A/N
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Set right after Zuko's coronation?
Ty Lee bubbled with excitement as she strode eagerly way towards her assembled friends. With the war over and peace among all the nations, the ever-growing Gaang finally had some time for a vacation besides endless treks in the Shi Wong desert. Ironically, they had all been to Ember Island before but had missed each other by mere weeks. Her suggestion to return together to the island encountered little opposition.
She unfurled a roll to reveal a colorful swirl of colors plastered on the poster. "Guys, there's this great play that we have to watch!"
Aang's cheerful grin morphed into a frown in a blink of the eye at the unsettling sight. Oh no...
"Not this again!" he groaned unhappily.
While the rest of the Gaang murmured uncertainly among themselves, Ty Lee pulled aside Mai and whispered in her ear.
"I promise, the plays have gotten better since the war ended. A lot better...they're completely different from the ones we used to watch!"
"Ugh...well...fine. I guess I owe you one for saving me from Azula." She grimaced at the memory, but when she met the acrobat's gaze her face softened and she lifted her lips in a small smile.
Ty Lee kept her voice down to a whispering tone. "Let's split up. You convince Zuko, and I'll convince Suki. Then we can work our way around until everyone agrees."
Mai rolled her eyes at the mischievous glint in Ty Lee's eyes, but she wasn't about to turn down a little chance for some fun.
"Alright."
Their plan worked without a hitch, and by the time the sun began to dip below the horizon the Gaang and their friends were well on their way to the trademark theater. Being the honored guests that they were, the group got the best seats in the house for free.
Aang followed closely behind Katara as they walked single-file through the narrow aisles, hoping to make sure he actually got to sit next to her this time around. However, Ty Lee and Mai had sat next to Zuko on his right side, and the bench only had four seats per row.
Aang shook his head at the travesty and moved to earthbend a crude bench out of the marble, not caring if he destroyed the intricate pattern. As he lifted his foot to stomp down, however, Toph piped up in an irritated tone.
"Aang, is it that bad to sit next to me?"
Aang mentally groaned and cringed as he looked up into the Earthbender's pale green eyes.
"No, but I really want to sit next to Kat-"
"I see, loverboy. It'd be a shame if something were to...happento your seat." Toph's ears twitched as she leaned in closer. "I can't sit by myself next to Sokka...he's sicker than you are."
"Toph," Aang sighed, "love isn't a sickness. It's what holds us-"
"Come on, just this once? I'll give you a break from earthbending tomorrow so you can 'waterbend' with Katara."
Aang's heartbeat sped up at Toph's suggestion and he nodded his head eagerly. "Ok, deal."
He turned back towards Katara, who was gesturing wildly as she conversed with Zuko.
Toph felt his heartbeat speed up even more, if such a thing was even possible. Maybe it's because he can breathe more than normal people?
Toph tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the airbender to return. A cacophony of unrestrained affection had already began to assault her senses from her right, and she had never been one to sit idly by.
After a long wait, Toph sighed and roughly grabbed a protesting Aang from Katara's embrace. She could almost feel the goofy grin plastered on his face.
"Aang, you're doing the same thing Sokka's doing. Knock it off."
He groaned reluctantly and stopped wiggling in the bench. "Ok Sifu Toph."
Ty Lee eagerly accepted a brochure from an overzealous theater attendee, her eyes dancing excitedly as she skimmed the contents inside.
"This is going to be the best play ever!"
"I don't even know what we're watching." Mai suppressed a yawn. She was hardly enthused at her current situation, but it did beat immersing herself in the throngs of stuck-up young men or gushing fangirls (of Zuko, obviously) that had infested the beaches recently.
"Oh. It's called The Dragon and The Moon...by Pu-On Tim, of course. He makes all the best plays."
Mai sighed for what would surely be the first of many times that night.
