Unintentional Fulfillment II

"Third time's the charm!" Aang said in utter excitement as he leaned down to tie the necklace around the girl he had woken up to; a girl who was real and who had outshone any dream.

"What?" Katara asked as she kept her arms lifted, holding back her mountain of unbound hair.

"Well, you know," Aang said as fumbled with the tie, her heat making his fingers tingle; "I already supposedly proposed to you twice, and you accepted both times."

This had blue eyes widening and Katara pulled back, cupping his face with her hands. Aang noticed that she had a quizzical expression, so he sighed before explaining.

"I made you that flower necklace, and then gave you back your Mother's one. And you accepted both of them."

Both water tribes seemed to have simple regulations for such things like this, as Aang had looked up and Katara knew, that by accepting a necklace it was binding. Nothing more, nothing less; it was as simple as giving a piece of jewelry.

Katara's face broke into a slight blush, as she said, "So, technically, we've been engaged for the past six years? Since you were twelve?"

"Hey!" Aang huffed, blowing a slight gust into her face, "You were only fourteen! Big difference!"

"But-But," Katara stumbled as she let go of his face slowly, hands dropping to her sides. But then Aang was hugging her closer to his frame, and she sighed. He had shot up when he was sixteen, and was now a good head taller than her. Sometimes she missed the Aang she could hold close to her own chest; she never thought she'd miss his shortness.

But then he was doing what she used to do to him, and she felt the warmth and affection. She hoped that her hugs were this good for him, too. They must be if he was asking her to marry her - again.

"I didn't know being engaged to me was so hard to comprehend," Aang joked to break the silence, yet his laughter was tight and forced.

This caused Katara to give a huff of her own before giving him an extra hard squeeze that had him yelping.

"Shut-up, I'm just shocked is all."

"That you've been unknowingly tied to the most amazing person in the world?"

"And here I was worried with all the constant praise you'd lose your modesty."

They pulled back to look at each other before bursting out in laughter. Katara's little quip wasn't that funny, it was really just the whole situation of it.

"But!" Aang said as he cut himself off, "We're getting off topic!"

He lifted the necklace again, and Katara grinned.

"Yes. For the third time, yes."

"It's technically the fourth time now, you just said yes a few minutes ago."

"I'm glad you're still keeping count, Aang."

AN: Because I'm the author, and I CAN.