Avatar: The Last Airbender

Pillow Talk

Chapter 20: First Time

This had not been the way Katara wished to bring up her little suggestion. She had planned to ease into it slowly, because really, Aang was a bit overly sensitive about such things. So when she simply blurted the proposal they should share a sleeping bag, she was certain her darling, young Avatar was going to burst into flames if the telling blush that stained every available parcel of exposed skin was any indication.

And thus the pair of young lovers was left with only the uncomfortably awkward silence hanging between them, Katara wishing she could rephrase her ill-worded offering and Aang desperate to find his ability to speak. When he at last managed to swallow the large piece of his stomach that had somehow crawled into his throat, he graced his beautiful sifu with a disbelieving, wide-eyed stare and uttered the only thought that came to his mind. "WHAT?"

Katara arched an eyebrow, knowing all too well that Aang's harsh chorus was not meant to be rude or hurtful and rather was taken by surprise by the unexpected suggestion. Yet even though she had rehearsed her explanation repeatedly in her mind until she was certain she could recite it backwards, she still found herself stumbling over her words.

It was her understanding that most boys Aang's age would jump at the opportunity to share a sleeping bag with their girlfriend. But Aang was not like most boys. In fact, she could honestly say there was no one on the planet as remarkable as he was, which led her to her daring proposal. She felt safe with Aang; safe and loved and accepted, and she had hoped this change in their relationship would show him how much she appreciated that trust between them. These were all things she had intended to say. However faced with his startled eyes and rigid posture, the only words that tumbled from her lips were, "Uh, I think Momo's calling me."

Before she could turn and flee however, Aang grasped her wrist to dissuade her pending retreat. "Katara please, don't walk away from this," Aang begged, his words choking on the uncertainty of what he was planning to say. He had no way of knowing the words that would come to him, only that he needed to say something.

It was entirely unfair that after almost three years of dating, they were still so new at this relationship thing. When the war ended, their little group had gone their separate way. Zuko was of course the first to leave, he had a country to run after all. Shortly thereafter, Sokka returned to help rebuild the Southern Water Tribe and Suki went with him. Toph was the last to leave, and it was only the insistence of her parents that did so, considering the number of earthbenders clamoring to be taught by the legendary Blind Bandit. But Katara…Katara would not leave Aang, and after a while, they decided to set up a single tent at night, mostly to save time, but also so they could be continually close to one another. It seemed…right.

"I'm sorry," Katara's voice, though soft and uncertain, echoed loudly in the silence of the campsite. "I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, it's not that Katara I'm just a little…surprised."

"Yeah, I kind of guessed."

"So, uh, what brought this on?" Aang asked, scratching the back of his head as he turned his eyes at the single bed roll that seemed to be beckoning the pair to lie down and rest.

"Well, I've been thinking about it for a while now," the young waterbender confessed, becoming increasingly interested in the hem of her blouse. "I mean, we share a tent, and we basically wake up snuggled up with one another. So why not make it easier for us and just share one sleeping bag."

The pregnant pause that followed allowed Aang to consider the suggestion as he chewed his lower lip nervously, his eyes again drifting to the single bedroll. "Don't you think we've grown a bit too much to share one sleeping bag?"

Shrugging as the blush stained her cheeks, she offered in quiet explanation, "It'll be cozy."

"Yeah," Aang's voice came out wistfully as he studied the confined bedding. A thousand thoughts jumbled about his mind, each vying for his complete attention before another twenty overwhelmed his brain, all the while being painfully aware that Katara was patiently waiting for his response. But that was his undoing, for the moment his eyes found hers, the world dissolved into obscurity. Given all his knowledge and experience, he knew this one simple truth as surely as he knew his own heart; that he could deny her nothing. "Yeah Katara, I think it's a good idea."

"A-are you sure?" the uncharacteristically nervous waterbender asked as she fixed her eyes to the stormy gray orbs of her beloved Avatar. "I mean, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable or anything…" but the crashing of his lips against hers silenced any further protest as she instinctively startled under the unexpected assault before relaxing into the familiar sensation of his mouth against hers.

The kiss lasted until they were both starved for oxygen, and even beyond that. Separating with regretful need for breath, the two stared forlornly into each others eyes before a soft, slow-forming smile parted Aang's lips. "I'm most definitely sure Katara."

Smiling at his playful double meaning and enjoying the nipping kisses that he offered as further incentive of his determination, Katara pulled from the arms of her lover, leaving both starved for each other's embrace. "Then we should get ready for bed." She said in response, moving to gather her belongings and making her way to the privacy of the woods while Aang, likewise, moved behind Appa's large, furry flank and dressed in his sleeping robe.

When they had properly completed their preparations, Katara and Aang snuggled into the tightly confined sleeping bag, Aang's head resting on Katara's shoulder as she reached her free arm protectively over the young man's frame. Neither seemed to notice or mind when their legs intertwined, neither cared that their mingled breath raised the temperature of the immediate area. All that mattered was the comfort they felt in each other's arms, the lingering touches that tickled across exposed and covered skin and the all-consuming love that encompassed them in this moment of blissful perfection.

Sighing with resignation, Aang nuzzled his head further against Katara's shoulder before lamenting, "I knew this was going to happen."

Suppressing a smile over his overdramatic antics, Katara turned her head only slightly as she arched an accusing eyebrow. "What are you implying airbender? I don't make a comfortable enough pillow for you?"

In response, Aang tightened his embrace, bringing Katara closer to him as he snuggled deeper into her embrace. "No, it's not that. It's just…I'm never going to be able to leave. I'm going to have to remain here forever, just like this."

"Mmm," was Katara's simple response as she leaned her head against his, her eyes closing in coming sleep. She didn't need Aang to elaborate because she knew exactly how he felt. If she could live her life any way she wanted, it would be just as she was now, nestled in the arms of the young man who had come to encompass the whole of the world to her, protected and protecting at the same time. For this was peace. This was happiness.

This was love.

-End

A/N: Not sure about the ending, I wanted to make a sickeningly sweet Kataang story and worked on the original concept of what chapter 19 was meant to be. In other news, I've finally gotten admitted into my master's program, so sadly, I'm going to be devoting more time to my studies and less on writing (for the time being) and as such, you may not seem me around much any more. I'll still be here, and I'll post more when I get the chance, but it won't be for a while so hopefully this will hold you over.

As always, reviews are appreciated and I really want to thank all the wonderful readers who've read and reviewed this one-shot series so far. You've really motivated me to continue and I treasure every comment and review you offer, so thank you so very much.