My writing is a little rusty so don't mind it The end of the chapter is a bit dramatic and sad for Kataang but it will get better eventually. Read till the end to find out what happens with Kataang.
Aang:
The war finally ended. We were the ones who ended it. It felt so good to be at peace . Finally. I was so tired, exhausted even. My exhaustion seemed to wash away as I embraced Katara and kept her close. Her hair smelled of lavender and felt so soft over my hands. Our hug felt like eternity. Eventually she pulled apart and looked at me . I was still a little flushed after our shared kiss. She seemed to feel the same way as her cheeks redend.
„Aang I-„ She started but was interrupted.
„Uhh what's going on?" Sokka appeared out of nowhere and darted the question as he saw the situation we were in.
„We are having a private moment Sokka. Do you mind?" she turned around to fully face him and placed her hands on her hips.
„I do mind actually. I don't permit you to gross me out with that stuff." he crossed his arms and stood taller.
„So leave" Katara said in an annoyed voice as she shoved him out. She began walking back towards me.
„And just so you know , the balcony is a public space so if you want a private moment, you should find a private place." Sokka quickly said as he vanished. I giggled slightly. I'm glad he was taking it lightly.
„Ugh I could just strangle him sometimes" she said leaning on the balcony railings and looking at me.
„He only means well" I said smiling at her.
„I know" she said smiling back and looking at the sunset. The scenery in front of us was truly beautiful. Breathing in the warm air and looking at the girl next to me made me smile again.
„Aang, what are you smiling at?" I hadn't even noticed I was staring at her. How long did I do that for?
„Oh nothing" I was blushing and started to scratch my neck. I was still nervous around her. Although I felt most comfortable in her presence, she still made me very nervous.
„It's almost dusk" She pointed out which made me remember.
„Oh right, the dinner. I guess we shouldn't keep the others waiting" she started walking in front of me towards the others.
Before she reached the others , I took her hand pulled her in for a kiss. I don't know what came over me but it just felt right.
After some time we let go of each other and she looked down.
„What was that for?" she asked shyly.
„I didn't want this moment to end" Then I took her hand and pulled her inside as we giggled. Everyone was already standing there ready to go. They were waiting for us. It made me blush but I quickly shrugged it off.
„Look who finally decided to join us." Said Toph walking towards the door.
„ Yeah look who did." Toph turned around and punched Sokka in the arm and he squealed . We all laughed and started walking towards the door.
„What were you guys doing out there so long?" Sokka asked as he walked behind us.
„Well we were uh-„ I started explaining but didn't have the chance to finish.
„You know what nevermind, I don't want to know. Your oogies don't interest me, so do me a favor and don't let me see them, ever." he said throwing his arms up as he made a disgusted face. I smiled lightly. We were walking towards Appa.
„Don't listen to Sokka. I'm happy for you." Suki spoke as she turned to us.
„Yeah, I'm glad you guys are finally together" Toph butted in from in front of us.
„What? What do you mean?" Katara's question sounded rather harsh.
„Come one Katara, all the nations probably knew Aang had a crush on you before you even knew." We all laughed and even I chuckled lightly but Katara seemed puzzled. Before I could think about it we had reached Appa. Everyone started to get on and helped each other get on. I took Kataras hand and airbended us up. She quickly sat on the saddle as I made my way to the front. Why did her mood change so suddenly?
„You guys ready?" I asked. Everyone nodded and said yes so we took of flying. It wasn't too long from where we were.
We were all extremely exhausted. Except Sokka. He was just extremely hungry.
„Are we there yet?" He asked like a child. Suki laughed and put an arm on his shoulder.
„We've only been flying for a few minutes." said Zuko looking over at him with an annoyed look.
„I know but I'm so hungry" He was being dramatic at this point and slouched down.
„When are you ever not hungry?" Toph remarked and smirked in what was definitely not his direction. Everyone laughed though, except Sokka . And Katara. As I looked back , she seemed so deep in thought.
After a few more minutes we had finally arrived and everyone started to make their way toward the entrance. I stayed back and gave Appa some hay. Momo stared at me as he did that. I laughed.
„ Don't worry buddy , I have something for you too." I pulled some berries out of my coat and gave them to him. After making sure they were taken care of, I finally joined the others at the table.
„ So what's on the menu?" I asked as I eagerly sat down.
„Only the best combination known to man. Meat and rice." I cringed at Sokka's words. I don't know how a dead animal could taste good to him. I respected his choices though.
„Uh no thanks.". I said as he reached out a piece of meat to me.
„Suit yourself" He shrugged and went back to eating.
„There are some vegetarian dishes too, Aang." said Suki pointing to some platters on my right. I smiled and her and reached out my hand to get them. As I did so , I saw Katara out of the corner of my eye. She wasn't eating. What could be bothering her so much that she is so deep in thought?
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of glass banging against each other. I watched as Zuko stood up.
„ I would like to make a toast. On this day, as we are sharing our laughter and friendship, we have made history. The 100 year war is over and with that the darkest time of the world has ended. A new era of peace has begun and we will be the ones that guide it. We have achieved the unachievable. We gave hope to hopeless people. We defeated my father. You Aang, defeated my father with unimaginable strength and wisdom. As I look over this table, I see not only my friends but also the future of this world. The world that we created. I was scared before but now I know, I have you all thank and to call my family. So I say this as your brother, Thank you all. Thank you for being the people you are and showing me the true definition of love."
The room erupted in cheers and we all took sips out of our raised glasses. Zuko laughed and then drank some too.
„That was some speech, Sifu Hotmen. Really firey." I said looking in Zukos direction.
„Firey?" asked Toph as she put her feet on the edge of the table. Even though I knew from Ba Sing Se that she had learned social adequate, she never used it. I admired that about her. She didn't go by a rule book. She lived her life the way she wanted.
I looked over at Katara. Usually she would make a remark at Toph but even now she still looked so sad in a way. I was once again pulled from my thoughts.
„Firey is a sharp expression tool to express one's Firey-ness." Said Sokka as he licked his fingers.
„Oh spirits, firey-ness?" Asked Toph this time laughing. We all joined in and laughed with her.
The evening went really well. Eventually everyone started to retire to their appointed rooms. My room was the last one down the hallway and Katara's was the one before that. Naturally I walked her to her room. As we reached her room , she slid the door open and I told her good night . She just gave me a half smile and closed the door lightly. I started walking back to my room feeling confused. Did I do something to upset her?
I got undressed and jumped into bed. I was exhausted. But couldn't sleep. I kept wondering what was wrong with Katara. She hadn't spoken to me since we left the balcony. I replayed everything that happened since then. When her mood seemed to change. We were walking out of the balcony. Sokka made that joke. We walked towards Appa. Toph told us she was happy were were together.
Toph told us she was happy were were together.
I'm glad you guys are finally together
That's when her mood changed. I mean were we together? After the end of the war and our kiss I just thought we would be. But were we?
These thoughts kept me up for some time before I decided I wouldn't sleep at all. I got up and threw on some robe and headed towards the balcony. The sky was clear and it was a full moon. I leaned over the balcony railings and breathed in the air. I could hear the sounds of waves and the wind below. Everything was so quiet and peaceful.
„Can't sleep?" I didn't turn around. I didn't have to. I knew who it was.
„No" I said sighing still looking at the waves. Katara came up next to me and also leaned over the railings. There was a moment of silence where I thought she had just come to enjoy my company. Of course I was wrong.
„Aang I-„ she said slightly but I interrupted her.
„I know" I said keeping my gaze focused. The water sounded to beautiful.
„What?" She asked turning to face me. I sighed and finally turned to look at her.
„I know you don't love me ." I said looking into her eyes. She blinked a few times and stuttered before she spoke.
„What? Aang don't say that. You know how much I care about you." She furrowed her eyebrows.
„You care about me, but you don't love me. At least not in the way that I love you." I turned back to the ocean. It was the first time I had said it out loud. I always knew it to be true but I never spoke the words, until now. She noticed to and took a step back as her cheeks turned red and she started playing with her hair loopies. She did that when she was nervous.
„I'm confused Aang. I mean we are still so young and have the whole world ahead of us." her voice hastend.
„We could still have the world ahead of us, even if we were together." I turned back to her. She sighed and made eye contact.
„You have the whole world to rebuild and so many things to do." she argued.
„That never changed Katara. It has always been that way. I was always the avatar. Even if I didn't want to be. You knew that. What difference does it make now?" My eyes softened at her expression.
As the wind sang it's melody, her hair danced beautifully to it . She looked like a goddess. The moon enhanced her beauty.
„It's just that everything will change now. You have so many things to do and I have to return to the Southern Watertribe for some time. Our priorities are different." She looked down almost in shame.
„I will come with you Katara. I will help with anything you need. You will be my priority" I came closer to her.
„I can't let you do that Aang. I would never forgive myself if I was the reason you didn't prioritize rebuilding the world. You already blame yourself too much for not being here when the war started. I don't want you to ever blame yourself for anything like that again. I just don't know if I am ready for anything like that." Her eyes turned sharp and began watering.
„Then why did you kiss me on the balcony? Why did you give me hope if you knew there was no hope for us?" I practically screamed at her and stared into her eyes waiting for an answer. I longed for an answer. My eyes practically begged for it.
„I didn't know if there was a chance. I wanted to try because I do care for you Aang. I thought maybe I could do it but I don't think I can. You are not just any boy. You are the avatar. I don't know what it means to be by your side. I don't think I could handle it."
I hate the reminder of it. Avatar. My greatest gift and worst punishment. The title is the constant reminder of my failure. I shouldn't have run away. I should've saved them. If I did, I wouldn't be here right now. My heart wouldn't be breaking. She was right. I did blame myself. I do blame myself.
She noticed my silence.
„I don't mean to hurt you Aang. I need time. I need to figure out what I want. I care for you so much." She couldn't say it. Even after I did, she couldn't. She couldn't say she loved me.
I was confused and mad. I didn't understand why she didn't want to at least try. She told me over and over again how much she cared. I wanted her to show me. My chest began throbbing as tears flowed from my eyes. I looked down and tried to hide it from her. She too was tearing up. I looked back up at her. I gritted my teeth and blinked my tears away. Her eyes shined like an emerald in this light. My eyes softened for a moment. Just for a moment.
„Why don't we just try Katara? Why don't you want to give it a chance? To give us a chance?" My voice grew heavy as more tears ran down my cheeks and I turned my back to her. She put her hand on my shoulder as I looked down. I didn't want her to see me crying. I felt so vulnerable when I did cry. I yearned for her touch but at the same time I didn't want for her to see me in this state. So fragile.
„Because I don't want to break your heart." Her voice was calm. Like the breeze that washed over us in that moment.
I bit my lip and closed my eyes for a moment. My eyebrow furrowed as I raised my head. My eyes were bloodshot. I could feel it.
„You just did." I searched for an answer in her eyes before removing her hand off my shoulder and leaving the balcony. Her words were knives through my heart. The truth hurt but now I knew what I had to do.
This would be the last time she sees me again for a long time.
So this is the end of the first chapter. As I said in the beginning my writing is rusty as English is my third language so I'm hoping the feedback isn't too brutal.
The story will become more intense as I continue writing and I have much drama and heartbreak planned.