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It had been 2 weeks since they reunited with their dad after so long. But in those 2 weeks, Katara had this nagging feeling that she had missed something important. And usually for Katara, that something always came to bite her in the ass shortly after. Although she was enjoying herself, Katara still felt a shed of loneliness. Something, no, someone, was missing from all these moments. Although Suki wasn't with them, their dad knew her very well from all the times Sokka would invite her to their apartment.

They were sitting at the dining table, having sea prunes. Although Katara had made her another plate, she found herself poking the prune more because her mind was stuck on a certain man. It especially didn't help when Sokka said: "I got a first, well, new guy pal! His name is Zuko and he is so awesome. And rich. I was at his place and it was so big"

He spread his arms to make their dad fully comprehend how huge it was. Not that their dad would ever know until he actually saw the apartment complex. Especially the insides of it. Not that their dad's place didn't have an ounce of fancy as well. It was a 3-bedroom apartment with 1 bathroom and 1 ensuite. Katara luckily got the one with the ensuite.

The reason why Zuko was on her mind so much was because the time was nearing 8PM - the time they had agreed to do their video chats. It was only 6:00PM and all she could do was tap her foot on the floor for time to go faster.

"So, this Zuko. I'm assuming he will be joining the 'Gaang' once Aang and Toph enter Republic University?"

Sokka and Katara eyed themselves for a second before looking back at their dad, shrugging. "Probably. But they will go through that initial 'first year' phase like us. So I would give them some time."

Katara had wanted to shake her head because she didn't want Zuko to meet Aang. He was too… cool for Aang. And she didn't want Aang to meet the Zuko whom she… she didn't know. Recounting the memories from the past 2 months made it fairly obvious that her actions were not of a typical friend but more of a lover. Especially when she would deliberately fall asleep on Zuko's bed so she could hug him in her sleep. She sighed. She had to talk to Aang so she could somehow remind herself of why he was her boyfriend and why… she had been falling in love with Zuko these past 2 months. Aang hadn't exactly been the best long-distance partner and hopefully after their talk they could reignite that spark.

Katara stood from her seat.

"Katara, where are you going?"

"I'm going to my room. Thanks for supper."

And she was gone.

When the men heard the click of a door, Sokka fell back on his chair with a loud sigh.

"Anything the matter, son?"

"I wish Katara would just be honest with herself."

Hakoda looked up from his plate with a raised brow. "What do you mean?"

He leaned back on the table. "Well, where do I begin? If you were to ask her about the good things that had happened this semester, I bet that Aang wouldn't be one of them."

Before his dad could make a comment. "If you asked her how she felt about Zuko and ask her about Aang afterwards her smile would go from this," he pulled the corner of his lips upwards, "to this." He pulled them down.

"Is it that bad?"

Sokka nodded. "And… Zuko is closer to my age, meaning that he got many of the references in my jokes, if you know what I mean." He looked at Katara's chair. "Aang still cringes at hearing the words 'babe' or 'baby' and can't stand it if she as much as swears."

"Son, I-"

He pulled a finger from his knuckled hands. "If there is one thing being with Suki has taught me is that women are just as capable as men. Ma' was like that. Katara has always been like that even when I was trying to be a protective brother."

Sokka shrugged. "I just want her to be happy, Pa'."

Hakoda folded his arms. "Well, then. Go and be that brother to make her happy."

Sokka grinned before standing from his chair. He stopped by the door. "By the way, when are we meeting your new girlfriend?"

"Don't tell Katara, I want it to be a surprise for her."

"Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow."

Katara would have liked for her to be the one to call Aang and not the opposite. It would have been a first. Katara had promised to call Aang here and then but she never did, it was always Aang. She felt guilty for it and knew that she had to step up and forget- no, force herself to suppress the feelings she was harbouring for Zuko. Feelings which had grown to immeasurable levels throughout the semester. Aang deserved a better girlfriend at this point. She couldn't take back all the moments, touches and words she had shared with Zuko.

When Katara heard the line on the other side sound, she had no time before she winced at Aang's "Sweetie!".

She shrugged it off and forced a smile on her face. "Aang. Hey… it has been a while-"

"Damn right it has! If Toph hadn't literally restrained me I would have surprised you on Halloween night and we could have done something fun like, oh I don't know, trick or treat?"

Trick or treat? Surprised her on Halloween? Katara's jaw threatened to drop to the floor.

"I know what you are going to say 'trick or treat is for kids, Aang'. But I rarely got to do any of those things because Gyatso would pull me for yet another monk session. But, as they say, it's never too late to try now, right?"

It's never too late to pursue what the heart wants, especially when her heart wants Zuko, she thought.

She shook her head. "E-Eh, yeah…"

"But there is always next year! Which, by the way, is the year Toph and I are entering Republic University! It's going to be so fun. Just you and me."

She side-eyed her phone. "And Sokka, and Toph and Suki."

He gave her a nervous chuckle. "So when are you coming over?"

Katara looked dumbfounded. "What do you mean?"

"You are coming over for Christmas, right? It won't be that long since you are still in Republic City."

Katara's hand found her mouth at the realisation that she hadn't told Aang that she and Sokka would be spending their Christmas with their dad. "Oh, I'm so sorry Aang. I forgot to tell you that me and Sokka are spending Christmas with our dad in the North-"

"What?! That means I'm all alone! Toph went back to her parents in the Earth States."

Katara's hand fell to her side with a clasp. "Well, err, you're not the only one thats going to spend their Christmas alone."

Aang raised a brow. "Oh, yeah?"

Katara nodded, a smile coming to her face. "Zuko is-"

"Zuko?! Him again?"

At Katara's attempt to backtrack, Aang released an audible and exaggerated sigh over the phone. "Let's just… not talk about him, okay?"

Katara's lips pursed, taking a moment to recollect her thoughts as simply saying Zuko's name released a stream of memories and… sensations through her mind and body. "Sure."

"By the way, how did the project go? I know you got the highest grade out of your entire class."

This time Katara genuinely chuckled as this was the perfect question to bring the ego in her out. "Yeah, Zuko-"

"Zuko?!"

Katara's hand found her mouth. "Oh, no. I meant-"

"What's with this guy?! You are always talking about him. Is he the reason you never call me?"

"Nooo, of course not."

Yes, yes it was.

"He- I… he's my-"

"I'm so happy that project is over and done with, now!" - "Yeah, that's-" -"You two never have to talk again, right." - "Eh..." - "Now you'll be all mine and forget about 'Zuko'."

"Forget?..."

"Yeah, I mean-"

"How could you say that about my best friend?!" Her throat was trembling, yet it wasn't because she was sad. She would always get nervous when confronting Aang on something that angered her because she didn't want to hurt his feelings. She didn't want to hurt him because she loved him and- Noone badmouths Zuko around her, that was that! That is why this time was going to be different. She was going to let him have a piece of her mind, not for her, for Zuko.

"Zuko has always been there for me when I needed someone the most. He is the most gentle, kindhearted and caring person and I won't tolerate the tone you use with him. He… means a lot to me." She moved the phone away from hearing distance. "Much more than you mean to me."

"Katara…"

Aang was 2 years younger than her. He was still in senior high school while she was doing her first year of university. He had pampered her even before they got together. But the truth was, she was never sure of her decision to say yes to Aang. Especially since her former crushes, Jet and Haru, were… different from Aang. Personality and look wise. Nothing about Aang was ever her type but he was sweet, caring and… still not enough for her.

As though her shoulders were being pulled by heavy bricks, they fell by the quickness from her thoughts.

Aang wasn't her type. He had never been. But she had said yes because… because she had no other choice? She thought she could see past her preferences but by how Aang has acted throughout the first semester she didn't know whether it was worth it anymore. How did she know? Well, instead of owning up to his unfair judgements of Zuko, he only said: "Yeah… I guess you are right. You only have 1 more semester together so I guess- I just miss my girlfriend."

"Aang.."

"And I want to be there for you, to protect you. So, it hurts me that we are so far apart."

Something in Katara ached. Those words were supposed to fill her with a sense of joy, but instead it made her feel weak. As though she wasn't capable of taking care of herself. And to make matters worse, Aang had said this in the past during high school and she had taken it as a compliment so why was it so different now?

"Aang, I can take care of myself."

"I know… I'm just trying to be more of a man to you."

The memory of feeling Zuko's erection against her back flashed in her mind. She gulped. She should not have thought of that, yet she knew why her mind let that memory slip through. "There are other ways to show that you are a man, Aang."

"Oh, yeah?!" He gleefully spoke. "Tell me."

"Well." She twirled with her hair, using her moments with Zuko as references. And once she had laid it all out, Aang was silent over the phone.

"Aang?"

"Err… yeah-erm… yeah. I, err-"

Katara sighed. "Let me guess, too inappropriate?"

"Won't my kisses suffice?"

"Aang, we have been together for 2-"

"3. Our anniversary was 2 weeks ago but you didn't-"

"Aang!"

"Katara, you forgot our anniversary and yet I was still this happy to hear from you. I really thought something had happened to you." - "I know, and I'm-"

"No. You were too busy with Zuko, it seems. You couldn't keep him out of your mouth. Twice! And on top of that you didn't even tell me that you were going to spend Christmas far away from me. Katara, what am I to you?"

Not Zuko, she thought.

"Aang," she started, her voice turning hoarse, "this."

"What?!"

"Us. I don't thi-"

"No…" She heard him whisper through the phone and before she could continue, Aang burst into a loud laughter. "Ahahaha! Sorry, Toph was just cracking the funniest of all jokes-"

Sigh. "Toph is back with her parents in the Earth State."

She heard Aang fidgeting with the words to say. "Ka-"

"Aang, it's time we break up."

A/N - Not gonna lie, can't blame Aang. Buuuutt people might think otherwise. So, what do you think? Can you blame Aang for being upset with Katara? Or do you think that Katara should simply follow her heart with as minimal "damage" as possible?

Thank you for reading.

See you later!