Aang x reader // Fluff
Word Count: 1.7k
When word got out that the Avatar was coming to Republic City, a big celebration was planned in his honor to welcome him. Being one of his bestest friends, it was only natural for you to attend, no matter how many years you'd spent apart due to his travels and you settling to build a career for yourself. The stretch of distance and time was exactly why you chose to come. Sharing letters and weekend trips wasn't enough, at least for you.
Your eyes light up when you see Aang enter with your other old friends right behind him. However, it seems that the entire population of Republic City is dead set on making sure you and Aang donโt get more than a flicker of eye contact with each other. Every time you find him, heโs accompanied by a swarm of town leadership officials, general fans, or a collection of old friends he had made throughout his many journeys.
As the night continues to age, your hopes to catch Aang deflate more and more. With a sigh, you set down your half empty drink at the table you were lingering at after you endured as much mingling as you could with other partygoers to take up your time.
โ โฆ yes, thatโs wonderful to hear. Excuse me for a moment though,โ Aang interrupts his latest cluster of associates and peers. His eyes search the sea of bodies for yours specifically. You were the one guest heโd been most looking forward to seeing when he came to this welcoming celebration, though he couldnโt forget about everyone else taking time out of their nights for him. This led to a series of Aang hopping from conversation to conversation while simultaneously chasing glimpses of you throughout the room.
After catching your glance, Aang immediately begins to weave through the crowd for you, but stops when you turn your back on him and begin walking off. A slight confusion overtakes him. Nevertheless, Aang continues to follow the path you took and sees you through a window, sitting on a stone bench outside on a balcony. Your silhouette is ever so graceful as you gaze out into the night sky and play with the smooth fabric of your dress.
So he opens the door and steps out. The cool night air sends a refreshing breeze swirling around him like a welcoming from the natural world. โFound you,โ Aaang says with a cheeky grin as he takes a seat right next to you and gently bumps your shoulder with his.
Your body tenses and a little gasp slips between your lips right before the familiarity of his voice settles in you and you relax once again.
โHey, there you are!โ You cheered up a little, glad you were finally having some proper time together. โSomeone's been elusive tonight,โ you teased Aang and returned his bump to the shoulder.
โI know, I know,โ he nods with his eyes closed like heโs so over the party. A moment of silence passes between you two, then he starts again. โYou didn't come to say hi to me back there.โ Still friendly but Aang's voice has dropped the lighthearted tone now. You turn your head to look at him but his gaze is on the warm city lights below the balcony.
You pause, sensing that this might be Aang trying to get vulnerable with you. Not knowing what to do, you attempt a smooth recovery from the moment and smile. โWell, what can I say? You're a very busy man, Avatar.โ
โI was planning to use this celebration as an opportunity to spend time with you.โ He finally takes his gaze off the city and directs those darling gray eyes to you. Aang's lips formed a small little disappointed smile. โI suppose it does sound silly now that I think about it. A whole party where people are gathering for me, and I'm focused on one person?โ
โCould be interpreted as self-centered in a way,โ you offered with a laugh. Aang was the furthest thing from self-centered and both of you knew that.
โIt's just that...there was this moment where I was free and we locked eyes, I know we did, and I thought you'd come to me but you...came up here instead.โ Aang throws his hand out, gesturing to the balcony.
You take a moment to gather your words and figure out how to frame the feeling that had been creeping deeper into you throughout the night. โI know weโve been friends for forever, but you know โฆโ your hands anxiously smoothed over the skirt of your dress, โwe've grown up and we're not as close as we used to be. Then I came to your party and I couldn't find the time to catch up with you at all. And yeah, the window of opportunity arrived eventually, but by then I sort of figured I should just leave it alone. You seemed so busy. I guess it was just a matter of not knowing where we stand.โ You shrug it off, as if Aang's distance wasn't a constant dull ache in your chest over the years.
โโJust leave it aloneโ?โ Aang enunciates. His face and the way he puts his hand over your elbow tells you that he's feeling an equal mix of genuine concern, insult, and confusion. โI know that our lives are different now and our paths haven't aligned so easily, but you're still the most important person to me, just as you were back then. That hasn't changed.โ
His show of heart and vulnerability makes you feel comfortable to let the confession spill out of you. โI missed you, Aang.โ A phrase so simple, yet it bears all the feelings that are too blurry for either of you to confront.
โI missed you too.โ Aang gives you one of his gentle smiles that you find so adorable.
You lean to his side and hug him around his waist. โIโm happy that youโre visiting now.โ You suddenly brighten with an idea, โMaybe if you find some downtime we can hangout in the next few days!โ
Aang pulls back from your hug so he can get a proper look at you. He holds you by your elbows and rubs in a soothing circular motion. He looks down at you with a brow raised. โOh, you havenโt heard?โ
You take a glance at him, a puzzled expression on your face. โ...No, heard what?โ
โWell, I think you'll be glad to know that Iโm not visiting Republic City, Iโm living here now.โ
โWhat? You're staying? No way! What happened to your Air Temples Restoration project?โ
โAll of the plans are underway. Of course, I will still be making my rounds when I'm needed, but this time, it's here that I'll be returning to. No more spotty little one night, two night visits for you and me.โ
โHey, watch it, mister! Those โspotty little one night, two night visitsโ were what kept our relationship alive.โ You warn and poke at his chest.
โMy sincerest apologies. You're right, I should be giving my thanks.โ He bows his head ever so respectfully, to which you agree with a righteous nod and you both laugh it off.
Then your face gets serious again. โBut anyways, why are you choosing to move here?โ
ย Aang presents his reasoning as if it were entirely logical and self-evident, โAs co-founder of Republic City, it makes sense that I'd live here, that way if thereโs business related to this city and Iโm needed, then itโs not much of a hassle meeting with the other officials.โ Thereโs a short break in his answer before he speaks again, โAnd, weโve spent far too much time apart from each other. Iโve got to make up for it, wouldnโt you say?โ
โMhm, I approve of the last part!โ You nod with a cheerful hum.
โCome on,โ Aang tilts his head back to the party. โI'm just about ready to wrap this night up and I get the feeling that you are too. We can say our goodbyes and I'll escort you back home after that, sound good?โ He stands up and offers his hand out for you to take. Placing your hand over Aang's, he helps you get up like the gentleman he is and you step back inside together.
You and Aang were now walking up the stone path that led to your house. He made Appa land a few feet further than necessary solely so that he could have more one-on-one time with you, even if that time only consisted of the seventeen steps it took to get to your door.
โAndโฆwe have arrived,โ Aang says with a sense of finality as he gestures to your front door with his hand. โSo, uhh, goodnight. โ He gives you an awkward smile like he doesnโt quite know how to leave you yet. His body stammers in a way thatโs as clumsy as it is cute, back to Appaโs direction.
โAang, wait,โ you call after him and follow shortly.
โHm?โOh!โ Heโs cut off by your hug. This wasnโt the same light and friendly hug from the balcony. No, this one felt deeper, like it was only wearing friendship as a mask. It takes Aangโs mind a second to catch up, and when it does, he wraps his arms around you just as tightly as yours are around him.
โI'm really happy to see you again.โ Your confession is a little muffled against his chest.
Aang slowly pulls back from the hug and holds you by your upper arms. He rubs up and down, continuing the motion mindlessly. โWell, lucky for you, you'll be 'seeing me again' over and over. Starting tomorrow. Afternoon. Iโll come back here.โ Aang nods his head once like he set the plan in stone.
โTomorrow, you say? Well isn't someone the eager beaver.โ You grin with your head tilted up to face him. You bring your hands up to drum playfully against his chest.
โPromise not to get sick of me?โ Aang makes a pouting face at you.
โOh, I would never,โ a big smile stretches across your face as you let out a little laugh.
Woohoo! This was my first ever time writing a full out oneshot scene! And I was able to babble on until I hit 1.7k words! I'm pretty proud of it...๐ What do we think?
