---It's not a game anymore ---
---But don't stop, not yet---
Break Away
Spread your wings
"This is my kingdom," Aang told her, arms spread wide as he beckoned to the sky, "And now it's all yours.
Heaven
There when you need it
The stars stood out against the indigo sky as he asked her, "Do you think there's something out there?" and Katara nodded not because she thought there was, but because she knew he needed to hear it.
Innocence
Closest to perfection
"Why is there blood on this underwear, Katara?"; Aang held the spotted piece of clothing before him, puzzled, and only had a moment to accept shocked stares from his friends before Sokka snatched it away with an outraged cry.
Drive
And the fight lives on
There was a split second Aang almost pulled Appa over and told Katara to just give it up, they wouldn't ever be able to bring Toph back; the dependability in her eyes it the only thing that keeps him going.
Breathe Again
Don't stop
For a moment as he fell her heart nearly stopped; then he is back on his feet and her world can turn once more.
Memory
The past is gone, so leave it that way
"I had a mother, once," Katara told him, and he nodded not because he was sorry, but because he understood.
Insanity
Crazier than ever
There is a long pause, then, "You're worse than Bumi, Katara, it's just stupid to worry about stuff like that"; Aang almost expected her to slap him because they both knew it only natural to wonder.
Misfortune
Don't look behind you
"Everyone I love is dying," he spat; but it wasn't true, at least not yet – Katara was still alive.
Smile
Just a frown flipped
Aang stares at her at first and Katara wonders if he really has changed from the joke-loving boy of just a few weeks before; her doubts vanish the moment a familiar grin spreads across his face.
Silence
Awkward as ever
The quiet seemed to last longer than any before; Katara honestly couldn't say she was surprised – it was an unspoken that no one – even Aang himself – spoke of the Day of the Black Sun as possibly their last day on earth.
Questioning
And just not enough answers
"Will I ever know what my children look like?" – she whispered it to herself when times were bad, when they needed time to feel bad for themselves or wallow in self-pity; Katara was the only one who actually took that time to wonder about the future.
Blood
Doesn't come off easy
Aang stared down at the scarlet liquid on his hands in horror then back at the dead Firelord before him; the only thing that kept him from screaming was the awed and overjoyed look on Katara's face.
Rainbow
A treasure at the end
"Rain and sun together is an omen for peace," Aang told her as he gazed up at the sky; he could only hope that the real prize would be his for the taking when he finally reached the finish.
Gray
Because black and white aren't good enough
There was a sharp breath of intake from Sokka and a slight gasp from Katara as he said it; no one had dared ever question that the Fire Nation was evil, and that was that.
Fortitude
Keep strong while you still have the courage
"I'm not going, I quit," Aang screamed at her, tears running down both cheeks; "I give up, you hear me, give up!" and the only thing that stopped him from jumping off a bridge right then was Katara's arms enclosing around him and her voice murmuring words of comfort into his ears.
Vacation
We all need one
"I wish we could go somewhere nice for once," Sokka sighed, running his fingers through his hair and indicating the rotting old shack that would be their home for the night with one hand, "but that would be off schedule, wouldn't it?"
Mother Nature
The ocean's lullaby
"It rocks me to sleep," she murmured, letting the water slip between her fingers; "And if I concentrate hard enough, I can almost hear her telling me to slip back and let the water's song rock me to sleep."
Cat
The hunter creeps closer with every look away
"It's like us," Aang whispered, horrified, as the small beast ran off; "The mouse never even had a chance."
No Time
And clock ticks
Katara didn't even bother to tell him that a watched pot would never boil; Aang knew that every second wasted was another bit of sand slipped down the hourglass.
Trouble Lurking
Now you see it
For a moment Katara almost told him, "There's no one there, I'll be fine" but then she catches another glimpse of a deathly white mask and long, spindly legs and scoots just the tiniest bit closer.
Tears
Don't let them drown you
"He's dead," she sobbed into his shirt as his hands stroked her hair; "He's dead," and that was the first time Katara wished Aang could care little enough that he would just end her right then, right there, and make all the pain just stop.
Foreign
Strange on the tongue
"Chocolate?"; Katara wrinkled her nose as the brown substance soaked into her taste buds and promptly spit it out – "No wonder they don't make it anymore!"
Sorrow
Let it go before it's too late
"I'm so sad, Aang," she murmured, closing her eyes briefly, and was only just about to fall into the mercy of sleep when she felt a pair of lips brush over hers then draw away as quickly as they had come.
Happiness
Get it while you can
"It's so beautiful," Katara whispered, leaning her head against his bony chest; she figured she might as well drink up the flawless sunset before her while she could.
Under the Rain
Calm before the storm
"Why are you doing this?" she choked out, staring at him; it was all Katara could do not to vomit at the sight of the self-inflicted cuts slashed all over Aang's arms and seeping out berry red blood, blood that he wouldn't be able to get back.
Flowers
So many colors to choose from
"Roses?" she quirked her eyebrow at him, then grinned – "Thanks, Aang, although I could have down without the beetles."
Night
Darker than ever
"A sky without a sun," she murmured, gazing up at it in awe; then Aang took her hand and everything fell back into place.
Expectations
Never stop trying
"I can't do it," he cried, plopping down on the ground; she gently smiled down at him – "Come one, Aang, give it one more go" – and suddenly things seemed a lot less hopeless and a lot more likely.
Stars
Nature's nightlight
"Come one, Aang, the fireflies are out!" – Katara laughed pulling him into the forest with her; all her could think that it was sure lucky Katara could see, because he had lost all sense of direction the moment her skin came in contact with his.
Hold My Hand
After all, it's free
"What is this place?" Katara asked out loud, horrified at the dirty and sickly inhabitants and even more so at the cruelty of the soldiers in charge; through the haze of moans and overwhelming pity, she can barely discern the comfort of Aang's hand as he intertwines his slender fingers with hers.
Precious Treasure
Hold on tight
"I love it, Aang," she whispered tearfully, holding the sea blue engagement necklace from the tips of her fingers, then spontaneously stepping forward to embrace him, "but not nearly as much as I love you."
Eyes
Window to the soul
Katara stared at him and Aang looked away, careful to avoid her searching gaze; that was the one thing he could never conceal from her, and unfortunately, it was also sometimes the most important thing to hide.
Abandoned
Left behind
"How could you leave me?" she screamed, eyes pressed shut and hands balled into tiny fists at the gravestone in front of her; "You liar!"
Dreams
Never stop chasing them
"I wanted…to see a dragon," Katara hacked out, eyes fluttering closed for a moment as Aang's arms supported her further and his gaze grew terrified; then he was pointing to the sky at a dark shape overhead, choking out from behind his tears, "Look, Katara, you got your wish come true."
Rated
Old or young, it makes no difference
"They have a death competition for fun?" she spat angrily, "And only for ten and up – let me tell you, by the time I was ten, I could stomach a lot more blood then this."
Teamwork
Not just a word but a way of life
"Work with me here," Katara punched him in the shoulder playfully and Aang smiled before straightening up once more; "Yeah, we're pretty good together, aren't we?"
Standing Still
A moment wasted
For a moment she recalled those last few seconds in the battle, and Katara whimpered and pulled her legs closer to her body, shivering – three simple words, why couldn't she have said them while there was still time?
Dying
The other side of the coin
"Hold on, there's got to be water somewhere," Katara says desperately, casting her eyes around for some liquid, any liquid with the capacity to heal; she only pauses in her search when Aang manages to croak out, "Leave it, Katara – death if the other side of life, and trust me, I've had a lot more than my fair share."
Two Roads
Two choices
"Which way?" Aang mumbled, holding the map in confusion; "This makes no sense!" – his frustration vanished the moment Katara reached over and flipped the drawing from upside down to right side up.
Illusion
So hard to tell the difference
"It's not a fraud, we're not a fraud," she screamed at him; "Why are you acting like this?" and it was only then Aang realized he really didn't know.
Family
Trust because you want, not because you must
"I believe you, Katara," he assures her as she stares blankly at the ground, a torn scrap of cloth clutched in one hand, but he cannot help but realize that Zuko, as he knew him, would not just leave of his own accord.
Creation
Yours to nurture
"It's our child, Aang," Katara whispered, gazing down in adoration at the newborn girl in her arms; "It's all ours."
Childhood
You can't get it back
"Look at this little thing!" he exclaims, dangling the toy in front of her before setting down to give it a go; Katara longs for the days when she, too, could be distracted by a spinning top and a reassuring smile.
Stripes
Nobody's perfect
The paint was cool on her cheeks as Aang brushed his dripping fingers across her face, creating three parallel lines, and Katara was barely able to sniff, "War paint" as a show of nonchalance, as if she didn't know full well that this could very well be her last few minutes with the one boy she had ever really fell in love with.
Breaking the Rules
After all, life is so boring
When Katara woke up after a night of overwhelming passion and skin on skin, the first thing she did was thank Tui Sokka couldn't complain, seeing as she was already twenty one; the second thing she did was decide that if anyone had a problem with this, she sure as heck wasn't going to listen to them.
Sport
Ready, set, go
"It's not a game," she told him, hair spilling around her shoulders; "Really, it's not" --- and then, suddenly, the space between Aang and herself was sealed, so that once more, Katara was enveloped in the safety of her lover's arms.
---It's not a game---
---But still one I'm willing to play---
Because as long as we're together...
That's all that matters.
To make things clear, I "borrowed" these themes from Twilight Rose 2. I hope you don't mind, Twilight...this isn't your challenge or anything, though (unless Kataang counts).
This is only the second Kataang oneshot I've done, so go easy on me, lol.
I'm not sure if it stinks, or if it's actually okay...will you tell me what you thought? Please?