Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

Author's Note: I just watched this episode again, and I realized that Sokka's poetry adventure was in the evening. So, just assume it took Aang, Toph, and Katara a long time to get back, and people in the city don't eat dinner until well after sunset. Review responses at the end.

Bringing it Together

Katara pushed open the door, allowing Toph and herself to enter. Aang and Sokka were reading, but they looked up at the sound. It appeared that they had pulled some selections from the house's modest library. Aang air-lifted himself to his feet, eyes lighting up with the sheer pleasure of seeing them (her?) again. One of the things Katara had always admired about him was his ability to find enjoyment in simple things.

"Hi. How was your day?" he asked them cheerfully.

"It was nice," Katara responded, glancing at Toph.

"Yeah," Toph agreed. "I learned that it's okay to act like a girl sometimes."

"Whoever said it wasn't?" Sokka inquired, looking genuinely confused.

"Ignore him," Katara advised. Then she turned to Aang. "Any luck finding Appa?"

"No," he replied sadly, and Katara gave him a quick hug. He brightened. "But I did make some other animals a lot happier."

"How did you do that?" Toph chimed in.

"He built a zoo," Sokka answered for him. Katara looked down at Aang again.

"That must have been some serious earthbending," she commented. "Wish I could have seen it."

"I can take you there tomorrow," he suggested, smiling at the compliment.

"As your teacher, I should probably check it out, too," Toph pointed out.

"Sure," he said amiably. "Let's all go!"

"Katara and I sent some snotty girls down the river," Toph added.

"Oh, girls in wet dresses? Show me the way!" Sokka exclaimed. When Katara glared at him and uncorked her water pouch, he backed off. "Hey, I was just kidding. Sheesh!"

"They were being very rude, so we decided to teach them a lesson," Katara returned to the conversation at hand. Aang began studying her intently, and she frowned. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"No. I mean, you look great," he assured her, cheeks reddening a little. "I was just thinking that I like you better without makeup. It just sort of hides how pretty you really are."

"Oh," was all Katara could manage as she blushed in her own turn. Sokka made a disgusted noise from the other side of the room.

"I can't take this," he announced, picking up some random documents as he stood up. "Let me know when dinner gets here. I'll be in my room."

"Me, too," Toph moved to join him.

"You'll be in your room, then, Toph?" Katara asked, somewhat distractedly.

"No. His."

Two heads swiveled in unison to follow her progress as she left the room. Aang and Katara turned back toward each other.

"Did I miss something?" Aang wondered aloud.

"Not unless I did, too," Katara replied. Aang visibly shook it off and smiled at her.

"What do you say we enjoy our time alone?" he suggested, and there was a new glint in his eye that made Katara's heart begin to race.

"Definitely," she started, but suddenly, she noticed something odd. "Um, Aang? Why is your nose red?" Aang touched the feature self-consciously.

"Don't ask," he advised her with a grimace. As he took her by the hand and led her out to the back garden, she was only too happy to comply.

Author's note: Hee hee, I'll leave the rest to your imagination. I just figure that, after 30 minutes or so, Aang was wearing about half of Katara's makeup. Aang's comment about the makeup was from my husband because that's what he says to me. Aside from theatre performances, I don't think I've been in full makeup since my wedding.

That's the end of my ideas, but I'm considering taking requests. Egglette already asked for a Zuko/Song, so I might be able to manage that. Just put a one-sentence suggestion for a story in your review. I have two conditions: the idea must be able to be condensed into one scene, and it has to somehow relate to Tales of Ba Sing Se or these three shorts I've already done. If I decide to do your story, I'll name it after you.

Member of the Boomeraang Squad: charleegirl, Jesus.Lives, Liselle129

Review responses: Thank you to frozenheat, Tech-Man, TTAvatarfan, abcdef…, ScattrdParchment, Ari-Griffin, Ron Weasly girl, and Egglette for expressing your enjoyment of the story.

MormonMaiden: Well, I have a brother three years younger, and it's quite amazing what a guy and his friends will talk about in front of a sister that they won't necessarily talk about in front of other girls. It opens up a whole new world.;) Of course, I now also have a husband, and he often helps me with the masculine perspective in my fics.

Jesus.Lives: I didn't mean to distract you. How was this one?

SnakeEyes16: Don't worry about it. I gather you're on the west coast, which means you're going to probably be a few hours behind many of my readers. It's actually fun for me too see that I have 10 reviews, but I haven't seen yours yet, so I know I have at least one more to look forward to.

Supergirrl: Well, I was being specific about SOME Zutara fans. I just saw a drabble that basically said Katara couldn't possibly be interested in Aang because she's a maturing young lady, and he's just a kid. I like Aang sweet and innocent, too, but I don't think a little innuendo is completely out of place.

Val-Creative: Thanks for the long, thoughtful reviews! I don't recall how much of my other stuff you've read, but I really love Sokka, so I do my best to keep him in character. If anything, I probably present him more favorably than he should be. Yes, he is silly sometimes, but he can also be clever and perceptive.