Water Tribe
"Tarrlok likes Emi, Tarrlok, likes Emi…!"
"Wait, Noatak, no, I don't…! Shut up…!"
Their mother raised an eyebrow, a curious, loving smile on her face as she passed the sea prunes. "What is this now?"
A naughty look was on Noatak. "Tarrlok was making kissy face's at Emi, the girl from the Fire Nation."
Tarrlok's face blushed a deep crimson. "No, I wasn't…! Mom, whatever he says is not true…!"
The mother chuckled. "Now, now, it's perfectly normal to have a crush on someone. What you're feeling is nothing to be ashamed of, Tarrlok."
He snuffled away a tear. Thank Yue mother was on his side this time.
"I once had a crush on your father…"
"Ew, mom, gross…!" Noatak laughed.
"Now, Tarrlok…" began Yakone as he looked up from reading the news. "Find a nice Water Tribe woman to settle down with like your mother and marry her. You'll make us all proud."
He wasn't embarrassed anymore. Emi wasn't Water Tribe at all. Did that mean what he felt for her was nothing?
"Mama, is it okay for me to like someone not from the Water Tribe?"
She laughed again. "Oh, goodness, Tarrlok… You can marry whomever you want as long as she's kind, loving, and gentle. That's all what matters."
"Yeah, or maybe someone who's really muscular and beats you in bending combat…!" Noatak remarked.
"Mother, make him stop…!"
Years later, Tarrlok cursed Noatak.
