A/N: Its been a while since I've updated this story, but we're back (until I decide to go AWOL again lol).

Ashley Barbosa: Well, I don't hold a grudge now, but I used to. I experienced something similar so it just came out all at once in that chapter. But yeh, I'm good. Thank's for asking. Yeah, Aang was a dickhead. He will apologise in time and we'll see what happens from there. It is different from SYTFAD BUT... just read this chapter and see for yourself.

natec862: Yep, I'm tryna create a tug of war, on one hand Aang's outburst is understandable but cold and unforgiveable, where as Katara is slightly insensitive and naive but also understandable and cute. Hopefully this chapter helps :)

SovietWomble: Yeah, I wanted to make Aang a proper dickhead and ripping into Katara when all she wants to do is apologise and be with him seemed pretty convincing :)

Bay45220: Cmon, give Katara more credit than that. Just have a read mate. Though, I'm glad you're enjoying it so far.

TheQuietReader23: Yup, Aang's comments about Jet and Haru were straightup either untrue or unnecessarily hurtful... but Aang needs to be a dick for now. After Aang realises what he does in this chapter about Zuko, he might pummel him regardless. Nah, Sokka's upset about something else hahahaha. It may come off as a surprise, but eh - I wanted to do it. Zuko said a lotta shit similar to what he said in SYTFAD - just a little extra as well. Yup, it is rather satisfying, and Katara's full explaination will come soon. Well, his intentions may be good, but will he stick to them? And yes, he does feel guilty. You'll see the correlation between Mai and Aang in this chapter, just watch. Nah, I wanted to do something romantic with Mai and Aang, but it didn't make sense in this story anymore. I planted the seed for later romance in the first few chapters, but it just never clicked; their kiss was a show of what could have been had I stuck to my original intention. Yup, Katara's determination is cute, we'll see what you think of her after this. I may have changed my mind btw...

I am vegito: Nws, I'm glad you're enjoying the fic so far :)

XOXOXOXOXOX

Chapter 10: Distorted Realities

I asked you a question on a warm fleeting night,

Even the sunset could see my desperation for your love seeking life,

"Katara, did you really mean what you said in there?"

I didn't want to bring it up so abruptly, but the question had been lingering in my mind ever since the failed Invasion and it only worsened during the weeks after; when we wouldn't talk like how we used to, both of us ignoring the fact that I had kissed her.

She tried to avoid my question, claiming that an actress on stage had said 'that', but I decided to prod further because my insecurities and the uncertainty I was living under was suffocating me.

"But its true, isn't it? We kissed at the Invasion, and I thought that we were gonna be together, but we're not."

I needed you to understand, you wouldn't hear me out,

"Aang, I don't know."

"Why don't you know?"

"Because we're in the middle of a war! And we have other things to worry about. This isn't the right time."

"Well, when is the right time?"

"Aang, I'm sorry, but right now, I'm just a little confused."

So, to help her clear her confusion and to show her exactly how I felt a second time, I kissed her.

But she yelled at me and ran away. So…

Now I'll cut you outta' my mind, until I bleed you out.

'You may call me a monster… but I had to do it.'

I worried if you were okay, the moon as my witness,

The night I spent in the airship, pondering over whether she was alright.

You were getting busy with someone else, while I drowned in my sickness,

I came to check on her – worried she was hurt, but she was already occupied with him.

Your love was a poison, I hadn't figured it out,

But now I'll cut you outta' my veins, until I bleed you out.

'I didn't want to do it… but I had to.'

I said I was happy for you, Spirits know I meant it,

"Its fine. If you're happy with him then… I'm happy for you. You deserve someone who can bring you joy."

Didn't tell you that I loved you, didn't know if you would resent it,

My acceptance made you happy, for that I was proud,

"Oh Aang… I don't – I don't deserve you…"

I'll just cut you outta' my heart, until I bleed you out.

'Don't you understand! It had to be done. I… I had to do it.'

Your small velvet smile, your curly chocolate strands,

"Don't worry about them, its just you and me now."

"I mean… look at Katara's hair; what's up with that?"

Your chiming little giggles, and your cute, warm hands,

"In this scenario, she's my forever gi – I – I mean… girlfriend. Yeah! She's my girlfriend! And I decide the kind of person she is and what she likes!"

She began giggling at my flustered state, which in turn made me smile.

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

They haunt me in my sleep, and taunt me when you're around,

Now, I'll have to cut them outta' my dreams, until I bleed you out.

'Do you think I enjoyed it; breaking her like that?!'

Your persistent, comforting nature, your radiating, honest spirit,

"Well, then don't be," she shrugged, smiling slighting when I chuckled and calmed down. "It's okay, Aang," she cooed, "do you want to talk about it?"

Your childlike mischief, your outspoken, angered lyrics,

"Walking stinks! How do people go anywhere without a flying bison?" "I don't know Aang. Why don't you ask Sokka's instincts?"

"I will never turn my back on those who need me!"

You're insecure about your flaws, I'd rather you wear em' like a crown,

"I don't know Aang… these shoes aren't really made for dancing, and I don't know if I –"

You don't need to bleed for me, but I'll have to bleed you out…

'It hurt me to hurt her. But it had to be done! She's better off…'

I wonder if I can, is it already too late,

Like the waves you command, am I lost in your fate?

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

This blood that I have spilt, in it I'll probably drown,

"I hate you, Katara."

For how can I cut you out, when you're the only love I've ever found?

"And you should hate me too…"

"I think you want me to…"

I wish I could bend it out, but your love has left me leaking,

"You have to let me go," I sighed, while Jin cried. "I can't give you the love you deserve, I can't love you the way you deserve to be loved, I can't give you my heart when I don't even own it in the first place."

I try to ignore the spillage, but even these girls can see I'm bleeding,

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

I warn them not to catch feelings, and if they do, don't show them to me,

"I warned you not to catch feelings – I warned you I would break your heart if you did, and you said you understood."

I don't want to be reminded of what I can't have, all because you're woven to me.

Sighing deeply, I retrieved the ink bottle and brush sitting by my bedside as I unrolled the scroll once again – somehow, whenever I do something stupid or harsh or unforgivable, I always come back to this stupid piece of paper to vent instead of running back to the person I hurt and begging for their forgiveness.

Pathetic… I know.

It seemed like a millennia ago, but it had only been five minutes,

You said that you loved me, I –

The stroke of my brush was interrupted by the slamming of a door as one irate Kyoshi Warrior barged into my room seeking answers to questions I didn't want to answer.

"So, tell me why – after I come back from a lovely evening with Sokka –do I find Katara crying her eyes out in her room?"

When I didn't answer and continued to stare at the unfinished strokes of ink, she continued with her line of questioning, "And why do I get the feeling you had something to do with it?"

I still didn't reply, my posture remaining statue-like as I continued staring at the not-so-interesting scroll on my lap – I guess it caught her attention too.

"And why are you staring at that stupid scroll instead of answering my questions?!"

I sighed as I finally tore my eyes away from the scroll, rolled it back up and met her chocolate eyes. There was a dangerous fire behind them, one which told me that if I wasn't careful about what I said, I'd surely get burnt by said Kyoshi Warrior despite her not being a firebender.

"So, what is it?!" Suki asked impatiently when I still didn't reply, crossing her arms and taking a step closer while I remained seated on my bed, intimidated slightly but unwavering, nonetheless. "Why was she crying? And what's so important about that scroll that you seem more interested in it than consoling Katara when she's in such a bad mood?!"

"She and Zuko broke up," I answered, deciding that it was as good of a response as any. However, judging by the way her eyes narrowed when I glanced away from her gaze and shifted uncomfortably, I recognised that Suki knew I wasn't telling the whole truth.

"And?" She asked, raising her eyebrow, her arms still crossed as she stood tall.

I sighed, "We talked and… she started feeling better…"

"And?"

I didn't say anything.

"Aang, I know you're hiding something." When I still didn't reply as I was too focused on squeezing my eyes shut to trap the tear that was threatening to escape, her tone seemed to have softened as she took another step closer. "Aang? What happened?"

My voice caught in my throat, the single tear rolled down my face as I rested my eyes, though, they were still closed.

"I hurt her, Suki… I – I just… I couldn't risk it…"

She placed her hand on my bare shoulder when I dipped my head, "Couldn't risk what? What happened?"

"She was just – I just couldn't – and then I got so angry when she – I thought I would be happy but – "

"Aang," she spoke soothingly as she rubbed my back while embracing me, "It's okay. Collect your thoughts and speak slowly."

"I just… I couldn't do it, Suki," I cried into her shoulder as I embraced her back weakly while her hold on me tightened. "I couldn't do it… I couldn't go back to that place. It hurt too much the first time… so I… I told her…" I trailed off, unsure if I should reveal everything or even remotely anything I had spat at Katara in a fit of rage and annoyance.

"What did you say to her?" she questioned, her arms still rubbing my back soothingly while her chin rested on my shoulder.

"A lot of things," I breathed out shakily, "hurtful things… like I did Ty Lee… only a hundred times worse."

"Oh Aang," Suki sighed as she run her hand over the back of my head, attempting to soothe me while my crying halted for a moment. "It'll be okay; I'll talk to her… tell that you just weren't ready for whatever she said and that – "

"No," I interrupted her. "What I did, I did for her sake… and my own. We can't go back there – I can't go back there… she just needs to – "

This time I was interrupted by the door as it was slammed open by an angry Water Tribe warrior as he stomped into my room, boomerang in hand. "Listen up Airhead!" he began, "I don't know what you said to her, or why she's crying so much – but I know its your fault. So, you better go back to her, apologise and – " Sokka paused for a moment while Suki and I pulled apart, ending our embrace as Suki glanced at her boyfriend pleadingly while I diverted my eyes in shame.

"What – what were you two doing?" He asked, somehow seeming more irritated and suspicious than irate like he was when he opened the door.

"Nothing, Sokka. We were just talking," Suki answered, somewhat confused as to why his anger dropped immediately upon seeing Suki and I.

"Right… you were 'just talking'," he deadpanned, uncertainty and doubt laced in every syllable, "with your arms wrapped around each other."

Suki and I both shared a look before I turned my head towards the suspicious Southern Warrior as I shrugged, "We were hugging Sokka. Nothing out of the ordinary."

"Sokka, why are you asking us these weird questions?" Suki questioned, sounding somewhat hurt and annoyed that her boyfriend seemed to be suspicious of her.

"Oh, forgive me for wondering whether you and 'Mr. I'll-fuck-anything-that-moves' here," Sokka pointed accusingly at me as he bit back at us, "have really just been the 'good friends' you guys say you are."

"Okay, what the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Suki barked, getting off the bed and stepping towards her boyfriend who seemed equally as irate.

"I think you know what I mean," Sokka stated, the accusation clear in both his tone and expression.

Suki seemed to draw back somewhat, hurt that Sokka would ever doubt her before her hurt once again transformed into anger, "Do you really think I would do something of that sort to you?! And with Aang?!"

"Well, what am I supposed to think when I see you two hugging and cuddling every time I walk into a room?" He barked, somehow the anger he held towards me for hurting his sister lost to him or transformed in a way as he seemed more focused on his girlfriend and the imaginary 'affair' we were apparently having behind his back.

"Sokka," I began tentatively, "Suki and I are just friends – actually, she's more like my sister." He seemed unconvinced, so I continued as I stood up and tried to reach out for him, "You have no reason to doubt her and you never should, she's – "

"Shut it, Airhead!" Sokka yelled, clenching his fists in anger as he turned his attention to me, "You still have to make things right with my sister! And how do I know that she," he turned back to Suki as he continued, "wasn't just leading me on until you were available? How do I know that she wasn't getting frisky with you while I was in the South? Or just now?"

Suki seemed immensely taken back as she was at a loss for words, her mouth agape and eyes watering while she took several steps back – I was too, but I was much more angered by the fact that he could accuse Suki of such a thing.

"Suki wouldn't lead you on and then betray you, Sokka." I stated, my voice lowering as I glared at him dangerously – my anger from earlier returning as I was reminded of a certain someone, "you seem to have confused her with your sister."

"Hey! Don't you dare, Aang!" Sokka yelled, stepping up to me as I challenged him too.

"Or what?!" I fired back, "What are you gonna do?! Throw your fucking boomerang at me?!"

"Right! That's enough!" Suki shouted, finally gaining a grip over her emotions as she broke the two of us apart and dragged Sokka out of the room. "You and I need to have a talk," she told Sokka before she turned back to me, "Oh, you're not off the hook either. I'm gonna straighten your ass out as soon as I'm done with him."

I sighed as I laid back down onto my bed and shoved my face into the pillow. How did Sokka even gat that in his head? Sure, Suki and I hug often, but that's just what siblings do right? I mean, we fight and quarrel and tease each other plenty too. But there was never a 'tension' between us, not like me and – I sighed. I knew what I had to do, but I wanted to prolong it for as long as I could.

'Sure, you've already made a mess of everything, why not make it worse by simply doing nothing? What could be the harm in that?'

Your sarcasm can go fuck itself.

'And you should go and apologise to Katara before its too late.'

What I did was for her own benefit, she'll be better off without me.

'Really? Are you sure its not because you're scared?"

Scared? What have I got to be scared of? I'm the Avatar!

'You're scared of loving her again, you're scared of feeling vulnerable again; so, to hide your fear, you say things you know will hurt her because you don't want her to know exactly how much you still care.'

I don –

'And don't even try to tell me I'm wrong. You've been lying to yourself and everyone else throughout this entire fic, I think it's time you come clean.'

I have been brutally honest the entir-

'You said that you were happy for Katara even though you harboured hate for both her and Zuko even while you were dating Jin. You said you wouldn't allow your feelings for Katara to get in the way of your friendship, but you did nothing to stop her when she initially left for the Fire Nation, and you managed to snap at her every time you guys conversed after that. You said you wouldn't hold it against Katara, but every time she tried to apologise, or explain herself, or told you that she loved you, you bit her head off because you still can't understand how she could feel something for you and still break your heart.'

…

'Am I wrong?'

I sighed as I sat up and stared at the door before sneaking a glance at the scroll on my bed. I had half a mind to ignore Sokka and Suki's pleas for me to make it right with Katara; to just ignore the entire situation, lay back down, and continue writing or meditating… I sighed again as I stood up, opened the door and strode over to the spare room which Katara was currently inhabiting. As my legs carried me there, my mind was preoccupied with wondering exactly how I was going to make this right… or exactly what I could say. Needless to say, I had no answers in mind that would instantly solve the situation and dissolve the tension. When I arrived at her door, I could hear her whimpers and sniffs reverberating around – guilt and shame tore at my heart again.

I had done the one thing I promised I would never do again – I burned Katara. Physically, no – but mentally and emotionally, yes.

As I clutched onto the doorknob, I decided that knocking would be more appropriate since she may not want to speak to me in this particular moment.

'Gee, I wonder why.'

"Go a-away Sokka," came her muffled protest, "I don't w-want to talk r-right now."

"Katara…" I spoke so softly I wondered if she had even heard me, but soon enough, I heard sheets ruffling and someone stepping towards the door… until they halted. I held in a breath; I knew she would be tentative and cautious after the verbal lashing I had handed out, but I never wanted her to be afraid of me.

'So, what did you want?'

I wanted her to yell at me. I wanted her to slap me. I wanted her to freeze me on the spot and verbally abuse me back. I wanted her to scream that she hates me before running off. I wanted her to forget about me. But I didn't want her to fear me… or to cry over me.

She had to save her tears for another day.

"Katara," I began softly as I laid my hand against the door, sensing that she had noticed and was subconsciously shuffling closer to the door to reciprocate the action. "Katara… I'm sorry. I didn't want to say all those hurtful things… Spirits… I hate myself for saying them but…"

Suddenly, the door was swung open, and I was met with the eyes of one irate, yet hopeful waterbender.

"But what?" She asked, glaring.

"It had to be said," I answered, unwavering under her mighty, intense glare. "You need to get over me –"

"But I don't want to get over you," she protested as she stepped closer – her sudden closeness was making me slightly dizzy, but I powered through it as I stared into the same eyes that were glaring into mine. "I love you, Aang. I don't want to – "

"And I wanted to be a normal kid, to not be the Avatar, to undo the extinction of my people" I interrupted her as I sighed, rubbing my hand across my forehead while she seethed – she doesn't like being interrupted. "But we don't always get what we want."

"This is different, Aang," she barely gritted out without growling.

"How so?"

"Because this is something you can change," she stepped closer and took my hands in her own, once again tracing my arrows as she stared into my eyes pleadingly and lovingly – it took everything within me to not kiss her right then and there. "'This is something you can have – something we can share."

"I don't want it," I didn't pull my hands away.

'He lied.'

"I don't believe you," Katara stated firmly, while leaning up slightly.

"After everything I said," I whispered, worried that if I spoke any louder my voice would crack, and I would thus reveal my vulnerability to her in that moment. "Why are you still trying?"

"Because I love you," she stated nonchalantly, acting as if it was the simplest and most obvious thing in the world.

"I told you I wouldn't feel that way again," I responded somewhat hoarsely, for some reason not stopping her from drawing closer as she leaned in further.

"You said, 'you wouldn't allow yourself to feel that way again," she corrected me, her breath now hot on my face.

"And what? You're gonna force me?"

"I'd rather not," she stated as she drew even closer, whispering into my ear softly, "but I will if I have to."

"Okay, playtime's over," I stated as I pulled away and took a few steps back – however, my resolve to do so almost broke when I took notice of her crestfallen face and heartbroken frown. "I told you, you would have to live with your choice, Katara. And I'm not going back on my word."

"I'm still not giving up on you, Aang."

"Why?" I asked her, horrified – almost in a pleading manner, as if silently begging her to stop chasing me so I would have to stop hurting her.

"You didn't give up on me, even when I said I was confused and ran away," – there's that fucking word again, I growled internally – now, my anger was returning and the fear or thought of hurting her was fading. "If I give up on you when you're clearly just trying to protect yourself, then I have no right to claim that 'I love you'."

"You keep saying that you 'love' me, that you've always 'loved' me, but what you've failed to realise Katara," I gritted out, clenching my fists as I continued, "is that true love is always selfless – and right now, you are being entirely selfish."

'Oh, you fucking hypocrite! So, you weren't being selfish when you sold her all those lies? You weren't being selfish when you pushed her away to protect yourself? You weren't being selfish when you hurt her all because you were scared of opening up?'

"If you really 'loved' me, you would hear what I have to say and leave me the fuck alone!"

"You came to me!" Katara yelled back, finally fed up with my bullshit and thus doing exactly what I initially wanted her to do when I hurt her.

"I came to apologise," I gritted out again, "not to rehash all this bullshit with you."

"So, what we have – this thing between us – its all just bullshit to you?!"

"It used to be so much more, but you killed it from ever becoming reality."

"Don't talk to me about realities!" Katara barked, stomping over to me and jabbing her finger into my chest roughly as she yelled, "My ex-boyfriend cheated on me, that's a reality!" My eyes widened and breathing halted in shock and anger… towards Zuko, she hadn't told me this, and I wanted to question her on it, but she continued. "Minutes ago, the man I love told me he hates me, and I just spent the last few moments crying on my bed while convincing myself that he was lying, that's a reality!" Her finger jabbed into my chest again as she backed me up against a wall, but she did not stop her verbal onslaught, "And now, that same man is claiming that the obvious connection we share is dead in the wind, simply because he is unwilling to hear me out and see my side of the story, thus further breaking my heart in the process – but I have to persevere through it because I love him! THAT'S A REALITY!"

There was a long silence that followed. Both of us were still glaring at each other – Katara's eyes were watery with unshed tears, and so were mine. Neither of us had moved, neither of us had seemed to even taken in a breath – we just continued gazing into each other's eyes… dangerously, pleadingly, lovingly.

Then, after that long silence, my voice broke as I softly whispered, "You b-broke my heart, K-Katara…"

Visibly, her face softened, and she allowed those tears to fall, so did I – neither of us had any intention of saving them for another day I suppose.

"I loved you," I continued hoarsely, my voice laced with a hurt that seemed centuries old – it felt like it too, "You knew… you knew I loved you, but you didn't care."

"I d-did care," her voice broke too as she leaned up and wiped my tears away before resting her forehead against my chest. "I did care, Aang. But I was… afraid…"

"What were you afraid of?"

I had promised myself that I wouldn't go down this path again. That I wouldn't allow her to rope me in – to feed me that some 'I was confused, and Iet my fear get the better of me' bullshit, but in that moment, I felt like I was ready to listen… to hear her side of the story… to try and understand it all from her perspective….

"What were you afraid of, Katara?" I asked again – I was ready to understand her, but when she hesitated, my anger flared once again and thus, my walls stood tall with solidified defences. "Were you afraid of me? Afraid of what a life with me would be like? Afraid of – "

"I was afraid of losing you," She answered, her voice cracking against my chest before she looked up to meet my gaze, "I was afraid of how much I loved you… I had already lost you once, and if I did again… it would've killed me."

"So, you were being selfish," I stated, as if it were a fact, even though it wasn't – but I didn't want to hear it.

And she didn't want to fight it even though she understood that it wasn't the entire truth. She probably supposed that she could always explain it to me properly later… if there ever was one.

"Yes," she cried out, "Yes. I was being selfish."

"Well, that's good to know," I stated in anger and irritation as I pulled away from her and began walking away. However, I couldn't get far because as soon as I left, I was yanked back into her arms – or, more like frozen to a wall, but you get the point.

"Release me, Katara," I gritted out, but she shook her head in defiance as she walked up to me and cupped my cheeks.

"Aang, I'll unfreeze you, but first I want you to listen to me."

I wanted to fight it, the urge to give in and just go along with whatever she wanted, but it seemed that as I spent more time with her, my old habits of relenting were returning. I stopped struggling and trying to melt the ice away as I nodded and glanced away. With her hands still cupping my face, she tried to make me meet her eyes to no avail. So, Katara just sighed and shifted slightly towards the direction I was facing and froze my neck in that position so I couldn't look away again. When I groaned in annoyance, she smiled and let out a soft chuckle, which – I hate to admit – caused the ends of my lips to tug upwards ever so slightly.

"I want to continue our talk, but I can tell that you're not in the mood nor are you thinking clearly," I scoffed, and she sighed in response. "My case in point. So, here's what I'm going to do: I won't force you to talk to me." My eyebrows raised in clear doubt, to which she just rolled her eyes to, "I'll give you all the time and space you need to think things through. And when you're ready, we'll talk. I won't beg you to take me back – " she added immediately when she saw my mouth moving to state something. "All I ask from you is for an opportunity for you to hear me out… after that, whatever you decide… I'll be okay with. If you want to give us a try, if you want us to just remain friends or if you want me to disappear from your life permanently… whatever it is, I'll happily agree to it."

As she smiled at me sadly, while her eyes began to water again, I felt my resolve breaking. The strength of my anger weakening and the amount of hate and spite I had conjured up throughout the years diminishing.

She was as beautiful as ever, even while crying.

"How do you do that?" I asked, when her eyebrow arched in confusion, I sighed as I glanced away, unable to meet her gaze because I felt unworthy of it. "How are you so understanding and compassionate, even after everything I said to you?"

She grinned at me.

"I already told you why," I met her eyes; they were sparkling and shimmering with what was undoubtedly love. "It's because I love you."

"I'll come to you when I'm ready to talk," I stated as I offered her that goofy smile which made her grin widen as she let out a few tears, "Avatar's Promise."

"Aren't you supposed to point to your arrow?" Katara asked, giggling when I scoffed.

"I would if you hadn't frozen me."

She blushed as her eyes widened, "Oh, right. Sorry."

Standing straight, she began liquefying the ice encasing me, however, before I was completely free, I thought I saw a light bulb flash above her head as she leaned up towards me. Surely enough, I was right; since I was practically still trapped in her ice, she had the complete free run to lean up on her tiptoes to kiss me on the cheek – which was exactly what she did.

"Since you've stolen two kisses from me already, I thought I'd steal one too."

When I blushed and groaned at the unexpected show of affection, she ran away; giggling to herself as I was sprung free from the ice as soon as the door to her room was slammed shut.

I thought I'd be irate; how could she have the audacity to kiss me after everything we had just said to each other? Did she not take anything seriously?

'Relax, it was a kiss on the cheek.'

Still…

'Don't try to pretend like you didn't secretly like it.'

I was… irritated by her ability to goof around playfully during a tense situation – it was something I would've done during the war. Huh, maybe I rubbed off on her.

Still, I was mildly irritated by her lack of control – it still didn't stop a smile to tug at my lips as I walked back to my room, stepping lighter than I had ever before.

XOXOXOXOXOX

Sleep didn't come easy; I had spent the entire night dreading, wondering when an irate Suki would once again barge in, chi block me, and threaten to keep me in that limbless state until I answered all her questions truthfully. Thankfully, from the rather loud and slightly disturbing sounds – for me at least, though, I'm sure Katara felt the same –echoing from the room she shared with Sokka, I recognised that she would probably have my head tomorrow instead of that very night.

For some odd reason, what Mai had told me earlier rang through my ears once more: "From what I've been told and seen myself… usually the person who causes the damage also repairs it." Not only that, but she also said that she straightened her act after she hurt someone who truly cared for her - now, I've done the same. What does that mean for me?

So, as I relaxed slightly, I laid in my bed thinking about my – I didn't know whether to call it a discussion or an argument, we'll just call it a 'talk' – with Katara. Although I thought it wouldn't be great and would probably make things worse between us when I initially strode over to her room, I was mildly surprised by how level-headed and calm she was – at least, when opposed to me. And forgiving… she was so forgiving I had barely noticed it; the way she brushed off all my hurtful lies and statements and acted like they were nothing compared to her feelings for me… I tried to hide it from her, but I think she noticed: she got through to me. That's why she felt safe while leaning up to kiss me; she knew I wouldn't do anything. And since when was Katara the calm and easy going one and I the short-tempered and stubborn one? Don't get me wrong, she's still short-tempted and stubborn; clearly, she isn't giving up on me anytime soon – the thought brought a small smile to my face – but she's much calmer and level-headed than she was before, even more so than me.

'How the tables have turned.'

Our talk concluded on the best of terms I could ask for; Katara had agreed to give me time and space and I had agreed to talk to her once I was ready – she had a mature request, and I didn't act like an idiot for once.

Fuck, what's happening to me?

'You're coming to your senses, finally. You've learned…"

Learned what?

'Is this the part where I say, 'You're a wizard, Aang'?'

…

You sure you're not a crackhead?

'How do you know what a crackhead is but now know a classic line from a classic series?'

I don't know, ask the author. He's gonna fuck with your mind in the next couple of lines anyways, might was well start now.

I didn't know when I fell asleep. I guess the horrors of hearing Suki and Sokka commit their unholy acts finally got to me because I sprang out of my room and decided to sleep outside, by the pond. I was a firebender so I could naturally keep myself warm, though, it wasn't rather cold outside anyways. However, just as I slipped into the dark as I leaned back against the trees while closing my eyes, I was taken out of my body as I awoke in the Spirit world.

"Greetings Avatar Aang."

"Avatar Roku?" I questioned as I turned around to meet the firebending Avatar.

Normally, we'd be by the mountains, or the lake, or the forest whenever I was pulled into the Spirit world. However, analysing my surroundings now, Avatar Roku and I were surrounded by nothing but darkness and a mist. Naturally, I thought of the worst, but I opted to keep my worries and suspicions to myself as I turned to my predecessor.

"What's going on Roku? Has something happened?"

"Nothing has happened yet, young Avatar."

I raised my eyebrow as I faced the almost 7-foot firebender, "Yet?"

"I fear that… the possibilities regarding the state of your reality depend on you, Aang."

Okay, now I was confused. Does he always have to speak in riddles?

"What do you mean 'my reality'? And how does the state of the world depend on me? We've already defeated Ozai, the world is finally at peace… who threatens it now."

"You do."

My eyes shot up in shock and disbelief. Baffled, I raised my voice slightly as I glared at Avatar Roku, "How am I a threat to the world? I fought for its freedom; I would never do anything to harm it!"

"I thought the same thing, however, in another reality, another you said something that rang true for both spirits and humans alike. You stated: 'All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy. That's how far the world is from where I am, one bad day.'"

"I – I don't… I wouldn't – I'm confused."

"Aang, although I know that you would never intentionally harm someone out of spite or hate, the course you have set for yourself in this reality… it steers close to many other realities; realities where the world is placed in jeopardy due to your actions and choices."

"What are you trying to say, Avatar Roku? That I'm going insane and one day will become evil? That my actions will cause war to be waged once again? That – "

Stopping me from rambling on in anxiety and fear, Roku sadly smiled at me as he placed a hand onto my shoulder.

"I brought you here to show you how your actions affect your realties, and to show you how you can save yours."

I stared at him, both intrigued and slightly confused. Still smiling sadly, Avatar Roku bended the mist surrounding us to swirl around me. As the speed quickened, I began to lose consciousness as I slipped and fell into my predecessor's arms.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in the outskirts of Ba Sing Se; an abandoned village with broken down houses and a forest surrounding it was within my vicinity. However, something else caught my eyes – or my ears. In the distance, I heard wheezing… it seemed familiar… almost as if the breath of the person wheezing had been engraved into my mind. Intrigued and slightly worried that someone might need help, I trekked over to a well. It too seemed broken down – demolished even. Though, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but the wheezing was now harsher and louder. Fearing what I'd see but knowing that I had to help, I leaned over the well and glanced down.

It was dark, so I couldn't see well. However, ignoring the ragged stone protruding from the edges and curves of the deep well, my eyes widened when they fell upon the sight of dishevelled chocolate hair laid out against a ragged boulder tainted with a crimson substance. Following the trail of red as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, a body was revealed to me – broken, barely alive, with tan skin – my heart skipped a beat – blue robes, and an air nomad betrothal necklace clasped around the person's neck….

I struggled to breathe.

As I stared at the woman's face who appeared to be smiling at me weakly while muttering something that sounded like: 'Don't hold it against me' – on and on, I felt myself beginning to wheeze as I uttered the one single, three-syllable word that had haunted my dreams, and was now causing a single tear to trek down my cheek.

"K-Katara?"