Avatar: The Last Air Bender x Male Reader

Chapter 5: The Avatar State

"Aang! There's something you need to see!" Katara shouts to Aang while helping Y/N back to his feet after his minor "tribulation."

Aang: "Okay!" Aang responds as he runs to the trio from the airball court, still playing with the hollow ball.

Katara's face shifts from determination to pure insecurity as she glances between the helmet and the approaching Aang.

Suddenly, she shifts her weight and brings her arms up. With one swift movement, she swings her arms back, manipulating the overhanging snow to fall, obscuring the helmet and Sokka from sight.

Y/N looks quizzically at Katara, who avoids his gaze.

"What is it?" Aang asks cheerfully, successfully making it to the trio.

Katara innocently holds her hands behind her back while Sokka brushes the snow off his head. "Uh... Just a new waterbending move I learned." Katara fibs.

Aang: "...Nice! But enough practicing," Aang excitedly turns around and starts walking away. "We have a whole temple to see!"

Sokka: "You know, you can't protect him forever. You can only keep a secret for so long." Sokka mentions as he finishes brushing the snow off of his body.

Y/N gulps at the irony of Sokka's words.

Y/N: "...You should've told him."

Katara sadly slapped her eyes and walked after Aang, Y/N, and Sokka looked at each other, then slowly followed.

A bit later, the squad spots a full view of one of the temple's many towers. They have made it to a courtyard with a fountain in the middle. There, the water is frozen. Y/N, Sokka, and Katara are standing at the entrance of the yard while Aang runs up ahead excitedly.

Sokka: "Katara, firebenders were here. You can't pretend they weren't."

Katara walks past her brother only to run into Y/N.

Y/N: "You have to tell him. It'll be best if it came from you."

Katara: "...I can pretend they weren't for Aang's sake. If he finds out that the Fire Nation invaded his home, he'll be devastated."

Y/N was about to speak up but was cut off by Aang.

Aang: "Hey guys!" The three look up and see Aang standing in front of a statue of a monk, turning around and pointing toward it. "I want you to meet somebody!"

Sokka: "Who's that?"

Sokka's curiosity was piqued, and he, Katara, and Y/N walked over to where Aang was standing in front of a serene statue of a monk with a gentle smile etched onto its stone face.

Aang: "This is Monk Gyatso. He was my guardian and mentor back when I lived here." Aang's voice holds a touch of nostalgia as he speaks.

Sokka raises an eyebrow. "Your mentor? So he taught you all the cool airbending moves, huh?"

Aang chuckles. "Yeah, and he was a great friend too. I wouldn't be the Air Nomad I am today without his guidance."

Y/N observes the statue, his gaze softening as he senses the connection between Aang and Monk Gyatso. He's reminded of his own parents' sacrifice and the legacy they left behind.

Katara placed a hand understandingly on Aang's shoulder. "You must miss him."

Aang's expression turned downcast. "Yeah." He walked away, heading up a flight of stairs that led to a corridor behind the statue. He glanced back to answer Katara's curious gaze. "The air temple sanctuary. There's someone I'm ready to meet."