Disclaimer: Neither Avatar: the Last Airbender nor its characters belong to me, nor will they ever

Okay.

So I didn't react the way they all expected me to.

That's all right, I guess.

I know I'm kind of the—oh, I don't know—stick in the mud of the group, especially when it comes to my sister. But I'm a funny stick. I make them all laugh—and roll their eyes—they can't deny that.

Anyway, back to what I was saying, let me just tell you this: I knew. I so knew. I'm practically a ninja warrior; did they really think they were sneaking around without my knowing? Please.

Now, if I hadn't known, that would be another story entirely. I would have flipped, and not even the Fire Lord, in all his regal glory blah blah blah, would have been able to escape my wrath. Ha! He wishes!

So, naturally, I did freak out when I discovered the two of them. At first, I thought they were just sitting out on the grand balcony of Zuko's palace. (I'm only a little jealous of the palace; I'm really jealous of all the food he has lying around all the time!) I thought they were just sitting, you know, like, sitting, and I was on my way out to inquire the status of my post-dinner meal, when I saw it.

I had the urge to gouge my own eyes! But I couldn't decide if I wanted to do that or strangle the Fire Nation ruler with my bare hands more. So I just stood there.

I was struck dumb.

I know. There's a first for everything I guess.

When I saw my baby sister sucking face with the Fire Lord, I nearly lost my cookies. Literally. And that never happens.

There they were, though. It was no production. No fireworks went off. Katara didn't stand and slap him senseless—like she should have! There was no awkward groping or-or anything else, for that matter (thank the spirits!). They just…kinda came together.

After I got over the initial shock, I let myself think for a moment before I fetched my boomerang. Although the image of my sister with anyone set my blood boiling and awakened my bloodlust, I guess she could do worse—she has done worse (Jet, and Haru, I mean; not really Aang).

Anyway, I let myself think…really think. He was a good fighter. He had an almost obsessive sense of honor. And he was ridiculously wealthy. "Fire Lord," remember?

Yeah, Sis could do a lot worse.

Besides, she's grown up. I may always be her over-protective big brother, but I see her for who she really is, who she's become: a strong, courageous woman, capable of taking care of herself…for the most part.

That's why I didn't attack him and roast his innards over an open fire. Because I know she can take care of herself.

And there was something else, something else in my sister's demeanor and her eyes. I'd noticed it before, but I hadn't recognized it, at least not for what it was. After "the incident," however, I knew. And I'm…happy for her.

I'll support her.

I just hope she knows what she's doing.