The first thing Zuko says afterward is, "He loves you, you know."
"Aang doesn't love me," Katara says after a moment and she smiles, but it holds no trace of humor. "He's in love with this idea he has of me. Of some perfect woman to be by his side, who doesn't make mistakes and who doesn't -" She presses her lips together for a moment before continuing. "I'm not that person. And it's ... exhausting, trying to be."
He's staring at the ceiling rather than her but she can see the conflict in his eyes, the internal struggle all over his face.
He's silent, which infuriates her. "Say something," she demands.
"What do you want me to say, Katara? He's my friend. He's your husband. And this? This is..."
"Not just my fault."
"I didn't say it was," he says wearily, and then closes his eyes. "But either way, it's wrong."
"Are you lecturing me on right and wrong? Really?" He's right, she knows he's right, and that makes her angry. It also makes her angry that she's capable of doing this. It makes her angry that she's so weak. Everything makes her angry lately and it feels like she's choking
"Katara." He sounds completely and utterly defeated.
She breathes out, deflates. She can practically feel the hot air leave her body but she knows it's only fleeting. "I should go."
She's quiet for a moment, waiting for a protest but she gets a nod instead.
And as she gets dressed, all she can think is oh, how the mighty have fallen.
