Hey everyone, chapter two is up! ^_^ Thank you all so much for your kind reviews so far.

In response to one of them, though, just to make everything clear to everyone, I did not and do not steal other people's ideas for this story. This was entirely my own creation. Just making that clear so I don't get accusations. ^_^;;

I do not own anything. =] Read away!

It was day two and Aang couldn't have been more thrilled to see Katara in his classes and back at the coffee shop after school. They spent more than an a couple hours at the café, chatting and asking casual questions about how their day went, what was there to know about each other—in other words, bonding. And bonding quite well they did.

"So, what are your goals for the future?" Aang asked her at one point, slowly turning his cup of hot chocolate in a circular motion.

"I don't quite know what I really would like to do as a career, but I've been considering a few options. Mostly things that involve water, since I'm just so… fond of that certain element," She smiled cheerily. "Perhaps something involving working with dolphins someday. I love dolphins." She grinned.

"I love dolphins, too. They're fun to swim with." Aang replied bashfully.

"You've swim with dolphins?" Katara asked, tilting her head in curiosity, almost in disbelief.

"I have. But only once, when I was little. My family took a trip to Mexico."

"¿Entonces sabe usted español?"

"Si. Have you forgotten that we both take Spanish class together?" Aang grinned.

Katara laughed. "Casi. Thank you for reminding me."

Aang nodded, then took another sip of his drink. He glanced out the window, and Katara followed. They both smiled at the sight of rain pouring heavily. It was very Autumn-like weather.

"Tu?" She asked suddenly.

"Hmm?"

"What are your future goals? I talk so much about myself, now it's your turn." She smiled warmly.

"Me? Eh… well, I love to travel. Maybe travel the world someday—see all the new places there are on the globe. See the different cultures and sights. It gets boring here in this country after a while." He cracked a smile.

Now Katara was smiling wide. "We should both travel the world together! I mean, obviously not now since we're still in school and still need a job and all," she laughed, making Aang's smile grow wide. "But really. It would be fun!"

He blushed. "You mean, just you and I?"

She blushed as well, but she shrugged and looked away to hide it. "Well, why not?"

"No, you're right. I mean—yeah, why not?" He said, his pearly-whites showing at her.

I've seen the paths that your eyes wander down

I want to come, too.

I think that possibly,

Maybe I'm falling for you.

She laughed. "Alright, get back to me in a few years and then maybe we'll figure something out."

They both laughed.

"Aw, Katara." Aang's eyes softened as he gazed at her. "I'm so glad to have met you. You're a really nice person, you know. I mean, I've met a lot of nice people, but I was never able to share connections with them as much as I was able to with you."

Did he really just say that?

He mentally smacked himself.

She was going to laugh at the cheesiness of that, he knew it.

But then her reaction surprised him.

She blushed, refusing to look away now. They were both caught in a daze. "You, too, Aang. You're a very sweet person. I don't think I've met anyone as nice as you since I broke up… with my ex-boyfriend."

"Your ex-boyfriend?" Aang was curious now, raising his eyebrows. "May I ask who, or is that out of the question?"

She shook her head and smiled at him. "I dated this guy, Jet, for a few months. But… then I found out what kind of a person he really was and I broke up with him long ago."

"Oh, Jet? You actually went out with him?" Aang was surprised. It took Katara that long to find out what kind of person he really was beyond that charming shell? Well, guess he couldn't blame her. Jet is a very sneaky guy. But almost everyone knew of all the bad deeds he did in the past and still the present.

But in response to his question, Katara only nodded shamefully and looked away, embarrassed. "Never mind. I knew I shouldn't have said anything. I was stupid." She put up her hand on her face, but Aang reached over and pulled her hand down then forced her to look at him.

"No, no. I'm the one being stupid right now, Katara," There was an awkward silence as both stared into each other's eyes, seeing the sincerity and warmth in both pairs. Then they immediately pulled away from each other after realizing that their hands were slightly intertwined. They looked away in opposite directions, blushing.

"U-um, what else would you like to talk about?" Aang asked nervously.

"What is your family like?" Katara responded, looking back at him as she rested her cheek on her palm.

"You mean what was my family like?"

Then it hit Katara. "Oh… um, I'm so sorry, Aang. We can talk about something else if you—"

But Aang cut her off by explaining: "I never knew who my parents were, really. My uncle Gyatso kind of adopted me. I had lived with him throughout most of my childhood. He loved me like a son, and I loved him like he was my father. But then one night a murderer found his way into our house and he killed Gyatso on the spot when he went downstairs to see what was making all the rustling noises. I came downstairs seconds before the man left and I screamed and cried to loud at the sight of my dead uncle, so loud that people a mile away could probably hear me. I was left alone," Aang furrowed his eyebrows. "It's kind of hard to forgive that man for killing Gyatso. But it's been so many years and I know he's long gone. I eventually learned to just forgive and try to forget. But I will never forget the amazing moments in life I had with Gyatso. He was my only family." Aang smiled sadly, remembering. His eyes began to tear up, but he quickly wiped them away. "My childhood friend Kuzon discovered this, though, and I've been living with him for quite a while. His family kind of adopted me as well and have been treating me as one of their own ever since. At least there's a sort-of happy ending, y'know?"

Katara on the other hand was not exactly sure what to say at this point. He had such a sad story, she wanted to hug him and comfort him in any way possible. But it looked like he was under control. So she said this instead: "I'm so sorry, Aang. You have no idea how sad your story makes me," she frowned, staring down at her chai that she had ordered quite a while ago. "And I feel the same pain. Really, I do. An evil man killed my mother. I wonder now if it's the same person who murdered your uncle Gyatso," She shook her head. "But I doubt it. That was nine years ago. The death of a loved one from murder is something we both have in common I notice." She frowned, stirring her drink.

Aang could see how this was affecting Katara as he watched a single tear run down her cheek. Thankfully no one in the café was really paying attention since they were way in the corner on the two comfy chairs provided, so Aang—with no hesitation at all—got up, walking in front of her, kneeled down, and held her close as she cried silently in his shoulder and immediately responding to his kind gesture by wrapping her arms around his neck. She quietly sobbed and quiet enough that it didn't draw attention. Aang didn't know what else to do but that.

No one understands me quite like you do

Through all of the shadowy corners of me.

The whole scene lasted a good ten minutes or so before they finally pulled away from each other. Aang was still kneeling on the floor in front of where she sat. For the longest time, they both stared at each other sadly.

"Thank you, Aang." Katara finally spoke, her eyes pink and puffy, still clouded with tears as she reached up and wiped the last of them off.

"Yeah." Aang nodded, smiling a little. He was glad he was able to provide comfort for her and sort of vice-versa. They both felt much pain but the hug they shared brought ease.

Katara took out her cell phone then and checked the time. 6:12 pm. She sighed.

"Well, I should get going before dad and Sokka start worrying."

He only nodded in reply as he watched her put her phone back in her school bag. They both stood up.

"So, be back tomorrow?" She asked.

Aang nodded again. "Definitely." He smiled, and she returned it.

Not thinking twice, Aang reached over to cup her cheeks and leaned to kiss her forehead. "No more frowns, alright?"

She sort of laughed, rubbing tears that were still lingering in her eyes as she nodded. It seemed like the laugh was forced, but it was good enough. She hugged Aang again before they bid their farewells.

"See you tomorrow." They said at the same time as he watched her go out the door in a hurry. He noticed the faint blush return on her cheeks and he smiled.

He could get used to this.

Author: Hey guys, this one took a while and I managed to write it while I'm in a gross/sick state. Bleh. Oh well.

Btw when Aang thinks "he could get used to this", don't worry, he doesn't mean the teary part. XD More the whole hugs-and-kisses part, but hopefully not just when they're saying good-bye. XP heehee. Next chapter will be updated soon, so keep your eyes peeled! =] R&R!