~A~

All the Little Things

~A~

If anyone ever asked Katara what the one thing she disliked most about being part of the team that had saved the world was, they would probably be surprised at her answer, because that answer was parties. She absolutely detested the endless, boring, repetitive parties that they were all forced to attend.

Most specifically, she hated the fact that, at these so-called parties, every girl in attendance tried to come between her and Aang. The more daring even got together and did whatever petty little things they could think of to torment her, probably hoping she'd eventually give up and break up with the handsome young avatar.

As if.

Still, it was tremendously aggravating, and despite the fact that it drove her crazy, she never said a word to her boyfriend. She didn't want him to feel guilty, and she knew he would. After all, it wasn't his fault he was gorgeous, fun-loving, charming, and caring, and that pretty much every girl in the world wanted him for themselves.

On this night, however, things had been worse than usual. Aang had been dragged off for a serious discussion by several nobles, even though he'd been promised by the Earth King himself that tonight would be a night strictly for socializing and fun, and every girl in attendance had then taken the opportunity to say and/or do something spiteful to her. That was why she was sitting here, at a small table in a corner by herself, rather than at the main tables with the rest of the party guests. It was just safer and less stressful that way.

Unfortunately, it looked as though this time it wasn't going to do her too much good, as two young women, smiling edgily, were even now approaching her. With a sigh Katara reached up and touched her fingers to the small necklace that Aang had made for her back in the beginning of their adventures, when Zuko had gotten his hands on her mother's necklace. She didn't often wear it, just for the simple fact that she didn't have many dresses that went with it, but this time she'd actually gone out and bought a pretty dress specifically so she could wear it, much to Aang's pleasure. And now that two more harpies were about to corner her, she fingered it for courage and patience.

She didn't say a word as they whispered and pointed at her, but when they finally gathered enough courage to actually get closer and speak aloud, she listened impassively with a small, distant smile.

"Look at that cheap necklace," the taller one said with a haughty sniff.

"If that's all she can afford, then she has no business at a high-class ball like this," her friend drawled back, nose wrinkled with affected distaste. "It's so tacky."

There was no way Katara could resist that kind of opening. "Do you really think so?" she asked, her eyes widening with fake innocence. "Aang would be sad to hear that."

"Why would the Avatar care about a stupid, cheap necklace?" the two girls demanded, rolling their eyes at each other as if to say, 'listen to this crazy woman prattling on'.

"Oh, well, because he made it for me, of course," she replied, her smile widening as both young women choked and almost fell all over themselves trying to backtrack – especially as the aforementioned avatar appeared next to Katara at that moment with a polite smile for the two.

He wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's waist and looked down at her. "Who are your friends, sweetie?" he asked cheerfully.

Introductions were exchanged as the girls mumbled their names with blushes crossing their cheeks at the awkward position they'd gotten themselves into.

The young waterbender, on the other hand, just smirked almost maliciously as she waited for what she knew was coming next.

"So what were you guys talking about over here?" Aang asked jovially.

Before the girls could say anything to redirect the conversation she popped up with, "We were just talking about my necklace," her smirk widening.

"Really?"

"Oh, yes," one said, an ingratiating smile on her face.

"Yes, we stopped to admire it and she told us you made it, Avatar Aang," her friend simpered. "You're so talented!"

Katara wanted to laugh in their faces, her eyes filled with an unholy glee. Liars. She continued to run her fingers along the piece affectionately as Aang blushed a little sheepishly and rubbed at his neck, his grin genuine.

"Thanks," was all he said.

Just then the music picked up, and Aang turned to look at his girlfriend with his hand held out. "Dance with me?" he asked. When she nodded he turned back to the two girls, who now had soured looks on their faces, and made their excuses.

Once they were whirling around the floor in easy figures Aang sighed dryly. "So what was really going on with those girls?" he asked, and Katara couldn't help but shake her head and laugh.

"No hiding things from you, eh? They were insulting my necklace because it wasn't something expensive."

The Avatar hummed thoughtfully, not really surprised by that as he whirled her out and then pulled her back in. People could be pretty horrible sometimes. "Did that bother you?"

"No," she replied immediately, looking up at him with a small, intimate smile. "You made this for me, and I love it. I don't care what anyone else thinks."

"You wouldn't rather have something more fancy and expensive? One given in some big romantic gesture?"

It was Katara's turn to look thoughtful as she shook her head. "You know... I don't think that's the kind of man I'd ever want. It's easy to make some grand gesture once in a while. You don't have to even really know a person to do those things. But the guy who does little things for his love every day? To me, that's perfect. That's the kind of man whose love is going to go the distance. And that's the kind of man you are," she finished with a fond smile at her boyfriend, affection lighting her features.

He grinned and drew her a little closer than was strictly polite, one big hand dropping a little lower on her back as he brushed his lips across her cheek. "I love you," he whispered as he pulled back.

The young woman beamed at him, murmuring of her love in return. Truly, it was the little things that were most important to her. This necklace that she wore was a prime example. It was true that the small choker had no monetary value. Heck, it had been made out of fishing line, for heaven's sake. But that didn't matter, because the man in her arms had created a thing of beauty for her with his own hands because he loved her, and that made it worth far more than the most expensive gold or jewels could ever be.

Besides, she smirked, who else in the world had the avatar making things for them? So those girls had laughed... but when they'd found out who'd made it for her, they'd been clearly envious.

Yes... she'd keep her little things, even if she had to endure sharp-tongued taunts from all the jealous girls in the world, since at the end of the day, Aang was hers. She could find enough magnanimity in herself to ignore them, because she knew how she'd feel if she was the one who didn't have him... and all the little things that came with him.

~A~

A/N: To all those who've asked if I'm continuing this series, as well as my other Avatar fics, the answer is yes. However, updates will probably be sporadic, as I have a lot of other fics in other fandoms, and even my own original fiction, to work on as well.

I humbly thank all those who review even though I'm not able to answer them all – there's just too many. I do read them all, though, and treasure your kind words.

Amber