Arrival

It was nearly the anniversary of the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai and Aang wanted to do something special for his friends. He was spending most of his time with Katara at the Southern Water Tribe when he suggested it to her one day.

"Like a vacation or something, I don't know. We haven't seen them in a while." This was true; Katara hadn't seen her brother in a few months. She immediately sent a message to Kyoshi Island which she knew would be relayed to Suki and Ty Lee. A message was sent to Toph in Omashu, and another message was sent to Zuko and Mai, who were residing at the Fire Nation Palace. They were the couple that Katara had not seen in the longest time. Aang frequently made visits to the Fire Nation to talk with Zuko, attend meetings or to give advice, but Katara hardly ever accompanied him. Within a week, the dates were set for a vacation to Ember Island at Zuko's beach house.

Sokka, Suki, and Ty Lee were the first to arrive at the old beach house. Sokka at first had had trouble accepting Ty Lee, but she and Suki were close friends and the rest of the Kyoshi warriors seemed very fond of their newest addition. The three trekked up the mossy stone steps towards the house, but just before they were able to open the door, a great shadow passed over them. They looked up to see Appa gliding smoothly to land in the courtyard at the center of the beach house.

"Appa!" Sokka exclaimed. He shoved the door open, dropped his bags at the entrance, and then rushed into the courtyard.

"Appa!" He yelled again, then hugged one of the bison's huge legs, "I've missed you buddy." Momo flew down from the saddle. "And.. Momo! Oh Momo, I think I've missed you most of all!" The lemur cocked its head at Sokka.

"Um, Sokka?" Katara had lowered herself from the saddle along with Aang.

"Katara! Aang!" He hugged both of them. Sokka truly missed traveling with Aang and Katara. He had spent nearly every day of his life with them for over a year, and throughout the last year had only seen them a handful of times.

Suddenly a great crash was heard from outside of the house.

"That'll be Toph," Suki said, hurrying to the door. Ty Lee remained behind to greet Katara and Aang and to help them with their stuff. Toph was soon in the courtyard, and the place was filled with energetic talk and laughter.

"Guys! Come outside!" Sokka had gone to the front door to retrieve his stuff. The cluster of people made their way onto the stone steps.

"It's Mai!" Ty Lee cheered. She was correct; a very small Fire Nation ship was coming to a stop at the dock. Mai was standing stoically at the bow with her hands held in front of her. Zuko emerged from the ship, his hair down from its usual topknot. His face was happy and peaceful. He waved at his friends from the ship, a slight smile on his face. Mai's lips curved into a very small smile as well. She was feeling shy at the sight of the entourage that had come to greet them.

Mai and Zuko were helped into the house, and then everyone was out in the courtyard again talking and hugging. Ty Lee was the only one brave enough to throw herself at Mai for a hug. Mai appeared uncomfortable, but gave a short, quiet laugh and patted her friend on the back as a way of returning the hug. Eventually, Katara and Suki prepared a nice dinner and everyone went outside to eat around the campfire.

Aang was enjoying himself. He laughed at Sokka's jokes and appreciated Ty Lee's bubbly energy. But then, he became uncomfortable. He noticed that Sokka had his arm around Suki and she would sometimes rest her head on his shoulder. He noticed that Mai was leaning on Zuko and he was looking at her in a way that clearly said he could not get enough of her. Aang glanced sideways at Katara. She was laughing at a comment that Toph had made. She looked so pretty when she was laughing. The way the fire danced in her wide blue eyes mesmerized him. He wondered, "Should I put my arm around her? Hold her hand? Gaze at her lovingly?" But even saying those words in his head sounded awkward. Sure, he loved Katara. He had hugged her and held her hand and even kissed her. But not in public, not in front of all of their friends. He started to calm himself down saying that of course Sokka would put his arm around his girlfriend without thinking about it. Sokka was not shy nor was he subtle. And Mai and Zuko had gotten used to their affection being public, with him as the Fire Lord. But Aang still felt like he should just reach out and grasp Katara's hand. It was right there, right next to him. He could just put his hand on top of hers, just very casually-

But before he was able to, the plates were being picked up and people were meandering back towards the house to get some sleep. Zuko noticed that Aang was staying by the fire and remained seated as well. Mai picked up his plate and left. Soon it was just Aang and Zuko. The two had become very close friends. Aang's visits to the Fire Nation were refreshing and helpful, and Aang had taken a great liking to Zuko's leadership style.

Zuko began discussing the most recent plans for Republic City, the city he and Aang were planning as a way to reunite the four nations. Normally plans for the city excited Aang, but tonight, he was less than enthusiastic. Zuko stopped talking and began to peer at Aang interestedly.

"What's wrong, Aang?" Zuko had certainly become more perceptive during his year as Fire Lord. Aang sighed and looked at his feet.

"It's nothing. Really. It's stupid." He couldn't hold Katara's hand. He knew that he loved her, but he still felt so awkward around her.

"Girl trouble?" Zuko asked, a knowing look on his face. Aang looked up, surprised. Zuko let out a short laugh. "She loves you. You know that already."

"But, you and Mai, Sokka and Suki." Aang hardly had to organize his thoughts, but Zuko understood.

"Not all couples are the same. And different people perceive relationships differently. Part of it has to do with culture. From what I've heard about the air temples…"

"We were taught to seek love first and to not concern ourselves with the physical representations of love. Those are false." Aang recited. Zuko tilted his head.

"False?" he murmured curiously. "It's different in the Fire Nation. There is love, but there is a focus on passion and excitement, not always a good thing. Sometimes relationships become based on fear; there have not been many strong relationships in the Fire Nation. My parents, my grandparents. Even our relationship with the rest of the world has been weak. We handle relationships differently partly because of where we come from."

"Yeah, I guess. But that's not it. I kind of feel left behind almost, like Katara and I are trying to catch up to the rest of you, but we just can't. We're still so awkward in public." Aang sighed.

"You and Katara are still young. You have a lot of a good, strong relationship ahead of you. You don't need to rush." Aang noted that Zuko sounded a lot like his uncle when he was giving advice.

"I just feel like she expects.." he trailed off.

"Don't worry. She doesn't. And I know Katara, if she did expect anything more, she wouldn't just wait around. I think that both of you are happy how you are. And you should stop worrying." He smiled towards the doorway where Aang knew that Mai was waiting for him. "And I should go to bed, see Mai."

Aang bowed his head, "Good night, Zuko."

"Good night, Aang"