A/N: Sorry for the delay, I'm trying to update this at least 3x a week, but week and life are busy right now. There's some lemon in this chapter. You've been warned!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Aang: Hey, I'm walking up now
Katara excitedly replied to his text, "Okay, I'll be right out!"
She stood in front of her bathroom mirror for a minute. Fluffing her hair and adding more lip gloss, she took the sight of herself in. A white crop top, blue skinny jeans, and brown boots completed her ensemble. She hoped Aang would like the way she looked. She grabbed her clutch and ran down the stairs of her home and opened the door. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of Aang. Even though she has seen him in his tight orange t-shirt, brown pants, and white and orange shoes, she still felt weak at the sight of him. His broad shoulders rippled through his shirt.
Katara took a full breath, "Hey there." Her half-lidded eyes sparked a bolt of energy which ran through Aang's spine. He gasped at her sky blue eyes and her chocolate brown hair cascading like waves on her shoulders. He stared for a few moments before being brought back to reality. He asked with a crooked smile, "Hey, Katara. You look beautiful, ready to party?" She blushed and replied, "Yup, I'm really excited!" She intertwined her arm with Aang's as he opened the passenger side door for her. "Thank you, you're such a gentleman," she said as she kissed him on the cheek. Aang blushed and swiftly sat in the driver's seat as he began to drive towards Zuko's house.
The car ride was filled with awkward tension and few words peppered the air. Aang tried his best to keep his eyes on the road but was occasionally distracted by a flip of her hair or a sigh coming from Katara. "So, will you brother be at this party?" he asked. "Yeah, he would've come with us but he wanted to take Suki there just the two of them. He's in love with her," she said with a laugh. "Wow, good for him. I don't think I've met her yet," he asked with a glance at the blue-eyed beauty. "She's been homeschooled for a few years but she's our neighbor and we have known her since elementary school. You'll like her, she's great. She feels like she's already family," she stated. "Well, I'm looking forward to it. I haven't had friends for a while so any chance to meet other people is cool," he said with a smile. She stared at him intently as he drove the rest of the way. She wanted to climb on top of him and take him right here in the care. She found reason and decided to hold back until she knew if he liked her the same way she liked him.
Aang and Katara parked on the street before entering Zuko's home. The airbender had opened the passenger side door and helped Katara out of the car by taking her hand. Katara blushed and thanked him for helping her out even though she was more than capable of doing it herself. They linked arms as they entered the home. As they walked up the long driveway, they could see kids drinking on the lawn and music blaring from the house. How this party has not been broken up yet was news to Aang. The sounds of music and yelling filled their senses. They walked into the home to find a few people dancing but most people were hanging away from the big, open dance circle.
Zuko ran up to them, "Aang, you made it! Thanks for coming, there's plenty of beer and vodka in the kitchen." Aang shifted his weight anxiously, "Well, thanks Zuko but I actually don't drink. At least, I haven't in the past and I'm not sure I want to now." "That's cool, Aang! I just wanted to be a good host. Enjoy the party," he said with a wink as he nodded to Katara. Aang's eyes narrowed at this wink but relaxed when Katara grabbed his arm and pulled him to the keg. She poured herself a beer and chugged it. Filling up another beer promptly, she felt Aang's eyes on her. "It's fine, Aang, I drink like this all the time. A few beers and I'm good."
Aang wasn't too sure what to say in that moment, but decided to trust Katara and leave it at that. "Let's show these wallflowers what a good time looks like," Aang said to Katara. "Well, I don't know Aang, these shoes aren't really meant for dancing," she replied while fidgeting with her hair nervously. "Take my hand," Aang commanded as he offered his hand to her. "Well, okay," Katara said hesitantly as she placed her hand and Aang's.
Aang and Katara began to dance and move with the music. Katara's blue eyes met Aang's stormy gray eyes and they felt like they were the only people on the dance floor. Her hands around his neck and his arms around her waist. She started to feel herself drift closer and closer to Aang. As she danced, she could feel the heat emitting from him. She could feel his eyes looking up and down her body. She felt his desire and it only made her want to dance with him more. Across the dance floor, Sokka had unfortunately laid his eyes on his sister and the goofy Avatar.
"Ugh, I can't even watch this. Want to go outside?", Sokka turned and asked his girlfriend, Suki. His girlfriend gave an airy laugh before answering, "Um...sure. Lead the way." As Sokka and Suki walked outside to sit on the deck behind the house, silence filled the space between the couple. "The moon sure is bright and full tonight. It's so beautiful," Suki stated to Sokka. Lost in thought while staring at the moon, Sokka shook his head and looked at Suki, "It is beautiful, but not as beautiful as you." He wiggled his eyebrows while Suki groaned in embarrassment. "You flirt like some old guy, Sokka," she laughed. "Maybe, but it worked, right?", he questioned.
After a few moments of silence, Suki decided to bring up an uncomfortable question. Taking a deep breath, Suki asked, "Are you still in love with her?" Sokka's eyes widened as he pondered her question. "Wh-what do you mean?" Suki pouted, "Oh, come on Sokka! I know you were in love with her until she died. I just wanted to ask as I can tell you that you hold back sometimes." Sokka looked away and felt the bright, luminous light of the moon shining on him. "Of course I still love her. I will always love her, but I love you, too."
Sokka thought back to the joy he felt dating Yue but then the eventual heartbreak and sorrow of her death. He loved Yue, just like his mother, but both women were taken away from him unexpectedly. After 3 months of dating, Sokka became aware of Yue's cystic fibrosis diagnosis. While many healers had visited her and gave her healing sessions, she knew she would likely not live past her teens. While Sokka tried to find any cure and treatment possible, he lost her a year ago. He felt her presence every time he thought about Suki. He felt the guilt of trying to move on.
Suki spoke after a few moments, "I don't mind you remembering Yue, she was a great person. But if you're not ready to be with me, I completely understand." Sokka's eyes widened, "No! I mean, I'm ready to be with you. Whilte I feel guilty sometimes, I know that she would want me to be happy. You make me so happy, Suki, I didn't think that was possible after Yue dying. I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?" Suki looked confused, "No, I don't really know, Sokka. Care to explain?" Sokka took a deep breath and held onto Suki's hands, "Well, the two women in my life that I have loved, both died in ways where I couldn't protect them. It makes me wonder, who will I lose next? I think it's why I'm so protective of Katara...and you. I know you both can take care of yourselves, but it scares me because I've lost so much so soon." Suki looked into Sokka's blue eyes, "Losing someone is never easy, and I can't begin to understand, but what I do know is that they would want you to be happy. You can't plan for the future, you can only live in the moment. Whatever happens, happens." Suki leaned in to kiss Sokka and their lips touched with a spark between them. Gradually, Sokka began to kiss more intensely and roughly. He ran his tongue along her lips until she opened and allowed his tongue to touch hers. Their kiss was passionate and fueled by words unsaid. While deep in the kiss, Sokka placed his hand on Suki's breast and squeezed gently.
A gasp emitted from Suki's mouth but she nodded for Sokka to continue. Sokka explored the outline of her body, running his hand from her breast to her stomach. He continued to trail his hand down her body until it reached her skirt. She moaned into his kiss, giving him the courage to continue his exploration. His fingers lightly grazed the inside of her thigh. He rubbed the outside of her underwear until he felt it become damp. "Oh Suki," he moaned into her mouth. "Sokka, keep going," Suki pleaded. Sokka moved his fingers underneath her underwear until he found the folds between her legs. He began to circle the nub beneath the top patch of hair vigorously. She mewed and arched her back at the pressure of his fingers against her. He noticed how good he made her feel and continued to rub the heat between her legs. "Faster, Sokka," Suki pleaded. Sokka nodded while kissing Suki and promptly quickened his motion. She felt a surge of energy throughout her body and shook into Sokka's hand. Her legs tensed and squeezed with her loud moan in Sokka's mouth. Gasping as the feeling dissipated, she sighed into Sokka's mouth. "That was amazing," she said with a dazed look. Sokka broke away from the kiss to admire his girlfriend, "That was so hot, I'm glad I could do that for you." With a quick peck on the lips, the couple straightened their clothing out and walked back inside of the house party.
Sokka groaned as he entered the living with Suki. He saw his sister and that goofy kid dancing very close together. "Let's do some shots, Suki. I can't watch this." Suki giggled but obliged Sokka and followed him to the liquor table. On the dance floor, Aang and Katara danced furiously and closely. Aang was enjoying dancing with the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. Either by accident or on purpose, Katara's butt made it's way against the front of Aang's pants. She was faced away from him and danced freely without a care in the world. Her butt continued to grind against him. He felt himself becoming harder and knew he did not want Katara and everyone to see what would happen next. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. She was confused but made it a point to close the space between their two bodies. While Aang was sober, Katara had three beers at this point. Her inhibitions were low and wanted Aang to know she wanted him.
Katara pressed her body into Aang's, feeling his warmth against her skin. Aang felt her breasts pressed against his chest and immediately decided he needed to escape this situation before a mess erupted in his pants. "Uhhh you know, Katara, I need some water. Want to come with?" Katara noticed her own inebriation and agreed to accompany him to hydrate. After they chugged water, they saw Azula appear and walk over closely to where they were standing. "Oh, hey Aang, glad you could make it. Want to dance?", the young firebender asked. Aang felt the hot flames emanating from Katara's face and decided he finally had to be direct. "Um, actually, I'm hydrating right now and taking a break from dancing. Sorry, Azula." Katara's smug and satisfied face fueled Azula's rage even more. "That's okay," she smirked at Katara, "I guess having parents being brutally killed really brings people together. You two have fun."
As Azula stood watching the two with a satisfied grin on her face, Katara began to turn red hot with anger. Zuko and Toph were standing near his sister and his friends. Zuko had enough at this point. "Azula, could you not be a crazy bitch for one second?" he asked as he shoved her shoulder. "Oh, come on brother, you know this is all in jest! He's the Avatar, he should be able to handle it." Zuko was not amused, "Oh drop it, Azula. You're just jealous that he doesn't give you any attention. And why would he, you're creepy!" Before Azula had a chance to respond, Toph earthbended a rock that flew and hit Azula in the back. As Azula fell on the ground, she looked at her brother and Toph, and quickly sprang up to her feet. "You know what? I think this party is a little tired. I'm going to find a more refined company to engage with." After Azula walked away, Toph and Zuko gave each other a smirk. "Thanks for that, Toph. I owe you one." Toph leaned her back against the kitchen counter, "Yeah, yeah, don't go all soft on me. I will take you up on the favor one day, though."
Katara was so focused on retaliating that she hadn't noticed the quiet, gasping from Aang. Aang had felt his heart rate speed up as his vision drastically became black. He couldn't quite get enough air in his lungs, as much as he tried. He clutched his chest and continued to gasp, searching for any air to bring into his lungs. This motion caught the attention of his waterbender friend, Sokka, Suki, Toph, and Zuko. They all crowded around him in brimming concern. "If Twinkle Toes dies, this will be all your fault, Zuko!", Toph yelled. "Toph, this isn't anyone's fault. This just happens. Please, give him some room," said Katara. Aang began to sway and quickly lose balance. Katara reached out in an attempt to catch him before he fell. She was a little too late, as Aang fainted on the floor clutching his chest. His legs
curled and kicked as he fought for life. Taking water from her pouch, Katara encased her hands with water and brought them to his heart. The other partygoers circled around Katara as she tried to bring Aang to a state of calm. After a few agonizing minutes, Aang's breathing finally slowed to a normal rhythm and his vision returned. "Katara..," he said weakly, "What...what happened?" Katara put the water back in her pouch and helped Aang sit up. "I think you had a panic attack. You were breathing very quickly and then passed out." Aang felt heat rising from his neck to his face. The embarrassment washed over him for a few moments. "Oh...that sounds right I guess," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I've been having them since my parents died."
The last word in Aang's sentence struck a painful chord with Katara. All of it made sense to her now. He was grieving or at least, not grieving fully. "Aang," she said with a whisper, "From someone who lost a parent, I think you are not done grieving yet. I pretended not to feel anything after my mom died, but my therapist helped me through it. Have you ever been in therapy?" Aang's eyes widened at this question, "No. I mean, the monks told me to meditate after it happened, but I never said a word to anyone It's been almost a year and I have never talked to anyone else about it."
Katara smiled and placed a tight hug around Aang, "Maybe you should. Therapy helped Sokka and I after our mom died. I don't know who I would be without it, but probably in a really dark place." Aang pondered this idea for a moment and pulled away from the hug to look into her calming, blue eyes, "You know, I think that might be a good idea. I'll talk to Gyatso about it and sees what he says," he paused looking seriously into her eyes, "You know, I like you a lot. I don't know if I'm ready for what you might want but-" Katara cut him off, "Hey, I get it. You want to take it slow. I understand." Aang smiled, "Thanks, Katara. Thank you for understanding. I'm glad to know that you'll be with me, but this is something I need to do alone." Katara remembered the feeling of panic in her body when she saw Aang fall to the ground. She had never experienced that before with anyone one else. She knew this guy was special, and when he was ready to talk, she would be there.