There are endless examples of stories where the protagonist is not the most popular character, or where a side character steals the show, or where the protagonist simply isn't as deep and interesting as some others in the story. And some of those are still good stories, the main character doesn't *need* to be the "best" one. But Aang isn't an example of that. He has as much depth and as long an arc as anyone else, and yes, that includes Zuko. AtLA is crammed full of great, nuanced characters, from the protagonist on down to small parts in single episodes.
I wish the world worked like it did in the stardew valley universe. If I'm strapped for cash I should be able to go grab some blackberries off the nearest roadside bush and go sell them to a grocery store for a quick ten bucks. I should be able to think "huh I wanna go talk to the wizard today" and then I go talk to the wizard in his wizard tower
all fanfiction is funnier and sexier and vastly better-written when you read it at three in the morning, in the dark, lying on your side, tucked into bed, with screen rotate turned off. that’s just how it works. that’s just facts.