The Two Of Us - An ALTA X Reader Fanfiction

Chapter Three ~ A Natural Comfort

(AANG'S POV)

Y/N was oddly light for someone her age, almost like carrying Momo or my glider. She was pretty cold though, and kept trying to subconsciously snuggle up against me in her sleep, not that I minded strangely. I ended up holding under her legs with one arm and pulling her against me with the other. An idea hit me and I untied my cloak, pulling it from out from between us. Wrapping it around both of us, I tied the sash around my shoulders and under her, using it to hold her up, and putting my arms around her, pulling her against me.

Her legs wrapped behind my waist, and she settled snugly against me, a sigh escaping her. I felt a flush cover me to my ears. She was pressed so closely to me, cool skin against my increasingly heated chest. I did my best to ignore my body's reaction to a pretty girl and focus on the task at hand.

Using my waterbending, I made an ice raft and stepped on, attaching my feet to it, and making a current to move us. Within a few minutes, we had reached the other side, docking at a port. An old man noticed us and started to call out, and I held up a finger, shushing him, pointing to Y/N. He grew quiet, nodding in understanding.

"What may I do for you, Avatar Aang?" he asked kindly, and I smiled. People were so nice sometimes.

"We need a ride back to Ba-Sing-Se, please sir." I asked in a hushed voice, trying to not wake Y/N. He nodded.

"I have a fast cart, it should be able to get you back by sunrise if we leave now."

I nodded in appreciation and off we went, to his home. He lived alone, and ushered us into his cart. I lay Y/N down gently in the back, covering her with my cloak. She grabbed it, nuzzling into it. Once more I blushed, moving back out to sit next to the old man.

"My name is Shu." he offered, and I smiled gratefully. A sharp flick of the reins and we were on our way back home.

"May I ask, what are you doing all the way out here, Avatar?" he asked. I tried to hold back my bitterness, and managed.

"I just needed some air." I replied, somehow keeping the anger out of my voice. "I went for a fly, and broke my glider, then I found her." I gestured to the back of the cart. Shu nodded, taking it in.

"Well, I hope you find your way, Avatar." he sent a smile back my way, and I mirrored it.

For the rest of the ride we talked nonsense, about life and crops and that crazy cabbage seller that everyone seems to know. We laughed, we joked, and by the time we arrived at the outer wall, the sun was rising.

I peeked in the back of the cart to see Y/N still out cold. The odd warmth and pull in my chest grew and I thanked Shu, promising to keep in touch as I climbed out and into the back, gathering up Y/N once more and wrapping her in my cloak, holding her to my chest. We said farewell and her returned home.

Facing the guards at the entrance was all it took to get them to open the wall, a chorus of "Good Morning, Avatar Aang." meeting my ears.

Into the city I walked, hopping on a shuttle and sitting, holding my small, snoozing passenger on my lap. She seemed troubled, and I put a palm on her cheek. She turned into it, the frown fading into peace. It was strange, this unspoken connection. Probably because she was literally a piece of my soul, but I felt compelled to stay by her, keeping her safe. At least she was keeping my mind off of who I would have to face when I returned home.

The shuttle moved swiftly through the city, and far too soon we arrived at my sector. I hopped off, trying to ignore the many people staring at me like I was an alien. I held Y/N protectively against me, and walked faster.

The outside door opened before I could touch it, and Toph stood, her glazed stare to the right of me.

"Who is it?" she asked, and I sighed.

"It's me."

A frown crossed her, and she shook her head. "You're walking too heavy to be twinkle-toes."

I groaned, almost forgetting about my passenger.

"I'm carrying something. Now will you let me in, already?"

She nodded, stepping back and letting me through.

Sokka, Katara and Zuko sat in the courtyard, and their gazes shot to me. They all rose to their feet, a simultaneous look of confusion passing through as I walked closer, clutching Y/N to me. I ignored all of them, even when Zuko began to follow me down the hall to my chamber.

I blew open the door, moving to set Y/N on my bed. She turned a bit, smiling softly into my pillow. Lightly I brushed the hair out of her face once more as Zuko moved into the doorway, observing me.

"I'll be back. You just sleep." I whispered, well aware that she couldn't hear me. Turning to face my friend, I shook my head at him before he could speak. Walking out of the room he followed, letting my close the door before saying anything.

"Where have you been?" he asked, and I could hear the agitation in his voice.

Spinning to face him I met his concerned and confused stare with my own colder one.

"Ask Katara." I spat, turning away. His hand holding my shoulder stopped me, and I stood still, waiting for him to say something.

"We were...I was worried about you." he confessed, and I wasn't certain how to react. Zuko and I had definitely become good friends over the past four years of him being FireLord and me keeping the world in balance. I felt I could trust him, and I turned to him, slowly lifting my head, unable to fight the tears spilling down my cheeks.

"She...she..." I choked on a sob, and he actually pulled me into him, letting me cry. I was so lost and confused, unsure of what to do. All I could manage to do was cry, barely managing breathing between each sob.

I could hear footsteps behind me and felt Sokka pat my back, trying to offer comfort. I pulled away from Zuko, wiping my tear covered cheeks. Looking up at Sokka, I took comfort in his reassuring smile.

"You don't have to talk about it until you're ready." he assured, and I nodded.

"Thank you."

Toph sounded behind Sokka, and we all turned to look at her.

"So, now that we know you aren't dead, mind explaining who the girl is?"

I nodded, taking a deep breath and steeling myself for their reactions.

"She's..well, she's the Avatar."