Three chapters in one day. My creativity is running low now, so this is probably the last one for the day.
Chapter Seven
Forever and a Day
The next morning, Aang and I took the ashes and Appa up into the air. Aang explained to me that throwing the ashes into the sky and air was a traditional Air Nomad custom when somebody passed. It showed that the airbender would always truely stay an airbender—the wind was nomadic, and carried the fallen ashes away, away on a new journey. He did not shed one tear during the silent cermony, instead, wore a small smile, his eyes sad under the soft sunlight.
The trip back to the temple was quiet, except for Appa's occasional grumble. Aang was staring at the sky, his face solemn. The cermony was over, and so was the mourning, he had said, yet I knew that he would mourn for the rest of his life for his lost nation, as I would for my grandmother and parents. It's not something you can get over—of course, I knew that our losses were completely different. Aang lost his whole entire race, while I only my family. But it was the same in ways; his people were his family, and they loved him as he loved them.
Appa landed in the courtyard that held the statue of Monk Gyatso and the fountain. Aang's gray eyes rested on the statue, and instead of staring sadly like he had done before, he simply smiled and bowed deeply. I smiled, dipping my head slightly in a bow. I could tell Aang wanted to be alone before I even had to ask. He was most likely going to meditate.
I left him alone. It was still early in the morning; the sun had barely risen. The air was cool, yet was gradually warming. The others were still asleep, and probably would be for a couple more hours. I considered going back to bed, but dismissed it. It's perfect weather for airbending. I thought mischeviously. Work on your airball skills. You have to beat him fair and square one day! I almost giggled at the thought of me actually beating him with Aang letting me. Probably won't happen. I decided, but headed down to the vacant airball field anyway.
My eyes roamed the area, and my body slipped effortlessly into a stance. Breathing in slowly, I began my regular routine.
"How was your trip? I never got the chance to ask you," I inquired, my eyes flickering from the aurora lights straight ahead to Aang's face, which was calm and held twinkling eyes and a smile. We had been outside for at least an hour watching the beautiful lights dancing across the sky, gleaming different colors, such as greens, blues, and pinks. The stars blinked around the ever-moving lights, surrounding both them and the full moon above.
Aang shrugged. I was leaning against the crook of his arm, right by his heart, his arms around me protectively. We were both dressed in warm clothing, and out breath came out in small puffs of air, "Nothing special. Meetings..." he stuck his tongue out, making a face, "I visited Olin, though."
The mention of my brother caught my attention. "Oh, really? But he lives far away from Ba Sing Se." I raised my eyebrow, pressing into him for more warmth.
He blushed, "You're very right."
"Did you even have a meeting? Or do you have a secret bromance with my brother?" I cracked a smile at my own words. Aang and Olin were close friends, though, yet the my statement was only a joke.
Aang laughed, "Funny," he poked my nose, making me wrinkle my nose, "Well..." He suddenly looked nervous, and lowered his eyes, "I didn't have a meeting. I...uh, had to ask Olin something."
Curiousity sparked in me, "Oh. What was that?" I wondered.
His eyes rested back on the aurora lights, and he seemed absorbed in them. "A very important question."
"I see," I drew on.
Aang exhaled lightly, his fingers drumming on the ground gently, "I asked Olin, because, well, your father isn't around..." He stalled.
I nodded, encouraging him on.
"I went to your brother to ask him...for your hand. In marriage." his face was growing red, "Because I love you, a lot, and you're the only one I've ever loved this much, and I just, really, really, really, want you to be mine...officially."
I was confused. Very confused. Thoughts buzzed through my mind—was Aang asking me to...—?
Aang swallowed loudly, "I guess what I'm trying to say is..." His eyes met mine, and he seemed so confident, so sure, "Vinca, will you marry me?"
I stared at him in confusion and shock, my body going numb. Did he just...ask me to..."W-what?" I stammered, my eyes wide.
He was grinning broadly at me, and swiftly pulled out a golden necklace. It looked like my mother's necklace that I didn't wear anymore—out of fear that I would lose the only think connecting me to my mother. The necklace's heart was much large than her's, though, and instead of my mother's name, in cursive, it read Vinca. Aang opened the locket, and inside was a picture of me, smiling.
My eyes flickered from the locket to Aang, who's grin didn't falter once. "Just think of this as my heart," he explain quietly, "You'll always be in it. Always. No matter what...I'll love you, forever...and a day." he chuckled, his eyes searching mine.
"Aang," was all I could manage to say, my words breathless.
Aang glanced back down at the necklace before up to me, "You never answered my question."
I blinked, meeting his eyes, "Of course—yes!" I cried, laughing happily, "Yes, yes I will marry you!" I was giggling, and Aang grandly swept me to my feet, laughing giddily.
Aang was speechless, only emitting laughter as he clumsily put the necklace on me. "I love you, so, so, so much, but you already know that, of course," he smiled, his eyes twinkling in joy.
I blushed, standing up on my tip toes, "As I love you. Of course, you already know that."
He grinned, as did I, and with a laugh, swept me once again into his arms, twirling me around happily, our laughter entwined as were our hearts.
AN: :') Yes, Vinca and Aang are now engaged...finally, lol. Tbh, I was a little sketchy on the marriage necklace. I didn't know what I wanted it to look like...but I'm honestly very, very happy with this chapter, and hopefully, so are you! Thank you all for the reviews and the like. Let me know what your thoughts about this story are! Review! :)