Hey, everybody! It's been a couple of days, but I have another chapter for you all! It's great to see that you've all come back to me after my unexpected disappearance, and your reviews have been great. I think it's safe to say that I'm back in top form, and won't be going anywhere for a while. Anyway, here's Chapter 22, hope you like it!
I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender, unfortunately…
Golden morning sunlight poured in through Katara's bedroom window. Morning.
Katara's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was Aang, sleeping soundly on her shoulder. A small, peaceful smile was plastered on his face.
She loved to watch him sleep. He looked so peaceful and innocent when he was asleep, and she loved to cuddle up next to him. (Of course, she always liked to cuddle with him anyway, but it was different when he was asleep.)
She pulled him closer to her and nuzzled her cheek against his. Her arms snaked under his arms and around his back.
Aang mumbled something incoherent. Katara giggled softly. She thought it was cute that Aang talked in his sleep. He must have been having a pleasant dream. She couldn't help but wonder if maybe he was dreaming about her.
"Ka…tara…" he murmured. Well, that answered that question.
Katara felt very flattered. The fact that he often dreamed of her made her feel special.
"Love…you…" he uttered, unknowingly making Katara's heart skip a beat.
"Oh, Aang…" she breathed softly, kissing his cheek. "You're so sweet."
"Unngh…" he grunted softly as his eyes slowly opened.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Katara whispered.
"Morning," Aang replied quietly. He brushed his hand along her back.
"You know, you say the sweetest things in your sleep," she told him, tracing her fingers along the tattoo on his back.
He blushed. "O-oh, um…I do?"
She smiled. "Yes, you do. It's quite amusing."
"Is it?" he asked, his face growing warmer. "Because it's kind of embarrassing…"
She giggled. "It's okay, Aang. I think it's really cute."
"Oh…" He shifted a little bit. "It doesn't bother you? Because I can always go back to my room if—"
"No, no," she assured him. "It's just another thing I love about you."
"Really?" he asked.
"Really," she replies.
There was a brief silence, before Katara spoke again.
"Hey, Aang…do I talk in my sleep?"
Aang thought for a moment. "Not really…but you squirm a little," he joked.
"I do not!" she said defensively.
"Yes, you do!" Aang replied. "I sleep next to you practically every night. You move all the time."
"Whatever," she said sarcastically.
"I still love you, though," he said sweetly.
"Good to know," she responded.
He raised an eyebrow. "Don't you love me, too?"
She thought for a moment. "Yeah, I guess I do."
"Come on, say it," he coaxed teasingly.
"Oh…all right," she gave in. "I love you, too. Happy now?"
He nuzzled into the crook of her neck. "Very."
