Aang stroked his beard as he inspected his formal robes in the living room mirror. He didn't care what other people said, he felt that he looked very distinguished and meditative whilst stroking his beard, and so he'd continue doing it. He heard giggles from Bumi and Tenzin emanating from just outside, and left the house through the front door to see Zuko trying to learn the latest secret handshake – it had become a tradition for the two boys to change their secret handshake every time the Fire Lord came for a visit – and they - Bumi in particular - enjoyed the confusion on their friend's scarred face as he struggled to arrange his fingers in the required knot. It was one of the few times when Tenzin stepped out of his usually solemn temperament, and teamed up with Bumi in any way.
"Zuko!" exclaimed Aang, and Zuko looked up, giving both boys a manly pat on the back and striding forward to engulf his old friend in a big hug.
"It's been way too long, Aang. Where's Katara?"
"She's getting ready for the gala. Where's Mai?"
"I believe she's disciplining the ship's crew for cutting it so fine in getting here. We had actually planned to be here yesterday, but the tides disagreed."
It was a happy reunion, but Aang hated that Zuko's duties as Fire Lord kept him in the fire nation for such long periods of time. Zuko and Mai usually came through for the annual Republic Gala, to celebrate the growth of the city they had built, but often the yearly visit was the only time that the old Team Avatar could all be together.
"Is Tenzin's voice breaking?" whispered Zuko. "He's growing up so fast."
Aang nodded, a little sadly. "He is, and he's so attached to Lin. Katara worries about the two of them, but I was about the same age as they are when I fell in love with her, so I don't feel like I can judge them."
Zuko chuckled at the memory of juvenile Aang, vying so hard for Katara's feelings.
"How does Sokka feel about that? His nephew and god daughter being so close?" he asked.
"He's okay with it I guess, I think he kind of feels that if there's going to be someone for Lin, he'd rather it was family."
As they had been catching up, they had moved from the dooryard to the living room of the house, with Tenzin rushing ahead of them on a quickly summoned air scooter, presumably to alert Katara to Zuko's arrival.
She came down the stairs from the first floor of the house, looking radiant in her formal wear for the gala. Aang glowed at her, remembering her face the day they'd met, and reflecting on how much he still loved her after all these years.
As Katara and Zuko greeted each other enthusiastically, Mai floated through the front door, looking regal as always, and Aang thought contentedly about how nice it would be to have all of his friends together under the same roof at the gala that night.
He was really looking forward to it.