Everyone else was doing one, so here's my crack at it. An entire story based on nothing but the final Kataang Kiss, the moment that made enduring 3 seasons of Mike and Bryan torturing us worthwhile. I actually think that the scene in the finale was lacking, so this is also me attempting to rectify it. To see my entire thoughts on Kataang in the Finale (and the Finale itself), check out my essay collection. Be warned, it contains a great many complaints.

On with the story, then.

I do not own Avatar.

This time she initiated. She was the one to lean in place her lips over his. She was the one to pour everything she was feeling into him, and she was the one who marked the beginning of a life-long relationship.

It wasn't long, however, before Aang returned the kiss with double the emotion. His previous attempts at kissing Katara were short and desperate—just barely enough to get the message of love across. This one was long and passionate and, in a weird and innocent sort of way, sensual. After a moment-after Katara snaked her arms around his neck and after Aang wrapped his arms around her waist, and the real emotion started coming out.

All the love that they had held on to throughout the year was communicated in that one long kiss. As every one of their emotions played out, the love and anticipation and fear and adrenaline, the kiss had become more frantic and desperate. The arms around Katara's waist pulled closer, harder, as tightly as he could without hurting her. Katara's hands shifted from their position, one hanging idly over a shoulder while the other pushed on the back of his head, trying all she could to keep the contact of their lips alive.

The kiss was chaste, even in its length. There was no desire present, leaving the kiss as pure as the love which caused it. Their breath tickled their cheeks as they breathed through their noses.

They were anchoring themselves to each other. Making sure that the other would never leave, would never be taken from them. At that moment, Aang became Katara's, and Katara became Aang's. The world had taken enough from them. This was one bond that a war, the world, the Spirits would be unable to break.

They were happy. So happy. So monumentally overjoyed that they couldn't cry of happiness if they wanted to. Here they were, previously unable to revel in their love because of previous responsibilities to the world, eyes closed and reality slipping away as they held the kiss for seconds. Minutes. Hours? Time no longer had meaning. The love and adoration passed between them like a great torrent. They could spend the rest of their lives rooted there with no food or water, nothing to live off but this first (technically fourth) kiss, and they both would agree that they lived their lives in paradise.

Indulging in each other, as they were, both Aang and Katara failed to notice when Toph had walked out to the opening leading to the terrace, having felt what was happening through the floor. They also happened to miss the sight of the century—Toph was smiling. Not smirking, not sneering. She was full on grinning like an idiot. And they missed when Toph waved everyone over.

Sokka crossed his arms over his chest, but put on a knowing smile. Suki hummed an 'Awww' and put an arm around Sokka, resting her head on his shoulder, smiling and eyes half-lidded. Iroh closed his eyes and smiled whole heartedly, bowing his head in thought of passed love. Zuko didn't react as evidently, but his hand idly reached to grab Mai's. Mai, however, was the only one to seem entirely unaffected. She quickly glanced at all her new friends before turning back to the couple before them.

"What, they haven't done this before?" She questioned, tonelessly as always. "Every time I've seen them I thought they were a pair."

"No… But honestly, we've been waiting to see when it'd happen," Sokka answered.

"Judging by how long they're drawing this out, they have been waiting, too," Zuko pointed out.

"I think it's cute," Suki supplied. "I mean, I thought they were a couple when I first met them."

"I think it's cute, too," Toph smirked. "And by cute, I mean, 'I'm going to torture them for the next two months.'"

"In my many years of life, I have never met any two people so entirely enthralled by each other," Iroh commented on the couple before him. "Believe me; we are witnessing one of the purest loves we will ever see."

For as happy as he was for his sister and the Avatar, Sokka had to get a brotherly word in somewhere. "Pure or not, if I see his hands move any lower, I'm cutting them off."

Suki nudged him in the ribs and rolled her eyes. "C'mon. Let's leave them alone," She said, and then turned to enter the tea shop.

One by one they turned and re-entered the shop until the last remaining outside was Sokka. Suki turned her head when she didn't see him inside.

"Sokka?"

"You know," He started, quietly. "I always knew they'd end up together, ever since the beginning," Suki smiled. "But to be honest, I had thought I would be angrier," He shrugged. "For some reason I just feel proud of her. Of them."

And with that, he too withdrew into the shop. But not without a final glance to make sure Aang's hands hadn't dropped lower. Suki pulled him inside by the collar.

Not very long after that, Katara slowly pulled back, eyes tugging open. Aang leaned forward as his lips chased hers until they broke contact. He opened his eyes and righted himself, now gazing into the same beautiful sapphire eyes that greeted him as he awoke from his 100 year slumber. He felt his heart jump and couldn't tell if that was from the kiss or from her eyes.

"Wow," Katara breathed.

Aang nodded. "Uh-huh,"

"Did you think it would feel like that?" She asked, whispering.

"What, you mean perfect?" He saw Katara blush. "Yeah, I did."

"Aang?"

"Mm?"

"I'm sorry," She whispered.

"Sorry for what?" He asked.

"For waiting this long," She responded before seizing his lips with another kiss.

Oh, they could get used this.

A rather short read, I know, but it's just the right amount to not saturate it. I'll probably make this a multichapter Kataang-centric story that picks up right where the show left off. How convenient, that's what I want Mike and Bryan to do…

I also took the opportunity here to stab at the countless number of fics that for some reason portray Sokka to be upset over a relationship between Aang and Katara. As an older brother, I know I would just feel proud, but retain my protectiveness.