A/N. Kind of a in between chapter, but you'll see why. Sorry for the longer wait than normal, I had stuff happen and couldn't write! Next chapter will not be Katara!
I don't own Avatar the last airbender.
The camp where they had left Sokka and Toph came into view. It was only just after midday the following day, the day when Hakoda was supposed to arrive with whatever he had managed to get together. His friends talked about an army… But Aang saw it as a group of friends he was asking to risk their lives.
When he and Katara had… well, finished their activity, they had spent the evening and night talking softly about anything and nothing. What had it been like to learn airbending? How was life at the South Pole before the warriors left? What had their lives been before the war.
It was meaningless for most people, but Aang had needed that. To know that there was a normal life waiting for them. To know that after tomorrow, they had a real chance at going back how things had used to be…
Of course, it was a lie. He knew that and Katara knew that. Her life had changed forever the day that raid had come to her village… And his life would never go back to the old normal. The Air Nomads were gone… No, he had to find a new normal.
With her.
After yesterday, and what they had done, he was even surer than before, that was what he wanted. A quiet, simple life, surrounded by his friends… And maybe the families of those friends, if they had children.
And he wanted to spend it with Katara. Sure… Maybe he would die tomorrow… But he could at least make sure that she would have a good life, no? If he managed to defeat the Fire Lord, even at the cost of his own life… Well, he would consider that a worthy exchange if she had a good life.
"Hey… I… I need to make that tea." Katara spoke softly. Ah yes… They had taken those herbs with them the day before, but they had been a bit stupid, forgetting stuff to boil that water for the tea. So, Katara had decided to wait until they came back here. They had not done anything else, that morning had been spent bathing washing away the scent of sweat and sex.
"Oh yeah! Yeah… Don't let Toph see that, she will drink anything you put in front of her… I'll… I'll join Sokka." He pointed to the small figure standing near the cliffs, away from the camp. The water tribe boy was surely looking to the east, from where Hakoda would come.
"Sure?" Katara asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah… What can he do? If he throws me from the cliff… I'll survive easily." Aang smiled awkwardly, putting a hand to his neck, rubbing it. He kne it was a tick he had when he was embarrassed. But there was nothing to be ashamed of!
"Alright. If he says anything weird, I'll talk to him. Love you." She kissed him quickly on the lips before turning around and walking to the camp. Aang saw Toph sitting next to the fire, with a pot hanging above it. Apparently, they hadn't yet eaten lunch.
Aang sighed, following Katara with his eyes for just a moment, before turning around, and going towards Sokka. This was surely going to be awkward. His friend knew that he and Katara had spent a whole day and night together and was also realistic enough to know what may have happened… Oh joy.
"Hey Sokka!" He called out when he entered the water tribe boy's earshot. Aang saw how his friend made a little jump, apparently having been sunken too deep in thought to realize someone was approaching behind him.
"Tui and La Aang. Don't frighten me like that when I'm standing next to a drop like this." Sokka grumbled, waving him over. The airbender came to stand next to his friend, staring down the cliffs. Yeah… That was quite a fall for anyone who wasn't an airbender.
"How was you evening?" He asked.
"Oh, you know, I had to listen to Toph making all kinds of jokes that I didn't want to hear. But we finished Appa's armour. And Momo has eaten too much fruit, so he'll be a menace to deal with today." Sokka sighed, shaking his head, "And you?"
Aang shuddered at the idea of telling Sokka of all people how his day had gone.
"Oh… ehm… nothing much. Some bending, we talked, we ate something…"
All those things were true. Sokka just didn't need to know what he ate, what they talked about and what that bending meant.
"Let's agree on that version." The water tribe boy smiled uneasily. Yeah… There was no fooling him. His friend probably knew perfectly well what had happened.
"So… When is your dad coming here?" Aang gestured at the horizon. There was no sign whatsoever of ships on the calm waters. It was one of the warmest days Aang had ever lived through, and the air was shimmering above the water.
"Soon normally. We may need you and Toph to make some docks. I don't know if he kept the Fire Nation ship we captured or is using others." Sokka was knocking the spyglass that he was holding in one hand against his hip. Aang knew that motion. The water tribe boy always had to tap something against his leg to calm down his nerves. The airbender had seen him do it on several occasions and had come to associate it with stress.
"Everything will work out Sokka." He put a hand on his friend's shoulder, "You'll see. We will have a nice evening with your dad and the people he will bring. And tomorrow, it will all work out. Please believe me."
Aang didn't really believe in that himself. Sure, he hoped everything would go like they planned. But he was aware that what they were planning was bringing death and destruction upon a city. A city that had not asked for anything, and where most of the inhabitant were innocent. Maybe… Maybe he should talk about that to the warriors? To try to limit whatever horrors would surely happen? Aang had been uncomfortable about that to be honest.
"Yeah… Yeah, you're right… But what if it will go wrong? What if the Fire Lord defeats you?" Sokka turned his face, and the airbender was met by two very worried looking eyes.
"It won't…" Aang spoke softly, but he had been thinking about that ever since yesterday when Katara had spoken so assuredly about their future. That they had a future.
"But what if? I don't want to put that idea in your head, because I know you will do anything to end it. But was if? What if we need to flee? We won't be able to hide in the Fire Nation after tomorrow if we need to flee." Sokka still looked at him with that hard look, worry and stress all combined into one gaze.
"Well… You could go to the Western Air Temple. It is not too far on Appa from Caldara. Like, a day's flight. And it's hidden in a canyon. If… If something happens to me… Would you make sure Katara and our friends go there?" Aang spoke quietly, but firmly. He had wanted to say those things to the waterbender, but her absolute trust in a future… He had not been able to break that hope. But Sokka… Sokka knew. He had always been more realistic, less… Less hopeful.
"It's safe?" The water tribe boy glanced at him, with those piercing blue eyes.
"I think so."
"Alright. I promise. But we won't need to go there. Tomorrow evening, we'll be enjoying the end of the war. The end of everything that made this world so horrible…"
Aang sighed in relief, hearing those words. Yes. He was right. Of course, they were going to win. Sokka put a hand on his shoulder, and the airbender couldn't help but feel slightly nauseous at the idea that everything was on him tomorrow. Sure, there would hopefully be an army to help them… But the important fight, that was him, and him alone.
The water tribe boy put the spyglass back to his eye, and Aang saw the thin smile.
"You should get down to the beach. I believe there is a movement on the horizon. I can't be sure, but there was a shadow. If it's my dad with the others… Maybe an hour?" Sokka waved to the water, and Aang squinted towards the horizon. He saw nothing at all… But Sokka surely knew these things better than he did.
"Alright. I'll get Toph to help with the docks. How many do we need?" The airbender turned, gazing towards where the campfire was burning. He saw Katara sitting next to it, watching the water in the pot above the fire. Toph was lying a few feet away from the fire, petting Momo.
"When we counted how many warriors we would have, I got around five hundred. So… Four or five docks should be enough." Sokka spoke without looking at him, preferring to gaze at the horizon with his spyglass.
Aang began to walk toward the blind earthbender. Five hundred… Five hundred lives that were in his hands. Actually, there were so many more… So many people counting on him. All the families of these warriors were unknowingly counting on him to keep their loved ones safe… So many people were dependent on his choices of tomorrow… Sokka, who had set all this up and who was clearly hoping for an end to the war… Toph, who would have her own freedom after this… And all the people whose lives could only get better if the Fire Lord was defeated…
And Katara. Katara, who was without any doubt the reason Aang wanted an end to the fighting. Katara, who would share his life if they won… Katara… Who would finally know peace and quiet after years of horrid survival…
"Ah Twinkletoes! How was the fuck fest? Sugar Queen over there doesn't want to tell me anything." Toph's voice pierced through his thoughts, and Aang looked up, seeing he was standing in front of the fire. The water that was slowly beginning to bubble inside the kettle over it… Well, it stank. If this was the tea Katara would have to drink every time… Spirits, that was really horrible.
"Because it is none of your business." Katara sighed, sounding as if she had repeated those words several times already.
"Yeah, you're right, but I wanted to see if I could get Twinkles to tell me about it. So, what about the fleet?" Toph asked, sitting up, still holding Momo.
"If Sokka is to be believed, they are coming. We need to build docks at the beach so that they will have a port to anker. Will you help?" He asked but turned to Katara to see her reaction. She had told him about her problems with her father, and also, that it had begun to mend slightly just before she had left the ship to go look for him… So… How would she react to seeing her father again?
"Sure! Come on! It is a good plan actually! I'll get away from whatever Sugar Queen is cooking." The blind girl jumped up, making Momo shriek and run away towards Appa, who was just lying close to the cliffs, overlooking the ocean. Aang nodded, following Toph with his eyes as she walked away just out of earshot.
"Seriously? Why does it stink like that?" The airbender asked Katara. This tea she needed to make… Well, it didn't smell or looked very good.
"I don't know. I followed the instructions in the book… Maybe it is supposed to look like this?" The waterbender peeked at the bubbling water with a disgusted look. Aang could understand that…
"Well… Maybe next time… I can stop before I… You know… So that you don't have to drink… that." He suggested. It would be quite unfair to ask her to drink this appalling stuff each time they did something.
"Yeah… That would maybe be better." Katara smiled at him, before waving towards the blind earthbender, who had stopped walking, waiting for him, "You need to make some docks for my dad. Go on. I love you."
Aang smiled, before turning on his heels and quickly joining Toph, who rolled her misty eyes as he approached. They didn't say anything, as they walked over the small path leading from the top of the cliffs towards the beach. The path was flanked by plants in all sorts of colours and kinds. Aang loved this part of the Fire Nation, with the rather tropical climate and its beautiful nature. Of course, he had not often come to this part, preferring to visit the Outer Islands to visit Kuzon, or accompanying Gyatso to something important in the Capital. He had only done that once or twice, but he had still not really liked the Caldara.
And now, by this time tomorrow… He would be back there. Would it have changed much? And… What would happen if they really defeated Ozai? Sokka had told him they were planning to install Iroh on the throne, if he was still alive after saving him and Katara underneath Ba Sing Se… But Aang doubted the Fire Nation would accept an installed ruler. Normally, the eldest son of the Fire Lord succeeded his father, so the one with the best claim would be… Zuko.
And that idea made Aang uncomfortable. Sure, Iroh had been the eldest son of Azulon if the stories were to be believed, but if he had been disinherited… There would have been a reason, no? Of all the members of the Royal Family the airbender had met… Well, Iroh seemed the most capable and normal one. But he had also seen the steel when they had helped each other in Ba Sing Se to find their loved ones. The steel behind those ember eyes, burning with passion and hate. Hate for people who had tried to hurt him and his nephew. But then again… Aang didn't judge. He had felt the same. Even if he wasn't supposed to.
And Iroh had also surprised him by being able to speak the Air Nomad language, and apologizing for what happened to his people… So, if he was to be Fire Lord… At least he would work towards peace. Hopefully.
"Why are you so silent? Normally you talk my ears off. Did Sugar Queen wear you down or something?" Toph stopped his thoughts, and Aang cast a look toward the blind girl. The small smile on her lips looked… wrong. Or rather, not genuine.
"No, I was just thinking about tomorrow… How everything may change." He sighed, as the beach came into view.
"Yeah, I've been doing the same thing… And I want you to promise me something." It wasn't a question, that was clear to the airbender.
"Sure, what?" Of course, he would agree with whatever she asked of him. Toph seemed to be in one of her more serious moods.
"When we win… I don't have to go back to my parents, do I? Even if they ask. I don't want to go back." She murmured softly, and Aang heard the hurt and insecurity in the earthbender's voice, something he wasn't too familiar with…
"Of course not Toph! No, your life is your own. Why do you think that you would have to go back?" He immediately answered.
"Well… Sokka talked about what he wanted to do after the war yesterday evening… And he made it seem we would all go back to the way life was before we met up… He wants to go back to the South, to help his home… And I know I don't want to go back to my parents…" Toph spoke quietly, looking at the ground.
"Toph… Not all of us can return to what we knew before. It is your choice, and only yours, what you want to do after this." He extended his hand, putting if gently on her shoulder.
"Thanks… So, what about you? You can't go back either."
"I think I know what I want. Maybe restore the temples, to make them habitable… For when there will be other airbenders. But I won't live there. I would hate to live somewhere where my people… Well, you know. Maybe built a home somewhere. Travel around the world." He sighed. That dream seemed just out of reach… But if tomorrow went well… It would be within his grasp.
"With Katara?" Toph smiled at him.
"Yes. Yesterday… Well, it seemed that she wanted that too." He also felt his lips turn upwards, at the idea of a peaceful world, where he and Katara could simply… be.
"In that case, I would prepare that thing in that pouch." Toph laughed out loud, and the seriousness of her expression disappeared within seconds.
Wait… How did she…
"The spike in your heart rate tells me you didn't expect I would know! Well, Twinkletoes… It is rather hard to hide a rock from me. But seriously, why not?" The blind girl asked, as they arrived on the sand of the beach.
"Because… w-we are too young! Too… Well, it's not the timing." He sighed.
"Why not? Both of you are adults in your respective cultures I believe. And timing? Pah! It is the best timing! The end of the war, the beginning of a new era? I couldn't imagine a better timing." The blind girl laughed, while stomping her feet down, sending sand all around them.
Was she… right? Aang wasn't really used to Toph being right… But she did have a point. They were adults… And the timing would be great. And had he actually not planned it? The airbender had done everything in his power to finish the necklace before the invasion… Just in case. But maybe… just maybe, his mind had already been made up?
And he did have Hakoda's blessing. Well, not really. He did have his blessing to "court Katara" as he had asked all those weeks ago, before the fall of Ba Sing Se. Did that include… Giving her a necklace? Or would that be a whole other conversation? Maybe… maybe he should ask him if he got the chance?
No.
No, Katara had been clear about several things. She hated the fact her father meddled in her affairs. And that he had tried to influence her decisions. And the waterbender had told Aang that he didn't need to ask her father for permission. And that even if he had said no, she would still have continued their relationship… So, no. He wouldn't ask Hakoda.
"Come on, instead of doing whatever weird thing you were doing. I need you to make the docks, while I harden the sand on the beach, so get moving! No more feeling stuff! I had enough for today!" Toph yelled in her Sifu Toph is angry with you voice.
Well. Better get to work.
It was getting rather… easy… to earthbend large things. Whereas he had struggled with the smallest things a few months ago, now, it was getting easy to move boulders and so on. The blind girl had explained that was because of the strength training she had him do… That explained the whole rock carrying exercises Aang supposed. And that also explained why most earthbenders were rather… bulky.
Sokka had told him that there was a movement on the horizon, so, while he made the first dock, the airbender peered towards the ocean. As the long, rectangular shape appeared from the water, to form the pier, Aang spotted a sudden glint on the horizon… As if something reflected the sunlight.
A spyglass.
That had to be it, no? And if that was indeed it… That meant there was at least one ship there. It could be Hakoda with the others, but also a Fire Nation ship. And if they could them… And especially him, with the tattoos and the clothes… Well, Aang was acutely aware he was quite easy to spot.
A great rumble behind him made Aang nearly stagger, as he felt the ground suddenly harden under his feet. Turning around, he realized the whole beach had transformed into a great flat surface, with a whole section elevated to make sure that the tide would engulf it. Toph had made a harbour. In a second.
"Spirits… I guess your sandbending has been getting along?" He yelled towards where the blind girl stood, grinning.
"Oh how did you guess? I think it is adequate!" She hollered back, still grinning.
Adequate? Sure. Creating a whole harbour, with docks, piers and mooring places, and even a whole plaza for people and cargo. Adequate.
Aang quickly finished the docks he had to make, feeling suddenly slightly queasy. Was his earthbending adequate? Spirits, he would have taken so much longer to create this! It had taken him five minutes to create sand from rock in the cave! And Toph just did all this in a second.
Not important. Toph had said his earthbending was good! Katara didn't like to mention it, but he was aware his waterbending was at a master level. And his airbending had always been good. More than good even! He was the youngest master in the history of the Air Nomads! Surely, that counted for something!
"They are coming!" A voice called from the pathway to their camp, and, looking up, Aang saw how Sokka was running towards them, with Katara following close behind. So, that had been Hakoda the airbender had spotted. With whatever he had managed to get together.
"How many?" Toph shouted back. That was the important question. Was their invasion going to be "easy" or hard pressed.
The water tribe siblings came to a stop close to him and the blind girl. Sokka was grinning from ear to ear, while Katara was also smiling. Not her big smile, that one was mostly reserved for the things she loved to do. Waterbending… Caring about people she loved… Reading…
Stop it Aang. Not the time.
"Ten ships. Ten! Three that seem like Water Tribe, six Earth Kingdom ships, and one… well, let's be kind and call it a seaworthy ship. Probably the swamp people!" Sokka was nearly dancing around them, clearly too excited to keep still.
"Meathead. That doesn't mean anything to me as long as I can't feel them. How many warriors?" Toph sighed, rolling her misty eyes.
"At least five hundred! At least! If the ships are loaded at full capacity, at least seven hundred! We have a small army!" The water tribe boy jumped up and down, until Toph moved one of her feet, blocking him on the spot with some earthbending.
"Alright, enough jumping, you are giving me a headache. That is good, more than we anticipated. But now, we need to see if they are warriors, or rather people like Twinkletoes. You know. Flower loving people." Toph laughed.
Before Aang could protest, he realized… Well, he was a flower-loving guy. He would rather spend his time in a nice garden than on the battlefield. That was for sure. But if this was true… He would only have to set foot on one. One battlefield. And then… then life could begin.
A small warm hand enveloped his own fingers, and looking to the side, he saw Katara standing proudly next to him, smiling.
"Well, it will all go well then. Our friends have come to help. And we will win tomorrow. We will." She spoke, and the airbender felt his doubts seep away at the conviction in the waterbender's voice.
They stood, waiting. Aang gently pressing his own fingers around Katara's, as the ships came into view.
Answers :
Kalaong : Exactly what I wanted to get across! Aang does want to stop the war, for her, whatever it will cost him, while Katara doesn't care about anything, only that her loved ones are safe.
Guest : Oh sorry! I hope you will still keep reading, and if you would prefer, I will put a warning on the lemon chapters. Nothing too meaningful for the plot happens in those!
Rak :Thank you! Now we are getting into the drama of the invasion! I enjoyed writing the lemon, but I'm glad I'm getting back to the story, certainly seen that I will change things from now on that have an impact on the story!
Jjsmith103 : Indeed! It needed to be kind and intimate! I still wanted to show that they want to experiment around a bit, with the slightly rougher stuff. I don't know why but they seem to me like a rather kinky couple lol!
CoyoteLemon : I like to make it sweet in this story! Even if we are going into drama territory from here on out! Good to see your reviews!