Kataang Week Day 5: Jealousy

Kataang Week Day 5: Jealousy

"So sugar lips, where should we go today?" Aang teased with a sly smile, his eyebrows shooting upwards playfully. Katara shoved him cheerfully and giggled.

"I hate it when you call me that!"

"I know, that's why I do it!" Aang grabbed her around the waist from behind, still sporting that mischievous grin. His muscular arms had her in a vice grip, but Katara didn't mind. She quite enjoyed her boyfriend's biceps. "Plus, it's kinda true." He quickly spun her around, his monk robes billowing in the small gust of wind he created, and firmly planted his lips on hers. She let out a silent moan of delight, pleasantly surprised by the kiss. When they finally broke apart, Aang gave her another goofy grin. "Your lips taste sweet, so why not call you that?" Katara just shook her head and chuckled.

"So where should we go today?" Aang asked, back on topic.

"Hmm... how about that cute little noodle shop down on Main?" Katara suggested. "You know, the Tallerine Palace." They looked at each other and grinned. "They've got the noodliest noodles in Republic City!" they both exclaimed, remembering the slogan simultaneously. Both began laughing. "They're the only noodle place in the city!" Aang said after he had finally caught his breath. When they had settled down a bit, Katara spoke.

"I think their food is actually pretty good."

"Yeah me too. Let's get goin'!" Aang placed his arm around Katara's waist and the pair set out into the city with lunch as their destination. Luckily the Tallerine Palace was within a few blocks walking distance from their separate apartments in the upper ring.

Republic City had developed quite a bit in the couple of years since its creation. Many small businesses had sprung up and were doing quite well despite the low population so far. Aang was pleased that the Harmony Restoration Movement had finally become a success. The United Republic of Nations had turned out almost exactly how he and Fire Lord Zuko had imagined and planned it to be. Life now was so much more improved than when the war still raged on.

As they continued their walk, Katara's mind began to wander. Her thoughts ran through everything her and Aang had been through together since the very beginning. They had been so young back then, but they had managed to stick together and take on the responsibility of ending the war alongside their friends. Aang was definitely not the immature little twelve year old he was when she and Sokka broke him out of the ice berg long ago. He was so much wiser, so much stronger, and much more mature than that now. Although he managed to keep a glint of his playfulness and goofiness that tended to show from time to time, Katara thoroughly enjoyed this trait. It was just his personality, his nature, and she loved it.

A few other things about Aang had changed over the years as well. He was no longer that short scrawny little monk. Now, he stood at a tall six foot two inches, and his shoulders had broadened quite a bit. His muscles had toned and his face had lengthened into a nice chiseled jaw. To say the least, Aang had grown into a very attractive young man, and his looks made Katara feel weak in the knees. She was lucky to have him.

More importantly though, she was deeply and unconditionally in love with him. For the longest time when they were younger, Katara only really thought of Aang as a little brother or friend. Over time though, Katara began to reciprocate the romantic feelings he had always felt for her, but with a war going on, she was too confused and afraid to let herself like him too much. After the war ended and she and Aang were finally able to get together, she began to realize that her feelings had turned into much more than just a simple crush. As the years passed, she felt herself fall head over heels in love with Aang, and she couldn't have been more happy about it. The only problem was that she still couldn't find the courage to tell him how she felt. She was 20 years old and by now she should have the strength to let him know. So why hadn't she already?

Suddenly, a young man who appeared to be about Katara's began marching proudly up to her with a flirtatious grin and wiggling eyebrows plastered on his face, quickly snapping her out of her thoughts. He seemed to be of Water Tribe descent judging by his skin tone and choice of clothing. Just by looking at him, one could tell he thought very highly of himself, like he was hot stuff. Katara immediately felt a sickening feeling as she watched him swiftly walking toward her. Where in the world had he come from?

"Well hellloooo gorgeous! What brings you to the Big City?" He flashed her a big toothy smile and winked. Katara just rolled her eyes. Before she could say anything, the young man continued. "You know what? I'm just gonna cut to the chase here. My name is Tokao. I couldn't help but notice you are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." At this comment, his eyes scanned her body, lingering over her breasts. "I also noticed you're Water Tribe. As am I. I think we could be a great pair. I had plans to go to the Dance Hall tonight and I'd love for you to accompany me. I'll show you a night you will never forget." He took a menacing step closer to her invading her personal space. Then his tone of voice changed to a lower pitch. "Pick you up later tonight, how does that sound?"

A wave of jealousy swelled up in Aang's chest all of a sudden. They were less than a block from the Tallerine Palace and this random guy just showed up out of nowhere to hit on his girlfriend. Did he not notice Aang standing right there? He had no business just walking up to Katara like that when she didn't even know him. Aang felt about ready to punch this guy in the face.

Katara's disgust for this man only enhanced when he proceeded to ask her out. Was he that stupid to not notice Aang standing right next to her with his arm around her? She was completely dumbfounded by the fact that he had the nerve to make a move in front of her boyfriend. She didn't know what to say. She was to the point where she would have gladly slapped his face as hard as possible, but she considered that a minor step out of line. She almost allowed herself to tell him off, but then another idea came to her. She took a step closer to him, thrust her chest in his face, and batted her eyelashes innocently.

"That sounds wonderful." Her tone matched his low pitched one, but she decided to add a sexy flare to it. "The Dance Hall you say? I just adore dancing. It would be a pleasure to go with you." She was toying with him, leading him on purposely so it was easier to come in for the kill. A smile tugged at her lips.

Aang couldn't believe his ears. Was Katara actually accepting this fool's offer? His heart was breaking in two. He didn't think she would ever do that to him. He wouldn't be able to survive without her in his life. He was madly in love with her. He opened his mouth to intervene, but then realized Katara wasn't quite finished.

The young man chuckled. "I knew you wouldn't be able to refuse my offer young beauty."

"Yes, yes." Katara smirked. "But I have one condition."

"Anything my dear," responded Tokao. Katara leaned in just a bit closer and batted her eyelashes even more. She kept her sexy tone of voice.

"You have to let me bring my muscular, handsome, six foot two, all powerful, bender of the four elements, drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend, the Avatar."

Tokao's face transitioned into a look of shock and disbelief as he jumped back from Katara about two feet. His big attitude shrunk to the size of a leechy nut. His gaze shifted slowly towards Aang.

"You're... you're her... boyfriend?!" His voice was high and squeaky now. "I'm sorry! I-I didn't know!"

"That's right chump!" yelled Aang, relieved that Katara wasn't leaving him. Katara laughed at the comment. Then she glared at Tokao, shooting him daggers.

"Yes, and we better not have to deal with the likes of you ever again! Got it?!" Tokao's head bobbed up and down quickly. She still felt the urge to slap him, but politely restrained herself. She sighed heavily and walked back to where Aang stood.

On a whim, she grabbed the front of Aang's robes and pulled his head down to meet hers, allowing their lips to crash together passionately. He eagerly responded by throwing his arms around her and pulling her closer. They deepened the kiss; Aang's hands running through locks of Katara's hair, her own hands gripping his back.

Tokao immediately ran off, ashamed that he had just hit on the Avatar's girlfriend.

Aang and Katara finally broke apart, their cheeks flushed deep pink. Aang placed a hand on Katara's arm, gently massaging it with his thumb. "So, did you really mean what you said? That I'm… drop-dead gorgeous?" He giggled nervously and blushed after he finished the sentence. Katara smiled.

"Of course I did. You are the hottest guy I know Aang." Katara blushed even brighter and hesitated before continuing. "Your looks alone make me want to kiss you all the time. But it's not just your looks. It's your fun-loving personality, your caring nature, your wisdom, your strength, your bravery... everything about you..." her voice trailed off as she realized what she was about to say. She looked directly into his affectionate gray eyes. "I love you."

As soon as the words had been said, Aang briefly pressed his lips to hers again. "I love you too. I always have Katara. To be honest, that guy made me a little jealous. I thought for a second that I was going to lose you." Katara placed her hand against his soft cheek, and he placed his hand on hers.

"No one will ever be able to come between us Aang. Never. Our bond is too strong." She smiled. She had finally gotten up the nerve to say it, and it felt good. She loved Aang with all her heart, and that was never going to change.

The pair intertwined their fingers and were finally able to continue their afternoon walk to lunch.