Gratitude Day

“You know what I’m grateful for?”

“What, Sokka?”

“I’m grateful that we could finally have some delicious boar meat!” Sokka slurped in anticipation at the succulent barbecued pig that had been brought out to him and Suki while Aang and Katara looked on. Suki wasn’t as enthusiastic about the boar though, but from the way she carried herself, was more than happy to spend time with her boyfriend of 4 years.

They’d reserved a space in this Ba Sing Se barbeque joint just for their anniversary. Typical Sokka. And it also happened to be on the new holiday, Gratitude Day, where people would discuss what they were grateful for. As you can probably tell, this came about after the end of the War.

And it’s also why Toph and Zuko were not there. Toph was mending her relationship with her parents and Zuko wanted to spend it with Mai and Uncle Iroh.

“Sokka, you’ve always had boar meat,” said Katara.

“Well, not like this!” Sokka said, rubbing his hands together in preparation to dig in to such a succulent meal.

But Suki grabbed his hands to make him stop.

“Sweetie,” she said, “I think you should wait.”

“Wait for what!?”

“Well, I didn’t get a chance to tell you what I’m grateful for,” she said.

“Neither have we,” said Aang.

“Why is everyone talking about what they’re grateful for?” Sokka moaned.

“Because you already did,” said Katara. “And because it’s GRATITUDE DAY.”

“Oh, well,” Sokka said, waving his hand, then I guess I’ll have to let this pig go cold.

“Suki, why don’t you start?” Katara asked.

“Sure! I’m grateful that I got to meet every single one of you and how you helped us during the war. I don’t think we would’ve made it without you. And I’m grateful that you’ve been there for me as friends. Especially you, Sokka.” Suki lightly kissed him on the cheek, making him blush bright red.

“Yeah, I’m grateful for you too,” he said.

“And you think Aang and I are lovey-dovey,” said Katara.

“You mean, oogie,” said Sokka.

“Whatever,” Katara sighed. “But that was sweet, Suki.”

“Thanks, Katara,” said Suki. “Don’t you think so, Aang?”

“Absolutely!” he replied.

“Besides, you two are living like nomads,” Sokka continued. “How do I know you’re not—“

“NOT HERE, SOKKA!” Katara warned. Sokka held his hands up and brought them down. One look at Suki’s eyes and he recognized that a public restaurant, even in a cordoned-off section like they were, that kind of prodding was a bad idea.

“Sokka, being a nomad isn’t much different from when we were travelling,” Katara replied.

“You should try it,” said Aang. “We get to set our own schedule and take life as it comes! It’s just something I want to do.”

“Whatever,” Sokka said. “Fine, why don’t you tell us what you’re grateful for?”

“Okay! But, promise you won’t say oogie?”

“I promise.”

“Like Suki, I’m grateful for everyone we ever met, getting to travel the world and saving it. I’m also grateful that we learned a lot on our travels. I really feel like we grew in those nine months. I know we’ve had a few bumpy roads since then, but I wouldn’t trade that journey for anything. And of course, I’m grateful you’re my boyfriend, Aang. I wish I could tell you how much you mean to me, and not just how I love you.”

“OOGIE!”

“SOK-KA! You promised!”

“Oh, right. Sorry.”

“That’s really nice, Suki!” said Aang.

“Aang?”

“Oh, um, sorry, I kind of wasn’t paying attention,” he said.

“Well, I guess it’s because we just didn’t have much to say to you,” said Katara. “I’m sorry, sweetie. And Sokka, if you say ‘oogie’ one more time—”

“It’s okay, Katara,” said Aang. He took a deep breath as if to think. Then he spoke. “I guess I should be honest when I say I’m not sure what to be grateful for. The monks taught us that gratefulness was unnecessary. We had what we had, and the desire for Earthly objects was a cause of suffering.

“But, I guess just like everyone else, I learned to be grateful for what I had. And there’s a good thing about being grateful. I know everyone already talked about being grateful for our friends and adventure, but I’ll add my idea. If it wasn’t for all the people we met, and all the places we went to, I wouldn’t have become the Avatar I am today.

“But… I don’t think I can come up with any words to say how much all of you mean to me. I know earthly desires and attachments are looked down on, but they’re what make us human. And I’m so grateful to have every single one of you in my life.”

Sokka, Katara and Suki applauded. But Katara sadly frowned. He’d forgotten her. Was he really not grateful for her?

She would ask after dinner. The sun had already gone down, and the middle ring of Ba Sing Se had lit up to give Appa a little bit of an airstrip to lift off from. Aang and Katara left the restaurant, and Aang’s leaving her out of his gratefulness speech was still on Katara’s mind. “Katara, are you okay?” Aang asked. “You didn’t say much during dinner.”

“Aang, sweetie?” she gently asked.

“Yes?”

“I…” she paused. Aang turned to her, his expression full of worry. Katara took a deep breath and spoke again. “Why didn’t you mention me earlier? When you were talking about everything you were grateful for?”

“That’s what you’re worried about?” Aang asked. Katara nodded. She looked up and saw Aang coming towards her and without warning, enveloped her in a tight hug.

“Because I couldn’t think of any words to describe how grateful I am for you, Katara,” he said. “You’re my forever girl!” Same old Aang. “And you were the one who got me out of that iceberg. Out of everyone, you’re the one I’m most grateful for.”

Katara blushed several shades and buried her face in Aang’s shoulder. “You’re such a dork,” she said. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he replied. “Now, where should we go next?”

“How about we give Fire Lord Zuko a visit?” she asked.

“Sounds like a plan to me!” Aang bent him and Katara up onto Appa’s back. “Appa, yip, yip!” he called out as Appa took off.