A/N: Thank you to Kassie, my beta reader for editing this! Also, thank you to oreocheesecakes for the prompt ideas!


He couldn't take it anymore. Being the Avatar was beyond taxing. The work was slowly turning him into the husk of a young man. What was life again? While he was only eighteen years old, Aang felt more like one-hundred and eighteen-but right now, he wasn't the Avatar. Aang was just another nobody lost in crowd.

There was a twinge of guilt for playing hooky on his Avatar Duties, but both Fire Lord Iroh and Monk Gyatso suggested that Aang take a vacation. A month long vacation. He didn't know what he would do for a month to fill up his time as he was usually in meetings. Aang still felt conflicted about taking his eyes off the world, but both older men assured him that if anything needed his immediate attention they would send for him right away via messenger hawk.

Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, Aang felt like he was able to breathe like he was a kid again: carefree and without worry. It's been a while since he felt that way, he realized. By the time he was thirteen years old he had mastered all the elements, prevented a terrible war, and even saved his people from genocide. He saved the lives of hundreds of thousands-including the life of Fire Lord Sozin by granting him the mercy! Aang saved the world and ensured that millions could live their lives peacefully, but he never got the chance to live his. When could he retire? Oh wait: when he died!

Sensing old bitter feelings about being the Avatar resurfacing, Aang forced them away. He was on vacation now as a simple nomad touring the "world". Though he would only be staying in one place (or close to said place), his good friend Prince Zuko suggested he retreat to the Ember Islands in the Fire Nation. The soft white beaches surrounded by tropical jungles hiding roaring waterfalls made it the perfect place to put his feet up (and of course, save the world if needed).

Landing with Appa a few hours before, Aang learned that tonight was the beginning of a month-long local lovers festival. The island spirit Lao would connect two strangers with an spiritual red string signifying an unbreakable bond. Though Aang was unsure if he wanted to marry or not, he was excited to see the festival as the whole island was buzzing with energy. Maybe the spirit would need help from the Avatar in matchmaking if he was lucky!

Jumping down from his balcony, he slipped on one of the red grinning masks that was traditional of the festival. That was part of this lover's festival event, he noted, the act of wearing displayed one's heart instead of one's beauty. Slipping into the crowd, the atmosphere electrified him due to everyone's enthusiasm. Smiling broadly under his mask, he happily and slowly began to explore the stalls. He lightly ran his fingers over fabrics and glasses. Aimlessly doing nothing never felt so wonderful. Momo sat on his shoulder chirping and chattering playfully. In a crowd of people looking for everyone but the Avatar, Aang relished in how weightless he felt as he was able to temporarily let go of his title.

After spending a couple of hours looking at the the stalls and picking up a toy for Momo, Aang sat contently snacking on spicy fried tofu. He leaned back against the palm tree he found and relaxed. He kicked off his shoes and the grass lightly tickled the soles of his feet. There was nothing better than feeling the heat on his tongue and listening to Momo rattle the toy's bell. When the evening began to pick up he turned his attention to the large dance floor in the plaza near his tree.

The music was loud. Much like the Fire Nation, the band players played with gusto and passion. The drummers thundered away causing it to feel like Aang's heart skipped a few beats. The Tsungi horns and wind instruments wove a jolly and joyful spell that moved curious pedestrians onto the dance floor. The sitar and mandolin players brought spurts of energy and vibrancy as they helped harmonize the music. But what was most lively was all the people clapping, shouting, and laughing. They constantly switched partners-looking for that special person they would make an unbreakable bond. They danced faster and faster until they were slightly out of breath, but their expressions remained bright and animated. The air smelled like humidity and sweat, but it only added to the atmosphere.

While he loved dancing, there was something beyond enchanting watching the masked prospective lovers dance. With an afterthought, he realized it was romantic. Aang sighed contently against the tree again enjoying seeing romance unfold before his eyes. A bit on the outskirts of the dancing stood a group of four people each wearing colors from the nation they hailed from; one woman and three men. Chuckling, he observed that the Fire Nation woman was being fought over between the men from the Watertribe and Earth Kingdom. While the men argued, the woman quietly grabbed the hand of the Air Nomad and snuck off into the crowd. The other two were still oblivious that the woman had made her choice and continued to be in a heated discussion. Aang let out a hearty laugh and was curious if he knew the nomad, but nonetheless congratulated his brother silently. He prayed that Lao would connect them if that was in their hearts.

As much as he loved spicy food, Aang's mouth began to burn. While he was looking for his pouch of water, he heard screaming. Noticing his vantage point on the ground was poor, he jumped a bit onto the palm to scan the crowd. He thought that maybe the arguing men found the woman and the air nomad, but to his shock, a young woman wearing blue was being chased by two large men. She weaved in and out between people in the crowd like water flowing through cracks. Behind her, she was leading another young woman in green who wore a yellow mask. While the first shouted "pardon me", "excuse me", and "sorry", most people were still caught off guard as she sped past them. Her chasers on the other hand shoved men and women out of their path. Aang sighed-there was no rest for the weary.

He waited until the women made it out of crowd before he would defend her. Despite being on vacation, he would not leave an innocent person-let alone two women-in their time of need. He hopped to the ground and a few seconds later the young woman in blue burst through the crowd with the one in green trailing behind her.

"Hey!" The first one yelled. They made eye contact and her eyes screamed with ferocity. "Is that your water?" Aang looked to his jug of water and gave a quick nod, slightly perplexed. "Well, I'm going to borrow it!"

Uh. What?

With an afterthought, she added, "Thanks!"

Instantly, his jug erupted and the water went to her aid. The one in blue motioned the one in green to stand behind the palm tree. The silver masked woman guarded her friend.

Shaking his head, Aang went to stand protectively in front of them, "Don't worry, I can protect you," he said as he peered at the more brazen one from the corner of his eye, "you're in good hands."

She moved to his side until they were equals, "I'm sure," she said tightly, "but I'm a bender too if you didn't notice."

He didn't get a chance to retort as the two men charged out of the crowd towards them. The air was thick with tension as a crowd formed around them. One of the men wearing a dark green mask shook the ground with Earthbending, but the woman in the silver mask instantly froze him. Aang had never saw water move that quickly-inwardly, he was very impressed.

"Hey!" she shouted, "Lay off! We weren't interested!"

The frozen Earthbender scowled, but he slurred his words, "What? You think you're too good for us?" His friend took up an offensive stance.

Aang held up his hand, "Wait," he said with authoritatively, "Let's talk about this like adults."

Looking to his left, the silver masked woman did not seem pleased, but she melted the ice from the Earthbender. "Fine, we can talk about this like adults," she said. The girl in the yellow mask slowly crept right her and grabbed her hand, "I found these two idiots harassing this poor girl when she said she didn't want their advances!"

The man who wore a light green mask, let out a loud laugh, "Oh? Are you trying to paint us the bad guys? You're the one," he pointed to the waterbender, "who hurt my friend's wrist here real bad!"

The yellow masked girl finally spoke up, "But that was after he grabbed my wrist and refused to let go! He was hurting me!"

The dark green masked man pointed a finger at the women, "Its a lover's festival! You're supposed to be making connections!"

Aang noticed that the silver masked woman was getting riled up again and decided to end the situation. Facing the men, "You can't force yourself upon any woman no matter the circumstances!" The men started to object, but the Avatar pressed his lips together, "And that includes lovers' festivals like this!"

The man in the dark green mask wanted to fight more, but his companion urged him to let it go. With that, they began to walk away. Well, that went better than he originally thought.

Turning to face the two women, Aang smiled under his mask, "I'm glad you're both safe."

Tension seeped away from both women's bodies and they embraced each other in a hug. The silver masked one turned to face him, "Thanks for diffusing the situation," her voice was much kinder now, "I'm pretty sure I would have beat them to a pulp," she joked.

Momo found his way back to Aang's shoulder as he walked closer to the women, "Well, I don't doubt that, but I'm happy that everything ended well."

The yellow masked woman let go of her friend and bowed to him, "Thank you so much, sir."

Feeling bashful Aang started to rub the back of his head, "Oh, it was nothing." He paused and tossed some lichee nuts for Momo to catch, "Do you both want to go back the festival?"

The silver one shook her head, "I think I'm just going to escort my friend home. We've had a long day."

Aang nodded his head with agreement, "Well, I'll walk with you."

It seemed like women were about to say something, but suddenly the world went dark.


He was walking, but he didn't know where he was going. The destination was of little concern to him as he was tugged forward by a red string tied to his wrist. At least he wasn't completely lost as the string guided him towards something. The path was silent save his footsteps that beat softly upon the cold soil. Aang really didn't know where he was going, but then twine thickened into a rope and pulled him into a run. The faster he ran though his lungs began to burn and a pressure was building at the base of his skull. He tried to jerk his hand away though it failed as the red rope now engulfed his entire hand. Propelling him forward still, the rope went lax when he reached an edge of a cliff overlooking a deep and wide canyon.

Darkness shrouded his peripherals, but across the canyon on a higher cliff stood a womanly glowing figure. Breath hitched in his throat as he saw her. Though he couldn't actually see what she looked like, to him she was the most gorgeous thing he ever saw-he just knew it. He realized that the rope lessened to a silken string and that it connected to the figure across the way where he felt her gaze upon him. Her stare pierced through to the core of his soul and Aang felt overcome with unknown yet positive emotions. Her name whispered from his lips as he heard her call for him. Never taking their eyes off each other, they both began to close the distance between them by walking in mid-air. Truly defying gravity, the airbender accepted without question that he would break any natural law to reach her. They were almost close enough so that he would be able to make out her features, but she stiffened in hesitation. Noticing her hesitation, he stopped walking and remained afloat in the darkness. She pressed her lips together and turned away from him.

Aang started to chase after her, but at his first step, he began to fall. He tried to grab the red string to pause his descent, but he was as heavy as a fishing weight to the line. As he fell, the woman raced back to the cliff. She grew tiny in the darkness yet she still shone like a small glimmering star. Before he reached the bottom, he made a wish to see her again.


Aang woke with a start-his heart pounding heavily in his chest to a darkened room. He recognized that he was in the bed at the inn he rented and was safely on the ground. Dreams about falling were not his favorites. After coming to his senses, he felt a sudden rush of pain surge through his head and he cried out, cradling his head in his hands. Momo woke up from the foot of the bed and started to screech (which didn't help either).

Instantaneously, his bedroom door opened revealing a womanly figure illuminated in the light. He wanted to say she looked familiar, but he couldn't place where. Her identity was of little importance though as his senses screamed out in torture. She rushed to his side whispering softly that everything would be okay and that she would take care of it. With a soothing voice, she lifted glowing blue hands to both his forehead and to the base of his skull. Quickly, her cool touch washed away all the agony and sowed relief in its stead.

Her voice was quiet yet kind, "Is that better?" He nodded. She poured him a glass of water and placed it in his hands-her tan fingertips brushing his.

He mumbled his thanks. With large gulps, the water refreshed his dry mouth, "What happened?" He looked at her realized she looked really familiar when she stood in the light.

Smoothing out her blue dress, she sat in the chair by his bed, "It's been a busy night-for both of us," she paused, "though I guess its early morning now." She readjusted his pillows so he could sit more comfortably and gently pushed him back, "What do you remember?" Momo crawled into his lap realizing the airbender was okay.

He wasn't expecting a counter question, but he realized that it made sense as he still felt a little foggy. He got hurt somehow. Pausing momentarily, he remembered the woman, "You're the waterbender-the one in the silver mask!" He shouted as he sat up quickly, but immediately regretted as the movement was too sudden.

"Whoa! Careful." She leaned over the bed to steady him-a small hand on his back and the other on his arm. "But yes," she acknowledged, "My name's Katara."

Katara. Now that he was able to connect this healer to the woman from-he guessed-last night, he took a moment to study her. He was surprised by her features. She was on the cuter side of beautiful like almost something precious. She had a friendly face with large blue eyes. She even had slightly large ears that were quite endearing as she tucked some hair behind them. The woman last night was so powerful that he thought she would resemble someone like Azula or Mai, but now he had also met her gentle hands. He had to admit, Katara was a very interesting person.

She noticed his stare and became concerned, "Are you okay…?" She didn't know his name he realized.

"Oh! I'm fine-just thinking," he quickly added, "I'm Aang."

Laughing, "Nice to formally meet you." Pausing for a second to become more serious, "Okay, okay. What else do you remember? Try your best to remember," she encouraged.

Taking a deep breath, memories from the previous night flooded his mind. He told Katara about how he was enjoying the festival with his lemur and the men who fought over the fire nation woman. Katara escorted another woman out of the crowd as they were being chased by two men and Aang prevented a fight. Afterwards, he remembered how he and Katara were about to escort the woman back to her hotel, but he drew a blank.

"That's all I remember," Aang admitted. Katara's expression looked positive.

"Not too bad," she said, "You remembered a good amount."

"So what don't I remember?"

Shifting slightly uncomfortably, she reached up and grabbed some of her hair, "Well, you don't remember getting a rock to the back of your head." She looked down to her lap, "I'm so sorry I got you caught up in that, Aang."

He threw off his covers and Aang swung his legs over the bed to sit up right. His knees almost touched Katara's, "No reason to be sorry," he grinned, "I was going to help you anyway!" He rubbed the back of his neck, "When I first saw you running with the girl in the yellow mask, I was about to do anything to protect you both, but you really surprised me." He looked at her straight in the eye, "I mean it, you're really powerful and neither of us knew that that Earthbender would come back."

Nodding her head, "Yeah, that's true." Silence creeped into the room, "Well, you are feeling much better, yes?"

"Yeah, I feel great. Thanks for healing me."

Katara stood up, "Of course. It was the least I could do, but I should get going." She picked up a pitcher of water from the nightstand, "Anyway, I gave the innkeeper my address. Let me know if there are any complications."

He moved to get up, "Let me walk you...as a way of saying thanks."

Katara shook her head and forced him back to the bed. She placed the covers back over him, made sure he was comfortable, and tucked him in, "You need to rest. Healer's orders."

"Um, right. Of course. I'll do that," he sounded embarrassed.

When she reached the door, she turned towards him and smiled, "Good night. And Aang, take it easy."

He watched her leave, "I will. Good night, Katara."

She shut the door and Aang was in the dark again.


At Katara's orders, Aang slept most of yesterday. He could have sworn that the waterbender came back in the afternoon and checked on him, but Aang bet it was just a foggy dream. He was too embarrassed to ask the staff if she came back as well.

Today, he just rested. The innkeeper, a humble man named Wei, refused to let him do anything. Overall, there was no pain-Katara really had a healing gift. Wei brought him books to read and his meals to eat. While Aang did plan on resting, being cooped up in his hotel room was not the plan.

Noticing he had reread the same sentence about five times now, he gave up reading his book. He thought about writing Zuko and Iroh, but that took much energy. Now that Aang was just Aang, he learned the concept of too much time. He felt like he couldn't win. When he's the Avatar he's burned out, but when on vacation there was just too much time.

After spending some time with Appa, Aang returned to his room and stared at the ceiling. Momo rested on his belly and the Avatar mindlessly stroked the lemur's fur. He was bored out of his mind and the only thing that caught his attention-or rather person-had not returned for a visit. But tomorrow would be a new day.