A/N:

TheQuietReader23: Yep, I'm glad you caught onto the SYTFAD link, good job :) Yeah, i get you, it makes no sense for Katara to let Zuko do it but then cry about it later. But in SYTFAD, i think i explained that she did it because it allowed her to escape her problems for the brief fleeting moment, but then, when it was over and done with, it would all come crashing down again. It was one of their flaws; the constant sex and not resolving issues. Yeah, the more it think about it, the more it seems appealing. They have a fight, Aang's being cold and tells her to fuck off, she thinks he's just being a dick but then she reads his poem and realises just how badly hurt he was. Yeah, Toph is definitely the one person who could have a fling withou catching feelings, its sad but its just in her nature. Aang's clapbacks here were justified and fair, when they have an actual fight later on, it'll get brutal. He'll say hurtful things, some which aren't true in the slightest and he'll need to seek forgiveness.

anayeli12: I'm glad you liked it. Aang will get with Mai, but idk about Azula. I might change that one.

Bay45220: I'm pleased you liked it. Well, Toph didn't want Katara to know but she also sensed that Katara was crying and was most likely distraught, so knowing that Aang really could help her, she told him to. Yeah, she'll find out soon, and it wont be pretty.

Guest: I have already explained this before and I am getting sick and tired of rehashing it, so I'll say it one last time. I DO NOT SHIP ZUTARA. I merely use it as a tool for angst, sadness, and heartbreak BECAUSE zutara can bring out the worst in Aang and Katara. That is the only reason, I would do Harutara or Jetara or Taang if they had the same impact, but they simply dont. That is why. Also, if you don't like it or find it weird, then DON'T FUCKING READ IT. Simple, just don't read it.

jonners2314: Hope you're feeling better now and that your finger's healing :) I'm glad you enjoyed the drama and the Taang. There might be more later on but we'll see. Things are just now spicing up lol.

nateC183: Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying this fic so far :)

Guest: That really means a lot to me, so thank you. I'm pleased you're enjoying this story :)

Chapter 8: Seeing Red

"Wait, so you've never kissed a girl before?"

"Ummm, no. I haven't."

She took a moment to respond. Fearing her reaction, I decided to keep my eyes focused solely on the nebula, night sky above us.

"So, was I your… you know… your first kiss?"

I blushed beet red at her question, rubbing my neck and still steeling my eyes away from hers as I responded, "Yeah…"

I knew which kiss she was referring to: the one we shared in the Cave of Two Lovers, but… I couldn't even remember how we even landed in this topic. It was just another conversation between Katara and I, just another moment until the Invasion – and due to that, I was having trouble sleeping. Naturally, everyone tried to comfort and reassure me – claiming it would all be alright; we'd be victorious, and the world would be free from war. They all tried, but in the end, Katara was the only one who was able to calm me down. After a long nap, I was awoken by Sokka and Toph's constant bickering – sometimes I think those two are siblings more so than Katara and Sokka. Recognising that I needed to rest for a while longer to clear my head, Katara suggested I accompany her on a walk.

I blushed beet red as my typical teenage brain thought of all the different ways and possibilities of how this 'walk' could go. After daydreaming about kissing her and confessing my eternal love for her just a few hours ago, it was safe to say that I was still a little on edge; balancing between telling her how I felt and risking rejection – though, I'm pretty sure she feels the same – or remaining silent and risking nothing happening between us – ever. At the time, I didn't know what I feared more; being rejected and having my love thrown right back at me, or not knowing whether we had a chance at all because I was too much of a coward to simply tell her. Still, I banished all thoughts regarding our 'distinct' relationship to the back of my mind when we began walking uphill – away from the screaming earthbender and Water Tribe warrior who were still bickering

Eventually, we found a spot where we could just sit and relax, talk and joke around, maybe even lie down and stargaze – which we did. Eventually, at some point during our conversation, Katara yet again found some way to fluster me; this time by running her fingers through the short strands of my chestnut hair. This – I recognised – was the only benefit to having hair: Katara liked it and it gave her an excuse to get physical with me in one way or another. Either way, I began blushing, she began teasing, I decided to tease back, then she began blushing, I said something stupid, she said something stupid back, we laughed it off and began reminiscing. Somehow, the conversation went from us discussing our travels to Katara asking about why I said what I said in the Cave of Two Lovers.

Obviously, I saw this as a golden chance to explain myself and subtly hint at my feelings for her – I told her that I was trying to follow Sokka's advice and that it all came out wrong. She snorted and scolded me for even considering Sokka's advice, I sincerely apologised and that's when she began asking me about previous girlfriends – before the war, of which there were none – and eventually, she questioned the kiss we shared.

There was a comfortable silence – despite the awkward tension between us. Even though I would've liked to claim that I knew Katara's thought process, at the time, I for the life of me could not understand how she felt about me. One minute, I'm just a sweet, little guy, just like Momo – then, I'm somehow good enough to kiss her, then I'm somehow charming enough to make her nervous and blush when we danced together. And the whole time I would get mixed signals from her; she would be distant at first, then immediately ease up – she even kissed me on the cheek a couple times only to then try and ignore it completely.

'Girls…'

Did – did someone say something?

…

Anyway, that was a new thing; the kisses, and they were increasing in frequency too, not that I would ever complain.

"Let's say, there was this girl," Katara suddenly broke the silence as she turned to lay on her said, her elbow propping her up as she faced me. Either she didn't know how badly she was affecting me, or she simply didn't care, because when I tried my hardest to not blush at our proximity when I glanced at her, she didn't move a muscle. She simply smiled, albeit rather shyly. "You've liked her for a while and… the war is over." Gaining interest, I too ignored our closeness as I turned to lay on my side to completely face her, the soft grass waving at us as the breeze twirled the few strands of our chestnut, dark brown hair. "You know you two like each other and you both want to spend the rest of your lives together – how would you go about telling her?"

Okay, I know that Katara and I are both romantics at heart – I'm more of a hopeless romantic – but even this was completely out of character for her to ask. "That's a really random question. What prompted this?"

"I don't know – I guess…" She thought about it for a second, staring at the grassy surface beneath us before she answered shrugging, "Well, if you're gonna get a girlfriend after the war, then I need to know what you'll say. I can't have you jeopardising your people's future simply because you can't sweet talk your way into a girl's heart."

She seemed off; almost like she was teasing me, flirting even. I didn't know what to think of it, so I just decided to flirt back – my own style of course, never gonna follow Sokka's advice ever again. "Who says I can't sweet talk a girl?" I shot her a playful grin before continuing, "I got you to agree to a penguin sledding date, and had you ready to follow me halfway across the world just a few short hours after meeting you."

My blush remained, but my grin on widened when I saw her cheeks redden as she averted her gaze in an unsuccessful attempt to hide how my comment had affected her. Honestly, I had no idea where all this was coming from – maybe it was the hair. Huh, I don't know… I may just keep it.

"Aang! I'm serious," Katara playfully slapped my shoulder as I chuckled, clearing not trying to hide my amusement.

"Okay. Well, in this made-up scenario… I guess I'd…" I trailed off, not knowing exactly what I'd do for said girl as there was no other girl in my heart or mind except Katara. Then, I thought I'd take a risk and voice out my dream – if she knew I was talking about her and she kisses me or blushes, then it was a job well done. And if not then…

'Cue radio filter: Mission Failed. We'll get em' next time.'

Who was that? Did somebody just say something?

….

Huh. Weird.

I shook my head as I gazed back into her sapphire, ocean depths – Oh, how I could just lay there and drown in them forever. "I guess I'd take her to a special place, maybe some place she's fond of, or an area that's sacred to us."

"Like?" She cooed.

"Well, she's a sucker for natural beauty, so… I'd take her to the waterfall near the mountain range of Omashu, or the Oasis that's a few miles short of Ba Sing Se."

If she realised that both the places that I mentioned were the same ones she was fond of, she certainly didn't show it. And I didn't know whether to be glad, or paranoid.

"Since when do you get to craft the personality of said girl? It's my scenario." Katara asked, tease clear in her tone.

Again, I didn't know whether to be glad she had ignored my earlier comment or not, so I just decided to follow her lead and forgot about it. "In this scenario, she's my forever gi- I – I mean, g-girlfriend… Yeah!" I grinned proudly as I regained my bearings, "She's my girlfriend! And I decide the kind of person she is and what she likes!"

If it wasn't so obvious, I would've wiped the sweat off my forehead because that was a close one.

Katara began giggling at my flustered state, which in turn made me smile. I always loved her laugh, melodic like chiming bells. It may be cliché, but I don't care. She was perfect. Everything about her was perfect.

"My apologies, dear Avatar." Katara playfully bowed her head as she spoke through her giggles, "Please… do continue."

"Anyways," I chuckled. "Yeah, I'd take her to a calm and beautiful place, somewhere where could relax and just… enjoy the moment. Then… I'd probably gift her the panda lilies I would've picked out beforehand."

"This girl, she's fond of panda lilies?"

"Yeah," I sighed, losing myself completely in her oceanic depths as I cooed, "She loves them."

I smiled at her, and for a while, she simply laid there smiling back. Neither of us saying anything or moving a muscle. As the gentle breeze brushed against my hair and hers, I felt nothing but love and longing radiating from her spirit. Normally, I'd just disregard this as a delusion or fantasy of mine, but something told me it wasn't. Maybe it was the way her eyes twinkled as she stared into mine. Maybe it was the way her smile remained sweetly stationary, mirroring my own. Maybe it was he way her whole body and spirit seemed relaxed, as if being here with me, like this… just like the water she bends so gracefully, it was just natural. Either way, some sensation conveyed to me that the thought of her loving me back wasn't as farfetched as I had originally thought.

"And how would you go about proposing to said girl?" Katara asked after clearing her throat, though, her eyes were still locked onto mine – I didn't dare look away.

I answered truthfully, "I'd say: I can't offer you a boring, domesticated life at first, for I am a Nomad at heart. I'd say: I can't offer you all the time and attention in the world, for my duty as the Avatar will always pull me away from you. But what I can promise… is that I would always return home; in your arms." I heard Katara let out a deep sigh as her lips parted slightly – longing evident in her demeanour – but I wasn't done. "I can't make you a wife who owns a permanent home, or give you a tribe to govern, or offer you a kingdom to rule… but I can offer you my heart, and along with it… the promise of a love that rivals the world."

She remained silent for a while; a lot longer than I expected actually. A single tear rolled down her face, I knew that she wanted to shed more, but I guess she decided to save them for another day.

"You sure have a way with words, Avatar Aang. That was beautiful." She whispered hoarsely before she turned back around and gazed out into the nebula skies. My gaze remained on her for a while, trying to decipher exactly what her thought process was, but soon, I just gave up and followed her lead.

I swear, every time I think back to a moment before I defeated Ozai, I'm always trying piece together exactly when it was that I lost her… or exactly what signs I missed that told me she wasn't interested… or exactly what caused me to be so blinded that I couldn't see that she was leading me on. Every damn time. Though the memory was a sweet one, the events that transpired after – namely: Katara and Zuko fucking – added so much anger, and hurt, and sadness, and confusion to the mixture, that now it leaves a bitter taste on my tongue.

'Well, then stop thinking about it. Simple.'

Easier said than done.

'Now that's a lie.'

Well, I can distract myself, but Ty Lee's busy training and Toph's in Gaoling.

'Is sex the only distraction you can think of?'

What? It's a great distraction.

'Can't really argue with that.'

It had been a few months since I last saw Katara. I would receive letters from her often, but the last time I spoke to her was the week after her birthday, when I left for Kyoshi Island with Toph. Due to our passive-aggressive 'discussion' the night before, the initial goodbyes were somewhat awkward, but we powered through and hugged each other goodbye. Zuko seemed as distant as ever, but I didn't really care if I was being honest – I missed Sifu Hotman, but if he was going to try to ban Katara from spending time with me, then frankly, I had no time nor patience for him anymore.

When I arrive at Kyoshi Island, I stayed for a few days to spend time with Suki. Toph decided to leave for Ba Sing Se so she could return to her Metalbending School, and Sokka was going to return to the South. The week was the opposite of eventful; and during that time, I realised something. The problem with peace is, if you don't have someone or something to divert all your attention to, then life becomes dull. You begin to feel empty, like no matter what you do or try to accomplish, nothing will ever satisfy you because you're just trying to fill the whole inn your heart with something it can't merge with. During my stay at Kyoshi, I mastered the elements completely; I mastered lightning bending, mastered metal bending, mastered my seismic sense, I even mastered a forbidden airbending technique that was only taught to masters. I mastered my Avatar State and my mind, but it was no good.

Suki noticed how down and out I was and constantly tried to lift my spirits. She'd succeed some days, others… not so much. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated her more than I let on, but my life was not what I thought it would be… and even she couldn't do anything to remedy that.

I remained on Kyoshi Island for a few months before I had to travel to the Northern Water Tribe to settle some disputes between their sister tribe. I met Sokka there and were able to reach a settlement that satisfied both tribes, of course, with the help of Chief Hakoda and his girlfriend Melina. Sokka wanted to return to Kyoshi Island with me but he had to unfortunately travel back to the South for a while to manage the reconstruction of his tribe.

Up in the skies with Appa, surrounded by my natural element, I recalled upon that memory. I don't know what forced it – maybe I just missed Katara. Either way, I must've lost myself in trying to decipher the possible hidden meanings behind her words that night, words that I might've missed back then. I drew many theories, but none of them made any sense without solid proof. So, deciding that it wasn't worth the headache, I chose to ignore my own suffering and instead read some of the letters Katara had sent.

They weren't as detailed as they used to be. She always stated how happy she was, but I could read between the lines; she was suffering. I knew how controlling Zuko and his Nation could be, spirits, they wouldn't even allow her to waterbend – needless to say, I knew that Katara was lying. She spoke of how her and Zuko were in a better place, but that just meant that they weren't fighting as much – considering that they fought at least twice a day, the words she used weren't promising in the slightest. She also mentioned how she missed all her friends and family, but more so, how she missed me. She didn't linger on it for long as the remainder of the letter asked several questions such as: 'How are you? How are the others? When will you come back? Can you all visit soon? How are the talks regarding Republic City?' And… wait for this one… 'Found a girlfriend yet, Mr. Bachelor of the Year?'

'Yeah, she's so clearly trying to be subtle.'

I almost laughed when I read it; I mean, could she be any more obvious? Plus, why the fuck was she so concerned about my love life anyway? She couldn't stand Jin when I was dating her, she bugged me about Ty Lee, she constantly asks if I'm still single… it's like she's hoping I remain alone just in case…

'Just in case, what?'

In the case that she wants to come back to me.

'And what will you do if that is the case?'

I've told you this a million times already, I will reject her.

'You say you will, but I know you won't.'

And why wouldn't I? What's so special about her? Why should I even consider giving her a second chance after she led me on? What's she got that no other girl could offer?

'She's got your heart…'

"So, what did you say?"

"I told her that I wasn't looking for a relationship, I mean… what could I say?" I answered, dabbing my spoon back into the pie and scooping the last piece of the fruity mixture into my mouth.

"Well, was it the truth?" Suki asked, using her spoon to break down the crust while I licked my spoon dry of the fruity pie. "Ewwww, Aang! You're disgusting!" Suki exclaimed as she caught the sight of me licking my spoon as if I had been starving for months and a fresh, wet pussy was offering itself up to me.

'Okay, that was a little too far.'

Yeah, sorry.

"What?!" I exclaimed, "It tastes good!"

"That doesn't mean you have to lick it dry," Suki replied as she scooped up her pie and proceeded to eat it while I stared at the bowl in her hands. Not having any self-control and knowing it would certainly irritate her – as it always did – I took my spoon and scooped up a nice piece of the pie in her bowl and chowed down on it, moaning as its delicious goodness flooded my system. While I was ignoring her, Suki was protesting, "Aang! You're so annoying! You fucking have your own and why do you always take mine?!"

"Because it irritates you," I chuckled as I scooped another piece while she playfully shoved me away.

"Still, you didn't answer my question," Suki prodded as she too chowed down on the fruit pie I had made for us earlier.

She was wearing a sleeveless top and shorts, while I only wore my folded-up trousers and sat bare-chested since it was so hot. We both had just had dinner and were awaiting Sokka; in his letter, he mentioned that he was arriving tonight. So, knowing that we needed to catch up, we grabbed two fruit pies and flung ourselves onto the couch, munching on the delicious treat while we caught up and joked around like we usually do.

"Well, yeah. I was telling the truth." When she raised her eyebrow, challenging me as if saying: 'Really?', I groaned and took another piece of the pie in her hands as I elaborated. "I'm not looking for a serious relationship right now, Suki. I already told you that."

"Right, you don't want a relationship, but you'll fuck any girl who so much as smiles at you," Suki joked, chuckling as she broke down the rest of the pie with her spoon.

"That's not true, and what are you trying to say?" I questioned.

'She's calling you a slut, idiot.'

"I'm just saying… maybe getting into an actual relationship will be better than trying to distract yourself with girls and sex."

I sighed as I look at her, she didn't meet my gaze because she was too busy munching on the fruit pie while I replied, "You know why I can't do that Suki… I'll only end up hurting someone because they'll fall in love but I… I won't." I thought of Jin as I finished – it still hurts me till this day that I couldn't give that amazing girl the love she deserved. Though, I hope she's happy now.

"You sound full of yourself, Avatar," she chuckled. "What makes you think they'll all fall in love? You think you're that special?"

"I'm being serious, Suki."

Recognising the sudden change in my tone, as it was now deep and low rather than joking and free, Suki too turned to face me and placed the pie between us on the couch.

"You do realise that: just because you don't date them, it doesn't mean that they won't catch feelings, right?" When I didn't answer and instead sighed as I looked away, she placed her hand on my bare shoulder warmly, trying to soothe me. "Just look at Ty Lee," at that, I glanced back at her questioningly, trying to act oblivious but she saw right through me. "I see the way she looks at you. Its not right; what you're doing to her."

As I was about to protest to make a case for myself, she put her finger on my lips and cut me off, "I know you told her not to, but she can't help it – if she's catching feelings for you then she is. She can't stop herself."

"So, what am I supposed to do?" I asked, "I can't stop her from catching feelings, I can't stop her from falling in love or from growing infatuated with me… so what am I –"

"End it," Suki cut me off. "Before her infatuation grows any deeper, and her feelings grow stronger, end it. If not for her sake then for your own." Suki pleaded, but when I shot her a confused look, she began tracing the tattoo on my forehead as she spoke, looking into my eyes. "If you allow this to continue, and she confesses her feelings, you'll hurt her. I know you will – ", Suki cut me off again as I was about to speak, "Don't try to deny it. I know that you won't mean to, but you will end up hurting her. And despite what you think, you'll hurt yourself too because it'll eat at you. At this point it's inevitable, but… if you end it now, then it'll hurt much less."

'She's right. You know she is.'

"You're right," I sighed. "I'll end it with her tomorrow."

Suki, in return, smiled at me and pulled me in for a hug. I embraced her back and for a while we remained like that. I recognised that I often found comfort in her arms, comfort that no one else could ever provide. It wasn't the same as when Katara held me, or when Jin held me, or Ty Lee or – on the extremely rare occasion – Toph. With Suki it was different… and I liked it. Her embraced conveyed to me simple and easy to understand messages like: 'Its okay', or 'I'm here for you', or 'I'm proud of you', or 'you're an asshole but I still love you.' And I guess they were all true; Suki – ever since the war – has always been there for me. She's helped me deal with my feelings for Katara, she helped distract me from my breakup with Jin, she helped ease the awkward conversations I'd have with out group when Katara and Zuko were around – mostly due to Toph's teasing and Sokka's inability to read the room. Suki has been an older sister to me, and I love her for it.

"Thanks Suki, I really needed that."

As we ended our embrace, she beamed at me and I grinned, using that momentary distraction to swoop in and steal her pie which she mistakenly had placed before me.

"Aang! No! That's mine!"

I simply laughed as I continued chowing down on the fruit pie while she fake pouted, trying to hide her smile while also attempting to stifle her giggles. She wrestled me for the pie until she realised that she couldn't win, so, she sat back, folded her arms and pouted.

"Hey, I'm a growing man! I need to eat to maintain this physique," I exclaimed as I finished the pie, set it down, and began fake flexing.

She simply snorted, "You've been hanging around Sokka too much."

She was still pouting, so I decided to annoy her some more. "If you're really that hungry, then I can barf it out for you."

"Urghh, you're a fucking child." Suki groaned as she shoved me away, while I playfully smiled at her.

"Aww cmon', you know you love me."

She scoffed and tried to hide it, but I saw her smile through her pout, and I leaned forward, wiggling my eyebrows in victory which caused her to shake her hand and roll her eyes as she smiled back.

"Yeah, you're an asshole," she leaned in and pecked me on the cheek, "but I love you."

I smugly grinned at her while she again shoved me away. Just then, the door to her house opened and Sokka walked in. Suki – being the whipped, love-struck girl she is – immediately made a run for Sokka and tackled him in a hug.

"Sokka!" She leaned back and kissed him for a while, and he kissed her back, however, he seemed somewhat distracted.

Being the annoying little brother, I decided to continue irritating her as I exclaimed, "Oogies!"

She pulled away and sighed as she turned back around and scolded me while Sokka eyed me from a distance. "I fucking swear to the Spirit of Avatar Kyoshi, Aang! If I ever hear you say that fucking word one more fucking time I will not hesitate to fucking –"

'Let's fade her out and focus on Sokka.'

Ignoring her cries of protest and empty threats, I noticed that although he was originally happy upon arriving, Sokka was now frowning and seemed to be analysing Suki and I for a moment. I wondered what he could be thinking, but I didn't get much time to think it through as a certain Kyoshi Warriors' finger was now jabbing at my exposed chest.

'Let's cue Suki's dialogue back in now.'

"– And I'll rip your fucking balls off and feed it to the Unagi!"

"Aang… I – touch me… please," Ty Lee begged as she brought herself closer to me.

I pushed her back against the wall and firebended her lower bindings open. Heating up my fingers slightly, I traced her pink lips teasingly, causing her to writhe and whimper before I eventually plunged two fingers inside her.

"Oh… Yes! Spirits, Aang…" Ty Lee moaned again, but I stifled her cries of pleasure by kissing her again.

While I was pleasuring her, I could've sworn that I heard someone gasp from behind us and then shut the door loudly. But, due to Ty Lee's moans, I couldn't really decipher if someone had in fact caught us or if it was just my imagination.

When Ty Lee's moans grew louder and I picked up my pace, I decided not to pay it attention as I chose to focus on the sight of the Kyoshi Warrior writhing beside me instead. And what a sight it was; the jiggling of her breasts, the look of bliss on her face, the smooth curves of her waist, the soft skin of her stomach – it safe to say that I had a lot of self-control at this point.

'Really? You have self-control? You came here to put and end to this, instead you're doing the exact thing you told Suki you wouldn't.'

Okay. I didn't come here for this. Believe it or not, I did originally find Ty Lee so I could explain to her why this needed to stop. When I found her in the dojo and approached her, as per usual, she began flirting and before I knew it, she was pushing my buttons. So, knowing the only way to shut her up, I decided to give her a little taste – just enough to leave her mind hazed. However, I didn't expect it to drag out longer than it should have, and I didn't expect her to basically throw me up against the wall since she's never this aggressive or dominant. I certainly didn't expect her next comment which just pushed me over the edge, "For months I've touched myself thinking about you. Now that you're here, I'm going to milk you dry."

'Woah.'

Right, woah, indeed. Now tell me, after all that, would you have any self-control left in you?

'No, probably not.'

That's what I thought. But, lucky for you, my mind was still clear. So, when I pushed her over the edge and she climaxed, I decided that I'd end it right there – my own orgasm be damned… for now.

"Look Ty Lee, we need to talk."

"Later, Aang… let me help you out first," she insisted as she began stroking me through my trousers.

I moaned and almost lost complete control, but I was able to pull her hand away as I held her against the wall. "No," I grunted. "We can't keep doing this."

"Why not?" She frowned.

"Because…" I had nothing. I knew the reasoning, I knew the why, I knew everything. I understood it all. I just couldn't find the words… because deep down, if I'm honest with myself, I didn't want to stop. I wanted to keep going, because if I kept going, then I could escape that sinking feeling that's been chasing me for a while longer. But if I stopped right then and there, a few seconds later, once the high wore off, I may just drown in my own inner crisis.

"You don't want to say it do you?" she cooed seductively, wrapping her arms around my neck as she tried to draw closer, "You want me, just as bad as I need you."

"I told you from the beginning Ty Lee…" I spoke while trying to contain my breathing as Ty Lee began sucking on the few sensitive spots on my neck. "I told you that one day, this would happen. I told you –"

"I remember what you said," she interrupted me as she kissed me softly. When she pulled away, the Kyoshi Warrior batted her eye lashes at me and gave me a sultry smile, trying to seduce me – if she hadn't said what she said next, I would've given up and gladly taken her right then and there. "But I can't stay away from you, I've fallen for you and I –"

"No!" I grunted and pushed her away immediately.

She reached out for me again, attempting to persuade me, but I kept my ground as I held her at arm's length. "Please, Aang I –"

"No." I kept her at bay as I took a few steps back, "I told you I wasn't looking for anything serious."

"I know, but –"

"I told you this wouldn't go any further," I cut her off.

"I know that Aang but –"

"I warned you not to catch feelings," I cut her off again. "I warned you I would break your heart if you did, and you said you understood."

"I do understand, but –"

"No, no buts," I spoke sternly as I crouched to reclaim my robe. Once I was fully clothed, I noticed that Ty Lee was too, and her expression was serious rather than flooded with lust – she was ready to talk. "I can't keep doing this with you Ty Lee. If we stay together, I'll only hurt you in the long run."

"How can you be so sure?" She cried; pain laced in her voice as she shielded her face to hide the tears. "Am I that hideous that you can't fall in love with me?"

"I wouldn't be fucking you if you were ugly," I chuckled. However, when she dimply growled at me, I muttered a sorry and rubbed my neck as I tried to mend the situation, "I m-mean that…" I sighed, opting to rather be open and honest for once, so I dropped the façade – for the time being. "You're beautiful, Ty Lee. You're fun, adventurous, cute, funny and high-spirited. You're not the problem, I am."

"You talk like it's impossible for you to love me… but, if you just give us a chance, then you should be able to see that we can work well together. You can grow to love me."

"It's not that it's impossible for me to fall in love with you, its entirely possible –"

"So, then what's the problem?" She cut me off, though I didn't really mind.

"I don't know how long it'll take me to reach that point, spirits, I don't even know if I can ever get there. I've been in love before and, for whatever reason, I just can't allow myself to be put into that same position again, especially not with someone who…"

After a short silence, Ty Lee inhaled a sharp breath and asked warily, "Someone… who… what?"

"Someone who can't understand." I sighed, "Someone who can't understand what it's like to feel more dead inside after every breath you take." Steeling myself, I looked up into her eyes as I continued softly yet sternly, "Someone who can't understand what it's like to always want to feel desired by others just to fill that whole of inadequacy that your previous love left behind. Someone who can't understand what it's like to be chewed up and spit out by the only person you have ever loved – and still continue to love them regardless."

I sighed again as I glanced away, "I can't be with someone who just simply… can't understand."

Silence befell upon us again. Though, this time, it wasn't as awkward or tension filled as it was before. I was simply awaiting Ty Lee's reaction while hoping that she had registered everything I had said.

"So, you're still in love with Katara?" Ty Lee asked, her voice just above a whisper.

My eyes and ears immediately picked up, as did my irrational and uncontrollable anger and annoyance. "This has nothing to do with her," I gritted, clenching my fists as I glared at the floor beneath us.

"You just said that you still –"

"I know what I fucking said!"

'Dude, calm the fuck down. This isn't –'

Shut the fuck up and let me handle this.

While I stood there seething, Ty Lee attempted to reach out for me again. "Aang, look I know –"

"You know nothing," I gritted again, catching her wrists in my grasp before she could embrace me. "You know nothing of what happened. You have no idea how I feel. And this conversation is over. This," I gestured between Ty Lee and I, "This is over."

"Aang wait –" Ty Lee called out for me as I began walking away, it was only when her arms reached me did I turn around and confront her.

"What?! What do you want?!"

"I want you to give this… give us a chance," I sighed while she cupped my face in her hands, forcing me to look her in the eye. When I didn't give in to her wishes, she decided to continue anyways, "I'm not Katara, I –"

"This has nothing to do with her!?" I shouted.

"It does! You clearly are –"

"I am not in love with her! I do not love her! Everything I said about her was in the heat of the moment and I – I wasn't t-thinking. I'll say it one more time, so you understand," I gripped onto her wrists and ripped her hands off my face as I shouted. "I don't love her anymore! And I don't love you! Get it through your thick head, I don't love you!"

Ty Lee began crying again. That should've made me stop, but I had been ignoring the blood on my hands for so long, that whenever I saw red, I just assumed it was mine. This time though, it wasn't – I couldn't see it. All I saw was red.

"A-Aang, p-p-please d-don't –"

"Ty Lee," I spoke sternly, "I told you from the very beginning, I am broken inside, and if you fuck with me and aren't careful, I'll leave you broken too." It may sound stupid or completely unrealistic, but that's exactly how I had worded it before, it's the only way I can say it without sounding like a complete asshole. "I've only ever told three people on this earth that; my ex-girlfriend, Suki and you. Jin found out the hard way, because back then, I didn't even know it myself. I told Suki because I needed someone to confide in, and I told you to warn you."

When Ty Lee's cries subsided, I wiped her tears away and cupped her cheek, "I never wanted to hurt you, but I have already let this go on for far too long and I ended up hurting you anyways." She covered my tattooed hand with her own and leaned in on it, "You may think I'm right for you, but trust me Ty, I'm too damaged to maintain a stable relationship. You're better off without me." Before she could protest, I shut her up with one last kiss, which she returned with sad enthusiasm, knowing it would likely be the last one she would receive from me. When I pulled away, I whispered softly, "I'm sorry," and walked away – ignoring the cries of the Kyoshi Warrior behind me as they echoed through my soul and my heart.

I was poisoned.

And now… there was no going back.