"Aang, I think it's about time we have a talk."
The Avatar and Sokka were lounging on Appa's back as the giant flying bison was whisking them towards the Southern Water Tribe, where Katara and Kanna were eagerly waiting for their visit.
"But, Sokka, we always talk!" he responded merrily, playing with Momo who was jumping around his limbs.
"No Aang, this is a very special talk." The swordsman adopted his Wang Fire tone and even began rubbing his non-existent beard. "You are approaching a stage in your life that every boy must go through when he grows up. It is how a boy turns into a man, a tadpole turns into a bullfrog, a cabbage slug turns into a beautiful butter—"
"You mean puberty, Sokka?" Aang replied, not skipping a beat. He remained unconcerned as Sokka gaped at him like a fish, before quickly recollecting himself.
He cleared his throat. "Yes, that is correct. Puberty is a very important phase in your teenage years when your brain matures, hair—"
"—begins to grow under your arms, you become five inches taller after one night, and your brain sends messages to your gonads, signaling the production and release of a variety of hormones, such as testosterone and interstitial cell stimulating hormone, which causes your body to undergo many different changes," Aang finished, continuing his jovial antics with the flying lemur, who was now tickling the boy. He began to laugh light-heartedly, completely unaware of the serious atmosphere that was exuding off of his friend.
Sokka blinked a couple of times with wide eyes. He shook his head in an attempt to fling away confusion and asked, "Where did you learn all of that?"
"The monks at the Southern Air Temple made sure I was well-prepared for life when I grew up. They teach that to everyone!"
"Oh." Sokka could only remember an awkward moment with his Gran Gran, who pulled him aside one snowy day to tell him about how he was going to turn into a bulky, hairy beast that would have to be locked away from other girls. "Well since you know about that already…carry on," he finished lamely.
"Thanks Sokka," Aang said, but his merry voice was cut off by Momo, who began tugging hard on his ears. "Hey, hey stop that Momo!"
The 16-year-old just watched the wise, over-a-century-old Avatar struggle to peel a flying lemur from his head and couldn't help but let a small grin slide onto his face.
Don't let those wide brown eyes fool you. :)
Comments and critiques are super-loved. Let me know what you think!