Rating: G
Word Count: 573
Aang tried his best to stifle his yawn and focus on the subject at hand.
But it was just so dang hard, considering that it was well into the night already, and especially considering that the Fire Nation official speaking had the most dull, droning voice in the history of speaking.
Seriously, why couldn't officials be the peppy, energetic kind of people? At least then Aang would be able to actually listen instead of focusing all his energy into not drifting off every five seconds.
He tried to stifle yet another yawn and discreetly checked around the table, seeking out his friends. Zuko, who was sitting next to Aang, looked as though he were also trying to listen — emphasis on trying. Though his back was as rigid as a board to give the sense he was at attention, Aang could see the glazed look in the Fire Lord's eyes.
Sokka has apparently given up all pretense of paying attention and had his head laid out on the table, snoring away quietly. Drool was already forming on his mouth, and Aang distantly wondered how long ago Sokka had fallen asleep before he had noticed.
Toph, on the other hand, was fidgeting boredly in her seat, her hands playing around with the meteorite bracelet Sokka had given her… some time ago. Aang was so tired he could barely see straight, let alone do anything that required actually thinking.
Finally, Aang turned his attention to Katara, who was… looking back at him rather worriedly. Aang blinked rather owlishly, struggling to keep his eyelids from drooping, and sluggishly wondered about the expression on her face. What was she worried about? Was it something the Fire Nation official said? Was it something about him? Maybe he should've tried to pay more attention…
"Aang?"
Aang blinked again before focusing on the seat beside him which… held Katara. He frowned, struggling to remember. Wasn't Zuko sitting there a moment ago? He could've sworn…
"Where'd you come from?" His words slurred, and Aang paused to rub at his eyes. So tired. "Wasn' Zuko sitting there?"
Katara's eyes shimmered with gentle concern. The way they shifted reminded him of the ocean gently lapping the shore. So pretty.
"… ended a couple minutes ago." Katara's voice broke through the haze clouding his head. "Everyone else already left."
Aang blinked slowly, trying to regain himself. Now that he looked around, he could see that he and Katara were, indeed, the only ones left in the meeting room.
"… Oh," was all he could manage.
For an awkward minute or two, Aang and Katara just sat there. Aang sluggishly wondered if he should say something, but his eyelids kept drooping, and he fought to keep them from drifting completely shut.
Finally, he heard Katara sigh. A moment later, he registered her hands cradling his face before he felt a strange, light pressure on one of his eyelids. His other eye opened enough for him to see properly, and he looked over to see Katara's face … very close to his own. Seconds later, he finally comprehended that she was kissing him, her lips pressed gently against his left eyelid. A sigh of contentment worked its way out of him.
Boy was he tired.
Katara then kissed his other eyelid before moving her face away from him, studying him with a soft expression. "Let's get you to bed," she whispered.
Aang had no argument there.
A/N I'll be posting one drabble in the morning and one in the afternoon, EST.
