A/N: Hey everyone, sorry for the shorter chapter, but I wanted to get something out. Again, so appreciative of the reviews as I navigate my ever-changing life in this pandemic
The heavy pulsation could be felt throughout his whole body. His chest was now a cage for his heart, alerting him to danger. Every muscle in his body tensed before the roaring applause brought him back to the present. Hakoda blinked and looked to his left to see his son cheering in high exuberance. As he looked to his right, his daughter was calmer, but her face was full of admiration. Putting a hand to his chest to say, 'It's okay. We're safe'', Hakoda realized what had just happened. His body reacted to seeing Zuko in his Fire Nation robes before he could even process that the boy was no longer a threat.
Steadying his shaky breath, Hakoda quickly brought himself to a state of calm. He thought it would be weird at first, actually being on good terms with Zuko, but he didn't think he would react like that. ''Can't teach an old warrior new tricks,'' he thought to himself as he turned away from Katara to look at the stage. The volume of the cheers in the audience tripled as soon as Aang walked out on stage. He couldn't help but cheer and clap along with the crowd. His pride for what Aang accomplished would never be forgotten.
A nudge in his ribcage by Sokka took Hakoda away from these pleasant thoughts. The smirk on Sokka's face, followed by him pointing at Katara, made him curious. Turning his head to look at his daughter, a smile came across Hakoda's face. His daughter was blushing, cheeks deep red in color, blue eyes transfixed as she watched Aang speak. He couldn't deny it anymore, and he knew that she couldn't either; she had a crush.
Hakoda paused his thoughts to reconsider the word 'crush'. While it's true that his daughter acts like someone with a crush, he can't help but think that that could be too small for what her feelings actually are. Everything they went through, and everything Katara did for Aang, are what you do for someone you love. He felt like he might almost have a heart attack thinking about his daughter being in love, so he decided to avoid this by focusing on the rest of the ceremony.
After the ceremony concluded, Hakoda looked at his children and pulled them both in for an embrace.
"I don't think I can say enough how proud I am of you both," Hakoda said with a beaming smile.
The wind whipped through Katara's hair as her blue eyes shone in the light. She smiled at her father as she asked, "Are you coming to the Jasmine dragon? We're gonna celebrate with Iroh's new tea shop. It would be so fun!"
Sokka snaked his way through his sister and his dad, placing both arms around their necks and hugged them close. "Yeah! Come on dad, we'll have a great time with lots of food. You can spend more time with Suki and Iroh..did I mention there would be free food?"
Hakoda chuckled lightly as Katara scoffed in response to her brother.
"I'm sorry, I would love to, but I have to make sure everyone from the tribe is set up with their sleeping quarters. How about you come to the inn for dinner?" Hakoda asked.
Katara and Sokka nodded in tandem.
"That's a great idea, Dad! Can..can Aang come?" his daughter asked shyly, a tint of red on her cheeks.
Sokka groaned, "Ughhhh-"
SLAP!
Katara slapped Sokka on the arm, as she felt both anger and embarrassment.
"OW! Dad, do you see how she treats me?" Sokka asked as he rubbed his sore arm.
Hakoda tried not to laugh, but it made him so happy to see them interact playfully again.
"Katara, don't hit your brother," he said almost half-heartedly, "And yes, Aang is welcome. As well as Suki, or any other guest you would like. Zuko allowed us free range of the kitchen and it is full of food, so be prepared for a Water Tribe feast."
The three of them hugged and said goodbye, but this time, it wasn't plagued with sorrow, fear, or uncertainty. Hakoda took this moment fully. The luxury of knowing when he would see his children again delighted him. He was grateful for their safety.
Later that evening
"I'm glad we could get you all settled in, Elisapie. If you need anything, you'll know where to find me," Hakoda said warmly before closing the door tight. He was met in the hallway by Bato.
Bato smiled, "How many times have you been called on by Elisapie because she heard a weird noise?"
The friends began to walk. Hakoda sighed, "I lost count after 5. It's not even a noise, she thinks this place is haunted. I hope she gets too sleepy from dinner to care so I can get some rest." They both laughed heartily.
"There's no one I can think of better for the role of Chieftain and Ghost Hunter than you, old friend," Bato said with a smirk.
Before Hakoda could reply, he was distracted by the arrival of guests in the lobby. As he walked closer, he identified the group of folks walking towards him. Zuko, Mai, Ty Lee, Toph, Sokka, Katara, and Aang all gathered in the center of the lobby, chattering excitedly. As Hakoda scans the happy faces in the group, his eyes stop on Katara and Aang, who are holding hands.
"I knew it," the Chieftain thought to himself smugly. He made sure to look oblivious to the fact. He wanted them to tell him in their own time. Hopefully, he thought, sooner rather than later.
Hakoda made his rounds talking to the newly arrived guests. First, he was met face to face with Zuko, whose arm was around Mai's waist.
He bowed, "Glad to see you again, Firelord Zuko and Mai."
Zuko and Mai returned the bow in kind. Zuko said quickly, "Please, it's just Zuko, Chief Hakoda. I wanted to thank you for inviting us to dinner. It means so much to me."
Hakoda placed a reassuring hand on Zuko's shoulder, "What you did wasn't easy. The right thing rarely is. I'm proud of you."
The three of them bowed as Hakoda made his way over to Sokka, Ty Lee, Toph, and Suki.
"Dad! You remember Toph. And this is Suki and this is Ty Lee. You probably didn't recognize them without the Kyoshi makeup," he leaned in close to his father to loudly whisper, "Don't worry, I made that mistake, too. Happens to the best of us."
Toph and Ty Lee laugh, much to the confusion of Sokka. "And what's so funny?"
Toph continued to laugh, "Geez, Snoozles, even I can see what's going on here!"
Suki gently explained to her boyfriend, "Sokka, I'm pretty sure your father recognized who we are. We met him out of makeup at Boiling Rock."
Sokka blushed as Ty Lee giggled. Hakoda tried to squelch his son's embarrassment, "It's okay, Sokka. If I didn't already know them before, I wouldn't have guessed. They do look different out of makeup."
The risk paid off as Sokka's mood improved, "Thanks, Dad."
Hakoda nodded to his son as he walked over to Katara and Aang, who were standing close together, talking like they were the only two people on the planet. He cleared his throat to get their attention. Aang's eyes widened as he quickly released his hand from Katara's, jumping three feet in the air.
Katara playfully rolled her eyes as she tugged on his foot to bring him back down to the ground. "Aang, it's okay. You can hold my hand."
Aang trepidatiously interlaced his fingers with hers, looking into her eyes the whole time, as if looking for reassurance. Hakoda knew Aang was sensitive, but he never realized how sensitive. The boy seemed to put his faith in his daughter's hands. It was unusual for Hakoda to see a boy seek comfort and safety from a girl openly. It was refreshing. He knew how powerful Aang was, and he shouldn't be scared of anything. Yet, Aang sees Katara as his equal, and that realization filled him with joy.
Katara nodded sweetly to Aang before turning to face Hakoda.
"Dad, Aang, and I are dating. I know you may think we're too young but I don't care and-"
Hakoda cuts her off, "Katara," he chuckles, "It's okay. Really. So, what took so long?"
Aang's big exhale of relief sent a whirl of wind around the room. Katara calmed down, her need to defend their relationship now gone.
The three of them laugh heartily. When the laughter died down, Aang shyly looked at Hakoda, "S-so, Chief Hakoda, does that mean you approve?"
Hakoda smiled wide as he put his arm around Aang's neck and pulled him close, "I couldn't be happier."
A/N: Next chapter will see Kataang dating. Stay blessed.