With the new era of peace, things were easier.
Granted, there's not been a full year without the war, but no one could argue that without the worry of anyone storming into their home with threats, it's easier to breathe. Easier to trust. Easier to hope.
If anyone knew this, it was Aang.
He lost everything he knew as a child. He lost friends after awakening from the ice on his journey to fulfill his destiny. He lost faith in himself multiple times. However, the family he gained showed him not everything was lost. He had them.
He had hope.
Katara was right, he realized. He gave people hope. He gave himself hope.
He twirled a fire lily between his index finger and thumb, the petals making a wheel of orange and yellow. Momo's figure was visible from where he sat in the field; the lemur was flying around with a small group of Toucan-Puffins, making friends with the birds. Aang smiled, returning his attention back to the flower. In the setting sun's rays, the colors blazed like a tiny fire—earning its name fittingly, Aang assumed. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the calm air.
"Somehow, I knew I'd find you here."
His expression softened; he didn't have to turn around to know who was smiling at his back. The Fire Lord continued speaking. "I haven't seen you all day. I asked a few guards at the entrance and they said you left just after sunrise. I figured you'd end up here by the end of the day." The affection in his voice was evident. Aang inhaled deeply again, releasing his breath as he blew the petals of the fire lily into a small breeze. Zuko took a few steps and sat beside the monk, stretching his legs out in front of him. Aang noticed he was in casual wear, in contrast to the usual dress robes the Fire Lord was usually meant to wear. Then again, this is Zuko—and he's not in the palace at the moment.
Aang let the remaining stem of the flower float away with the gentle air current, the smile still in place. Zuko leaned back, his arms supporting his torso as he watched the flower be carried away. "I've come to appreciate these moments more than I would've two years ago," he murmured.
"Peace has made everyone learn to love a little more," Aang finally spoke, the wisdom of his past lives—and his own—weaving into his words.
Zuko turned his head, looking at Aang. When the boy's gaze turned to the firebender, his own smile grew as one found its way onto Zuko's face.
Zuko reached over, taking one of Aang's hands in his own.
"Thank you, Aang." His entire being filled with warmth. Aang simply gave Zuko's hand a gentle squeeze, before the two redirected their gazes to Momo and his new-found friends.