He did not know how he knew this. It was a knowledge that resided deep within his innermost chakra, hidden in the recesses of his sole, so deep and hidden that Aang could not even trace the source of this inert awareness. What he did know was simple. Basic. Reality. Fact. Some would call it legend, superstition, a prophecy…a whim. But it wasn't. It was true. In every sense of the word.
And from the moment he'd seen him, he'd known. Suddenly, and overwhelmingly. Powerfully and shockingly, he'd know. The second he'd looked into those bright, golden amber eyes, the floodgates of this hidden chakra had opened, releasing a near-drowning flood of information. A series of images had passed before his eyes, each of his past lives, each past Avatar beside their loved ones. Loved one. Only one thing stood out in these images-the golden eyes, bright and loving. There where a few past lives without any company, and here, their eyes stood out – stark, longing, somber and resigned. Aang didn't want to be that, didn't want his eyes to reflect their pain. He wanted the glowing happiness of each Avatar along side the golden-eyed lover. He wanted that. He wanted him.
Him. The imposing, fear inspiring, awe-inspiring teenager, who commanded the respect, the fear of these cruel Firebenders. The teenager who stomped gracefully across the snow like he owned it. The teenager who wanted him caught.
Aang knew, that moment, who exactly this boy – this Prince Zuko – was. He was not doomed Prince, no tyrant-to-be, no cruel heartless bastard. This Prince Zuko…he was his soul mate.
Aang knew, that moment, that he would have to wait. Wait like every Avatar before him, wait for his soul mate, for the time they could- would be together.
His other half may have been the feared Son of Firelord Ozai, but he would not become a feared Firelord, he would be Cachi-Ai-Livia, bringer of peace, love and balance. But before his soul mate could save him, Aang needed to save Zuko. He would lead and protect anyway possible. He would play his mate's game, he would fight and he would protect, he would lead and he would follow, he would guide and he would wait.