Losing You
A/N: Angst. Like whoa.
It isn't fair. He's not supposed to die.
Not like this. Not after everything he's been through. Not after all he's done to save the world, when he's had to fight tooth and nail for everything in his life.
The war is over now, and with it their struggles are supposed to be over. They've fought and sacrificed more than most can ever imagine to bring peace and balance back to the world. They're supposed to rule over the Fire Nation, raise their children, experience and share the sorrows and joys of life together side by side.
But it is not to be.
Katara struggles to hold her composure together as she's told that her husband is going to be dead within the year. No longer can she deny that he grows short of breath more easily, that he's not the strong, robust bender he once was, nor can she ignore the circles under his eyes or the fact that he coughs up blood if he overexerts himself.
She knows that the damage from Azula's lightning ten years ago has finally caught up with him, and he is beyond even her healing capabilities. Nothing can be done. She'd known that there was some damage, but she didn't realize the extent of it until now. She'd prayed that it hadn't reached his heart, that he wouldn't be taken away from her this soon but...she has no choice but to face the cruel, painful, harsh reality that she is to become a widow far sooner than she ever anticipated.
Even though her heart is breaking, now is not the time for mourning. Not yet. She can only do her best to make his last months bearable, and make the most of the time she has left with him. At least she will be able to say goodbye to him. She never got such an opportunity with her mother.
She does not think about the future. She can't bring herself to, not yet. The one certainty is that she will stay by his side until the sun sets on the day he breathes his last.
Her only comfort is the knowledge that someday, she will reunite with him in the Spirit World.
