Edit: Comic version here: http:// grayraindrop. Deviantart. com/art/Expectations-164524592
Expectations
From the moment he was born, everyone 'knew' Ruto would do great things. Some said he would master water, others said fire. Some even said both. People watched him constantly to be the first to notice his talent, before he even old enough to know what was happening. Of course he was a bender. He was just a little late, that's all. But once he started, he would be great. Because of course he was a prodigy.
After all, just take a look at his family.
His mother had taught waterbending to the Avatar. His father had mastered every firebending technique under the sun. His aunt and uncle were warriors, born and bred. So it was obvious Ruto would be great too.
The only question was, which element?
And so, Ruto's parents decided to test the boy, once he was old enough. On his sixth birthday, his mother took him to the beach. She called up a wave with her hands, bent it toward the boy, and told him to try and stop it. That did not end well. He nearly drowned, and from then on, he was cautious around all forms of water.
When he turned six and a half, Ruto's father set up a row of candles on the table in front of him, and told his son to make the burn higher. The boy stared at the flames with such intensity, his eyes began to sting. But still nothing happened. Starting then, he avoided looking directly at candles, because they made his eyes water.
Of course, his relatives got in on the plan. His aunt wanted to try and teach the boy how to use a fan, but Ruto's uncle protested, claiming men don't use fans. Then his aunt reminded his uncle that he had once used a fan. And so, Ruto looked on as his aunt and uncle argued, learning many new words in the process, until his mother dragged him away, horror on her face. (Though Ruto decided words were some of the deadliest weapons.)
A few days later, Ruto saw his uncle again. Only this time, the man had a black eye and a boomerang. Holding up the shiny piece of metal, he explained that this, the boomerang, was the best weapon there was. When the boy tested it out, his uncle earned a good knock in the head for his troubles.
And so, at age seven and a half, Ruto had shown no promise at anything his family had tried to make him do. His parents had almost given up hope when a long-lost relative arrived, armed with a kettle and a bag of leaves.
And the boy took to them right away.
His great-uncle started him with smaller things, but Ruto's eagerness could not be controlled. He soon took over a small corner in the palace kitchen, and claimed it as his own. Amused by the boy, the cooks did not protest. However, it was Ruto who had the last laugh when noblemen began asking for his tea, and not the royal cooks.
His mother and father watched his progress with joy.
And though she had longed for a waterbender, and he had yearned for a firebender, neither one could say they were disappointed. And, watching their son at the kettle, brewing like he was born to do it, with his great-uncle looking on, they were proud.