A/N: Time for more Kataang love :). This took me ages to get done because I kept going back and switching stuff around. But here's the end result ^^. Hope you like. I keep thinking that this will seem old to people who read it, but no one's told me so yet so I shall continue until someone does lol.

I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender.


Katara shivered, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders and curling up on the sofa, eyes trained on the front door, waiting as patiently as she could for the homecoming of her husband. The original plan had been for him to drop the things from his trip off at the Southern Air Temple and stopping there for a night to let Appa rest before flying to the Southern Water Tribe to pick up Katara to take her back to their home. He'd been gone for almost two months on business in the Earth Kingdom. Katara had remained in the Southern Water Tribe making negotiations with Zuko and other representatives from the Fire Nation. It was the longest they had ever been separated and Katara had been counting the days until they would be reunited. Noticing her anxiousness, Zuko had kindly lent her one of the old Fire Nation war balloons to take to the Southern Air Temple so she could meet Aang a day earlier. And so here she was, waiting for him to come through the huge main doors of the temple, listening intently for anything that sounded like Appa. Pathetic. One part of her grumbled, the part of her that was perhaps the most clear indication that she and Sokka were in fact, siblings. However, Katara only smiled, allowing her excitement at seeing Aang again to overtake that part of her. It had been so long. Far too long.

The sun had already set, though, and there was no sign of him. Katara reminded herself that Aang could arrive at any time of the day, perhaps even late tonight and that he would in fact, come. But as the hours ticked on with no sign of him, Katara found her eyelids drooping and she gave a sad sigh, laying down and resting her head on the sofa's armrest. Not tonight. She told herself, resigned, feeling a dipping sensation of disappointment settle into her stomach. She'd been looking forward to this for so long. Her eyes stung with tears, but she bravely held them back. As much as she missed Aang, she was not a child. No, she had to be reasonable. He would come. He always did. He wouldn't want her to be upset. And so she closed her eyes and did her best to shake off the gnawing feeling of loneliness as she drifted to sleep alone again.

Aang watched his bison lumber off into one of the many courtyards, his mouth stretching open in a yawn. He knew it had to be past midnight, maybe even close to dawn, but he was happy to be home nonetheless, and even more happy to know that tomorrow he would see Katara again. He missed her so terribly it ached, he'd missed seeing her, feeling her, loving her. Despite his tiring journey, he didn't know if he'd be able to sleep for the remainder of the night as it was impossible for him to be calm about something as exciting as seeing Katara again. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that Appa needed to rest, he would have pressed on to the South Pole all through the night until he got there. Still, it was nice to be home, somewhere safe and familiar where he was free of expectations and pressure.

With a contented sigh, he pushed open the immense doors to the temple, setting his things down before stretching his arms over his head and proceeding into the main hall, only to stop, his breath catching in his throat when in one of the adjoining rooms, he caught sight of a familiar figure resting on one of the couches. Katara? Aang, forgetting everything else entirely, ran as quickly and as quietly as he could into the room, his heart swelling with joy at the sight before him. It was Katara. She was here…he couldn't help the tears of joy that filled his eyes. Oh ,it had been so long. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to scoop her into his arms and spin her around and around, wanted to hear her laugh, to be able to look into her beautiful blue eyes and see into her very soul. He opened his mouth to say her name, but stopped himself, reminding himself that she was peacefully asleep. She was curled into a ball, a thin blanket clutched around her. Still, she was shivering slightly in the late winter chill that shrouded the temple and the surrounding mountains. Why, he wondered, wasn't she in their bed? Perhaps if he were gentle enough he could carry her there without waking her. Aang knew that once this idea had taken root in his mind he truly didn't have any other option. He wanted so badly to hold her again. So, ever so carefully, he lifted her from her place on the couch into his arms, letting out a shaky breath of contentment at the feel of being close to her once more.

He could feel her heart beating steadily, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath she took. He couldn't figure out for the life of him how he'd gone without this for so long. Surely there could be no greater joy in life than this…She shifted slightly as he began to walk to the room they usually shared, mumbling softly in her sleep. Aang practically held his breath as he proceeded, doing his very best not to wake her. She snuggled into his warmth and Aang stilled completely, simply watching her for that moment, allowing himself to just bask in his love for her in a way it had been painful to do for the past two months. His breath hitched when a small furrow formed at her brow and then, her eyes fluttered open. Aang's heart nearly stopped, but somehow he managed to speak calmly, even as her eyes widened in recognition.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you." He barely had time to finish his sentence however, for Katara had scrambled out of his hold with astonishing speed to stand on her feet and throw her arms around him.

"Aang!" She cried, awake in an instant. He laughed, holding her close as she squeezed him so tightly he thought she may actually have been able to break his ribs. But right then, he couldn't have cared less. Katara was here, and that was all that mattered. Before he could even say a word to her however, she grabbed him forcefully by the collar and kissed him deeply, stealing his breath. He stepped forward so that her back was against the wall, quickly becoming completely absorbed in her, the rest of the world fading around him. Their bodies pressed flushed against each other, Aang cupping his wife's face in one hand and holding her around the waist with the other, his entire being surging with the need to be close to her, all of his pent up longing pouring out of him in this single moment. When they parted, he leaned his forehead against hers, so that he could look into her eyes, which had become wet with unshed tears. "You're back." She whispered. He rubbed his nose against hers affectionately, brushing away a stray tear with his thumb even as his own eyes grew moist.

"Don't let me go anywhere without you for that long again." He croaked, his voice heavy with emotion. Katara laughed through her tears.

"I'll do my best." Aang sighed contentedly.

"I am sorry for waking you up though. I just couldn't help it because it's been so long and I figured our bed would be more comfortable than that couch anyways."

"Mmm, you're right about that." Katara hummed, sliding her arms from around his back to take his hands. "I was just waiting for you and I kind of drifted off. But shouldn't you eat something first? It was a long trip, after all. I made dinner just for you." She smiled. The seemingly simple statement touched Aang more deeply than he would've ever imagined it could. Finally, someone cared about him. He was being invited to relax instead of being pressured to work faster and harder. Still, more than anything he just wanted to lie down with Katara and feel her beside him.

"Katara…you didn't have to." He murmured. "I missed you more than any food." Katara only began pulling him gently in the direction of the kitchen.

"I missed you too. But I cooked just for you and I'm not going to our room until I know you've eaten something. You have to be hungry." As if siding it were siding with her, Aang's stomach grumbled. Katara laughed. "See?" Aang allowed himself to smile. He didn't have the will to say no to her right now even if he wanted to.

"Fine. But only if I get to carry you upstairs afterwards." Katara lowered her face to the warm pot of vegetable stew she had made for her husband, but he still caught her blush, as well as the small smile that spread over her pretty lips. Before he could stop himself, he had wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his head on her shoulder, nuzzling her cheek and planting a tender kiss there. She gave a breathy laugh as his lips tickled the area around her ear, squirming out of his grasp and placing the bowl of soup on the table.

"Why do you want to do that so badly?" She asked, sitting across from him so that he wouldn't be able to get distracted from eating for the time being. Aang only blinked at her.

"Because I love you and I missed you. Does it bother you?" Katara shook her head quickly.

"No! No, of course not…I was just wondering…but thanks. I don't mind at all." She smiled, feeling her face heat up. Why am I blushing? We're married. It's only Aanghe was gazing unblinkingly into her eyes, hardly seeming to notice that he was eating. But he'd never been only Aang. That in itself was an oxymoron. Aang was so much more than just one person to her. Aang was everything, Aang was…she felt her whole body heating up, suddenly realizing that perhaps it was for her own good that she'd sat across from him rather than next to him. Still, the way his eyes were fixed so intently on hers as though he was barely aware of the fact that he was eating was almost as distracting and captivating as him physically touching her. Suddenly though, those eyes widened.

"Wait…I was going to pick you up in the South Pole tomorrow. How'd you get here before me?" Katara couldn't help but giggle slightly at the delayed question. He only grinned at her, simply enjoying the sound of her laughter as he waited for her answer.

"I think Zuko felt kind of bad seeing how much I missed you, so he let me use one of the Fire Nation's war balloons to come wait for you here. I know it's only one day's difference, but still…I was actually starting to get scared that you weren't going to get back tonight after all." Aang put his spoon down for a minute.

"You really missed me that much?" His gray eyes were so soft and inviting…it was all Katara could do to not throw herself into his arms again.

"More than anything. I know it's silly, I just…you have no idea. So many other women in the Southern Water Tribe tell stories about how their husbands left and never came back or died in the war and it just made things worse because nothing good has everhappened when we separated before. I know this wasn't a dangerous mission, but sometimes stuff comes out of nowhere and…I just couldn't help but worry a little." She lowered her head. She knew Aang wouldn't have wanted her to be scared, but after everything, it seemed impossible to not be at least a little anxious for him when he was away.

"Katara…" Aang paused. She did have a point. The first time they'd separated was when he'd been taken hostage aboard the Fire Nation ship, and then there was the time he'd been captured by Zhao, and then the coup in Ba Sing Se…he couldn't blame her for being scared, but he couldn't help but feel guilty either, though he knew that hadn't been her intention. He looked at her apologetically, but spoke firmly. "I'll always come back for you. I promise." He said resolutely, reaching across the table to take her hand. Katara gave him a soft smile, the kind that never failed to make him melt inside.

"I know you will. But right now I'm just glad you're home." Aang took the bowl of soup in his hands and drank the rest in several gulps before setting it down, springing up from his chair and without warning, scooping Katara into his arms and spinning her in a circle, eliciting a laugh from the waterbender. He leaned down to kiss her briefly.
"I'm glad to be home." He sighed as she looped her arms around his neck, allowing him to bring her out of the kitchen and up the stairs to their bedroom.

When they arrived, Aang laid with her on the bed, though never once relinquishing his hold on her. They met each other's gaze and smiled, reminiscing on the last night they'd spent here together before Aang's departure, how it had been tainted by mutual feelings of anxiety and urgency, which were now replaced by relief and a sense of peace.

"We made it." Katara breathed, squeezing her husband's hand. Aang laughed.

"I know. It really did feel like forever…you have no idea how lonely it was."

"I think I must have some idea. I missed you too, remember?" Katara answered playfully.

"Yeah, but at least you had your family and Zuko to keep you company. All I had were these grumpy earth kingdom nobles and generals yelling at me to do this and that…it got really tiring after a while." Aang mumbled.

"Aww, my poor little airbender." Katara teased, kissing his nose lightly. Aang laughed, a mischievous sparkle in his eye.

"What? You don't think I'm serious?" He asked, feigning a hurt expression.

"I'm just kidding." Katara answered affectionately, nudging his foot under the covers. Aang sighed, his expression changing from playful to serious.

"I would've done almost anything just to be able to see your face or hear your voice for even a second some of those days. You make everything better, no matter how hard being the avatar gets. Thinking about you and knowing I can always come home to you is the only thing that makes it bearable sometimes." He whispered.

"Aang…" Katara breathed. She always found herself stunned by the depth of his love for her, despite the fact that she felt the same way about him. "I love you so much." She murmured, bringing his hand to her cheek. He beamed, gray eyes shining at her in the faint moonlight coming through their window. The passion in his gaze awakened an unsatiated, burning longing inside of her and she knew by the way he was looking at her that he was feeling the same way. It had been far too long. Slowly, Aang slid a hand into the opening of her sleeping robe to caress her bare side, finding it covered in goose bumps. It was only then that he realized the slight chill in the air, having forgotten entirely about anything that didn't have to do with Katara. He removed his hand briefly to pull the covers over the both of them then leaned in to kiss her soundly, feeling her tugging at his sash to loosen it. They were forced to part as she helped him lift his shirt off, trailing her fingers over his bare torso. She sighed longingly, gazing into his eyes.

"I missed making love." She admitted softly, a blush forming on her cheeks. Aang smiled, his own face coloring slightly.

"Me too." He kissed her forehead affectionately and his smile brightened. "And kissing and seeing you smile and waking up to you every morning..." He leaned close to her ear, allowing his breath to tickle the sensitive area. She giggled. "…and hearing you laugh." He crawled over so that he was on top of her and pinned her wrists playfully to the mattress as he placed warm, wet kisses along her throat. She couldn't help but arch up towards him even as she squirmed beneath him, torn between laughing and sighing in pleasure. Aang had always had a way with mixing passion with his naturally fun loving personality, but she couldn't say it bothered her. If anything, it only made her feel closer to him, more loved. Still, this inclination took nothing away from his ability to be romantic with her on a deeper level. He pressed his lips against her collarbone and shoulders, his fingers finding their way to her waist. He paused, lifting his face to hers.

"Will you be cold without this?" He asked carefully, referring to her sleeping robe. Katara smiled. The way he always put her comfort first even when it was obvious that his body had other desires never ceased to touch her.

"You're not going anywhere are you?" She replied. Aang shook his head.

"Of course not."

"Then I'll be fine. You always keep me plenty warm, Aang." She told him, taking his hand and placing it in its previous position. Slowly, delicately as though unwrapping a fragile gift, he undid the tie around her waist, allowing the robe to fall open around her. She wriggled out of it impatiently and tilted her head upwards to kiss Aang again, much as she had when she'd woken in his arms just an hour or so ago. Only, this kiss was more tender and soft and not as rough and urgent. This was the type of kiss that they could just relish in for hours and forget everything else in the entire world. She felt Aang's hands caressing her now bare body, one travelling up to caress her face, his thumb stroking her hairline and the other resting tentatively against her breast, becoming more sure of himself when she hummed her approval and arched into the contact. To her, there had never been anything wrong or perverse about Aang's touches. Despite the fact that these were her most intimate areas, there was always a sort of purity and reverence with Aang that she knew no one else could ever come close to matching. He broke the kiss and she leaned up to return his favors, placing a series of loving kisses along his cheeks, her hands sliding downwards to untie the drawstring of his brown travelling pants. He kicked them off impatiently, the heat between them building to the point where the slight warmth the pants provided was no longer needed.

Katara's lips had travelled to his jaw, nuzzling the side of his face just above his neck. She could feel his pulse thrumming steadily, his hips dipping to brush against hers. She couldn't help but gasp, reminded again just how long it had been and how particularly strong her desire for him was right now. She had forgotten entirely how late it was, and judging by the way Aang was kissing her and stroking her bare skin, he had too.

Impatiently, she managed to get rid of his undergarments with just her feet, just as he undid the knot on her bindings, causing them to loosen. In less than a minute, they were gone completely, lost somewhere within the many folds of fabric that the husband and wife had buried themselves in. Aang released a long breath and held himself away from Katara for just a minute, taking a moment to simply admire her beauty, the soft dark brown cloud of hair, the perfect, smooth tanned skin, and those captivating blue eyes... She glanced at him, a hint of shyness in her gaze. Aang only gave her a reassuring smile.

"How long has it been since I last told you how beautiful you are?" Katara wrapped her arms around him, gently caressing his shoulders.

"The same amount of time it's been since I told you how very charming you are." She answered, raising her eyebrows at him. Now it was his turn to blush.

"In that case, you're the most beautiful, wonderful person I've ever met." His voice grew soft and serious, his big gray eyes, the pupils even wider than usual in the dark, staring oh so lovingly into hers, their fingers lacing together. Katara admired the striking contrast between their skin tones before letting out a shaky breath, feeling her eyes sting with tears again.

"Oh Aang…" She wiped at her eyes, laughing softly. "Stop doing this to me. This is the second time tonight." She looked away, blinking several times until the moisture had dried. Still, she was smiling, practically glowing from the compliment.

"I'm sorry." He murmured, wiping away the remaining dampness on her cheek. "I never meant to make you cry. I just love you so much I can't always keep the sappy stuff to myself. I think I'd explode if I did." Katara laughed, fingers tracing the arrow along his spine and then around his arms, a path she knew by now like the back of her hand.

"It's fine. You make me feel the same way Aang. You're the most incredible person in the world and I wouldn't trade you for anything." She kissed him chastely, giving his hand a loving squeeze. The first time she'd said something similar to that to him, Aang had asked her breathlessly if she really meant it, for it had sounded far too good to be true. But now it all seemed so natural, so right, though that didn't make it any less wonderful to hear. They were silent for a moment before Katara nudged him suggestively under the covers, causing his breath to hitch as they communicated silently through their shared gaze. She could feel the length of him pressing against her hip, warm and stiff. But somehow, much like everything else about him, there was nothing dirty about it. This was him, all of him, and there wasn't one part of him she didn't love with all her heart.

"Aang…" She murmured, her voice carrying a slightly beseeching undertone that he instantly recognized. Make love to me. Aang nodded kissing her tenderly as he inched forwards ever so carefully, allowing her to feel his manhood pressing against her center. A tremor went through her body and she closed her eyes, releasing a breath of both pleasure and relief as he entered her at last, his own breath shaking as he pressed another kiss to her cheek. They fit together perfectly.

Katara wrapped her legs around her husband's hips, tightening her arms around his back to bring him closer still, their nude bodies pressing against each other even as the heat between them became more than enough. She inhaled sharply as he reached her deepest, most sensitive area, the friction bringing such an exquisite pleasure that she lost any sense of reality apart from the way Aang was holding her, right here, right now. She couldn't help but groan out his name as he pulled back and pushed forward once more within her, his own breath quickening as they came together.

"Katara…" He half whispered and half moaned, burying his face for a moment in her throat, placing a series of breathless kisses there and along her bosom, one arm holding her tightly around the waist and the other tangling itself in her hair, his palm resting against the side of her face. Spirits,how on earth had he survived so long without her? Everything about her was absolutely intoxicating, making it impossible to even think of anything else but how much he loved her and how good it felt to be with her right now. Her very scent was enough to drive him mad. She was doing everything she could to make this pleasurable for him as he was for her, both of them giving as much to each other as was possible. She whimpered slightly, and he recognized it as a plea for more as she pressed herself closer to him still, kissing along his face and upper body. He couldn't help but shudder, knowing that there was nothing those sounds couldn't make him do. He complied, pushing deeper, his every movement intended for her pleasure.

"Oh Aang…" He lifted his face from where he had been kissing her cheek and ear, instead positioning himself directly above her to meet her gaze again, leaning his forehead tenderly against hers. She beamed at him, one hand cupping his face as they simply stared lovingly at each other for a moment, relishing in their complete sense of togetherness and mutual adoration for each other. Aang's weight on atop her was warm and comforting, their chests heaving against each other, hearts racing, their heavy breathing the only sound in the stillness of the temple. For now, they were the only living things in the entire world.

"I love you so much, Katara." Aang breathed. Katara couldn't help her sigh of bliss, placing a tender kiss on his pale shoulder.

"I love you too." He pressed his lips briefly against her forehead and then to her collarbone where the betrothal necklace he'd made her glowed proudly in the moonlight, showing that they belonged to each other entirely. Its opalescent shine complimented her skin and eyes beautifully and Katara lowered her hand to touch it, holding the beautifully carved stone in her fingers, feeling it warm from both Aang's breath and their combined body heat. Yes.She remembered herself saying, voice trembling with happiness after he'd presented the necklace to her and asked her to marry him. Feeling a sudden surge of passion, she bucked her hips against his, urging him to continue. He complied enthusiastically, his breath soon turning to heavy panting, his low groans coupling with her occasional gasps and murmurings of his name. Their hands wandered sensually over each other's bodies, admiring every inch of each other and leaving searing kisses wherever they could reach. Soon, Katara felt Aang tense up above her, his hand reaching to grasp hers tightly in his own, seeking to be as close to her as he could in every way possible. Judging by the way she was arching against him, her breaths coming fast and hard, she felt the same way he did. He pushed deeply into her a final time before climaxing, a spasm overtaking his body as he clutched her tightly against him, feeling her tumble over the edge with him. He called her name into the still night air, feeling her gripping on to him as tightly as she could.

"Aang…" their bodies slackened at last, a thin sheen of sweat coating their skin despite the cold. After several minutes, they managed to catch their breaths, Aang lowering himself to lie beside Katara without letting go of her. If anything, he held her closer, hearing her sigh softly against his ear, satisfied at last. He planted a trail of lazy kisses along her the dark, smooth skin of her jaw, glowing in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

"Wow." He breathed, giving Katara a tired grin.

"Yeah." She agreed, returning the smile. "That was…amazing." They were silent for a moment before Katara spoke again "I really, really missed you." She blurted out suddenly. She'd already mentioned it several times, but she was too overcome with emotion at seeing him again to hold it inside. Aang smiled softly, touched.

"And I really, really, really missed you…I love you. So, so much, Katara." She leaned in to kiss him softly once more, her fingers trailing delicately over his bare chest and occasionally dipping down to his abdomen.

"I love you too." She told him.

"Are you sure this isn't a dream?" Aang asked with a grin, though he was only half joking. He dreamed of Katara all too often, and the dreams about her always felt the most real. Then, he would wake up alone, having only imagined the warmth of her touch. As if to prove to him that this was in fact, real, Katara took one of his hands and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

"I'm sure." She said softly. "I dreamed about you every night and it was never this good." Aang only nodded and squeezed her gently in his embrace, relishing in the happiness of the moment. It was only then that he realized the room had begun to get lighter.

"Look." He murmured to Katara, pointing to the window. Outside, the sky had turned a dusky pink color, indicating that the sun would soon rise, a beautiful thing to watch in the mountains. For the past two months, Aang had been almost sad to see it as it meant another day of monotony and angry generals and arguing, but now, it only served to relax him. He could lie here with Katara as long as he wanted and they could sleep or talk or simply enjoy each other's company. Something about the way she was looking at him though, with a wonderfully familiar sparkle in her eye, told him that it could quite possibly be a while before they fell asleep.

"It's beautiful." She replied. Aang beamed at her.

"Like you." Katara blushed, but smiled. She realized that many girls would have protested or told him that it was a cheesy compliment, but with Aang, it was anything but. And so she merely snuggled into his warmth, laying her head fondly against his shoulder, and enjoyed the feeling of him holding her close.

"I'm glad you're home." She murmured.