A New Era

The Party

The grand ballroom in the Fire Lord's palace, all hung with red lanterns and pretty decorations. Fountains of marble dragons, the room full of Fire Nation citizens, the White Lotus group, and the Avatar gang. Aang was talking to Bumi and Toph as he held his hand on Katara's waist. Sokka was taking advantage of the endless assortment of delicious foods and sweet treats as Suki was laughing along with Ty Lee as Sokka started to argue with Bosco, the bear, for a fried fish on a stick. Zuko was chatting with his uncle Iroh as they were clinking their tea cups together.

"Yeah, I just couldn't wait any longer. We plan to get married in the mid-summer at the Southern Water Tribe." Aang said as she showed Bumi her ring made of opal. Bumi took the ring from her finger and bit his teeth on it. He spit it out and quickly put it back on Katara's finger.

"Yep, that's opal all right. It tastes terrible, you should try rock candy." He said as Katara looked at her slobbery finger in disgust.

"I'm going to go wash my hands." Katara said holding her hand as far away from herself as possible. Aang chuckled as he let her go. Katara rushed to the washroom and rinsed her hands as best as possible. Not enough soap could wash away the feeling of an old man's drool on her hand. She walked back out to see a young man, a Fire Nation citizen along with his friend, smirking at Katara. They had her back up against the wall.

"Such a pretty young lady, water tribe huh?" One of the young men said. One of the young men brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. Aang turned from talking to Toph and Bumi to see the two men cornering Katara. He had a stern expression.

"Not interested, sorry." She said as she tried to scoot past them. They stopped her by grabbing her wrist.

"I will be right back." He stated bluntly as he made his way to Katara.

"Maybe you and me could do a water and fire thing, huh?" The other young man said as he put his hand on her shoulder, tugging at her sleeve. Aang butted in and pulled Katara close to him.

"I believe the young lady said she wasn't interested." He said, not letting go of her hand. One of the young men scoffed.

"What? Are you her boyfriend or something?" They asked sarcastically. Aang smirked.

"Fiancée actually." He replied. Katara smiled with him. The young men looked to each other and huffed.

"Whatever. Let's go." They walked off, disappearing into the crowd. Katara kissed Aang's cheek.

"You okay?" Aang asked. Katara smiled and tossed her hair a bit.

"What can I say? I guess I'm quite the catch!" She giggled. Aang smiled as he raised his brow.

"Well, I'm glad I caught you." He said as he gave her a quick kiss on the lips. Katara smiled as she leaned her head on his chest as they walked back into the crowd.

After a few hours of partying, speeches from Iroh's friends including Aang, Sokka eating enough food to fill up 10 buffet tables, the party died down and Zuko approached them.

"My guards will escort you to your rooms. Thank you all for coming, rest well." Zuko said as he shook Aang's hand. Guards already carried their luggage to each of their rooms, one escorted Toph to her room, another escorted Sokka and Suki, and finally and guard came to escort Aang and Katara. They walked down a long corridor, him turning the key to open to a regal suite. Katara walked in and looked around. Aang look confused as he turned to the guard.

"Um, where is my room?" Aang asked. The guard took his scroll and scanned it real quick.

"Fire Lord Zuko has arranged for you and Ms. Katara to stay in the regal suite. Oh! And congratulations on your engagement." He said as he bowed his head. He bowed out and closed the door as Aang walked in. He blushed.

"I guess we are sharing a room tonight..." Aang said as he rubbed the back of his head. Katara rubbed her fingers on the satin bed sheet.

"I mean- we are engaged. We can cuddle all night long this way." She said as she walked up to Aang who smiled. He pulled her in for a kiss, holding her before separating a little bit later. Katara grabbed her bag and pulled out her hairbrush as Aang started to undress down to his trousers. Katara blushed, even though she had seen Aang this way before and he did sleep like this, it was different somehow. She brushed her hair as she let it down and put her necklace safely tucked away in her bag. Aang put aside some of the decorative pillows aside and slipped under the covers, waiting for Katara to join him. She wore her white wraps on her for sleeping as she tucked them to make sure they didn't come loose. She slipped under the covers with him as she turned off the oil lamp. After a few minutes of laying there, she turned to see Aang's eyes still open.

"We're going to get married, I can't believe it." Katara said as she tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. Aang pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's funny how life works, 100 years ago I would have been a young monk, teaching young air benders how to master air bending. Who would have thought I would be with a water bender, about to be married." He said as he rested his chin on her head. She felt his heartbeat syncing with hers.

"I'm all partied out for a while. And, there is something I need to talk to you about..." Katara said as she tapped her index finger on his chest.

"What is it? Is it about telling your dad? Don't worry, I've been practicing what I'm going to say and moves to dodge him coming after me." He said. They bought chuckled but she soon sighed.

"Sokka gave me a letter sent from my father today. Gram Gram is sick, we think it's close to her time." She said as her eyes started to water. Aang wiped her tears with his thumb and kissed her softly. She collected herself and looked into his eyes.

"She wants me to be there. They say she only has a month left, and she wants to spend it in the Glacier Springs Water Tribe resort. I want to be there with her." She said. Aang smiled.

"Don't worry. Go spend time with her, we can pack some more and spend time with her there." He said. Katara sighed once more.

"Aang. It is an all female resort. I would have to go with her...alone. I wouldn't see you for awhile." She said. Aang looked sad but hugged her.

"I will miss you, but Appa and Momo will keep me company. Just make sure you are there for her, that's all that matters." He said. She kissed his cheek and closed her eyes.

"You're so good to me. I promise to write you each week." She said. Aang closed his eyes. Soon they fell asleep, holding each other in their arms.