
Ever-mindful of the baby, Katara carefully situated herself with her back against the armrest. She pinched the bridge of her nose as her eyes lazily closed again, as if willing her to sleep. What's wrong with me today…? I don't have the energy to do anything. Her other hand idly picked through the disheveled strands of the long, loose hair that she had yet to wash since the day before. Aang will probably laugh when he sees me. I look like a mess.
Truthfully, though Katara took a little pride in her appearance, her frustration didn't come from how she looked right then, but how she felt she looked…which was something akin to lazy, slovenly, and incomplete…and worse, it felt like she couldn't hide it.
She was a girl raised on an active lifestyle; even long after the war's end, when the days were peaceful and thankfully lacking anything to fight for or to work toward, she still enjoyed walking, running, enjoying her Waterbending practice…anything to make sure the day wasn't wasted on laziness. Whenever the others would tease and tell her to lighten up, being the one on task and busy was a hard habit to break, and it was where she found some of her own comfort.
It's just the pregnancy, Katara kept reminding herself. For the baby's sake, I have to take it easy right now.
Still, like a dark cloud hovering over her mind, her emotions were still set to go off on a hair trigger. Taking a deep breath and letting it out in a long and soothing sigh, she resigned herself to a day of rest. Nothing would disturb her if it could be helped.
Suddenly, just as she was drifting halfway into a nap, a voice rang out from the hall nearby, getting a little louder as it came closer into the room. "Is that you, Katara? Hey, I got you some…"
The disturbance was interrupted by a loud growl from the Waterbender, as she sat up and shot a blood-shot glare toward the door. "What is it?" she snarled.
But then, she immediately softened a little. Standing just inside the entrance was a rather surprised Aang, who straightened up and blinked in a nervous fashion.
"…Um…" he started, his voice a little high and sheepish as he lifted the cup he held like a peace offering. "Tea?"
The grimace on her face melted to be replaced with one more gentle and apologetic, suddenly surprised at her own temper. "Oh…tea, of course…" She wasn't feeling thirsty at the moment, but reached out for the cup anyway, considering that her husband had gone to the trouble…and that it would indeed probably calm her down a little more. "Thanks, Aang…I'm so sorry…I can't believe I just snapped like that."
As he entered the room and handed her the cup, the Airbender gave her a gentle smile. "It's okay. I didn't mean to sneak up on you." While Aang watched her tentatively sip the tea, his head tilted with concern at her slightly untidy appearance. He knelt by her side and touched her cheek with the back of his fingers. "Are you alright? You look so tired."
Katara swallowed the warm liquid in her mouth and grimaced, closing her eyes and turning her face from him. "I'm very tired. It was so hard to get up today. I can't believe I slept so late."
"Are you sick?" Aang asked his wife while resting his palm on her forehead to feel for a fever. Worry was evident in his eyes and his arched eyebrows, though she felt normal to his touch. "Maybe you should stay in bed."
"That's just it," the Waterbender said with a frustrated scoff, sitting up a little more to face him again and setting the tea aside. "I don't want to stay in bed, or stay here all day. Ugh…" she hid her eyes in her hand with a minute amount of shame at herself. "I guess being pregnant is messing me up a little too much. I'm not used to having to be lazy and basically losing control of my head…and it shows!" she growled again. "I haven't washed, haven't eaten much, and I feel like I weigh enough to keep Appa on the ground. I look horrible, I feel horrible…"
She bit her lip as her voice grew softer. "And you should probably get out of here before I yell at you again. I hate myself right now."
Aang simply listened to her with a calm demeanor, though the curious concern in his stare still told her what she expected; he knew less than she did about how her pregnancy would affect things…but still he had made a promise to be there for his beloved through the ups and downs of everything in their relationship, and the Avatar certainly wasn't going to back down from it.
Katara felt his hand returning to her face, cupping her cheek and softly urging her to look at him again. When she opened her eyes, red and brimming with self-depreciating tears, she only saw his warm smile and his loving gaze staring right back.
"Funny," he remarked with a little chuckle, "You say you look horrible. But from where I'm sitting, you happen to look absolutely beautiful."
His wife's face grew red, and she snorted incredulously. "Aang, please…you don't have to stand there and try to make me feel better…"
"Katara; it's true. I'm not just saying that." he cut her off, his voice gentle and insistent as he cradled her face in his palms, locking his eyes to hers. And as always, once she was looking into the depths of his gray irises and intently-focused pupils, she started to lose all resolve to argue with him. His adoring smile only urged her further to take in his words. "I love you; and I'll never think that you're anything less than beautiful, no matter how you happen to look."
There was a welling of peace in her heart, once her turbulent mind tried to accept the truth in his words. Though doubt still littered the pregnant woman's emotions, there he stayed, his thumbs stroking over the sensitive and flushed skin on her cheeks and his fingers brushing stray hair strands away from her face. Her eyes drifted contentedly closed of their own accord, and he took that opportunity to press a simple kiss on her lips for the purpose of lending his comfort and his love. Her raging blood stilled, and her stomach fluttered.
She let out a quiet half-laugh once he broke away and quirked a playful eyebrow. "So…even if I happened to come in all muddy and dirty, you'd still find me beautiful?"
"More so than any spirit," he grinned back.
"What about completely covered in Appa's snot?"
Aang snickered. "Even then. Though I would ask him why he chose to sneeze on you."
She rolled her eyes upward and shook her head, leaning back onto the headrest again. "You're incorrigible."
"I'm only telling the truth," he smiled in a way that he knew always charmed her and crossed his arms primly. "A monk doesn't lie about his feelings to a woman."
Katara barked out a laugh. "You might as well quit it with the 'noble and pure monk' thing, Avatar, when you consider certain things we've done in this temple," she gestured to her pregnant belly with a teasing grin.
A tinge of pink crossed his cheeks, even though he kept up a smug smile. "I told you, my people never considered the act a sin. Besides," he stood up and feigned a theatrically authoritative voice. "I'm the one who owns this place now. And as the head monk, I say that whatever I touch or do in this temple is sacred."
Although Katara wanted to roll her eyes at her husband's dramatic declaration, she couldn't help but gush a little. "Aw…" she tilted her head, her eyes wide and shining. "I'm sacred?"
At her retort, the Airbender blushed brightly and leaned toward her again with an equally bright smile. "My dear," he bowed, "You were already sacred even before my eyes touched you."
She laughed and gave him a light push. "Okay, now that was just cheesy."
"Oh, you loved it," he grinned and knelt beside her again.
"Did not," she replied, though the lingering splash of crimson on her face betrayed the lie.
He only kept up that playful grin, and then his look turned soft and admiring once more as he reached out to lay his palm over the bump on her abdomen where their baby was growing. His other hand cradled her cheek as he looked back into her eyes. "Besides, to tell the truth, there has been something different about you ever since you started getting bigger."
"Oh, really?" she quirked an eyebrow at his choice of words and felt herself falling back into her self-doubt.
Mindful of the tone in her voice, he shook his head. "It's nothing bad…it's just hard to describe. I'm finding you beautiful in a new way. Every time I look at you, carrying our baby…I just, well…" he blushed. "I like it."
A small smile crossed Katara's features, and her eyes fell to her swollen womb as she placed her hand there next to her husband's. "I think I know what you mean. Suki told me a little while ago that I have a 'maternal glow' about me." She looked upward thoughtfully. "Except for all the changes, I never thought I looked any different. But everyone else insists that I just seem…happier."
"Are you?" Aang inquired curiously.
The Waterbender let out a light laugh and faced him, smiling warmly, and eyes half-lidded with content. "I think so, yes. There's no reason why I wouldn't be, after all."
"You're right," He smiled back and stood up again, moving to the other end of the couch. "That has to be it."
Katara's legs shifted upward to give him room to sit, but to her slight surprise he carefully lifted her feet so that her calves were situated comfortably on his lap as he scooted up to where she lay. He took one ankle in his hand and massaged the tight, swollen muscles there. Too tired still to think of protesting in him taking up his time just for her, she merely sighed. "I still hate days like this, though," she admonished. "When I just don't feel at all like myself."
"Well," Aang said, smiling while concentrating on his tender attention on her bare legs, "You just have to know when to take it easy. You'll always have time other days for Waterbending, or doing work. Treat yourself and kick back every so often. Especially when your body happens to be telling you to." He paused to reach over and admiringly caress her cheek. "And you know you're not alone. I'm just as anxious as you are; and I'll always be here to help, or try to be."
"Mmm…I guess you might be right," Katara admitted, finally, and resigned herself to relaxing; which was always easy to do when in Aang's presence. The Airbender's energy was at times nigh unstoppable and his happy demeanor never-ending, a contrast to her serious nature. But that was what made him perfect to her…he could find ways to spend his time in a cloud of bliss, and could also find ways to take her right there with him.
She let out a little hum here and there as he kept his diligent, tender pressing on her tired muscles and worked his way up and over her legs. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again," Katara murmured as she shifted her back in an attempt to be a little more comfortable against the headrest, "You're the best husband a woman could ask for."
At the compliment, Aang blushed furiously. "Well, you deserve the best. I can only hope I live up to it. I have to admit though, Sokka and Hakoda have both been pretty helpful in letting me know what to expect," he chuckled.
The Waterbender smirked. "My dad I can see giving good advice. But what'd Sokka tell you, I wonder?"
"Only one thing," he replied and paused for a second to imitate his brother-in-law. "'Do whatever your wife says. Trust me on this.'"
At that, Katara let out a little laugh. "Well, there is a brain in his thick skull after all."
"How'd you think he survived going through a pregnancy with Suki?" he retorted with a bit of a snort as he went back to his massaging, moving up to her thighs. "The guy can learn when he wants to."
"Well," his wife chortled, "Whatever advice you're given, it's paying off." She shifted herself again and let out a quiet moan. "That feels wonderful."
"Happy to help." He smiled slightly, but kept his eyes on his work as his wandering hands made their way under the fabric of her loose Air Nomad orange-and-yellow robe. The outfit had been a gift from him; she wore it as her belly grew, and she had to admit that the simple flowing garments had proven to be as useful as they were stylish.
Through his pressing on her muscles, Katara couldn't help but shiver as his fingers brushed against her inner thigh. "I have the sneaking suspicion though that you also find this a good excuse to get your hands on me," she smirked.
He paused and looked to her with false shock. "Why, Katara, you wound me," he sighed, his eyes twinkling. "My intentions are nothing but honorable." As he said this, she felt his fingers drumming playfully on the skin where they'd stopped. His grin turned sly.
Katara snorted. "My apologies, O virtuous one," she swooned, "It seems I'm mistaken, although I would certainly hate to see what you think is not an honorable intention. Ow…" she suddenly grimaced, interrupting her playful insults to sit up a little bit away from the armrest she was lying on. "Sorry, my back…"
"Oh," Aang said as he ceased his ministrations and watched her with concern. "Not comfortable enough?"
"I guess I just picked the wrong couch," the Waterbender grunted as she tried to re-orient herself. "See? This is too cumbersome."
"Well, that's why I'm here," her husband replied with a light smile as he moved her legs out of the way for her and stood up again. "I have an idea. Just scoot up a little."
She gave him a curious look, but did as told, breathing a sigh of relief for once at the thought of not having to get up to her feet. Katara watched Aang while her arms instinctively wound around her belly, as if protecting it from too much movement made. But he was as gentle as he could be while he oriented himself again, sitting behind her on the couch and pushing his legs out to either side of her.
When his back was nestled in the crook between the cushion and the armrest, he took her upper body in a loose grip and urged her to scoot back and lie against him.
"That should work," he observed with a murmur once she was nestled there upon his chest, his arms encircling her with one of her own hands resting on his upraised leg.
And indeed, she thought with a tinge of warm on her face, it did work. She always loved lying close to him like this, feeling enveloped in his very essence; protected and cared for. She could hear his every breath, and feel his voice resonating when he spoke.
Katara drew in a long sigh and released it, laying her head back onto his collarbone. His cheek nestled against the side of her head, cushioned in her hair. "Anyone ever tell you that you make a good pillow?" she smiled.
He laughed, and the vibrations from the motion it made tickled her a little. "Not until now." His hands moved up and caressed her arms and shoulders. "But it's nice to know."
"I bet," his wife laughed back, letting out a low hum when he started massaging her shoulders near her neck. "I just hope you aren't planning on moving for a while."
"Psh," he dismissively scoffed and gave her head an affectionate nuzzle. "Don't worry; I can move us both when we need to. Not that I want to move right now anyway." His voice lowered to a loving whisper, and his fingers tickled the bare skin of her shoulders beneath the robe. "I'll spend all day relaxing right here with you, if you so wish."
A peal of warm shivers cascaded down her body, hearing him speak like that. His voice had the same qualities in them that it had when he was a child, regardless of how deep it had become in later years. It was mirthful, melodic, and commanding when need be…but only for her, it was low and gentle and so very inviting.
She closed her eyes and simply let herself go then, finding her balance with his soothing guidance. She felt him relaxing as if he were at rest too, lazily moving her hair back and kissing bare spots on her face, one hand still flexing on the muscles of her upper arm while the other snaked to her pregnant stomach and ever-so-slowly rubbed all over the surface. He held her up so easily and reminded her of his power and strength…but his hold and caressing reminded her of the kind, sweet soul under the burdening mantle of the Avatar.
For Aang, it was his eternal content to have his lovely soul mate there in his arms…to hear her breathe and hum with fond appreciation in her musical voice…to see a blissful smile on her face and be the reason that she was at peace. And true to form, the maternal glow she had only intensified his need to hold her, admire her, protect her, love her…his beloved, his savior, his best friend, the mother of his child…it was all overwhelming, and wonderful, too much so for mere words.
And to the both of them, they felt as if they were one, simply by this time of silent togetherness and every moment they've had like it before.
After a few minutes, Katara let out a warm, light laugh. "How dare you, Aang...making me want to stay in this spot, after I've whined about wanting to move all day."
He breathed an airy chuckle against her cheek and continued peppering her with kisses as he replied. "You wouldn't have moved anyway. This way I just make it better."
"Mmmh," she murmured with a shiver in her spine as his lips moved down toward her ear and his massaging hand crept up her arm and into her voluminous sleeve. "Okay, I admit that this is better," she acquiesced, her voice akin to a purr, which made his heart jump.
"Good," he said, and she could feel his smile playing on her skin. On her swollen abdomen, his hand found hers and intertwined their fingers. "Don't worry so much. You'll have better days than this, you know you will. But today, just rest…" he paused and kissed along her jaw line, "…With me…" his voice was steadily lowering in her ear, "…And let me help you."
Katara had no more will left to combat his reasoning. She was with him, at peace…where she wanted to be from the beginning. Briefly, the Waterbender berated herself for even doubting it all. I can handle it.
And once that was accepted, she let it all go, and happily fell into her husband's tender assistance. Eventually, she drifted into a long, peaceful nap with him on the couch, until she felt like moving again (she felt as if she'd go crazy if she went any longer without a bath…and he only leaped at her coy invitation to help with that as well).
Her pregnancy had many ups, and many downs, and some hurdles that she barely jumped.
But at least she was secure in the faith that Aang was there to catch her.