I wrote this while listening to "Here's to the Night" by Eve6. This also has Sukka. Enjoy!!
He sat there with a gloomy look on his face at the head of the banquet table siring around the salad that was made for him in his bowl. And I just sat there watching him prepare for the heartache of a lifetime. Nothing I could say would make this situation any better for him. There wasn't anything anyone could do for him. This time the Avatar was on his own preparing to for the worst battle he will ever have to face. He would be ripped apart, broken, shattered, left for dead and no one would be able to save him or protect him. The pain would be more than emotional- it would make his body ache from misery and loneliness all because she wouldn't be there with him.
His silence was irritating me. He was never like this. He was always so happy. Instead of being pitiful for himself, he should be enjoying the last moments he had with us- he had with her. I elbowed him in the arm. He jumped, startled, but broken out of his trance and he turned his head in my direction. I leaned over and whispered my idea in his ear. As he leaned back into his chair, he nodded and stood up. And with a clearing of his throat and a tap of a fork on a glass of water, silence fell upon the large crowd of friends, allies, and royalties from the other nations.
"I, uh, I have a toast to make…as the Avatar."
Suddenly all eyes were now on the 12-year-old peacemaker. He became somewhat nervous and fidgety.
"Here's to everyone who helped me make this day possible. Thank you for all you've done and all the risks you had to take to help me win this century old war. Here's to Firelord Zuko and his fiancé, Mae. Here's to Sokka for being one of the greatest worriors I've ever known. Here's to Toph for being the greatest Earthbending teacher. Here's to Katara for being the greatest Waterbending teacher. Thank you three for coming with me on my long journey. We've gone through so much turmoil together and you stuck with me the whole time."
Everyone thought he was finished, so everyone clapped and cheered. He looked down at me and I nodded signaling that it was alright for him to say one last thing. I cleared my throat and all stares were back on the Avatar.
"One last statement…or toast…no- it's really a question. Um, well what I'm trying to ask is, uh, Ka-Katarawillyoubemygirlfriendandcomewithmetothepalaceatthesouthernairtemple?"
Cheers were held in and eyes drifted to the young Waterbending Master to the right of the Avatar. Her face left it's natural dark tone to a soft pink and her fingers fumbled with the fabrics of her dress. She laughed nervously looking across the table at me, down at her dress and back. I gave her an 'it's alright' look. She quickly glanced at the crowd staring at her and then up at the boy whom had started all of this. Then she whispered something that no one could quite hear.
"What'd she say?" one of the guests asked, rather loudly. "We can't hear you dear, please speak up."
Her sheepish smile returned and she stared at her hands that were pulling at her dress.
"I said…I said that I-" She swallowed hard. "I will-"
Before she could finish everyone started cheering and clapping and shouting. I smiled at her as she finished her sentence thinking no one was really listening- except him.
"Be your girlfriend and come with you."
The boy smiled and blushed. Katara stood up, wanting to leave from the noisy crowd and walked over to the dace floor by the banquet table. She stopped when she heard her name spoken by a familiar Earthbender.
"Wait a sec, Sweetness!"
Katara turned around to see Toph pushing Aang over to her.
"Don't leave yet. The dances haven't even started."
She smirked and stomped her foot causing the floor to slightly tremble. Katara tripped forward slightly and into Aang who caught her. As the band started to play a slow rythem, Aang held out one hand and Katara matched it, placing hers into his. His other hand found its way to her waist and hers found its way to his shoulder. Katara looked down at their feet, which were now moving in a back and forth pattern. Aang just smiled at her as she looked up with a nervous impression on her face. Her eyes locked into his and they danced. I walked over and stood by Suki, just watching them.
"Your sister makes a great partner for him."
I looked over to the Kyoshi Warrior and smiled. Then I bowed and held out my hand.
"Care to dance?"
Suki blushed and bowed back.
"I would love to."
Soon the room was filled with people dancing and talking. Once everything died down, I took a seat next to Suki who lied her head on my shoulder. She closed her eyes, apparently tired, as was I, and dozed off. As I looked out to the people dancing, they all seemed to fade except for one couple. The moon shown from the skylight above and down onto the two whom I've know for so long now and the more I watched, the more I thought of how much they loved each other and how much they are meant to be together.