Author's Note: Well, I can't really help it if I like Zutara, but Mike and Bryan don't so much… Anyway, this is for Earthy if she's out there. Hiyaz, Earthy! I hereby submit this one-shot and Lotus together to make good on the bet about the shippings from forever ago. Hooray!
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.
The summer heat in Ba Sing Se had fangs. How else could it drain its victims' life energy so effectively without fangs to puncture the skin of their throats? Iroh sat in the corner of his empty tea shop, fanning himself. No one wanted hot tea on a day like this.
Zuko and Mai were on official business in the Fire Nation. Katara went shopping to divert herself from the heat. In the apartment above the tea shop, Toph, Suki, Sokka, and Momo were taking extended power naps. Aang, however, felt inspired.
Some holy muse had fought her way through the stifling heat to deliver a message to him, and after her trouble, she would not be ignored. Hence, his hand flew across the page furiously:
"Katara, Katara/ Goddess of the staras/ Your beauty shines like a light/ So much that I can't sleep at night."
Aang held the paper out in front of him to admire his handiwork. Not bad for a new poet, he congratulated himself.
"Hey, what's this?" The paper was snatched from his hands. His masterpiece was about to face the scrutiny of a newly awakened, rather cranky Sokka.
"Katara, Katara/ Goddess of the staras?" Sokka raised a skeptical eyebrow. Giggles erupted from Toph's corner of the room. Had she been awake this whole time?
"Your beauty shines like a light/So much that I… Aang, is this about my sister?"
"Um… No? Completely different Katara?"
"That's a lie, Twinkletoes!" Toph snorted.
"You? Katara? …AANG!" But Aang had already made his escape through the window.
Thus, Sokka discovered the true nature of his sister's relationship with the Avatar.