Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Namjoon! Namjoon!” 

Namjoon woke with a start, eyes blinking in confusion as his shoulder was vigorously shaken.

The hut was dark and void of any light, not even a faint orange from the candles that had since gone out hours ago. It took a few moments for the tired boy’s eyes to adjust to the darkness. He could hear the distress in his younger brother's voice. The way it shook, how frightened he sounded.

“Wha… what is it?” The older boy croaked, still tired and wondering if he could close his eyes for a moment again. 

“I, I had a nightmare.” Namjoon hummed, licking his lips and smacking them together before he sighed, listening. “It was about mom.”

“Mom’s fine-” He started, yawning mid-sentence.

“But in my dream-”

“Taehyung, mom’s fine. She's probably on her way back now. No doubt she’ll be here tomorrow or the day after.”

“But what if she isn’t? What.. what if my nightmare comes true?” The younger boy shivered, voice still shaking. 

“Whatever your dream was, I'm sure it was only that. A bad dream. Now go back to sleep.”

“Can I stay with you?”

He didn’t answer, but instead shifted in the small bed and lifted his blankets. A silent invitation for the younger of the brothers to scoot in close. Taehyung did not waste time, quickly joining Namjoon in the many fur and wool- knit blankets, shielding them as much from the cold tundra outside as they could. Easily did the two fall into a comfortable position. They’ve shared a bed before, and now wasn’t any different.

Taehyung doesn’t have nightmares, not as much as he had when he was a child. He’s 10 now, will be 11 in two weeks. He used to have them often when he was very little. Startled by the dark vastness that was the South Pole, how quiet it could be. He believed evil spirits lurked in the deep tundra, waiting to sneak into the village and torment the tribe. Namjoon never believed in evil or dark spirits, nor did he believe any real harm could come to them in their small community.

But Namjoon understood why Tae was scared now. He could sympathize. Not many 13 year olds would, but he understood. He was scared too, not from a nightmare or evil spirits, but from worrying if their mother does not come back.

Two months prior, their father had developed a cough. Nothing new or worrisome living in the South Pole. People catch coughs often from the blistering cold. However, his cough did not seize, only amplified. Soon he felt fatigued and sluggish. Then the fever came.

Their village, while not the smallest in the world assumedly, did have a small population of water benders. The few that could bend water often aided in hunts, trekking the frozen desert for wild animals to bring back as meat for the tribe. Other water benders used their talents for healing, aiding the sick or elderly. 

Namjoon was no skilled bender himself. He had a lot to learn, often training with the masters of their small tribe, working on his skills between chores and other tasks he was assigned to help with. A healer came everyday to their small home, everyone believing at first this small cough was no more than a household cold. The healers, and his father, both insisted Namjoon learn what he could, often sitting near his fathers bedside. Hands soaked in the element that he held a connection to. Focusing with all he head to heal his father, aiding in this recovery.

The cold did not get better, but only worse with time. Namjoon’s healing lessons took to the back-burner as more healers, more skilled ones, started to worry and work. Namjoon stood back in the shared bedroom, watching anxiously as even the best of his tribe could not do anything to ease his father.

It was because of this sickness, because his condition grew worse, that Namjoon and Taehyung’s mother went on a trip to the closest Earth Kingdom town for medicine. Often the tribe would send a few ships for supplies, always in need of more fire-wood and fabrics for warmth. They’d trade for fish and weapons carved from animal bones. The Kim family's mother had gone on these expeditions a few times before, so Namjoon was not worried about her travels or when she would return.

He did worry about his father’s condition, only worsening each day. So for Taehyung to wake up with a nightmare, one about their mother supposedly, he could understand why the boy was scared. He, too, was worried her trip will be in vain, and that these may be their last moments with the man that raised them.

☵🜄☵

Miles from the South Pole’s Village stood a 19 year old Namjoon. Snow surrounded him as far as the eye could see, the wind a gentle breeze, uplifting small flakes back into the air. Small ice crystals laid delicately on the young man’s hair, collecting as time passed. 

He wore a thick coat, lined inside with Polar Bear fur, fur lining the hems and his sleeves as well. His boots had snow clumps, stuck there from the wet snow. Thick leather, animal skin gloves were abandoned on the snow, along with his machete that normally was hooked around his back. 

Breathing in a steady breath, he moved. Flowing along to a music-less dance, his body stretching and bending. Flowing, as if he was the water itself.

The water, while not near any bodies, moved gracefully. Materializing out of the frigid air, pulled from its elemental state to a physical body. Namjoon bent the water against its will, feeling the natural push and pull.

A sheen of sweat had collected upon his brow after hours of his self-training, built up as his body temperature rose against the rapidly chilling air around him. Namjoon called it when the Sun touched the horizon, nightfall fast approaching and a long trek home befell the young water bender. Namjoon does not often trek into the frozen tundra alone. He was aware that, while he is a skilled bender, the elements were more dangerous than any wild beast or person. They would take no pity warming his skin with the sun’s shining rays, just as they would no joy in ending him from a frozen ice storm deep into the night. The South Pole can be brutal against the star ridden sky, and alone surrounded by ice and snow with no source of shelter was just plain stupid to put himself in. 

His mind was heavy today, however, hence why he took the long hike into the sea of frozen water. Clearing his mind with the element born into his genes. 

Today marked the anniversary of his father’s death. 

Six years have passed. Six years where Namjoon no longer could see his father. Six years where he could not sit with the older man at the local fishing grounds, squirming at the bait and cheering when one of them did catch a fish. Six years he hasn't been able to go to his father for wisdom or advice, seeking aid from the man he idolized. 

Six years it’s been since his father last saw his bending, how weak and timid it was back then. How his father was the one to urge him to keep bending, to keep at it and to get better. Always proud of even the smallest puddle splash his son could make, a look of enthusiasm when Namjoon was able to mend a small cut from an arrow with his healing-bending. Six years since he lost the man that made him want to be a good bender, a great one. A master.

Because Namjoon did not want that now. He did not want to be a master. He just wanted to be with his father. A man who was no bender at all, just as his mother and Taehyung are. Namjoon was the first in his family to ever be able to control water, the first in all his ancestors. He used to hate it, he used to feel shame for being different. His father never saw it as shame, rather pride. He saw it as strength.

It was why his father always urged Namjoon to look in himself, to practice and know the thing in him that he himself never could. Despite the older man never being able to make any currents ripple or tides flow, Namjoon felt the most connected to his father when he bent. His father never could show him any moves like the masters could, but he would practice them with his son. Would stand in their small hut with Namjoon late at night, or take him out to the middle of nowhere where his son could practice safely. He always pushed him to do his best, cheering him on with praise and support.

That, now, was hard to do. That, now, was difficult most days. Because as close as bending made him feel to his father, Namjoon always hated it. He hated being a water bender. He hated how he had a sense of ‘duty’ all because of some mystic power in his DNA that he did not ask for. He hated when the element would be stubborn and not do what he read in texts and scrolls. He hated how everyone called him blessed for this ‘gift’ while others had to work hard to earn a place in this world. 

The sun had set fully, the faint remaining glow of orange and red on the rapidly darkening sky guided him home to his tribe. His tribe, while years have passed, has not changed much since his father’s passing. The houses were still made of ice. The trading with other nations still held strong, still a commerce with their people. The community has grown larger, young couples marrying and having children of their own, new homes being sculpted for them to reside in.

He still resided in the same hut he grew up in. He and Taehyung shared a room still. They did not need to anymore, but neither wanted to separate. They were all they had in this world now, after-all. He was already close to Taehyung as a child, and even as young adults they still shared a special bond.

Losing one parent was hard enough. Losing both made you closer than ever before.

Distantly, Namjoon could see the faint lights of the village. Fires glowing in lanterns, an orange contrast to the dark blue sky. Stars littering its blanket. The wind, now with the sun’s warming rays gone, made the evening even chillier and he rushed quickly. He should have worn a hat. They have them, many of them in fact. It was not as if he didn’t own the clothing, just was distracted when he did leave and did not think to wear one. Damn his ears were cold.

Voices, while unknown what was said, could be heard traveling the closer and closer he got. His tribe still continued life even as the sun had set. He walked amongst his people, giving a small wave or soft “hello” when passing and addressed. He walked past the main town and towards the housing section of their village, greeting neighbors that used to bring him food after his parents' deaths if they waved to him. They were the reason he and Taehyung ate back then, how they still managed to survive in the grief.

Upon entering his home, Namjoon made his way over to the small firepit. It was low, signalling no one had been there for a while. He threw some fresh logs on it, tossing in some kindling and blowing some air to get the embers caught again. Only when the flames started to rise and hold did he step away, changing out of his outside clothes and into his interior ones. 

Taehyung had been gone when Namjoon woke up, and for him to still be gone did not settle well with the older brother. He knew his brother knew what day it was today. It was one neither could forget. Years past had the two hiding in their room, sharing a bed and tears as they mourned a life they won’t ever hold again. Taehyung would eventually go off for a hunt to clear his mind, while Namjoon would do so with his bending. 

Today should have been no different. Today, he should have woken to his brother curled into his side, sniffling and holding in tears. Today, he was alone. Alone and, as the fire grew lower and lower, worried.

“Where is he?” Namjoon pondered himself, whispering into the empty home.

There were no notes, no signs or letters of his departure and where he had gone or when he’d be back. His bow and arrows were gone, along with his spear. Namjoon had assumed this morning that his brother had taken his hunt in the early morning then, an early rise to clear his mind and ahead of the game he was preying on, rather than an evening one. The wild animals, however, would have long gone back to their own hideaways. Other hunters in the tribe would be returning, if they haven't already. It was stupid to be out in the tundra this late.

So where was he?

The worse came to his mind as he shed his parka and dawned his outside coat again. Taehyung could be injured, alone and lost and currently freezing to death. His mind conjured the idea before realism could take hold, pushing anxiety to the forefront. No, Taehyung was a skilled hunter. He was one of the best in the tribe, he was not stupid. He knew his match and knew when to not go for a kill, when it was too dangerous. Today wouldn’t make him different, even if his mind was heavy and he wouldn’t fully be there.

Just as Namjoon sat down to put his boots back on, the front door opened. A blast of cold air rushed into the small home, snow gently blowing in before the door was firmly shut. A layer of white snow, thick and clumped, clung to the fur lining Taehyung's coat, along with build-up on the fur of his boots. He pushed his large hood down, revealing a purple wool hat and rosy cheeks.

Taehyung’s breaths were frigid, shaky as he placed his weapons down and brushed the snow off of his person. Stomping on their welcome mat to de-clump the snow built up on him.

“Where the hell have you been?” Namjoon frowned, no longer putting his own boots on. “You were gone all day, and no notice or word of where you were either!”

“I went out for a hunt.” The younger brother spoke, his voice deep and… strained. 

“And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“I haven’t before, why should I have now?”

“Because,” Namjoon sighed, his shoulders slacking. “Today is different.”

Taehyung had been taking his own boots off. His movements slowed, pausing for a second before he sluggishly took his thick coat off. Draping the purple scarf and stuffing the matching purple hat into the hood of the garment for later wear.

“I know.” Taehyung said, his voice low like it always is. “I needed to clear my mind.”

Namjoon hummed, standing to place his boots back by the door by his brothers as the younger moved to sit in front of the small fire.

“You know I pester you because I care,” Namjoon softly said, joining Taehyung on the ground in front of the flames. “You know I trust you and your skills. It’s just… with today-”

“I know Joonie… I’m sorry.”

His brother faced the fire, his red cheeks warming against the small flames, red now not from the dropped temperature outside. He kept his gaze low, and while Taehyung’s face stayed neutral and did not waver, his eyes did. Something darting in them, making them grow distant as he fell into some thought. 

“I went out into the plains,” he spoke for the two. “I worked on my bending. I um… I’m getting better at the ‘pulling water out of the air’ thing. It’s… hard, and the masters said it would be since the air here is so dry. Apparently you can do it much easier in warmer temperatures where it's not below freezing.”

Speaking about bending with Taehyung was not something Namjoon liked to do. It wasn’t as if his brother hated it, quite the opposite actually. Taehyung loved water bending, he loved listening and watching it and anything about the element. He found it fascinating, often wanting to watch Namjoon when he did practice. It was Namjoon himself that did not like to discuss it. It was he himself that did not like how he was a bender.

It wasn’t as if Namjoon always hated his bending, there was a time he liked it. Back when he was a child, when he first learned he could control water with some unknown connection. He was only 6, playing with his brother in the snow as children do. He had pushed Taehyung, something he should have been punished for, as the younger boy cried from the fall. It was at dinner when he was being given his punishment, a grounding and no visiting of the koala-otter springs for a week, that he had thrown a tantrum. Yelling how it was not fair, he had only lightly pushed his brother in the snow, it was not his fault Taehyung fell.

In his anger, his glass of water had shaken, spilling over the table-top. His fists slammed into the small pool, and with it, droplets flew into the air. Gravity would have them come down, gravity would have them splash. Neither happened. Instead, the droplets stayed, floating mid-air before shock overcame the boy. He unclenched his fists and the water fell, gravity finally taking its natural law.

He started lessons not long after that, a mentee to the few masters of the tribe. He grew to like the element and liked how in-control he felt. He felt free, ‘fluid’.

That left when years passed, and the family learned with time that Namjoon was the only son that could control water. The silent wondering when Taehyung would be able to gain his control ebbing into worry and remorse. Assuming as one brother could, the other will as well. No matter how much Taehyung tried, how much he focused, no matter how much he prayed to the spirits, the element did not bend to his will.

Namjoon, for this, grew to despise his own bending. It was hard to be able to do something and see his brother unable to. It was painful how he could move a wave with his hands on the first try while Taehyung would spend months and not even a ripple would occur. Time made it clear Namjoon was the only child that could water bend of the Kim boys, and Namjoon never could forgive the spirits for not ‘blessing’ his brother with this same gift.

Staring into the fire, Namjoon realized he too was lost in a deep thought. Pulled out of it when he shivered. The fire had died down drastically, bringing a chill back into the home. He shook those thoughts away and grabbed a new log, adding it to the pile as Teahyung still stared at the dying embers. Their stack of wood was getting low, they will need to get more soon.

“I had a vision,” Taehyung softly spoke up, making Namjoon freeze as he placed the log. “This morning. It… is why I left early for my hunt.”

“What was the vision?”

Taehyung sighed, a long one that left a drawn out silence fall onto the two brothers again. “You remember when mom died?”

How could he forget? Taehyung had a ‘nightmare’ and woke him up. One he recounted in the morning of a boat crashing into the Southern Sea, killing everyone on-board. His nightmare had turned out to be true, many of the tribe having someone on those ships. Namjoon and Taehyung’s mother being one of them, along with the medicine that could have saved their father. 

Taehyung had thrown himself into warrior training after their deaths. That, and the spirits. He found a comfort in them that Namjoon did not understand, but it helped his brother cope with the death of their parents. It’s because of Taehyung throwing himself into learning about the Spirit world and praying to them that his brother started to be able to ‘communicate’ with them. 

Namjoon didn’t fully believe he could actually ‘talk’ to them at first, after all, they were still kids and spirits… That was Avatar type stuff. Not something a small boy from the South Pole could do. But then he started seeing visions, moments in time that would happen. Predictions, ones he would tell Namjoon. Things Namjoon dismissed at first of his brother reaching, looking for some sense of purpose.

Then those visions started to happen. They were small at first, catching a giant fish, or an error with the latest trip to the Earth Kingdom resulting in double the fire wood sent to them. Things that seemed coincidental, but the more they happened, the more Namjoon started to believe his brother. As did the Village elders and leaders. Taehyung, somehow, had a connection to the spirits that no one understood. His ‘night terrors’ growing up were re-evaluated, wondering what was really the fear of a child, and what was that of a spirits warning or grace. 

“Yeah… I remember.” Namjoon said, sitting down once again. Carefully looking at his brother's distant face. “Did… did you see death again? Their deaths?”

“no , not their deaths but… I'm not exactly sure what I saw.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t either. I know it was not a dream, I can tell what is and not from the spirits. But this… it was… cryptic. Confusing and… I tried all day to think what it could mean but I don’t know.”

“Well, what do you know?”

“A figure, I'm not sure who, was standing in… this… Like, nothingness. It was light, airy, and there was water on the ground. He was standing in it.”

“Ok… what else?” Namjoon wondered, as most of his brother's visions are not this cryptic and instead straight to the point.

“There was six others by them, also void-like. And… There was this voice. One I had never heard before. It… it said that ‘a great change is coming’. After that I woke up, and I didn’t know what to think. I spent all day trying to think who this person could be, but I didn’t recognize them at all. And the voice, it was… nothing like I’d heard before. It was…”

“Ominous?” 

“Ancient.”

He frowned, looking back to the orange flames. A “great change” could be anything, it could be either good or bad. One wanted it to be good, one wanted it to be something beneficial. Life didn’t always bring nice moments though. Especially with mysterious messages like that.

“Did you talk to any of the elders about this?”

Taehyung shook his head. “They’d just ask what I already am asking myself. I don’t have answers and… until I do, I thought it best to not worry them.”

“Tae… a great change could refer to many things. What if it’s talking of the safety of the tribe? What if it’s to do with someone you haven't met here yet, or someone young and this is like a prophecy sorta thing?”

“It’s not those things.”

“And how do you know that?”

“I just… do. I just.. I can feel it’s not. That this… it’s of someone I know.”

That didn’t calm any worries, only amplified them. Someone he knows? That could be so many people still. It could mean so many things. It could mean something to him. A change to him - no. Namjoon doesn’t know much about fighting fate, but whatever the spirits are trying to warn Taehyung on, and if this oman is of ill-intent, he will fight them with all he has. Namjoon will never leave his brother without a fight.

☵🜄☵

Namjoon kept worrying about Taehyung's vision, more than the other boy did it seemed. It made Namjoon wonder what else he’s seen and hasn’t told him about, what visions and messages the spirits have told Taehyung that he hadn’t shared. What didn’t he feel was  important or large enough to bother others with. 

This seemed like a big deal though. “A great change”. He kept wondering what it could be, who these “figures” in his brother's vision were. Any question on any details came with a “I don’t know” or “I’m unsure, it wasn’t clear enough to tell”. 

At first, he wondered if Taehyung did know and wasn’t sharing the “who” it was out of protection. If he was just hiding this fact to not worry Namjoon as much or to ease him. But that didn’t make sense either. Even the most mundane things, to the grotesque and awful visions had Taehyung sharing them to his brother and the elders, even if they startled and mortified them all. 

Morning came and out went the two brothers for their tasks for the day. As a prominent figure in the tribe, Taehyung left earlier than Namjoon had. He often helped in hunts or fishing trips to help supply the village of their always savaging for food quest. As large as the kill could be, it can only feed so much for so long. They always were on the move for more, especially with more mouths as time persisted. 

Namjoon had his own tasks. As a waterbender still in training, he would head down to the frozen edge where water met ice. There, he’d train with his masters and the few other benders still in training. Practicing moves, sparing, anything to help perfect their talent. 

The sun was high in the sky when he and the other students were dismissed for their day's lessons. He made his way back to his hut, discarding his shoes and coat in his everyday routine, and pulled a frozen fish out of their icebox to start preparing for a meal. It was as he was skinning the frozen cuttle-perch that a knock sounded. 

“In a second!” Namjoon yelled, wiping the fish guts he had on his hands onto a towel and made his way to the door. Opening it and quickly ushering whoever it was inside. 

Two of the village elders stepped inside his small home, along with four people he did not recognize. One wore bright red robes and a cloak, a cloak not nearly warm enough for the harsh landscape Namjoon called home. The red-man’s cloak was more shielding however than the robes of two other figures, a male and a female. They wore loose garments, yellow and orange flowy material. They didn’t shiver once, despite wearing what seemed to be under-layers in sub-zero degrees. At least the man in green was bundled up, shaking slightly to the extreme cold. 

“What… is going on?” Namjoon gently asked, anxiously wiping his hands on the towel. 

“Kim Namjoon, I’d like you to meet some representatives from each of the other nations, “ Kyung-Min, one of the village elders said. “We invited them here a year ago, and they have just arrived.”

“Oh,” he said, lowering his head for a small bow. “It’s an honor to welcome you to the South Pole.”

“It is an honor to be here,” the women in yellow spoke calmly. “My name is Chi-Yon, an Air Nomad from the Western Air Temple.”

“It is a pleasure” the monk spoke. His voice was also level, calm. “And I am a Monk from the  Northern Air Temple. My name is Nam-Sun.“

Namjoon bowed as they did again, feeling awkward but honored to be in their grace. Air Nomads, from what he’s heard as a child, were ‘free’ people, detached from worldly possessions and extremely spiritual. 

Maybe they could help with Taehyung’s vision. 

“My name is Kwang-Hoon, a Fire Sage.”

“And I am Jung-Young, an Earth Kingdom Sage”

Namjoon bowed once again as the other two bowed, standing once again in honor… and confusion. “It is an honor to meet you all. May I ask what you are doing here in the South Pole? Or… in my home?”

“We invited them here because-“

“Namjoon!”

Taehyung rushed inside, a blast of cold air rushing inside the small hut once again for a brief moment. The boy was hyper as he closed the door and spun around, only to pause with wide eyes when he saw they were not alone. The small hut was crowded with the six High ranking officials and himself, more cramped now with his brother standing there too in the entryway. 

Taehyung’s eyes darted quickly to each of the mysterious guests, then to the elders, and finally to Namjoon, where he asked, “What’s going on?”

“Taehyung,” Kyung-Min, his village elder, smiled. “No need to be startled. These are officials from the other nations. We asked them to come here to our tribe.”

“Why?” 

Namjoon was honestly taken back by how blunt his brother could speak, so short and quick. Yet, he was perceptive. A hunter. He knew his brother was scooping these figures out, analyzing them quickly to see if they were threats or not to him and Namjoon in their own home. They seemed as none, Namjoon doubted high officials of each of the other three nations would be seen as a threat. Yet he had been told before he’s too caring, too accepting and too easy to make friends with people he maybe shouldn’t have. He just always saw the good in people. 

Taehyung, as spiritual as he was, did not. And uninvited guests into their home could be seen as a threat to his space. He’s said it in the past with uninvited guests, even if the people were new to the tribe and just wanting to meet some neighbors. 

“May we ask who you are, young man? This is a private matter, afterall” Jung-Young asked, his scratchy voice sounding accusatory yet he couldn’t be sure that wasn’t just how the man always sounded. 

“Kim Taehyung. And this is my home. Namjoon is my brother. Whatever you are here to discuss with him you can with me as well.”

“And why do you believe we are here to discuss something with your brother?”

Taehyung crossed his arms, looking the man up and down. “Because two Sages and two Nomads visiting the South Pole is one thing. Doing so in a home visit, unexpected, is another. Otherwise the elders would have called a meeting to the tribe or a formal one if it affected an individual. A private matter as you so said when I came in. Hence,” he moved, walking past the six and stopping only when he was next to Namjoon, his gaze sharp. “Is why I am staying, and want to know what exactly is going on.”

Namjoon would have scolded his brother there and then if he wasn’t in front of such high people. And he will, oh he will for speaking so rudely to them. He didn’t care how much older the boy got, how they ‘weren’t little kids anymore’, manners were important. Namjoon also wanted to know what warranted this visit though. What made the elders come to his home with these Sages and Nomads. It was not normal, everything Taehyung said was correct.

“He’s right. Pardon my brother's rude words, but he is correct. This is not a normal situation, and we are weary of houseguests we do not know of.”

The guests all took a glance at each other, all having some silent conversation that Namjoon and Taehyung did not know. Unable to figure out what their glances to one another meant, or the small nods they gave and received. It was an unknown language to them, one that made him more weary and unsure like Taehyung was. He may be older, but he trusted his younger brother's judgement. 

“Namjoon,” the other village elder, Sang-Chol, spoke and then took a deep breath. “We called them here on request one year ago to tell you some news. Only their travels were delayed with time, and just now could finally arrive. Normally, this news is shared on the day of your 18th birthday, but in your case, I’m afraid this has to happen a few days before your 19th.”

“And what news is that?” He asked, an eye raise. 

“Namjoon,” Sang-Chol said with a breath again. “Kyung-Min and I have been watching you since you were a young child. As you know, for a period of time, every child born in the tribe was presented with different toys when they were born.” He heard Taehyung gasp faintly next to him, but Namjoon kept listening. “These toys, as prophesied for generations, are a key point in learning one’s future and behavior. My own child, the same age as you, chose a wicker ball, while you chose the small wooden hand drum.”

“You came… all this way to retell me of a toy I chose when I was a child?” Namjoon asked, confused. 

He looked to his brother, assuming Taehyung would also see the craziness of this situation. That there had to be more that the other was not sharing. Instead, he saw a face of shock, one of understanding that Namjoon did not understand. Not yet at least.

“Joonie.” Taehyung whispered, further making Namjoon sure the younger boy had figured out what this was before he had. 

“What? Why is everyone being so… avoidant? Pardon my speech but Sang-Chol-nim, Kyung-Min-nim, tell me what is going on?”

“Namjoon.” Kyung-Min said, “We believe you are the Avatar.”

The…. 

No. “No” He said, shock resonating throughout his body. 

Disbelief he quickly was shutting down. No, no, he can not be the Avatar. He can NOT!

“The- what?! Why?! Why do you think it’s me?!”

“Namjoon-” Taehyung gently grabbed his brother’s arm, steadying him before he fully freaked out.

“How?!”

“When the last Avatar passed, we knew the next in the cycle would be of the Water Tribe.” Chi-Yon spoke up. “Us Air Nomads hold relics of toys that every Avatar has chosen. Because we knew when the Avatar had passed, and your next reincarnation would happen at the moment of birth, we sent nomads to both the North and South Pole and presented these toys to children that fit the age-range.”

“You were the only child, out of hundreds we met, and out of thousands of toys, to select the four relics of the Avatar.” The other monk added. Namjoon had already forgotten his name.

“You’re believing I am the Avatar just because of some toys?!” he hissed, not believing this.

“I know it may sound crazy-”

“Because it is! You are saying I am the- the- the master of all four elements! That I'm some great, all powerful person all because I picked some toys out of thousands of others?!”

“Joonie,” Taehyung softly frowned, “A great change. Six figures.”

Six figures. There… There were six council members in front of him. Six people of high rank. Six unknown people in his brother's vision. A great change. A change to his life. A change to who he knew he was before. A change to how his life will forever be with this information. The spirits don’t lie. They do many things, they steal and they take, they warn of danger, they give hope, but they do not lie.

He… he was the Avatar. He was the embodiment of light and peace. He was to keep balance and peace in this world. Namjoon Kim, the shy and quiet boy from the Southern Water Tribe. Kim Namjoon, the boy who resented even being a water bender all for his self-guilt to being able to bend when his brother could not. Namjoon, the boy who stood in a small hut in the frozen autumn, standing before six elders/council members of the world. Feeling small like a child and wanting nothing more than that moment to have his diseased parents hold him one last time for comfort.

He was the Avatar.

“I….”

“It will be a shock.” Kwang-Hoon, the Fire Sage, said. “And we apologize for not coming sooner. Like Sang-Chol said, we were supposed to tell you on the day of your 18th birthday, but the world is not so small and easy to get around to as quickly as planned, along with quarrels of our own nations to handle.”

“Nethertheless, it is an honor to finally serve you, Avatar Namjoon.” 

The monk bent forward and presented a full bow, giving his full respect to Namjoon. Not a second passed before the others followed suit. He looked at his brother in shock, not sure how to process this. It seemed Taehyung didn’t either. He still was processing the fact his brother was the Avatar. A look of pride, of happiness was in his eyes, yet shock still.

It was when he saw his brother lower his head and started to bow that Namjoon could not do this. No, he can not be the Avatar. The spirits, the elders, their dumb ‘toy test’ - it had to be wrong. There could not be a way he was the Avatar!

He ran. It was cowardly, and not like his character at all, but Namjoon ran. He ran out of his home, ignoring the harsh cold to his skin without a coat or proper shoes, and ran. He ran across the streets and ran out of the housing district. He ran out of the town and village and away from civilization all together. He ran and ran till his lungs ached and his skin shook and his tears soaked his eyes. He ran till he screamed into the vast frozen desert, collapsing onto his knees in the thick snow. He screamed till his throat was raw and his cheeks stung from the hot tears mixed with the harsh breeze of arctic winds. He screamed and cried till he could no more.

The Avatar. Kim Namjoon was the next Avatar.

☵🜄☵

Namjoon was shivering when he returned to the village. He had run away and stayed isolated for hours. The sun was no longer midday, showing instead how evening was falling. The elders and those council members would be worried, looking for him and their ‘precious’ new Avatar. He did not come back for them though. He came back for his brother, knowing Taehyung would be worried as well for Namjoon’s long departure away from home without any outside gear on. 

His breaths were short as he shook and made his way into town. He kept his head low. He did not greet and wave to his neighbors that helped feed him after his parents passed as he walked by like he normally does. He did not stop and help someone older inside or with a small task as he has in days past. He did not pay anyone of his tribe any mind. His head stayed down, his feet moved forwards despite the urge to just turn around again and disappear forever into the frozen wasteland.

He can’t do that to Taehyung though. He’d love to run away and say no, to prove he is not the Avatar and not fulfill some ‘prophecy’ his spirit holds. He’d love to hide and never go back to this horrible dream. But he can not do that to Taehyung. His brother needed him, and he needed his brother now more than ever.

When Namjoon did get home, he did not have to take his winter boots or coat off as one normally would. His house-slippers were soaked and ruined, and his parka was matted with some snow, yet he did not find the need to care or change out of them. When his gaze lifted, he was relieved to find it was just Taehyung and his own tribe's elders inside his home. The foreign guests no longer there. 

“Namjoon!” Taehyung quickly jumped from his seat and pulled him in a bear-hug, wrapping warm arms around Namjoon’s cold frame. “You’re freezing! Come, sit by the fire, hyung.”

He let Taehyung guide him to their small fire-place, a steady flame going as he sat down. A blanket was placed around his shoulders, and another was draped over his legs. He pulled the thick wool close to him. Still shaking from the cold remaining on his skin.

“Namjoon, we did not mean to startle and scare you with this information,” Sang-Chol gently said. “And we did wish to tell you sooner, but it is customary to not tell the Avatar before their 18th birthday.”

He took a breath. His eyes stayed fixed on the flames before him while Taehyung stood behind him and ran warming hands over his arms. He leaned back into his brother's hold, aching for comfort.

“If you knew this whole time, why didn’t you tell me last year then when I did turn 18? Why now?”

“We needed to be sure. We called the other members here to observe you and to re-clarify with the monks that it was you in-fact that did choose the sacred relics.”

“Their travels were delayed however, and conflict in their own nations caused tribulations to their arrival.” Kyung-Min sighed. “The Fire and Earth Kingdom Sages arrived two days ago and observed from afar, and this morning the Monk and Nun from the Air Temples came. With their small observations and the confirmation of your toys chosen as a child, it was confirmed that you are in fact the Avatar.”

He took a shaky breath hearing the title again. One that had Namjoon closing his eyes for. No amount of saying it, in his head and from someone else, would make him less anxious and scared. He was in denial still, still could not believe he was this ‘chosen one’ for a greater purpose.

A great change, as Taehyung had said. Yeah, this sure is some great change all right. He still could not figure out if it was of good, or ill intent.

“We will leave you to rest and process this.” Kyung-Min spoke, gently grabbing his shoulder for a moment before he let go and left the small hut.

“It may not seem like it now, but it is a great honor. You will be great, Namjoon-nim.” Sang-Chol said. “Get some rest. Jung-Young, the Earth Kingdom Sage, will be here in the morning to see you.”

Nim. His elder called him nim. A title used for respect of those older or higher rank than you. His elder called him nim!

Namjoon kept his eyes closed till he heard the front door shut. He waited till all he could hear was the soft crackling of the fire and Taehyung's steady breathing to open his eyes. His brother still stood behind him, still running his hands up and down his arms to warm him despite no longer needing the extra assistance. It was for comfort now more than anything. Comfort and reassurance. For who, him or Taehyung… who’s to say.

“Say something.” his voice whispered, one he did not recognize by how weak and quiet it was.

“I am proud of you.” Taehyung did not hesitate. “I know you don’t believe it, and the Sages and Nomads said you may be in shock for a while, but I believe it to be true. Just like I believe you will be great. That… that if anyone were to be the Avatar, you will do a fantastic job. Because you are so kind Joonie. You are so wise and strong, a natural born leader. If anyone was made for this, it’s you.”

“What if I don’t want to be the… What if I don’t want this though?” He asked, feeling the familiar wetness of his eyes again. “I… I don’t think I can do this, TaeTae.”

“Joonie,” his brother softly spoke, finally removing his hands to crouch in front of him. Taking Namjoon’s hands into his own. “There is no one more capable of doing this than you. I don’t know anyone else that is as thoughtful and selfless and hardworking as you.”

“I do,” he sniffled. “I know loads of more people more worthy of this than me. I know so many more people who could do great things. Who are more caring and persevering than I am. I know so many more people who would want to do this more than I do.”

Taehyung frowned, softly tilting his head. “This isn’t something you can give to someone else. This is your’s, Joonie. This is your life, not anyone else’s.” He took a breath, one Namjoon saw before his brother’s eyes saddened more, understanding. “This is not something you can give me.”

“You would be so much better.” He choked, shaking his head. “You deserve this more than I do. You-”

“Stop.”

“You wanted to be a bender. You wanted to do things while I didn’t. I- I’m sorry it's me. I’m sorry it isn't you-”

“Namjoon, stop.”

He closed his eyes when his brother pulled him close to his body. Taehyung's larger hand came and held his head as he leaned into his younger brother’s shoulder, crying  in the hold. His hands clung to his brother's side, squeezing him tight as Taehyung gently shushed him.

“You don’t need to be sorry, Joonie. I am not mad and I never have been angry that you are able to bend while I can’t.”

“Y-you should though. Y-”

“Shh, it’s ok. I never understood why you’d think I’d be mad or resent this because I never could resent anything about you. You’re my brother and I love you. Bending or no bending. Avatar or no Avatar. You are always my brother and I don’t hate you or this. You can do this.” He breathed as Taehyung pulled back, determination strong on his face. “You will be a great Avatar, Namjoon. The best there ever was. Because you are the best brother anyone could ask for, so I know you will be the best protector this world has ever seen.”

He sniffled, choking up again as he was pulled into a hug once again. Squeezing his younger brother close, getting his parka wet but neither cared. Namjoon normally could control his emotions, he normally could keep them at bay. He was good at caring for others, putting them first before his own needs. He did it when news came of their mothers passing, letting Taehyung grieve and being the support. He did it again when a month later his father slipped away in his sleep. He did it over the years with his fellow tribesmen and women, he was the anchor, the pillar for people to lean on. Namjoon did not let his emotions overcome him. 

He did now though. Now, he sobbed. He let all this anger, this fear and shock overtake him. He let himself grieve a life he knew before gone. He let his anguish take control, pained for a life he is now forced to live upon. One chosen for him. Some may see this as a huge honor, and Namjoon would too if it was thrown onto someone else. Not him. He did not see this as pride for himself. For him, this was remorse.

“You need sleep,” Taehyung whispered in the quiet home, the fire dying out. “The Earth Kingdom Sage will be here in the morning for you.”

“W-why? To.. to go over whatever training I'm a-about to have?” His voice shook, tears still fell gently from his eyes as he pulled himself away. Wiping his face with his sleeves of salty water and snot.

When Taehyung did not immediately answer, Namjoon looked up. His brother was sad, his face crestfallen and his eyes did not meet Namjoon’s own. He looked away and down to his hands between them.

“Taehyung, what is it?”

His brother took in a breath, a shaky one as he still did not look up, still did not make eye contact. “After you ran out earlier, the Sages, Nomads, and the elders told me some things about your training.”

He didn’t like how hesitant his brother was being. Evidence from earlier showed how Taehyung never held his tongue, he was not afraid to speak his mind. For him to pause, to delay this information, it scared Namjoon more than finding out he was the Avatar.

“Taehyung, what is it?” His brother still did not speak, still could not look at him. “Taehyung. Please, tell me.”

“They…. They said you need to start learning Earth bending right away. That you lost a year already with how long it took them to get here. That…” he paused, letting out a shaky breath again when sad eyes finally met Namjoon’s own. “They said you need to leave in the morning to start this training.”

Namjoon frowned as he swallowed. He knew it would happen, he knew, now being the Avatar, he would have to learn the other three elements. He would need to master them, it was part of who he was. To start so soon, that was so sudden though. A day, no, not even a day. A night left here in his tribe before he’s being sent away to some Earth Kingdom city or village. He’s never been to the Earth Kingdom, he's never even been outside of the South Pole. And now he is expected to leave hours after finding out he is the Avatar?

“I…. I can try and ask for time,” he started but Taehyung shook his head.

“It is not that I am sad over, Joonie.” his voice shook, “it.. It’s because when you leave, I… I am not allowed to come with you.”

Alone. He is to leave alone. He is to travel to the Earth Kingdom to master earth bending alone. Not with his brother there for comfort. Not with his brother there as a ‘distraction’ as he is sure the council would say. Alone. No one else but him from now on.

“No.” He said again today to great news, once again denying it. “No, I will not leave you here. I refuse to go to some Earth Kingdom village or city or wherever if you are not there with me.”

“Namjoon, you have to-”

“Says who?!”

“Say’s the Sages and Nomads! They said you do not need any worldly possessions or distractions!”

“Yeah well,” he scoffed, “they can shove it cause I am not leaving without you, Taehyung. It’s either you go with me, or I don’t go at all.”

“You can’t not train for this. You need to master all four elements!” 

“I don’t care.” Namjoon shook his head, so sure about this. “I am not leaving you. I promised myself when mom and dad died that I am never letting you down. And leaving is doing just that.”

“You wouldn’t be letting me down though! You only will be hurting yourself- hurting the World!”

“Then they better accept that you and I are leaving together because I am not leaving you behind, Taehyung. Never.”

His brother sighed, shaking his head and moving to add more wood to the fire. The embers dangerously low, bringing a chill once again to the hut. He felt the tension, felt the air stiffen but he was sure of this. Nothing would change his mind. They can say all they want, try to force him to go but he will not back down. This was a fight he will always fight for.

“They won’t let that happen.” Taehyung’s deeper voice sounded in the quiet air. “They won’t let me go with you. You’d be fighting a lost battle.”

“Then we run away.” 

He said it without thinking. Startling both the brothers with the statement. Said it without filtering the thought through his mind. But… now that it is said…

“We can not.”

“Why?” Namjoon frowned, totally for this accidental idea now. 

“Because it is insane!”

"So is making me go without you!”

“Namjoon. You can not be serious! You need to study Earth Bending!”

“Then we go to some Earth Kingdom town and find someone to do it! You and I! Not some Sage I met hours ago!”

“You’re serious? You are being serious- Namjoon!”

“Tae,” Namjoon stood up and faced his brother. “You said it yourself. They are going to send me away without you whether we like it or not. And I refuse to go anywhere in the world if you are not by my side. It’s either we run away and I still do this stupid training, or I don’t go at all.”

His brother frowned at him and shook his head. He grunted in anger as he turned away. Pacing the small living space they stood in, worrying his lip before sighing and looking at Namjoon once more. 

“You’re insane, you know that?”

“They say love makes you crazy.”

“They say that about lovers, not brothers you dope.” Taehyung rolled his eyes, making Namjoon smile for the first time that day. “If we do this… Spirits I can’t believe we are doing this. If we do this, we need to leave tonight. The council will try to stop you and never let you out of their sight if they found out.”

“Then we better get packing.”

☵🜄☵

Snowflakes as big as cotton balls drifted gently down the sky and onto the head of a four year old Namjoon. He ran, his little feet carrying him faster than the snow was falling. He was bundled up in his warmest clothes, a new wool hat from his elderly neighbor covered his hair. His cheeks were rosy against the harsh temperature, breaths coming out in a puff, but that did not slow the small child.

“Mother!” He yelled, running as fast as his feet could go. “Mother, wait! Don’t go!”

His mother paused up ahead, turning around and smiled when she saw her eldest son. Bending down just as he approached and ran into her arms.

“Haha, Namjoonie, aren’t you supposed to be at home with your father and brother?” She laughed with a warm sound.

“I don’t want you to go!” He whimpered against her own fur parka, hiding his face in the chilled tufts.

“Now, now, I’ll be back before you know it. This is just a supply run, nothing dangerous.” She assured the child, pulling his head away to look at it. “I’ve been on countless trips to the Earth Kingdom before, and I’ll have many more ahead of me. And every time, I come home.”

“But that was years ago.” he pouted. “You haven't gone since before I was born! So much could have changed and-”

“Namjoon, sweetie. I’ll be safe. I’ll come home.” She smiled, brushing the warm tears that started to form away before they could fall. 

“What if you don’t come back?”

“I always do. My home is here, at the South Pole, with you and your father and brother. I will always come back.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

☵🜄☵

There was never a day Namjoon would have believed that he’d be leaving the Southern Water Tribe. There were places that held some heartache, like whenever he passed by the archery hut and knew his mother would not be working on stringing a bow for herself or a learning child. His heart was heavy anytime he saw fathers and sons going out to go ice dodging for the first time. He’d wonder what else would be in the world, what it would be like to not see white everywhere but instead green. He never could imagine so much green, rarely seeing the color itself. Only on emblems from trade brought in. And as curious as he was to know how grass felt, he never wanted to actually experience it. He was content where he was, pain and suffering included.

Despite it all, though, Namjoon never believed he would be leaving the South Pole. Even with the constant reminders of his parents passing, of friends and family leaving or passing. Even with the harsh cold and hungry stomach some nights, he never wanted to go. He thought he’d grow old here, never stepping on true land and not what is classified as a large iceberg. Now, however, he was. Willingly as well. 

Taehyung and him packed in a hurry. His brother muttered “this is a bad idea” often as they passed each other, yet he did not stop the elder. They packed clothes, blankets, small items but not many since they would need to carry their weight. They packed food for a good few days till they will need to hunt and savage for more. Taehyung had all his weapons, not sparing one behind. His quiver was hooked to his coat’s belt and the bow was over his shoulder and body. His jaw-blade was holstered and the spear was gripped in his hands. His coat and hat were on, a bag slung over the shoulder not carrying his bow. Waiting by the door.

Namjoon’s own machete was holstered, along with his water bag holding the element. He was pushing his feet into his boots, sitting at the small table he grew up eating meals at. Years of his life held at this table, his entire life spent in these small walls. He looked back at the home, the small hut he grew up in, and wondered if he’d ever see it again. If he’d ever step foot in this threshold someday more, or if this will be the last time. 

“We need to go while it is still dark if we want this to work,” Taehyung reminded him. 

The older brother took a deep breath, closing his eyes to remember this house to memory, stood, and turned away. Leaving what was their current life behind for a new one. 

The brothers kept low to the ground as they scurried out of the neighborhoods and town. As dark as it was, and late in the evening with no one awake, they could never be too careful. Not when word would spread that Namjoon was the Avatar, if it hadn’t already. The fewer people who see them go, the less to point anyone in the correct position on the brother’s location.

“We’ll take a canoe,” Taehyung whispered, rushing ahead a few paces towards the water front. 

“Will that get us to the Earth Kingdom? I don’t think a small canoe will.”

“It’s our only option besides taking a large ship, and two men can’t man one on their own.” Taehyung sighed. “It’s our only option for now. At least till we can get to some settlement island and catch a ride or something.”

He felt bad for stealing someone’s boat, aware of how hard it was to build with limited resources, as well as how this boat catches many fish that feed his village. Now wasn’t the time to feel bad though, if he wanted out, wanted his brother, wanted control on his own life still, he’d have to suck it up and make amends somehow later on.

“Fine.”

Namjoon rushed over, the two now nearing the docks. The water was calm this evening, a salty smell wafting in the air, always present this close to the Ocean. They both tossed their bags and weapons into the small canoe, untying the ropes keeping it secured. The two pushed the canoe further into the water before jumping in. Namjoon took a shaking breath, raising his hands and began to push and pull the water, moving it away from the docks. The boat followed the new current, gently rocking as Namjoon bended the water away from their home. Away from the only place he ever knew his entire life.

“We can still go back,” Taehyung softly said. “There still is time. We can still go back.”

“No,” Namjoon shook his head, “we can’t. I’m leaving the South Pole no matter if it’s now or tomorrow. But I am never leaving your side.” 

He watched as the frozen tundra grew distant, further and further from his reach with each movement of water. The white disappeared, and rather quickly, Namjoon found himself in a dark ocean on a canoe with his only family. Finding himself on a journey he never expected, one forced upon him. A destiny he did not know or understand but was written out for him. He found himself on a path with no idea of what will be at the end.