Chapter 12- Coming Back
"Aang, you really should take it easy. You just had surgery," Katara said. Aang was still dizzy from the medicine. He was walking as fast as he could to get back to his dorm. What Katara didn't know was that he should be taking it easy and he knew that, but he was in so much pain that he just wanted to get to his dorm.
"Aang, are you okay? Why are you walking so fast?"
"I just want to get back home," he said. Katara smiled. The party was waiting for him. Suddenly he sat down on a nearby bench and held his head.
"I don't feel good," he said shakily. Katara put a hand on his shoulder and helped him lean back.
"Come on. Let's get you back to your dorm," Katara said. The party would have to wait until later. She helped him up and let him rest on her shoulder as they walked towards the elevator. As they began to ascend, Aang could feel the room spinning.
"Aang?" It seemed like she said it a million times, until he finally saw stars, and blacked out.
"Aang!" Katara crouched down to next to him, and the elevator door opened to the ninth floor. Katara carried him as best as she could to his room. She opened the door.
"Surpri-!" the group that was ready for Aang's surprise party paused when they saw the unconscious boy.
"He wasn't feeling well and he blacked out. Someone get some water. Sokka, get some towels. Suki, get his bed ready!" Katara barked orders as she handed Aang over to Zuko. He put him on his bed, and Katara pulled up a chair next to the bed. She dipped at towel into the cool water, and placed it on Aang's head.
"He's burning up," Toph said.
Katara bit her lip. "Someone get me a big bag of ice," she said. Haru started running down stairs to get some ice from the cafeteria. Katara began to unbutton Aang's shirt. It was the only to keep him from overheating. She gazed at his well-toned abs a little, before throwing his shirt to the side, and placed the bag of ice on his chest. His eyes twitched a little bit, and then fluttered open. He began to sit up and then groaned in pain as he clutched his leg. Katara reacted immediately by hugging the boy and helping him back on his pillow. He looked around to see a big group of worried people all crowded into one small space.
"H-hey g-guys. W-what are you doing h-here?" he choked.
"Well, we were planning on throwing you a surprise birthday party, but that didn't work at to well," Toph said staring into space.
"O-oh. Th-thanks. Sorry about that," Aang said sheepishly.
"That's okay, Aang. You probably need your rest. We'll come back later when you're feeling better," Carah added.
The all whispered "happy birthday," and left, leaving Aang and Katara.
"K-Katara? W-why is it so c-cold?" he shivered.
"You were burning up," Katara answered as she pulled the ice off of his chest. Aang blushed, realizing his shirtlessness. Katara bent down and kissed him. He scooted over and motioned for her to lie down. She obliged and was careful not to touch his fragile leg.
"W-what happened?" he whispered.
"Shh. You fainted," she answered, pulling his shaggy hair out of his face. She pulled a blanket over them and hugged him, in an attempt to keep him warm.
"W-well, at least I g-got my cast off," he muttered. She smiled.
"That's definitely good," she said. "You need your rest." He closed his eyes.
"I love you," he said.
Katara lied there, shocked and speechless.
"I-I love you too," she answered. He smiled and went to sleep. Katara kept thinking to herself about his last line. I love you. I love you. I love you. They kept replaying in her head. But, eventually she also fell asleep.
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"K-Katara?" Aang whispered. Katara's eyes fluttered open.
"What is it Aang?" she replied.
"Do you want to go d-down to the lake?"
"I guess. Are you sure you feel up to it?" Katara asked.
"I-I think so," he answered, as he started getting up. He winced a little, but continued to sit up as Katara helped him get to his feet. He smiled a little to thank her, but a muffled whimper escaped his lips as his left foot reached the ground. Although it was a struggle to reach the lake, their feet finally landed on the shore and they took a seat, letting the waves lap against their toes. Katara rested her head on Aang's shoulder.
"You feeling okay?" she asked. He nodded.
"I'm just happy I finally got off those crutches. I've been waiting quite a while to do this," he said he brought her in his arms and kissed her with a passion she much enjoyed. They finally escaped, gasping for breath. She smiled and snaked her arm around his waist, as she did the same.
"Did you really mean it?" she finally asked.
"Mean what?"
"When I was lying next to you after you fainted. D-did you really mean what you said?" she said quietly.
"Well, it depends. What did I say?" he asked sheepishly.
"Well, y-you said that you, um, l-loved me," she answered, biting her lip. Aang almost choked. He sat there silent for a couple minutes.
"You must have been dizzy from the drugs or something. It's okay," Katara interrupted the silence.
"N-no. I mean, that's what I've been thinking for all this time, it's just….. I've never said, but I think I do. I do love you," he whispered almost to himself. Katara smiled as they leaned against each other, watching the sun set on the lake.
Good? Bad? Review!!! I am sooooo sorry it's been so long. Did you like it? Aang's finally better! Yay! So, was it too rushed? I don't know. But, I'm moving forward with the plot! REVIEW!!! thanks. Over and out.