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Keigo took a breath pulling at his robe, feeling naked and too clothed at the same time.
The monks left him alone for a moment of tranquility and meditation before the ceremony started, but as hard as he tried he couldn’t focus looking down at his hands seeing the blue ink trailing up to his arms where the orange robe concealed him. He felt so anxious, he shouldn’t be at all. He’d mastered airbending years ago, he could’ve been the youngest to if he really wanted. But he’d chosen to travel and have fun over reaching true enlightenment, it was his choice, the monks accepted it. But ever since Touya was officially labeled a master of firebending years ago, he wanted to catch up.
“Look at that!”
“It’s a dragon!”
“Ahh! Come on!”
“Can we fly with it?!”
Keigo looked up, turning to the windows hearing the kids excitedly screaming, along with wooden staffs opening taking off. Touya had written to him when he was traveling to the old Fire Nation civilizations and temples, they’d found the original firebenders, dragons.
Turns out, the original firebenders can also imprint. Similarly to the sky bison with their airbenders, he just hasn’t seen it yet… or Touya. It’s been about two years and the anticipation was knotting up his stomach, Keigo’s sure he looked different now, especially with the tattoos… and bald.
Keigo subconsciously rubbed his head, chest beating harder as he took another deep breath. He doubts Touya would actually judge him… maybe make fun of him and tease, but not have any hard feelings about it. Not seeing the person you got used to holding hands and kissing for seasons could be very… nerve racking.
“Keigo. Everyone is gathering.” He turns seeing one of the monks from the council as he nods, taking another quick breath in and out. “Relax. Clear your mind.” He nods again looking down at his hands over his crossed legs, hearing the monk walk over to sit in front of him.
Deep inhale.
Release, relax.
Deep inhale.
Release, relax.
“Thank you.”
“It is an intimate ceremony, many do feel nervous. But you are surrounded by a community connected by an element and culture that loves and uplifts one another.”
Keigo nodded, standing up following a hall behind a curtain, hearing one of the elders speaking already. They already practiced this, but rehearsal is different now that there are others sitting cross-legged listening, while the other masters sat along the wall. “We welcome our brother in his first steps as an airbending master.” An elders hand pressed against his back as he walked forward past the curtain to crouch down, avoiding eye contact feeling a whirlwind of emotions. He didn’t think it would be such a big deal, but going through with it, makes it feel much more important than he thought.
“We could not be more proud of him. He shows our values and acts upon them, treasure the sanctity of life. From the smallest turtle duck to the largest sky bison, he’s shown respect to all living things, as the spirits do. He follows our ancestors' nomadic roots in roaming, helping all those around. Keigo, I look forward in seeing your path to enlightenment as a master of airbending.”
Keigo could feel the wind around them pick up followed by the sound of chimes, the older monk pulling his hood down showing the tattoo connecting the rest of his body. Standing up letting the robe fall off clicking the clasp loose, left in a golden sleeveless tunic, red sash around his waist and maroon pants and shoes. Looking up, seeing those who weren’t bending, around him clap, spotting Touya who was on the right side of the sanctuary cross-legged in reds clapping.
——
“You sound like you got here late.” Keigo sat on the ground across from Touya at a long table with food for everyone.
“Ahh.. I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.” Touya sighed, reaching over taking an egg tart from a passing plate. Now that they were sat, everyone in the temple celebrated by eating.
“I could hear everyone running around and flying after you and your dragon.” He could see Touya up close now, he had gotten taller, leaner- whatever he was eating when traveling got him muscle. It looked like his hair was growing now, tied up in a bun with the golden royal headpiece. He can’t imagine how contrasting it must be to have his white hair against the black and red with yellow accents he wore.
“Ahah, yeah. I accidentally flew right by and ended up at the Eastern air temple, I figured out when I was crowded by a bunch of women.” Keigo laughed along with a couple of kids passing by hearing his mistake. “I was already running late! I didn’t have my map on me, the ladies were nice.”
Keigo scoffed, laughing, turning his head before leaning over to whisper to one of the elder monks behind him at their own table. “Can I go see the Prince’s dragon?”
“This day is honoring you, you are free to do as you wish.”
He didn’t need to be told twice standing up waving for Touya to follow him, as he stood up excusing himself from others catching up to Keigo. “You don’t need to run, she's not going anywhere.”
“I know. I just haven’t seen you in a long time and I want to.” Keigo defends slowing down once they’re further away from everyone eating and flying around in front of the temple.
Touya purses his lips before grinning, reaching over to lightly slap Keigo’s arm. “I could’ve sent a carrier hawk to bring a portrait.”
“You know it’s not the same.”
“Mmm… it’s not.” Touya nods walking off the path into the grass where a deep slow breathing got louder the closer they got, Keigo interlocking their arms. “I tried sending a few letters, but it got harder the further into the Earth Kingdom I got. Things kept coming up and I lost time.”
“Ahh the Earth Kingdom had the best teas.”
“I tried that Jasmine place you talked about, I think I still prefer cold drinks in the Northern Water Tribe.”
“Ahh- boo! You suck for that… you grew your hair.” Keigo reached over to the back of Touya’s nape brushing his fingers upward feeling soft locks of hair.
“Hah… relax.” The white hair man hummed feeling the fingers curl in his hair getting to the bun, grabbing his wrist dragging him up ahead rushing his stride.
“Agh! Why are we running?!” Keigo pushed air out from behind him pushing him ahead, spotting a large creature sleeping in the grass. Tail wrapped around itself with its wings folded, dark red scales reflecting the light the moon was now providing.
“You can touch her, she’s gotten better with it.” Touya assures brushing his own hand along her, walking around her to his bag on her saddle. Keigo mimicked the action grazing his fingers along, it was weirdly like touching a tree, rough and hard crevices.
“She’s still a baby, she’s supposed to get bigger.” The older man pulls two fish out of his bag, taking them to her nose, allowing her to smell the meat before resting them on the grass for her to eat. “She’s about 15 feet long.” Keigo whipped his head at firebender who wiped his fingers on the bag, tying it back up to return to its spot. “-ugh, stinks… she’s not vegetarian like the sky bison or you guys. I’ve been having to keep food on hand for her.”
“So she likes you?”
”Yeah. My dad wanted her when I brought her to the Palace, but I guess they work like the sky bison. They just choose who they want and don’t let anyone near them.” That statement had the airbender instinctually take a step back, earning a laugh from the other.
“You’re fine, I’m here.” Touya walked to sit against her stomach, end up her tail flicking up as he patted the ground next to him. “I thought you cherished all life, don’t judge her.
“I do.” Keigo urged taking his seat next to him in the grass, hearing a deep rumble sound, almost like a purr.
“She likes the warmth.” The Prince asserted, rubbing her tail between them. “Sorry I never came. Things got busy and hectic at home.”
“That’s okay… I should’ve done this a long time ago.”
“Probably, I would've seen you bald a lot more.” Touya grins, bringing his hand up to run the back and front of Keigo’s head. Earning a puff of air blown directly into his face, messing the bun he had up. “Pfff-!”
“My hair can grow back! I can’t say I’ll have it as long as yours though.” Blue eyes were squinting at him as he moved to undue the hair tie and two pronged headpiece holding the blown out mess together now taking it out, giving up on putting it back up so late.
“The Firelord has a whole new attitude about honor, nation, power. He says our hair is important now and should be maintained for everlasting longevity and power… something like that. I may cut it off soon...” Touya purses his lips sinking down against the sleeping dragon looking up. “Where are you going after this?”
“After the ceremony?”
“No… you stopped traveling because you wanted to focus on becoming a master. You’ve done it, so now what are you going to do?”
Keigo contemplated shifting to lie down in the grass next to Touya and his dragon, looking up as he thought, resting his hands over his red sash. “I don’t know. I could try helping teach the younger airbenders here or at another temple… I could go back to traveling around.” He thinks aloud shifting to look over at the Prince seeing him stare up ahead at nothing, he stood out against everything by how pale the moonlight made him look along with his hair.
“The Firelord said he didn’t want anyone marrying out of the Fire Nation anymore unless it’s going to benefit us diplomatically.” Touya tapped his finger against his own belt thinking. “He said he wants the next successor to have kids who have strong firebending, he says that so Natsuo and Fuyumi have a chance to be Firelord but… I don’t think they want it.”
“…you’re the oldest, I thought you had to be next.”
“Traditionally, yes. But the Fire Nation has been known to break that rule a lot, you’ve seen us. Innovation, progress, imperial dynasty.” Touya shrugs, pulling off the outer layer of his clothes, tossing the vest aside before lying down in the grass completely.
“…what are you thinking?”
“…I’m pretty sure I don’t want kids so that leaves me out of the running, unless I actually want to be the Firelord and just do it all anyway. The Fire Sages say arranged marriages aren’t out of the ordinary.”
“Oh…” The airbender frowns, stomach twisting grossly as if he accidentally ate meat. Things were so different in the Fire Nation, they could be very progressive in some fields. But they had such strict rules and values they held close, the people were known to be… a bit snooty towards other nations that didn’t follow.
“Yeah…”
“He’d never give it up anyway, he’ll be old and still in charge. They can figure it out themselves.”
“I thought you wanted it. When you were younger you said-.”
“I know what I said. I don’t think it matters anymore… regardless of who takes it next it’s better than him being in charge now.” Keigo looked over, seeing Touya move his arm over his eyes as if the moon was too bright.
“Did something happen?”
“Our mom got banished two or three years back when I was gone. It’s been a while, we think she’s back in the Northern Water Tribe. But we’re not allowed to see her… the Firelord says anyone whoever dishonors themselves to stoop so low is better off banished as well.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. You didn’t do anything… the Sages won’t tell us what happened. But things are different there… I think because you guys haven’t revealed who the Avatar is yet.”
Keigo turned to look at the Prince perplexed, blinking and sitting up. “It’s only been 6 years, the next- current Avatar would be around 5.”
“I know.”
“We don’t reveal who the Avatar is until they’re 16, we wouldn’t know-.”
“I know. Kei…” Touya sighs sitting up against his dragon looking at the other. “Before the last Avatar died there was a falling out between the Firelord and Avatar, he may have been Fire Nation but he had issues- they had issues with each other.”
“…why are you telling me this?” The airbender questions a look of contemplation from the other in return, Touya just sighed, rubbing his head before sinking back down onto the grass laying down.
“I don’t know… I’m sorry, I only ever talk to a dragon and now I can’t talk to you. Ahah… sorry, this is your day…” Keigo looked down at the other, he guesses the time apart changed them both more than he realized.
“Touya, I…”
“Fuck it. Here, get up!” Touya jumped quickly, bending over to tie his hair back up in a bun, nudging Keigo with his pointy boot.
“Agh-! What for?” Keigo stood up grabbing the royal headpiece left abandoned in the grass, while he unbuckled clasps on the body of his dragon. “What are you..?”
Touya chucks the saddle aside letting it fall to the ground along with the belongings attached. Before climbing on her, rubbing her scales waking her up, tail and wings uncurling. Keigo jumped back when her wings expanded showing they were much longer than 15 feet not counting the width, he could actually see her stretching and moving. “Come on.”
Startled Keigo took a step back, pulling Touya’s belongings aside. Still gripping onto the headpiece, it was important! He always wore it, it was an artifact! Now Keigo liked flying. Hell, he loved flying. He remembers always having to beg Touya to get on his sky bison for a nice stroll in the sky, but a dragon? Touya wanting him to fly on a dragon?! “What about the saddle?”
“It only seats one person, you’re fine. You can sit in front of me, she’s held two people before.” The firebender beamed scooting back just an inch, patting the spot in front of him.
He wants to argue, but he knows that getting to ride a dragon is extremely rare since they were rediscovered just a while ago. Keigo sighs slowly maneuvering around her tail under her wing, pushing himself off the ground with a gust of wind under his fear. Basically sat in Touya’s lap, as their legs were pressed against each other and his back was against Touya’s chest. Holding the golden accessory out to him. “You forgot your-.”
“I don’t need it.” Touya grabbed the royal head piece chucking it along side the saddle, grabbing onto her main that trailed down to where they were sitting. Moving his chin to rest on Keigo’s shoulder giving him a visual of his hands. “You want to hold on to her here, if you don't you’ll knock me down and we’ll both fall off.” Keigo blinked digging both his hands in her white mane gripping onto it, feeling his stomach jumping at Touya wrapping himself around him and adrenaline from actually being on a dragon. Her launching herself up in the air isn’t as soft as riding a sky bison, but her speeding up is what gets him to lean forward tightening his grip.
“You’re fine!” Touya shouted looking over at his face, letting go with one hand rubbing her scales causing her to slow down. Resting his head back against Keigo’s leaning over the airbender. “I thought you loved flying.
“A dragon is not a sky bison!”
“I know… she’s cooler.” He teased pulling away from Keigo’s back leaning to the side, for a second Keigo thought the other was going to fall off. Lifting his head to see he was actually guiding her by shifting his weight, watching her turn to circle around the temple. Keigo could see others from the temple run out and grab their gliders to fly, taking off when jumping from the temples balcony’s.
“You used to get motion sickness! What happened to that?!”
“I’ll still get it, just not with her. I had to dance to get her so I’ve got to keep up with her.” The firebender teased resting his head agaist Keigo’s again, feeling him tense up and relax again.
“You danced for her?” Keigo tries turning his head to see Touya hugging him from behind.
“Yeaf, dragons love dancing.”
“Really?”
“Ooooh! Hahah!” A couple of young airbenders without their tattoos flew on their gliders next to them teasing laughing. “How romantic!”
“Careful! She might be hungry!” Keigo quipped back, receiving a few screams as they slowed down to keep distance away from them.
“You don’t agree?”
“Agree with?”
“Not romantic enough? The Prince teases rubbing his cheek against the other. Keigo bit his tongue, they haven’t had a proper date in forever. He somewhat assumed Touya had wanted to stop their relationship after only going on a few real dates in the last few years, due to him traveling, training, royal matters. It was so much easier the year after their first date. “We can dance if you’ve gotten over your fear of it.”
“I didn’t know you still felt that way. I thought I was alone.” Keigo admits feeling a warm hand move from the dragons mane to his leg, sliding it up and down.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to feel that way… I had a lot going on.” He apologized letting the dragon glide on her own, giving her control. Feeling her ease up the airbender relaxes his shoulders allowing himself to rest against the warm chest.
“Touya, I do love you. I don’t want you finding some firebender to marry… but if you want to be Firelord you can.”
“I told you I it doesn’t matter… doesn’t love stop you from reaching enlightenment?”
“…yes, but I don’t want true enlightenment. Not everyone gets to that point.”
“No? Well… maybe I don’t want to be the Firelord.” Touya stays quiet before laughing pressing his mouth to the back of Keigo’s nape, leaving a trail of kisses. “You’re so bald.”
Keigo turns his head pouting at the other seeing him grin, wrapping his arms tightly around the airbender. “I do want to grow it back…”
“I still find you attractive, tattoos, bald head and all. It would be nice if I could see all of it…”