Katara kissed Toph without touching her, only pressing her lips lightly to Tophs. When her skin touched Tophs, Katara thought of deepening the kiss, and of putting her hands on Tophs shoulders. The chances were taken from her when Toph twitched away, turning her head and pursing her lips with a furrowed brow. Before Katara could speak, Tophs brow smoothed, though her smile did not return.
What do I look like when I earthbend? Toph asked. Kataras mouth fell open, and it took an effort that closed a vice in her chest to speak without sputtering.
You look beautiful, Toph, she said, a weight coming to rest on her shoulders. She took a breath, looking away and closing her eyes against the sting that had begun to build in them. You look beautiful.
***
This is one of my favorite moments in this fic (there are a lot of favorites, so that's not saying much ) both for the wonderful, emotive sensitivity in Shinji's writing and just for the representation of a moment like this, when you take a leap and it doesn't quite turn out how you wanted. Too many fics have the love interests "hook up" too soon. It's the anticipation and rising tension that makes a fic memorable.
I felt like changing Katara's hairstyle a bit. And I'm kind of re-working how I draw profiles, so, that's in transition, if Katara looks strange (which she does to me ) I'm most happy with the last two images. I know it doesn't say Katara cries in the fic. I took some creative license there. Sue me! :3
Also, is that Mr. Bean in your icon? XD
And yes! That is Mr. Bean as my icon! :3