Chapter One: The Letter.
By the time you read this, I'll be gone. Long gone. I've told everyone, they need to hide this from you until you start asking questions, until you're old enough to understand. I didn't want to leave- and I definitely didn't leave because of you. Even though you're only a few weeks old, I love you with all my heart. You're so precious, I feel as if one hit from a raindrop could snap you in two. I left this letter because I had to go, and I didn't want to leave you in the darkness. You'll grow up and understand eventually.
As you grow up, the Tribe will tell many stories of the Hundred Years War, and two people in particular will delve deeper than the generic tales. They'll tell you details of every hardship- every battle- every downfall. They experienced it first hand. They experienced it with me. I'm not only your father, but the Avatar. That's why I had to leave. I have many duties now, in the years post-war. The war ended only three short years ago, and I still have many things to resolve. It wouldn't have been fair to drag you and your mother along. One day I will come back. You'll be a lot older, and you'll realise why everything had to happen the way it did.
As your father, there are a lot of things I should be teaching you. Sokka, and the other men of the tribe will be able to help you with such things. I, however, am going to teach you one of lifes most important lessons through this letter. Not only am I writing this to help you, but to delay my departure. You sit here, sleeping, head resting on my lap. I don't want to leave this behind. Your mother is down by the river, teaching bending to little children. She'll teach you one day, too. She doesn't know I'm leaving, I couldn't bring myself to tell her, it would break both our hearts. I'll be gone by the time she returns home. All that will be left of me is this letter.
One of the most important lessons in life, is to follow your heart and never give up. Your mother will tell you of how we met. And our trip to the Northern Water Tribe. I'm going to tell you about the romantic aspect of our travels. A fortuneteller known as Aunt Wu once told your mother she'd marry a powerful bender. I heard the conversation, and decided to take it into my own hands to make it happen.
We first kissed after we left the North. On our way to Omashu. Ask your mother about the Cave of the Two Lovers. She'll tell you the story. We kissed then, because we believed it would help us find our way out. Looking back now, we were both using that as an excuse. Mutual attraction was the real reason we kissed. After the event, we never really spoke of it. When your mother didn't object to the kiss, it drove me to try again.
The next kiss was many months later, on the Day of the Black Sun. During the invasion, shortly before I left to find Ozai. I knew there was the chance that one of us may not return. I couldn't live with myself if I hadn't kissed her. Too many feelings would have been left unspoken. Yet again, nothing came of the kiss. Your mother acted as if it never happened.
Our next kiss was at the showing of The Boy in the Iceberg on Ember Island. I was mad at the show, for depicting a kiss between Zuko and your mother, and for depicting a non-romantic relationship between us. We spoke about our kiss at the invasion- I kissed her again, despite her telling me she was confused. I couldn't help myself. She was mad at me for that.
The next kiss we shared was the best of all. Shortly after the war ended, she approached me on the balcony of Iroh's teashop. We only had to look at each other before we were pulling each other into a kiss. This was the kiss that began our relationship. The kiss that reminded me of everything I'd been through to get this. It just shown me that no matter what, in the end, your heart will guide you home.
There are more stories I'd like you to hear about. The Desert and the Guru. Even though your mother will tell you many stories, I've asked her to leave those two for me to tell you when you're older. I can only hope she retains this agreement, even after I leave.
I should leave now, I have things to do. It breaks my heart to go, but I must. I love you and your mother with all my heart, Kuzon.
WOOHOO. First chapter. This is the letter Aang wrote to his son Kuzon (named for the friend Aang had as a child, I didn't wanna use a name from Korra for his kid, I have plans.) when he had to leave the Southern Water Tribe. I don't know where this fic came from, whatever. I guess I had the idea of a father writing to his son from reading Letter to Daniel in English class. I like the idea.
~Latiasos.