Sleep Talking

Katara sighed, pressing another blob of water to his scar. He had only woken up once since his near-death experience, and she was beginning to get worried. What if he never woke up again? She cleared the thought from her mind with a rough shake of her head. He would wake up. It would just take time.

And better healing... She added to herself, pressing the glowing water closer to his exposed back.

Even in this sleep, Aang's muscles clenched severely. She could tell he was stressed. Why wouldn't he be? He had been through so much, and in such a short time. He was so young, yet she could feel the knots of pain and strife buried deep in his skin. Aang was always bright and cheerful on the outside, yet Katara knew the deep struggle he held inside of him, knowing at all times the importance and pressure of being the Avatar. She began to talk to him as she always did, to try and ease his pain, or maybe even wake him up.

"Hey, Aang."

Silence.

"How's it going?"

More silence.

"I see. Well, it's been okay up here. We've been making good progress with the plan, and everything is seeming to be going well. Sokka is still leading it all. Him and Dad really make a great plan-making team. Toph is well, still cracking jokes and making light out of our...dark situation. Like yesterday, I was complaining about all the fire nation posters hanging around, and she said 'they're barely noticeable!' or something like that."

She laughed to herself, but stopped when she realized how dumb it sounded. "I guess you had to be there." Katara lifted the water off of Aang's back and placed it in a bowl. She then turned him over and pulled a chair next to the counter. "Speaking of 'being there', I really wish you were here. It's not the same without you." She stopped talking to look at his hand, resting limply beside him. Reaching out, she cupped it inside of her own. "Aang, I really miss you. I mean, we all miss you, but I miss you the most. Everyone seems to be carrying on with their lives okay, but I can't. I don't know what I'd do if you never woke up again. I can't bear to lose someone else." A tear rolled down her cheek, dripping on to her fire nation robe.

"Katara..." Aang whispered weakly from the counter. Katara shot up from her seat pressed his hand to her cheek.

"Aang! You're awake!"

"Katara...Where are we?"

"We're on a fire nation ship."

"Why? Where's Appa? Where's Sokka? Where's Toph?" He lifted his head up to look around but let it fall with a crash to the counter out of exhaustion.

"Take it easy, Aang. Everyone is fine. I'm so happy that you're awake."

"I won't be for long." His eyes fluttered.

"Okay, Aang. You rest. I'll leave you alone for now." Katara smiled and began leaving before Aang could grab her hand.

"Wait!" He said hoarsely, eyelids shut.

"There's something...That I need...to tell...you..." His voice drifted in and out.

"Yes, Aang?"

"I...love...you..." It was almost inaudible.

"A-a-ang...I don't know what to say." She was speechless.

"That's...alright...I just...wanted you to...know." He closed his eyes completely, his breathing becoming steady. Katara stood for minutes in shock yet relief, still not quite knowing if it happened or not. Besides, everyone says crazy things while sleep talking!

Even so, she snuck a quick kiss on Aang's cheek before she left.

"I love you too, Aang."