The air by the lake was calm, almost reverent, like even the wind didn’t want to interrupt. Katara stood at the water’s edge with quiet focus, hands moving in smooth, controlled motions. The lake responded instantly—rising, folding, and twisting into elegant ribbons that hovered in the air like living silk. Every movement she made felt effortless, like she wasn’t bending water so much as convincing it. You were completely still. Not even trying to hide it. Katara felt your attention almost immediately and sighed without looking over. “You’re staring again.” “I’m not staring,” you said too quickly. A pause. Then she finally glanced at you, one eyebrow raised, and the faintest smile tugging at her lips. “That was definitely staring.” You took a step closer anyway, eyes still tracking the water like it was impossible to look away from. “I just— I’ve seen you do it before, but it’s still… unreal.” Katara’s hands lifted slightly, and the water obeyed instantly, curling into a spinning arc above her palms. “It’s just waterbending.” You shook your head. “There’s nothing ‘just’ about it.” That made her pause for half a second longer than usual. Then, almost softly, she let the water settle into a slow, floating ribbon that drifted between you both—like she’d made it just to match your attention. “You’re kind of distracting,” she murmured, but there was no real complaint in it. “I’m not doing anything,” you said, voice quieter now. Katara finally turned fully toward you. The water stilled behind her. “I know,” she said. And the small smile she gave you this time wasn’t teasing at all—it was warmer.