Chapter Text
“Come on, come on - Aang, can Appa go any faster? Appa, more fast please!”
There was a responding roar, but the bison kept his pace without faltering. Momo chittered, taking flight from the saddle to fly beside his friend.
Giving a long suffering sigh, Aang turned his head. “Ya know Sokka, we're flying as fast as we can. How about we all get in your back and fly to Ba Sing Se?”
“Great idea! All aboard!” Sokka grinned at the two eye rolls he received, slumping back into the saddle. He picked up his whittling again, picking away at a few chunks before setting it down. The sculpture of the Unagi could wait. “What are you reading?”
Katara rolled her eyes, looking up at her brother from her scroll. Her hair whipped in her face, and she tucked it behind her ears without much thought. She didn't react much when Momo came to settle on her shoulder. “Do you have fire ants in your pants?”
“If I did you'd be the first to know!”
Aang gave a whoop of excitement. “There it is on the horizon! Ba Sing Se, here we come!”
“If you must know Mai gave me this to read. It's about eastern Fire Nation herbology.”
Sokka sighed, slumping even further and leaning his head back. “That sounds boring.”
“...it kinda is. But I want to get closer to her, you know how much she loves plants.”
“She's also a big theater nerd - Suki too. They can recite all of the musicals made in the last century. It's excruciating when Zuko gets in on it too.” Sokka grinned at the last memory of a few months ago. “Mai paid for the Ember Island Players to perform for Zuko’s birthday, it's gonna be hilarious.”
Aang whipped his head around, his interest piqued. “I have to see that!”
“If you can clear your plans then go ahead - the more people the merrier.” Sokka grinned devilishly, rubbing his hands together. “We're hiding all the booze and making sure the Kyoshi Warriors are blocking all the exits - I'm so excited!”
Katara sighed, shaking her head. “You two are awful… we'll make it a surprise party, he'll be so angry.”
“Yes.”
The wall became more visible on the horizon, and closer with every passing second. Over the years King Keui had collected flags of various provinces, principalities, and colonies in the Earth Kingdom, and hung them on the outer wall. He was always adding and adjusting, showing the pride and ever evolving change of the new world.
Sokka leaned over the saddle as they passed over, grinning as he saw the national park that circulated the outer rim. It has been his idea to start the native plant program to help rebuild, and the king had jumped on it. It was doing incredibly well, and he could see people sprawled and walking on trails as they dropped lower in the atmosphere.
The sounds of the city could be heard, and people whooping and cheering as they passed over. It was still strange, to be revered by the world. Or… recognized as being attached to the Avatar.
He tried to tuck that thought away, but it lingered. He found himself looking at his sister while she moved to Appa's head, sitting with the Avatar as they waved back.
It concerned him, the impending betrothal Aang had planned later tonight.
Not that Aang couldn't care for his sister. That he wasn't concerned about. Hell, the boy had practically begged the permission of Hakoda and him to marry Katara.
It was the prestige and scrutiny that would come with it. They'd lived together on Airbender Island for years already, but the label attached as ‘the Avatar's Wife’ and ‘future mother of the Airbender Nation's concerned him.
He was so lost in thought he didn't notice that they were near the Jasmine Dragon. A smile came across his face as the rest of the Gaang poured out of the tea shop - Zuko and Toph jostling each other, Mai and Suki chatting quietly, and Iroh picking up the rear, waving cheerfully.
Appa had barely touched down before he hopped down, skipping happily over to Suki and scooping her up.
Suki laughed as he spun her around, gasping into the rough kiss once he set her down. They ignored the reunions for a moment and Momo bouncing around to chatter happily at everyone, foreheads pressed together. “How gross were they this time?”
“Bearable,” he murmured, giving her a gentle peck. “I'm with you now.”
Toph’s gruff voice cut through. “You two love birds done yet or should you get a room?”
“Your room is next ours, remember that!” Suki chirped, tossing her red hair back as they loosened their embrace. She grinned at the huff, stepping forward to embrace the Avatar. The second embrace to Katara was shorter and less warm, though still welcoming.
“Good to see you, Snoozles. You're looking great!”
“Thank you, it's a new - why do you do that?” Sokka just smiled at the resounding cackle, receiving a punch to the shoulder as he embraced Zuko and Iroh, and gave a high five to Mai. “How are you feeling?”
Mai scowled, patting her very pregnant stomach. “I'm never doing this again. Zuko take note. One heir, no spare.”
“I have enough sibling trauma for the next generation,” Zuko drawled with a smile.
Toph grinned. “At least the next Firelord will have gorgeous looks.”
“Well they will take after Mai… really Toph?”
“I think you look handsome! You all have grown into wonderful, intelligent young adults!” Iroh patted his belly, grinning. “Come, I have dinner prepared - a dish for everyone! Appa, there is hay in the courtyard - and mangos!”
Appa gave a low grumble of approval, making a few small steps forward and bumping Iroh affectionately before doing the same to Suki, who grinned and scratched his head. With another snort he turned and stomped off, Momo flitting away to join him.
“Oh my gosh, they are taking forever on that walk!” Sokka groaned, letting his head thunk onto the table. “I need to know if she said yes!”
Mai shook her head, setting down the pai sho tile and smirking as Zuko grumbled. “You know she'll say yes - they've been in love for years.”
“You said no four times, darling.”
“I like to be unconventional.”
Iroh chortled as he came out of the kitchen, carrying a pot of tea in one hand and a tray in the other. He set everything down with ease, beginning to pour for everyone. “Everyone moves at their own pace, much like the wind.”
Toph snorted, scratching Momo behind the ears. “It's okay Iroh, we can make fun of Suki and Sokka, they've been engaged for decade and no wedding date.”
“What about me?” Suki asked, looking up from the documents in front of her, fingers fiddling with her betrothal necklace. It was a brilliant green stone even after all these years, the four elements carved into one stone.
“They're making fun of us,” Sokka grumbled, folding his arms across his chest. Beneath the table he felt his partner tuck her feet between his legs, and patted her thigh gently.
“Ah, what's new?” Suki shrugged, leaning back and folding her arms across her chest. “I still say Aang will probably propose on the deck once they get back - he's not an idiot, he would rather have us be the first to know than random strangers witnessing."
“It's better than Zuko proposing in bed the first time.” Mai snickered as her husband banged his head against the table in embarrassment as everyone started laughing. “Mid cotius too.”
“We were seventeen!”
“We weren't even together the second time. That was at a state dinner - at least you had the courtesy to do it in private.”
“Zuko,” Iroh chided half-heartedly, though he was laughing into his tea as he sat across from Toph and pushed her feet to the floor. “I proposed to Yuyong on a clifftop at sunset, after a picnic and a rousing game of Pai Sho! We may have been an arranged match but we fell hard for each other… what a woman. She was a strong warrior with a stronger mind… she had radical ideas for the time… she would have loved you all.”
Zuko smiled softly, no doubt thinking of his aunt. “She used to talk to Mom for hours about herbs.”
Suki leaned back when her fiance put his arm around her, taking his teacup when he offered the rest of his tea. “I don't think I've ever heard her name - you should speak of her more. Sounds like a remarkable woman.”
Toph, who had been quietly listening, readjusted her feet on the floor. “Speaking of which - how did you two become engaged? You just showed up one day with a necklace and no one asked.”
“...we didn't really do anything formal, we - “
“They're back!” Toph hissed, grinning devilishly. “Everyone act natural - Sokka, don't be an idiot!”
“Hey!”
Mai pressed her lips together, trying not to snicker but failing. She shook her head, smoothing her expression. “We should try the dango stand down in the middle ring.”
“Mmm hmm, but the mochi place in the lower ring is better.” Zuko stood and walked over, grabbing Sokka’s collar as the man tried to lean out of his seat to see the side deck. “Better customer service.”
Iroh chuckled, patting his stomach. “No, the cheesecake restaurant near the palace - fit for a king!”
“Or we could go to a bar! There are a few I haven't been kicked out of yet!” Toph cackled as Suki snorted in amusement. “Wanna join me fangirl?”
“Tempting I admit, which - “
“YES! YES!”
They all sprang up, chairs screeching as they jostled to witness part of the scene.
Through the side deck they could see Aang wiping away tears as he stood, grinning as Katara met him halfway and kissed him. He swung her around when they straightened, grinning and holding onto the betrothal necklace.
“You just made me the happiest man on Earth,” Aang said softly.
A few of them sniffed, wiping away tears. No one saw Toph and Sokka making a face and handing money to Suki, probably paying up on some bet they all made.
“It's beautiful Aang.” She smiled crookedly as he carefully tied the necklace around her wrist, knowing she needed more time to part with her mother's necklace that had always been around her neck.
“Your dad found the stone - taught me to carve it too.”
Katata started to respond to her now betrothed, then registered the gaggle of people behind them. She frowned halfheartedly, putting her hands on her hips. “How long have you been watching?”
Aang rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “They've been there the whole time.”
“Well I saw the whole thing.” Toph boasted, grinning as she stepped forward and engulfed Katara in a hug, punching Aang on the shoulder affectionately when they parted. “Good job Twinkle Toes. I didn't know you had it in you.”
“Thanks Toph.”
Sokka came forward, grinning widely and tackling them in an embrace. “Well welcome to the family Aang! Do I get extra perks being the brother-in-law of the Avatar?”
Zuko rolled his eyes, exchanging bemused looks with his wife. He gave a one armed hug to Katara when she stepped forward to show the rest of the gang the necklace. “You're already the godfather of the future Firelord, best friends with the most powerful people on earth, and your partner is the most lethal warrior known… you want more perks?”
Sokka waved the question away, admiring the necklace.
“I baked your fruit pie recipe, Aang, for this occasion.” Iroh grinned at the whoop from the Avatar, and drew them both into an embrace. “And Akuraq for you, Katara. Your gran gran shared the recipe last time the White Lotus meeting was at the South Pole.”
Mai and Aang looked a little green at the thought of the traditional dish as they all herded back inside, though the rest were mostly unbothered.
“...but you've surely thought about it by now? You spent six months planning this night.”
“We haven't gotten that far Sokka.” Katara rolled her eyes at her brother, not seeing the panic starting to settle on her betrothed face. She continued to eat the Akuraq happily, freezing it a little more with a wave of her finger. “It's been a few hours?”
Zuko shook his head in disbelief as he came into the dining room with the last pot of tea of the night. “I thought planning our wedding invitations was a disaster… good luck.”
“You’ll nearly avoid an international disaster just by inviting everyone you've ever met,” Mai murmured, smiling in thanks when her husband handed her a cup. She barely noticed Momo poking her stomach and watching the resounding kicks through the rich fabric. “You'll still be paying that off for a decade.”
Toph snorted, taking the tea Zuko handed her. “Imagine the seating chart!”
Iroh chortled, wiping some tea Toph spilled on the seat between them. “I had to invite my father's mistress to my wedding. My mother was livid.”
Sokka suddenly gasped, standing and slamming his hands against the table. He yelped when the ink well in front of Suki's documents tipped over, frantically grabbing a handkerchief nearby and then sighing in relief as Aang waterbended the ink back into her well. “Anyways - you need a best man! I volunteer!”
Katara rolled her eyes, finishing her Akuraq and pushing the bowl aside. She opened her mouth, but was cut off by the Firelord.
“Aang, come on, he knows nothing, he's not even married! Don't consider him.” Zuko set the tray down before sitting by his wife, letting out a chuckle as she put her feet on his lap. He pulled her slippers off, grinning as he rubbed her feet. “This is married life Aang.”
“Hey!” Sokka puffed out his chest, putting his hands on her shoulders. “We are in a committed, loving relationship! Marriage isn't everything, right Suki?”
Suki blinked, raising her head from her letter to the mayor of Republic City. “Hmm?”
They had already forgotten she was brought into the conversation, glaring at each other.
Katara rolled her eyes. “Don't pressure him, it's our wedding! Besides - ”
Sokka scoffed, throwing his hand up. “Katara shush, important men talk about weddings.”
There was some muffled laughter, drawing everyone to look at Mai, Toph, and Iroh muttering to each other. They looked extremely amused, taking long drinks to avoid saying anything - well, except Toph, who grinned and slammed her hands onto the table.
“I got it - Agni Kai! To the death!”
“Agni Kai’s are outlawed Toph - “
Toph shook her head, a large grin, toothy grin on her face. “Sugar Queen, we're the leaders of the world - we can break the law.”
“...what about - “ Aang started before being cut off. He groaned, slumping in a seat and putting his head in his hands. Momo chirped, crawling onto his head and nuzzling it.
“I like it - it's fair. Duel. With our swords.”
“They should do it with their cocks, that's what they're thinking with,” Mai muttered, earning loud laughs from most of them.
Zuko stroked his beard, thinking it over before nodding. “Fair fight - but I'll win. I have more experience.”
“I was trained by Suki and Piandao and - “
Aang stood, slamming his hands down on the table. “Enough! Suki. I choose Suki. She'll be my best man, since you idiots can't stop arguing!”
Suki looked up again, having been half listening to the conversation. It took a second for her to register the last several sentences, and she blinked slowly when she realized.
Then she started laughing, her loud braying laugh that was rarely heard by any but Sokka - maybe Zuko and Mai. Her shoulders shook, tears running down her face, face in hands. When she eventually stopped, she realized everyone was staring at her.
“I'm sorry Aang… when was the last time we spoke about anything personal?” Suki snorted again, still looking extremely amused. “I'm still not even sure if Katara likes me that much and it's been over a decade years - no offense.”
“None taken?” Katara responded sarcastically, staring at her sister-in-law in all but name.
Aang glared between the other two young men in the room, a glare that made most politicians shrink in fear. It just made them roll their eyes and grumble to themselves and sink into their respective seats. He looked at the Kyoshi warrior, his face softening. “But you're honest, you're trustworthy, and a good person… and you're not gonna do anything at my wedding for their own gain.”
“Does anyone even know who I am outside of this room?” Suki asked, raising her eyebrows. “It was annoying at first but flying under the radar is kinda nice now and - “
“Take the offer before I give it to Toph.”
“Hey! That's… fair, yeah.” Toph sat back down, earning a sympathize pat from the Firelady. “I'd cause so much chaos.”
“We know, you did at ours. The piranha ducks were very funny, they make a great talking appointment for annoying nobles.”
“Aww.”
Aang cleared his throat, bringing the attention back to the issue at hand. “So? Yes?”
“Sure, I guess. Except I'm wearing my Kyoshi uniform.”
Aang flew to give her a hug, grinning ear to ear. He didn't seem to notice her stiffen, or the awkward pat on his back. “Wouldn't expect anything less - thank you!”