I do not own "Avatar: The Last Airbender" or "Ever the Same" by Rob Thomas.

Special thanks to AirGirl Phantom for her kind words.

This is a slow-motion songfic about what went through our Waterbender and Airbender's minds when they hugged each other reassuringly at the end of "The Siege of the North". Not as good, but I try. Leave the love.

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Ever The Same

By Young Grasshopper7

We were drawn from the weeds
We were brave like soldiers
Falling down under the pale moonlight
You were holding to me
Like a someone broken
And I couldn't tell you but I'm telling you now

The Fire Navy ships had disappeared from the horizon hours ago. However, the smoldering remnants of the battle lingered on the vast snow walls of the Northern Water Tribe. Zhao was supposedly drowned by the great Water Spirit, the Princess Yue was now the lady in the moon, and Prince Zuko's alias was uncovered. So much had happened in the past two days, and so little time had been spent trying to figure it all out.


Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you so we both fall down

Aang stood like a battered warrior; weary, torn, and carried the burden of the knowledge he now possessed, staring out into the swirled colors of the sunset like it was the last thing he'd ever see. Katara stood a few paces behind him. This was the boy who, with assistance, defeated the Admiral of the Fire Nation. If Aang hadn't been there, who knows what could've happened to the Water Tribe. Even though this race of people were among the strongest there were, after a while everything would fall apart.


Fall on me
Tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you, forever in me
Ever the same

Katara was among the weary. Being the only female Waterbender in Master Pakku's group of students (and the only skilled one, too), many things had been piled on top of her in the course of the battle. She had mastered all the skills that Pakku had taught her, and she had fought alongside many of the great Waterbenders for a short time.


We would stand in the wind
We were free like water
Flowing down
Under the warmth of the sun
Now it's cold and we're scared
And we've both been shaken

A gust of wind blew freely as the two Benders stood on the edge of the icy terrain. Aang turned around slowly to face Katara, who remained standing behind him. Both of them were broken and worn. But this battle had not pushed them away from each other; somehow it had brought them together.

They shared a moment of silence.


Look at us
Man, this doesn't need to be the end

Aang turned to step forward, hesitated for just a second, and the two slowly made their way into each other's arms. Aang had liked Katara ever since he woke up in her arms after she and Sokka found him in the iceberg months ago, but now was different. This time, it was pure thought and amity that had brought them here.


Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you so we both fall down

Katara had mixed feelings. Here she was; her arms tightly wrapped around a young Avatar in the intention of comforting him. This, she felt, was mutual.


Fall on me
Tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you, forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever with you, forever in me
Ever the same

The energetic pet lemur chattered in front of them, clearly left out of the hug. Katara smiled and said, "You too, Momo." Aang held out his arm for the lemur to join them and Sokka placed a hand on Aang's shoulder, and they all looked up in the sky. The Moon Spirit held a vigilant watch over the four souls; destiny would tell what was in store for them.


You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you're no burden I assure
You tide me over
With a warmth I'll not forget
But I can only give you love