Fire Nation: Seven Years after the war (Katara)
To Sokka's distress, it'd been eight months and Katara hadn't gotten Kya's bending under control, and here they were, at the beach. He maintained a good fifty foot distance away from the ocean when Kya was near. Katara spent most of her time chasing after her children and trying to keep them under control, while Aang encouraged Kya to practice splashing the water around. After two hours, she gave up and had Aang look after them.
Sokka and Suki lounged under an umbrella, while Toph laid on a rock she had brought with her. Zuko and Mai shared another umbrella, watching over Izumi. Azula and Ty Lee laid together in the sun, rolling around laughing, and giving each other quick pecks.
Katara pulled the water out to meet her, then let it drag her out to sea. Letting the peace seep into her, she floated on her back, eyes closed, listening to the quiet rumble of the ocean. The sun warmed her face, and she knew how quickly her skin would darken if she stayed out too long. And then her skin would start to peel. She shuddered, opened her eyes, and sat up to look over at Aang and their children.
He had both in his arms, dipping them in the water, smiling as they giggled. Her heart seemed to drop some weight at the sight. She swam to them and took Bumi, who laughed out, "Mama loves me." Katara held her son fiercely to her, stroking his hair. "Mama loves you so much." She bent the tears back into her eyes.
She'd been so emotional for the past few years. The depth of her love for Bumi and Kya were something she would never be able to explain. They were her life, her reason for living, what gave her a purpose after her warrior status had been replaced with wife. She could still fight, better than ever really, since her bending had returned a month or so after marrying Aang. There was no reason she could explain why it'd returned, or why it had disappeared in the first place. Maybe the strength of her emotions had caused a short hiatus while she calmed herself down.
"Mama?" Kya looked up at her from the shore. "Mama love me?"
"Yes. Mama loves you so much, too."
She frowned and started to cry.
Katara carried Bumi from the ocean and set him next to his sister. Aang took Bumi's hand and walked him towards the rest of the group, suggesting they get something to drink and maybe a snack. Bumi skipped, singing a nonsense song about the snacks he wanted to eat.
She kneeled down and held Kya. "Why are you crying?"
"Mama sad. No be sad." She moved back and held her mother's face in her tiny hands, staring into her eyes.
"I'm not sad. I'm happy to be here with you and Bumi and Daddy."
"Weally?"
She nodded, wiping away her daughter's tears. "Do you miss the snow?"
It was Kya's turn to nod. "Hot here!"
Katara laughed. "Want to scare Uncle Sokka?"
"Yes!" she squealed, balling up her little hands into fists.
Holding her hands under the shallow water, Katara froze some into snow, rolling up in her hands. "Here, get him with this," she said, placing a small amount into the girl's open and waiting hands.
Kya giggled and waddled off calling, "Aun Sukiiiii, Unc Sokkaaaaaa."
Sokka bolted up, standing and ready to flee. "What? Katara what did you do?" he shouted. Before he could figure it out, Kya sent the snowball at him, hitting him in the face. As it slid down, he caught it and started rubbing it over his arms. "That's actually refreshing and welcome. Thanks, Sis! Thanks, Kya!" He raced over and caught her in his arms, whirling her around and sending her into a tizzy of giggles and screeches.
Azula sat up and grinned. "Sure is easy to please, huh?"
"I'm a man of simple pleasures," he said, tickling his niece's tummy as she begged for mercy. He relented, but not soon enough. Kya's bladder emptied out onto his torso. "Katara," he called. "Your waterbender couldn't hold it!"
She rushed off and took her, a new wave of tears rushing down her child's face. "Oh, I think that's enough for them today. Bumi, do you want to go back inside?"
"No! Snacks!" He munched on some jerky, while Aang gobbled down a load of peas. "I'll bring him in when he's ready," her husband said.
She carried Kya while Sokka rushed for the sea to clean himself off. "It's okay, sweetie," she said, trying to calm her. As they went, she sang softly to Kya. Slowly, her tears stopped and she drifted into sleep.
Inside, Katara removed Kya's bathing suit and cleaned her, wrapping her in a thin sheet and laying her in a crib. She sat in a chair beside her, and looked out the window to her friends and family. They had all grown up, had more responsibilities. Their lives had taken separate courses and sent them off in different directions, but there were times like today, when they could be together, when they could slow down just a little and enjoy each others' company.
Taking care of Bumi and Kya on her own had become a challenge. Their energy was overwhelming. Aang was always off working with the acolytes, busy and eager. Katara was mostly busy and stressed. When Suki was in the Southern Water Tribe, she got a reprieve. Suki would take the two to Hakoda's and keep them entertained while Katara spent time on her own, either bending, walking through the snow, or taking a bath. Sometimes she would put on make up as bright and blotchy as when she and Toph were in the Earth Kingdom, then get in the bath and wash it off, looking at her stretched stomach and breasts.
She loved the three of them dearly, but something was missing, and it made her ache all over when she laid in bed at night unable to sleep.
Fire Nation: Seven Years after the war (Zuko)
He stepped inside and saw her looking out the window. "Katara?"
She turned to him with a small smile, trying to negate the tears pooling in her eyes. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
He rushed to her and kneeled down, holding her hands. "Katara, what's wrong?" His eyes pierced into hers, demanding an answer.
She shook her head. "It's nothing, I just-" Looking him in the face, she said in a small voice, "Would you hug me, Zuko?"
The Firelord pulled her into his arms, and everything stopped. Her heartstrings loosened, her hands pressed into his back, and her knees unlocked. Peace flooded throughout her body, and her tears slowed, stopped. She leaned into him, her forehead against his chest, and felt the air enter and exit his lungs, calming her like a lullaby. "Thank you," she whispered, holding onto his shirt. He stroked her hair with one hand and pulled her tighter to him. "Of course." His warmth seeped into her, making her feel that she might get heat stroke. She forgot how much he radiated.
She moved back to look up at him. "You've turned out to be...a much more caring person than I'd ever imagined.
He let out a breath, still leaning over her, one hand on the crib, the other on her arm. "Katara," he said. "I-"
"Zuko? Katara? What's up?" Aang walked in, looking between the two. He thought of the list he'd seen on her desk, the name she'd said in her sleep. The feelings that rose frightened him. He pulled them back in, maintaining his calm.
Zuko let go and moved away from her, his face distorted, concerned.
Katara laughed nervously, wiping the drying tears from her face. "I just got overwhelmed and started crying. Zuko wanted to make sure I was okay. I think I've been overdoing it lately. Do you mind if I take a nap?"
"No, yeah, that's totally fine. Me and Bumi will stay out. I'll try to keep him from waking you guys up." He smiled at her. "Is there anything I can get you?"
She shook her hand, standing up cautiously. "I just need to rest." She laid down on the bed and closed her eyes. "Thank you."
Aang ushered Zuko out of the room and down the hall, where he turned on him and put his hands on the wall around the Firelord. "Is there anything you want to tell me?" he asked, quiet, brimming with threat.
Taken aback, Zuko stared at him. "What are you talking about?"
"It looked like something was happening between you two."
"I just wanted to check on her. She's my friend," he said simply.
"You were pretty close, weren't you?" He moved closer, their chests touching.
"Aang, there's nothing going on. If it would make you feel better, I'll stay away from Katara unless you're around."
He looked down, shaking his head, then back out Zuko. Removing his arms, he said, "I'm getting jealous over nothing, aren't I?"
"There's nothing there. You have nothing to worry about."
Aang smiled. "Thanks. Having kids has made me so overprotective. Sorry I got out of hand."
"No worries," he replied with a small smile.
"Yeah, let's go."
As they sat on the beach, the words echoed through his mind. Nothing...I'll stay away...nothing...nothing...there's nothing there... Was it a lie if it was one-sided? Maybe. He wasn't sure of much anymore. Nothing made much sense. As time passed, he only accepted political advice from his uncle, and now it was the only advice he would give. If Zuko wanted personal advice, he would have to ask for it outright. He didn't know if his pride would let him. He didn't even know how to go about it anymore.
Why am I even thinking about this? There's no way any of this will come to fruition. My life is what it is, and my feelings can't change that.
A scream from Ty Lee shook him from his thoughts. She was jumping up and down, her hands pressed to her cheeks, until Azula grabbed hold of her and brought her in for a kiss.
"What's going on?" Mai asked.
"Azula just-"
The princess interrupted. "She's agreed to marry me." The sun shone across her face, ecstatic. It was the first time in a long time that Zuko had seen real happiness from her.
Ty Lee escaped from Azula's hold and went across the beach, cartwheeling and jumping, letting out whoops on the way. The group cheered out their congratulations, while Zuko walked to his little sister, put a hand on her shoulder.
She looked up at him, tears of happiness in her eyes. Why is everyone crying today? "Brother," she said endearingly, and pulled him into an embrace.
He held her as she cried until Ty Lee took over. Watching them, seeing Ty Lee wipe the tears from Azula's face, seeing them laugh and cry together, seeing them hold each other tightly, he thought, This, this might be enough. Just to keep me afloat.
AN: Sorry for the wait! I've had a lot of family/personal stuff going on. Thanks for being patient. Thoughts/comments? Anything you'd like to see in the next chapters?
