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“This is absolutely crazy, Aang wait until you see this.” Sokka exclaimed.
Everyone was dressed in their finest attire, they were at the fire nation, in the palace and there was no shortage of energy surrounding them. Aang had been nervously getting ready in his room. Sokka helped him with the final touches.
“Are you ready?” Sokka asked.
“I am.” Aang smiled. “I’m nervous though.”
“What for? You’re going out there to meet Zuko, you’ve been dating for ages now.” Sokka smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder. “He’s crazy about you, you’re crazy about him and ever since you two made it public, the people are crazy about the two of you.” Sokka squeezed his shoulder. “But, don’t think of the people, tonight’s about you and Zuko.”
Aang smiled even though he still felt a little nervous, Sokka was right. This was their night and even though they were sharing it with everyone, he had to focus on his soon to be husband. Aang and Zuko worked really hard on Republic City as well as keeping their personal lives and feelings out of the official stuff. Aang had to be a neutral party and once he mastered doing that, he felt much better about sharing their status as a couple.
“I can’t believe I’m going to marry my best friend.” Aang mused.
Sokka gasped. “I thought I was your best friend.” He feigned hurt.
“You are Sokka! You know what I mean..” Aang said with a soft chuckle.
“I know.” Sokka smiled. “Only teasing you airboy.”
Aang rolled his eyes. “I’m not a boy anymore..”
“You will always be that dorky boy, my sister and I found in the iceberg..” Sokka assured him. “Even if you are about to marry the ex-fire prince, turned fire lord.”
Aang gently pushed him. “Stop talking.” Aang chuckled.
“I’m only surprised you’re getting married because of your roots.” Sokka paused. “Or your lack thereof.”
“It's a tradition in the fire nation and Zuko is important to me, I’m happy to do this for him.”
“Just like he was happy to throw it all away for you.”
Aang nodded. “My people were never opposed to marriage, they just chose not to get married. In some cases, they did get married. But it all came down to the couple.” Aang explained. “And my people welcomed love in all forms.”
“Which is why it was easier for you to come out huh?”
“In a sense..” Aang said thoughtfully. “I had my own struggles, like Zuko did, but we got through it and now we’re getting married.” Aang beamed.
“We better not keep your soon to be husband waiting too long, you know how he gets.” Sokka mused.
Aang snorted. “You’re right.”
Naturally both Aang and Zuko had a hand in planning their big day, but what Aang didn’t know was all the things Zuko had added without his knowledge. There were many things to represent and celebrate Aang and his culture, from his favorite foods to little details. Because Aang was the avatar and this event was a big deal, Zuko made sure to incorporate pieces of every nation.
They had their ceremony in the gardens, their close friends were front and center while the others filled the rest of the garden. Zuko chose Aang’s favorite place in the gardens, which Aang took note of, he couldn’t help but smile as he approached the turtle-duck pond, the place that he meditated often when he was in the fire nation.
“This is beautiful.” Aang mused.
“Spider monkey, this is nothing compared to the grand hall.” Zuko assured him.
Aang’s curiosity started to get to him. “What did you do to the grand hall? “
“You’ll see.” Zuko smirked.
Aang grinned.
Momo and Appa were settled right near the altar, which made Aang extremely happy. Everyone he loved and everyone that was important to him, they were right there. Seeing everyone there to celebrate love, it made Aang’s heart feel so full.
“Did you do your own hair?” Aang asked.
“Katara might’ve had a hand in helping me.” Zuko mused.
Amber hues shifting toward the water tribe girl, he smiled at his friend before looking to his fiancé.
“Very handsome.” Aang reached up to brush some of those dark locks back.
Aang had grown considerably after the war, though Zuko still had a good inch or two on Aang at this point. Zuko had a hunch that Aang would surpass him in height soon enough, so for now he would enjoy being taller. They both grew up a lot after the war and after everything that had followed.
The formal part of the wedding wasn’t all that exciting, it was what came after that would surely be a highlight of the event. After the vows were spoken and they sealed the deal with a kiss, it was time to go to the grand-hall and Aang couldn’t have been more excited.
They were let inside first, just before entering the grand hall, Zuko covered Aang’s eyes, leading him into the grand hall.
“Okay..” Zuko removed his hands. ”You can look now.”
Grey hues fluttered open and it took a moment for him to adjust, the grand hall looked so different, lanterns were lit all around the room giving off a romantic feel. As Aang looked around he took in all the details, the obvious fire nation pieces, but he noticed there were bits and pieces of each nation sprinkled throughout the entire room, it all flowed together beautifully. Zuko had taken it upon himself to pay homage to every nation, knowing all eyes would be on them during this event.
“Zuko..”
“Do you like it?”
Aang slowly spun around as he took everything in, he paused when caught sight of something that was so very air nation and he smiled.
“I love it.” Aang said as he walked further into the grand hall. “How did you get these things?”
Aang found a rather important pendent at what would be their table, he picked up the pendent, running his fingers over the air sign. As a kid he made something like this for Gyatso and when he had gone back home, he took it to remember his mentor. This particular pendant was different though.
“Did you make this?” Aang asked, looking toward his husband.
Zuko glanced down for a moment. “Yeah, is it okay?”
Aang wrapped his arms around Zuko, hugging him tightly. “It’s more than okay.”
Zuko hugged him back and smiled as he looked at him. “I know there wasn’t traditionally weddings or anything… “
“For my people, right.” Aang nodded.
“And I know how my mother ended up with my father, I didn't think that was a fitting gesture..”
“Right, that being kidnapping..” Aang nodded.
“Katara’s always wearing her mother’s necklace and I don't know, it just sort of inspired me.” Zuko admitted.
Aang pulled back to look up at Zuko. “You made me a betrothal necklace?” Aang asked amused as he reached up to cup Zuko’s cheek. “My turtle-duck, if that’s the case, you should have given it to me before now.” Aang teased.
Zuko flushed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Less of a betrothal necklace and more of a wedding gift.”
Aang grinned and slipped the necklace over his head, before leaning up to kiss Zuko on the lips. “I love it and I love you for all of this.” Aang gestured around them. “But especially for this, I’ll take it everywhere.” Aang beamed, he touched the pendant.
“Do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
Aang lifted the pendant. “Kiss it.”
Zuko furrowed his brow at the odd request, he simply leaned forward and kissed the pendant, Aang smiled and held the pendant to his own chest for a moment. “Now I can take your kiss with me wherever I go.”
Zuko grinned, Aang was so sappy at times.
Aang cupped Zuko’s cheek and leaned up to kiss him deeply.
“I love you so much.” Aang said softly.
“You’re going to love me more..” Zuko mused.
Aang arched his brow.
“I may have done a little more digging and found a few of your favorite foods..”
“Egg custard tarts?” Aang asked excitedly.
“Among other things.” Zuko beamed.
Aang grinned and threw his arms around Zuko again.
The doors opened to allow everyone else inside, the afterparty was now well underway and food was being served along with drinks. Zuko spoiled Aang, from the food to the drinks, Aang got a little taste of home and it was bittersweet. Aang knew his people were with him always, in his heart and in new love all around him. Zuko made Aang feel loved, he made him feel seen, heard and wanted. Zuko and their little found family, it made Aang’s heart feel full.