#spicier kataang in the links

[flameohotwife]

Alright, since it looks like I might actually finish this in time, here's a sneak peek at the next segment of Explorations (rated E), written for the prompt: Wait.

In the days and weeks that followed their return to the South Pole, Katara and Aang found a way to a new normal. They had discovered that if they timed their lunch right, they could meet up in her family’s hut while everyone else was out, and sneak in some coveted alone time. They never knew how much time they would have before someone returned, though, so they had been diligent about keeping clothes on and staying in common spaces, but it had been a welcome change. An opportunity to engage in hungry kisses and fleeting touches that they hadn’t before.  It wasn’t enough—and each encounter left them charged, electric—but it was much, much more than they’d been able to get in the South Pole before. They had discussed their next move on the flight back to the South Pole from Cranefish Town: Aang wanted to use his mouth on her. She had seen him fully now, and even gotten to use her hands on him, but he hadn’t yet seen her. When he’d told her how much the smell of her arousal turned him on, and how he wanted to taste her the way she had tasted his release, Katara hadn’t known what to think. She didn’t think they would have an opportunity for it before their next trip, anyway, whenever that would be. But she often went to bed dreaming about it. ... She [walked into Appa's stable, where Aang usually slept, looking] behind her to make sure no one was watching, but the village was blessedly empty thanks to the hunt. Katara thanked every spirit for this opportunity as she discreetly bent away her snowy footprints and erected a door of frosted ice. Appa groaned and extracted himself from beneath Aang. He stomped over to the pile of hay that they had brought back from Cranefish Town for him and took a giant mouthful.  Katara smiled at the sky bison, but the next moment her breath hitched as she saw Aang roll over onto his back momentarily, pants tented and calling for her. “Kataraaaa,” he groaned, before rolling to his other side and curling up again in the snow. His eyes had never opened—was he actually awake? Or was he dreaming about her, this time.

Show Us Your WIPples

A little more than two weeks before Kataang Smut Weekend! Where are you at in your prompts? Tag us with a peek.

[impossiblycolorfulpanda]

The narrative foils between kataang and azulaang

It's clear that Katara and Azula uncannily contrast each other, almost more so than either do with Zuko or Sokka.

Another thing that can foil each other is their dynamic with Aang.

Kataang is solely based on a kid having his first cute little crush. The romantic coding is primarily from Aang's perspective and we're supposed to root for him. That all changed when the chakra session came. The heart chakra deals with love and it shows Katara's face upon opening it, but later, it's revealed that his romantic love is what blocks his last chakra.

Why must this be? Well, there is more about love than just the romantic variation. He's not asked to trade happiness and love for perfection and power, having both is optional.

By the end of season 3, Aang and Katara conveniently become more distant. Aang unintentionally acts almost self-righteous to Katara, causing her to reject the philosophy of forgiveness and second chances. Aang acts more desperate and entitled to Katara's love. He acts unreasonably jealous over exaggerated dialogue from the ember island play, which is strange because he didn't act this way with Jet. The last conversation they have for the rest of the series is about them fighting.

When they addressed their differences by the time they make out is never revealed. By the end of Aang's saga, his light chakra and cosmic chakra stayed closed.

...

Now, Aang and Azula never had a chance to have any romantic moments but if they were to, it'd be very different from Kataang.

They were the most hostile enemies to the point Azula had no problem killing him but it wasn't personal by any means.

For a while, I came up with a thing where, by the time Aang had completely opened all chakras, Azula and Aang became spiritually linked/connected/bonded due to Azula being a descendant of Aang's past life, Roku, and/or because Ozai's true identity is Vaatu himself in the case of my dark avatar Ozai AU.

Why this bond didn't happen when he opened his last chakra the first time could be because his fire and light chakras weren't fully opened by then.

In any case, this bond allows each other to intuitively know each other's experiences, draw each other closer, and even have only a piece of each other's personality. Aang will know when Azula lies better than Toph can and vice versa.

You know the close dynamic the show tries to frame Aang and Zuko into having? It's the same with Aang and Azula but even more intimate. Any romantic feelings Aang can potentially develop for Azula and vice versa are much more mature, nuanced, and spicier.

They show each other truths that were denied before: Azula helps Aang figure that he and the monks have taken FN lives. Aang eventually talks Azula into opening and mastering her chakras and she bestows herself the title; The nomadic Phoenix Queen.