"I'm fine," she'd said before going back to her sleeping mat, but it was obvious she wasn't. None of them were. "Just go to sleep, Aang, you've had a rough night."
But he stayed beside Katara as she laid down, wanting to just reach out and stroke her hair as she began to fall asleep. She more than anyone else had been going out of their way to comfort and take care of him after his awakening, and it was obvious that her concern for him and her troubles with her father had taken their toll on her.
"I feel so useless. I wish there was something more I could do for you," he whispered. She was always worrying about him, always protecting him, always taking care of him.
When was it his turn to take care of her?
Carefully, he reached out to touch her shoulder, comfortingly. Almost immediately her hand went to close over his, and she smiled a little.
Maybe just being here, being alive right now is all I can do.
"Sleep well, Katara."
