now or never || an atla fanfic

𝔰𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔰𝔢𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔯

Aang followed Katara down to the beach, which was nearly silent yet completely tranquil, save for the gentle crashing of waves against the shoreline. Her pale blue dress billowed behind her, her golden skin basked in the moonlight. 

He continued behind her, following her footprints in the sand.

After dinner and reviewing their entire plan for the Fire Nation invasion for the millionth time, the group dispersed in other activities to distract themselves. It seemed that no amount of continuous planning and detailing could prepare them for the difficult mission ahead, nor quell the rising tension between them.

But alas, Aang had never felt more at peace, leisurely strolling in the warm sand, his eyes fixated on her figure.

Katara skipped across the shoreline, holding the skirts of her dress while her feet danced with the foam of the ocean and sand of the beach.

She looked otherworldly.

Spirits above, he'd fallen hopelessly for her.

Katara turned around, her face illuminated with a bright glow he'd never seen before.

"Well? Aren't you coming?" she asked, her soft voice carried over the wind as she continued walking backwards holding his gaze.

Aang was about to respond when his eyes drifted, spotting a rather large wave tumbling down the shore, the force of it throwing Katara off-balance. Her grin slipped away momentarily as she lost her footing.

With a surge of air, Aang caught up to where Katara stood, gently grasping her hand to steady her. He tugged her hand, pulling her closer so that her body was pressed against his. His hands held hers between them, a rare summer breeze passing between them.

"You ought to be more careful, princess," he teased.

"I am careful," Katara protested, feeling the warmth of his palms enveloping hers. She wouldn't dare let go.

He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear as Aang whispered his next words. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"

Katara narrowed her eyes up at Aang. "Only because you think you can read me so well."

A smug smile tugged at his lips. "That you're right about."

"I'm always right. You know what else I'm right about?"

"What else?"

"I think--no, I know for a fact that everything will go well tomorrow," the princess said confidently.

A flicker of surprise, shortly followed by one of relief appeared on his face at Katara's sudden reassurance.

"I already failed the world once by disappearing 100 years ago. I won't make that same mistake again," Aang ensured, lacing their fingers together.

The princess smiled softly at his words. "I know you won't."

"I'm quite flattered you have so much faith in me, Katara."

"Of course I do. I have faith in you. In us," she said softly, squeezing his hand in reassurance.

Us.

"Careful, princess, or I might start to think that you might just like me," he murmured, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Katara's smile spread into a full-blown grin. He had thrown her exact same words at him from weeks ago.

"I wouldn't dare deny it."

The words were out of her mouth before she could think.

"And I think I might just like you too," Aang said softly, leaning even marginally closer, his lips millimeters from hers.