A/N: Here we have entry 1/7 for Kataang week. This prompt is for Monday July 21st 2014 - Secrets
Their first secret was not overly romantic, but adorable. One of those moments where their hearts were fluttering and their faces flushed. The torch in their hands was dying. In just moments they would be in complete darkness, trapped forever in a labyrinth of tunnels outside Omashu. After finding the tomb of the two lovers and seeing that statues along with the inscription "Love is brightest in the dark", their plans were coming to one conclusion. Katara had voiced this conclusion earlier, but she was rejected and a little hurt. So they continued down the tunnels. Aang looked to the torch.
"We're going to run out of light any second now, aren't we?"
Katara looked back at him. "I think so."
He stepped forward to her. "Then what are we gonna do?"
She turned to him. "What can we do?"
She rested her hand on his and their eyes met. As the glowing torch faded, their lips came closer and closer together until there was darkness. Their lips met for just the briefest of moments and it sent both of their hearts racing, hoping love would show them the way. When they opened their eyes there were glowing crystals in the ceiling of the tunnels, lighting the way.
"That's how the two lover's found each other," Katara figured. "They just put out their lights and followed the crystals. That must be the way out!" She pointed down the lit tunnel. They embraced and headed out of the labyrinth, acting like nothing had happened.
X
The following secret was a little bigger. Finding Ursa was a difficult but rewarding journey, even if they did have Azula with them. Tensions in Yu Dao were high still. Aang was discovering grounds that used to be sacred to his people being misused and the spirits enraged. It seemed to him like he was never going to have a peaceful moment with Katara. That didn't stop him from proposing to her.
It happened one night while they everyone was asleep. Aang had waited and waited for the right opportunity to come up, but it just wasn't happening. He had carved maybe twenty different pendants and this was the best one. And it still wasn't good enough. He sighed and looked down at the necklace, the air symbol etched into the cyan stone. He had done the best he could. He didn't exactly have anyone to teach him carving. He mustered up any courage he could find and left his spot on the grass, walking over to Katara's tent. He peaked inside and saw her fast asleep, her lips parted in the cutest way. He smiled and closed the tent behind him, gently shaking her awake.
"Katara." He said softly and her eyes opened slowly.
"Aang?" She asked and rubbed her eyes. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I need to talk to you."
She pulled herself up and he sat across from her. "What about?"
Aang took her hands and smiled, looking into her eyes.
"Look, I know this is going to sound completely crazy but, you know I love you right?"
"Of course. And I love you."
"I know. I love you so much. You are my best friend and I know that our lives have been crazy since we met so there's not really been a good time to do this, and I know we are young but we've been through so much together-"
"Aang, just say what you need to say." She interrupted his rant.
He sighed and reached into his robes, pulling out the necklace.
"I want to be with you forever. I want to be yours and you be mine for the rest of our lives. And I hope that with this necklace you will honor me by agreeing to be my wife. Not now, but eventually."
Katara looked form the necklace to him a few times and her tears came to her eyes, rolling down her cheeks.
"Oh, no, I'm sorry, don't cry. It was stupid, just forget it-"
She interrupted him again but with her lips this time, grabbing him by his robes and molding her lips to his. He momentarily forgot what he was doing and wrapped his arms around her, cupping the back of her head. They eventually broke apart and tears were still flowing down her cheeks.
"Of course I'll marry you." She said with a happy smile and wiped her eyes. "It's all I've ever wanted." She laughed and Aang kissed her again, laughing himself. She pulled back and looked at the necklace. It had the air nation symbol. It was perfect. But it was also obvious. It would be obvious to anyone who saw her wearing it. He was just fifteen. This would be a disaster if anyone found out, especially Sokka. She took off her neck lace and put it to the side, turning and holding her hair out of the way. Aang smiled and put the necklace on her, giving her a soft kiss on the neck when he was done. She giggled and turned to him.
"Aang… I want to wear this all the time, but someone will notice." He said and her hand fell to the pendant.
"I know. You don't have to wear it. Just keep it. Until we find some peace and we can tell everyone."
She smiled and took his hands. "It will be our secret."
"I have no problem having secrets with you." He smirked.
She smiled and pulled him in for another kiss.
X
Their next secret was scandalous to say the least. A young man at seventeen has urges that even meditating can't take care of. And he wasn't the only one having trouble pulling away when their lips met. Time and time again someone had to speak up though heavy breaths and sighs in the night that they should stop. They always got a little carried away and someone ended up being the voice of reason. They had talked about this. They were going to wait. But being engaged for two years does things to a couple. It strains the heart, it burdens the soul, and it tests the strength of your resistance. But how could he possibly resist those darkened eyes and those soft lips? How could she stop when his hands were everywhere?
As time passed, they started to question their decision to wait until they were married. Why wait? They both loved each other. And they both wanted it. And no one had to know. It could stay between them and the sheets. One night, things got out of control.
His robes were thrown across the floor with her dress and he had her pinned to the bed, her legs wrapped around his waist with just underclothes between them. She rolled her hips against his and he let out a groan of frustration, the friction both wonderful and yet completely unsatisfying. His hands ran over her chest to return the favor and she arched her back, rolling her hips again. His trunks were growing tight and this is usually when they stopped but tonight he was too far gone. His lips were at her neck and his tongue was surveying her skin over the muscles he knew so well. Katara moaned and squirmed under him. A very tiny part of her wanted her to say stop, but the burning in her veins and the tightening of her walls all screamed for more.
"Aang..." She said so breathlessly. His name falling from her lips was a toxic drug he needed more of and he would do anything to make her say it again. His hands reached behind her and untied the knots to her bindings, stripping her without asking. He didn't need permission, it was what she wanted. Aang's hands ran over her bare skin and her nipples were hard against his palms. His hands were rough and calloused and felt just right on her body.
She put a hand to his chest and he paused, looking into her eyes. He wondered if this was the signal to stop. They were caught in each other's gaze and her hand trailed down his body slowly, her fingers sliding over his muscles until she got to the hem of his trunks. Without breaking eye contact she slipped her hand inside and gripped him softly. He let out a soft moan and they both knew. They both understood, there was no need to stop. This was the night that they would be one for the first time and let their passion flare into a raging inferno. And no one had to know.
X
Being an adult was more difficult than being a teen, which was quickly apparent. The older they got, the more that was expected of them. Katara didn't even know what she was anymore. An Ambassador? That about summed up her duties to say the least. Marriage was hard when you barely saw your mate. Being pregnant and hiding it? Even harder. Her duties took her all over the world, but she wasn't exactly used to traveling with a baby on board. At first she just started to wear looser clothing. That helped for a few weeks. Three months in and she looked like she was gaining weight, her baby bump really only visible when she was naked. But when the fourth month came, her slender frame could no longer hide it as just weight gain. Aang was unnerved about her traveling with the baby anyways. The world was still a dangerous place.
Katara was in republic city yet again and went home to the air temple, not expecting to see Aang. She was pleasantly surprised when he greeted her at the door, kiss on the cheek and one hand on her belly.
"Welcome home, my two loves." He said and she smiled and hugged him harder than she had in a long time.
"Oh sweetie I have missed you so much!" She said and leaned on him for support, exhausted. Aang felt her body weight and bent down, picking her up bridal style and taking her to their bathroom.
"Aang, what are you doing?" She laughed and gripped his neck.
"You need a bath and then dinner and then bed. You look terrible."
"Gee thanks." She said and rolled her eyes and then laughed. She knew she looked terrible, but he was more worried about the baby than anything else. He ran the bath and she undressed.
"Honestly, we're fine. Just a little tired. He doesn't like flying." She said as she stripped.
"He?" Aang asked and looked over his shoulder, cocking an eyebrow.
"I just have a feeling okay?" She said and kicked off her shoes and taking off her under garments.
"We'll see if you have your brother's instincts." He laughed and took in his wife's figure. "Mind if I join you?"
"No, that sounds nice."
They got in together and she leaned back against him, his hand reaching around to her front and stroking the bump on her stomach. She smiled in the hot water, feeling her muscles unknot for the first time in weeks. She put her hand on his and looked down at her baby bump.
"We can't keep this a secret for much longer." She said softly.
"It's not a complete secret. Sokka and Suki know, Toph knows, Zuko knows-"
"I mean I can't keep up this false pretense for the world. I'm tired Aang and the world is a dangerous place."
He hesitated and nodded. "That's what I'm most scared of. He could be the first new air nomad. And that is a very dangerous thing to be." He stopped and rubbed her stomach. "But you can't keep this up forever. You're right. I want you both safe. Are you going to be okay staying here? I would see you the most here."
She nodded. "I don't like helping from home, but I'm not really going to have much of a choice in a few months anyway. He'll be out and I'll need to protect him from harm."
"And that's easier if you stay in one place, unfortunately. Staying with me might actually jeopardize you both."
"I know. It's hard but it's the truth." She said and turned in the tub, poking his nose. 'you love to stir up trouble."
"Yeah that's me, Mr. Troublemaker." he rolled his eyes and they laughed, Katara's laughter falling into a soft sigh.
"Come on. Let's get you clean, both of you fed, and then off to bed. All of us."
X
When you have children, your whole life becomes one big secret with sprinkles of truth thrown in at inopportune times.
Where do babies come from? Daddy are you hurting mommy? Why can't I go to school like normal kids? How come I don't have any bending powers? Why does he get all the field trips? Can I water whip him, he took my diary! When is daddy coming home? Is he safe? Why do we have to go to Kyoshi Island with Uncle Sokka? Do I have to? Why?
To tell the truth would be inappropriate most of the time. So, they lied. Like good parents.
They come from seeds. No, we're wrestling, go back to bed. Because I love you too much to let you leave every day. You're too smart for bending. Tenzin needs airbending training. No, you may not use bending as a tool for revenge on your brother… but you can hide his knives. Daddy will be home soon. I'm sure he's fine. Your mother and I have some important business to take care of here at home, that's why. Yes you have to. Because I said so.
Honestly, all three of their children were lucky they weren't sent away more often. When they were sent with their uncle to go have fun, usually Aang and Katara ended up just sleeping. Sometimes for entire days. Usually on the last night of their little stay at home vacation, sparks ignited and it was a flame that didn't need much fanning. Who cares if the other acolytes could hear? They were never quiet. It was easy to explain to Bumi why their rooms were so far away, not Kya and Tenzin.
When you are with someone intimately as long as they have been together, you find a perfect rhythm and there is usually one of two ways the night can go; Blazingly fast or agonizingly slow. Aang preferred to take his time. Katara, not so much. Either way, their staycations stayed secret from their children until they were older. Being a parents is all about secrets.
X
Some secrets go with you to the grave. Tenzin was getting older. Bumi was a full grown adult. Kya was in her teen years. There were no babies to take care of. When Tenzin was about six Katara and Aang had the baby talk. They wanted more. So they tried. Months went by and Katara did become pregnant again, but something happened where she didn't carry to full term. They were devastated. After a few years she was courageous enough to want to try again. Months passed. Then a year. At 18 months she knew. Something happened inside her body with the baby they lost. She would be barren for the rest of her life. She went to healers and herbologists and no one had an answer she wanted to hear.
One night she was curled up in bed crying her heart out. Aang curled against her back and just held her, weeping with her.
"Aang, I'm so sorry."
"Don't even start."
"I can't give you more children."
"Stop it right now." He said and held her tight to his body. "This isn't your fault. Don't you dare blame yourself. Things like this just happen."
She was quiet for a while and kept sobbing, turning in his arms and burying her face into his chest.
"Isn't our life hard enough?"
"Katara…" He said and held her face, turning her up to him. Their eyes met through burred tears. "Everything is going to be okay."
She started to cry and he silenced her with a kiss, which she sobbed against his lips. He pulled back.
"We have three beautiful, healthy children. You and them. That's all I need."
"But what about the airbenders? This isn't how it was supposed to go." She said and he caught a tear with his hand.
"You know I love our children no matter what they are. And we have one airbender. That's one more than we had before. It's enough."
She doubted that and tried to internalize this situation but he wouldn't allow her.
"It's okay. No one has to know."
She nodded and he kissed her, trying the rest of the night to calm her down.
X
Secrets can be all things, anything from cute to sad to terrifying to funny. But when you share secrets with the person you love, it bonds you together. It ties you closer. Secrets can be good or bad, but when you love someone, you never keep secrets from them.