The sun shone brightly through the bedroom window. Aang opened one eyelid. Katara was still curled up next to him, like she was last night. Her hair was spread across the bed, covering what the blanket did not. Sighing deeply, he pulled her closer and buried his head between her shoulders. They stayed that way for several hours, until a knocking on the door woke them from what otherwise would have been a peaceful slumber.

"Can't two people enjoy their first morning together as a married couple?" Aang asked, sliding out of bed reluctantly.

He searched for his pants, which he couldn't find. He searched frantically for them as the knocking continued. Frustrated, he finally found Katara's wrap, which had been thrown on a nearby chair. Tying it around his waist the best he could, he opened the door.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Avatar Aang, but I have been sent to deliver a message." the messenger quickly bowed and held out a scroll. Aang took it and thanked the messenger, bowing in return. As he closed the door, Katara turned to face him.

"Who was that?" she asked sleepily.

"A messenger," Aang said, unrolling the scroll. "We've been invited to a ball...to celebrate our marriage. It's tonight."

"Tonight?" Katara asked, yawning.

"Yep," Aang replied, catching a glimpse of what Katara was hiding under the blanket. He untied her wrap and tossed the scroll aside. Grinning madly, he took a running leap onto the bed.

****

Later, as they cooled, Katara propped herself up on her elbow. She traced figure-eights on his chest, dazedly while Aang dreamily played with her hair, lost in his own thoughts.

"So when does that party start?" Katara asked, pulling Aang out of his thoughts.

"I dunno, probably evening sometime," he said rolling over and nestling his face in her chest.

She giggled.

"Hey now," she said, pulling him tighter. "I thought we were going to go. They're holding it for us, after all."

Aang sighed deeply.

"I don't want to go, I want to stay here with you. Besides, I can't find my pants."

"I think they're up there," Katara said, motioning to the curtain rod. Aang turned to look.

"Now how'd they get up there?" he asked.

"I think you airbended them off last night."

"Oh...I still want to stay here."

He cuddled into Katara and smiled.

"Can't we stay just a little bit longer?"

Katara smiled and brought her face to his.

When they finally made it to the party, it was dark.