Heimat | Aang

TWENTY-FIVE

The boat moved from side to side with the gentle waves that hit against its front, the wind blowing the sails and pushing it forward. The sun was just starting to set when the person in the boat caught sight of civilization in the horizon.

Tapeesa stood on her boat, leading it where she wanted to, her eyes appearing tired but no sign of fatigue was noticed on her body. After weeks of being at sea after two years of only sailing in the shallows, it was safe to say this had been a challenge she hadn't gotten through in a while. She had been in luck and the waves hadn't bothered her journey, and now, finally, she could make out Republic City ahead.

Aang had been specific in his instructions, written as if he was speaking specifically to her, even though he had addressed the letter to Katara as well. The moment she had read it, Tapeesa knew.

I've built the city in the place we found on our travels, when it was raining so hard we couldn't see. The area was hidden by mountains and in the middle of the sea was a small island, where we stayed for a while.

Tapeesa remembered this island, and now, she could see it. On its side, a statue had been built, she noticed. It didn't take her long to realise who it was.

Aang's statue stood tall, his form proud, his glider placed forward as if it were some sort of beacon. It excluded power, awe. Tapeesa couldn't help but smile.

There was a small harbor by the side of the island, and there, she noticed a person stood, gazing towards the sea, as if they were waiting for someone. In this instant, it was safe to say they were waiting for her. Tapeesa led her boat closer to the shore, right for the harbor. In a while she found herself stopping at the shadow of Aang's statue, the Avatar himself standing at the dock right next to her.

"Right on time," he marvelled, a small smile on his lips as he looked at her, and while Tapeesa left the boat to tie it on the dock, he took a while to take her in.

She was dressed in robes that were a mixture of blue and grey. Her armour he had once seen her in existed no more, although her hair was braided in intricate braids the way it had always been when he had known her. She had always been strikingly beautiful to him. As she turned to face him, even though he could tell she was tired and there was a wrinkle or two more on her face, he couldn't help but think his opinion hadn't changed at all.

"I imagined Katara wouldn't come," he said, in an effort to not appear weird after spending a while looking over her. "The Southern Water Tribe still needs help."

"That is why I came and she stayed back, indeed," she agreed, and Aang barely managed to not smile at the sound of her voice. He had missed how it was comforting even though she didn't try to make it so. He had missed her.

"Thank you for coming," he said, and no longer able to keep himself back, he walked forward and gently embraced her, in an effort to not put her off too much. But to his surprise, she put her arms around him loosely in return and held him back.

"I couldn't have ever ignored your plea," she replied as she pulled back, a smile on her lips. "Where am I supposed to stay, Aang?"

"With me," he announced at once, gestured to the island around him. "In Air Temple Island."

"It seems like you made this place your home," she mused, briefly moved back to her boat to retrieve what little belongings she had before she turned back to him. "I'm glad. It's about time you found a place to call your own."

"I don't know if it's home," Aang admitted, slightly bashful. "I might still travel around but I thought this place at least should have an area I could call my own."

"You are the reason this city was built," she pointed out, finished his thought, bringing him to send her a smile full of delight at being understood as he nodded.