A/N:

jonners2314: I'm pleased you like the poetry, it will make a return in the next couple of chapters and will be completel when Aang's character arc is revealed - though, I'm sure some people can guess it by now. I'm glad your enjoying the fourth wall breaks, this chapter has less humour, so will the other ones because the stories' about to get a bit darker, but I'll try to add more humor either way. hahahaha, I'm glad you ennjoyed the whole Zuko, Katara, Aang and Jin interaction, it was fun to write - and no, you're story i reckon handled it better. Mine is just more dramatic, thats it. Well, you handled Jin similarly in Crawling Out, mine is just gonna be drama filled and angsty.

Ashley Barbosa: Thank's I'm glad you like it so far, and no, I'm not talented, you're just being too nice :)

TheQuietReader23: I'm glad you and everyone else enjoys the poem, the rest of it will be out soon and it'll come full circle with Aang's arc. Yeah, that was pretty sad tbh. Hormones though, they rule most teenagers, I can empathise lol. I'm glad you enjoyed Aang and Jin's interactions, they were fun and fluffy to write. I wanted to do a lot more fluff with them, but Aang has to be with a couple other girls, Jin can't have all the fun lol :) But their relationship will either make you feel whole or break your heart in the end. I just felt like Katara was legally obligated to interupt Aang's romantic moments with other girls, you know, just so she knows what she's missing out on lol. Yeah, she'll come to her senses regarding Zuko, and when she confronts Aang, things might not go her way. Thanks, though I'm not talented :) I don't make beats per say, ( i do sometimes) but i mostly do songwriting.

Honeysucklebee: I'm pleased to hear you liked the poem, the rest of it will be out shortly. Yeah, I like the inner voice, its basically mine when i act like an idiot (which is all the time). I do feel like I am improving slightly everytime I write so thanks for that :)

Chapter 4: Bleeding Once Again

'You're an asshole.'

I know… but in that case, so are you.

That night was a night of pure bliss – minus the awkward and heated argument between Jin, Katara and Zuko. Other than that, it was the first night since the incident where I completely stopped thinking about both Katara and Zuko.

Jin was the only thing on my mind. The warmth laying beneath her palm. The slick heat radiating from her chest. The serene taste of her sugar-coated tongue.

'Relax, they didn't go that far, he's just a little excited right now.'

Well, he's partially correct. We didn't go all the way that night – in fact, we hadn't even started dating until like 4-5 months after that night. Let me explain: we had a heated make-out session, but the next day I was thrusted into various meetings and negotiations regarding the Harmony Restoration Movement. I didn't even have the time to ask Jin out and before I knew it, Zuko began puling some shady shit with Yu Dao. When he left to return to the Fire Nation – Katara tagged along, duh – we had both cleared the air and he even tried apologising for… well, he didn't exactly know what he was apologising for.

Stealing Katara? Lying about and to Jin? Being a pain in the ass? Could've been anything, but I really had no quarrel with him. Yes, I was irritated and somewhat bitter that he would actively pursue Katara despite knowing that I was in love with her; when he became my Firebending Sifu during the war, we became close, and I confided in him after Ember Island. He was awkward about it at first, but he told me that if the love between us was real, then we'd always find our way back to each other – though, he said it rather hesitantly.

'Could he have been with Katara during that time?'

Actually, now that I think about it, I really have no idea when they began developing feelings for each other or when they were officially in love. I guess its really none of my business, and due to believing that myself, I never prodded them about it. However, considering that I was just as much a part of it – in a sense – I'd say they owe it to me to at least be honest with me and tell me if they 'fell in love' before or after the war. If it was after the war, even after the whole Ember Island Players fiasco, then I wouldn't be as mad – or depressed – but if it was before, then I know I'd feel betrayed. I'd feel led on by Katara and betrayed by Zuko; no 'bro' would ever go after another 'bro's girl, that's just a code that every man follows and respects.

'If Zuko didn't respect it though… dude, you may have to make an Unstoppable cross over and fuck with his head a little.'

Unstoppable? Cross-over? Fuck with his head?

I sighed.

What bullshit are you on about now?

'Never mind that, I forget that the author forbids you from breaking the fourth wall in this story.'

Author? Story? Fourth wall? I am the fucking Avatar! I can break any wall I want!

'I said never mind it, we're getting off topic,'

Right…

So, Zuko and Katara left for the Fire Nation – Katara and I also cleared things up and we began talking like we used to before she left. She didn't know about the moment Jin and I shared, though she did ask me about her before she left. I just old her that Jin was a friend – for now.

A few days after, Zuko pulled back support for the Harmony Restoration Movement, and as expected, Sokka and I were pissed. Though not as much as King Keui. Due to that, I didn't have time to meet Jin at all and I even had to leave Ba Sing Se on several occasions to travel around the Earth Kingdom due to the whole Yu Dao issue. At first, I was adamant that Earth King Keui and I were correct, but then, thanks to Suki and Toph bashing Sokka and I's skulls in with cold, hard logic, we conceded. Zuko however, did not back down and even participated in the battle. I was able to calm him down and convince him to halt his assault. He, the Earth King, Sokka and I spent the entire day analysing and evaluating the best course of action. After a while, we arrived at a mutual agreement and I eager flew back to Ba Sing Se on my glider. The Earth King and Fire Lord did want me to remain for a while longer as there were still some things they needed to mull over, but I needed a break – plus I wanted to see Jin.

Once I got back to Ba Sing Se, I immediately made my way over to the restaurant Jin and I first met and waited. She told me she frequented that particular restaurant and since I had forgotten the way to her home, I just decided to wait there, hoping she would show her pretty face sooner rather than later. It was late at night when I originally arrived, and I only realised the next morning that I had in fact dozed off on the chair due to fatigue. Jin found me and shook me awake, both relieved and somewhat hesitant to see me. She was conflicted, I could see it in her eyes, and I knew why. We had shared a passionate night, and 24 hours later I had completely hung her out to dry; she probably thought I was just like Zuko, or Lee – that I took advantage of her and left her shortly after getting what I wanted – though it wasn't the same, and that certainly wasn't the case.

When I explained to her how hectic everything had gotten the day after, she immediately forgave me and warmed up to me once again. I marvelled at her ability to forgive and move on, it paralleled mine actually, perhaps even surpassed it.

I know… I know; I don't give myself enough credit. But I mean it, there was something special about this girl. And even despite that, I still couldn't…

'We'll get to that part later, stick to the proper story structure and don't confuse the reader.'

Honestly, I want some of the cactus juice your on; half the things you say make no sense and if its distracting then I'll gladly take some, I could use a distraction right about now.

'Shut up and get back to the story.'

Anyways, Jin and I got to know each other some more, and a week later we began dating. And let me say, it was as amazing as I thought it would be – actually, I always though that the only girl I'd ever date would be Katara. Clearly, things didn't go my way, so I can't really say it was everything I ever wanted, because it wasn't – but it was everything I could ask for, she was the best girlfriend I could ever ask for. She understood that I was still in love with Katara, even though I never admitted it.

'Or more like refused to admit it.'

But it was true, I wasn't in love with her anymore.

'You lie to yourself a lot – I've noticed.'

Anyways, Jin was perfect, she filled a hole in my heart I thought would forever remain punctured. It didn't take long for us to become intimate, after my fourteenth birthday, which was two months into our relationship, we finally became comfortable – or I'd say more or less frustrated with our own aching desires enough to take the next step.

'We won't go into details because writing about a fourteen-year-old and his sixteen year old girlfriend in that sense would be kinda weird and off-putting for the writer – you'll have to wait a couple more chapters, when the characters age up, for proper detailed lemons.'

I am not even going to try to comprehend what you just said, I'll just let it go over my head. Anyways, it was a great night, one of the best nights in my life so far.

Our relationship from that point only strengthened; she became the centre of my world and I hers. She was understanding towards my history with 'love', so when she finally said the words, she didn't expect me to immediately reciprocate them – yet, I could tell by her crestfallen expression that she had hoped I would. It ached my heart to do that to her, to not say the words, but I couldn't lie to her. She had been nothing but open and honest with me and I wasn't going to ruin that by betraying her trust or her heart – I know the pain all too well to ever inflict or wish it upon someone else.

Despite my reluctance, we eventually moved on and our relationship continued to strengthen. She never mentioned it to me again and our bond only deepened, though, I could tell that everyday she'd kiss me with a glimmer of hope in her eye that maybe… just maybe, today would be the day that I'd say those words. And at the end of every day, that hope, that shine, that joy in her eyes would die… slowly, but surely. I of course understood what was happening, I wasn't an oblivious child anymore; I knew I was hurting her and I wanted to stop. Spirits know I wanted to give her all the joy, all the merit, all the love in the world… but I just couldn't.

'You became selfish.'

I guess so; being with her, the comfort she brought, it just fell to good for me to ever let her go. The long walks in the park on warm summer nights, the long cuddle sessions underneath the moon on cold winter solstice, the passionate sex at three in the morning, and the second round five minutes after, a third if we weren't exhausted by then – I had gotten so accustomed to it, so attached that… despite knowing that I should probably let her go, for her own good, I just couldn't. She helped me, in more ways that one… she was the one thing I had to look forward to in my life. And after experiencing the lowest of the lows and highest of highs, I never wanted to return to that cold, void-filled pit again.

So, yes, I was selfish.

We had been dating for 8 months when I had to leave Ba Sing Se to help Zuko track down her mother. Jin wanted to tag along, but she couldn't leave her job and I didn't know how long the trip would take – plus, I didn't want her around Azula at all. There's no telling what that bitch was thinking at any given moment – I'd rather my girlfriend alive and well than in the harm's way of one crazy, Firebender. Reluctantly, we had a teary goodbye, where after kissing me senseless, to the point where it hurt to purse my lips, my girlfriend uttered those same three words again… and I had to gulp down the lemur sized lump in my throat and kiss her again just to make her forget I hadn't said anything.

That day, I could tell that something had died in her eye, and I knew that this may as well have been the day we broke up.

I was on Appa flying towards the Fire Nation when I made a pitstop at Kyoshi Island; I needed to clear my head of Jin and I wanted to see Suki again. During our stay at Ba Sing Se, Suki had grown to become an older sister of mine. She often looked out for me and comforted me whenever Jin wasn't around to – not that I needed it all that often.

'Wow. Growing an ego now, are we? Sokka's rubbing off on you.'

Please, never say that again. My mind is way too perverted, and you just killed the entire mood.

'Dude…'

I don't want to hear it.

Anyways, it didn't take long to reach Kyoshi Island, maybe a day or two – give or take – I don't know; I was too lost in my thoughts regarding Jin and why I couldn't give her what she wanted to properly grasp the concept of time at the time, pun intended. That's why I was eager to see Suki; she would often be able to help me make sense of things and could tell how I was feeling without even asking. Once glance into my eyes and she'd immediately know, it was kinda scary if I'm honest.

Suki and Sokka had left to go the Fire Nation a couple months prior; they wanted to visit Katara and see how she was doing. They tried to convince me to tag along, but I didn't want to be a third wheel to neither couples, nor did I want to leave my girlfriend whom I was too infatuated by at the time. So, I remained while they left by boat. After their short two month stay, Suki and Sokka decided to return to and stay at Kyoshi Island rather than Ba Sing Se, seeing as how Toph had returned to Gaoling and I was too busy with Jin, I understood that they needed their alone time.

Suki – I believe – was well aware that I was still somewhat hung over Katara – I wasn't in love with her if that's what you're thinking; just… saddened by the possibility of what could've been and what was, I guess.

'Liar.'

She caught me a couple times; there'd be nights where'd I'd just miss Katara so much that I would retreat to our backyard and begin Waterbending gracefully by a clear pond. My movements would be fluent, precise – I'd be in a flow-like state, thinking only of how Katara would move, of how she would guide my hands, of how we'd push and pull together… Fuck, I missed her. It had been almost a year since I had seen her, and although I'd be too lost in the moment, occasionally – though my seismic sense – I'd notice Suki observing me from a distance, a few salty water droplets falling on the earth just short of where she stood – my own tears would soon follow.

I thought Jn had helped my patch things up, but it was then that I realised, she merely plugged the whole to stop the blood from dripping out for the time being…

'For the time being… what about now?'

It came unplugged, can't you see the blood on my hands?

Suki never mentioned or prodded me about it – she was thoughtful and considerate like that, unlike her boyfriend – don't get me wrong, I love the guy to death, but sometimes he could be more than inconsiderate towards other's feelings.

Suki, much to my dismay, wasn't at Kyoshi Island at the time, so I basically had no one to speak to when I got there. There were the Kyoshi Warriors, but I didn't recognise any of them… nor did I particularly give a fuck at the moment.

'Okay, now you're being a jerk.'

I was surprised to find Ty Lee though, "I thought you'd be at the Palace?" I spoke, referring to the Royal Palace in the Fire Nation.

She turned around to face me, and she was as beautiful as ever, though I didn't think too much about it as technically I still had a girlfriend. "Oh Aang!" Ty Lee exclaimed in a surprised and pleased manner – at least that's what her rosy cheeks conveyed to me. "I didn't expect to see you here either, but I just got back from the Fire Nation a few days ago, Zuko's personal guards rotate every 3 months."

I simply nodded at her, smiling and blushing somewhat when I noticed her checking me out head to toe, her eyes paying particular attention to my half-covered chest and arms.

"What brings you here though?" She asked curiously, though her smile never left her lips.

"We're searching for Zuko's mother, Azula's tagging along so Katara asked if I could lend a hand, you know, just to keep her in check."

"Oh, so you're not here to stay?" She inquired, sounding somewhat disappointed.

"No, unfortunately. I would've stayed in Ba Sing Se with my girlfriend if they hadn't mentioned Azula…" I responded, saddening somewhat as the image of Jin's tear-stained face flashed in my mind.

"Oh, y-you have a g-girlfriend?"

'Okay, she sounds heartbroken. Is she really that infatuated with you?'

Suki had told me that Ty Lee had developed a minor crush on me, but her expression was enough to sell me the idea that she had fallen in love. Though, it could just be her nature; she's overly cheery when she's in a good mood, so its entirely possible that she's overly saddened when she's not.

"Yeah," I answered, smiling as I remembered how much I liked spending time with my girlfriend. "She's the best, I really lucked out." Suddenly, my face fell again, "sometimes I think that she's too good for me…"

"She sounds amazing," Ty Lee cooed, sadly smiling as she brushed her hand against my back, probably attempting to cheer me up. "Though I'm sure you're good to her as well."

I really wanted to agree. Was I good her? I mean really. Like, yes, I did show her all the affection my broken heart could muster, I gave her all the attention she deserved and I more than satisfied her every desire and need – except for one. The one she needed more than anything. Could she ever forgive me for not reciprocating her love, even now, months after she's already proclaimed hers? Do I even deserve her love and attention?

'I think you know…'

No, I don't think I do; I don't deserve any of the happiness she's afforded me, especially since I can't even muster the words she so desperately wants… needs to hear. If our relationship is to survive, then I need to learn to accept that I love her. I need to force myself to love her. She needs it, and she more than deserves it. She's loved me so openly, why can't I?

Since I failed to respond to, or even acknowledge her assumption, Ty Lee tried to remedy the now awkward and downright depressing situation by offering to train with me. Normally, I'd be more than happy to train, but at that current moment, I was just not feeling it. So, I apologetically took my leave, trailing off into the woods, going somewhere and absolutely nowhere.

My thoughts returned to my girlfriend, and soon they drifted off into nothingness. It was weird, I can't remember the last time I thought of absolutely nothing; something would always be on my mind, either Jin, my friends, my Avatar duties, the current state of the world… or Katara. Rarely have I found myself in serenity, though, I can't really say it was particularly peaceful; my head was a fucking mess, but it was a quiet mess for once, and I could appreciate that.

Eventually, my mindless wandering into the woods led me in between somewhere and nowhere; that 'in between' being in the company of Mai – the last person I thought I'd see on Kyoshi Island. She was sitting on a tree log, a few of her daggers had pierced a trunk directly across from her. I guess she wanted to train in isolation – sort of. I didn't want to intrude, but at the same time, I couldn't help myself as I came into her eyesight.

"You're still alive?" I joked.

When she met my eyes, I could see a light in the midst of the all the agony I hadn't seen before… and before I knew it, Mai had laughed. She actually laughed at my sarcastic joke, and even teased back. "Are you disappointed?"

I chuckled somewhat myself before responding, "No," then I added after noticing that the light in her eye hadn't faded. "You look well."

"I do feel better," she shrugged, while she spoke, I sat down beside her, a few inches of log separating us as we glanced at each other. "Well, about as good as a cold heart could feel."

"Want me to warm it up for you?" I joked, bending a small flame out of my palm while she smiled and rolled her eyes – she did seem oddly different, happy even.

"Like I'd ever let you near," Mai retorted, glancing away from my eyes as I faced forward, eyeing the daggers stuck on the trunk ahead of me.

"I promise to be careful," I cooed, offering her the puppy dog eyes, which she surprisingly didn't fall prey too.

"When you've spent over half your life in the midst of Ty Lee's puppy expression, the Avatar's has no effect on you."

I chuckled somewhat before retorting, smirking when she turned back to meet my gaze, "Is Miss Grumpy so high and mighty now that she needs to speak in third person amongst us common folk?"

At that, Mai giggled, sighing deeply before she diverted her eyes and face forward. I mirrored her gesture while she admitted, her voice low and full of emotion, similar to her sad yet relieved expression. "Its nice to see you again," she sighed lightly before continued, "I barely know you; we've only talked like twice before, but still… its nice."

"It is…"

The flight to the Fire Nation wasn't a particularly long one. Just like on the way to Kyoshi Island, I got lost in my own thoughts while travelling; since Appa was already familiar with the flight path, he didn't really need me to guide him as much as before. My thoughts mainly centred around Jin, specifically how I was going to save a relationship from deteriorating, cause I didn't want it to. I liked this girl, I really liked this girl – if I hadn't met Katara before hand I'm sure I would have fallen in love with Jin almost instantly. In another world, we would've had the perfect relationship, but not in this one. We were happy and more than satisfied of course, but there was always something missing – mostly from my side if I was being honest. It was so easy for me to be open and honest with Jin, but other than surface level attraction, I had never mentioned just how much I loved Katara – I didn't really need to. She never asked because she knew it was a sensitive topic, but when we did eventually talk, she had always been able to heal the wound Katara left. Or, at least that's what I thought.

I don't think that wound is sealed. It may have been sown shut, but it was cut open the first time Jin stated she loved me – and I don't understand it. I mean, it should've made me ecstatic, or filled my heart with affection and adoration, or filled my body with longing and bliss, but it did nothing of the sort. Instead, it was like I was being struck by lightning again – it wasn't a pleasant experience then, and it wasn't the second time around – figuratively, at least. Though, that's the problem; why did I feel that way? Am I just so damaged that I'm incapable of loving someone that isn't Katara? She can't be the complete centre of my being, can she?

'I don't think its that you can't love someone else, you love Jin. I can see it.'

Well, yeah. I love Jin. I wouldn't have taken it this far if I didn't. But, it doesn't feel enough; I feel like I am cheating her somehow, like I am denying her the chance to be truly in love with someone who reciprocated that emotion.

'So, you love Jin, but you're not in love with her?'

I guess, that's probably right. But then why? Why am I not in love with her? I've tried, Spirits know I've tried. But… I just can't seem to put myself in that position again.

'What do you mean by that?'

I avoided the topic of love when she brought it up, its only when I have no escape did I reluctantly express how it would take time for me to say 'I love you' back. I told her that; and it was wrong of me to do that.

'Why?'

You know why.

'I want to hear you say it.'

What's that gonna achieve? Its just gonna make me feel like an asshole.

'But, by not admitting it, you're hurting her. Spirits, can't you see how much it kills her when she expresses her love for you when you don't even have the courage to tell her why you can't say it back? You're hurting her, and she has been nothing but kind, understanding and patient with you. Does she really deserve this treatment?'

What do you want me to do? You want me to leave her? You want me to break her heart?

'You've already broken it; it breaks just a tad more every time you say, 'I'm sorry I can't love you back', with your eyes.'

She notices?

'You know she does… you've got to put an end to this.'

Why – why doesn't she do it? I don't know if I can… I – I need her –

'You don't think she needs you. She needs you to say the words, actions don't speak loud enough when you can't verbalise exactly how you feel. She loved you too much to leave you, she knows what you've been through and she's scared of breaking your heart – '

She shouldn't; she can't break my heart.

'And why is that?'

Again, you know why.

'Just fucking say it, it'll help you deal with your problem if you admit the truth to yourself.'

…

'Fine, run and hide like a coward. Just know, the more you avoid it, the more you'll hurt her.'

Finding Zuko's mother wasn't as bad as I thought it would be; well, I was away from Jin for around 6 months, in fact, by the time I returned to Ba Sing Se I was 15 years of age – more on that later. Though it did take a while, the experience itself wasn't bad at all, save for a few moments. Katara and I actually got much needed time to bond and rekindle our friendship to the point where we acted like nothing had even happened. When we did find Zuko and Azula's mother, Katara was feeling somewhat down – probably because Zuko was basically ignoring her for his family, though I can't say I really blame him. If the Air Nomads all suddenly returned, or even just one of them, I'm sure I too would get lost in the moment and spend every waking second with them – the fear of losing them again would keep me close at all times.

However, that wasn't possible, and Katara needed me. So, I was there for her; she was seated cliffside, I sat beside her. I could tell that she was missing her mother, and she wasn't particularly in the mood to talk, so I told her about my mother. Granted, I didn't know much about her, but I knew enough to get Katara to ease up a bit. We talked about it, she began crying, I comforted her, and soon we began joking around again, mostly poking fun at Sokka, much to his dismay – just like old times. But then she just had to reopen old wounds; wounds that hadn't properly healed in the first place, despite what she thought.

"Aang, look. I just wanted to say… I'm sorry."

Her guilty and shameful expression was not necessary for me to recognise what she was apologising for, I already knew all too well.

"You don't have anything to apologise for Katara, you made your choice and I'm happy for you," I was getting tired of saying it; that I was happy for her. I was, honestly, but the more she made me say it, the more I felt like erupting. Its like she wants me to remember that she rejected me, like she wants the memory to burn a whole in me so deep that I'm incapable of forgetting it or loving someone else because of it.

"No, I – I never said this before but… I need to come clean."

'So, she's not talking about that?'

Let's find out.

"Everyone basically thinks Zuko and I got together after the war, and we sorta did, but I began developing feelings for him before that…"

"Okay…" I responded, confused. "Where are you going with this?"

She sighed lightly before answering, "Zuko and I have hit a rough patch… or well, several…"

'Okay, now she's changing the topic? Something's up.'

Clearly.

"We haven't really been being honest with each other, and I realise we need to be if our relationship is to work. But, before I'm honest with him, I feel like I need to be honest with you." When I nodded, alerting her that I was following her train of thought, she continued, "I knew you felt a type of way for me, and well, Sokka brought it to my attention that I may have led you on…"

You basically did, what do want me to do? Forgive you?

'Don't be an asshole.'

I'm trying, but its getting harder not to as every second goes by.

"I just need to apologise to you… I knew how you felt about me, yet I could never give you a definite answer. I kept you on the brink of uncertainty and I – " she hesitated, sighing deeply as she looked me in the eye. "I'm – I'm sorry, if I hurt you."

Hurt me? You really have no fucking clue just how much I loved you.

"Aang? W-Will you say something?"

What do you want me to say? 'Its okay? I forgive you.' What the fuck do you want me to say? What the fuck am I supposed to say?

'Say what you want, just don't blow up and don't be a jerk.'

"Please…" Katara cried, choking back a sob as she clenched my hands in desperation.

"You're sorry?" I asked, gazing into her oceanic depths as she nodded.

"I am, I'm really sorry…"

"Okay," I simply stated, letting go of her hands as she stared at me confused.

"Do you – d-do you forgive me?"

This bitch –

'Woah! Relax! She ain't a bitch. What's gotten into you lately?'

Shut up and let me handle this.

'With the way you've been acting, I don't think I should.'

Well, you have no choice. You're just a voice, I can shut you out if I want to.

"Aang?" Katara asked hesitantly when I didn't answer, "Do you… forgive me?"

I sighed, "Do I have to?" I asked in a low monotone voice.

Katara was immediately taken back, probably because she had never heard me speak to her in such a way. "I mean you d-don't have –"

"Then there's your answer," I cut her off as I glanced away, staring out into the sunset while she stared at my face, her eyes watering slightly but I didn't dare pay them any attention.

I don't know why I was acting like this. I have already forgiven her, I forgave her on the very same day I found out she was with Zuko because I know you can't control who you love. I was perfectly fine with that. However, when she starts giving me pity, or when she starts talking like she no longer wants to be with Zuko and is trying to make up with me just in case – that's where I draw the fucking line.

'You don't know if that's true. She may genuinely feel bad and you just hurt her for no fucking reason. Listen to me –'

No! I've acknowledged you and your stupid advice for far too long and its been a mistake. All you do is bring me more pain and cause me to hurt the ones I love; Katara, Jin… its all your fault!

'Really? My fault. Not yours? Not at all?'

"Aang… I'm – I'm sorry, I really am… I –"

"Cool. You're sorry, and I'm a flying fucking bison."

"What's gotten into you?!" Katara had finally had enough; she stood on her feet and yelled at me seething – doing exactly what I wanted her to, because now I have an excuse to shut her down.

"You've gotten into me, you… you're poison. You invaded my system and contaminated me; now I'm toxic inside and out, and its all your fault!" I yelled, standing on my feet, matching her demeanour as her eyes widened in shock before returning to seethe in anger.

'Dude! You're blaming her for your own faults and insecurities! Get a fucking grip before you ruin another relationship and break another heart!'

Normally, I'd listen to reason, but this was just a classic case of wrong place, wrong time; my mind was already plenty fucked up worrying about my fading relationship with Jin, and Katara just had to add on her own shit onto the pile.

'She was genuinely apologising! And you just blew up on her because you couldn't handle your own shit! Don't blame her for your problems.'

"I was genuinely apologising, Aang! I'm not trying to hurt you; I'm trying to apologise for hurting you. Can't you see that!?"

She is the cause of my problems; can't she see that?!

'She doesn't even know what your problems are, you can't even admit them to yourself, how the fuck do you expect her to?!'

I sighed, finally listening to reason and calming down slightly.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, diverting my eyes away from hers as they softened – I didn't want to gaze at her soft expression when I was in such an emotional and vulnerable state. "jin and I have been having some problems and I – well, its mostly my fault. I don't know how to fix it, and I – I just found the closest target I could to take my frustrations out on and…" I sighed again when I felt her hand rub my back soothingly – I didn't deserve her comfort; I just yelled at and hurt her for no reason. "I'm just being an asshole."

"Well, then don't be," Katara shrugged, smiling slightly when I chuckled and clamed down some more. "Its okay, Aang," she cooed, "do you want to talk about it?"

I thought about it…

'Not with her, there's no use.'

Only someone who had fallen in love and had their heartbroken could understand – she had done neither.

I shook my head, "No." When she seemed like she was about to combat it, I shook my head again, "you wouldn't get it."