Hey, guys! Sorry for the wait—trust me, this one's worth it. I do not own ATLA, but I sure as heck can dream. Anyway, onward!
He had all the time in the world…yet Aang simply couldn't wait.
He was merely thirteen years of age—a monk, so young and innocent, inexperienced and confused. And here he was making a decision that men twice his age would shy away from—one that would forever change his life.
It was late at night on Ember Island. Aang and his friends were on holiday, some much-needed time away from business and politics for a few days. They were just kids, after all.
Aang tiptoed down the hallway in Firelord Zuko's vacation house. When he reached a certain door, he smiled to himself. The door was always open for him.
He entered the bedroom quietly, tiptoeing to the large bed, where Katara lay sleeping peacefully. He leaned down a little and whispered, "Katara?" No response. He leaned down even farther and kissed her cheek. "Katara…"
"Mmm…Aang…" Katara murmured, her eyes fluttering open. Sure enough, her beloved Avatar came into focus.
Groggily, she asked, "What's the matter, sweetie?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. I…just couldn't sleep." Aang had a plan. In order for it to work out, though, he and Katara had to be a ways away from the house so they could be completely alone.
"You can stay with me, if you want," Katara said, rubbing her eyes and yawning.
"No. I was wondering if you wanted to…take a walk." He tried not to sound too eager. Kind of hard to do when his heart was practically beating out of his chest!
She sat up, still half-asleep. "Sure. I just need a minute to wake up."
But Aang wasn't really listening—he had her by the wrist and gave a small tug. So much for not seeming eager.
Instead of being annoyed, Katara giggled. "Okay, okay. Let's go."
They crept out of the house and down to the beach, Aang's eager hand still clutching Katara's wrist. They walked a while, until the house was a distant speck, just a small dot of light on the front porch was visible.
Aang then spoke. "I love you," he said spontaneously.
Katara was mildly surprised, but pleased. "Aww. I love you, too." She kissed him on the cheek.
He swallowed hard. She could not be making things any more difficult for him if she tried. But he spoke again, blush evident despite the darkness of night. "I don't just love you, though. It's…more than that. I feel like…like I—"
She squeezed his hand, encouragingly rubbing the back of it with her thumb. She smiled.
He sighed. "I…can't." He looked away miserably, his blush deepening in shame.
She frowned, bringing a hand up to his cheek and gently turning his head so he faced her again. A single tear of frustration rolled down his other cheek. "Don't cry, sweetie," she said, wiping it away with her thumb. She now cupped both her cheeks in her hands, brushing them soothingly with her thumbs.
He wasn't sobbing, but tears clouded his vision and he felt like he may as well have been. His plan was falling apart. "I'm sorry," he said, voice thick with emotion. "This was a disaster. I guess…what I'm feeling…I'm too young to understand. I'm just so lovesick and stupid, and…I just can't."
Her frown faded, turning into an expression of shock. "Aang, sweetie, you're not—"
"But…I'm gonna try anyway." He cut her off, speaking with as much determination as he could muster. Maybe he could still make this work. Maybe. "I love you way too much to give up when I'm this far." His voice faltered at the word this, more tears escaping his eyes.
"I…I'm only thirteen, I know. B-but you'll be s-sixteen soon, and…of m-marrying age." He got a bad taste in his mouth saying that. "I may be y-young, but I…I just can't bear the thought of someone else…" At this, he trailed off as the taste in his mouth turned from bitter to sour.
Katara remained silent, her mouth slightly agape. Was he…no he couldn't be. Could he?
Aang swallowed hard, more tears welling up. He fought them valiantly, continuing. "I know that I'm too young to officially…well, you know…but I want you to promise me something." He pulled out a necklace (the same one I mentioned in an earlier chapter—find it!) and continued. "When I'm old enough, Katara, will you…?" He faltered. "…would you…you…?" The dam burst at that moment, more frustrated tears escaping his eyes. "Agh!" He uttered a choked sob.
Luckily for him, before he could humiliate himself any more, he felt a pair of familiar lips crash against his. He froze in shock, unsure of what was happening while Katara kissed him senseless. She pulled back after a few seconds. "Yes, Aang. Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes."
It was then that Aang came back down to Earth and saw the teary smile on Katara's face, the stains down her cheeks…had he really done it? Had she actually…said yes?
Before either of them knew it, their lips were back together. The passion was more intense, more wonderful than anything they had both felt before. The moment could only be described as…perfect.
They pulled away, both crying in pure elation.
"Aang…oh, Aang, you're so sweet. I—I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. I love you so much."
He hugged her. "Katara…Katara…" he breathed. "You have no idea…how happy you've made me. Katara…"
She took the necklace and stared at it in awe. "Aang, you made this?"
He nodded. "I…I never was the best carver, but I did my best." He blushed.
"Really? It's beautiful!" Katara gushed, rewarding him with butterfly kisses all over his cheeks and nose.
At first, he gasped out her name in surprise, but laughed as she showered him with all the love in the world. "Katara…"
She finally finished with a big kiss on his lips. When she pulled away, she saw a radiant smile on Aang's adorable face, complete with blush, tears, and love. "I love you, Katara," he said emotionally, his eyes shining brightly at her.
That may very well have been the most beautiful thing Katara had ever seen. "And I love you, more than anything. You're so amazing, Aang. I would never want anyone but you."
"That…that means the world to me." Aang was truly touched. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve someone like you. I…I just—" He faltered again, his smile growing. "Why don't you turn the necklace over before I talk you out of all this…"
She laughed, flipping the necklace over. It was engraved!
My forever girl. Love, Aang.
"Forever girl?" Katara giggled. "That's so cute!"
"Heh…well, remember when I dreamed about living underwater?" Aang asked, rubbing his neck sheepishly.
Katara nodded. "Yeah. You were nuts!"
"I actually dreamed about kissing you," Aang admitted. "I called you my forever girl, and…it actually seems kinda dumb now, but—"
"I like it," Katara said. "It seems right."
"Forever is a long time, you know," he told her.
"Are you trying to change my mind?" she asked teasingly, leaning in so their faces were inches apart.
"N-no," he stuttered, his cheeks growing redder.
After a brief kiss, she lingered. "To me, forever doesn't seem long enough."
