Sorry! I coudn't post this chapter sooner! I've been very busy with goddamn homework. I didn't go to school for a week because one of my aunts is sick and we had to travel to New York. :C

Well... This chapter is quite short but it's quite heavy... heheh

So I hope you enjoy! Sorry again!

Oh yeah! I do not own ATLA. I'm too dumb.


Stairway to Heaven

Chapter 8

Katara's POV


"Don't leave me!" Aang says dramatically, putting his hand on his forehead.

"Just go!" I grin. "Don't let him see you."

He smiles at me. "Good luck, angel." He kisses my forehead and runs to the back door of the palace.

I try to fix my clothes but it's just impossible. I hope he believes what I'm going to tell him.

"There you are..." Sokka will be the death of me.

I sigh. "What are you doing here?" I try to act nonchalant by crossing my arms.

"I was just checking if you were okay." Sokka looks at me quizzically and I gaze back nervously. "Why are you... such a mess?"

"Because I tripped when you screamed my name!" I hope it was convincing enough.

He just stands there for a while but he isn't looking at me. "What are you thinking?"

"Was anybody with you?" He asks darkly.

"No." He raises a brow at me and I frown. "Why would you think that?"

"I just heard you screaming a lot... It was very weird that's all." He says with a tint of suspicion.

"Well, I fell. Did you want me to laugh?" I roll my eyes at him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

He grunts loudly. "Anyways, I'll just go."

"Wait!"

He didn't pressure me or said something sarcastic... That's new.

"Something wrong?" I touch his shoulder and he shrugs my hand off. "Sokka... Is this about what we talked before?" He sighs again. "I'm glad you are dating her..."

"Katara..."He shifts awkwardly and glances at me briefly.

"No. I was just mad at you because you hide it from me all this time but I understand now, you just want to keep her away from me because of Aang."

"No, that's not..."

"Yeah, I know that Suki and Aang had something weird before and I guess I'm okay with that..."

"Katara, stop."

I shrug lightly and smirk. "I'm just glad that you got someone and let me tell you she's not ugly."

"Katara!" He says sharply and I stop talking immediately. I open my mouth to ask him what is wrong with him but he beats me. "Just stop talking for goodness sake!"

"But what's wro-" "Don't. I... I can't talk about this right now." He puts a hand on my shoulder.

"Sokka, you are my brother, it's my duty to see if you are alright." I smile faintly at him and he nods gratefully.

"Thank you, sister." He squeezes my hand and pulls away.

"I just don't want you to feel alone." I say carefully.

He rolls his eyes. "Are you sure you want to hear what's eating me." He asks darkly.

"I know that you were a little promiscuous after graduation and that's dark." I whisper with a mischievous grin and he laughs.

"Oh come here." Sokka opens his arms offering a bear hug and I comply. I can feel how he's trying not to cry, he always tries to be the strong one but sometimes it's too much too bear, we haven't talked like this after Yue's death.

After a moment he breaks the hug and looks at me carefully."There is a reason why I didn't want anyone to know about what Suki and I have." He whispers sadly.

"... But why?" I whisper back. This isn't like Sokka at all. I want to ask him more questions but I know he just needs to be listened. This has never happened before.

"I feel guilty and I can't handle it anymore, Katara."

"But Sokka... Is it that bad?" I ask trying to hide my shock.

"She's the reason I survived through Yue's death but... I don't love her and I'm starting to think that she does." He swallows forcefully. "I just needed a distraction to handle it but... I just can't replace Yue."

The reason he's been so stable about Yue's death is Suki. He wasn't that down when she died and the only time he spoke or even thought of her was when it was necessary.

This must have been quite a while ago. "Since when started this thing with her?" I ask carefully.

"Why?" He ask defensively.

I shrug awkwardly. "I'm starting to think that Suki was with you before Yue's death." He doesn't reply so I look at him straight in the eyes and he growls."Sokka... This happened on the same day Yue died, right?"

"Katara, you are no one to judge me! You did the same when Jake died!" He points at me rudely. "You are the only reason I had to find something to survive!"

"I did that because I actually had no one!"

"What?" He gets closer to me. "Am I invisible to you? I was there!"

"You were? You have never cared about what I felt! You never liked Jake! You didn't even try to help me so stop telling me that you were there!" I put my hands on my mouth, trying not to sob.

He just stares at me sadly. "...I just need the pain to go away, Katara. You did what you had to do... Just let me do it my way." He sniffles his nose and wipes his eyes.

"You didn't have to do that... We could find another way. I offered you my help." I say firmly. "Don't you understand? You are not alone in this...I lost her too."

He opens his eyes widely. "Not the way I did! You weren't the reason she died!" He screams like his soul is getting out.

"She sacrificed for you! For love! Stop thinking that you are the only one in pain!" I push him rudely. "Don't be so fucking selfish!"

We stand there looking at each other until he breaks the silence. "You know what... I just don't care anymore, I should have known better than to tell you." He turns around and stars walking away to the palace.

"How mature!" I growl angrily. Sokka just looks back at me with teary eyes.


Aang's POV

"Aang." Sokka enters to the ballroom slowly and motions me to follow him. He seems quite lost.

"Sokka." I look at him in the eyes and he looks away.

"I... I want to...apologize." He whispers. What? Sokka is the most proud person I've ever met.

I frown. "Why is that?"

"For all the awkwardness... I know now what you and Suki had... Well, I should have acted differently." He mumbles embarrassed.

"Uh... It's fine, Sokka. What we had ended a long time ago and I know it's awkward and it's more weird because I'm with your sister now." He winces playfully and I chuckle softly. "Just don't worry."

"So... No hard feelings?" He offers seriously.

"No problem, mate." I slap him on the back. "She deserves some happiness, you know."

He frowns softly. "I guess so."

"Sokka, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, man." He scratches his head. "I had a fight with Katara."

I open my eyes widely. I hope it's not about what I think. "Really? Are you both alright?"

"Yes... And no. I think you should go and talk to her."

"Was it that bad, man?" I ask carefully.

"I think so." He wipes his eyes roughly and turns around swiftly and walks to the buffet table.

"Where's Katara? I ask firmly.

Sokka stops abruptly. "Garden." He says without turning. "And Aang?"

"Yes?"

"...Don't forget to give her the special tea..." I open my eyes widely and he scowls. "We don't want a problem, right?"

I try to not gasp but is impossible. "Sokka..."

"That's not a problem, she's happy, right?" He turns around without waiting my answer and heads to the main doors.

I shake my head incredulously. He didn't snap at me or tried to kill me... I know Sokka and he isn't very reasonable when it comes to his sister.

"Hey Twinkles!" Toph screams. "Do you know where's Katara?"

"No, I haven't seen her, why?" I look at her quizzically.

"I need to talk to her." She mumbles.

"Oh... Well, I'm going to look for her too." I shrug. "You can come if you want."

"Thanks, Twinkles Toes... I will talk to her tomorrow." She punches my arm and I laugh.

"Are you going to Faleu's?"

"No, I want to sleep. I get tired too, Aang." She says sarcastically.

I chuckle. "Alright, Toph. Enjoy your free day. We start on Monday again!"

"Ugh, don't remind me." She grins. "Have fun with Katara, boss."

I laugh nervously. "Have fun sleeping and doing what you always do when... " I pause, not knowing what to say.

"Twinkles, don't even try it." She barks loudly.

"Lord! Goodbye, Toph!" I roll my eyes dramatically and she laughs and punches my arm like a buff man, again.

I wince and push her playfully. "Just go!" I chuckle.

"Alright! Alright!" She smirks mischievously. "Don't miss me!"

She winks at me and goes through the same door Sokka went. She must have a problem as well but she is too proud to even show it. That is one of the things I like and hate about her. I stay right here, watching the people talk and how beautiful is the palace, silk and gold, a wonderful combination until I hear a familiar voice getting closer.

"Gray?" That someone taps my shoulder and I turn around to see my old friend, Johann Strauss.

"Green?" We look at each other with a huge grin and funny eyes. "I thought I was a stranger to you!"

"Never! We haven't seen each other since... Austria! But you haven't changed!"

"The same goes for you!" I reply enthusiastically.

"Yeah...It has been a long time."

"Yes! Two years!" He smiles mischievously. "Sorry to intrude but... Who was that beautiful lady I saw you perform and dance with?"

I can feel my face flush. "Oh that's Katara." I sigh dreamily. "She's... My angel."

He gaps. "Oh! Did you find the muse you've always wanted?" He wiggles his brows suggestively.

"I've never wanted a muse... I just think I found the one I was looking for."

"She's one of the best singers I've ever heard, man! If you don't want her in your team, I'll offer her a place in mine!"

I gasp dramatically. "You wouldn't dare..." I smirk widely.

"Yeah, I wouldn't." He shrugs nonchalantly.

"Is she..." I nod shyly and he gasps. "Man, she's very beautiful and how she could express every single emotion with her voice is still a mystery to me. It was quite poetic. An inspiration."

I sigh softly. "She is, indeed."

"And let's talk about how you couldn't stop looking at her. Every single performer could see that you were improvising."

"I just can't hide it... Sorry." I smile sheepishly.

"No need to apologize! You are in love and that's amazing but you know what this means..."

I already know what he was going to say but for the first time i think it's a risk I have to take. I need it even if it kills me when I finally choose.

"You can't love in music." I sigh. "It becomes dangerous. It fades away."

"And you already saw what happened... I don't want to see you dying in the deep hole of sorrow." He looks down. "Sometimes it can be too much to handle."

"Johann... Not every story has the same end." I say carefully. "I know you are trying to protect me and I know I'll have to choose but... I swear that she's worth it. I've never felt like this before."

He smiles nostalgically. "I wish I could have managed it better."

"She loved you but... She just couldn't handle you loving something else."

"I know it's been a long time but... I still miss her. She was the love of my life after all."

"That pain fades away slowly. You can't forget it and it makes you stronger."

He nods softly. "Yeah..." He looks at me grinning. "But enough of sad shit here!"

"That's my bud!" I slap his shoulder and he winces dramatically. "How are the kids?"

"Oh they love music already! I play piano for them all the time, the other baby is coming soon and I wanted to be there with Maria but I came here just for Zuko." He smirks wickedly. "You can't see him smile everyday, man. I wanted to see that miracle for myself!"

We laugh uncontrollably for a long time until a maid comes to us and says that we have to shut up but she didn't say it like that.

"Alright, Gray! I have to go. People want to dance!" Johann says laughing.

"When are you leaving England?" I ask, wiping my eyes.

"Tomorrow morning."

"So soon?"

"She's probably giving birth right now! I can't not be there again!" He chuckles lightly. "Good luck with your muse, Gray!"

"She's not my muse, you bastard!" Oh man. He specifically said that he doesn't like to be called that.

Johann frowns. "You just didn't say that..." He gets closer and puts his hands around my neck roughly.

"I think... I did." I stare at him and he gazes back.

"... You are a son of a bitch." He says hoarsely.

"I know, man. You can't just change that." I glance at him and he laughs so hard that I think he is going to fall.

"You almost peed your pants!" He keeps laughing and I just stay there, trying to breath properly.

"I'm... Glad... You... Laughed." He looks at me and gasps. "Yeah, I must be red."

"Aang... You look like a... TOMATO!" He throws himself to the floor and laughs his heart out. Oh lord.

"Green, you are crazy!" I chuckle lightly.

"I know, man. I can't just change that." He barks loudly and I sigh. Yeah, that's the same man that is considered the best waltz composer of our time but... Seeing him like this is ten times better than to see him cry for Laura.

"Man, you should go." I help him to stand up. "Strauss' last appearance must be the best."

He opens his eyes widely. "You heard it?"

"I'm glad I did. You are choosing well this time." I smile kindly at him and he reciprocates.

"Thanks, Gray." He manly hugs me with the same smile he had when I first saw him. Huge and mischievous.

I reciprocate the gesture. "No problem, Green."

"Are you going to see the show?" He breaks the hug abruptly.

"I want to find Katara, man. I haven't seen her in a while." I frown. "Have you seen her lately?"

Johann raises a brow worriedly. "No, last time I saw her she was with you... Is everything alright?"

"Yes! It's just that she had an awful fight with her brother and I need to find her to see if she's fine."

"Oh then go ahead! Don't make her wait!" He winks. "Say hello to that beauty for me.'

I chuckle briefly. "Sure thing, green."

He starts walking away to the stage when someone taps my shoulder again. Oh no, every single person wants to talk to me right now when the only thing I want is to find Katara!

I compose myself and turn around to find Layla with tears falling from her eyes. The music stops abruptly and all the people at the party gasp or scream.

Haru and Sebastian are carrying someone.

That someone is covered in blood.

A lady with beautiful long red hair.

It can't be... "Suki?"

This day wasn't what I expected at all.


Oh boy! The angsty part is coming!

lonelybabyblue.-