Katara
I woke the next morning with my head resting on his chest. The sun had just barely crossed the horizon, so it was still a bit dark out. I nuzzled up to him to warm myself. I knew that the moment he woke up, it wouldn't be the same. It hasn't been the same since we reunited but now with him being with Kyiosana made it even worse. I hated even thinking about them together.
After some time, I felt Aang stirring around. He then quietly got up and gently put my head down. As he held my head, our faces inched closer together and I could feel his breath on my neck. It sent shivers down my spine. Afterwards he put the blanket over my body. He then stood up and let out a big yawn. It wasn't unusual that he was up so early. He always meditates in the morning.
Memories of the night before crept into my mind. His soft touches and warm kisses brought heat to my body and rapid beating to my heart. The intimacy of it was to real to be true. Was it all a dream? Did I want it to be a dream? Certainly I must. I don't want to love him in that way and frankly I can't after it was me who rejected him. My head began to ache at the thought of it. Why did it ache so?
Turning over, I open my eyes and looked in his direction. He must've heard me and turned around.
„Shoot, I didn't mean to wake you." He said apologetically. I smiled and stood up too.
„Don't worry, you didn't." I said and he started rubbing the back of his neck. Then I remembered that I was standing half naked in front of him. I almost noticed him blushing but we were interrupted, again.
„Aang" We turned to see Kyiosana rubbing her eyes. She stood up and her eyes shot up when she saw us. Her eyebrows frowned as she walked over.
„What's going on?" She asked, seeming more awake then a minute ago.
„Nothing, we just woke up." I quickly answered. Aang opend his mouth as to say something but held back.
„Weren't you supposed to be next to Haru?" The annoyance in her voice made me roll my eyes.
„She got cold during the night." Aang now answered. She turned her gaze towards him.
„So, you warmed her up?" She raised an eyebrow. My eyes shifted towards Aang. He looked suprised by her question and I could swear he was blushing,
„He's a firebender, Kyiosana." With that, I turned away from her.
„It's a new day, lighten up." I began making my way towards my stuff to finally put some more clothes on. Haru and the chief adviser were still asleep. When I was putting on my last layers, I felt something in my pocket and remembered the brooch I found. I decided to hold onto it until I found out what it really meant.
„Go wake up Haru." I heard Kyiosana yell from afar. My eyes focused onto the place where Haru slept and I made my way over there. I bent over and lightly shook him. He opened his eyes and squinted before yawning.
„Come on, we have to get going." My voice was quiet as I didn't want to startle him. He gently nodded and slowly got up. I walked away and started packing my stuff. Some commotion caught my attention and I turned around. Kyiosana was having trouble getting her stuff onto Appa. Aang airbended them all up and got back down.
„Thank you." She said in a baby voice afterwhich she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Her sweet act made me want to gag. I just didn't think Aang would actually want to be with someone like that. I quickly shook these thoughts off and began walking towards Appa with my stuff.
„Need some help with that?" Aang said, stretching his hand out to me. I don't know why but I didn't like that he was ignoring what happend last night. I was starting to think that I must have imagined it. I knew I should just forget about it and that it was just in the heat of the moment but I couldn't stop thinking about his lips on my nec-
„Katara?" I blinked a few times and looked at him.
„Yeah-Yes, thanks" He took my bags and quickly got them onto Appa while I mentally facepalmed. He got back down and helped the others with their stuff. I walked back to the place we slept and saw the outline of the blanket on the ground. I kneeled down and traced it with my fingers.
„You coming?" Haru was standing over me. Our eyes met and I realized everyone else was ready to go. I got up and we made our way towards the others. Aang got down and helped Haru up. I was next. He got down and pulled me close. His hands met my waist and he airbended us up. When we got onto the saddle, he let go of me and walked to the front. I shook off my thoughts and positioned myself towards the end of the saddle. The air temple wasn't that far away now. A few more hours and we would make it to our first stop.
My eyes opened to see the face of the chief adviser. I squinted and picked up my head.
„Are we there?" I asked him.
„Yes, we're about to land." With that, I sat straight up and looked over. The western air temple really was beautiful. I had forgotten how unreal the air temples looked. I focused my eyes on Aang and saw that he was thinking the same thing. He then focused on landing and he did so with ease. After putting my feet on the ground and getting my stuff, we were greeted by a group of people in robes running towards us.
„Guys, these are the air acolytes." Aang said with a proud look on his face. Someone immediately grabbed Kyiosana's hand and shook it aggressively.
„You must be the master Katara! I heard so many stories about you! It is such an honor- I can't put it into words- You are my inspiration- What?" The girl asked after she noticed the look on our faces.
„I'm not Katara." Kyiosana bluntly said. That was my queue to step forward.
„I am." I tried to sound as nice as possible. The girl screeched and ran over to me. She violently took my hand and shook it.
„You are even prettier than I imagined!" Suddenly a boy, around my age out a hand on her shoulder and pulled her lightly.
„Excuse my sister, she has a nervous disorder." The girl then slapped his arm.
„No, I don't! You liar." She crossed her arms.
„It doesn't run in the family, I promise." He leaned over and semi whispered it. I giggled as it reminded me of Sokka and I.
„Im Nohran and that's my sister Ren." He reached out his hand.
„Katara, it's nice to meet you." I gave him my hand and he took it.
„Likewise." He shook my hand and returned my smile. Kyiosana then stepped forward and approached Ren.
„Could you perhaps show us to our rooms? Katara would certainly appreciate it." She looked towards me and then Ren. She excitedly noded and began walking inside the temple.
„I guess I'll see you around." Nohran said as I began walking away. I just smiled and gave him a little wave. I turned around to see Aang watching us but he quickly turned around when he saw me.
Our rooms weren't that bad and quite comfortable actually. I set up my things and quickly went out. I didn't really do much the whole day. The temple was big and a little different due to the people that have been living there. Nohran was kind enough to show me around too. He seemed really sweet. The jokes weren't a bad touch either. When it was starting to get dark, I went to one of the big balcony's that looked over the mountains. It always looked so peaceful. I could stare at it forever. Footsteps emerged from the quite I was getting used to. I didn't have to turn around, I knew who it was.
„It's so beautiful. How could the fire nation have seen this and thought to the destroy its people. It's beyond me." I said amongst the quiet. He sat down next to me without saying a word. We stayed in silence for some time.
„We thought it would be best if we were to leave now." I turned my attention towards him.
„I thought you were leaving in the morning." I said confused.
„You mean we?" I looked away from him. It was his turn to look at me.
„You're not coming, are you?" I sighed and thought about what I truly wanted to do.
„If it's because of what happend last night, it doesn't have to mean anything. We were both tired and having you so close it just-„ I spoke before he could finish.
„It's not, Aang. You're with Kyiosana. I- I respect your decision. It doesn't have to be complicated." His eyes were full of confusion but also understanding in a weird way.
„I just don't want to lose you again." I put my hand his shoulder.
„You won't." He took my hand in both of his hands and kissed it. I melted into it. In the corner of my eye, I saw a figure standing there. It was Nohran. I turned to Aang who saw him too.
„You should probably go." We both got up and stood before each other overlooking the sunset.
„Promise me you'll write." He said with hopeful eyes.
„I won't have to." With that, I put my arms out welcoming him into a hug. He got closer and pulled me so close. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he around my waist. I breathed in his scent as he buried his face into my hair. After some time, we let go and I fixed up his tunic.
„I'll see you soon, Katara. I promise you that." He said walking away. I waved him off and then put a hand over my lips. Nohran came up to me and smiled.
„That was some goodbye." I chuckled.
„We've been through a lot together." He began to lead me inside.
„Well, I'm glad you decided to stay. This way I can show you everything else around here." I smiled and looked back to see Appa in the distance. I could make out a small figure looking back at me. I smiled and turned back to Nohran.
„I'm happy to be here." He smiled and we continued walking as the sun was slowly leaning the horizon.