A/N: Hey everyone! I know it's been a long time. A lot of changes took place personally, and my writing setup is not great so this is a shorter chapter, unfortunately. But! I wanted to get something out and let you all know that I plan to continue. Thanks for all your support. Stay flamin'
The air was crisp as heavy snow fell in the Water Tribe Village. Even though it was snowing, there was a hint of warmth in the air. A fur-clad Katara ran excitedly up to the hut, with a pail of sea prunes in her hand for Kanna. Shaking the snow off her boots, she opened the front door and slammed it, absentmindedly.
"Katara! Don't slam the door," said her father with a stern look in his eye.
"Sorry, Dad! I was just really excited that I found stewed sea prunes," she said, nearly out of breath. She continued to ramble happily, "It's been months since I've had them and with Aang at his Diplomat meeting in the Fire Nation, I get to enjoy them in peace."
The stoned-faced Hakoda felt a smile creep along his face, "If there's one thing about you that I'm glad is still the same, is your love for sea prunes."
His daughter gave him a hug. He felt her arms around him, a feeling of home in this moment.
Later that afternoon, a very full Katara and Hakoda sat on the bearskin-covered couch in the living room. They sat in silence together, drinking from their hot cups of tea. Katara put her head back and sighed in contentment, "Did Mom love sea prunes the way I do?"
Hakoda raised an eyebrow at this, "You don't remember? Your mother hated sea prunes."
His daughter looked away in surprise, "Really? How come I don't remember that?"
He chuckled and threw an arm around her, "Because she didn't want to ruin your happiness. Whenever you loved something, your eyes would twinkle. She never wanted to take that away from you. So, she smiled as you and I ate them together without saying a word. Your mother was good that way, always doing what was best for you."
Katara gave a teary smile as she nuzzled her head on her father's shoulders. "That sounds a lot like Aang. Not the pretending to like sea prunes part, "she laughed, "but doing whatever to make me happy." Silence hung in the air for a moment before she asked in a hushed voice, "How do you know you're in love?"
Hakoda began to breathe quicker after hearing the question. He wasn't sure how to answer it. Part of him wanted her to stay innocent forever, never having to know the hardships that can happen with love. But the other part of him realized that this was foolish. She had already been through war, and faced insurmountable odds. She was already grown. What could he protect her from that she couldn't handle?
He cleared his throat, took a few seconds, and then breathed out deeply. "Well, I knew I loved your mom when she made me feel good about myself. Not just when I did something for her, but all the time. I was happy, even when I was sitting at the shore watching the penguins waddle about. Having someone like her understand me and love me, for everything I am, was the best feeling in the world. She loved me when I struggled to love myself. That's how I knew."
In the quiet living room, father and daughter sat together as they relived moments of Kya separately. Hakoda understood that these moments with Katara were numbered. Aang made her happy and respected her, and she was deeply in love with him. This was bittersweet for him. For his daughter to be happy, he would need to let go, just a little bit. But now. Now, he held her tightly. Not looking forward to the days when she'll be in his position, comforting her own children. No. At this moment, he enjoyed being needed.