Author Note: Hey everyone! I'm back! I've got a long weekend ahead of me, and felt that now is the time to write this out. To be honest, I wasn't 100% sure I was going to write this, but I felt like going into the friend/family response and celebration would be fun!
Disclaimer: As always, none of the characters belong to me, the powers that be (as in Mike and Bryan) hold that honor. Can still dream, though!
Epilogue
It was cold, dark, and quiet as Katara moved swiftly through her father's house. Her mind was racing, which was causing her to toss and turn for an hour before deciding sleep was not going to happen.
This was a much larger house than she was used to – ever since her father and Malina had joined together to help rebuild the south, he had worked very hard to build a bigger home, so his children would have a place to stay when they came to visit. It had many rooms, but she only had one in mind. She carefully tiptoed her way through the house, thankful Toph had opted to sleep in Zuko's Airship, knowing the blind earthbender would sense her immediately. She didn't want anyone to stop her. She had her mind on one person, and one person only. Her fiancé.
"Fiance," she thought, a wide grin spreading across her face. She brushed her fingers lightly against the armlet Aang had so carefully carved for her. She quietly thanked the spirits for granting her such a thoughtful, remarkable, loving man. She broke from her thoughts, as she approached the door that she had been searching for. Unsure if he was asleep or not, she lightly knocked, while simultaneously creaking the door open.
Aang was laying on the bed, shirtless, eyes wide open. It looked as if he had just been staring a hole into the ceiling, but his gaze immediately shifted to the young woman standing in his doorway. He sat up quickly, cheeks bright red, as Katara made her way towards him.
"I couldn't sleep," she whispered as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, sitting down on his lap.
He chuckled quietly. "I couldn't either," he softly said, placing his forehead against hers, "I was just about to get up and come to you."
They shared a laugh before instantly locking lips, letting them melt into one another. "I guess I beat you to it," Katara said breathlessly as they continued to sink into their kiss. Aang leaned back, causing him to lay flat on the bed, Katara now on top of him.
For how long this kiss lasted, neither one knew. They were so entranced with each other, that time could have stood still for all they cared. After what they considered to be a few minutes, Aang, although a master airbender, was quickly losing oxygen and released himself from the kiss to take a deep breath.
"You know, you might be the first person to take an airbender's breath away," he whispered sweetly, stroking Katara's long, flowing hair. She grinned, feeling the warmth in her cheeks rise as they did so often when she was around him. Realizing that both of them had begun to sweat, she rolled over, now on her back next to him, and sighed contently.
Aang's stormy grey eyes stared into her bright blue ones. "You're my fiancé," he quietly whispered before planting a kiss on her forehead. Katara returned the gesture by nuzzling her head into his arm, and planting a few kisses on his neck. The sensation sent shivers down his spine.
Once she finished, she situated herself perfectly into his arms, and closed her eyes. As she did so, she listened to Aang's steady heart beat and felt the rise and fall of his chest. Listening to his heart beat was one of the most soothing things for Katara.
There wasn't a day that went by where she didn't think of that night in Ba Sing Se. That fateful night, she almost lost him forever. She thought back to the one year anniversary of that attack from Azula, remembering the conversation she overheard between Sokka and Toph. Katara had a pretty intense bout of anxiety that day, not being able to get the image of Aang's lifeless body out of her head. Aang had tried to console her, but he was dealing with demons of his own that day, making it hard to help. During all of this, Katara overheard Toph and Sokka quietly talking about how to help her. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but was interested in their conversation. It was then that she heard the thing that she had expected, but never really come to terms with it. "I'm telling you Toph, if we ever explain that you sensed no heart beat in Aang that night, Katara's PTSD could get worse. I think we should keep that between you and me. Let her believe he was just unconscious. It might help with her healing process."
Toph and Sokka still have never mentioned anything to her. She assumed Toph knew she was there, but chose to not say anything. By now, Katara had come to terms a bit more with what happened, but whenever she cuddled next to Aang, she felt the need to listen intently to his beating heart. It always reminded her that he was there, that he wasn't going anywhere, and that she could live a life with him.
"Hey," Aang said, breaking her from her thoughts, "you okay sweetie?"
"Yes," she replied, "I just love listening to your heart. It makes me feel calm."
Aang sighed and closed his eyes, slipping down so he could wrap his arms around Katara. "I'm always gonna be here. I love you so much."
"I love you too," Katara replied.
The two young lovers closed their eyes, allowing sleep to over take them.
The Next Morning
"OOOOGGIIIEESSSS!"
Aang and Katara awoke with a start as Sokka yelled in the open door. Rubbing their eyes, they sat up, confusion filling their brains. As the cloudiness cleared, they both felt the red hue rise in their cheeks. This was exactly what they were hoping would not happen. Sokka had always not liked when they showed PDA in front of him, and this would probably go down in history for Sokka. For all he knew, they did it.
"Sokka," Katara angrily said as she got up from the bed, "seriously! DO YOU EVER KNOCK?" She slammed the door in his face as she shouted at him, causing Aang to nervously itch the back of his head.
"Katara," Aang said quietly, "I don't think he is gonna be too happy with that response."
Katara sighed and walked back to the bed, wanting to continue their cuddling. Unfortunately, Sokka ruined the mood. Aang kissed the top of her head before stretching to get up. "Hey, I love you. And soon, we will be married, and have our own place, and Sokka won't be annoying anymore."
Katara sighed as Aang said this. "Sokka is going to act like this, even when we are old and grey. He's never going to like seeing us be a couple."
"Well, he needs to get over it, because we are going to be like this forever." He smiled and kissed her forehead one more time, before making his way to his clothes to get ready for the day. Katara sighed, realizing she would need to go back to her room so she would no longer just be wearing her under garments. Hopefully Sokka will have left by now. "I love you too," she whispered in his ear, then, she made her way towards the door. She slowly opened it, peering outside, and Sokka was nowhere in sight.
"Why does he always ruin everything? It's not like Aang and I were doing anything other than sleeping," she angrily let her thoughts run wild while she stormed to her room to get dressed. Sokka seemed to always interrupt her and Aang, being grossed out. But Katara loved to show Aang affection, and considering they just got engaged, she was hoping Sokka would relax.
Quickly, she grabbed her blue dress from her bag and dressed herself in record time. She hurried back to Aang's room, where he was still slipping into his clothes. He was wearing a few more layers than he was used to. Katara giggled as he struggled with his one last layer, and placed a soft hand on his shoulder. "Need some help," she questioned with a teasing tone.
Aang shrugged before turning to Katara, who quickly and easily secured his last layer. She rubbed her hands from his shoulders down, before wrapping herself around him fully. "I missed you so much."
Aang rested his chin on top of Katara's head, breathing in her scent. The last few days without her felt like years. Now that they were together, and better yet engaged, he was looking forward to spending some quality time down in the South.
"We should go out there before Sokka comes back," he whispered softly.
Katara simply nodded her head before leaning in for a quick kiss on the lips. They walked hand in hand out to the main room of the house. Everyone, including Zuko, Mai and Toph were sitting around a table, already beginning their breakfast. Realizing they must have slept in pretty late, they quickly apologized to the group as they sat down. Sokka awkwardly stared at his food, trying to not make eye contact with Katara, while everyone else stuffed their face with the delicious breakfast.
The meal lasted for a few minutes before Hakoda stood from his chair. "I have wanted to say something since last night, but, I wanted to wait till all of us were here together. Aang, you have captured my daughter's heart. I have spent many years thinking about the person that she would possibly find some day, hoping and praying he would be honorable, and love her for her, and support her through life. I never imagined that he would be the Avatar, and better yet, be as wonderful of a man as you. As a father, it's always hard when your daughter grows up, and gets married, and moves on with her own life. But knowing that she will be with you, makes me the happiest father in the world. You guys are the epitome of soul mates, and I am proud to call you my future son-in-law." He raised his cup of water in the air, motioning for everyone else to do so. "To Aang and Katara."
The group shouted it back, raising their cups as well, causing the young couple to blush intensely.
Sokka then stood up. "I'm not going to say a whole lot, because I don't want to spoil the big speech that I'll give at the big event, but here goes. Aang and Katara, I might not always act like it, but I'm so happy for you guys. You really are the true definition of meant to be. I saw it the day we freed you from that iceberg. You two have a special connection and I can't wait to officially call you my brother. Oh, and sorry about this morning. I'll work on that."
The group shared a laugh as Sokka's cheeks went a little pink and he sat down. No one else wanted to make a public speech, agreeing to save most of that for the wedding. The group happily finished their breakfast, before Mai and Zuko, Suki and Sokka, and Aang and Katara decided to go for a walk.
Each couple was a little different – Suki and Sokka walked hand and hand, bundled in Water Tribe snow gear, as it was a cold day (as usual – this was the South Pole after all). Zuko and Mai were not the type of couple to hold hands, but they still walked closely next to each other. Being from the Fire Nation, neither one handled the cold very well, and even though they brought their warmest Fire Nation clothes, they still felt chilled to the bone. Aang and Katara, as per usual, were the most affectionate as they walked around the village. Even though this was Katara's home, she had grown used to the warmer weather of other parts of the world. Bundled in her Water Tribe snow gear as well, she perfectly nuzzled herself in to Aang's arm as they walked around. It made it slightly harder to walk around, but of course Aang would not complain.
"I'm so cold," Mai said quietly as she shivered. "Why do so many of you live here?" She turned her head to Katara, with a questioning glare.
"I guess, for most of us it's the only thing we know," Katara replied with a shrug. "Now that I've spent so much time away, I'm not as used to it as I was."
"Oh come on!" Sokka shouted in response, "are all of you just gonna complain about the cold this whole time? We SAVED THE WORLD together. And we can't handle some snow?"
Suki giggled as her boyfriend's over-exaggerated response to their friends complaining. "Sokka, just because we 'saved the world', doesn't mean we can't get cold. Stop teasing!" She playfully smacked his chest, a wide grin on her face.
"Aang," Zuko started, turning his head to the Avatar, "you haven't complained at all, and you have the least amount of layers! What's your deal?"
"Has he not told you?" Katara spoke up before Aang could say anything.
Zuko looked incredibly confused. "Told me what?"
There was a pause after Zuko's question. Aang, Katara, and Sokka all shared a few glances at each other, before Sokka mouthed "tell him" towards Aang.
"I'm an airbender, Zuko. I can control my body temperature with my breathing."
Zuko and Mai both looked at him, eyes wide. "You…. can do that?" Mai said with shock in her voice.
"I could swear I've already mentioned that," Aang said.
"Aang sweetie," Katara stopped and turned to him, "I think you told Sokka and I that trick before Zuko joined us."
"Well, that.. that is the coolest thing I think I've heard," Zuko replied, amazement lacing his words.
"I mean, I guess I've always thought it as normal," Aang said, once again scratching the back of his head. Aang always felt a little awkward when people gawked at his bending, especially his friends.
"Not to change the subject guys," Suki spoke up after a few moments of silence, "but shouldn't we be heading back? We have been out for a little while, and if we stay out much longer, my toes might freeze off."
"You guys go," Aang said, motioning for them to head back to the house. "We'll catch up with you."
Sokka gave Aang a curious look, while the rest of the group shared a few knowing grins. "Alright, alright," Sokka sighed, "I guess you two lovebirds deserve some time together. Just be careful."
"What does that even mean, Sokka?"
He raised his arms in protest at Katara's question, but Suki quickly stopped him. "Nothing," Suki said, eyeing her boyfriend. "You two are perfectly capable of being on your own in the cold."
Sokka sighed, accepting his girlfriend's signal that he needed to lay off, and turned to head in the opposite direction. Zuko and Mai followed suit, leaving Katara and Aang alone on the outskirts of the town. Katara, feeling like Aang had something up his sleeve, gave him a side eye look, before asking, "Aang, what are you up to?"
A red hue tinted Aang's cheeks. "What, am I wrong for wanting to spend some alone time with my beautiful fiancé?"
Katara's cheek quickly matched the blush that Aang's already possessed.
"It's going to take a while to get used to calling you that," she said with a smile on her face. "But, I can tell you have something up your sleeve, sweetie."
Aang grinned widely, causing Katara's heart to flutter as usual. Even though he had grown and matured so much since she met him, he still possessed a youthful joy that Katara had learned to love so much. He took her hand and continued to lead her further away from the village.
"Aang, seriously, where are you taking me? We are getting close to the more dangerous parts of the Pole."
"You'll see Katara, and I think two master Waterbenders can handle themselves if we take a wrong turn."
Katara nodded in agreement, realizing he was right. The last time she had gone this far from the village was when she was a beginner Water Bender, and it was a much more dangerous quest. Thinking back to her last time in the area, she realized what Aang's plan was.
Before she could speak up, however, Aang paused, turned to Katara, and took both her hands in his.
"I know the actual place isn't still there, because I'm sure it's partially melted and moved down the water, but I know we are near."
Katara felt the red in her cheeks grow darker as Aang continued, "it's not as good as being able to take you directly where we first met, but since we can't do that exact thing, I wanted to do the next best thing."
They both looked over to the running water, sure enough small icebergs were flowing quickly, and surely the one that Aang had spent 100 years in was long gone. But, being in the general area of where they first met, gave them both a warm feeling.
"Aang, I love it. What made you think of this?"
"Well, this being only my second time visiting here since we met, and since it's such a special occasion, I thought it would be fun to revisit our first few moments together."
Katara couldn't handle it any more. She grabbed Aang's face in both her hands and leaned into a passionate kiss. She startled Aang enough that he fell over backwards, but he didn't complain one bit. He kissed Katara back with as much passion as he could. This kiss lasted for a little while, before they separated, staring into each other's eyes. The position they were in was familiar to them. Aang was laying on the icy ground, staring up at Katara, who's arms were now wrapped around his arms. Feeling the nostalgia grow inside of him, Aang leaned up, kissed Katara on the nose, before deciding to ask her the 2nd most important question he had asked her since they met.
"Katara," he whispered faintly.
"Yes, sweetie?" Katara kept her eyes fixed on his, not wanting to leave this happy moment.
"Katara, will you go penguin sledding with me?"
This caused Katara to chuckle, of course remembering back on the first words Aang had said to her. Before she answered, she placed one more kiss on Aang's lips.
"Of course I will, Aang. I will always be your penguin sledding buddy."
Aang smiled, returning the peck on the lips that Katara gave him.
"Always."
Author Note: Whhhheeeewwwww, this actualy went WAY longer than I expected. I didn't really have a plan headed into it, and just kinda wrote it until I felt it was a good closing spot. This officially ends this story – but don't worry, I have SO MANY to come! Thanks for reading!