#kataangvb

[earthkingspet]

Another commission for the Kataang Valentine’s Bash! This one from @cherloak! A slightly older version of Kataang with the theme of Watering/Blooming. Thank you so much, Charlie!

[Image Description: Digital fanart of Aang and Katara in their mid-20s against a heart-shaped background. They are standing next to each other. Katara has on a traditional Water Tribe outfit and Aang is wearing semi-formal Air Nomad robes. Katara is holding onto Aang’s arm and they are looking at each other and smiling lovingly. They are surrounded by flowers and heart-shaped water bubbles. Momo sits on Aang’s shoulder watching them both. /end ID]

#kataangvb #kataangtag #aang x katara #katara x aang #kataang #avatar the last airbender #apologies for no ID on my last post #I'll try to do better

[kataang-week]

Banner by @penguinsledder

The Kataang Valentine’s Bash will be held from February 13-14, 2021!

What is the Kataang Valentine’s Bash?

The Kataang Valentine’s Bash is a Valentine’s celebration of Kataang! The theme is Complementary, which is aimed at highlighting how Aang and Katara complement each other.

So how does this work?

Choose a prompt pair and create content! Prompt pairs are a pair of complementary prompts, and one prompt from a pair will be posted per day. 

Here are some examples you may or may not use to give you an idea: push and pull, orange and blue, beginnings and endings, yin and yang, question and answer

For example, you can choose the pair “push and pull”, and post your work for “push” on February 13, and your work for “pull” on February 14.

Alternatively, you can create one piece for the prompt pair “push and pull” and post it on either February 13 or 14.

Use the tag #kataangvb when posting so we can reblog it! We’ll also be checking #kataangtag. Feel free to also tag this blog/send us a message if we haven’t reblogged it within 24 hours of posting.

What counts as content?

Gifsets, edits, fanfics, fanart, playlists, moodboards, music, meta–sky’s the limit as long as you can pull off the prompt pairs.

Isn’t February 2 months away?

Exactly! We want to give you lots of time to work on your content, so this is about 1 month per piece for those making two works, and 2 months for those who plan to focus on one.

Can I post what I make on other websites?

Of course! However, we won’t be able to reblog anything that isn’t a tumblr post.

Feel free to send us an ask if you have any more questions. Looking forward to what everyone comes up with!

#kataang #kataangtag #katara #aang #atla #avatar: the last airbender #kataangvb

[penguinsledder]

look into your eyes (and the sky’s the limit)

Rating: K+ (maybe T for some crass language?) Word Count: 4.8k Genre: Romance, FLUFF

ff.net | AO3 | ko-fi

“If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it,” he said with a smile, his eyes never leaving hers. 

A fluffy in-universe Kataang AU where Aang saves the world without her, and they meet after the war instead. If you’ve ever wanted to read love at first sight Kataang, pining!Katara, and smack in the middle of charming and dorky!Aang, this might be up your alley. Inspired by the song “Helpless” from Hamilton. For @kataang-week‘s Kataang Valentine’s Bash 2021, with the prompt pair air and water.

A/N: HAPPY VALENTINE’S YALL! Before you read this I must also plug the absolute cutest crossover art by tumblr user @minky-for-short, which also served as an inspiration for this fic. Aang’s 15 here, btw, and Katara’s 17.

This is by far the LONGEST oneshot I’ve written (it was originally supposed to be so short but it got away from me) and … here we go.

I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, or Hamilton.

--

Katara was not enjoying herself.

She’d only been back at the South for a week when they’d received word of a grand ball at the Earth Kingdom palace, celebrating the anniversary of the reclamation of Ba Sing Se. And while her father and brother were no strangers to these events as the Southern Chief and Ambassador, Katara was very well a fish out of water.

Sure, she’d attended some functions as a master waterbender during her stay at the North, but it was never anything of this magnitude. The glittering gold and jade green that colored the walls were far cries from all the icy whites and blue she was accustomed to all her life. Her gaze swept the room as she took in the hundreds of people gathered, all dressed to the nines in the latest fashion of their nation.

She herself wore a high-collared ocean blue dress with fur trimmings. She decided to wear her hair down for the occasion, but kept her signature tiny braids so she wouldn’t look too different (hair loopies, she could already hear her brother saying). Patterned white and blue bracelets adorned both her arms, standing out against her brown skin. Animal hide boots just peeked out from underneath her long skirt, completing her unmistakably Water Tribe look.

It was one she wore with pride. However as the night went on, she was realizing that if the room were any marker, the Water Tribes were very few compared to the populations of the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation. On top of that, the Southern Water Tribe was almost completely cut off from the world during the war, so their specific styles hadn’t been seen by the rest of the world in years. And how different they really were—the garb she wore seemed almost out of place alongside the silk robes and dainty shoes common to both larger nations. She’d even been getting looks from different people, some curious, some confused, and some just plain rude.

As if to drive the point home, a gaggle of giggling Earth Kingdom girls with powder-white faces passed by and gave her a cold once over, making her face burn. She tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear self-consciously as she heard the click of a tongue, then more muffled giggles before they went on their merry way.

She was highly considering bending some of the nearby punch onto their faces when a familiar voice cut through her thoughts.

“Enjoying the party?” She stopped, sighing—it could only be one person.

“No,” she grumbled as she turn to face him. He stood out from the crowd just as much as she did, though he was clad in garments colored a shade darker than hers. “You shouldn’t have brought me here, Sokka. This isn’t my job.”

“Oh, lighten up, little sister!” He elbowed her. “You deserve a break after all that training at the North Pole.”

“That’s why I went home! I wanted to spend some quiet time back home, not at some grand party where I don’t know anybody,” she said, gesturing wildly.

He scoffed. “You’re practically the princess of the South Pole. Think of it as political work.”

She smirked, seeing her opening. “Princess, huh? You introduced yourself as a prince, didn’t you?”

“It’s not not true,” he huffed, crossing his arms.

“I’m sure they were very impressed,” she said dryly.

“Of course she was!”

“Oh, so it’s a she, huh?” she said giddily. The joy she derived from teasing her brother was truly unparalleled.

“Well, how about you?” he goaded her, changing the topic. “Met any guys tonight?”

“A few guys have said ‘hey’ here and there,” she said nonchalantly. “They were … eh.”

“Wow, you truly have a way with words, Katara.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Listen, they’re boring. We barely make it past a few sentences.”

Sokka pursed his lips as he studied her. “Ah, maybe it’s because of that.” He pointed at her neck.

“Mom’s necklace?” she said skeptically.

“It’s a betrothal necklace, right?”

“In the North,” she stressed. “We all know it’s just a regular necklace in the South.”

“Ok, but we don’t know what they’re thinking. Here.” He reached over to tuck her necklace into her high collar. “Now you don’t give off ‘I’m engaged’ signals.”

“Hooray, just undeniably single now,” she deadpanned. “Look, it’s probably not that, they’re also just … not my type.”

“Oh? And what is your type?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

A blush crept into her cheeks. “I don’t know. Tall? Handsome? Thinks waterbending is great?” She shook her head. “Come to think of it, some of them get weird when we talk about waterbending.”

A look of understanding crossed her brother’s face. “Ah.”

“What?”

“Listen, Katara. I know you’re like the first waterbending master from the South in decades, and the first female one in the North, but …”

“Are you calling me a show-off?” she said indignantly.

“No!” He raised his hands up defensively. “I’m just saying that some men don’t like that. They got a lot of pride, and they get … intimidated when a woman is—”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Well good, because I don’t want them either. Just because I’m of marrying age doesn’t mean I—” She stopped, suddenly distracted as a tall, striking figure entered her field of vision.

He was clad in autumn-colored robes that weren’t quite as fancy as the red and green ones she’d seen earlier. He seemed to be around her age, and she couldn’t deny that he possessed a certain handsomeness—one that was boyish and yet mature at the same time. She looked on as he chatted animatedly to King Kuei himself, and another young man she assumed to be Fire Nation royalty from the royal hairpiece and his regal red and black outfit.

However, what intrigued her the most was the powder blue marking that arched over his bald head. It seemed to be a tattoo of some sort, and if she squinted, she could barely make out what seemed to be an arrow. It was a familiar symbol, but for some reason, she couldn’t for the life of her remember what it was at that moment. She continued to stare as the boy burst out laughing at the Fire Nation man, and Katara felt a little flutter in her chest as a small smile escaped her—his energy was infectious.

“What’s gotten into you?” Sokka followed his sister’s eyes suspiciously, then let out a loud groan. “Oh … oh no. Of all the guys, Katara!”

“Wh—What are you talking about?” she snapped, looking away defensively.

She heard the sound of his palm hitting his forehead, something she was unfortunately all too familiar with. “I know I kind of expected you to meet a guy tonight but really? So many possible men here and you decide to go for the Fire Lord?”

“The Fire Lord? Huh? What—no!” she sputtered. “It’s not him!”

“Aha, so you were staring at someone!” he said accusingly, wagging a finger at her.

She watched tensely as Sokka thoughtfully stroked an imaginary beard on his chin. “The Earth King then?” Sokka cringed. “Really, Katara, you might wanna try—“

“What do you even think of me?” she fumed.

“Wait.” Sokka’s eyes went wide as he threw a quick glance back at the trio across the room. He gasped, and Katara braced herself. “The Avatar?”

Sokka’s words hit her like a bucket of cold water. The Avatar! Tui and La, how did she not recognize him?! “I—“ She cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. “The Avatar?” she asked as calmly as possible.

“Katara, you were practically eye-fucking him across the room!” Sokka hissed, then shuddered. “Spirits, it creeps me out to say that but it’s true.”

“Shut up, Sokka.” Her face was burning at this point, and it was taking all her self-control not to wrap her hands around his wolf tooth choker and throttle him.

He sighed, not seeming to hear her. “Well, I suppose he is single.”

“Wait, he is?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. “I mean, he’s a monk, right?

Sokka gave her a look that was in between a cringe and disbelief. “Oh, Katara, everyone makes a fuss about that! At any rate, I don’t think he’s … celibate. In fact, he’s practically the most eligible bachelor in the world, and trust me, it’s not due to a lack of choices.”

She deflated, looking down in embarrassment. Great, now she was just like all the dozens of fangirls who’d gotten starry-eyed over the Avatar. But there really was something about him that drew her like a magnet, and it definitely didn’t have anything to do with—

“Spirits, Katara, I think he’s looking at you too.”

She snapped her head back up, and to her shock, he indeed was looking right at her, seemingly awestruck. Sapphire crashed into silver, and he gave her a small, timid smile that made her feel like she was going to spontaneously combust right there and then.

Beside her, she heard Sokka groan. “Okay, he’s definitely looking at you. Guess that means I’m going to have to introduce you now.” He sighed, holding out his arm. “Come on.”

She looped an arm around her brother’s, and together, they walked across the room. Her heart sounding like a stomping herd of buffalo yaks, and she tried to ignore it by focusing on tucking some more loose strands behind her ears. When this was met with little success, she turned to fixing the folds of her dress with her free hand, unfortunately rumpling it even more than before. She only had enough time left to curse under her breath before they’d gotten close enough for Sokka to start getting the Avatar’s attention.

“Avatar Aang!” Sokka greeted him, waving at the young monk.

The young man looked up, a wide smile spreading across his face as he saw who had called. “Ambassador Sokka! It’s good to see you again,” he said as they clasped each other’s forearms in traditional Water Tribe greeting. The contrast between the Avatar’s lighter skin and her brother’s brown tone drew her attention, and she realized with a start that there were arrows on his arms and hands as well. “Are you here with Chief Hakoda?”

“Nah.” Sokka shook his head. “Dad had to take care of some business back at home, you know, with the reconstruction and all.”

“I see. And you’re with ….” He looked curiously at her, making her heart rate grow even more erratic.

“Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe,” she said, trying to sound confident. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

A questioning look flashed across his features. “Southern Water Tribe?” he asked, glancing at Sokka.

“My sister.” Katara thought she saw a hint of relief touch his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. “Dad sent us here in his stead.”

“Thank you for ending the war, Avatar Aang. We’re greatly indebted to you,” she said, bowing deeply.

He held her gaze for what seemed to be the longest moment of her life before leaning down to take her hand and press a kiss to it. “If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it,” he said with a smile, his eyes never leaving hers.

There was a pregnant silence as she dumbfoundedly took in his eyes, his words, his hand, his lips on her hand. Her mouth hung slightly ajar, and she was pretty sure Sokka’s was doing the same too.

“All right, this is too much for me,” Sokka finally said, breaking the tension. He raised his hands and started to back away. “I’ll leave you to it.”

The pair watched as Sokka retreated, disappearing into the sea of party guests. Suddenly realizing that they were still in contact, Katara pulled her hand back and they both stood up straight, looking at anything but each other. After a few agonizing seconds, she attempted to start a conversation at the same time as he did, unfortunately, and the two got pushed back into an even more excruciating silence. Just when she couldn’t take it anymore, the Avatar cleared his throat.

“So, I uh, I guess I haven’t properly introduced myself yet,” he said, awkwardly rubbing his neck and putting on the absolute cutest half-smile Katara had ever seen. “I’m Aang. No need for titles.”

“Aang,” she tested it out. It felt surprisingly natural. “Just call me Katara, then.”

“Okay, Katara.” An unexpected thrill went through her as he said her name, and she bit back a smile. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve met with Sokka and Chief Hakoda a couple of times, and I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Oh really,” she said, cringing. “What did they say?”

“Hey, nothing bad!” he assured her quickly. “For starters, they said you were a waterbender, and you’ve been training at the North Pole.”

“Oh.” That put her a bit more at ease. “That’s true.”

“Not only that,” he went on. “But Chief Hakoda said you were excellent and the first North-trained female master in centuries! Master Pakku taught me too so … I know how big a deal that is,” he added cheekily.

“It definitely wasn’t easy convincing him,” she chuckled, fully relaxing. This was going better than every other conversation she’d had that night. “But he’s asked me to help him train his waterbending students, so I guess we’re on good terms.”

“That’s incredible! I’d personally love to see you waterbend sometime.”

Katara blushed. “What? No, I can’t—you’re the Avatar! What’s my bending going to look like to you of all people?”

He was unruffled. “Probably great. I can bend all four elements, but that doesn’t mean I’m the absolute best at them all. You can ask Toph.” He winced.

The waterbender laughed. Toph Beifong was collectively known as the greatest earthbender of all time, partly due to objective acknowledgement of her talents, and partly due to her constant self-declaration of it. “I’ll be sure to do that. Is she here tonight?”

“Nah, she’s busy with her own stuff these days. She’s found other students to yell at instead of me,” he said dryly.

“Good for you,” she said, grinning. “Anyway, I’d love to see you airbend sometime, too. I’ve never seen airbending before!”

Aang perked up immediately, looking excited as he reached into the folds of his robes. “Oh really?! Well, check this out!” He clasped his hands together for a second before parting them with a wicked grin.

Katara blinked. A couple of marbles were spinning around midair in between the Avatar’s palms. Aang looked at her eagerly, and she quickly tried to rearrange her confused shock into a (hopefully) impressed look.

“That’s uh—that’s great!” she said, and much to her relief, he didn’t seem to notice her hesitation.

“Right! This is my favorite trick,” he said proudly, before bringing his hands together again and returning the marbles to his pocket.

He’s a dork, she decided. An unexpected burst of affection swelled in her chest at the thought, and she decided she liked that about him.

“I’ve got another trick to show you,” he said, pulling her out of her thoughts. Katara could have sworn there was an almost mischievous glint in his eye as he said that.

He looked pointedly at a nearby Earth Kingdom general wearing a cape, and she watched as he did several deft twisting motions with his left wrist. All of a sudden, a gush of wind threw the general’s cape up, flipping it over and consequently covering his face.

The pair exploded in a fit of giggles as their victim threw the cape off his face angrily, revealing a very red and livid face. He started cursing as he angrily searched for a suspect.

“Uh-oh.” Aang said, ducking his head. “We better get out of sight.” He paused for a moment, calculating.

“How—“

“Just take my hand.”

She looked at him like he was crazy, but his face told her he was dead serious. All things considered, trusting him did seem to be her best option at the moment. “Okay.”

The moment her hand was in his, he spun her around skillfully into his arms with one turn. She looked up at him incredulously. “Are we going to dance?”

“Oh no, we’re going to be doing some bending practice.” He grinned impishly, placing his free hand on her shoulder. She gulped.

“Just follow my lead, Master Katara.”

The tinkling of the bianqing echoed throughout the room to signal the transition of music, and she decided Aang must have been familiar with the piece, because they took off at the same time the erhu started with its first note.

He led her through the dance floor with utmost grace, blending the both of them seamlessly into the crowd. If Katara didn’t know any better, she would have thought they really were just dancing. But observing closely, she had never seen any dance quite like whatever Aang was doing—the spiraling movements, the ability to turn himself (and her) to a different direction at a moment’s notice. They might as well have been leaves in the wind.

So this was airbending, she thought.

However, as their little “dance” went on, she started to notice a hint of familiarity to their motions—the way he would alternate between drawing her towards him and holding her at arm’s length, the way the weight transferred back and forth between the two of them—unmistakably, there was also an ebb and flow to his breeze, a push and pull.

“Waterbending,” she breathed, low enough that he didn’t hear her. She’d read about how airbenders just trusted the air to let it carry them but she’d never realized how similar it could be to her element’s constant shift of energy. That is, until this display.

A deft spin pulled her out of her thoughts, and before she could process what was happening, she found herself mere inches away from his face. Argentine eyes took up her entire vision, and she could only hear their ragged breaths and beating hearts. Agonizingly slowly, the distance between them started to close, but it wasn’t until she felt his warm breath on her lips did she realize just how close they were.

“So,” she said, ducking her head in a panic and suddenly taking interest in the orchestra playing at the end of the ballroom. The music had quieted to a soft melody, and she fixed her gaze on the bamboo flute producing it. Her cheeks burned both at their almost-encounter, and she prayed to the spirits that her complexion was enough to hide it. “Flight and evasion. Very airbender.”

The Avatar blinked, then shook his head as if coming out of a trance. “You know for someone who says she’s never seen airbending, you sure seem to know a lot about it.” He lightly swayed them to the music, just enough to blend in without actually changing position.

She scoffed. “You’re the talk of the Four Nations, you know. Plus, Master Pakku told me that learning the bending styles of the other nations would help me greatly, so I read up at the North’s libraries while I was training there.”

“From firsthand experience, I can tell you it does help greatly.” He paused for a moment. “On that note, I’m curious if you’ve read anything about the Avatar.”

She shrugged. “Sure. Comes with the territory of the four elements.”

“So, how have I fared?” he probed playfully. “Living up to your textbook expectations?”

“Well for one, I didn’t expect the Avatar would be such an incurable prankster.”

She had to bite back a giggle as her partner did his best to feign offense. “Me? I’m just a simple monk,” he said innocently.

She laughed in earnest this time. “Could have fooled me. Do you always charm girls by kissing their hands and whisking them away to dance?”

“I—“ He stopped swaying. “You think I’m charming?”

Katara flushed. “I—“ She swallowed. “Um … sorry.”

“What? No, why are you apologizing?”

“Sorry, Aang, can we just drop this?”

“If it makes you feel better, I—I think you’re beautiful.” Katara froze, and the Avatar averted his gaze. “And um, to answer your question, no, this isn’t a regular thing.”

Katara’s world completely stopped. Did … Did the Avatar—did Aang just … what did that mean?

“Aang! There you are.” The two immediately jumped apart at the sound. Katara turned in its direction, and her panicked mind picked up various disjointed information about the approaching figure. Regal crimson robes, a golden headpiece, silky black hair, a scar … Sacred spirits, she realized with a start. “I’ve been loo—” The Fire Lord’s golden eyes flitted between their two flushed faces. “Sorry, am I interrupting something?”

Katara desperately willed Aang to earthbend the ground to swallow them whole, but to her dismay, he had other plans. “No, nothing at all,” he said lightly, plastering an easy look onto his face. “Zuko, this is Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. Katara, meet his fieriness himself, Fire Lord Zuko.”

Zuko ignored the last part. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Master Katara.” He touched a fist to his palm and bowed to her, and Katara returned the gesture graciously.

“The pleasure’s all mine, your honor.” Something in Zuko’s expression shifted, and to her even greater confusion, Aang snickered next to her. She decided she’d ask about it … some other time.

“Now, what was it you were saying, Sifu Hotman?” Aang asked, a grin still playing on his mouth.

Katara found it harder to stifle laughter as the Fire Lord scowled, making no effort to hide his annoyance at the nickname. “I’ve just gotten word about the New Ozai Society causing unrest back in Caldera City. I need to get back as soon as possible, and I wanted to ask if you could come with me.”

A sinking feeling came over her at the rueful look Aang shot her. He took a deep breath. “Of course. Let’s take Appa so it’s quicker.”

Zuko nodded. “Thank you, Aang. I’ll just take a bit to look for Mai, then we’ll meet you by Appa.” He looked over at her, bowing once more. “I apologize for the abruptness of this. But it was nice meeting you, Master Katara.”

She bowed back. “Same to you, Fire Lord Zuko.”

She watched numbly as the Fire Lord left. Well, what did she expect? He was the Avatar, for spirits’ sake! It was just her luck that she had to start falling for him, of all people. How did she ever think—why did she ever think something was possible?

And it’s not like she was sure he liked her back? Sure, he called her beautiful, but that could have meant nothing. Regardless, it was just so damn frustrating because something was there, and they were being pulled apart before they had a chance to make sense of it.

“Katara?” He said her name timidly. She turned to look at him. His silver eyes, which had been so light and playful earlier, were filled with sadness. “I—“

“You need to go.” Aang winced, and Katara felt a pang of regret—her words might have ended up sounding much icier than expected. “Aang, it’s not your fault. Keeping peace is the Avatar’s duty.”

He gave a small sigh. “Yes, it is. But that’s not what I was going to say.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Oh. What was it then?”

“I wanted to tell you … I had fun tonight,” he said with a shy smile, easily melting her defenses once more. Spirits, what was with this boy? “I really enjoyed talking to you. And dancing with you.”

“I did too.” She hesitated. Nothing to lose, she told herself. “I … really wish we had more time.” She just knew she was blushing, but she had to try.

“Me too.” She was desperately racking her brain for something to say next, when Aang suddenly perked up.

“Could I write you?” Katara looked up, surprised. “I could send you a hawk once I get to the Fire Nation. And you can send me a letter back on the same hawk—it’d know where to find me. And I could visit you in the South Pole as soon as I can! If you want,” he added quickly.

Her initial shock soon dissipated and was replaced by warmth at his unabashed enthusiasm. He did like her. He was willing to try, and it was going to be hard, but he wanted to make it work.

And truthfully, so did she.

“Sounds perfect,” she told him.

Affection swelled in her as she watched his gray eyes brighten at her response. She listened as he excitedly rattle off a seemingly never-ending list of things they could do, ranging from something as mundane as trying out the local food to a seemingly surreal cloudbending trip (“We can take Appa!” “Okay, who is Appa?” “He’s my best friend.” “That we can ride on?” “Sure. He’s a flying bison.” “. . . oh. Neat!”)

There was really something about Aang that she couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was his surprisingly troublemaker energy, or his catching enthusiasm. Maybe it was the way his native element just exuded from him in every way, and how easily it worked with hers. Or maybe, it was the way looking into his eyes was all it took for her to believe that cloudbending really was a thing they could do, despite her never having heard of it in her experience as a master waterbender. After all, sky seemed to be the limit with this airbender.

But even if she wasn’t yet sure what it was, she couldn’t be happier to know that they were going to have a chance to find out.

“… or you could show me around your village, and we could skate on some ice and I don’t know if this sounds weird but … will you go penguin sledding with me?”

She blinked. Penguin sledding. It was honestly one of the last things she ever thought she’d be doing on a date, and the whole thing was just so … unpredictable. And fun. And free. So … Aang.

“Of course,” she said, her face breaking into a smile.

He beamed at her. “Great! It’s a date!” He immediately blushed when he realized what he had just said. “I—I mean, the date, like you know, the fruit … not …”

That was it. He was just so darn adorable with his attempt to cover up that she couldn’t help but lean over to give him a kiss on the cheek. “It’s a date,” she assured him, watching with much enjoyment as Aang, who was scarlet by this time with his jaw slack, touched the spot where her lips had been.

“What, gotta catch your breath, airbender?” she asked teasingly.

“I—I—um,” he stammered.

Katara shoved his arm lightly. “Get going, Avatar, the world needs you. But I’ll be expecting the hawk.”

“Airbender’s honor,” he said, giving her one last dopey smile before he turned on his heel and walked away. He seemed to navigate the crowd with a new spring in his step, just barely touching the ground. Clearly, walking on air was a literal thing for him, she thought with a chuckle.

“OKAY, I SAW THAT!” a voice interrupted her thoughts with a screech. She turned to see none other than Sokka aggressively making his way to her. “OOGIES CENTRAL, little sister. OO—”

“Sokka, please.” She rolled her eyes. “You talk like I didn’t see you flirting with that Earth Kingdom girl the whole night.”

“That’s different! I’ve met Suki more than once.” She raised an eyebrow at him, but he went on. “I can’t believe it. You … and the Avatar …” he whispered tensely. “Oh man, wait ‘til Dad hears about this. You attend ONE party and you suddenly have a boy wrapped around your finger!”

“Well, didn’t you and Dad say I should meet more guys?” she said coolly. “And now the tribe can stop complaining about me not snagging myself some North Pole husband.”

“We didn’t mean the AVATAR!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.

“Why not?” She glared at him. “I’m sure everyone would love to meet him.”

Sokka scrunched his eyebrows. “Meet him?”

“Aang said he’d come over to visit the South Pole as soon as he can,” she said a-matter-of-factly. “We’re going penguin sledding.”

“He WHAT?” Sokka sputtered. “The Avatar? Is coming to the South Pole? And you’re going penguin sledding???”

“Yup. He asked me, and I said yes,” she said with a grin, already giddily imagining sledding down the South Pole’s slopes with him. She felt a rush run through her, making her feel light-headed with glee. In that moment, realized she might actually have half a mind to go over to the Fire Nation herself should the New Ozai Society start delaying their plans.

“Ohhh no. I know that look.” Sokka groaned. “Spirits, you’re … you’re helpless.”

Katara kept smiling. Maybe she was.

But so was he.

--

A/N: Btw, the bianqing is a Chinese stone chimes instrument.

The whole point of a Helpless-inspired AU was a love at first sight AU basically, which was an interesting angle for me to write since Kataang is canonically a slow burn friends to lovers couple. Also: first move x pining Katara? Natural charmer x awkward bean Aang? I needed that in my life so I wrote it lol.

I also had so much fun peppering this with so many references (from both the actual Avatar shows and Hamilton!) If you wanna point out as much as you can I would love you for it.

#kataangvb #kataang #kataangtag #katara #aang #atla #avatar: the last airbender #hamilton #helpless #oreocheesecakes fanfiction #long overdue lol thanks for waiting

[thinkingisadangerouspastime]

Exposition

A fic written for the Kataang Valentine’s Bash, hosted by @kataang-week, with the prompt “Beginnings and Endings.” 6k, rated T.

Katara’s fingers were intertwined with Aang’s. His palm was warm against her own as they lay side by side on the beach, staring up at the bright stars dotting the infinite sky. The blanket beneath them prevented sand from finding its way into unwelcome openings of their clothes, but the rest of their midnight experience was unfiltered. The crash of waves beating against the shore filled Katara’s ears as the salty sea breeze laid claim to her face.

There was no place she’d rather be.

Aang hummed in contentment, scooting closer to Katara. They were all but joined at the hip by this point - not that Katara was complaining about their proximity. The warmth of her boyfriend’s body shielded her from the slight chill in the air. “You know,” he murmured, “earlier, I was thinking about -”

Perhaps because of the lateness of the night, or maybe from the exhaustion of the day, Katara laughed. “Oh no. You, thinking? The end of the world must be near.”

Aang scoffed. “First of all, rude. I don’t recall my name being Sokka.”

Katara snickered. Fair enough. She should have seen that gentle rib at her brother coming from a mile away, mostly because she would have seized the moment herself had their roles been reversed.

“Second, I didn’t defeat the Fire Lord five years ago next week for the world to end because I was thinking too hard.”

An amused grin snuck onto Katara’s lips. “Of course. Forgive my hasty assumption.” She shifted on their blanket so her head rested against his shoulder. “But get to the point. What were you thinking about?”

Katara could see her boyfriend roll his eyes out the corner of her vision, and she bit her tongue to hold back another laugh. How was it her fault he was and had always been so easy to tease?

Aang tilted his head so it touched hers. “I was thinking about how lucky I am to have you.” His thumb traced spirals across her own. “The very first time we met, you saved me. If you hadn’t rescued me from the iceberg then, how different would today be?”

Now there was both a memory Katara would never forget and a timeline Katara never wanted to consider. A world without Aang, a world still wracked with war and dominated by the Fire Nation… No.

On the other hand, if Katara closed her eyes, she could relive the moment of their meeting with ease. It was as if she’d found him in that iceberg only yesterday.

“And you rescued me about a million times after that, too,” Aang continued with a chuckle. Katara squeezed his hand. “Ba Sing Se is what first comes to mind.” He exhaled slowly. “I just… I wouldn’t have been able to defeat Ozai - I wouldn’t have been able to do anything if I hadn’t had your support.”

And if he hadn’t had her spirit water, Katara noted, amused, but she refrained from shattering her boyfriend’s moment.

Aang sighed, awestruck, and heat rose in Katara’s cheeks. “But yeah. I was thinking about how lucky I am that you’re in my life.”

Katara pushed her hair behind her ear with her free hand, a stronger gust from the sea having splayed it across her face. “I don’t think it was luck.”

Though she wasn’t looking at him, Katara could hear a frown in her boyfriend’s voice. “What do you mean?”

Katara hummed, pursing her lips. A fantastic question. What did she mean? “I don’t know. I just feel like… I was meant to find you.” She and Aang were destined to meet in any and every lifetime. Katara knew that to be true. No matter where, no matter when, no matter how.

She and Aang would always find each other.

Continue reading “Exposition” on AO3!

#kataangvb #kataangtag #kataang #katara #aang #aanglove #atla #avatar the last airbender #atla fanfic #kataang fanfic #THIS FIC IS AN AU FEVER DREAM #amy writes

[justoceanmyth]

Chapters: 1/2 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Aang/Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong & Katara, Katara & Sokka (Avatar), Toph Beifong & Sokka, Mai/Zuko (Avatar) Characters: Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Sokka (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Mai (Avatar), Suki (Avatar) Additional Tags: Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Pining, Mutual Pining, Oblivious, all around, all parties are oblivious, Interventions, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, no dobs kiss, no eip kiss, no cave of two lovers kiss, No Finale Kiss, but they'll come together regardless Summary:

They didn’t kiss in the Cave of Two Lovers.

She’s not sure why that thought has been pulsing through her head for the past three days but it won’t leave her alone.

There are other thoughts too, that won’t leave her alone, like the cold waxen pallor to Aang’s cheeks that wasn’t even there when she had first found him in the ice, like the way he only breaths at the very last possible second and the rattle in his lungs when he does. There are other thoughts that won’t leave her alone but every time she manages to scrub herself clear of the rest of her fears and worries, that single nebulous thought remains.

They didn’t kiss in the Cave of Two Lovers, and Katara isn’t sure why that matters so much to her— kissing like that wouldn’t be something that friends even do— but it won’t leave her alone.

Katara thinks about that, long and hard, and decides that it’s because she’s afraid that she’ll never be able to goof around with her best friend again. That she’d gladly take the awkward memory of a kiss between them over the threat of losing him forever.

#kataang #kataangvb #kataangtag #she's choppy but she'll do #this is kinda the angst part #things get better the next chapter i promise #this is called the 'idiot best friends pining' au in my head

[itsmoonpeaches]

Here’s a snippet from my upcoming entry for @kataang-week’s Kataang Valentine’s Bash!

“Well, hello there, Princess Katara,” said a voice from behind her. She turned around with some sort of giddy shock only to meet his brilliant silver eyes.

Aang was ginning at her, just as bright in his orange and yellow acolyte robes as ever. He was an Air Nomad from the Southern Air Temple, their closest neighbors besides Kyoshi Island. He was also her oldest friend.

He was bald, like all the monks, but unlike the other children his age, he already had his airbending master tattoos. They were cerulean arrows that trailed his limbs and chi paths, ending on his forehead. She had wished to go to his mastery ceremony, but it was an intimate experience that was only held at the temples. This was the first time she had seen him with them, and just looking at the way he stood there made him look so foreign. It made her blush.

“P-Princess?!” she sputtered out, ignoring the heat in her cheeks. She pointed an indignant finger at his face. “What? Should I call you Master Aang now?”

Instead of being as annoyed as she wanted him to be, Aang laughed. “No,” he replied as he continued to chuckle in between breaths, “but it would be pretty funny!”

#chief katara and master aang au #kataang #kataangtag #katara #aang #atla #avatar #avatar the last airbender #fanfic #kataangvb #text post

[secretsecrettunnel]

Fic: Another Life

Part: 1/2 - Then Word count: 310 AO3 Link Notes: *Shows up three months late with Frappucino* This is part one of my Kataang Week Valentine’s Bash. The prompt was complimentary and I went with Then and Now - both complimentary but also opposites. I wrote short pieces, but I think they work as a whole.

She’s seen him a few times now. Usually he’s surrounded by people in the middle of a busy ballroom, his hands tucked into the long draping sleeves of his robes. Sometimes it’s across the courtyard at an Earth Kingdom palace, the fabric of his cape billowing around him as he moves even though the weather is still.

She’s seen him a few times now. Usually he’s surrounded by people in the middle of a busy ballroom, his hands tucked into the long draping sleeves of his robes. Sometimes it’s across the courtyard at an Earth Kingdom palace, the fabric of his cape billowing around him as he moves even though the weather is still.

Today, he’s sitting in the reception room of the Southern Water Tribe’s wing in the Fire Nation’s Caldera Palace, drinking from a teacup.

“Excuse me, Lord Avatar?” Katara says as she hovers behind him. He turns, the blue tattoos twisting and distorting around his neck as he looks at her. “Can I… help you?”

“Sorry, I don’t mean to intrude,” Avatar Aang replied, a sheepish smile on his face. “I’m waiting for Chief Hakoda and one of the attendants let me in. I’m Aang.”

“Clearly,” Katara answers, trying and failing to smother a smile. “I’m sure he won’t be long if he’s expecting you.”

With a small nod and another smile he turns back to his tea. Katara thinks they must be around the same age as she continues through the reception room, but she feels as though the aura that surrounds him is wise beyond his years. She is nearly out of the room when she hears the Avatar clear his throat and she looks over her shoulder, her steps pausing as she acknowledges him.

“Have we met before?” Avatar Aang asks, his brow furrowed. The lines of his tattoo have stretched with the movement and Katara wonders what they look like up close.

She smiles. “I don’t think so. Maybe in another life?”

“Maybe,” Aang replies, his frown falling and a soft smile curving the corners of his mouth in return. Katara gives him a small nod of goodbye before leaving the room, she hears his voice drifting behind her. “Maybe.”

#kataangvb #kataangtag #kataang #fanfic

[waterbearwaltz]

Together, Apart

For @kataang-week‘s Kataang Valentine’s Bash 2021.

I swear I tried to write something happy for this, but tbh after this last year all that’s left in me is sadness and pornography. So that’s what I’ve got for you.

Prompt pair: Together and Apart

Summary: Katara and Aang deal with an outbreak of illness in the Earth Kingdom.

Rating: Explicit. | Word Count: ~10k | Ao3

Katara held her hands over the young girl’s chest, focusing the water’s energy into a living swirl of light. She felt chi swell where she held the water, and the skin flushed as blood followed suit. Shae breathed a bit faster, but didn’t stir. She was used to this now, they’d been at it for months. Slowly, Katara felt something like a well filling beneath her fingers, and a sudden rush as the energy began to flow again on its own, unimpeded by tissue that had been dying just an hour earlier. 

This was so different from the healing she’d done during the war. Broken bones, burned skin, injuries that she could see and touch and understand. When she’d worked on Sokka’s broken leg, it was like the fragments of bone ached to join back together, they just needed a little push. It seemed so much easier, in retrospect. Then again, maybe those injuries had just been more spread out in time.

Katara sat back on her heels and let out a breath, slipping the water back into the bowl beside her. The sun was just dipping below the tree line, filling the makeshift hospital tent with warm orange light. Her eyes moved over the empty beds, it was the most deserted she’d seen the place since she arrived. An exhausted smile pulled at her lips. “I think that’s enough for today, Shae.”

The girl opened her eyes and shot Katara a mischievous grin. “Can I show you something, Yisheng?” she asked, using the colloquial term for healer in this part of the Earth Kingdom. 

“Sure,” Katara replied with the same tired smile. Shae rolled off the mat and onto her feet, slipping out of the tent into the gathering night. Katara stood in the doorway and watched her young patient rock back on one foot and launch into a set of cartwheels with a breathless little shriek. 

“Are you watching? Are you watching?” 

Katara laughed. “I’m watching, Shae. Be careful though, you’ll tire yourself out!”

“No I won’t I’m completely--” Shae’s argument was cut off by a sharp fit of coughs, and she grasped her knees to steady herself. Katara rushed forward and slipped a steady arm around her. 

“Come on, let’s get you home, your mom will be worried.”

Shae leaned on her as they walked, and when she spoke again her voice was breathy but excited. “You know what would help her worry less? if you tell her how much better I’m doing. I mean, if I can do six whole cartwheels I’m definitely healed enough to play with Sonna and Jai tomorrow, right?”

“I’ll talk to her meimei, but we still have a ways to go before you’re better.”

--

When they’d first arrived in Dei Shung, it was to help fly healers in from the north and distribute aid from the Fire Nation. The reports of illness and unrest in the town hadn’t prepared them for the devastation they found when they got there. Katara and Sokka got the healers set up while Aang and Toph met with the mayor about alleviating the panic that had gripped the town. They broke up frenzied mobs, bent makeshift shelters to replace buildings that had been destroyed, anything they could think of that might help restore order. Toph and a couple of her metal bending students got to work chasing off the bandits who were circling the town like vultures, picking off the weak as they fled. 

Sokka was the first to take ill, just a few days after they arrived. For him it was fever, with a blotchy red rash creeping up from under the collar of his tunic. Katara caught it fast, thank the spirits, and sent him away along with anyone else who wasn’t essential. This wasn’t the manageable illness they’d been expecting to find, and it was just too dangerous to have anyone exposed to who didn’t need to be. She tried to send Aang with them, but it was pointless. 

“If I was staying, would you leave?” he asked. They both knew the answer to that. His expression was soft, but Katara had learned the subtle signs of his resolve. The slightly furrowed brow, the edge of intensity to his gaze, his grip on her hand just a little bit tighter than it needed to be, as though she might try to physically force him onto the airship. For all the airbender in him, he’d learned to be immovable when he needed to be. So they stood together as the ship left the dock, ferrying their friends back to safety along with anyone healthy enough to pack up their lives and flee.

The next few weeks were a blur. Katara spent all day in the healing tents raking water along body after body, feeling like she was trying to keep an entire town from drowning. Sometimes she wondered if she was making any difference at all. At night Aang would settle behind her in their room, and they’d talk quietly about their days while he worked the knots out of her neck. The first time she lost a patient, she cried the whole night. The next day, she lost three more. 

“Remember when you told me about the night Avatar Roku died?” she whispered into his neck one night after she was too exhausted to cry anymore. He pulled away just enough to look at her. Their bed was pushed up to the window and the night was clear and bright and she saw the glint of unshed tears in his eyes. He nodded, brushing hair from her damp face, brow tense with concern. 

“This feels like that. Like fighting...I don’t know, a force of nature. It just keeps coming, Aang. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to stop it.”

“No one’s expecting you to stop it alone.” He kissed her forehead and fell quiet for a moment, considering. ”Do you want to leave? It’s ok if you do. I can stay behind or come with you, back to Ba Sing Se, or wherever you want to go.” Another pause, and then, more quietly,  “I’m worried about what this is doing to you, Katara.” 

She was deeply ashamed that this thought had already crossed her mind, a few days ago at the bedside of a young man about her age. He had broad shoulders and a deep laugh, and spent the first day cracking jokes with the healers and offering his help with the older patients. Then, all at once, it just ripped through him. By the time Katara got to him, there was nothing she could do. Her eyes began to sting again but she set her jaw and shook her head. “I can’t leave these people. Even if I can’t stop this, I have to try. They need every healer they can get.”

He pulled her against him, one arm tight around her back and the other cradling the back of her head. “I love you. And I’m here for you, whatever you need. We’ll get through this, I promise.”

“I love you too.”

About a month after they arrived, Amka, one of the older healers, got sick. They took turns caring for her amidst all the other patients. Her daughter, Nukka, worked on her the most. It was always fastest with the elderly. A quick funeral behind the hospital was all they could manage. Katara asked Nukka if she wanted to say a few words, but she was beyond speech. In the end, they all stood quietly around the grave before breaking off, a few at a time, to return to work. Katara stayed the longest, one hand rubbing Nukka’s back as she sobbed, the other gripping Aang’s so tight it hurt.

The next day she woke up to Aang shivering next to her in bed.

“No” a hoarse whisper tore out of her mouth. She could feel her heart pounding in every part of her body as she ripped the blankets off him and rolled him onto his back. He moaned groggily, fighting to wake up. Her breath quickened. He was usually up with the sun. 

There were pins and needles in her hands as she ran them over his chest, arms, neck, checking for the telltale rash. She pushed him onto his side to check his back. Nothing. 

“Katara, what are you doing?” his voice thick with sleep. 

“This is not happening” she muttered, more to herself than him. One hand pulled the water from her satchel across the room while the other yanked him down the bed so she could straddle him more easily. It started in the lungs, if she could kill it there they’d have a chance. 

“Katara!” He caught her wrists and the spirit water dropped, soaking them both. Her eyes snapped to his. He was wide awake now, alert and pale and a little panicked. Her heart was beating so hard it made her head spin and her skin feel raw. 

“Fever,” she choked out, suddenly aware she was crying. “You have a fever, I have to--” she shook his hands off hers and pulled the water off the bed and out of their clothing, coaxing it back to a gentle glow.

“Katara, it’s ok, I feel fine. This might not even be--”

“I know exactly what it is” she spat, feeling the familiar blocked energies in his chest, the fluid pooling in his lungs. She couldn’t believe how stupid she’d been, she should have insisted he leave with Sokka and the others. She should have forced him, begged him, tricked him, anything to get him on that ship. Her vision blurred and she impatiently blinked away tears, struggling to keep her concentration. A barking sob came from somewhere, maybe her, and his hands were on hers again, bending the water into a bowl on the nightstand and gathering her toward him. 

“No, Aang I have to--” 

“I know Sweetie, just take a minute, please.” His voice was thin and had a pleading edge to it that just unnerved her more.

“There’s no time, I need to start before it spreads!” She had to stop to suck in air between words. She felt like she was fighting a battle and losing, struggling just to keep feet underneath her. 

“We have a minute. Please Katara, you’re scaring me. Just breath. Please. For me.”

Katara wanted to argue but couldn’t find the air to get the words out. She tried to pull back but her limbs felt thick and numb and her muscles weren’t responding. Another of those barking sobs scraped out of her chest and he lifted himself against the headboard, tucking her against him and stroking her back, her hair, her arms. 

“Try to breathe with me ok? In and out. Just match my breath. That’s it. Nice and slow.” Her cheek was pressed against his chest and she rose and fell with him as he breathed. No matter how much air she sucked in it felt like she was suffocating. She breathed anyway, matching his rhythm as well as she could manage. Bit by bit, feeling returned to her limbs, and the vice around her chest began to dissolve. His heart beat against her ear and she turned her face into it, trying to breath in his skin, tasting the sweat on his chest. 

“I can’t lose you too,” she whispered into him. He kissed the top of her head. 

“I’m not going anywhere,” he rumbled beneath her. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m the avatar. It’s pretty hard to kill me. Plus, the best healer in the world is totally in love with me, so I think I’m pretty safe.”

She heard the smile in his voice and felt a hot surge of anger. She pushed herself up enough to see his face. 

“I couldn’t save Amka or Aia, or Sammi, or Lee’s twins, or--” she broke off, the dead stretching out before her. She didn’t even know all their names anymore. The anger left as quickly as it had come. She let her head drop back against his chest, as tired as she could ever remember being. 

“I know. I know. This is a terrible tragedy. But you’re not a god, Sweetie. No one expects you to save every person who gets sick. But think of everyone you did save. Katara, how many people are alive right now because of you?”

They were quiet for a few minutes, breathing together on the bed. Finally, she reached up and kissed him softly. His face was hot under her hands. “Please. I need to start working on you now.” 

“I know. Just take care of yourself too, ok? I’m going to be fine. I’m in good hands.” The way he looked at her with total trust twisted something in her chest. Her throat felt tight and she cleared it to push back the tears.

“Lay down.”

She worked through the day and well into the night. He slept fitfully for most of it as the fever crested and she fought to keep it at bay, to keep the sickness from settling deeper into him. She’d caught it early, she thought. He was muddled, but not incoherent. He couldn’t have been running a temperature for more than a few hours.

Moving over his prone form like this reminded Katara far too much of the weeks after Ba Sing Se fell, and she did her best to seal that thought tightly in the back of her mind. Coming undone again would only hurt him, he needed her calm, focused, and attentive. 

He was larger than her now, more difficult to maneuver, but the ebb and flow of his energies felt the same. There was an intimacy here that never occurred to her with her other patients. She was reaching inside him, guiding the most basic systems in his body. Under different circumstances it might have been beautiful.

A day passed, maybe two. Katara grew more and more tired until she passed through tiredness altogether. Being immersed in the rhythms of someone else’s body for so long, it was easy to forget her own. Like after Ba Sing Se fell. No, not that. Here. This. Him. 

Finally, when she’d done everything she could think of twice over, she paused, blinking blearily out the window at the rising sun. There was a cold bowl of soup on the nightstand. Someone must have brought it to her, but she couldn’t remember when. She checked Aang one last time and collapsed next to him, grateful for the darkness that swallowed her.

----

Continue on Ao3

#kataangvb #kataangtag #kataang #rating: nc17 #my fic #atla fanfic

[theoriginalsapphic]

Kataang Valentine’s Bash fic for @kataang-week

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Aang/Katara (Avatar) Characters: Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar) Additional Tags: Survivor Guilt, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Scars, Introspection Summary:

In the scars, we find hope.

Complementary prompt: scars/healing.

#kataangvb #kataang #katara #aang

[the-last-cuddlebender]

My submission for KVB is taking 10,000 years, but this is a long overdue preview:

Aang was laughing even before the ringing in Katara’s ears faded into a dull migraine. “Well, well, well,” he drawled over the chaos. He wound one arm around her shoulders to keep her close, maneuvering himself into position to block whatever tried to kill them next. “Fancy meeting you in a place like this, Master Katara.” He couldn’t afford to spare her a glance that might distract him, but he found a way to kiss her hair, anyways. “Are you here for business or pleasure?”

“I take it that your flirting means you have a plan?” Another explosion racked them. “Or something adjacent?”

Pairing/theme is: “The Plans and The Journey” — (the push and pull of destiny)

#trying so hard to get this done soon because goodness forbid I be able to finish it during the bash😞 #AND AANG AND KATARA WEEKS ARE A COMIN #I am a 🤡 #avatar the last airbender #kataang #aang #katara #post #kataangvb #kvb2021

[earthkingspet]

An art for the Kataang Valentine’s Bash! It’s a modern AU and a take on their engagement picture, with the theme orange and blue. It was done as a commission by @joleanart! Thank you so much for this fantastic piece!

#kataangvb #kataangtag #kataang #aang x katara #katara x aang #aang #katara #avatar the last airbender #valentine's day

[kataang-week]

Kataang Valentine's Event: Interest Check

Hey hey Kataang fandom!! We're thinking of organizing a 2-day Kataang event on Valentine's weekend in 2021 (Feb 13 - 14, Sat-Sun) and we're wondering if you guys would be interested!

The details are still to be ironed out, but unlike Kataang Week which has prompt submissions, the general theme of this event will be Complementary. In line with this, we'll be posting prompt pair ideas (push and pull, beginnings and endings, yin and yang, etc.) to help get those creative gears in your brains working, but you can totally think of your own. You can make a 2-part work to split between the 2 days (ex. push on Feb 13, pull on Feb 14) or just post one work for a prompt pair on any of the 2 days.

All content is welcome, be it meta, fics, fanart, music, gifsets, playlists, moodboards, edits, or anything else you can think of.

Reblogs to spread the word are much appreciated! We're hoping you can all participate 🤗❤️

#kataang week #kataangtag #kataang #katara #aang #aanglove #avatar: the last airbender #atla #kataangvb

[demigoddreamer]

Kataang VB Part 2

Part 1 of my Kataang Valentine’s Bash fic for @kataang-week which features Aang while Part 2 features Katara

Prompt Pair: Freedom and Change

Change:

She stood in the light of the moon, it’s radiant light highlighting every detail of her. Katara felt the healing light of the moon enrich her with energy. This was one of the rare times when she didn’t have to use the power to fight Fire Nation. The war was over and things were changing for the better. Aang made her believe that things could change for the better. He gave her hope and she loved him.

She was now in a position where she could help people more now that the war was over. Zuko, their friend, was firelord and they could make positive changes. It wouldn’t be limited to just that small Fire Nation town. Katara hoped that she caused the North to change and rethink sexism.

But things were also changing too quickly, Home didn’t always feel like home now. The South Pole was so different everyone was grown up and so innocent while she was battle hardened. Her village seemed like a strange far away place like the Spirit world once was. Water adapted to change it always flowed and didn’t change direction. Everything changed around her and she felt as if she had trouble adapting.

One change that she’d never regret and would never let go of was her relationship with Aang. It was great to finally understand what the fluttery warming feelings she felt around Aang meant. Then it got muddled in the War and if everything went wrong Katara didn’t think she could handle losing Aang. The War ended and she had to face her feelings head on. She finally got the courage to kiss him back. Their relationship was great. Aang was so compassionate and patient with her throughout all of it. Some changes she worried about like everytime Aang had to go off and be the Avatar. He looked so exhausted and burdened.

Then she heard a distant telltale roar that meant Appa was here and she smiled in excitement.

“Hey Katara”Aang greeted her with a bright smile that made her want to melt.

Even now he was the bright cheerful boy she found in the iceberg. Wanting to have fun and just be a kid. He wasn’t ready for the change of finding out about the Air Nomad genocide or shouldering the responsibilities of being the Avatar. But here he was strong and standing but fluid.

“Hey Sweetie”Katara replied as she headed toward Aang.

Katara then grabbed onto his arms and looked lovingly at him. Her boyfriend was here, safe from harm's way. They could have a moment of peace before Aang got thrown to the Sabre Tooth Moose Lions.

“How are you?”Aang asked, genuinely caring about her well being.

Aang knew Katara was fine but it’s the right thing to do to ask also he hoped she was doing better than him. Fixing a broken world was hard and it was also really hard for Zuko so he tried not to complain. Firelord Hotman was not doing too hot.

“I’m ok I think the real question is how are you?”Katara asked with a serious expression of concern on her face.

Her eyes searched his for an answer. Katara needed to know that Aang was going to be alright.

Aang’s smile immediately faltered and a nervous look crossed his face.

“I-I guess I’m normal”Aang tried to answer, clearly lying through his teeth.

Dang it Aang totally did not handle that lie well.

“That’s not an answer”Katara pointed out with narrowed eyes and a raised eyebrow. Tell me what’s wrong her face said. You can confide in me it’s ok. Aang was close to breaking he honestly just couldn’t handle it, all of it being the Avatar, being the last of a nation. 

Tears started welling up in Aang’s eyes.

“Do you need to talk”Katara asked quietly but it was more like a recommendation.

Aang was clearly not ok and needed comfort. Aang nodded vigorously while keeping his eyes shut. Katara led him down to a private room and gave a nod to start talking. I’m here for you, she said everything’s going to be ok.

“I guess a lot of things have changed...I’ve changed a lot and I’m worried that it’s too much for me to handle and I’ll change too much”Aang confessed softly and he looked away from Katara. Katara just looked at him and she put her hand on his cheek and turned his head to look at her. Katara could get lost in those eyes, which swirled like a storm. Harsh dark clouds instead of peaceful skies. All of this pressure worried her but if anyone could handle it it was Aang.

“You’ll always be my Aang”Katara assured him with a firm expression on her face.

Cupping his cheek with her hand she leaned in and kissed his cheek. He was the embodiment of hope but he didn’t always have to be hopeful. And that didn’t change her feelings, She loved him always. Whatever change came their way they could handle it. Her love for Aang was eternal.

#kataang #kataangvb #atla #avatar the last airbender #fanfic #katara #aang

[itsmoonpeaches]

Part 1 of my Kataang Valentine’s Bash fic for @kataang-week is now up!

Title: Balance

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29404983/chapters/72238887

Part 1: Clouds

Summary: 

Made for Kataang Valentine's Bash 2021: Complementary, with the prompt pair: Clouds and Storm.

-

“Well, hello there, Princess Katara,” said a voice from behind her. She turned around with some sort of giddy shock only to meet his brilliant silver eyes. The icy blue walls of the chief’s palace—though ‘palace’ was a strong word for it when the Northern Water Tribe boasted a much larger residence—reflected on his face, making him look as if he were an ethereal spirit.

Aang was ginning at her, just as bright in his orange and yellow acolyte robes as ever. He was proud to be an Air Nomad from the Southern Air Temple, their closest neighbors besides Kyoshi Island. He came to her as always, a jovial cloud gliding in the sky over the sea.

-

Or, Katara is the heir to the Southern Water Tribe. Aang is a master airbender. They are two parts of the same whole.

#kataangvb #kataang #katara #aang #atla #atla fanfic #itsmoonpeaches fanfic #fanfic #kataang valentines bash #chief katara and master aang au

[secretsecrettunnel]

Fic: Another Life

Part: 2/2 - Now Word count: 442 AO3 Link Notes: This is part two of my Kataang Week Valentine’s Bash. The prompt was complimentary and I went with Then and Now - both complimentary but also opposites. I wrote short pieces, but I think they work as a whole.

She’s seen him a few times now. Usually he’s tucked into the back corner of the coffee shop she works in, a knitted beanie and hoodie swamping his frame as he sips at a flat white and taps away on his laptop. Sometimes it’s across the college library, a baseball cap pulled low over his hair as his eyes skim the reference numbers on the stacks.

She’s seen him a few times now. Usually he’s tucked into the back corner of the coffee shop she works in, a knitted beanie and hoodie swamping his frame as he sips at a flat white and taps away on his laptop. Sometimes it’s across the college library, a baseball cap pulled low over his hair as his eyes skim the reference numbers on the stacks.

Today, he’s sitting in the kitchen of the apartment she shares with her brother twisting open a bottle of water and swiping on a phone screen absentmindedly.

“Uh… hi?” Katara asks, her backpack sliding down her arm as she stops in the doorway.

He jumps, his hand squeezing the bottle in his hand as a reflex and sloshing liquid all over himself and the table. He looks up at her with his mouth open, water dripping from his hands as he stares.

She raises an eyebrow before huffing out a small laugh and shaking her head. Katara moves her arm, her fingers coaxing the water from his shirt and gathering up the pools from the table before bending them into the sink.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you…?”

“Aang!” He stands up, looks as if he’s going to reach out his hand to shake hers for a moment before pausing and pulling his hand back. “Sokka didn’t say anyone else was here - I mean I’m not a burglar - I have his keys! He told me to just meet him here?”

“And he gave you his keys because?” Katara asks, moving into the kitchen and dropping her bag onto a wayward chair. She leans back against the kitchen counter, crossing her arms over her chest and quirking an eyebrow.

“We’re working on a paper together and he said his fencing practise would run late tonight and I should make a start without him,” Aang replies. His eyes drift from Katara’s face to the phone in his hand and his unopened backpack in the chair next to him. “I swear I was going to start!”

“Clearly,” Katara laughs, trying to ease the tension slightly. “Don’t sweat it, I just wish Sokka would let me know when to expect strangers in my kitchen.”

“Have we met before?” Aang asks, tapping his finger against the corner of his phone case with a small frown. “It doesn’t feel like we’re strangers.”

“Maybe in another life?” Katara counters, reaching to pick up her discarded backpack. “I better get studying.”

“Yeah, sure, nice to meet you.” Aang watches her retreat from the room, her footstops tapping across the apartment. She can hear him huff out a small laugh. “Maybe in another life.”

#kataangvb #kataangtag #kataang #fanfic