I combined days 2 and 3 for this one and I think it works. So, enjoy another little ficlet about my favourite ATLA couple. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think! Many thanks.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own ATLA nor do I claim any rights to it or any of the characters and/or locations you may recognize from the show. I am only responsible for the plot of this fan fiction story and nothing else.
Seven long years had gone by since the gaang had been together properly.
Aang had gone on something of a long spiritual journey only stopping by here and there on his travels to catch up with some of his friends. He had grown a bead which he was very proud of. Sokka may have ribbed him once or twice about it, but he was trying to grow one of his own, so perhaps it was more jealousy than anything.
Toph had joined Aang on some of his travels and their bond had seemed to grow – almost evolving into something else. But Toph was not the touchy-feely sharing kind, so she didn't give any details. If she felt the group should know, she would let them know. Aang, to his credit, seemed to share her feelings, but it must have been difficult to express knowing how Toph would react.
Sokka and Suki didn't stop by the Fire Nation very often but they did keep in touch. They attended the annual World Summit involving the main leaders of all four nations. Sokka, as new chief of the Southern Water Tribe, was always in attendance. Suki balanced their youngest on her hip as she watched Sokka entertain their two other children with some story about a daring escape or something.
A lot had certainly changed for all of them.
"You seem far away," said Zuko, settling down beside her and pressing a soft kiss to her temple thus drawing her back to the present.
She smiled up at her husband and then down at their child who beamed back. Long brown hair like hers cascaded down the child's little shoulders. A few wisps had somehow come loose from her bun obscuring bright and curious amber eyes. She looked quizzically up at her mother who tucked her hair gently behind her ear.
Yen was a beautiful reminder of all they had come to share; all the heartache, sorrow, joy, laughter… she was the culmination of their destinies.
"I was just thinking about the past," she replied in a wistful voice, "We've come a long way to get here, haven't we?"
Zuko looked out across the banquet table and through the rest of the hall. The Solstice Feast had begun a few short years after Ozai's defeat as a way to further strengthen the cultural ties of the four nations. Once every summer and winter solstice, everyone came together to celebrate their cultures and to appreciate those of their neighbours. While their friends had been busy travelling across the continents dealing with their own lives and new responsibilities, it was nice to see everyone together again, hale and hearty.
"We have indeed," he responded and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
"Ew, get a room you two!" said Toph in a too loud voice. "Even I don't want to see that."
That cause a ripple of laughter across the table. The moment was lost, but the celebration wasn't over. It was a day of celebration for one and all.
The last time everyone had been together, on this day of the Summer Solstice, Zuko and Katara had pledged their lives to one another in tandem with the celebration of the nations coming together. And here they all were, all that time later. It was truly a blessing.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
The feast was finally over. Ot had taken a lot out of the Fire Lord and his lady.
Even Yen was properly tuckered out and sleeping soundly in her cot in the nursery.
Having completed their preparations for the evening, Zuko and Katara sat side by side on their bed appreciating the silence and enjoying each other's company.
"Seven years," he said echoing her earlier thoughts.
"Of a lot of things," she mused and turned to face him.
"Of many, many, many more to come," he said punctuating each word with a kiss.
She laughed and framed his face with her hands. A soft smile played on her lips as she drew his face to hers and gently rubbed their noses together.
"I love you," she whispered.
His reply was lost in their consequent kiss. But she knew what he felt. Because when he wasn't saying it, he was showing it. And he was right. They had many, many more years of love and laughter ahead of them.