OKAY, SO THIS POPPED UP IN MY HEAD BECAUSE TUMBLR IS A DRUG AND IT WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE SO I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY IT!

Being banished from my own nation was something I carried on my shoulders like that of Atlas. It weighed me down with each step I took as I tried my best to live with the burden. Traveling between nations while being seen as an outlaw no matter where I went.

Being trialed for treason your own mother will do that to you.

Being the exiled princess of the nation that is causing turmoil within every other nation outside of it will do that to you too.

I don't blame them for being hostile. Everywhere I go, I bring devastation. Even within my own nation.

But there was always one person that always seemed to find me that I never saw me as a destructive being.

"So we meet again, Princess." The blue-eyed boy crossed his arms over his chest as he spoke. His blue tank-top and water nation bands on his arms showcasing his nation with pride even though anyone who has seen him in battle would know that was not the only element he could wield. His snow boots and grey parachute looking pants made him seem a little out of his element within the forest that we were standing within, but he didn't seem to mind it.

"I'm starting to feel as if you're following me, Avatar."

"You can just call me Jim, you know."

"And I told you multiple times to call me Claire but you insist on calling me by my dead title so it's only fair." I gave him a smirk as crossed my arms across my chest like he was. My simple black battle robes tugging lightly against my shoulders as I did so.

"Fair." He gave me a large smile as he took a step closer. "It's good to see you all the same though." I fought the smile that tried to appear on my face. Even though I knew I cared about the slightly taller boy, I didn't need him getting too close to me. Not when my nation's people were after both of us. Me for being seen as a traitor and him for being the only one that could defeat my mother. I didn't want him getting hurt because of me. I knew I couldn't live with myself if he did.

"It's good to see you as well." My voice was soft as I looked over his features. His smile softened into a lopsided grin as his arms fell to his sides. His bright blue eyes looking over me as if he was peering into my soul. As if he valued me in some kind of way even though all I have ever done is brought devastation to all those who have crossed my path.

How could he look at me like that? Like I was something to uphold? I'm a banished princess of the Fire Nation. Daughter of the woman that desired his head. The former heir to the nation that caused hell for the past hundred years. The one that nearly caused an end to his people. Caused his family turmoil. Nearly killed his friends. But he still looks at me like that. Like I was something he cared about. I can never understand it.

"Still being hunted?"

"Does the sun rise every morning?" He snickered at my remark as he took another step forward. My memory betraying me as it remembered the last time he was so close to me.

"KILL THEM BOTH!"

"Get out of here, Avatar!" Flames engulfed my hands as I readied myself to fight after the Fire Nation soldiers nearing us. "You don't need to be caught in the middle of this."

"I'm not leaving you." I looked over toward him to see that he had already pulled some of the moister from the ground below him to circle him in a small wave of water. "Not when you might need me."

"I've got this handled." I ducked under the rushed fireball attack of one of the soldiers before causing a slash of fire to hit him in the chest in return.

"Didn't day you didn't." He whipped his water toward the other two soldiers causing them to fly back a few feet. After all three of the soldiers seemed to try their best to recapture their footing, I felt a hand take mine as he pulled me toward the forest behind us. "Come on! I know a place where they won't find us."

"I'm not endangering you!" I hanked my hand out of his as he gave me a shocked look. "I'm not endangering anyone else. Not again." I felt tears well up in my eyes as a soldier shouted out once more.

"GET THEM!"

"Run!" I pushed him back toward the forest where he was tried to lead us. "I got this."

"I don't want to leave you here."

"I'm not giving you the option!" I hissed toward him before returning my attention toward the soldiers. "Now go! Before something bad happens!"

"Come on, Jimbo!" The one I knew as Toby grabbed his best friend by the arm as he struggled to pull the Avatar along with him.

"We can't leave her!"

"She's right! We need to get you out of here before they capture you or something!"

"Claire!" I ignored his screaming out my name as I continued my fight with those that used to be my own people.

The scene fading slowly as I suddenly remembered reality was a thing.

"You shouldn't be near me, Jim. Do you remember last time?"

"The Fire Nation will come after me anyway." His voice softened as he spoke. "What's the point in trying to stop it?" It was then I realized that I wasn't much shorter than the multi-bender. He looked down at me slightly as my forehead was at the same level as his ocean eyes. "I'm happy you're okay, Claire." I felt a smile take over my lips as I felt his hands place themselves delicately onto my biceps.

Always so gentle, isn't he? Sweet. Considerate. Everything I'm not used to.

I frowned as I realized his hands were placed firmly on my burn scars that he doesn't know exist.

"I promise never to defy you again, mother! I promise!"

"Your promises mean nothing, Claire! You will learn to never defy the word of your Empress." The sound of my own screams echoing within my mind as I remember the sinister look on my mother's face as she burned me.

"Why does she hate me, Morgana?"

"Cause you're weak." I gave my mentor a shocked look as her green eyes were emotionless instead of their normal soft gaze. "You're weak, Claire. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Why do you care for me?"

"Because I do."

"No one else did." I looked away from him as I saw the confused gleam in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" I clenched my teeth as I heard the pitty in his voice.

"Do you seek pitty, Princess?! You're the future Empress! Not some child!"

But I was seven.

"YOU'RE WORTHLESS! You need to become stronger. You need to lose this overly emotional bullshit you inherited from your father."

I barely even remember my father.

"YOU'RE NO DAUGHTER OF MINE!"

"YOU'LL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH!"

"Waste of time."

"Waste of imperial blood."

"Even the child is stronger than you."

Suddenly, I felt Jim pull me into him as his arms wrapped gently around me.

"Whatever it is that haunts you, it's okay." I didn't realize I was crying until I pressed my face into his shoulder. My tears soaking the small amount of clothing that covered it. I lifted my hands up so they rested on his chest as he rubbed gentle circles into my back. He was strong and steady against my hiccuping and shaking being.

"But it's not okay."

"It will be. I'm sure of it." I instinctively wrapped my arms around his middle.

"How do you know?" I hiccuped against his shoulder as he whispered softly toward me.

"Because I'll make sure of it." He tightened his arms around me as he continued. "I won't let anything happen to you. Whoever hurt you before, they can't hurt you anymore. Not while I'm around."

"But they'll hurt you instead."

"So fucking be it." I tightened my arms around him in return as I whispered into his shoulder.

"But I don't want you to go through what I did. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I don't want you hurt either." I felt him lean his head against mine as he rubbed my back once more. "I care for you." He pulled back gently to smile at me. "Whether you believe it or not." I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"HEY JIM!" We both turned our attention to the voice that interrupted the moment between us as a tall blonde haired boy and a smaller one with brunette hair and glasses gave us nervous smiles. "We're just going to head back to Toby, right Steve?"

"But weren't we in charge of getting Jim back to the- OW!"

"Get moving, Palchuk."

"OKAY OKAY!" Jim chuckled at his friends as the smaller brunette pulled away the taller one by the ear.

"Some friends you have. Ironic to see them so-."

"Normal?"

"I was going to say special, but that's a lot more friendly in comparison to what I meant." He chuckled at me as I brought my attention back toward him. He gave me that same look from before. That one that made me feel valued for once in my goddamn life.

"Would you like to get to know them better?"

"What are you suggesting, Avatar?"

"I'm suggesting you come with us." I gave him a shocked look as placed his hands onto my biceps once more. "I want you to come with us. That is, if you want to?" He gave me a nervous smile as he continued. "But you don't, that's fine as well. I just, it would make me feel better knowing you're with us. I know the guys care about you too. Especially with how many times you've helped us along the way and it-." I pulled the water bender into another hug as I used the action to shush him. Also because the feeling of his arms around me was the most relieving feeling I have ever felt within my life.

"You talk too much, Avatar."

"So is that a yes, Princess?" I only gave him a gentle laugh in reply. "I'll take that as a yes." He wrapped his arms loosely around me once more as I could hear the smile in his voice.

"JIM!" I ran toward where I knew he was battling my mother. My feet rushing toward the scene as fast as they could take me. "JIM! Where are you?!" I yelled out toward the dust as my feet continued to carry me. Suddenly I saw the familiar form of the Avatar as he stood up before me, stopping a few feet in front of him to make sure it was him.

"I'm right here. I'm okay." He spoke gently toward me as it was obvious he was tired. Dried blood was on his forehead and cheek as he held his arms out toward me. His normal lopsided grin on his face as his blue eyes looked at me with that same look that made me feel like I was the only thing he valued in the world. "We're okay." Without a second thought, I rushed forward so I could wrap my arms around him for what felt like the millionth time. I clutched onto the back of his tattered Water Tribe tank-top as his arms settled around my waist. "You act like I died or something." He chuckled against me as I felt tears swell up in my eyes.

"You fucking could of."

"I told you I would come back to you."

"Doesn't mean I wasn't worried." He pulled me close against his chest as my tears seem to cascade down from my eyes and onto his shoulders.

"I promised you everything would be okay." He whispered to me as he rested his head against my shoulder. "I never break my promises, Princess." I laughed in disbelief at his calmness.

"I can't believe you sometimes, Avatar." We pulled back from each other, but not out of each other's arms. I looked deep into his blue eyes. Memories of the past few months together flooding my mind as he smiled gently toward me like always.

I watched him intently as he scanned my burns with careful eyes. His fingers grazing over the scarred skin as he seemed close to tears due to something that was battling within him.

"She did this to you?" I gave a simple nod as I looked away from him. The pain within his eyes nearly bringing me to tears as well. But instead of him allowing me to retreat from him, he pulled me into his arms as he whispered into my left ear. "I'll make her pay for this." His voice was dark as it wavered a little. "She won't get away with this." I pressed my face into his neck as I tried my best to fight against the tears that threatened to leave my eyes.

I felt him press his forehead against mine as the memories continued.

I laughed gently at Steve's, Toby's, and Eli's antics as they practice battled against one another. I found out over time that Eli and Toby were subclass experts within their own respective elements. Toby being an earth bender as Eli was an air bender. Steve was the oddball of the small group since he was the only benderless fighter, but none of the three other boys made him feel any less important in comparison to them. Especially Steve's, what I can guess from what I saw, boyfriend.

"DID YOU SEE THAT ELI?!"

"Totally! You knock it out of the park, Steve!"

"DID YOU SERIOUSLY TREAT MY ATTACK LIKE A FUCKING BASEBALL PITCH!?"

"YOU KNOW IT, BITCH!"

"Alright, guys." Jim laughed at his friends as he ran his fingers through the fur of his pet polar bear Atlas' head. "Calm down, will ya?"

"AW COME ON! We're just getting started!" Jim turned his head toward me as he rolled his eyes a little.

"Never not practicing, those three."

"Well as the Avatar, aren't you suppose to join them?"

"I learned the three elements within three months. I think I deserve some downtime here and there, don't you think, teach?" He flashed me a smile.

"I told you not to call me that."

"Well you did help me perfect my fire bending, I think you deserve the title." I slapped his shoulder gently as he just laughed in return. "Aw come on! Don't be modest with me, Princess." He gave me a lopsided grin as I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Don't make me hurt you, Avatar."

"Oh, you would never." I blushed a little at his statement. Atlas giving a huff as he was started to hate the lack of attention. "Oh, you attention-seeking bear, I love ya." Jim laughed a little as he ruffled the bear's ears.

"I told you she would pay for what she did."

"Didn't think it would actually happen though." I smiled at him as I felt the tip of his nose rub against mine. I knew that we've been dancing around our unspoken feelings for a while now. Even before you could call us friends, it was obvious we cared more about each other than the other was willing to admit at the time.

But now, I would scream at the top of the highest mountain if I was allowed just so the world could know.

"I love you, Claire." His voice was soft like a ripple in the ocean and his blue eyes looked at me with a happy shine within them. I knew by the look within them that his words were true.

"I love you too, Jim." I tightened my arms around him as I nudged his nose with my own. He let out a soft chuckle that caused his warm breath to brush across my lips. I felt a blush appear on my cheeks as I gripped the back of his tank-top once more. This time not due to tears or pain, but because I was restraining myself from claiming the water bender's lips with my own.

But as he leaned in, it seemed he didn't care for waiting.

I nearly gasped at the feeling of his lips against mine. They were soft even though it was obvious but the roughness at some part of the sensitive skin that it must have been busted open more times than he could count. His hands placed themselves firmly on my waist as I brought mine up to cup both sides of his face as I deepened the kiss. Our teeth clashed together sometimes and it was obvious neither of us knew what we were doing at first, but we adjusted as it went.

"FINALLY!" We pulled apart suddenly to look over toward where Toby's voice came from. The earth bender giving a wide smile at the scene as Eli held Steve up over his left shoulder. "You two have been pinning for far too fucking long." I blushed at the smaller boy's words as I felt Jim place a hand onto my right cheek, gently pulling my attention from our friends and bringing it back toward the blue-eyed bender before me.

"Don't mind them, they're a little special." I couldn't help but laugh a little as I remembered the first time I truthfully met a few of the members of his little ragtag team.

"Wouldn't want them any other way, honestly." He smiled at my words as I leaned in to recapture his lips. Our friends letting out either 'aw's or disgusted sounds at the two of us. But it didn't seem like either of us minded. Sharing small quick kisses even as they continued with their small immature actions.

I adjusted the small fire insignia clip on my head as I looked over myself in the mirror.

If you asked me a few years ago if I saw myself becoming Empress, I would tell you I would more than likely end up dead instead.

I felt tender arms loop themselves around my waist as I saw Jim's head place itself onto my right shoulder.

And if you asked me if I would end up with anyone, I would have told you the same. Especially if you asked me if I would end up with the Avatar himself.

"You look lovely, Princess." I laughed a little at the old nickname even though I've been officially the Empress of the Fire Nation for over six months at this point.

"I don't think that name sticks anymore, Avatar."

"Wouldn't I be Fire Lord at this point or is that not till later?" I rolled my eyes at him as I placed my hands on top of his arms. I leaned back into his chest as I gave a content sigh.

Ever since I was a little girl I thought I would never truly be happy. I was always told I wasn't worthy of such a feeling, so I just figured that it would never come.

I felt Jim press a soft kiss to my cheek before watching him bury his face into the should pad of my dress.

But if this isn't happiness, then I don't know what is.

"I love you, Jim." He propped his head back up onto my shoulder as he gave me a gentle smile as always through the mirror. That same look dancing within his blue eyes that made me feel as if I was truly worthy of the words that I knew were about to fall from his scarred lips.

"I love you too, Claire." He placed another soft kiss on my cheek before burying his face back into my shoulder pad. "I love you too." I smiled at the gesture as I reached up to toy with the back of his dark brown hair.

Maybe I am actually worthy. Maybe I am something that can be valued. I have to be.

I tilted my head so I could press a kiss to the side of his head before leaning my head against his with a content smile dancing on my lips.

Especially since he says so.