So, uh...I'm not dead! I wonder if anyone here still remembers me.
Anyway, I've been reading back across my entire collection and thinking to myself, Holy crap, this is terrible, but I'm going to leave it all up because...I don't know, I guess some people out there still like it. Makes me cringe.
Anyway, this is the part where I put a stupid disclaimer stating that I do not own the Avatar: The Last Airbender IP or any of its characters and blah, blah, blah, you just want to read the dang story. I hope the wait was worth it.
Aang loved parties. Celebrations during his early childhood at the Air Temples featured lots of excited chatter, upbeat music, and delicious food, and best of all he had been allowed to stay up past his bedtime indulging in all of it.
But this party, at least so far, wasn't nearly as fun. It was the evening following the coronation of Fire Lord Zuko, and although the new ruler had wanted a small, informal affair to mark the occasion, the Fire Sages insisted on keeping with tradition and inviting some of the world's foremost nobles and dignitaries. Despite Zuko's new position of authority, he decided to cave to the sages' wishes in an effort to gain favor with them, many of whom had served his father and could not be replaced quickly due to their many years of training and knowledge.
So, here Aang was, roped into political discussions with gold-adorned nobodies he couldn't care less about because everyone wanted to get into the Avatar's good graces, while most of his friends were living it up on the dance floor (or, in Sokka's case, at the buffet table). And like the good peacemaker he was, he allowed every highfaluting noble to whisk him away with a smile, because despite feeling out-of-place as the only person at this thing not having a good time, he knew that tonight wasn't about him. Zuko so owes me for this, he thought to himself as his suffering entered its third excruciating hour.
Finally, the current conversation came to an end (something about a new trade route through the Serpent's Pass or whatever), and Aang felt a tap on his shoulder. Willing his expression into a smile he didn't feel, he begrudgingly turned to face the next pretentious nobleman, only to be mildly surprised at seeing a familiar face. "Chief Hakoda?"
The Chief of the Southern Water Tribe smiled warmly at the boy. "It's good to see you again, Aang."
"Likewise," the Airbender replied with a polite bow. "I'm glad you and the other warriors made it here safely."
Hakoda nodded in acknowledgement. "All right, enough with the formalities. If you don't mind, I'd like a word with you. Follow me outside?"
Aang grinned at the opportunity to get away from the stuffy political atmosphere of the ballroom. "Sure. Lead the way." He peered around the room to try catching a glimpse of his friends as they walked toward the balcony, but the closest he got was Zuko's new Fire Lord headpiece poking out from a group of Earth Kingdom nobles. At least I'm not the only one.
Once they made it outside, Aang walked up to the edge of the balcony overlooking the coronation plaza and clutched the railing, feeling his shoulders release a tension he didn't realize he'd had until he breathed in the fresh evening air. He felt a little embarrassed for not being able to hang with nobles and politicians like he was expected to because he was the Avatar, but he was glad to be out of that suffocating ballroom. Though, he was starting to feel a little self-conscious at appearing so overwhelmed in front of Hakoda, whom he still didn't know all too well.
Hakoda came up beside him but remained upright, as he was a little too tall to comfortably lean against the railing like Aang was. "Are you all right?" the man asked.
"Sorry. I guess I really needed some air," the boy replied sheepishly, still trying to catch his breath.
The chief's friendly grin returned. "No need to apologize. It's a little too stuffy in there for me, too. Take your time."
They were silent for a minute or two as Aang gathered himself. He looked over the empty coronation plaza and tried to picture the events of the battle that took place here just a few days ago. Katara had told him about the Agni Kai, and how Zuko had summarily defeated a mentally-unstable Azula. But the then-hopeful Fire Lord made the mistake of challenging his power-crazed sister to throw lightning at him. Katara had told Aang just how frightened she was in the split second she realized that the attack was aimed directly at her, not at Zuko. She told him about how Zuko jumped in front of her to redirect the shot but had injured himself in the process. About the terrifying chase that ensued as she narrowly dodged streams of blue fire thrown by the cackling, deranged princess. And then she found the sewer grate. Although Aang knew the balcony he was standing on was directly above where Katara had frozen herself and Azula in order to chain the princess to a pillar, out of his line of sight, the image was clear as day in his head, as Katara had been very detailed in her description of the battle. The last thing she relayed to him was the pity she and Zuko had felt for Azula as the latter screamed and cried hysterically into the night at her defeat. Zuko later told Aang that he thought Azula's mental collapse might have had something to do with her relationship with their missing mother, but Aang couldn't speculate very much on that, knowing very little about Azula on a personal level.
"This is where Katara and Zuko beat Azula," Aang remarked after a moment, feeling much better after allowing some fresh air into his lungs. "Right underneath us."
Hakoda beamed with pride for his daughter. "When my wife and I found out that Katara was a Waterbender, we never could have imagined that she would become powerful enough to defeat the Fire Nation princess."
"She's the greatest Waterbender I've ever seen," Aang agreed. "I couldn't have won this war without her."
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," replied Hakoda, patting the young Avatar's shoulder. "I want to thank you. We never thought this war would end, but thanks to you, my men and my children are safe."
Aang smiled politely as he pondered how to respond. He'd heard that all night long, and he was happy to be thanked, but after the first few dozen times it felt a bit hollow to him, like he was being thanked for holding a door open or something. But he knew that people were genuinely grateful for him literally risking his life to defeat Fire Lord Ozai and end the Hundred Year War, and it would be beyond rude not to appreciate that. So he chose his next words very carefully.
"I appreciate that, Chief Hakoda. But you don't need to thank me…it's the Avatar's job to bring balance to the world."
Hakoda stewed on this for a moment before asking a question that caught the Airbender off-guard. "So how are you holding up, Aang?"
"Huh?" Aang certainly hadn't been asked that by any of the stuffy rich people at this party.
"Now that the war is over. How are you?"
"Well, I'm still a little sore, but I'm getting better. Katara says—"
"That's not what I meant," Hakoda interrupted gently. "The last time we saw each other, we'd just lost the Invasion. I know you must have blamed yourself, and I'm sure it's been hard on you."
Aang sighed a bit sadly, though he was touched that his friends' father cared enough to check up on him. "It…it really has," he admitted. "I'm still working on accepting my mistakes. There was the Invasion, and getting shot down in Ba Sing Se, and…" He took a shuddering breath in order to compose himself as his eyes swam with unshed tears. Shaking his head, he continued with a solemn frown. "…and running away before my people were wiped out. I-I know a lot of it isn't my fault, and I'm glad that it's over, but…I'm still working on forgiving myself."
"I'm sorry, Aang." Hakoda's hand was still on the boy's shoulder, now out of fatherly consolation rather than congratulations. He was impressed at Aang's mental fortitude to admit his mistakes while actively trying to move past them. It was something, the chief noted, men three times the Avatar's age were often unable to do.
"Thank you," Aang squeaked out, a bit embarrassed for choking up in such a public setting. Not that the balcony was exactly crowded, but there were a few groups of people milling about, and Aang could only hope they weren't listening.
"Of course," Hakoda replied with an empathetic frown. "I know how hard it is, not being able to protect the people you care about."
Aang nodded, feeling it only right to return condolences after the chief comforted him. "Katara and Sokka told me…I'm sorry about your wife."
"So am I. I'm sure she would have been delighted to meet you."
"The monks always used to say that spirits visit their loved ones whenever they can, even though you can't see them. So…maybe she already has."
That piqued Hakoda's interest. "Have the Air Nomads visited you?"
Aang nodded. "In dreams."
"But you're the Avatar."
"Well, I've never been able to get them to come to me by asking. At least not yet."
"I see."
The silence that ensued was somber, as they both looked out across the plaza and reflected on loved ones they had lost. Hakoda was quite impressed by Aang's wisdom and self-awareness, and his already healthy respect for the boy had grown significantly over the course of their conversation.
A thought came to the chief, and he decided to share it. "You know, there were a lot of nights the past few years where I'd stare up at the stars and ask my wife, 'I wonder what our kids are getting up to now?' She would never have guessed they'd be helping the Avatar end the war."
A small smile came to Aang's face. "I don't think I could have guessed it, either," he replied. "Certainly not a hundred years ago, when there was no war. But…Katara and Sokka, I wouldn't trade them for the world. Without them, I'd still be frozen in an iceberg."
Hakoda turned to him. "I'm sure they feel the same way. You mean a lot to them, you know."
"I love them," the boy said without hesitation. "They're my best friends." And it was true. Hakoda's children were the ones who had discovered him in the ice and had supported him on his entire journey. From the Southern Air Temple, to the North Pole, to Ba Sing Se, to the Fire Nation, Katara and Sokka had remained by his side, even when sometimes he felt he didn't deserve their company. They were the best friends a guy could ask for.
"I was worried that they might be alone forever, stuck at the bottom of the world," the chief replied. "I'm so glad that they found someone they could relate to."
Aang suppressed a chuckle. "Actually, Sokka didn't like me very much at first. He banned me from the village because he thought I was a spy trying to signal the Fire Navy."
Hakoda did not suppress his. "Well, I told him to protect our tribe. All things considered, I'd say he did a good job of that."
"He sure did," Aang agreed. "And his plans and ideas saved our skins more times than I can count. He's a great leader." He decided to leave out the part where Sokka was thoroughly embarrassed by the then-Prince Zuko upon first encounter.
Hakoda put his hands on his hips in mock indignation. "Well, of course he is! Where do you think he got it from?"
At this, Aang laughed for the first time that whole evening, reminded by Hakoda's tone and pose of Sokka. Like father, like son. "Of course."
"Aang, there you are! I've been looking for you all night!"
The chief turned around to see his daughter standing at the threshold of the balcony, her arms crossed in mock annoyance but a playful smirk on her beautiful face. "Aang is fine, Katara," he said in greeting. "I just thought I'd rescue him from the political nonsense inside. Any longer and he'd have died of boredom."
Aang just shrugged at the teasing accusation. "Sorry, Katara. It was getting pretty suffocating in there. I needed some fresh air."
Katara nodded in understanding, knowing the Airbender couldn't be kept still or quiet for very long. "Of course you did," she replied, rolling her azure eyes in jest as she stepped up close to him. "Anyway…I haven't had a chance to check on you since our healing session this morning. How are you feeling?"
"I think I'm okay," he answered, blushing a little as he remembered that healing session…or, really, what happened after that healing session. The way she so kindly, tenderly helped him put his new robes on…the gentle caresses of her fingers on his skin that made him feel so special and treasured…her very first declaration of love for him…and of course, the feeling of her lips on his, not for the first time but certainly more sensual and intimate than the more hurried, dramatic nature of their previous kisses. He couldn't remember ever feeling so loved in all his life than in that moment, and he was sure he would never forget it as long as he lived. "You always make me okay," he added, smiling gratefully at her.
At that comment, the Waterbender just about melted. She really wished now that her father wasn't standing right there, watching them, because she was getting this…this urge to grab Aang by the collar and kiss him senseless. She'd been hoping to dance with her new boyfriend all night, but he'd been so preoccupied with all the noblemen schmoozing him for hours, and now he was right here in front of her being so sweet and cute and Aang…and there ruining everything was her father, whom she hadn't seen more than a few days at a time in the last three years and had no idea that she was in a relationship yet, and—and…
"A-are you okay, Katara?" Aang asked, snapping the girl out of her thoughts. "Did I say something wrong? I—"
Katara shook her head and gave the boy a reassuring smile. "No, no. It's just…I think I finally understand what I've been doing to you all this time," she explained. He made a puzzled face, unsure of what she meant. "You know," she continued in a whisper, so her father couldn't hear, "like during Waterbending practice? Fixing your stance and all that?"
Ah, now he understood. "Ohh, I get it." And then his blush returned at the realization that he had never been all that subtle about his feelings for her after all; in fact, she was acutely aware of how hopelessly nervous he felt, how hotly he blushed, how much he tensed and trembled at seemingly innocent touches.
And then his face turned really red, realizing that she was having those same thoughts and feelings about him. "Wait…really? You mean…I…to you…really?" It surprised and delighted him to know that he could do this to her, to know that the girl of his dreams was, in fact, every bit in love with him as he was with her. For a second he thought about pulling her up against him and smashing his lips against hers, but he restrained himself for the sake of public decency, not to mention Katara's father was standing just a few paces beside them, giving their conversation some privacy but still well within earshot and line of sight. He made a face out of frustration, and Katara immediately picked up that they were both thinking the same thing.
"I know," she commiserated. She glanced over at her father, who was definitely still watching them out of the corner of his eye, and then back to Aang. "He's going to have to know eventually," she whispered, implying that she and Aang reveal their relationship to the chief so that they wouldn't have to hide it or play pretend. The Airbender wasn't sure how fond he was of that idea, as even though he was sure Hakoda liked him, he had no intention of getting on the very tall, broad-shouldered man's bad side and coming between him and his daughter. But it seemed like her mind was made up, and…well, Aang knew better than to argue with a girl who could flash-freeze whole legions of grown men in place where they stood, let alone a single, scrawny kid.
"You're right," he resigned. "So should you tell him, or—?" But his question was abruptly cut off by Katara crashing her lips into his, something she'd been trying to do since this stupid ball started. So what if her dad was there? Let him see, for all she cared. She was old enough to travel the world and fight in a war, so her father was just going to have to accept that she was old enough to kiss a boy, too.
It wasn't at all indecent and didn't last very long, but it was enough to cause poor Aang's brain, which had been going at a mile a minute, to just about completely shut down. He forgot all sense of time and place; the only piece of information left in his conscious mind was Katara. His arms wrapped around her midsection automatically as hers wound their way loosely around his neck.
Luckily for Aang, Katara's mind was clearer and still very keenly aware of her father's presence, so she cut the kiss short after a few seconds and pressed her forehead against her beloved's as they caught their breath. "Sorry…I needed that," she apologized sheepishly after a moment. "I've been waiting all night. I know my dad's here, but…I love you, and I don't care who knows."
The Airbender's brain suddenly came back online, and he couldn't help but giggle in spite of himself as he looked around and saw all the people on the terrace looking at them. Not that there were all that many, but still, there were at least a dozen pairs of eyes on them. "Well, I think everyone knows now."
Katara joined in the giggles, but as soon as Hakoda stepped up to the pair and cleared his throat, the laughs abruptly stopped. "Hi, Dad," the Waterbender said nonchalantly, hoping her father wouldn't try to do something to drive her and Aang apart. The chief, for his part, didn't appear angry, but his crossed arms and raised eyebrows suggested he was awaiting explanation.
"We're in trouble, aren't we?" Katara deadpanned.
Hakoda shrugged and shook his head. "No," he replied plainly, his face still unreadable, which made his daughter nervous. "You're a big girl. I suppose I can't tell you what to do anymore."
The girl sighed, sensing that her father was disappointed. "Dad, I'm sorry, but you haven't exactly been around much for me to be able to tell you about these things," she pointed out, her tone a bit cold. She stepped away from Aang and crossed her arms, matching Hakoda's stance as she spoke to him.
The chief nodded in understanding. "I know. I missed so much since I left, and I'm sorry. I just want you to know that my disappointment doesn't lie with you, but with myself for not being able to see you finish growing up before you went and fell in love. You and your brother both. I am so sorry, sweetheart."
Her eyes brimming with tears, the stony expression on Katara's face broke as she hugged her father in forgiveness. "I'm sorry, too," she said sadly. "I know I shouldn't hold it against you. You were fighting for our tribe, and protecting our family. It was just so hard without you there, especially since Mom passed…"
Father and daughter remained locked in their embrace for a few moments, leaving Aang awkwardly looking over the railing beside them and feeling a bit sad that he couldn't reconcile with his father figure, Monk Gyatso, this way. He rested his head down on his arms and stared out into the distance, giving Hakoda the same respectful privacy with Katara that he'd been afforded before.
After a little while, the chief released the embrace to grip his daughter by the shoulders. Wiping away a tear track with his thumb, he placed a kiss on her forehead. "You're not a little girl anymore, Katara. You're old enough to make your own choices, and I will always support whatever makes you happy. I hope you know that."
She nodded, a small smile coming to her face. "I know. Thanks, Dad."
Hakoda let Katara go and allowed a smile of his own when she immediately reached for Aang's shoulders. The boy gave a small start at the contact as Katara gently spun him around to face her.
"You make me happy," she told her beloved, weaving her arms around him in a warm, loving hug. "Happier than I've been in a very long time."
Returning the embrace automatically, as he'd done so many times since they'd met, Aang replied, "You make me happy, too."
The chief decided that this was definitely true, as the serenity on his daughter's face, despite her running mascara, was unlike any expression he'd seen on her since Kya's untimely passing. Again he found himself impressed by the young Airbender, grateful that Katara had found someone who could give her so much love and happiness she'd desperately lacked for so many years. Getting to know Aang a bit better tonight had been a real treat for Hakoda, and he couldn't think of any other young man he'd rather see holding Katara so reverently in his arms. The man was reminded strongly of his wife by the peaceful smile on his daughter's face and couldn't help but grin from ear-to-ear at the young couple in front of him.
After a moment or two of comfortable silence, Katara pulled back to hold Aang by the shoulders and touched his forehead with hers. "I need to go back inside to wash up," she said with a sheepish little grin. "I can feel my makeup running. Don't hide out here too long, though…I've been waiting all night for my favorite dance partner."
Aang smiled back, his eyes lighting up in excitement at the prospect of a dance. "Oh, yeah? I think I've got a few moves I haven't shown you yet," he said cheekily.
She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, eliciting a cute little blush. "I'm counting on it." Letting him go, she turned slightly to regard her father, who had been fondly watching them. "Thank you for understanding, Dad."
"Of course, sweetie," Hakoda replied, reaching out to rub his daughter's shoulder. "I'm happy for you, really. Aang is a wonderful young man."
She glanced over at her boyfriend and nodded in agreement. "I think so, too," she said, more to Aang than to her father, before making her way back inside to take care of her makeup problem. She wasn't wearing much of it, but she'd rather wash it all off than have a little bit run down her face.
After his daughter left, Hakoda regarded Aang with a firm pat on his back. "You're a lucky guy, Aang. Katara is very special."
"Don't I know it," the Avatar agreed with a small smile. "Thanks for not skinning me alive, by the way."
The chief shook his head and laughed. "And incur that girl's wrath? Believe me, I know better."
Aang joined in, knowing full well that Katara was not one to take refusal lying down. "I guess I was just worried you didn't like me or something."
Hakoda clapped the Airbender's shoulder. "Well, you can stop worrying. You're a good kid, and my son and daughter think the world of you. Besides, I wouldn't have rescued you from bureaucratic hell just now if I didn't like you. But, I will admit…I told Katara to meet me out here because I heard she was in your room before the party." A smirk spread across his face as he removed his hand from the boy's shoulder and crossed his arms.
Aang's face turned pink. How did he know about that?!
As if he was able to read minds, Hakoda continued, "I was looking for her because Sokka needed some new bandages for his leg, but when Zuko told me she was with you, I decided to leave you alone."
"Sh-she was just helping me get ready," Aang insisted.
"That's not what Sokka said he walked in on," the chief countered, his smug grin and pose looking so strikingly like those of his son.
Hanging his head in defeat, the boy could only ask, "So now are you going to skin me alive?" Knowing that Katara being alone with him in his bedroom was now something her father was keenly aware of, Aang was prepared for, at best, the lecture of a lifetime.
"Oh, stop it. I just wanted to make sure she was really happy with you," Hakoda replied, shaking his head. "I know you two are young, but as long as you're both happy, you're capable of making your own choices, and it's none of my business if you're actively—"
If Aang could blush any harder, he was sure his head would explode. "No, no!" he interrupted, moving his hands back and forth. "I don't think either one of us is ready for, um…that."
Hakoda sighed with relief. "Okay, I believe you," he decided. "As her father, I just want to make sure—"
"I understand," Aang assured, putting a hand on his chest to slow his racing heart.
"So," Hakoda said, in an effort to put the young Avatar at ease a bit, "you two dance?"
Aang smiled. "Once. In a cave, with a bunch of Fire Nation prep students." His tone was somewhere between lovesick and boasting, which the chief found amusing.
"Every girl's dream, I'm sure," the man replied sarcastically. "Katara must have been thrilled."
The boy shrugged. "She seemed pretty happy to me," he chirped. "She kissed me after we got caught and escaped." He tapped the spot on his right cheek with his index finger.
"So let me get this straight," Hakoda teased, "Katara, my daughter, who has been dreaming of a tall, dark, handsome Water Tribesman to sweep her off her feet since she was four years old, gets pulled into a dark, damp cave in the Fire Nation by—no offense—a short, pale, bald Air Nomad, and you impress her so much that she's still willing to kiss you after having to escape said cave?" He was beginning to realize that nothing Aang did seemed to make a whole lot of sense. If this relationship was to last, and every indication was that it would, Hakoda was going to get along with Aang swimmingly. No wonder he and Sokka were such great friends.
Aang laughed, shrugging again. "I guess I'm a pretty good dancer."
"This, I have to see," Hakoda declared, gesturing back toward the ballroom. "She told you not to keep her waiting, you know."
The young Avatar obliged, following the chief back inside so he could show everyone just how good a dancer he was. But there was one thing he couldn't let slide.
"I'll have you know, I'm not that short."
(Actually, when getting measured for his new robes, Aang found out that he stood at four feet and a bit over ten inches, which was a couple inches shorter than the average thirteen-year-old boy, but he wasn't about to let his girlfriend or her father know that.)
So here's the deal. I'm here, for now, hopefully. I'm really hoping that the live action Netflix show gets some of my juices flowing and I can be a regular presence around here again. Fingers crossed!