This idea popped into my head while cooking dinner with my fiancé so I thought I would write it out before I lost it. Just a drabble, but I kind of like it. Inspired by "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Set around the time of the comic, North and South. I have another drabble I'll throw in as an unconnected chapter later.

Review if you'd like to make me smile 😊 lol

Disclaimer:

I do not own ATLA or any of its characters. If I did, this would not be a fanfiction, it would have been part of the show. I also do not own "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Leaving the Southern Water Tribe, Aang felt a little strange. After about two years together, he and Katara had become even more of a unit than previously. Traveling together to continue to restore and maintain peace had only made their relationship stronger.

Even still, the sadness etched across her face as Appa took them high above the now hustling and bustling tribe was apparent to Aang. He wondered if he should have worked harder to encourage her to stay behind. Sokka had stayed behind, citing wanting to head back to the Fire Nation with Zuko a few days later. Toph had left days before, claiming to want to prevent her feet from freezing off.

There were certainly things Katara's community could use her support with as they developed. She could teach the next generation of Southern waterbenders and healers. She could spend time with her father after so much lost time. Perhaps she could bond with her soon-to-be step-mother as well. And Gran Gran, who he was certain missed Katara the most, certainly deserved more time with her.

With that Aang made up his mind. It was selfish of him to keep her from her family for months on end. She deserved to be home with them, with the biggest parts of her life.

He quickly took hold of Appa's reigns and instructed the sky bison to begin a descent. They would land just about a mile out from town, but that would give him just enough space to talk to Katara before dropping her off at home.

Baffled, Katara exclaimed, "Aang! What are you doing? Is something wrong?"

"I'm taking you home," the words were hard for him to say.

He knew it would be painful and difficult to be apart from her for so long, but he had to put her first. The sadness in her eyes while leaving her family was not something he could just sit by and accept. Aang had the power to make her happy, and so happy he would make her.

"Wha- What are you talking about?"

Appa landed softly on the dense snow at the outskirts of the South Pole. He let out a loud grumble as if to complain about the sudden descent he had to take.

"Sorry for the last-minute change of plans, Buddy," Aang said as he patted his friend's furry head.

He hopped back into the saddle to face a still utterly bewildered Katara, standing with her hands on her hips.

He took a seat and gently pulled her down to sit with him. Aang grabbed her hands. He felt sadness rush him but forced himself to keep it at bay. He needed to do this for her.

"Aang, what's going on? What is this," she sounded worried.

"I need to take you home. I've missed you so much, Sweetie. I want to be with you every day, share every adventure with you. It was only a short time with you at home and me back in the Fire Nation, but it made me ache. Time apart from you feels horrible, but it's not fair. I can't keep dragging you along like this."

"Being apart hurts me too, Sweetie. That's why I'm going with you...I- I don't understand what you're getting at here," her eyes began to water.

"Is this...Are- are you saying we can't be tog-"

Cutting her off quickly, "No! No, no. Not at all! I love you, Katara. That's why I need to take you home. It's not right that I keep you away like this. I'll visit as often as I can, but you deserve to be safe at home with your family."

He squeezed her hands lovingly. A look of comprehension washed over her. She leaned over to kiss his cheek.

Meeting his eyes, she began speaking.

"Home," she said quietly, "You keep using that word. You think this place is my home."

This time Aang was the one with a confused expression.

"But the thing is, you've got it wrong. I love the South Pole. I miss my family and tribe. I miss the food. I'm excited for the changes occurring now, excited to see them all come together."

Aang felt worse and worse as she went on. He began to think she might have been sad all along. He had to keep himself together, to let her know it was okay. Struggling to find the words, he searched her eyes, hoping.

"But you see, this isn't home. The South Pole isn't home," she smiled softly, "It's you, Aang. Home is wherever I'm with you.

"R-really?"

He wasn't sure he fully understood what she was saying.

"Yes, Sweetie. I do miss my family and tribe, but you have to remember that you're my family too. And you're very much my home. You and I, together and helping people, that's the only thing I need. You are home to me."

She pulled him in for a hug, kissing his cheek tenderly. He felt his eyes well up just a bit with tears. An immense sense of relief and love washed over him.

Because, well, she was his home too.