I had a story come to me that i was forced to write so here it is for your viewing pleasure.
Disclaimer: Yeah, I own nothing and have no rights. Don't even ask
I am in love with my best friends sister. She has no idea so I just pine for a girl that will never reciprocate my affections.
It all started when I saw that big bright light color the sky. I was looking for the avatar. I found him too. I was determined to restore my honor and come home to a grateful and loving father. In short, I was a fool. Who isn't as a teenager though? That is how we met. She was beautiful, even in the back of my brain I knew that while I was focused on my prize of the kid before me. Over the course of the war, he and I met many times and she was there. Always in the background or sometimes fighting alone side the avatar.
Then Ba Sing Se happened. Being alone in that cavern with her changed something in me. I was no longer alone. I was offered a family and forgiveness by such a kind soul that I didn't know how to handle it. Is that when I fell in love with her? I don't think so. I knew I wanted her then though. She was very attractive and I was a red blooded teenager after all. I was in the 'like' stage with her. Then I mucked it up and choose the wrong side. Sometimes at night I dreamed of her and a different life.
When I finally figured out what I should be doing, she was not so easily swayed to my side. I had to earn her respect. That is when I started to really fall for her. She was so strong, fearless and surprisingly forgiving. The heart on this woman was something to desire and yearn for. During the final Agni Kai, Azula shot her lightening at Katara and I reacted with my heart before my brain could realize what happened. I saved her and she saved me.
That is when I knew. We were both a mess, dirty and exhausted from the fight and she was looking down at me like my own personal angel. I couldn't say anything then though, it was so raw and new for me. I was in love. The felt so different than anything else I had experienced before. I was rushed into the palace and I was going to be a ruler of a nation that was still at war. I didn't know if Aang would win against my father and if my uncle would be ok. So much was up in the air.
What I did know is how soft her hands were holding mine. The smell of her hair as she leaned in to whisper everything was going to be ok. I don't remember taking a nap but when I woke up she was right there with me in bed. Soft and by my side. I looked into her sleeping face and felt peace. She would be my guiding light and the path ahead. I would stop the war and help her restore her home.
It took 2 days for the gaang to come back to the palace and spread the good news that my father was defeated. During those two days, Katara and I were together every minute we could be. I was on bed rest, per her orders issuing demands and instructions to the palace staff. She stayed with me and cared for me making sure I was eating, sleeping, and taking the rest I needed to recover.
When everyone arrived, the look she gave Aang shattered my heart into a billion pieces. Of course she loved him, he was the avatar. I was now the ruler of the strongest nation and I couldn't have the one thing I wanted. I accepted my fate and moved on. Mai showed up to the coronation and I was happy.
I might not have loved Mai the same way I loved Katara, but I still cared for my first girlfriend. She loved me, I loved her in a way. She would help me move on and rule. Of course, after I started really diving into the difficulties healing the world and improving relationships, Mai and I drifted apart. She could play the part of a noble woman but she didn't want the job that came with being the Fire Lords girlfriend. The longer time went on, the worse it got.
Finally one night we had a serious talk where we both agreed that our relationship had ran its course. She was not Katara and I could not pretend she was. Mai agreed to stay publicly as my girlfriend for as long as I wanted to avoid the hog vipers of noble women who will flood the palace when they find out I am single. She was a great friend and I was thankful she could help me out.
Then IT happened. The letter I didn't know I was waiting on. Everyone in the gaang went their own way but we all wrote to each other regularly. I was sitting in my office with a pile of paperwork which was normal with the carrier came in with the mail. A few invites from nobles to events coming up, a letter from a town requesting more aid and a letter from Sokka.
I read Sokka's letter first hoping to put myself in a good mood and prepare for the rest of my day but what I read caused me to stop doing anything else. They broke up. THEY BROKE UP. Sokka explained that Katara and Aang finally decided that they needed to go their separate ways and it was just a childhood crush that had ran its course much like Mai and myself. He explained he didn't even think Katara was that broken up about it. My heart was racing so fast I had to reread the letter 4 times before I caught everything.
She was back home in the south pole and helping out while Aang took Toph to go visit more cities in the earth kingdom and help where they could. She was "not upset that the relationship was over but she seemed sad she was home and felt stuck." Sokka went on to explain that Aang and her agreed that friends is all they ever wanted and would always be close.
For the first time, my love was no longer a dream I couldn't obtain. Sure, there was a lot that would need to happen before I could be with her but I am nothing if not persistent. I made a list:
1.Break up with Mai publicly
2.Get Katara to the fire nation
3.Woo Katara to fall in love with me
4.Get her brother's and ex-boyfriends permission to have her for forever
5.Convince the fire nation she is perfect for Fire Lady
6.Marry
I can do this, I WILL do this. I may not be lucky, but I was the Fire Lord and I would not bow. This woman has had my heart for so long, now it is time I return the favor.
The plan is flawless. Now I just need to draft the most important letter of my life. Nothing could go wrong, right?