AN: Ok, last chapter before Zutara week, I promise! I wanted to do this one from Gran Gran's perspective but it works better from Katara's.

Longing

And if our world comes tumbling down
I never could forgive myself for leaving out
You're the one,
You are the only one

- "Honeybee" by the Head and the Heart

Katara doesn't know why she's sad.

Tonight is the night of the spring equinox, one of the most joyous nights in Water Tribe culture. Today marks the shift from polar nights to the days of midnight sun, from winter to summer. It is a night for celebration, a night for drinking and feasting and dancing together.

"Okay, I know I said I wasn't scared," mumbles Sokka, "but Katara, I'm really, really scared!"

She rolls her eyes and pats her brother's shoulder. "You've got this, Sokka. Stop worrying."

"But sis!"

He gestures vaguely toward where Suki has gone to procure them some dessert. Dinner and most of the festivities have passed, and now the entire tribe is gathered around an enormous bonfire outside the Waterbending Academy, singing and dancing.

"Seriously, Sokka, stop being a drama queen! How hard can this be?"

"Easy for you to say!"

"You already know what she's going to say," sighs Katara. "Why would you possibly be scared?"

Sokka bites his lip and nervously twirls the necklace in his hand. The terrified expression on his face looks hilarious, but Katara figures now is not the time to tease him about it. She'll save that for later.

She spots Suki approaching them. Katara shoves Sokka's shoulder. "Go, you idiot!"

Sokka gulps and stands up, walking over to Suki. Katara watches expectantly as they begin to talk. But after a long moment, she realizes Sokka has the necklace hidden in his hands behind his back and that he's too nervous to ask anything.

Katara sighs and figures he'll get around to it eventually.

She takes another sip of her tea and turns her gaze back to the great bonfire before her. The flames crackle and dance, and all at once her heart trembles. Memories flash before her eyes.

A warm rasping voice, fiery golden eyes, a subtle but familiar scent.

Katara looks up at the full moon and remembers how bright it was above the Spirit Oasis years ago, when they fought and found themselves evenly matched blow for blow, like a perfect dance between opposite elements. She remembers the crystal catacombs under Ba Sing Se, when he let her feel his scar, the raw honesty and vulnerability in his eyes, that moment when she instinctively realized that this was the first time he had let anyone touch it.

She remembers deeper things, which most people don't see in him. His fierce protectiveness of children, his appreciation for all cultures, his unwavering hope in the face of countless failures. His selflessness for his friends and for his people.

She remembers the Agni Kai.

Tui and La, how could she ever forget the Agni Kai? She thinks of it every day.

Her heart trembles again.

Katara stares at her cup of tea, the same jasmine tea that Iroh had sent her. Today should be a joyful day. Why is she so sad? She's surrounded by family, by her people, by warmth and love and happiness. Why does she feel so empty?

Gran Gran leans over from where she's sitting and places a hand on her shoulder.

"Dear, your tea will get cold."

Katara sighs and takes a sip with no enthusiasm.

"Katara," says Gran Gran. "What's wrong?"

She takes a deep breath. "It's nothing, Gran Gran. It's just . . . Zuko. Iroh said he went looking for his mother, and that he has to do it alone. I'm scared for him. I'm afraid he won't find her, and if he doesn't . . . if she's passed away, or gone, he'll . . ."

Kanna nods. "You care for him, but I wouldn't worry. That boy is strong, and he's suffered too much in life. The spirits will be kind to him in this. Have faith in them."

"I . . ." Katara sighs. "Yeah. Thanks Gran Gran."

She takes another sip of her tea. Her eyes fall back on the fire.

Suddenly, a very Sokka-like yelp echoes from nearby. Katara looks over and nearly bursts out laughing. Suki has Sokka pinned to the ground and is trying to reach Sokka's hands, which are hidden under his body out of her reach.

"What are you hiding, Sokka!? Is that alcohol? It better not be more alcohol!"

"What!" cries an indignant Sokka. "It's not alcohol! Even if it were, which it's definitely not, you're not allowed to judge! Zuko told me all about your drinking habits!"

Suki ignores him and picks him up by the legs, flipping him over. Sokka screams and somehow ends up pinned again, this time beneath Suki's knee with his arms in front of him. Suki leans in angrily and Sokka closes his eyes, holding his hands before his face defensively. Suki's glare melts away when she sees what's in his hands. She gasps and stands up, taking a step back.

Sokka grins, then gets on both knees and bows in accordance with Water Tribe tradition, holding the necklace out to her. "Suki, this didn't go quite like I expected, but . . . will you marry me?"

He doesn't get a reply. Suki snatches the necklace and puts it on her neck, then pulls him to his feet and kisses him on the spot. The whole tribe cheers and laughs around them. Katara rolls her eyes at the two lovebirds, but both she and Gran Gran are grinning.

When the two finally part, Suki glares at him. "Finally! I've been waiting for you to ask for months!"

Sokka rubs his neck and laughs awkwardly.

The two start bickering and laughing again, and Katara is happy for them. She gazes at them fondly, ignoring the soft pang of longing in her heart. They're young and in love and together. They're together. She's happy for them.

Beside her, Gran Gran hums thoughtfully. "Katara."

She looks over.

"You've been so sad lately," says Kanna. "I know exactly what you need to cheer you up. You're at marrying age! We need to find you a good husband!"

Katara sputters and nearly spits out her tea.

"WHAT?"

"It'll cure all that gloominess," Kanna declares.

"But . . . but . . . you hate arranged marriages, Gran Gran!"

"I'll start looking for nice boys right away," continues Kanna, completely ignoring her. "I have a few ideas already! What do you think of that cute Northern boy, Hahn?"

"NOOOO!" cries Katara. "NOT HAHN! Anything but Hahn!"

"Well then, you'd better fix that melancholy attitude you've been stuck in lately! Or you'd better start looking for a nice boy yourself! Otherwise . . . I can think of many other options besides Hahn . . ." Kanna cackles like a villain from a Fire Nation play.

Katara didn't even know her grandmother was capable of cackling.

Whatever her intentions, Gran Gran's goal was achieved. Katara smiles into her cup of tea, listening to Gran Gran starting a conversation with Hakoda about wedding preparations for Sokka and Suki.

Today is a joyful day.

Gran Gran's words linger in her mind, and as Katara gazes at the bonfire, she can't help but wonder.

In the flames, she sees his golden eyes.

. . .