The Two Of Us - An ALTA X Reader Fanfiction

Chapter Five ~ Bonded

(Y/N'S POV)

For the next few weeks I hung out around the house, getting to know everyone and slowly forming friendships. By now everyone knew that I was the other half of the Avatar Spirit, and they pretty much accepted that I wasn't going to be leaving.

I wasn't really sure about it, and a few times I told Aang that I could go, but he refused to let me leave. I felt like a burden to the others, an obvious intrusion to the carefully close group they had, but a part of me really didn't want to leave. I liked being around Aang. He filled that strange emptiness I had always felt, even by just being in the same general area. His presence put me at ease for the first time in my life.

While I wasn't sure why he liked me, I was grateful. If it weren't for Aang, I don't think anyone but Toph would have even spoken to me.

It was dinnertime, and we were sitting outside, enjoying the beautiful twilight sky as we ate. I barely touched my food, far too captivated by the colors mixing in the sky. I didn't feel the need to eat, as enough time here had ensured that I gained back a small bit of weight. Now I looked scrawny instead of nearly dead, which I was willing to take.

I moved my gaze to across the courtyard to where Aang and Sokka were sitting. Both of them had several empty bowls stacked by them, laughing and talking animatedly. Katara stood next to the fountain, practicing her waterbending. Her face was entirely focused on what she was doing, and she looked frightening.

Toph came out of the house, ambling over to me and flopping down, laying on her back and folding her arms under her head.

"What'cha thinking about?" she asked, and I smiled, returning my gaze to the stars and pushing my thoughts of Aang out of my mind.

"The stars, and the sky. It's so beautiful. Shining and twinkling, all different colors." I explained, being sure to put in detail so she could imagine what I was talking about. A smile crossed her face, and she laughed.

"You always put so much effort into trying to help me see." she chuckled, closing her eyes. "Thank you, Y/N."

I reached out, patting her arm. "Anytime."

Turning back to the sky, we just stayed like that for a while, me staring at the stars and her laying with her eyes closed, both of us just thinking.

I moved my gaze back to Aang, him and Sokka had abandoned eating and were now in an arm wrestling competition. Shockingly they were a good match, and Aang earthbended a table up for them, standing.

He stood solidly, planting his feet on the ground and digging his heels in a bit. Standing tall for a second, he stretched languidly before pushing up his sleeves to show decent muscles with light blue arrows spiraling up to the backs of his hands. Planting an elbow into the table, he took Sokka's arm from across him, and they braced themselves.

I watched with increasing interest as Sokka held his own against Aang, both of them focusing more and more by the minute. Aang's brow furrowed and he managed to get a slight nudge on Sokka, pushing his arm a bit further before the strength evened out again and they were still.

Toph shifted, placing the soles of her feet on the ground and smiling.

"Get 'em, twinkle-toes!" she called, slightly distracting Sokka, who lessened up enough for Aang to slam his hand down, leaping a few feet into the air and dancing in victory.

I couldn't stop my giggles, and Aang looked over at me, the slightest blush on his cheeks. I could feel my heart rate go up, and my own cheeks flushed red. Toph's foot angled slightly towards me, her other still pointed directly at Aang, and a grin spread across her face from ear to ear.

She sat up, angling her head towards me so I could hear her clearly. "You like him, don't you?" she asked, pleased with herself for figuring it out. I huffed, standing, verifying her suspicions.

As I turned to walk away, she whispered again, for just my ears.

"Don't worry. He likes you too."

(AANG'S POV)

I beat Sokka, and was busy dancing my little victory when I heard Y/N giggle. Of course I hadn't forgotten she was there, the constant pull of my soul towards hers made sure of that, but I hadn't expected it. I looked up at her, sitting next to Toph, he cheeks a slight pink from the chill, eyes bright and shining, just radiating happiness, and I could feel my face heat a bit.

Her eyes met mine and my pulse began thumping away, and I cursed myself for it. Toph sat up and turned to her, saying something that made Y/N stand and turn to leave, pausing only for a second before she left the courtyard.

I could feel myself being pulled towards her, and this time I decided not to fight it. Moving away from the others I followed Y/N into the house, well aware of Katara's eyes on me the entire time. I didn't care anymore. Now she was like my sister, our trust had been broken, and she would remain nothing but a sibling to me.

Upon entering the house, I simply followed where my heart was telling me to go. It led me into my own room, to find Y/N laying on my bed, her back to the door, tiny frame curled into a ball against my pillow.

"Y/N?" I asked softly, freezing upon seeing her tense. "Are you okay?"

She stayed still, and I moved towards her again, sitting on the edge of the bed next to her. Looking down at her face I saw the thin streaks from tears down her cheeks. Concern filled me and I pulled her over to me, taking her face in my hands and lifting it to mine. Her eyes, a bright green, shone into my own, and I felt a weird pull in my gut, unlike anything I had felt before.

Wiping the tears from her cheeks, I scooted up onto the bed, leaning against the wall and pulling her into my lap, settling between my legs. She rested her head on my chest, her steady breathing only occasionally marred with a small hiccup.

For some reason, having her right next to me, I felt complete, as if that missing piece of myself was back again. I figured it was the split soul, and just enjoyed the feeling of being one.

One of her hands came up next to her face, resting palm down over my heart, and her face tilted up to look at me.

"Do you feel it?" she asked, her voice soft and sweet. I understood what she meant, the strange feeling of being split, how complete it felt to be right here holding her.

I nodded, my hands running up and down her back, lightly tapping the muscles. She winced, and I pulled back before she shook her head.

"It's okay, I'm just really sore." she explained.

An idea popped into my head, and I gently pushed her a bit away from me, hopping off the bed.

"You get comfy, take off the overcoat and shawl, whatever you feel comfy with, and lay on your belly." I told her, smiling at her confusion. I held up my hands in explanation.

"I'm gonna work on your back a bit, if you will trust me with you." I smiled hopefully, and to my relief she nodded, a small smile gracing her once more.