now or never || an atla fanfic

𝔭𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔦𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫

"You mean to tell me...that my son and daughter haven't reached the Northern Water Tribe yet?" Hakoda confirmed, his voice deadly soft.

His assistant, Lao, confirmed with a shaky nod, his outstretched hand extending a letter to the King. Hakoda had already confirmed its contents. The Northern Water Tribe King expressed his delight in welcoming Hakoda's son and daughter-in-law to their kingdom for the short while, and would be awaiting their arrival.

The letter was stamped exactly five days ago, the time it takes for a messenger hawk to cross between the tribes.

The letter didn't directly say it, but the message was implied. His children had yet to arrive at the Norther Water Tribe. 

The King pinched the bridge of his nose.

It was a two week journey to sail between the two tribes. Katara and Sokka had embarked on the royal ship almost three weeks ago.

They could be lost, injured, attacked, or even worse, dead.

"I knew I shouldn't have let them go on their own," the King whispered, his heart heavy with grief. He never realized how empty the palace felt without his children, their constant chattering and bickering during meals, chasing each other down the corridors of the palace.

Each day was a painful reminder of their absence. He hadn't felt this alone since his wife had passed away.

"If I may, your majesty, I would suggest alerting the Northern Water Tribe of this. It will help to send out more search parties across the ocean."

"You're right. Send Hahn in. I have a request for him."

This search needed to be carried out as discreetly as possible. If news broke out that both his children were missing, disaster would ensue, and his future plans to unite the two tribes together would be ruined.

He needed to find them as soon as possible.

- ♚ -

It only took a few drinks of alcohol and a few dances across the room for Aang to finally earn King Bumi's support.

Sokka swept Suki across the ballroom floor, moving in sync to the waltz that echoed across throughout the hall. Zuko, for the most part, stayed in a single corner to avoid being recognized by any royal officials. Toph helped herself to the mountains of sweets they had on the buffet tables.

Aang walked away from King Bumi's throne, deep in thought.

They had successfully finished their goal here with hardly any obstacles. Everything was going smoothly.

So why did he feel so empty?

His eyes lifted, meeting the eyes of a particular waterbender across the ballroom, who was grinning in a fit of laughter, enraptured in a conversation with a certain Earthbender. He could almost hear her laughter across the distance stretched between them.

The avatar quickly crossed the distance across the room.

As he approached, her eyes finally met his, offering him a dazzling smile.

"Oh, Aang! I'd like you to meet Haru," she introduced, gesturing to the Earthbender who stood in across from her.

"Evening," he replied curtly.

"Haru is an Earthbender, by the way."

Aang's eyes trailed all the way down to Haru's dirt-speckled shoes. If he felt any repulsion, he didn't show it.

"The best in our village," Haru claimed proudly, folding his arms.

"Yes, yes, that's very good for you Haru," he dismissed. "Now if you'll excuse us, I need a word with Katara," Aang explained.