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Rangi was going to murder Kyoshi. Unlike most times, when Kyoshi ran headlong into danger without telling her or leaped into an underground cavern alone or something else ridiculous, this had nothing to do with her endless Avatar duties. In fact, it had nothing to do with their respective duties to the world. There were no politicking or cultural grievances to weave through, or more commonly, blast their way through, nor wars breaking out. Rather, it was quiet on Yokoya, meaning they’d been together on the island for nearly a month now, not even a missive to grumble about. To be honest, the quiet was getting on her nerves and it made her skin crawl, there was never such thing as a world with no problems.
Whereas she’d sunk into meditations, sparring practice, and late afternoon jaunts with her mother, Kyoshi seemed to have grown increasingly anxious as the month passed. She was constantly looking for something to do, to fix, to clean, and if she swept their bedroom one more time Rangi was going to lose it. The floor was so clean from dust she could have eaten off it, but Kyoshi still insisted anyway. She hadn’t skimped on training, complaining unusually less than normal on most days, and showed up to every meal. If Rangi wasn’t so pleased with the fact that the world had decided to go quiet, leaving Kyoshi with absolutely no excuse to not take care of herself, she would be suspicious. She’d taken to disappearing for several hours of the day doing spirits knows what, and Rangi could only hope she wasn’t rearranging the topography of the island. Her anxiousness was becoming irate, and if Rangi wasn’t so frustrated with how Kyoshi suddenly seemed like a newly born tiger-horse, she’d maybe be more concerned. But this was her girlfriend of four years! Acting now like she was back when they’d first fallen for each other, uncertain of each other’s touch and desire, hands touching ever so slightly as if to cause offense.
As she stepped out into the courtyard, once again not seeing her girlfriend anywhere, Rangi decided right there that she was finding Kyoshi. She was overdue for an interrogation anyway. She stormed into the complex, mostly rebuilt after Yun’s death three years ago in search of Kyoshi, only to find her mother instead. Hei-Ran still used her cane some days, and admittedly, probably would never bend fire the way she used to, which made Rangi steam whenever she thought of it too long. But today she was crossing the room like she’d never been injured, years of military training borne into her bones for life. A missive was clutched in one hand, and she was smiling, if only slightly, but it was practically a beaming grin coming from her mother.
“Mother?” she asked, slightly bewildered. Retirement had made Hei-Ran softer around the edges to both her and Kyoshi, though it was mostly due to Ataut. Hei-Ran didn’t answer her, rather placing the letter, a broken whetstone seal revealing its origin. Rangi skimmed it quickly before glancing up at her mother, watching her with a face that made Rangi feel like she was back in the Academy.
“The clan elders want to meet Kyoshi? Not as the Avatar but as my partner?”
Hei-Ran hummed, “I know they’ve been waiting for a period in which it would not seem like they were pulling the Avatar away from her duties. They’d have to meet her sooner or later yes?”
Rangi flushed at the implication. Her mother knew well what she was implying, and had seen the ring herself. Though she knew Kyoshi wasn’t as caring about the traditions of her nation, it felt wrong to ignore them completely when asking her to marry her. The golden ring had been stowed away in her mother’s room, the one place she knew Kyoshi would not find it.
“I’ll inform Kyoshi that we leave tomorrow,” she said, nodding once to her mother before remembering that she had no fucking clue where Kyoshi actually was. Luckily for her, Kyoshi was just coming up the pathway back to the compound, dressed more casually than the villagers typically saw her. She seemed much more at ease than she had been, and made that ice that was clenching at Rangi’s heart melt just a little.
“Hey you,” Kyoshi said, smiling at her before dropping a kiss on her forehead. Oh, she was buttering her up, Rangi knew it.
“Where have you been! I’ve looked all over for you, you don’t just get to disappear like that.” She stabbed her finger into Kyoshi’s chest for emphasis.
Kyoshi blinked, “I was uh, talking to Yangchen?”
Rangi just stared, that was the weakest attempt of a lie she’d heard in ages.
“I’ll tell you soon okay? I’m working on something.”
That at least was the truth, though it did nothing to stop Rangi’s curiosity. Kyoshi was flushed, but there was an excited air about her. Rarely did she plan something to this degree, so Rangi would let her have it. For now.
***
Her home island was beautiful. Rangi loved coming home, the salty air coming off the beaches could be tasted wherever she walked, and the black stones from the singular, old volcano made stunning landscapes. There was little else on the island, but it was home. Kyoshi stared over the edge of Yingyong, taking in the sights, her long brown hair fluttering in the wind, knocked loose from where it was normally tied. The sun made her freckles flush along her cheeks, more beautiful than ever.
Jinpa brought Yingyong down at the edge of the center square to a crowd of onlookers. She could make out several of the elders, waiting to welcome them to the island. It had been years since Rangi had felt nervous under their gaze, but now coming to them in hopes of approval of Kyoshi made her stomach knot. Kyoshi’s nerves seemed to have grown tenfold in the few minutes between flying and landing, and she reached over and grasped her hand, giving it one squeeze before dropping it. Affection would have to wait.
Hei-Ran was off first, and Rangi quickly followed, it was best not to keep them waiting. She could feel Kyoshi next to her, and she knew her girl was going over the proper etiquette in her head. They stopped in front of the elders, a triad of two men and one woman, all wrinkled with age. Though they looked aged, Rangi knew more than anyone that they were still formidable firebenders, and were not to be messed with.
They bowed, Kyoshi following only a step behind. When they rose, everyone looked at Kyoshi, who flattened her gloved palms against her side.
“Avatar Kyoshi,” Elder Sarjan said first, “it is an honor to have you join us on our island.”
Kyoshi dipped her head, a deep sign of respect to the man, “Thank you for the invitation Elder Sarjan, the honor is mine.” She sounded more sure and diplomatic than usual, and Rangi’s heart swelled with pride. Elder Sarjan nodded back, and just like that, the formality was over. Elder Osana, the one woman in the group, approached her mother, and the two of them immediately launched into discussions of military strategies. Elder Osana was a mentor to her mother, if Rangi recalled correctly, when she was younger than Rangi was now.
Rangi started off down the street, “Care to discover an island?” she remarked, throwing a wicked grin over her shoulder. Kyoshi seemed startled by how quickly the formalities ended, used to the stifling navigation of the Caldera she’d yet to master. Unlike the royal court, they could be freer here, on an island that she knew better than herself. Kyoshi grinned before jogging after her, giving her shoulder a nudge when she caught up to her.
“So am I welcome on your teeny tiny island?” she teased.
Rangi paused, scanning her up and down, “You have to prove yourself Avatar,” she said, humor alight in her voice, “Don’t think you can skimp on training in the Sei-naka Clan of all places.”
Kyoshi grinned, “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
***
Rangi was floating. The past several days on her home island had been some of the most peaceful of her entire life. After they’d been welcomed back to the island, it was like they’d never left. Rangi never realized just how fun it would be to show Kyoshi all the things of her home, from the food to the hiding spots she used to climb to. It hadn’t all just been pleasure however, there’d been several times when both she and her mother had been in meetings with the elders, about anything and everything. They wanted reports on how the rest of the Fire Nation was doing, about unrest in the Earth Kingdom, to reports of pirates along the coast. They wanted to know what the Avatar did and how treaties were working out. Rangi mostly told the truth, but she knew better than to spill everything. She was loyal to her clan, yes, but they both knew that her honor demanded loyalty to the Avatar above all.
Eventually, the meetings had circled back to Kyoshi as her partner. Talks of her assets, of proposal contracts, of her personhood. She’d never heard her mother speak so highly of Kyoshi beyond their own group, rarely such praise ever fell from Hei-Ran’s lips, and it made Rangi lightheaded with disbelief. Everyone knew there was no better match than the Avatar, but they went through the motions anyway. Being the Avatar doesn’t automatically mean you make a good life partner.
Finally, right when Rangi was about to say fuck it and steal Kyoshi off for herself, tradition be dammed, they approved the proposal contract, should Kyoshi accept. Rangi nearly burst into flames right there, muttering the respectful thanks to her elders before dashing out the door. She burst into her home, startling the servant, before taking the stairs two at a time to her parent's bedroom, contract rolled up under her arm. She snatched the golden ring from the bedside table and raced out the door, only to barrel into her mother. Hei-Ran stabilized her by the shoulders, smiling softly at her.
“Do make sure you’re presentable when you bring Kyoshi to the elders,” her mother said sternly, but not coldly. In a rare moment of tenderness, one hand brushed her cheek, cradling her as if she were a child, eyes bright, before brushing into her room and closing the door behind her. Rangi blinked, surprised at the emotion she could feel rolling off her mother like heat from a flame, staring now at the closed door where Hei-Ran had just been. She shook herself, she needed to find Kirima, Wong, and Jinpa, who should have landed on the other side of the island before Kyoshi did, or else her surprise would be for naught. Tradition stated that should Kyoshi accept her proposal, she would need witnesses of her own family to bear witness to her signature and agree to the terms of the contract. The Flying Opera Company was their family, sworn brothers and sisters, and Rangi would be dammed if she didn’t see to all the details.
“Top-knot!” Kirima called from the shoreline, sliding off the back of Yingyong, hair loose over her shoulders except for two front pieces pulled back with blue bands out of her face. The color clashed horribly against her Fire Nation outfit that she’d probably stolen at some point, her signature fur draped over the waistband. “Do I finally get to see that ring you’ve been hiding?”
Rangi rolled her eyes but obediently held out the golden ring for inspection. After she’d explained how Fire Nation proposals worked to Kirima, she’d been incessant about ‘approving’ of any and all of the actions Rangi had taken, even going so far as to demand she ‘preserve Kyoshi’s dignity’ in such a manner that had her flushing up to her ears.
Kirima let out a low whistle as she inspected the ring. “Hairpin this ruby is something I’d steal.”
Wong crowded next to Kirima, eyes widening at the precious stone inlaid in gold. It had taken Rangi months of negotiating with metalworkers to carve the intricate spirals along the side of the band, weaving together the elements before culminating in the red stone. It was by far one of the most extravagant things Rangi had ever commissioned, but she’d worked to make sure that the band matched the metal of Kyoshi’s headpiece and fans and would fit her perfectly, even under her gloves.
“She’ll love it,” Jinpa said knowingly. “When are you planning on proposing?”
“Tonight,” Rangi said quickly, “It won’t take Kyoshi long to find you guys, and I want it to be a surprise. I’ve kept it this long, and I don’t want it to be ruined in the last couple of hours.”
Kirima slugged her shoulder, causing Rangi to hold out a flame in a mostly friendly warning. “Give us the signal and we’ll swoop down, just like a job!”
***
Holy fuck Rangi was nervous. She knew Kyoshi would accept her proposal, was certain about it to a degree she admittedly rarely was, but even then her hands wouldn’t stop sweating like a child. They’d discussed marriage and had both agreed that they wanted to be married to each other, yet somehow this was more nervewracking than anything she’d ever done.
Dusk had finally started to settle over the island, the sun minutes away from being a brilliant, fiery red in the sky that promised good fortune to those who proposed under such a sight, and was particularly romantic in Rangi’s mind. The sea was lapping lazily at the black sand beach, the lights from town glittering in the distance. It was a perfect night if only Rangi could get a hold of her nerves and not drop the ring into the ocean.
Suddenly she saw Kyoshi walking towards her, a shy but brilliant smile on her perfect, freckled face. For once her hair was loose over her shoulders in a way it rarely was, no ponytail pulling it back, instead soft brown waves falling perfectly down her back. She was without her usual getup, Rangi realized with a start, and was instead in a long, flowing green dress that was styled in Fire Nation fashion. Kyoshi never wore something so revealing, rather finding comfort in long sleeves and the solidness that her chainmail inspired, a comfort Rangi rarely ever teased her for these days. She was even without her gloves, her large, spectacular hands wringing together in front of her, betraying her nerves. She was artwork, and Rangi wanted to take her all in for the end of times, her golden girl. The sun cast brilliant golden rays onto her skin, illuminating her like the very essence of her inner flame itself. She was vibrant, rich, and full of life that stole Rangi’s very breath from her. She was beautiful, in a way that was so Kyoshi it made her heart hurt with longing and desire.
“Hi,” Kyoshi breathed out nervously. Before she could say anything else, Rangi was tugging her down into a fiery kiss, one hand tangled in Kyoshi’s loose hair, the other pulling her close by the front of her dress. Kyoshi let out a squeak at the suddenness in which she kissed her, but melted into the kiss quickly.
Rangi pulled away panting, smirking at how red Kyoshi’s cheeks had become, her eyes blown wide with desire. “You,” she breathed, “are gorgeously dangerous like this.”
“Same could be said about you,” Kyoshi said softly, eyes roaming over Rangi’s body. “This trip has been perfect you know.” They stayed like that, breathing in each other’s presence, foreheads pressed together in an embrace more tender than anything Rangi had ever known. This was it, the moment. Rangi took a deep breath before reaching into her pocket for the ring she kept nestled in there.
“I would kneel, but I don’t need to be any shorter than I already am,” she started, finding Kyoshi’s dark green eyes and holding her gaze. “I love you more than anything else in this world Kyoshi. Would you do me the honor of joining our two families together in marriage?” She held out the ring, watching Kyoshi’s gaze drop down to the ring before back up to her face. Her jaw dropped in shock, and for one, long, terrible moment, she did nothing. Then she moved, hands flying up to grasp both sides of Rangi’s face in a rare show of force and smashed their lips together in a messy, heated kiss that had Rangi’s insides melting. Just as quickly, she pulled away, hands searching for something in her robes.
“Kyoshi what-”
Suddenly Kyoshi was on one knee, holding out a ring of her own. “I can actually get on one knee, and naturally you had to ask first because you are the bravest, most brilliant person I know. Will you marry me Rangi?”
Rangi let out a laugh before throwing herself at Kyoshi, the two of them tumbling onto the fine black sand. “Of course I will,” she breathed, loose strands from her top-knot hanging down next to her face as she looked down at Kyoshi under her, who was grinning wildly. She sat back on her heels, letting Kyoshi up to slide the ring onto her finger. It was gold, just like the band she’d made for Kyoshi, but the center stone was green, with a white diamond on either side. The band was carved to look like fire, and it was the most perfect thing Rangi had ever seen. Wordlessly she slipped Kyoshi’s ring onto her waiting finger, watching how Kyoshi’s eyes lit up at the ruby, one scarred finger gently brushing the top of the stone in reverence.
“HEY LOVEBIRDS!” Kirima called from down the beach, effectively breaking the moment. Kyoshi’s head snapped up, staring quizzically at Kirima before looking back at Rangi. Rangi stood, brushing the sand off her pants before offering a hand to Kyoshi, helping her up. The Flying Opera Company was strolling down the beach, Kirima holding the rolled contract above her head, waving it back and forth.
“What the-” Kyoshi started, hand grasping Rangi’s.
“We’ve come to bear witness to the signing of the proposal contract,” Jinpa said, snatching the contract from Kirima and smoothing it out on a flat piece of wood before presenting it to Kyoshi. Wong dug an inkwell and pen out of his bag, holding it up next to the contract.
“Yeah we read over that thing and Top-knot here makes a pretty good argument for why she should get to marry you, and as your sworn brothers and sisters, we support it,” Kirima said.
Wong nodded, “What she said.”
Kyoshi glanced rapidly between the three of them, mouth hanging open. “I- what?”
Rangi took a deep breath before grasping both of Kyoshi’s hands in her own, tugging her so that Kyoshi was facing her. “Traditionally, in Fire Nation culture, one member of the couple draws up a proposal contract that first is approved by the elders of your clan. Should the second person in the relationship accept the proposal, their family needs to approve the contract and bear witness to the signing.” She flicked her head towards the Flying Opera Company. “They’re our family, your family, so we planned on them getting here so that they could bear witness to your signature as tradition decrees.”
Throughout her speech Kyoshi was silent, but as Rangi neared the end, tears started welling up in her eyes. A spike of panic shot through Rangi, she’d made Kyoshi cry on their proposal day! Wordlessly Kyoshi dropped her hands and snatched the pen out of Wong’s waiting hands before scrawling her name next to Rangi’s on the contract. She glanced back at Rangi, tears running down her face before a watery smile broke out and she launched herself at Rangi, tackling them back down into the sand, this time Kyoshi squishing her from on top, kissing her senseless.
“I love you so much,” she whispered against her lips, tears making Rangi’s cheeks wet. “You brought our family to witness this?”
Rangi smiled up at her, “Always darling. I’ll do it forever for you.” She wrapped her hands around Kyoshi, pulling her into a tight hug. For a moment it was just the two of them, until she felt gentle hands adding to the hug. She opened her eyes to see Kirima kneeling next to them, wrapping her arms around Kyoshi’s back. Jinpa and Wong did the same, five of them a tangle of arms and legs in the black sand. This was their family, their future, their forever, Rangi realized, and she couldn’t wait for forever to start.
There was one thing though, nagging at the back of her mind. She pulled back from the hug, staring Kyoshi down. “How long have you been planning to propose to me?”
Kyoshi grinned dopely at her, “Well, years if you really want to be technical, but I’ve had the ring done for a month.”
Rangi wiggled her way out of the hug pile, causing Kyoshi to sit up and shrug off the Flying Opera Company. Rangi pointed an accusatory finger at Kyoshi, “That’s why you’ve been so weird! I knew you were hiding something!”
Kirima let out a laugh, “Watching the two of you try to come up with ideas to propose to each other was ridiculous let me tell you.”
“You knew!” Rangi cried.
“Of course we knew! It’ll rot my teeth if I think about how adorable it was.”
For once Rangi was speechless, staring between Kirima, who was smirking, and Wong and his grin, and Jinpa who looked far too pleased with himself.
“We’re daofei, we deal in secrets,” Wong said, one heavy hand grasping Rangi’s shoulder. “You did technically win kid.”
Kyoshi let out a cry of protest at that before pulling Rangi up, “I was going to propose in like two days!”
“You said that two days ago,” Jinpa said.
“We were busy!”
Jinpa continued, “And you said that two weeks ago-”
“Okay enough!” Kyoshi cried.
“Oh come on, we all knew Rangi would do it first,” Kirima added, “she always comes out on top.”