#and then with everyone else he's the extremely volatile demon lord

[waitineedaname]

I was thinking about this post comparing sqh and jgy, and then this chart happened. this is less about what they're Actually like, and more about a combination of intentional persona + public perception of them

[carpetheotherfandoms]

Earth Kingdom II.

Avatar the Last Airbender

Katara hasn’t seen Aang in many years but when the Earth King holds a conference to unite the world leaders they’re brought face to face with the demons that tore them apart.

Part one here. Part three here.

Warning: implied sexual content

Enjoy.

She was still wearing her formal dress when she reached the large pool so she hiked up the bottom of her dress, sat down on the grass and slipped her legs under the water’s surface. It was striking against her skin but nonetheless very relaxing. As a water bender she found that no matter what, water always helped to center her mind and calm her spirit.

In this place of peacefulness, she found her mind wandering to thoughts of Aang. She figured that as she was sitting there looking at her reflection in the pool of water it would be okay to let her mind go. She sometimes wondered if he ever thought about writing to her or coming to see her. She had wanted so many times to turn around and find him standing there. 

She would leap into his arms before he could ever say anything and she would never let him go again. Part of her wanted to take action because that’s just who she is but another side of her, the side that needed Aang in her life, wanted to be swept off her feet.

Aang had grown into a very handsome young Avatar since she found him in that iceberg. His jaw was chiseled, he had gained some scruff, he was much taller than her now and he had very obviously put on muscle mass with all the training. But that wasn’t even half of what drew Katara to him.

He had the kindest soul, he was so in tune with himself and so compassionate about helping others. He had this drive that set his soul on fire and motivated him to be the best Avatar he could be. Thoughts like that are what made her hate herself for not going to find him, for letting herself get so caught up in the what ifs. But that was who Katara had always been, someone who analyzed every scenario and buried her most painful problems. It was easier to pretend to feel nothing than actually acknowledge the pain.

“Katara?”

She jolted out of her thoughts by the sound of an unbelievably familiar voice.

She turned her head to see him standing there, staff in hand, staring down at her in a state of utter confusion. She suddenly became very aware of the fact she had tears rolling down her cheeks and she hoped in the dark of the night he wouldn’t notice. She turned back to dry her face and then gradually stood up on the damp grass.

“What are you doing here?” she spoke abruptly. 

She could feel his eyes travelling up and down her body as he began to speak, “I couldn’t sleep so I decided to start my journey here early, but I noticed something sparkling when I was in the sky. It must have been the moon light on you, kind of overdressed for a late night swim don’t you think?” 

He chuckled, an airy sound that sent her skin tingling.

She forced a light laugh at his comment, “I wasn’t swimming, I just needed some air after dinner. I didn’t realize how late it was, I guess I got lost in thought.” 

She was avoiding eye contact with him as much as possible, she felt uncomfortable having to be simply cordial with him rather than her usual self and she wanted to get out of there as fast as possible.

She looked up at the moon and then back to Aang, “Well considering how late it is I better get to my room before someone realizes I’ve been gone so long.” She gave him a small smile, smoothed her dress out with palms by running them down her hips and began to walk towards him to get back to the palace.

As she brushed past him she could feel her heart beat pick up pace and her eyes began to burn. She had no idea why her body was having such a volatile reaction to seeing Aang again, she definitely hadn’t anticipated it and she definitely didn’t want him to see her like this.

“Have a goodnight Katara,” he was barely audible as she passed him. His voice was calm but stiff and she could see with the help of the moonlight that his knuckles were completely white as he gripped his staff. She wanted to stop herself from leaving, she wanted to turn around and grab his face in her hands. She wanted more than anything to erase the last four years in one swift, deep kiss but she found herself practically sprinting up the steps of the palace and the steps to her room. She wasn’t ready for this.

The next few days prior to the large banquet more and more guests were arriving. Katara was trying her hardest to avoid Aang so she would volunteer to do anything anyone needed and often found herself leaving the room just in time. She didn’t want to repeat their encounter in their garden, her heart couldn’t handle the splintering of wanting to run to him and run away from him at the same time.

She was trying to prepare herself mentally the entire day of the conference. When the time came to get ready with Suki and Toph she just decided to erase the stress from her mind and focus on her appearance. A few hours break from thinking about Aang would be nice and some time with her girls would help block him from her mind without a doubt.

She finished her look with one last sweep of lipstick and stood up to see how she looked in the full length mirror. She had let her hair down completely, smoothed out all the frizz and swept it to one side. She was wearing a floor length blue dress that was completely backless but had spaghetti straps running up the sides and cut down into a V-neckline. It definitely made her look older and in the back of her mind she hoped it would catch Aang’s attention. Toph was also wearing a floor length dress but in green, Suki in similar Earth Kingdom style was wearing a floor length halter-style green dress. All three of them looked incredible for the formal occasion and unfortunately, Katara was the only one who felt extremely nervous.

When they entered the grand dining hall Katara couldn’t believe how packed it already was. Sokka had joined them since they left their rooms and was already arm and arm with Suki on their way to speak with the Chief of the Northern Water Tribe. Toph had disappeared when she realized the size of the buffet table, her childhood had accustomed her to this life and she didn’t really care for the formalities anymore. That left Katara to descend the large staircase alone and she found herself more worried than ever about Aang seeing her.

As she began walking down the steps into the party she realized she was staring at her feet to make sure she didn’t trip which made her feel embarrassed so she looked up. Suddenly it was as if magnets were drawing their eyes together because almost instantly her eyes caught Aang. He was standing with a group of individuals that included her father, the Earth King and Fire Lord Zuko but his eyes were squarely on her. 

She noticed he was clad in his more formal Air nomad robes and she kept her eyes focused on him as she waded through the crowd towards his group. As she walked into the circle everyone greeted her warmly but Zuko was the first to step forward to hug her.

As he pulled back he spoke, “Katara, its been ages. The Earth King was just telling us how helpful you’ve been with his healers and how I should have you come stay with me for a while so you can make sure my healers are up to your standards.” 

Everyone in the circle started laughing and Katara smiled brightly, “I haven’t been to the Fire Nation in quite a while, if you’re offering I’d love to visit.”

Zuko smiled, “If Hakoda can spare you for a few weeks, Aang and I would love the company.” 

Zuko and Hakoda went into a discussion about Katara staying at the Fire Nation that somehow led into a much larger discussion on social programs that needed to be instituted in the nation. They were in agreement that if healers could be trained in the ways of the water tribe there would be a movement towards healing from the physical and emotional traumas caused by the war.

While that conversation continued, Katara turned to look at Aang with a furrowed brow, “I didn’t know that you’ve been living with Zuko.”

 Aang turned towards her with his solemn gray eyes and spoke softly, “Almost two years now. Before I was just kind of staying wherever I was needed but I wanted a place to call home so when Zuko offered, I accepted.” 

Katara felt a twinge of anger that he hadn’t chosen to come back to the southern water tribe but she abruptly realized how painful it might have been for him to be around her. She felt bad for taking the place he felt at home from him and the thought of him being alone for those two years saddened her. In response, she instinctively reached forward and placed her hand on his bicep, “The Southern Water Tribe will always be open to you if ever you need a place to call home Aang.”

She felt his muscle tense under her palm and dropped her hand from his arm. She hadn’t realized how close they were standing while they were talking and felt the urge to get out of there before her mind spun out of control like it had in the garden a few nights ago. She stepped back and looked around to see others standing quite close actually. They seemed to be waiting for the Avatar to be free to talk with.

She looked at Aang and forced a smile, “Well I should probably stop hogging you Avatar, my apologies. Have a good evening,” she turned her back hoping to avoid any refusal by Aang but as she began to walk away she heard him say her name. As she looked back she noticed that another woman had already swept in to take her place. The image of the new woman standing in front of him, eyes beaming, made her wonder if Aang had yet to found another to take her place. Maybe he had fallen in love or had been seeing someone else in the four years since they were apart. This made feelings of jealously bubble up in her chest.

Before she realized it she had managed to walk all the way across the room to where Toph was hiding from the party. As she stood next to her, Toph nudged her arm and pulled her out of her thoughts, “Hey Sugar Queen I can hear your heartbeat and its going to fall right out of your chest if you don’t calm down. What’s got you all uptight?” 

Katara let out a laugh at her old nickname and squeezed Toph’s forearm, “Uhm Toph, do you by chance know if Aang has been seeing anyone at all?”

Toph let out a loud laugh, “Twinkle Toes? Dating? You’ve got to be kidding.” Katara appreciated Toph’s nonchalant, sarcastic way of reassuring her, it made her feel much more comfortable especially since they were in a public setting. Katara let it go after that and continued mingling around the room. However, she would often catch herself scanning the area to see where Aang was and who he was speaking with. Often when she did that she would catch his eye and at some point in the night whenever they caught each others eye she would blush. 

It had become a game.

Once the introductions and circulating had finished up the music commenced and people began pairing off to dance. Katara laughed hysterically as Sokka dragged Suki on to the dance and began twirling her around like a rag doll. They looked like they were having the most enjoyable time and it warmed Katara’s heart. She couldn’t help but think of a memory from her days sneaking through the fire nation. Aang had decided it would be a good idea to host a secret dance party for the fire nations kids and they danced for the first time. The whole event her heart had been racing and sweat was beading off her forehead but by the end of the night she realized she loved every second of it.

She was suddenly brought out of her happy memory by a deep voice, “Hello Miss. Katara.” 

Katara turned to the sound of her name and was faced with a handsome, young man wearing the uniform of the Earth Kingdom General. “My name is General Chey Fong, you met my father the first time you visited Ba Sing Se with the Avatar.”

Katara reached her hand out to meet his, “Oh yes, Chey, it’s nice to meet you.” General Fong smiled at her, “I came over actually because I was wondering if you would like to dance with me?” 

She nodded and he walked with her to the dance floor. He placed his hand on her waist, held her other hand in his own and began leading her around the floor to the music. He was telling her military stories as they moved and she politely commented here or there but let him talk most of the time. At one point Chey spun her around and once she was facing a new direction she realized Aang had been watching her from across the room. He was standing in a group of people again but his eyes were fixated on her. When he realized she was looking his way he didn’t waver in his intense look, instead, he began walking towards her.

“General Fong, do you mind if I cut in?”

To be continued …