Penitent Proclamations
"Why?" Katara whispered as Aang walked up beside her. It was a simple one-word question loaded with so much meaning. To tell Katara just how ugly he had been towards them for something that was his own fault was too difficult. He ran his hand over his growing hair and swallowed.
"Because… I wanted something I couldn't have with you and I was jealous. I had a tantrum. It was an awful thing to do." Katara pressed her lips together and sighed deeply through her nose.
"Yes, it was… I saw a side of you that scared me. What you did to Zuko scared me, Aang. If he had di—" Katara inhaled sharply unable to finish her sentence. The reality of her words was too close. She wiped fresh tears from her cheeks as thick drops spilled over her lashes and she took a shuddering breath.
"I knew how I felt about you a long time ago. I assumed you had a crush that would fade. I didn't want to hurt your feelings because we need you and I didn't want you to lose control like you did at the Southern Air temple. That was wrong of me Aang; I should not have coddled you or downplayed things when you needed the truth. I'm sorry," She said softly.
Aang stared at Katara in shock. The girl that he thought he was in love with loved someone else and didn't feel safe telling him. She avoided it because of the very thing Aang did when he "found" out. Was she afraid of him? Maybe she should be… He almost murdered his best friend.
Whether or not Katara ever told him what she felt, Aang knew better. The evidence was always there.
"Please don't apologize, Katara," Aang cried. "I knew what I did was wrong. I was envious of what you had with Zuko and I wanted it. What I did was no better than what the Fire Nation has done for a hundred years. I took my anger and hate out on Zuko. That was no one's fault but my own. It never should have happened, Katara…I'm really sorry." He said allowing the tears of confession and truth to wash away pride, jealousy, and selfishness inside of him.
Katara stood stock still focusing on her bare feet in the sand. Her face was unreadable as she thought. He didn't know what to expect now. Suddenly Katara raised her head and looked Aang in the eye. "I forgive you, Aang. I won't pretend I didn't struggle with it. You intentionally hurt the one I love and treated me like an object." Aang bowed his head. He knew. Katara continued.
"It will take some time for me. What you did was cruel, and motivated by some dark emotions, but… you are my brother. No matter how bad things get we are family. Do you understand?" she asked firmly.