Rating: G

Word Count: 539


Katara appraised her new dress robes in the mirror, frowning thoughtfully to herself as she twirled around, considering each angle.

Truth be told, she would rather not have to spend the entire day shopping for a good dress to wear at tonight's celebration — she was perfectly comfortable in her casual clothes, thank you very much. But tonight's celebration was of great importance; it was to commemorate the signing that allowed Yu Dao its own autonomy, the day that another war had been avoided.

And, because Katara had played a vital role in averting the crisis, she was a "guest of honor" at the party.

Which led to her current predicament.

Katara surveyed the dress critically. It was elegant enough, she mused, with the flowing robes and the sleeves that left her shoulders exposed. It was comfortable too, the silk the softest thing she had worn by far. What she liked the most about it, however, was how simple it was: with a simple blue coloring and white accentuations and an absence of over-the-top decoration, it felt akin to her normal clothes.

But still, she needed just one more person's opinion…

As though her thoughts had summoned it, there was a rapping on the door. A moment later, a familiar voice called in: "Is it safe for me to come in?"

Katara turned around, a smile tugging insistently at the corners of her mouth. "Yeah, of course, come in!"

Aang opened the door. As soon as he caught sight of her, his eyes snapped wide open. His jaw dropped, and red began creeping across his neck. "Katara," he breathed out. He swallowed so hard, Katara saw his throat bob. "Wow."

Giggles threatened to burst forth from her at the sight; Katara was secretly pleased that she had managed to draw such a flustered reaction from him. "Well?" She raised her arms. "How do I look?"

And if she was purposefully flaunting her dress to fluster him, well, Aang would be none the wiser.

"I— Well, you look— That is—" Katara couldn't help but silently laugh as Aang stumbled over his barely coherent sentences. The red on his neck intensified, creeping up to his face, and he rubbed the back of his neck in that nervous habit of his that she found so adorable.

Then, suddenly, a strange expression crossed his face. The red receded slightly from his face, and he straightened. Within two paces, he had made it across the room, striding as though he was on a mission. Katara only had enough time to blink in surprise before Aang's hand wove around to the back of her neck, and his lips collided with hers.

Katara let out a muffled noise of shock, trying to process the sudden boldness Aang had developed; all thought ceased soon, and Katara melted into the kiss. She breathed in his scent, the scent of fresh mountain air and of the winds dancing in the wild green fields. She pressed into him eagerly, her left hand sliding up to his bare shoulder.

When they finally broke apart, breathless and panting for air and dizzy with giddiness, Katara could just make out the smirk in Aang's voice as he asked, "Does that answer your question?"