Chapter 21: The Valentine's Dance Part 1

Last Time:

"Do you have a dress and stuff for Friday?"

"Maaayyybe..."

"How will I find you?"

"Don't worry, Sweetie. I'll come to you. Guys aren't wearing masks, right?"

"Supposedly- but they've already changed their minds like 3 times since announcing the ball so I have no clue. How will you find me if I am?"

"Not to offend you, Love, but bright blue tattoos all over your hands, head, and body in general aren't exactly subtle or all that common..."

"Oh. Riiggghhhhttt."

"You make me so happy with the dumbest things, you know that?"

"Glad to be of service, ma'am. Love you, Kat."

"Love you, too, Airhead."

Normal POV

After weeks of waiting and preparation, the day of the dance was finally here.

Katara grinned at herself in the mirror, looking at her choice of dress.

It was a long dress, covered in various shades of blue cut low on the shoulders. There was a darker tinted sash crossing at the hip to create a patch of navy blue with a small bow at the end and bodice. (Linked at bottom)

A few months ago, she wouldn't have gone to the ball at all. After all, who would want to do anything with the outcast?

Nevertheless, when Aang revealed his plan to unveil their relationship at the masquerade ball, she knew that this dress was the one. Pair it with some sparkling blue earrings, sky blue flats, and a glittery bejeweled sapphire mask and she was sure to dazzle her dear boyfriend.

She sighed happily, adjusting her butterfly hair clip.

When did things get to be so perfect?

She had the most amazing boyfriend on the planet, she was happy and doing well at school. Everything was just perfect.

Katara giggled, imagining the airbender's look of shock when he saw her.

With that look in mind, she headed downstairs to meet her brother who would be driving them, upon their father's request of course.

She traipsed down the stairs, hugging her dad as he held out his arms to her in pride.

"You look so much like your mother right now," he whispered.

Katara smiled and kissed her father on the cheek.

"She would be so proud."

"Dad- we have to go now!" said Sokka, getting impatient.

"Alright, alright, but pictures first!" Gran Gran interrupted.

Both siblings rolled their eyes as they somewhat begrudgingly appeased.

A dozen or so pictures later, the two were walking out the door in silence, picking up Suki along the way before arriving at the school.

Katara entered the school, marveling at just how transformed the gymnasium appeared.

"Well, I suppose that's what a hefty 'donation' from the Fire Lord and his children can get you."

"Kat? Kat, you heerrreee?"

Katara rolled her eyes.

"Yes, yes I am, Airhead. Where are you?"

"What happened to my arrows being not so subtle?"

"That changed when literally half the school was crammed into our gym at once with big poofy gowns," she deadpanned.

"Are you implying that your gown is not poofy?"

"Perhaps, but we're getting off-topic. Where are you?"

"Next to the punch bowl. You?"

Katara POV

I turned my eyes to a seemingly ruby glass bowl of punch next to the bleachers and spotted a rather dashing-looking tattooed airhead nearby.

Taking care to avoid his line of sight, I shoved past a few obnoxious gowns and ended up behind Aang.

Giving him a besotted grin I covered his eyes with my hands.

"Guess who?"

I could picture his rolling eyes as he intertwined our fingers.

"That better be you, Kat, or someone's about to be bended 10 feet across the room.

He swooped around and wrapped his arms around my waist, making me practically swoon.

"Hey," he whispered, his thumb rubbing my cheek.

"Hey," I murmured back, entranced by his stormy eyes.

We leaned in to give each other a kiss when...

"Oy, Aang!"

We broke apart immediately, arms falling limp at our sides as we both groaned softly.

"I just want to kiss my girlfriend senseless. Is that too much to ask for, Universe?"

I giggled softly.

"Apparently so," I messaged back wryly.

"What do you want, Zuko?"

"I was just wondering if you'd seen Mai, but I see now that you're a little preoccupied with your own lady friend, huh?"

I blushed under my mask.

"Actually," Aang said taking my hand in his, "Yeah. We're dating. Like, actually dating."

I froze, tentatively wrapping my fingers around his as well.

I couldn't have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes but Zuko actually smiled at us approvingly.

"Good for you, Aang. It's about time you find someone that makes you happy."

And just like that he ran off to find Mai.

I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

"Well!" Aang said in shock.

I chuckled.

"Well, indeed. Well, indeed."

"So," he pulled me to him and kissed my forehead.

"Is it too much to ask for that everyone's reaction is something like that?"

I sighed, looking at the packed gym and made eye contact with a ruby-masked jet-black haired girl with glittering amber eyes that seemed to see right through me into my soul and deepest secrets.

"Honestly, probably."

A/N: Yeah, I know it was short but it's 11:50 PM where I am and I wanted to write something before the month changed to June so... Also, IMPORTANT: I'm changing the updating schedule for this. Obviously it wasn't very good to start with but I'm making it to once or twice a month to not make you guys or myself false promises. Online school for me only has 3 more weeks to ride it out and then Kataang Week and another story and all this other stuff it's just... It's going but not quickly.

LINKS:

Dress: pl DOT Pinterest DOT com SLASH pin SLASH 617274692661866285 SLASH

Mask: www DOT etsy DOT com SLASH listing SLASH 710085945 SLASH beautiful-yet-durable-jeweled-and