.;:;.
"That's pretty. Where did you find it?" Zuko bent down to his niece's height.
Mi Lee stared blankly at the grass, twiddling the stem of the flower she had just found. Her steel blue eyes lifted to meet his gaze as she shrugged, indifferent. "Around."
Zuko's lips pressed slightly. Yep. She was just like her mother. And he wondered whether or not he should be worried.
"Wanna go feed the turtleducks?" He stood, holding his hand out to her.
He was surprised when she took it, getting to her feet. "They're afraid of me."
Zuko chuckled. "No, they're not. Just give them time. They'll come around eventually."
"Of course you would say that!" she whined, but by then they had reached the pond. The turtleduck family, each taking their turn in feeding off of a slender, olive toned hand, swam away at the sight of Mi Lee. "See?! I told you, Uncle!"
The Fire Lady met her husband's gaze over Mi Lee's shoulder, giggling at the bewildered look on his face.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Katara asked her sincerely.
Mi Lee let go of Zuko's hand, crossing her arms stubbornly. She may be just like her mother, but she sure did pick up her stubborness from her uncle. The girl opened her mouth to start whining again when she saw two familiar faces coming around the corner and into the courtyard, followed by the additional three to her cousins.
"Flameo, hotman!"
Gasping, she shot straight for them, Zuko and Katara turning their heads to see what all the fuss was about. Upon seeing their old friends, Katara beamed and a relaxed smile graced Zuko's features. Ty Lee dropped down to her knees and opened her arms just as Mi Lee slammed into her, hugging her tight.
"I'm here, sweetheart," Ty Lee whispered to her, rubbing the younger girl's back in soothing strokes.
"I missed you," Mi Lee whispered back. "I miss my mom. I want to see her but they won't let me."
"I'll talk to them for you, okay? I promise, you'll see mama." Ty Lee kissed the top of her head.
"Mom, Dad, look who's here!" Kya and Lu Ten exclaimed.
"We see." Zuko chuckled as Katara flew into Aang's arms, and nearly got knocked over by Ty Lee in the process.
"You need to stop being strangers and visit more often!" Katara pulled away from Ty Lee's hug when they embraced, holding each other at arms length.
"Sorry? Love you?" Ty Lee grinned sheepishly, and Katara pulled her in for another hug.
"Aang. You can let go now."
"Do I have to?"
"You are making me uncomfortable."
"Say you love me."
"No."
"Okay. Then I guess I'm gonna-" Zuko's arms wrapped back around him, the Fire Lord sighing in what Aang took to be defeat and smiled - but then the hug suddenly got very tight, to the point where it was hard for Aang to breathe. "-let go now," Aang wheezed, and Zuko smirked before releasing his friend.
Zuko ruffled Kuzon's hair, picked Bumi up, and wrapped his free arm around On Ji in greeting. "Oh hello."
"Can we play?" Kya piped up.
"Go ahead, sweetie. We'll catch up in a bit," said Katara, and the six children ran off to play together, leaving the four adults by themselves in the courtyard. "Turtleducks?" She grinned at Ty Lee, who beamed back at her, and they set off for the pond, bursting into chatter.
The remaining men looked at each other knowingly.
"Remember that promise you made me?" Zuko asked as they set off for the corridors.
"About me killing you?" Aang chuckled.
"Yeah. About that..." The Fire Lord paused artfully. "I'm still holding you up on that."
The Avatar burst into genuine laughter, and his companion couldn't help but chuckle along.