A/N:

Ashley Barbosa: Yep, i will clear Katara's perdicament somewhat here, but the whole backstory between her and Aang will be revealed through flashbacks. Yeah, i fixed Suki's eye colour, thanks for pointing that out :) The ansgt won't last for long, i promise!

Guest: Thanks, and don't worry, Tokka won't get together at ages 13 and 16 - more like 15 and 17, or 16 and 18.

TayBone2305: Well, reviews like yours only motivate me to write further so its all thanks to you guys that I'm able to update regularly :) Thanks, I try to make the covers relate to or symbolise the entire story in a nutshell. I mostly make Hip Hop, Rap and Lofi tracks, the links to my songs are in my profile bio if you want to check them out :) Yeah, I'm doing a Taang friendship here because the both of them can understand one another and relate. But nothing serious going on here. Yep, Suki and Aang will basically be MVP's in this fic. All the characters will have their moments to shine, but they'll shine throughout, but that's just my bias shining through to be fair. Yeah, I wish we could've seen more too. Like they barely interact in the comics and they like don't interact at all in the show :( Katara brushing off Aang's crush is explored more here, and explained to some degree, but it will all be revealed through flashbacks. Yeah, i wanted to write some cute Zutara instead of the toxic relationship i always portray, which seems to be working for me. Normally, i'd cringe at the mere mention of the ship, now, I don't mind it at all, as long as Aang isn't berated or made out to be a toddler throwing a tantrum. Yeah, most stories make it that: once Katara gets with Zuko, she's like: "Fuck Family, Fuck Sokka, Fuck Toph, Fuck Suki, Fuck Aang, Fuck Everyone! ALL I WANT IS ZUKO!" Which is super unrealisitic and not at all how it would go. That's where i come in obviously ;) Yeah, Zuko's MVP also. And Katara being insecure is something I feel would be reality if Zutara was to happen in the finale. Like, most Zutarians write her as a sex-craved experienced lady at 14... like, wtf? It makes no sense, but her being insecure does - at least, I think so. Nah, i really enjoy reading long reviews like this, trust me. I don't mind rambling because you're not, so don't worry. Also, i was trash at writing when i first started writing too lol. Just read the Heartbroken Avatar to see proof! But, if you read a lot, then writing should come naturally or should be easier for you than if you don't read. So, i reckon if you have some ideas you'd like to explore, you should do so. Join the Kataang server if you want to discuss your ideas with us or just message me. I'd be happy to help. Stay safe :)

Gaby: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy them! I wish I could write more often too but I'm juggling University, Music and this at the same time, not to mention spending time with my family. But I'll try to upload more often :)

Sporkofdoom23: yeah, keeping them in character is gonna be a main goal of mine in this fic

Sly8800: Well, I understand that you may not like to Zutara, but when you are exposed to it enough, it'll become easier to get through, trust me, I've been through it lol. There will be more Zutara moments like that, but there will also be Zutara angst as well. Not to mention that Sukaang, Tokka and Kataang will balance it out.

one sad kataang writer: Yeah, this universe is much more chill and less dramatic than my other stories. And yes, Aang's hurt hurts me too, but it won't last forever. Its already starting to get better here.

TheQuietReader23: Welp, the answer to you speculation is here lol. So read on! Zutara will get easier to read lol, trust me, especially once the angst kicks in. Sukaang is officially in the works and Katara brushing off Aang's crush will be revealed through flashbacks, and they'll be arriving soon. Very soon.

Bay45220: Yep, we can sympathise with Zuko in this fic, that's the thing that wasn't in any of my other fics really. Sukaang is now in the works, and will continue to grow! And dw, everyone else will get caught up in drama while Aang will lowkey be chilling ;)

XOXOXOXOXOX

Episode 3:

At the Jasmine Dragon – One month and four days After Ozai

"You know, I haven't given you the 'if you ever hurt my sister, I'll skin you alive and feed you to the tiger seals,' older brother lecture yet, have I?"

Zuko snickered as he took a sip of his Jasmine Tea, "I think I should be more afraid of what your sister will do to me if I hurt her, if we're honest."

"Well," Sokka opened his mouth, sat straight, and raised a finger as if to refute by raising a valid point, until he slumped forward in defeat, realising he hadn't one. "No, you're probably right." After thinking it through for a moment, quietly observing the steam from his Jasmine Tea dissolving into the air, Sokka's expression finally turned serious as he faced the firebender and spoke sternly, giving him his complete attention. "I'm trusting you, Zuko. I know you've changed, but I also know that you have a tendency to fall back into old habits when you get stressed." Noticing the sombre tone he had adopted, Zuko set his cup of Jasmine Tea down as he too afforded Sokka his full attention. "You're my friend, and though we haven't known each other closely for as long as I had hoped, I trust Katara. And she chose you," – 'And I'm still confused as to why', he thought to himself – "So, I'm choosing to trust you too; you better take care of her. And you better not break her heart."

Even though he was her older brother, Sokka didn't really feel like he should have a say in his sister's love-life, much less be influencing it. What she did personally was her business, not his. But he couldn't help himself; being the protective older brother he was, and having already lost a family member, he wanted to ensure that his little sister wouldn't be hurt, whether that be physically or emotionally, intentionally or unintentionally.

It was quite a shock for him to say the least: when Katara and Zuko announced their relationship at the Jasmine Dragon about two days ago. His heart went out for Aang, knowing that the airbender had a massive crush on his sister and would likely be feeling rejected and let down, but he was more surprised if anything. Though he had known of Aang's feelings, Katara had basically shown none, reciprocated none. So, being the brother he was, he made sure to tease her to get a reaction out of her so he could read her. But she had merely brushed off all his attempts, so needless to say, he wasn't expecting her to announce that she was dating Zuko just after two months or so of knowing the real him. Yet, he trusted her; if she was happy with him, then he would accept it and let them be.

"You can trust me, Sokka," Zuko stated firmly as he met the teen's blue eyes head on. "Though I haven't known her for long, I do really like her. She's… amazing. She's caring, passionate, unyielding in her beliefs, and beautiful – she holds me up when I falter and comforts me when I'm breaking apart. I can't imagine what these next few months would be like without her. I've only got her best interests in heart, and I assure you: I will never hurt her."

"And to my understanding," Sokka began again, assessing the firebender as he stroked his imaginary beard. "She'll be heading back to the Fire Nation with you?" Zuko nodded somewhat regretfully as he dipped his head. "You do realise that she wants to go home, right?" Sokka asked, partially scrutinously as he glared at the teenager seated across from him. "To see Gran Gran again, to spend time with dad. To help rebuild her tribe. To be home once again – one no longer pressed down by the pressures and horrors of war."

"I know," Zuko sighed in shame as he shook his head, "she asked me about what we should do. I told her I'd need help running the nation, campaigning to win over my people – the ones who are still loyal to my father at least – and gaining the trust of my Generals. But I told her that if she wanted to go home for a while, I wouldn't stop her." Pausing briefly, he glanced up to meet the warrior's eyes, realising that they were now more understanding than analysing and critical. "I tried to convince her that she should go home, but she wouldn't listen. She said that she can wait to go back home, and that I probably need her help more so anyways."

Sokka smiled sadly as he shook his head, chuckling in understanding. "You know why she said that right?" He asked, lifting his own cup of Jasmine Tea to his lips as he began sipping it. "Because she knows: if she goes back home, meets her reunited family again, she won't be able to leave anytime soon… and she doesn't want to leave you hanging."

"Yeah, Sokka," Zuko sighed again as he dipped his head, staring at the white swirls constantly shifting around in an endless spiral in his cup of Jasmine Tea as he stated in a low, raspy whisper, "I know."

Meanwhile: In the marketplace of the upper sector in Ba Sing Se

She furrowed her eyebrows as she scanned the collection, flashes of yellow, brown, green, sapphire, lime green, sky blue, crimson, lava red and cream white dashed before her eyes as she swiped her hand across the various robes, feeling the materials and their assessing their value. After a few minutes of careful consideration, her eyes finally landed on a white, purple and sapphire coloured sleeveless dress that caught her attention immediately.

"Okay," Suki pulled out the robe from the pile and held it out for Katara to analyse, "what about this one?"

After a few seconds of not-so-careful consideration, Katara simply shook her head as she absentmindedly searched through the collection herself, her eyes and fingers brushing against the various robes and dresses, but not their colours nor the feel of the fabric was being transferred over to her brain; her thoughts holding her captive.

Suki frowned as she noticed this, "What's up with you Katara? You seem distracted… what's on your mind?"

Katara sighed as Suki placed the dress back onto the rack, thus hanging it with the other beautiful dresses while holding onto her arm and dragging her out to search for another shop.

"We've been searching for a dress for hours now, and you've said 'no' to all my recommendations." Suki observed, analysing her friend's facial expression, or lack there-of, while they continued walking down the upper sector marketplace – smiling at the few individuals who stopped to thank and acknowledge the two teenagers for ending the war along with the Avatar. "At this point you're just insulting me," she joked, hoping it would help cheer her up or lighten the mood – it did, to a certain extent.

Katara chuckled slightly before shooting Suki an apologetic smile, "Sorry Suki, I've just been preoccupied lately."

The Kyoshi Warrior nodded in understanding as she patted her back, "It's fine, Katara. I get it." When Katara eyed her carefully, wondering if Sokka had already told her, Suki continued cautiously. "You haven't been home for almost an entire year. I know it can be daunting; I haven't even been separated from my people as long as you have with yours, yet I'm still a little worried about what they'll think of me. But its okay," trying to reassure her, Suki placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed comfortingly. "Don't think about it too much. Everything will be exactly as you remember it."

"Thanks Suki," Katara said, but frowned slightly when she gazed away from the Kyoshi Warrior's seeking eyes. "But that's not what's on my mind. Well, not exactly." Suki raised an eyebrow in confusion in a way that openly and silently invited Katara to elaborate, so she did. With a longing sigh, she explained, "I'm going to the Fire Nation, to help Zuko."

"But… that's what Aang's going there for," Suki stated, unsure as to why Katara wasn't returning home immediately as that's what she had declared she would do after Zuko's coronation. "What do you need to be there for?"

"Like I said: to help Zuko."

"And like I said: that's what Aang is there for."

Katara shook her head as she approached another shop, assessing the jewellery displayed on the cart while she spoke, "Aang can only do so much. He'll be there for diplomatic reasons. I'll be there for…" she bit her lip in thought for a while before she answered reluctantly, "moral support really. Zuko has a tendency to revert to old habits when he's under stress and I need to make sure that doesn't happen. Aang can't look out for Zuko's mental health and help him win over his Generals and his people all at once."

"Plus," she added as she thought of her friend, saddened by the fact that they still hadn't properly talked it out yet – they did have a brief conversation when he had caught her and Zuko, and it was productive, but Katara recognised that he had left many things unsaid, primarily regarding his feelings. "He's been through a lot. At the age of twelve, he had to carry the pressure of saving the world on his shoulders, and he prevailed. After what happened…" she trailed off, choosing to leave what happened between her, Aang and Zuko in the dark, for now. "I just want make sure he doesn't hold the pressure of fixing the world on his shoulders too. He had to do it alone before, I don't want that for him now."

Smiling sadly herself, Suki spoke comfortingly as they left the shop and continued walking down the street, having found nothing of value nor anything that caught their eye. "He has been through a lot, but he didn't do it alone; you helped him. We helped him – we saved the world together." When Suki noticed Katara's mood lightening slightly as she donned a small smile, she decided to reveal something the waterbender likely understood to be true but was stopping herself from accepting it anyways. "Besides, he wouldn't have been able to be the 'Avatar Aang' he is today without you. You were his rock, in many ways."

Katara blushed at the compliment as she glanced away unsurely, wanting to believe her statement but still feeling guilty from hurting Aang which led her to suspect he probably didn't agree with Suki's sentiment – well, not now at least.

"Thanks Suki. I'm flattered you think so."

"I know so," Suki responded, smirking as she spoke, "Aang told me so himself."

"He did?" Katara questioned in complete bewilderment, shocked that he would compliment her mere days after having his crush stomped on. 'Then again' – she thought – 'he's not like other guys… or people, as a matter of fact.'

Suki nodded in confirmation as she now stopped by a stall to grab some earrings that seemed appealing, "Yep, he did. But, getting back to the topic at hand," she stated, handing the merchant twenty yuans for two pairs of earrings – one pair shining in silver, and the other in emerald, green. "If you've made up your mind on going to the Fire Nation, then do you know how long you'll be staying there?"

Katara simply shrugged as she strolled alongside the Kyoshi Warrior, "A few months maybe. It won't be for too long… at least I hope so."

"Well, I'm sure if you feel homesick or something you could always ask Zuko to lend you a ship to take you home." Suki suggested, her eyes shining as she beamed at the waterbender, "Or you could ask Aang to take you home via Appa! I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Katara's eyes widened with joy and hope for a moment, that is before the events and misfortunes that occurred a few days ago reminded her of his possible indifference towards her. She knew she didn't have anything to worry about; Aang was her friend and was happy for her, all her friends and he himself had confirmed that. However, even though she brushed off his crush for her often, believing it was a childish one and would diminish in a few days or weeks, she still couldn't help but feel guilty for hurting him at all, even though it was completely unintentional.

"I don't know about that, Suki," Katara stated doubtfully, coming to a halt in the middle of the street when the warrior faced her while other shoppers and people brushed past them, continuing on with their business. "After what's happened in the last few days, I don't know if he'll – " she sighed as she dipped her head, staring at the desolate ground while Suki rubbed her arm comfortingly. "I don't even know if he wants to be my friend anymore – I know you think he does," she added hastily when she noticed Suki was about to interrupt her. "But I'm unsure now. I'd probably want to distance myself from me if I was in in his position too."

The Kyoshi Warrior smiled sadly at the waterbender's doubtfulness, understanding from her talk with Aang on Appa that he'd never allow anything to come between their friendship, including his unrequited feelings.

"He's not distancing himself Katara; not from you," Suki stated slowly but soothingly, calmly – "and he still wants to be your friend. If anything, your friendship is the one thing he doesn't want to lose." At that admission, Katara's eyes glanced at her shyly yet hopefully, analysing her blue orbs for any discrepancy. When she found none, she continued staring intently while Suki continued, "Aang is mature, Katara – far more mature than a thirteen-year-old should be. But I digress; he's simply taking time to himself, to mull over things and to deal with whatever he's feeling in his own way, which also is much more sensible than what kids our age would normally do."

"You seem like you know him better than me," Katara smiled, though, Suki could see the small shard of jealousy trapped between her lips in that smile – it amused her. "Are you his best friend now?" She asked, laughing at her sarcastic rhetorical question to hide the fact that she really wanted to know the answer.

"No, its not like that," she answered, smirking. "I'm just viewing the situation objectively, and right now, I assure you he's doing the same. So, don't worry too much Katara. He'll come around in no time."

"I can't help but worry," Katara admitted sadly, feeling pathetic for proving her dismissive and somewhat misogynistic portrayal from the Ember Island Players right for being so emotional and worrisome. However, she knew that this was who she was at her core: someone who cared for others passionately, sometimes too much for her own good. With Aang though… it was different. "But I hope he talks to me soon," she stated with a dejected smile as they now continued walking. "I miss him."

Suki nodded in understanding as she wrapped an arm around the waterbender's shoulder, "He misses you too. Trust me."

Meanwhile: At the Ba Sing Se Zoo

"You…" she pointed in his general direction.

He nodded.

"Built all this?"

He nodded again before smirking, "Impressive, isn't it?"

She couldn't deny it: she was impressed. Though, her pride and need to tease him wouldn't allow her to convey that to him just yet, if at all.

Toph simply shrugged nonchalantly as they continued walking around. "Meh, I could do better."

Aang just chuckled at her attempt to shrug off his impressive feat of earthbending. After an entire day of mediating meetings between Zuko, the WaterTribe and the Earth Kingdom, Aang had decided to take the day before their group parted ways to relax alone – he'd return later that night and have dinner with his friends; they'd sit by a campfire and reminisce on the past experiences that led them all here.

Earlier, just as he was about to leave though, Toph decided to tag along, stating she was bored listening to Sokka and Zuko discuss 'boring-details-about-'shit'-that-didn't-concern-her', and that shopping for dresses wasn't her thing. Aang understood her incentive, but he shrugged it off regardless. They walked around the lower sector of Ba Sing Se for a while until Aang caught sight of the Zoo he had conjured during their previous visit. Excited, he dragged Toph to the Zoo, hoping she'd compliment his bending – even though he recognised she likely wouldn't – while also wanting to check up on the animals.

They continued walking around for a while, the banter between them breathing once again as they come to a mutual, silent agreement: to not speak of Katara nor Sokka if they could help it. That is until Toph decided to break that agreement, "Look at us," she gestured between them as they neared the rambaroos' closing. "A couple of rejects ignoring our feelings by taking a stroll through a Zoo – completely healthy," she stated sarcastically, thus earning a chuckle from Aang as he was pleased she wasn't trying to make fun of him, but rather attempting to amuse herself with the situation. It was a coping mechanism; he saw right through it but accepted it as it seemed to have been working for him so far.

"I guess that's one way to look at it," he stated.

She quirked an eyebrow, "You got another perspective to offer?"

Aang was a bit taken back as he smirked at her, "Well, well. Would you look at that: the big, bad, 'greatest-and-meanest-earthbender-in-the-world-who-supposedly-has-no-time-for-talk – only action – is using sophisticated words like 'perspective'."

Toph snickered at his little cute dig before she retorted, "Just because I act like it doesn't mean I'm uneducated or 'too-cool-for-school', Twinkle Toes. Or did you forget that I reside from a noble family where I was locked in an enclose area, also known as my room, with a private educator – or a teacher, as you commoners may say – who demonstrated and engraved in me all acts and uses of speech regarding, consisting of, and establishing propriety before I rebelled and re-established myself and my character when I joined you guys?"

When Aang practically stared at her, slack-jawed, eyes wide, bewildered – she smirked and snickered to herself, amused that she had left him speechless likely due to the fact she had never used such proper language before.

"Surprised, Twinkle Toes?"

Aang rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment as they left the rambaroo closing and made their way over to the elephant mandrill. "Honestly, yeah," he admitted, "I'm impressed. Why don't you use this knowledge to contribute to our discussions during the meetings between the nations then?" He asked curiously.

"Because it bores me," she simply stated, "but let's get back to the topic at hand: what other 'way of looking at it' is there?"

Aang allowed himself a few moments to shake off the shock before he answered. "Well, instead of distracting ourselves, I'd say we're more trying to distance ourselves from our situations so we can view them objectively."

Curious, Toph inquired, "How so?"

"Think about it this way," he began, spreading his arms out and gesturing with his hands even though Toph technically couldn't see it, "if we continued to sulk and mull over the positions we're in while remaining close in proximity to the people involved in our current situations, we'd likely make no progress and might even become more dejected, or even bitter; the constant reminder that we're in the position we're in while they're with the person whom they love – which isn't us – would only lead us to digging ourselves deeper into a hole."

"So, instead of forcing ourselves to face a problem or an issue that can't be dealt with so lightly – by keeping our distance for the time being and removing ourselves from that difficult position, we can learn to observe our feelings objectively while also attempting to understand their perspective too. Therefore, we become impartial to the circumstances, and in doing so, somewhat indifferent too our own feelings as well."

For the second time in one day, Toph found herself being impressed by Aang: first his bending ability, and now, his knowledge and wisdom. She had never thought of it in that regard, but now that she did, it made so much more sense and was more well perceived than stating that they were simply ignoring their feelings – that seemed like an oversimplification.

"Wow, th-that… that actually makes a lot of sense," Toph admitted, causing Aang to grin widely. "I don't care what others say about you Twinkle Toes," Toph punched is bicep as she cheered on with a wide, mischievous grin, "you're pretty smart."

Aang turned to the camera and smiled widely until the sound of Toph snorting and giggling to herself broke him from his self-admiration and he finally understood the teasing retort behind Toph's 'compliment'.

"So, what time are you guys leaving tomorrow?" Toph asked him when he caught up to her as they approached the elephant mandrill's closing, wanting to change the topic as it met its natural conclusion.

"Early morning – if Sokka can keep to his own schedule and wake up in time," he joked, earning a snort from Toph. "What are you gonna do once we leave? Visit Gaoling? Go back to the Earth Rumble Arena for a while?"

She didn't answer at all, and in her silence, he found her answer, and they fear she had been harbouring ever since they had arrived in Ba Sing Se:

'She doesn't know.'