Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender copyright Dante Dimartino, Brian Konietzko and Nickelodeon Studios.
"Katara!"
She peered over the side of Appa's saddle. Aang frowned back at her. "Why didn't you tell me?!"
"What would you have done?"
"I would have confronted Koh!"
"Exactly. I couldn't involve you because that's precisely what Koh wanted you to do, and we both know when it's a choice between me and the world you don't always practice altruism."
Aang looked away, the tight line of his mouth reflected in the stiff set of his shoulders. "Is it so wrong to want to protect the ones I love?"
"I'm not yours to protect anymore Aang," she reminded softly.
Author's Note: Woah! Sorry for abruptly disappearing last week. Physical therapy has been draining and then I was running around finalizing all the paperwork for the new car and reinstalling the OS on my laptop when it decided to die. Also, not gonna lie, got completely distracted by the Voltron fandom and some amazing fanfics. Lotura is my jam. If anyone out there is looking for some good fics, I recommend "Magnum Opus" by Destinies Entwined (FF net), EVERYTHING by CrystalRebellion on AO3, Lionheart by CarlyChameleon on AO3 and the fandom favorite Lilac & Lush by Aicosu also on AO3.
PS: This story just took an unexpected turn despite my best attempt to get it back on track and wrapped up. Blame Koh.
