This is the longest chapter I've ever written in my life, 5700 words. I just couldn't finish it without a satisfying ending Toph finally came along.It is gonna be a rollercoaster of emotions and a lot of hurt-comfort, but the ending would be worth it (or at least that's how I feel about it)TW: slut shaming, swearing, a bit if blood at the end.
Master Pakku went back to his tent, with mind clouded by what he just saw and out of curiosity went through his scrolls, noticing that 4 of them were missing.
The next day, Sokka woke up with his eyes feeling heavy, everything seemed foggy around him. Ugh, he hated mornings. The warrior took the blanket off him and tried to put on his nice boots when he noticed that they have a rip where his big finger is supposed to go. He groaned in frustration and slipped another pair of socks on, then put the ripped shoes on and did his morning routine, before putting on his winter coat on and walking not fully awake.
He was planning on visiting the old man that was known for fixing shoes, but he heard some soldiers talking.
Sokka rubbed his eyes, hiding behind a thick wooden pillar, listening to their voices.
—Did you hear about it?
The taller one said with a grin, Sokka hated the soldiers' arrogance, the way they acted like they are superior just because they could go to fight in the war and he couldn't just felt like a slap on the face. When they first left, he was too young, but the second time they left, Sokka broke his arm and had to stay home, his poor sister having to take care of him.
—About what? The other one said, imitating his friend's position and expression, knowing that there is gonna be some good gossip.
—The chief's daughter.
Sokka widen his eyes, struggling to keep his breathing quiet, trying to obtain as much information as possible and to possibly debunk any sort of rumour.
—Oh yeah, she's really hot, but also really bitchy, I even complimented her once and she didn't even glance at me.
The warrior bit softly on his hand, trying to calm himself down. Yes, his sister was annoying, but she went through so much, she was the only one that was there for him, the only one that accepted all of his annoying phases and his teasing. How dare they call her "bitchy"? He felt his blood boiling.
The other one nodded understanding.
—I heard she's fucking the avatar.
"Alright, that's it" Sokka thought and finally made himself seem, glaring at the two, that looked surprised.
—S-Sokka, we're really sorry-
They tried sugar coating it with a nervous smile, but the warrior was forcing himself not to punch them for just two reasons: first here are two of them and the second reason, Hakoda will be disappointed in him; although his dad always encouraged Sokka to take care and protect his sister. The tanned man remembered his father's words when he was only 10 years old and Hakoda was grieving their mother, "Protect her like I wasn't able to protect your mom". It was a lot of weight on his shoulders and knew that the chief didn't think about it, because it was just an emotional outburst, but Sokka could never forget his words.
—If I hear you talk about my sister one more time..
He growled at them, glaring not waiting for any excuse and went to the old man to fix his shoes.
Katara struggled to fall asleep and had a hard time waking up. When she finally got out of her tent, people were giving her dirty looks. She was confused and looked down into some snow, bending it into shiny ice to see if she had messy hair or something in her teeth, she looked fine, with her traditional water tribe clothes and a heavy and warm blue fur coat, that all women had.
She decided to help the women with making lunch, as she usually does, but they all either glared at her or tried to avoid her as much as possible. "what's up with everybody? ", Katara was extremely confused and before she could ask anything, the food was done and they each took their foods home.
Before, it was just in hard times that all the wives, moms, sister that wanted to, would bring some ingredients and they would all work together into making enough food for everybody's family, now they made it a tradition due to the wives boredom when their husbands were gone. Sometimes bigger families would bring less ingredients and take more food, but they would always make up for it later so nobody felt like it was unfair.
A few girls were walking near her Grangran, helping her carry the plates for to the bigger tent where her dad and the masters would sit.
A short woman was sitting closer to the waterbender, and Katara finally got the chance to lean down, closer to her ear to ask her.
—What's up with everyone?
The plumb woman gave her a shocked look and her face flushed, making Katara extremely confused.
—You don't know?
She whispered, with a terrified look on her face, but Katara had none of that, speaking clearly.
—I don't know anything; did I say something or?
—Come in closer.
She said and Katara nodded, letting the middle age woman whisper in her ear words that filled with her anger.
—There are rumours that you hooked up with the avatar so he would teach you waterbending.
The taller woman opened her mouth, startled while her heart was beating out of her chest and her face was flushing red. She lost sense of her grip and dropped the plate she was holding on the ground, luckily, only a bit of the seal jerky fell off.
—I'm gonna kill him.
Katara said with pure anger, scaring the older woman.
She stepped deep into the frozen snow, feeling more and more angry as she got closer to his tent. In that moment she forgot any bit of manners that she had and opened his tent, seeing a tired Aang meditating twitch at her sudden, unannounced visit. He opened his eyes, already feeling the negative energy that came from her.
—What is wrong with you?!
She yelled, making the airbender look at her puzzled.
—What happened?
He asked calmly, looking at her blue eyes, that had no warmth in them. She looked like she could kill him in cold blood.
—Oh, don't try to play innocent.
She said with a mocking tone, already feeling a nod in her throat and her eyes aching, begging for her to let some tears go. He looked at her in silence, completely oblivious of why she was so mad.
—I hate you! I really do! I wish you never came here! Nobody likes you! You're just a spoiled airbender who enjoys the attention and special treatment that he gets because he happened to be the avatar!
She was eager to argue, and waited for him to defend himself, but Aang couldn't say anything, his stomach turned upside down and his already broken heart, felt smashed as his eyes got foggy. Katara couldn't stand his sad expression, in that moment she wanted him to say something, she wanted him to yell at her to tell her that what she said was wrong and heck, to even go back at her with other insults.
She started growling, feeling ignored and her patience going out the window when he kept quiet.
—Don't you have something to say?
She provoked him once more and when he finally stood up she couldn't help but let a victorious smile, but it faded when he walked past her.
—I'm sorry for last night. I would hate myself too.
His words struck her heart with a jet of pain, she felt stabbed in the chest. Aang got his glider and got out of his tent, letting her stay there alone, while he went on a long fly.
Katara stared into the void, her mouth open and tears aggressively fell down her cheeks. She was trying so hard not to cry, but it was impossible. She felt betrayed and hurt. "What would my father and brother day?" she fell down to her knees, her mind corrupted by the shame she was feeling and touched her own cheeks trying to remember her mother's touch. "you would know what to do " she said in her mind, imagining it was Kya's soft hands that was caressing her.
But then she started thinking, Aang didn't seem the type that would lie about stuff like that to get revenge on her. Was he that bitter that she rejected him? She felt angry again, but tried to take some deep breaths and out of curiosity went through his stuff, finally finding an air nomad book. She brushed her fingers on the hard cover, feeling the old inscriptions and opened it, hoping that she would understand its content. She sighed relieved when she understood the first words and took the book with her. The tanned woman wasn't stealing. She was just gonna borrow it to read it later, but now she needed to be present at lunch, even if she felt sick and didn't think she could eat anything, as the chief's daughter, she had to be present there.
She picked herself up and wiped her eyes and got out of his tent, a group of little kids saw her and starting to laugh mockingly. "Even the kids?", her anger was immeasurable and gave them a death glare, scaring them away. As betrayed as she felt, she didn't blame them for being unthankful.. even if she remembers it correctly, she helped give birth to the youngest of them and babysat all of them. She blamed everything on him. They were kids, they don't know any better.
As she went to the most decorated tent, glaring at absolutely everyone that was giving her dirty looks, she finally got near it, where Sokka was frowning and crossing his arms. She knew what he was going to say and frowned just as upset as him.
—What is this about?!
—I wish I could know.
She responded sarcastically, already pissed off.
—Why there are rumours that you, he made a gagging noise, are sleeping with Aang?
—I wish I could know that too!
She yelled at him, clearly annoyed and growled feeling her life falling apart.
Sokka analysed her expression.
—If it helps with something, I don't believe them.
Katara looked up at him with small tears in her eyes, her expression softened and wanted to hug him, but he spoke before she could fulfil her plan.
—Pf, do they really think that Aang, a monk, would even accept sleeping for favours? I swear, people don't see an air nomad in years and start thinking like they're the same as us.
Katara blushed in embarrassment, feeling stupid for not reading more about the air nomad culture, but she had the book that she was gonna read that day. Sokka studied her face, letting a small chuckle, but then got serious, leaning even further into the wood.
—But seriously now, who do you think would have spread such rumours about you?
Katara looked down and bit her lip, thinking of a proper answer, then she cleared her throat.
—I think that he said it.
—Who's he?
—Aang?
Sokka let a sharp "What? " out of shock, he wasn't sure what he expected, but seriously not that. The warrior didn't want to doubt his friend immediately and crossed his arms again, looking at her trying to see if she was lying or not.
—Why would he do that?
Katara blushed at the thought of what they did last night and spoke quietly.
—He might have kissed me.
—HE- WHAT?!
The tanned woman put her hand over his mouth.
—Why don't you just yell out loud that Aang kissed me?
She asked sarcastically, annoyed once again at her brother and sighed.
—I rejected him and told him to go to his room, maybe he's bitter because of that.
She tried to say nonchalantly, but it hurt simplifying what happened that day, because all night all she could dream about was his lips over hers, but now she felt disgusted.
—He.. He did what?! I'm gonna kill him! I literally just told him in the same day not to hurt you!
Sokka was mad, maybe even more upset than his sister. At that point he didn't care about the fact that he was a master airbender and even the avatar. He would still beat the crap out of him. Katara felt slightly amused at his similar word choice.
—Good luck finding h-
She tried to say mockingly, rolling her eyes, but gasped surprised seeing the airbender casually walking near them
—YOU PIECE OF SHIT!
Sokka yelled and took him by the robes, taking lifting him in the air, preparing to throw him into the ground. Aang had a shocked expression, totally not expecting this, his heart pounding out of his chest, feeling completely helpless, because he was not gonna hurt his friend.
Katara's caring side took over her, and her face grew in worry. But before Sokka could do anything, the door opened and Hakoda looked surprised, not exactly sure what he was witnessing. His son consumed by rage, an impressively scared avatar and his daughter with her hand over mouth.
The warrior jumped when he felt his dad's hand on his shoulder, took a deep breath and gently took his hands off Aang, hitting with him with a deadly glare.
—Are you alright?
Hakoda asked, rubbing his shoulder, gently similar to how Gyatso used to do.
—I wanna go back to the air temple.
Katara watched the two talking, staring at the boy in front of her. He seemed so sensitive and honest with his feelings, he wouldn't talk her down just because of a "rejection ", would he? "Maybe it's all a facade" she thought and nodded to herself, going in the tent, followed by her brother.
—I heard what Sokka said to you, I would talk to him about that.
—No.. You don't need to. He is right.
Aang said serious, really needing a hug in that moment, his mind felt dizzy, his stomach was upside down. He was also really thirsty. Hakoda stared at him curiously and left a small smile. He noticed that the avatar was so obvious about his feelings for his daughter, but didn't really mind it, instead he felt empathy towards him, remembering how shy he was around Kya and how hard was to impress her family. The chief was not gonna be that sort of father, He would love and accept anyone that his daughter loves.
Hakoda dragged him into a hug.
—It would get better.
He said softly, caressing his back, closing his eyes, remembering how much he wished he had a fatherly figure in his life, which he didn't have due to his dad dying young, on a hunting trip.
—Teach her some of that water bending stuff, I'm sure she'll love it.
He winked even if Aang couldn't see him and felt the younger man tense in his warm embrace. The airbender's cheeks were red, but tried his best to control his heart beat. Before he could say anything, Hakoda broke the hug.
—I think we should he-
—Chief Hakoda! Chief Hakoda!
The same woman that told Katara about the rumours earlier ran up to him with a scared look on her face, her braided hair, falling down her chubby cheeks.
—There's a foreign ship coming!
The man widened his eyes surprised, but shook his head, taking a deep breath, trying to calm down. If he, as the leader panicked, it was over before it even began.
—What nation?
—I-i think Earth Kingdom.
The chief sighed relieved, finally calming down.
—Thank you, Enuyo. I really appreciate your help; you can go back now if you wish.
He smiled to her, making the woman blush slightly, as she wiped the sweat out of her light brown forehead, nodding and heading back to her home.
—Katara! Sokka! We have guests.
Hakoda said, opening the tent where his two kids were trying to eat their foods, but none of them had an appetite. They kept communicating with looks, not making once eye contact with someone else.
—What guests?
Katara asked confused but stood up, not leaving her brother's side.
—Guests from the Earth Kingdom.
15 hours of waiting later and the boat finally arrived, a tall looking woman with raven hair put in a big bun. Skin so pale, it was almost shining in the unusual sunny day. She stepped heavily on her metal way, until she touched the snow, closing her eyes like she was in pain. Everybody looked down at her and she didn't have any shoes.
—I'm chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tri-
The woman rolled her eyes and sighed exhausted.
—Look "chief ", I'm not here for fancy introductions. I'm chief Beifong and I'm here because I heard that the avatar has left his home.
When she said "Beifong " with a specific arrogance he knew about, Hakoda didn't feel insulted. He heard so many stories about this young woman who became the youngest chief of the police at 17 year old (she's 18 now), inventor of metal bending and the first woman to ever be in a position of power in the police forces.
Aang opened his mouth, knowing he should talk, but Sokka spoke over him.
—You want arrowhead? Look, he's here. Now show some respect when you're talking about my dad.
Toph frowned as she stepped further into the snow, getting slightly closer to them, then a let a small grin appeared on her face.
—Your dad doesn't mind, do you, Hakoda?
She looked towards him, even if she was blind and couldn't see his expression anyways, she loved intimidating people.
—No, I don't.
The earth kingdom woman smiled satisfied, getting even closer to the one that dared to speak over her. Sokka soon noticed that she was actually much shorter than she looked, her head (without the big bun) basically reaching his chin. Her eyes were a faded shade of green and had a specific look the warrior knew so well, "determination", "power", often own by people in high positions.
—What even are you? A simple soldier?
Those words made his heart ache and he clenched his hands, really annoyed.
—No answer? I see, or maybe I actually don't.
She made a joke, but nobody laughed. They were all focused and tensed.
—Ugh, you people from the Water Tribe are boring.
Toph rolled her eyes and moved to Sokka's right where she felt another person. The policewoman touched the shoulder and sighed frustrated at the feminine frame that she felt. Katara's breathed sharply at the unexpected touch.
—Chief Toph Beifong, I'm here.
Aang announced and Toph nodded, finally being in front of him. The Airbender almost left a small chuckle at their height difference.
—You already annoy me, but you're an airbender, what can you expect?
It wasn't meant as an insult, or at least Toph didn't mean it like that. She just enjoyed seeing someone not so serious like the rest of the tribe, but having a hard time expressing what she really meant, she insulted his culture. The pale woman didn't care enough to over think this, "he'll understand if we get to know each other properly".
—Aren't you gonna ask me to eat dinner with me? I travelled a week with only 4 soldiers with me, I want to stay somewhere.
She was getting on Katara's nerves with her arrogant behaviour. She hated overly confident people; but took a few deep breaths, trying to stay as calm as possible.
—You, soldier boy, find me a place to stay.
—Can you stop talking like that about my brother?
—What are you gonna do about it?
Katara glared and her and Aang saw her hands in position to attack, and quickly interfered.
—Let's not fight right now.
—Mind your own business!
Both of them said at unison, making Aang back off, feeling slightly amused, but really terrified.
Sokka rolled his eyes and went closer to the blind girl, putting his hand on her metallic arm.
—What are you doing?
She asked annoyed, wanting to take back her hand.
—I'm finding you a place to stay and in the village the snow is much thicker than it is here.
She growled but didn't say anything else, letting him take her, somehow enjoying being led on by him. Something about the way he protected his family and even stood his ground against her, made her feel really attracted to him.
When he finally brought her to a tent and showed her around, she nodded, sitting on the soft fur.
When the warrior turned around, ready to leave, Toph cleared her voice.
—What's your name?
—Won't you call me "soldier boy" all of the time you're here, anyways?
He said ironically, rolling his eyes.
—Well, now that you said it, I won't call you that anymore.
When she felt him turn back at her, raising an eye brow, she blushed and quickly added.
—It's not funny anymore.
He left a soft chuckle and Toph felt her heart beat really fast.
—You know, I'm the funniest guy in town.
Sokka said proud, smiling to her even if he knew that she couldn't see him.
—You seemed pretty stiff earlier.
She commented, with a more serious tone than intended.
—I honestly liked that airbender Aang better.
Sokka let an insulted gasp, frowning at her, feeling jealous, "How dare she say that that air bending kid is funnier than me! ".
—I had a rough day.
He finally said and Toph looked at the ground, grasping into everything that was around her, trying to get used to her environment the faster she could.
—Your girlfriend made you mad?
Her voiced sounded warmer than before, but Sokka was not focusing on that.
—Pff, I wish. My sister has some problems with the avatar. It's really messy.
—Gonna tease him all night about it then.
She smirked and looked up to the warrior, hoping that he'll look back at her, when he puffed amused, she let her head on her back satisfied.
—You're coming to dinner, right?
—Yeah, we already ate lunch.
Sokka nodded and stayed in silence, analysing the strong woman that he heard stories about in front of him. Her face looked much more delicate than he expected, with soft pink lips and delicate eyelashes. Her face had some dirt on it and some small scratches and small strands of black hair were falling messily near her face.
—Don't make sudden noises when you wake me up or else..
She said taking some metal putting a hand in her pocket, searching for something.
—No need to threaten me, my sister or dad would probably wake you up.
The warrior sighed, closing his eyes trying to relieve some of the anger he felt earlier.
Toph played with her fingers, biting her bottom lip.
—I want you to wake me up.
—Why?
—Just do so, ok?
She said annoyed, crossing her arms, making the man roll his eyes.
—Ok, Chief Beifong.
He said her name mockingly, and left her to take her armour off, before taking a nap.
Aang decided to take his food in his tent to enjoy it before he'll have water bending practice again.
When the time finally came, Pakku gave him a lot of orders and the airbender groaned frustrated. The master tried to explain but Aang kept doing everything wrong for hours.
—You're getting worse.
Pakku said in a disgusted tone, but Aang was already done with his insults and just rolled his eyes
—It's that waterbender girl's fault.
The avatar looked at him with a frown on his face, but Aang's voice always sounded gentle when he says her name.
—Leave Katara out of this. I'm so tired. Every time I make a mistake, you go and blame it on her.
Pakku didn't say anything, still frowning at him.
—I don't understand what master would not want someone as ambitious as Katara.
He spoke loudly, letting his frustration out, just like the air nomads told him, now he should be finally ready to-
—So, it is about her.
That was it. His last strap for the day. He was done. Aang got up, ignoring his teacher's yelling for him to come back and took his glider, flying around the town.
At the dinner table, now Sokka was sitting next to Aang, he didn't dare say a word, not wanting to cause the elder more anger. He couldn't help but glance every so often to Katara, that was eating silently, not once looking at him. She thinking about the stories that she read in that air nomad book. All of them were about compassion and understanding, nothing that was there could explain his disgusting behaviour.
This time, Toph Beifong was there too. She stayed on Katara's left side, directly facing Aang.
—So, Chief Beifong, you said you came here because you heard that the avatar is here.
—Yup.
She said with her mouth full of food, receiving disgusted looks from the masters, Katara who would usually do the same, was too numb to care.
—Why?
—I want to take him with me.
Everybody was now looking at Toph, making Aang choke on his food.
—Look, guys, I know you're trying really hard, but just be honest. Your non bending soldiers have no chance against a fire nation group of fire benders.
The masters had no reaction, but Hakoda and Sokka both itched, feeling their prides destroyed.
—We can take care of him.
Hakoda let out, making Toph groan in frustration.
—Your nation is ruined! Look at it! No big buildings, no shops, no nothing.
Katara gave Sokka a look, seeing for the first time in ages their father mad.
—That's very insulting.
—I don't care! I'm just telling you the truth. I don't want our last chance of winning this war to die here trying to protect you. He's an air nomad, they're selfless as fuck. He would not let you sacrifice for him!
—Still no.
The chief said coldly, he tried not to have hard feelings towards anyone, but he really disliked the policewoman.
—He's not your child or your property.
The woman said harshly, taking his words a bit more personally than she should.
—It's his destiny. All of his life he lived after what everybody wanted, now it's his choice.
Toph had no idea about Aang's background, at this point she was talking from her heart, she was saying what she wished she could say to her parents. But the air bender knew that she was right. His life was already decided for him since he was really young and picked those damned toys.
Aang looked at them in silence, he knew that both of them wanted to be chosen by him.
—Aang's training is not done yet.
Pakku added, in a serious manner.
—What do you want, Aang?
Toph asked him again, more harshly, slamming her hands on the table.
The avatar closed his eyes, trying to think, yes, his training wasn't over, but he felt so lonely here and Katara made it clear that he was not welcomed in The Southern Tribe.
—I would go with you, Toph.
The woman didn't comment on the casual name that he called her and smiled victorious. Toph Beifong always wins.
—Katara.
Pakku stood up, the brown skinned woman, looked up to him not expecting to her name, as her cheeks were filled with food.
She swallowed it and cleared her throat as quickly as possible.
—I need to talk with you.
Katara quickly stood up, following him outside, excited, thinking that he was finally gonna teach her.
He took her, not so far from the city, but enough in case of any of them screamed to not be heard.
—It's all your fault.
He finally snapped, the waterbender looked at him confused, but immediately got defensive.
—My fault.. that what? He is leaving?
—Yes.
Katara let an ironic laugh.
—Why would that be? I'm not the one that asked him to come here, he can go fuck himself, I don't care.
She said serious, with a cold expression filled with loathe.
—Your tongue is dirty, I bet you wouldn't talk like that in front of your dad.
—Why didn't you accuse me in front of my dad? Then you would easily see that I don't care what anyone thinks.
She said the last line loudly, feeling her blood rush to her hands and chest.
—You talk and act like a whore.
Katara widen his eyes and opened her mouth out of surprise at the dirty words that came out of the old man's mouth.
—You.. You sexist old man! You don't get to talk to me like that!
She finally yelled at him.
—Or what? Are you gonna tell your dad? You, women, are useless without men around you.
Enough was enough, she bended water on her arms. He laughed at her, making her heart beat in her throat.
—Are you gonna try fight me? Little girl.. I've been fighting all of my life.
—Well, then you sure won't mind another fight.
She said attacking him, but he immediately dodged it.
—I don't wanna fight you.
—You don't have a choice!
She said angrily, throwing ice towards him that he easily bended, making it fall back into the snow.
—Fight back!
—And risk hurting you? Aren't you the Avatar's girlfriend? I think I'm too old for even having a fair chance at defeating the avatar.
She groaned frustrated at his choice in words, he was trying to gaslight into thinking that she was weak, but she knew wasn't.
—We're not dating!
—Even worse, then! You sleep with him for the scrolls!
He eyed her as his dodging begin feeling more and more difficult. She stopped for a second, once again shocked, looking at his face, trying to see if she was understanding properly.
—You're the one that spread the rumours! I can't believe I blamed Aang for that!
She didn't have time to feel guilt, as his expression got serious.
—I'm tired of you.
He said and send some sharp ice snd she tried to imitate his movements, easily melting the ice, she smiled, Pakku felt frustrated and attacked her like he would attack an enemy. Katara tried her best to protect herself, but soon felt a sharp pain on her cheek and left hand. It ached but she lifted a big ice shield, protecting herself from the rest. She groaned in pain.
—I'll go check on them.
The old woman said, taking her eyes out of the half eaten plate in front of her.
—I'll come with you.
Sokka said as it was his sister that she was gonna check up on. But the grandma shook her head.
—If I don't come back in the next 10 minutes, then you and the avatar come look after me.
—Give up already.
—No!
Katara watched him closely, copying all the attacks that he was using on her and inventing new ways to attack him. His expression darkened.
—I'm done playing.
He made two big waves with his hands, making the woman frightened as she tried to step back, soon the waves became sharp ice. She knew that she wouldn't survive that attack if she didn't shield herself properly, already tired, she her knees weakened and she fell into the snow, bending as much water as possible to make a thick-
—ENOUGH!
A loud, feminine but deep voice yelled, making both of them drop their waters down.
Katara looked up terrified to the source of the sound, seeing her usual happy and harmless grandma, looking so serious and mad, was scary.
—Pakku.. What is wrong with you?
The grandma said, her voice a bit shaky as she fought tears away. She put her hands down her neck, taking the betrothal necklace off.
—When-
Katara begin to ask, but was cut off by Pakku's begging.
—No, Kanna, I'm so sorry! She provoked me!
—And you had to attack her?! How dare you hurt my granddaughter!
She yelled at him throwing the necklace on the ground, stomping on it, making sure to break it and her expression softened seeing soft blood running down her granddaughter's face. She quickly got closer to her, taking her into her arms.
—It will be ok, you're safe now.
Katara couldn't help but let a few tears drop on her face, as her whole body was shaking because of the adrenaline.
—I'm fine, Grangran, it would go away.
Two hard panting boys made themselves seen as they ran as fast as they could to get there on time.
—You know, not everybody is an airbender! You could have slowed it down.
—I'm sorry, Sokka.
Aang said, a bit amused then his mood went down seeing the old man crying, on his knees while trying to put pieces of a craved stone together and the old woman hugging Katara.
—We came as fast possible.
Aang said breathing heavily, but not as hard as his exhausted friend.
—Katara- are you alright?
Sokka asked and came in to check and then gave the old man a death glare seeing blood on her face. Katara bended some snow and made it water, washing her away her bloody cheek.
—I'm fine, Sokka, don't worry.
She cleared her throat and pulled away from the hug, standing up.
—I owe you an apology.
Katara turned to Aang, putting her hands together, the way she saw him do, but he stopped her, putting a hand gently over hers.
—You don't need to apologize, I understand why you were angry at me, Sokka told me when we were alone.
She firstly frowned at him, but felt like melting when she felt his hands still over hers as her eyes got teary, guilt creepy all over her body.
—No, Aang, it wasn't fair of me. I deeply apologize for insulting you..
Now she was crying, and the airbender opened his arms, she bowed respectfully in front of him and shyly got closer to him, letting her face fall between his shoulder and chest.
—I'm so sorry... Aang.. I don't hate you. I promise.. Please don't leave us..
—When you ask me like that, it's hard to even consider it.
He said pretty amused, rubbing her back comforting. Aang felt really happy, an emotion that became uncommon on his trip there, but now he felt at peace, Katara got even deeper into his shoulder, she soon lifted her head up, letting a giggle filled with embarrassment light up the atmosphere.
Questions of the day:1. Do you think that Pakku is redeemable?2. And also, it's my first time writing Tokka, what do you think? And any idea of Tokka progression is accepted, I have absolutely nothing planned for them, I'm going YOLO with it.
responding to the comments:
TheQuietReader23: Firstly, I wanna thank you for the long and positive reviews!I don't know how long I wanna do it, but if I'll decide to make it longer, Zuki would 100% happen.I can't still tell you why she feels guilty, maybe in the next chapter? The reveal was meant to be in the last one, but it just didn't work with the scene. I guess you'll just see .Yeah, I think that too, lol, I even think that's why he didn't learn from him in the canon, because he had a grudge on him for not teaching Katara and kinda humiliating her or because he wanted Katara to teach him, tbh it could he one of the two or both.See, now I would have made that happen, at first I was planning on making Aang watch that scene, but it just didn't click. Like you saw, Katara's life is filled with traditional women and men that fill their "roles", Aang being there to " save" Katara, would have just proven Pakku's idea that women always need a man to protect them.But I'm a sucker for boyfriends caring and being protective of their girlfriends, so that will happen too . it's literally my favorite thing when the guy does that, lol. But with this scene, I just wanted to prove that it isn't necessary, if you know what I mean. It her battle and like that I can do other scenes without falling into that stereotype lol.
I'm so sorry for the long response, I'm planning on using it as notes when I would post it on ao3, you don't need to respond to everything I said!Bay45220: Thank you for your review! I hope you enjoyed this rollercoaster lol.Ashley Barbosa: It's ok, Katara just needs to properly heal from it and everything would be fine.