Chapter Text
I felt the sun creeping over my eyelids, its quiet warmth starting to peek through the window. I tried to close my eyes a little tighter, feeling the skin on my nose bunch as I groaned. The evening prior seemed like it had lasted an eternity. Every evening did, currently. I would be waiting and waiting for the time to rest my head on my pillow. Passing the time with light waterbending, drinking tea, or occasionally out walking with Suki around the city. I longed each evening for night to fall where I could close my eyes and think about him. But then sleep would take over far too quickly and I’d find myself here. Trying not to wake up.
I wanted so badly to dream of him, but I never did. I’m uncertain why. Maybe it was my brain giving me a rest trying to ward off any what if… moments I could possibly conjure up in my mind. What if he was lost? What if there was a storm? What if he ran out of food? What if he was attacked? It’s as if my brain was trying to protect itself during sleep when I couldn’t control what I was thinking.
Taking a deep breath through my nose, I let it out steadily and started up at the ceiling. The carvings along the top of the room twisted and turned like the tides. It was beautifully woodwork that Aang had carved out when this building was created. What had started as a place of my own quickly became the settling place for Aang as well.
“So you can look up and feel like you’re home." His words echoed through my brain. Little did he know that home had a different meaning to me now. Home was him. Home was wherever he was. Which I wasn’t sure of as of late. And my heart ached.
Ignoring the thoughts creeping in, I sat up and decided to get ready. It was a big day for Republic City. It was the one year anniversary of the founding of the city. A day for us all to gather together and unveil Unity Tower. A landmark that we had worked on together to symbolize all that we had fought for. Unity for all nations under one city, living in peace with each other for the first time in a century. It was a dedicated symbol for all that we had done after the war had ended.
And of course, as one of the Council’s Representatives, and because of my part in helping end the war, it was decided that I would be the one to unveil the monument to the residents of Republic City. And give a speech. Public speaking wasn’t necessarily one of my favorite tasks, but one I’d taken on from an early age. I was good at it (I thank my father for that skill) but I still dreaded it. Especially if I was alone.
I went through my speech in my head as I got dressed, brushed my hair, and made my attempt to get ready for the day. Being dressed and ready to go as soon as the sun reached from the skies to the land was something that my mother instilled in me prior to her death. It was something that I knew my brother and friends surrounding me despised. But it meant I was productive. It meant that I could have a few moments to myself before anyone else would get up. But these days, I spent mornings alone, regardless.
It had been just over a month since I’d seen him. He was off on another quest to find Airbender relics to bring back to the Southern Air Temple, his old home. While I loved that he was trying to restore his culture, I also grew tired of spending so much time alone. When we would leave, he’d be gone for a month or more at a time. Each excursion lasting just a bit longer than the one before. I told him that I understood. But lately, especially in the most recent few weeks, it seemed to drag on. I wanted to go with him.
“We’re supposed to do these things together,” I told him, holding up his rolled mat for sleeping. He used the air below to bring the mat up to him as he sat in Appa’s saddle.
“I know,” he said, pausing. “But this wouldn’t be very fun for you. And besides, oh great Councilwoman, you have duties you yourself even said you couldn’t get out of.” Aang smirked as he called me Councilwoman. I groaned and rolled my eyes. Politics. Never my favorite.
Aang jumped off of Appa and gracefully landed on the ground before me, his hands resting on the sides of my frame, warming my arms with up and down motions. It was cold. I knew when I saw him next, the frigid air would be starting to turn into the scent of newly grown flowers.
“This is how I’m going to be able to preserve my culture. My people. I need to collect whatever I can find that’s left of them so that their memory can be preserved.”
How could I tell him it felt like he was setting up a morgue without sounding cruel? “Whatever you need to do,” I said carefully. But quickly added, “I know this means a lot to you.”
Aang leaned in and kissed me. I felt myself press against his strong body, leaning in as well, and wanting to make the kiss last as long as I possibly could. If I kissed him passionately enough, he would stay, right? Well, if that were the case, then what we’d done the night before would have made him never leave our house again. But here we were.
“Knock, knock!” The sound of the voice jolted me out of the daze I unknowingly held at the wall in the open room. I hadn’t realized how long I’d been staring. The entry door to the house began to creak open. “I hope I’m coming in at an ok time. Knowing you, I figured you’re ready to go.”
I turned my gaze to the door and watched as Suki came in, dressed in her Keyoshi Warrior makeup and garments. She and the other Keyoshi Warriors were going to be at the festival, helping make sure the event went as smoothly as possible. I was grateful for her friendship and her kindness.
“Of course, I’m ready,” I smirked. “They’re not already expecting me, are they?” I questioned what time it was and if I was supposed to be at Unity Tower by now. Being late was unbecoming. Suki laughed and motioned with her hand for me to follow her.
“You lead, they follow”, she mentioned. “Even if your timing is off, they won’t know the difference. We’ll start whenever you’re ready.” I followed the Warrior out of the house and into the streets. There were kids running, flying kites. Music was playing faintly in the distance. The city was aglow even in the sunlight. The festival had begun.
“I really appreciate you being here,” I mentioned, though it sounded idiotic as soon as the words left my mouth. Suki was supposed to be there. As part of the law enforcement training for the city, Suki would train benders and non-benders chi-blocking. A skill that could be shared by anyone, regardless of bending abilities or original nationality, but primarily was used by non-benders in the security force. The idea to use chi-blocking had been brought up by Suki all those years ago, before the city grew into what it is now. Back when it was only Cranefish Town.
“Don’t mention it. I just hope that you feel as supported as possible. I know it’s hard that Aang and Sokka aren’t here.” I shrugged. Suki’s support meant the world to me. And she knew the edging pain that I felt. Sokka was back in the Southern Water Tribe. Suki’s long distance relationship with my brother was normal for them but I knew she still wished he were here more often. Distance was normal for them. For me, it still felt new. And I didn’t like it.
I watched as two kids ran past us along the street. One in Earth Kingdom attire, another in Water Tribe attire. Chasing each other and laughing. My heart swelled.
“I’ve been thinking,” Aang noted, reaching his hand over, lacing his fingers with mine. I looked over to him, matching his gaze. I was somehow still amazed at how tall he’d become. Just barely taller than me. I was certain he’d keep getting taller and taller. “I feel a connection to this place,” he continued. “It has its problems, but if it was able to overcome them, it could become something really special. Maybe we could stay put for a while if that’s ok with you.”
I gave Aang’s hand a tight squeeze. We’d been traveling so much that staying put sounded nice. Especially in a town that was growing so rapidly that had captured both of our hearts. Settling down sounded…nice. “I agree,” I said, smiling at him. “This city needs you.”
Aang smiled. “I think it needs us.”
I looked around me. Everywhere I looked, someone would waive and say hello as we walked through the city. I tried my best to wave and say hello back to as many people as I could. There was an overwhelming joy. Like the work that we’d been doing was finally settling and people felt truly at peace. It was a nice change of pace, considering the other cities we’d stayed in and helped to rebuild over the years were left mostly unfinished when we left. Seeing Republic City completely flourish from the ground up and thrive brought a joy to my heart that I hadn’t felt in a while. Since the last time Aang was around. This place was all of our hard work, ideals, and dedication in one community.
The corners of my mouth started to turn upwards into a smile as my emotions began to match those of the ones around me. Everywhere I looked, there was an aura of healing. Something I wished Aang was around more to witness. He was always so hard on himself that he wasn’t doing enough. But if he’d just stopped to take a moment to look around…
I shook my head. That wasn’t something I needed to focus on right now. Aang would be home in the coming weeks and we could talk about it then. But for now, the focus was on the city. And the people that made it what it was. It was a celebration. With or without the Avatar around that day.
“Counsilwoman Katara!” I stopped as I heard my unofficially official name echoing through the courtyard. Suki and I stopped walking and both turned to see whose voice was calling out. It was Ty Lee. I smiled.
“You really don’t need to call me that. Besides, I’m a representative.” I chuckled as the ex-circus entertainer seemingly skipped over to us. Her presence was always welcome, which is wildly different than when we were teenagers. Sometimes her peppy spirit would have me rolling my eyes but right now it was appreciated. “How’s the festival going? Everyone looks to be enjoying it.”
“Oh, they are!” she cheered. “But there is just one problem. Everyone was expecting to see the Avatar. Do you know where he is?” Ty Lee’s eyes started scanning the crowd that was forming in the courtyard. My heart sank slightly. He was supposed to be here. The last letter I’d received from him stated he wasn’t going to make it back in time. His excursion around the southern colonies had taken…longer than he anticipated.
I felt a sigh escape my lips, which seemed to shock both myself and Suki. I hadn’t intended for it to sound so annoyed. “He’s off on some Avatar duties right now,” I mentioned. “He should be back in a few weeks. He’s sad he has to miss it but it’s difficult for him when everyone needs something from the Avatar.”
Ty Lee chuckled. “He’s real popular. I’ll let the other Keyoshi Warriors know. I think they were planning on having to keep more people back. But this way is probably better!” My eyebrows raised. She was right, in a way. It was easier for them to contain the crowds if Aang wasn’t around. Everyone was used to seeing me, but Aang was a rare sighting lately. The warrior swayed off announcing that the Avatar would in fact not be there for the unveiling of Unity Tower. There were mutterings amongst the crowd. Some eyes glanced over at me as I made my way through with Suki, but no one said anything to me directly.
“Duties?” Suki finally questioned. There was a mix of humor and worry in her voice.
“He’s…treasure hunting,” I sighed, immediately regretting the phrasing I’d chosen. “He’s finding relics and bringing them back to the Southern Air Temple. It’s his way of preservation. It’s important to him and his past. He’s the only airbender left in this world, and I think it's good that he’s wanting to keep his culture alive.”
“The Southern Air Temple is a mausoleum.” I stopped walking and turned to Suki in shock. She stopped and crossed her arms. Someone had finally said it out loud…and thank the spirits it wasn’t me.
“I think it’s great that he’s trying to keep the spirit alive as well,” she continued. “I’m a Keyoshi Warrior, obviously I understand the importance of keeping tradition and culture alive and well. But you seem to be trying to convince yourself instead of me that missing important events for relic seeking is a valid excuse.” She paused. I couldn’t look her in the eyes anymore. Suki was a good mindreader and I didn’t want to give any other secrets away. She knew I was disappointed for weeks now. “You don’t have to keep your thoughts about it from me, I get it. I wish Sokka was here, too.”
“Aang is doing what he thinks is best as the Avatar to keep some remaining cultural remembrance to his home. He probably should be doing this. Even if that means he misses this. And besides, this is just one monument. He was here when Republic City was established.”
“But he also missed the family gatherings, celebrations, and the other events and activities that were important to you. Even Sokka was at those.”
“Sokka isn’t the Avatar. He has a little lighter of a schedule. And he has to be here for those things, he’s on the Council."
“But Aang isn’t just the Avatar,” Suki argued. “He’s your husband.”
Husband. The word never grew tired in my mind. Mostly because not a lot of people acknowledged it. Not that anyone needed to, but it was a nice reminder when someone did. Yet at the same time, moving this discussion over to the territory of emotions and relationships wasn’t where I wanted to turn off to.
“I should get up there,” I diverted, turning to face the podium in front of Unity Tower.
Suki gave a swift nod and I made my way through the crowd that was continuing to form. I counted each step on my way up, trying tirelessly to shift my mind from my conversation with Suki to the task at hand. Looking up at the tower as I climbed the steps, I saw the rolled banners at the top of the first level of the tower. The banners were of all four nations, including the Air Nomads. That was an important detail both Aang and I wanted. While he was the last of the Air Nomads, the recognition mattered. We couldn’t just forget that they’d existed. Which is why Aang is doing what he’s doing, I thought, sighing. The war in my mind continued. I couldn’t really be mad at him. In a way, he was doing what he needed to manage the peace that we worked so hard for. I just wished it was with me instead of away.
When I got to the top of the steps, I took a deep breath, centering myself. Breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, breathe out. Letting the last little bit of breath exhale through my lips, I turned and faced the crowd that was now starting to shift towards my direction. I could see Suki, Ty Lee and the other warriors gathering people around.
“Thank you all so much for being here!” I shouted. I cleared my throat, trying to summon my voice to be steady and carry, without trying to seem like I was yelling. Use your diaphragm. “For so long, the nations stood apart. Alone. And we all suffered as a result. But here, on this ancient site, we created a place where all people are welcome. Bender and nonbender alike, working together in peace to build the future. Though there are still those that seek to divide us, we remain united! As a council representative, I am honored to be here today celebrating the anniversary of Republic City and the opening of Unity Tower - a symbol for all people!”
Reaching with my right arm, I drew water from my waterskin and spun it around, aiming up towards the center of the Tower. I used the water like a knife to carefully cut the ropes that rolled the banners, allowing them to flow freely against the side of the tower. I stared at them, each of the original four nations represented. I felt a familiar swelling of my heart, but this time more bittersweet. So proud of all we had accomplished. Yet, yearning for those to be here to see it come to fruition.
Turning towards the crowd again, I saw people cheering with their fists up in the air. Joy was permeating through the courtyard. And that’s when I saw a few people begin to lift their glances off of the banners and towards the sky. Murmuring started. And I heard a shout.
“Look!” One child pointed towards the sky.
“It’s the Avatar!!” Another little voice rang through the courtyard. The chants and bellows grew stronger, echoing the excitement of the child in the crowd. More people turned looking at the sky above as I felt my heart skip a beat. What? Aang wasn’t supposed to be back for several more weeks.
My gaze looked ahead and I let out a sigh of relief. A breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding that I thought I’d released before the unveiling of the Tower. Beyond the crowd, coming in quickly, I saw Appa. He was flying quite fast over the crowd, starting to soar lower and lower. I saw a figure towards Appa’s head. It was Aang.
Without thinking, I felt a smile wipe over my face and I began running towards Appa, down the steps, as the flying bison swooped over the crowd and landed. I watched as Momo flew off of Appa and over towards me, circling around.
“Momo!” The lemur flew into my arms and I hugged him tightly, laughing, pausing on the steps momentarily. He gripped onto my hair as I looked over at Appa, hearing him grunting, definitely wanting the same warm response. I ran down the remaining steps and gave the giant animal a hug, as Momo rested on my shoulder, where he often sat when he was around.
“Appa! I missed you too, old friend.” As I hugged Appa, I looked over to my right as I saw a figure fall gently from air and down to the ground. It was him. “Aang!” I heard my voice call as I ran. Momo flew off of my shoulder, circling Appa.
“Katara!” his voice rang like bells in my ears. I hadn’t heard it in so long. It was strong, yet gentle and soothing. Almost like a calm creek.
Not even a second after I reached Aang, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his, kissing him as I began to feel the tension in my body begin to release. A weight I forget that I carry each time he’s away. Aang caught his footing, leaning back, and I felt his arms tightly curl around my waist, bringing me in closer. I had forgotten that there was a crowd in front of us. They could wait.
I could have kissed him there for hours, it felt like. But as soon as the long awaited moment had started, Aang abruptly pulled away, groaning and grabbing his opposite side. I momentarily fell, having had my weight against his, and stood up in concern. He was wincing. I hadn’t crashed into him that hard, had I?
Of course not.
“You’re hurt,” I noted, concern replacing the vibrant tone in my voice I had just exhibited moments ago. I was looking down at his abdomen. He tightly gripped onto his robes and smiled sheepishly, as if he was trying to hide the fact that he’d been injured. My instincts and worries were right. Something had happened. He was home early. He wouldn’t have done that if something hadn’t gone seriously wrong.
“Not terribly,” he murmured, trying to regain his posture. He stood up straight but I could see the pain in his eyes. Suki must have seen what happened because in the next moment she was standing next to me.
“Aang, are you ok?” She shot a look over to the other warriors who were approaching. They dispersed and began to move the crowd of people along in a very “nothing to see here” kind of way.
“I’m fine,” Aang chuckled. He winced again. “Sleeping on rocks and mountainsides can really do something to your back if you’re not careful.” I crossed my arms and felt an eyebrow raise. Liar.
Suki looked between me and Aang, pressing a thin smile to her lips. “I’m going to make sure the crowd gets moving.” She slipped away as she watched my posture change once again - this time from concern into slight annoyance. I moved back over to Aang and rested my shoulder under his arm to give him more support. He gladly took it.
“Let’s go home,” I stated, quietly. “You could use some rest. And a few healing sessions.”