The crowd clapped and cheered as the couple exchanged their love tokens (one necklace for one ring) and kissed, sealing their union. A circle of candles surrounding them was lit while the bride's father and brother pounded on drums, merging two traditions.
As everyone celebrated, one solemn man looked on, unnoticed.
"You should be happy for them."
Throwing a glare at his companion, Jet snapped, "How can I be happy about Katara marrying the enemy?"
"You're still caught up in that?" Yue asked with a slight shake of her head. "Even after he took a bolt of lightning for her?"
Scowling stubbornly, he said nothing.
"Well, regardless of your opinion of Zuko, There's no need to be so angry about it. It's easier to be happy for the person you love than upset about them moving on."
"How would you know?" he hissed, eyes returning to the scene in front of them. Both Zuko and Katara were holding a knife in preparation for cutting the mystery cake, bickering over who would try which part first. The two layer cake had been assembled by chefs from each nation; the mystery was which layer belonged to which nation.
Yue's gaze drifted over the crowd, landing on Sokka and Suki. "I was human before I turned into the moon, remember?"
". . . Right."
By then the desert had been cut and the couple had simultaneously taken the first bite (Zuko from the top layer, Katara the bottom). Both choked on the unfamiliar flavour. Meanwhile, Aang was trying to trick Toph into eating from the Water Tribe's refreshment table and Mai was quietly arguing with Ty Lee over how much she didn't want a piece of cake.
"We're not the only ones who've had our hearts broken, you know," Yue said, nodding toward Aang and Mai. "They seem to have coped pretty well, all things considered."
The things to consider were the fact that Zuko and Katara had still been dating Mai and Aang when their relationship started. They hadn't broken it off with their respective partners until things had escalated far beyond innocent hand-holding and cheek-kissing.
"Yeah, but they're still alive. They've still got options."
"Who says spirits can't date?"
That comment – said with a sly, shy smile – was met with a sharp, shocked stare.
"Just try to lighten up, okay?" Yue said, patting his shoulder. "It's what she would've wanted."
Then, without warning, she faded from view, reappearing as the moon's dim shadow in the darkening sky. After gazing up at her for a moment, Jet turned back to the wedding, the white-hot pain of envy ebbing away just a little.
Jealousy: Resentful or painful desire for another's advantages
Disclaimer: "Avatar" and all of its contents are property of Nickelodeon, which I am in no way associated with.
