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It’s their nightly routine by now.
Brushing, stroking, moving fingers through thick brown locks… It’s almost hypnotizing.
When she asks jokingly if this is a newfound addiction, Aang blushes. So uncharacteristically shy, for once. Katara is a bit thrilled at that. Her (now) husband is so easy to please and so difficult to turn awkward now, after they have become well-experienced in each other’s bodies.
Gone was the dorky boy who put his foot in his mouth almost daily. Now there was a young man in front of her: tall, handsome, imposing, but still just as sweet and full of joy and life.
The dorkiness thankfully remains, though that nervous pre-teen energy is long gone. Sometimes she misses it. Aang is far too shameless sometimes, so willing to flirt openly no matter where they are. However, it is, admittedly, a bit of a thrill to be the sole focus of the Avatar’s attention even in a room filled with representatives of all the major powers in the world.
But to think hairbrushing would bring the now confident young man back to that bashful sweetheart of old?
Maybe Katara should’ve seen it coming, considering how little Aang knows about hair in general. Even for the short time he had one, it was barely taken care of, and he always complained about how much it itched.
(She misses it, though).
Aang would always move his fingers through her hair at any given opportunity, sometimes deserving a good lecture on ruining her hairdo. That only made him more eager to learn how he could fix such a ‘crime against her beautiful hair’. Anyone else, and she would have frozen them on the spot. From Aang, though, she knew it was genuine even if it sounded so outlandish. Her darling airbender always had his head in the clouds.
Soon enough, the bald guy of the group became an expert in hairdos. Katara had gotten quite used to having him help with her more elaborate pieces and she loved the feeling of those smooth, long, and slim fingers on her scalp — and other places — daily. Some meetings were missed due to hair incidents, and that’s all she had to say about it.
Aang even started doing Toph’s messy bun, something the earthbender quite appreciated as it gave her more time to focus on what really mattered: training, eating a good piece of meat, and playing around with her now carry-on metal appliances (“no, they’re not jewelry, eugh!”, as she would say).
If Katara asked — or demanded — Aang to help with her hair more often on the days he worked a little too much on Toph’s (really beautiful, soft, and silky) locks, it was just a coincidence.
When Aang did Zuko’s hair, though, it was quickly and firmly deemed ‘unnecessary’ by both her and Sokka at once. Her brother assured them that Zuko had more experience with long hair than most of them — a lie, Katara and Toph knew as clear as day — but that was that. Katara wasn’t sure why her brother cared that much, but who was she to complain when she got more of Aang’s dextrous hands on her.
They start experimenting with all sorts of hairdos and combinations: the Water Tribe’s are obviously her favorite and feel quite natural, though the royalty’s extremely elaborate hairstyles are a bit much. It is fun to explore the frankly quite wild combinations of the Earth Kingdom hair styles. There are endless loops, gravity-defying combinations — which is probably why Aang likes doing them — and some looks require more hair than Katara could imagine, really.
For the more professional, high-level events filled with nobles, she needs ‘professionals’ to do her hair. Aang is always annoyed by that but relents.
When she says his hairstyles don’t lose to the professionals, she means it.
But she quite likes their little alone moments, stolen in the middle of the night, just talking about the day and whatever comes to their mind as Aang massages her scalp and brushes her hair. He washes her hair better than she does (even using waterbending).
It becomes an addiction for both of them.
The practical braid and bun are her go-tos when she’s pregnant. There is so much to do during the day, the heat in Republic City is honestly a bit annoying — but nothing to the level of the Fire Nation, which never bothered Aang — and she can’t be bothered with that much hair. Aang is only too happy to help, but as busy as he is, most days she wakes up, and he’s already at a meeting or emergency.
To make up for it, he always gives her (and her hair) special attention at night. Nowadays, she prefers more attention to her lower back — it’s killing her. How heavy is one baby? — and her feet. Aang is happy to oblige, every single time.
It’s like being able to touch her is the heavenly gift not even being Avatar can grant him. According to him, that is exactly it.
Katara considers briefly cutting her hair, but she prefers to keep it up or even in messy buns. It might seem silly and impractical, but she still remembers how her mother used to brush her hair.
So much care, love, and soft hands carding through her hair back then. She gets to have the same thing now.
And she can’t bear to cut it.
“What were the Air Nomads’ hairstyles? We could try them.” Maybe it’s the close due date, but Katara has been thinking about her husband’s people (and bending) so much more often now.
Still, nowhere near as much as Aang thinks about his people, understandably.
Aang’s hands still immediately.
It’s the first time this has happened.
She belatedly worries if she stepped on a landmine when he speaks, with heavy guilt in his voice.
“I don’t remember… I wasn’t around the nuns as much and, honestly, everyone had the tattoos or shaved waiting for them… I think the girls used buns, or maybe braids or something? I remember some had long hair and they always bent their hair into people’s faces… I think.” He sounds so lost, it’s heartbreaking.
“Aang… I’m sorry.”
She’s never quite sure what to be sorry for. Obviously, for how much he is left without. Katara couldn’t imagine what it was like to be the very last one of her entire people. Just the destruction of the Southern Water Tribe was more than she could bear. But they were rebuilding. Sokka, her father, Bato, and pretty much everyone were helping. She could not fathom what it would be like to be just her. No one else from the Water Tribes. Just her and whatever she could remember of her childhood.
Resting on her shoulders the entire weight and knowledge of a culture. When she was just a child, and not some scholar or expert.
The world doesn’t care, really, and everyone demands so much of Aang. For him to be okay with it all — how could he?! — to be forgiving and spiritual, to be a true academic who knows every single detail of his culture down to the most secret cultural tidbits… it was infuriating.
If it were her, she would’ve frozen half the council by now and most assuredly many of the diplomats and nobles who all but threw their daughters at Aang for a chance of ‘continuing the sacred Air Nomad line’, this all while he was already married to Katara for years.
Katara swore she would never be one of those people. She’d never demand too much of Aang or have him know things he could not, based on how young he was.
But here she was, already having done that.
She feels stupid and she wants to cry. Pregnancy always made her more emotional… and more prone to settling fights (not picking them, but settling them).
Katara feels a strong arm enveloping her from behind, and she relaxes. Aang’s breath is calm and smooth, like he almost always is. The monk is tranquility itself, and just being near him makes her calm.
“It’s okay, there’s nothing to feel bad about.” Aang kisses her slowly, sweetly.
He’s the one who got hurt, and yet he’s the one assuring her it’s okay. Always so kind, her precious monk.
Still, she wants to make this lighter. It shouldn’t always be up to Aang to do that.
“Still… sorry.” She kisses him back. “We could always experiment and see what works with a bald head.”
Making an airbender gasp is always a skill to be proud of. Especially if it’s a joke that surprises Aang, of all people.
“Katara!!” He starts laughing uncontrollably, and she soon joins in. They hug and decide hair time is over to take part in other, more exciting activities.
Though Katara must have the final word on this subject. Before they fall off to sleep, sweaty and content, she has to add:
“I’m sure your little Air Acolytes would love to shave and have you test hairstyles.”
Aang tries to laugh quietly, but can’t. He knows they would jump at the opportunity. And Katara would jump at the chance to freeze them, just a little.
The routine becomes a bit more chaotic after two children. Katara mourns her special hair time and the single-minded focus Aang devoted to hers, but two hyperactive children demand attention.
Bumi was never a big fan of hair time. He kept his short and to the point, not even long enough for a ponytail — though he loved his uncle Sokka’s cool self-entitled ‘wolf’s mighty tail’ - because he had places to be, things to invent, and people to prank. Aang not only understood that, but he also loved to get involved in Bumi’s genius plans and got scolded together with his son many times (especially by Katara and Zuko, once even by Toph, of all people).
Kya, on the other hand, loved every second of it. Just like her mother. It was her special time with her parents, especially dad, and she adored having him gush about her pretty, wonderful, one-of-a-kind self. Katara would’ve rolled her eyes at anyone saying that but Aang. He meant every word. Such a sweetheart.
Aang would make the most elaborate hairdos when they both had the time and patience, though they were quickly dissolved once Kya started waterbending or running around. Still, Aang always had fun. Soon enough, Kya was the one going around giving makeovers. Katara would get very… interesting hairstyles, some like having all her hair covering her face and exposing her neck — the highest level of fashion, according to little Kya — while Aang would get the makeover treatment.
Not only was Katara happy to have married a man with zero problems concerning makeup — something she hoped Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom men would one day learn — she was also thankful to have a husband who did not flip out when finding the makeup was water resistant. Welcoming a full delegation from each country using the brightest lipstick and darkest eyeshadow known to man was a feat only Avatar Aang could pull. Even more so, to not even be questioned about it showed how much people respected him — or thought he was already weird, either one.
Katara was happy either way.
Aang becomes pensive when Katara is pregnant with their third child (the one who will have an Air Nomad’s name). Maybe this might help. Katara feels this one will be an airbender, regardless of names, because of how many dreams she has of flying. Her husband is thinking and remembering more about his childhood daily, and he feels it’s all connected. Maybe it is.
She isn’t the type to meditate or think much about the spiritual world. But she does pray, to the Moon (Yue, her old friend) and Ocean spirits, and even to whatever deities the Air Nomads might have once adored. The world needs an airbender. Aang needs an airbender.
Katara feels like she is failing by not providing one. It’s been a big source of stress. Not so much in their private discussions, but she knows Aang thinks about it constantly. And she is sick and tired of hearing people asking (pressuring) her to produce an airbender heir or, better yet, let other women try.
It’s a blessing she can’t firebend, as Zuko said so himself, before she threatened to show him ways even water can burn.
Still, Katara herself wants to help bring balance to the world. It’s what she’s always wanted. And she loves being a mother. As many times as the spirits will allow her to be one, she will always be thankful.
Teo comes to visit them one day, bringing a box full of things he found in the air temples. He and Aang peruse them over nights on end, even though the Avatar has meetings daily. Many discoveries are made, such as what materials the gliders were made of and some instructions, but nothing too specific, or some recipes for delicious sweets (half lost to time).
There were no scrolls on clothing or hairstyles, though.
She knows that is one of the things Aang is so curious about.
Now a little bit of an Air Nomad in her own right, she joins them and makes some light jokes. Teo is quick to join in, and soon Aang forgets a little about the weight on his shoulders. It’s always so good to see the weary avatar returning to the happy go-lucky-boy he’s always been.
Teo adds simply, as if it’s the obvious, “Why don’t you just create clothes and hairdos? Call them the new Air Nomads style or something. Coming from you, it’ll be from the source!”
Katara freezes up. She thought about it before, but was never sure if it was a good idea or not. Some things were deeply personal and she knew Aang, the calm kid who rarely got into an argument, could end up screaming over a tradition followed incorrectly.
Aang, though, rests against the chair and exhales.
“I… I never thought about that.” He thinks, fidgeting a bit, an old habit from childhood. “I remember some things but not a lot… do you think…” and the next part he whispers, as if in fear. “Do you think… they’d be upset?”
Katara and Teo immediately put their arms around each of Aang’s shoulders.
“Never.”
If her people had ever had a tragedy and crime as Aang’s people did, she knows the one thing that would bring her a modicum of peace is knowing the last of their kind was as thoughtful, kind and as respectful as Aang.
Katara prays to no one in mind that the Air Nomad culture can one day return to the world — even if in a small way, even if just with her little family.
Their third child is a son, but that doesn’t stop Aang and Tenzin from trying some hairdos. Unfortunately, Tenzin is as impatient as Bumi and doesn’t think having to care for hair is something fun. He keeps his hair short so as not to disrupt their airbending training.
Funny how the second airbender in the world is more Water Tribe at heart: disciplined, passionate, impatient, and very, very emotional about things. Katara is well aware that’s her side through and through. She is a proud mother, but she does wish Tenzin would have a bit more patience than her with meditation. While she could drop it, her son can’t as easily. Even though that’s clearly his least favorite part of training.
Tenzin shaves his hair when he is ten. Katara still isn’t sure if it was fully his decision or if he was goaded by Bumi, but it ends up with her two sons with shaved hair wearing huge smiles. Aang’s matching smile does not lose to theirs.
She isn’t quite sure what brought it up. If maybe they wanted to deal with that year’s particularly brutal summer in their own way, or if maybe they just wanted to cheer up their dad. Whichever it was, it had the intended effect on both ends. The boys were much more bearable and less whining as the summer wore on — while Kya laughed at them for being weak-willed, resulting in water, air, and food fights, all together — and Aang was delighted with it all.
It’s years too soon for Tenzin to get a tattoo and Bumi knows well by now he won’t be getting any. Though Katara will never forget the way he cried when they explained that no, he would never be able to bend like daddy. No, not even like mommy. No, much less like Uncle Zuko or Aunt Toph. Thank god Sokka was the boy’s hero since almost birth. Having him as a role model made the bitter truth a little better. But it was still a bitter, cruel truth to her eldest son.
Nonetheless, Bumi dealt with it like a true Water Tribe little man: chin up and with passion and courage, never-ending. She never felt so proud.
Bumi and Tenzin never did end up caring about hairstyles.
Kya, though, she loved them. It was her special time with dad, even years down the road. She helped create many new styles, including those from all countries. Her fashion sense was known worldwide, which was no surprise when she started working with it.
What started it all? Her father, she always replied whenever people asked. People thought she meant that, as in great Avatar Aang was wise and deep, letting his daughter indulge in her curiosities in a world built for peace. True, that, but Katara also knew the private, real side: great, wise Avatar Aang loved to be the subject of his daughter’s latest makeovers and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
The Air Acolytes were more than happy to try out Aang and Kya’s hairstyle ideas. Some are pretty much impossible without airbending — or a lot of gel indeed — but others are simple, to the point buns. They look like hairdos one would see anywhere, in any country. Aang tried to draw and make them from memory.
Maybe it is just as it was in the past, Katara thinks. Air Nomads were all around the world and they traveled constantly. They wouldn’t have time to keep ridiculous extravaganzas or use the most expensive jewelry without moving an inch — more painting than person. No, they were practical people on the go. This type of hairdo suited them quite well, she thought.
True to the point, Tenzin himself had no interest in hairstyles.
He would only start caring for them decades in the future, long after Aang was gone. Only when his daughters started asking what hair suited airbending training.
And Katara would feel so nostalgic about it all.
How a small moment between her and Aang as young adults would reverberate so much across the decades.
How Aang’s little endeavor into fashion became a statement in itself, and many Air Acolytes to this day, including Pema, were fans.
Things that seemed small had real weight. It was just hair, but it was one of their favorite little private moments, before and after they had their own family — a dream they both had for most of their lives — and it was just hairstyles, but it was a way to unite parents and children.
It had been one of the ways Aang kept in touch with his people, with his culture. It seemed silly, and for many, it was. But it was important and real to him. To them.
And Katara would remember fondly, even almost half a century later, how wonderful Aang’s fingers felt when brushing her hair. Wishing he were here with her, as she brushes her hair every night while reading her children’s letters and thinking of the past.