A. N. : I just couldn't do it to them... Side-note, but can you imagine how outdated a word is if the guy who's been stuck under a rock for 100 years says it's an "old word" ? That, or I guess instead of "outdated" it might just be a regional linguistic evolution. Depends on who's saying it. Language is fun.

There's something weird going on.

Jet has been on edge from the moment they stepped into the village and he felt the tension in the air. And then he noticed the way people looked at him and Aang, and the prickling sensation in his spine only grew stronger. He kept on expecting something to happen, an attack or an insult, anything, but instead of the villagers coming after them, all he got was Aang being abnormally stubborn.

That he insisted on coming in the first place, sure, makes sense, the kid probably thought it'd be fun or something. But the way he marched into that shop like a man on a mission, before straight up freezing when he saw the guy inside…

Yeah, something is weird. Jet really doesn't feel like staying here for a second longer.

Aang looks like shit, though. He said another one of his weird, probably-outdated greetings when they left the shop, and has since kept his eyes to his feet, letting Jet drag him around by the arm like a stringless, human-sized puppet.

Jet sighs. He'll try to pry what happened out of Aang on the way back. They'll need to look farther away for a better place to get supplies, too. He thinks he saw a larger town up on the coast when flying before, but thought it was too far away to be practical.

He scratches the back of his head with his free hand. Urgh, they really need food too, this is such a pain !

There's the sound of someone hurriedly limping behind them, and a wait ! that has Jet tense even more. What are their chances if they need to fight here ? If they need to escape and resettle somewhere else ?

The chances they can settle anywhere if news of their stunt in Tenuht, of their appearances, of Aang being alive – if that stuff is going around ?

Shit, that's –

The voice asking who they are sounds hopeful, and it takes Jet by surprise. The shop guy's eye is wide open, too, like he can't really believe… whatever it is he sees in them.

In Aang.

Huh.

Aang hesitates, then says he's a friend of Ukon of the sky stern – whoever that is – and the guy nods, slowly, and –

You're… Aang, right ?

What the fuck. No, seriously, what the fuck is going on ? Why does that guy know Aang's name ? And the hopeful way he keeps on looking at them – at Aang, Jet probably doesn't even register anymore to him – like he just witnessed a miracle…

Oh. Oh ! Well, that's a first.

It… sort of, maybe, makes sense. If old man Shi was that scared of what could happen if he wasn't careful, then surely there are people who want that fear to go away. Even in the Fire Nation, there are people – normal people, not White Lotus old dudes – who want the war to end. People who want the Avatar back.

If they play their cards right, that guy will probably give them clothes and food for free. Maybe more. Information ? In this kind of backwater place, that might be harder, but if there's some sort of trade or fishing, then it will be possible, at the very least.

What more use could Jet get out of this guy ?

At the same time, though, isn't this a bit too good ? A miracle ally, here, in the middle of fuck-all nowhere ?

Jet's hand twitches. He breathes.

Wait and see. Don't ruin your chances. Still, keep your eyes open.

Breathe.

Ichirou – that's how the guy introduces himself – says his grandpa liked to talk about the wind-bringers of his youth. Jet looks at Aang, raises an eyebrow. It's… it's an old word for Air Nomad, Aang whispers, voice shaking a little. Huh.

Your grandfather… Aang's voice cracks at the end. He's not crying, not yet, but Jet can tell he's close. That Ukon guy must have been a pretty dear friend of his, a hundred years ago.

Now that Jet thinks about it, if Aang was asleep in a block of ice for all that time, then… wait, when did he wake up, what did Katara say back then ? Like a year ago ? Bit less ? Doesn't it mean that for Aang it's been about a year since he saw his friend, and now out of nowhere the kid has a grandson who speaks of him in the past tense ?

That's incredibly fucked up. Just. Wow. If it was him, Jet doubts he'd be able to just go about his life the way Aang does.

Kid deserves something nice. If he can find something that looks edible in this pepper-ridden hell place, Jet will buy him some sweets.

Grandpa Ukon apparently talked about Aang the most out of his Air Nomad friends, and wished he could have done something for him. He hoped, always, that Aang somehow made it, found someplace to hide, and lived a long life.

And… well, Ichirou doubts his grandpa expected things to happen like this – and yeah, Jet can't imagine he did – but…

He takes a few steps towards Aang while talking, the limp Jet heard when Ichirou was running after them barely noticeable now – whatever is up with him, it probably only really bothers him when doing something straining. That, or he's faking and planning on stabbing Aang the second he gets close enough.

Somehow though, Jet doubts that's the case.

It's an honor to finally meet you, Aang. Ichirou places one hand on Aang's shoulder and the other on his cheek, the same way Mom used to when she told Jet she loved him.

I'm glad you're alright, he says in the softest voice. Welcome back.

Jet watches as Aang grabs onto Ichirou's body with the same desperation Smellerbee had when she had a nightmare and Jet comforted her. Watches Ichirou rub Aang's back like a parent, like Mom did, like Jet did too, before, with his kids.

There are a few other people outside now, too. They're probably wondering what's going on. Jet almost wants to tell them to look away.

Aang's voice shakes as he lets out a muffled I'm back.