A/N: I'm not a giant fan of this one, but I kind of got it to a point where I could tolerate it enough to post it (all the more reason to review!). For reference, this takes place between "Return to Omashu" and "The Swamp."

If you hadn't seen, I'm turning this into an (eventual) collection of oneshots, some odd multi-chapter stories, and maybe some other stuff! All focused on Kataang, of course, because Kataang is beautiful. If you have any suggestions for where I should take this thread, please, let me know! I'm thinking of writing some angst next... nothing gets me in the feels more than some Kataangst, as much as I love the fluff...

Anyways, enjoy the story! If you liked it, let me know! If you didn't, and I'm a completely worthless fanfiction writer that butchered and ruined atla's perfect characters... also let me know! :)

The night was beautiful. The stars shimmered and sparkled across the obsidian sky; the moon anchoring the spectral display in a sheen of milky white light. The leaves rustled tranquilly in the light, early spring breeze, a sound who's only companion was the simmering crackle of a dying campfire. It was nights like these when Katara felt most at peace. She found the calm of the night had a way of lulling her; not to sleep, but gently guiding her into the depths of her own thoughts and feelings.

Tonight, however, was different.

She found herself not lulled, but radiating with emotion. She shifted in her sleeping bag, feeling unusually warm for how cool the night air had become. The events the swirled in her mind, tugging at her emotions in the most peculiar way, only a few days old. She breathed in deeply, sprouting cherry blossoms just barely tickling her senses. She whispered the most delicate of whispers, not daring to wake her companions just a few yards away.

"I kissed Aang."

As soon as the last word crossed her lips, a tide of myriad emotions swept into her mind. While their return to Omashu had pushed her experience in the Cave of Two Lovers to the back of her mind for a time, they had left the city in the morning and had made camp for the night at the edge of a still pond. Here, she had time to think. She had time to sort out the excitement and confusion and everything so wild, so invigorating about a potential romance, for she was alone under the stars.

I love Aang, she thought to herself, but... in that way? I don't know! He's someone I care about, sure, but... I mean, I definitely wanted to kiss him and I think it felt good... but it's Aang! He's my best friend! And he didn't seem all that eager... or did he? But those things he said... oh, what would he think if he knew I was thinking about him in this way? Would he think I was weird? Would he... would he not want to be my friend anymore? Each passing thought only intensified her cloud of jumbled emotions.

Katara breathed in again, slowly and melodiously. She turned over onto her back, gazing up into the celestial grandeur of the night sky. Suddenly, her mind cleared.

Maybe... maybe this isn't a bad thing, she mused. Maybe... there is something there. I definitely care about him... a lot. This last thought, which would have previously heightened her anxiety, now stirred something deep within her. All of a sudden she couldn't get Aang out of her mind. Her mind danced with memories shared with him, of times they bonded. She remembered Aunt Wu's prediction of how she will have a great romance with a very powerful bender, and she felt a sudden heat in her cheeks when she recalled thinking of him that way after he had stopped the volcano. The heat rose still when she thought of their embrace after Aang had saved the North Pole, how they melted together, effortlessly communing with the deep bond they were only just beginning to explore. Her thoughts shifted suddenly to the cave only days prior; the last of their torch light fading, she grabbed his hand, staring stoically into his storm grey eyes, leaning in, gently, carefully...

She felt the heat of her blush wash course through her entire body, undeterred, when she whispered it again, louder this time, more sure of herself than ever.

"I kissed Aang."

Little did Katara know that across from her, just past the dying embers of their fire, Aang was wide awake.

Aang froze when her whisper reached his ear, just a little too soft to discern. What? Was.. was that Katara? Is she awake? What did she just say? Was it about me? I thought I heard my name... wait... does this mean... is she thinking about...? His mind began to race, each passing thought prodding and stirring the rising fluttering in his stomach. His emotions went along for the ride.

Katara was all he could think about.

He thought back to the cave. That mystical, magical, wonderful cave in which he and Katara, his best friend in the entire world and the girl that fascinated him to no end, shared a kiss. It was an incredibly brief kiss; a split-second grazing of their lips. But for the tiniest moment, they bonded in a way that they never had before. It was exhilarating, it was mesmerizing, it was euphoric. But most of all, for Aang, it was confusing.

He was entranced by Katara. With every single fluttering feeling, every breath stolen, every blush that crept across his face, he grew more and more fond of her. He was sure love felt something like what he was feeling now...

And in that moment, that glorious moment they shared in the dying light of the labyrinth, he thought she might love him too.

Aang shuffled his body in an attempt to quell his rising heart beat and the nagging fluttering that swooned with each thought of Katara. He managed to calm himself, and put his mind to the task of talking his emotions down. He couldn't let this barrage of intoxicating emotion overwhelm him. He was the Avatar, and for both their sakes, he must focus on his duty.

It was probably just Sokka. He sometimes talks in his sleep... or maybe it was just a dream and I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep... or maybe it was just something on the wind...

His thoughts wandered. Eventually, his mind drifted back into a sanctuary of safety. He had all the time in the world to wait on her. He knew his heart ached for her, but he had to have some patience.

Aang turned to face skyward. He found himself awestruck by the beauty of the visage of night. The tranquility of it all; the stars, the moon, the omnipresent, delicate breeze provoked him to stand. He needed to meditate, he decided. He needed to clear his mind. He crept as quietly as he could so as not to wake the others as he made his way to the banks of the perfectly still pond.

Aang took one final, fleeting glace at the sky before closing his eyes to meditate; on life, on their journey, on his quest... but his efforts were in vain. No amount of steady breathing or spiritual balance could take his mind off of the girl he loved. She was the girl that fascinated him to no end, the girl who was always there for him and who he was always there for in return, the girl who stood by his side in times good and times bad, his teacher, his mentor, his best friend, and his love. His heart fluttered and his breathing faltered... simply thinking about her made his love for her deeper... he could feel it...

Aang smiled and relaxed, the breeze swooning him into a midnight of harmonious bliss. . .

"Aang?"

Aang's meditation broke. He felt an ever-so-slight blush form as he turned to find Katara standing behind him. He was silently thankful that not even the moon's light could disclose his reddening face.

"Hey, what are you doing up?" He asked as casually as he could muster.

"I could ask you the same thing. Are you okay? Is there... is there something we need to talk about?"

Aang loved how caring she was. She was always there for him whenever he needed advice or support. He loved that about her.

"I'm fine. Just... meditating. I couldn't really sleep," he said as he motioned for her to sit.

"Me either," Katara replied, lounging gently next to him. She paused for a moment, not knowing whether to feel awkward or excited. Maybe both...

Eventually, she spoke up.

"What have you been thinking about? If - if you don't mind me asking..." She was equally thankful her blush was hidden by the night.

"Oh, you know... just some... stuff." Aang grabbed the back of his neck and glanced away from her gentle gaze, blushing furiously and mentally kicking himself for such an ambiguous response. "Our journey... the nighttime..." he added quickly.

"It is really beautiful out tonight. I couldn't sleep because of the moon. It's almost full now, and sometimes the power it gives me as a waterbender is enough to keep me up." She lied smoothly... she had been thinking about Aang, of course, but he didn't know that.

They sat there in silence. Aang looked to her and she met his gaze, both benders content on appreciating the other's company. Suddenly, as if captivated by the serenity of the night, Aang felt completely relaxed. While he liked Katara in a way that sometimes made him clam up in her presence, he could never help but appreciate the bond they shared. He never felt too uncomfortable to speak to her - she had an indescribable way of drawing out his true feelings and emotions, and it fascinated him. It only served to deepen his love for her, knowing that she was some how, some way, always there for him. He couldn't help but smile.

"Aang? You okay?"

The three words shook him from his thoughts, his stomach fluttering.

"Yeah..." he replied pensively. He looked up to the stars. Their soft and shimmering glow gently blanketed the two. He felt the cool breeze brush his skin. He felt calm then, and strangely confident...

"I just want to say thanks." Aang blurted out, surprising himself a little.

"Thanks? For what?"

"For... you know... everything. Thanks for finding me in the iceberg. Thanks for coming along with me. Thanks for making me feel happy when I feel sad. Thanks for..." He looked deep into her eyes." Thanks for being such an amazing person." Aang felt the butterflies in his stomach swoon as he uttered the last line. He didn't really know what came over him to say that to her... but it felt so right. He was truly captivated by all that occurred to them over the past few months... and all that she had done for him. She deserved to be thanked.

Katara blushed a deep crimson at his complements. She felt her heart skip a beat. Her eyes shimmered. She couldn't help but beam.

"Aang... that's really sweet of you to say... I... I mean, you mean so much to me... I'm happy I found you. And our journey... it's like nothing I could have ever imagined... and all that we've been through... and you - you're just... I mean... I... I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think you're an amazing person too." She finished gently, meeting his soft gaze with her own. She saw his eyes sparkle. She loved those eyes... each layer of gray conveyed so much expression and emotion. They were so very vivid, like their owner... she could gaze into his eyes for eternity...

They spent a moment just looking at each other, smiling, admiring, loving - and suddenly the space between them seemed too much. Katara crashed into him, wrapping him in a deep embrace that he was happy to return. Several seconds passed - long, warm, emphatic seconds - as their souls mingled and danced in the moonlight. Aang closed his eyes, focusing his all of his energy on the warmth of her body against his. Not a fear in the world crossed his mind. An exhilerating euphoria that only her touch could provide enveloped his entire being. It was moments like these that deepened their bond, deepened their unspeakable, indescribable connection. In those exhilarating seconds, they both felt as one.

When they pulled away, the night basked over them. They simply sat there on the edge of the pond, silently admiring the beauty of the night and the presence of one another.

After some time, Katara spoke.

"I think I'm going to head back to camp. I had a lot on my mind... but now I feel... better." She flashed him a smile. "I... I want you to know that... just... thanks." She gazed into his storm grey eyes, blushing slightly and indulging herself for one final moment before returning to her sleeping bag.

Aang felt warm all over; the love he held for her, still young, felt as if it were blossoming through every nerve of his body. He reclined, throwing his hands behind his head as he gazed up once more into the starry mirage.

"No Katara... thank you."