A/N: Aaaaand the next chapter is here! Hope you enjoy.
Toph's POV:
I sense Aang's feet going further away as he exits the room and I sigh knowing that this won't have any good impact on the Airbender's mental health. I shake my head, trying to get over my surprise at seeing Aang so...angry. 'I can count on one hand how many times I've seen him like that and it ain't many.'
"Well he didn't take that well." I quip to break the silence. I watch as Katara sighs heavily.
"That's probably my fault. He didn't take what I said very well." I snort at Katara's comment.
"I can't imagine why." I state sarcastically which leads to me being on the receiving end of what I can assume is a glare from the Waterbender.
"Now guys this isn't the time. We need to make sure everyone is alright." Zuko says as he steps in between Katara and I.
"Someone should probably go and check on Aang as well." Sokka adds quietly.
"I guess that's me." Katara says as she clutches her water pouch.
"Aren't you the last person he wants to see right now?" I say bluntly and the Waterbender purses her lips.
"I know that, but he took an arrow to his arm so I need to check on him." She states, her shoulders slumped. I curse under my breath.
"Doesn't that guy know how to avoid getting hurt?!" I complain, but my rhetorical question is met with silence. "Alright, Sweetness go and make he's ok. Sparky you go and make sure everyone is accounted for. Snoozles you come with me, I need some help to throw this lot into the City's prison." I command and ignore the slight fall my heart makes when Katara runs off to Aang's room.
Aang's POV:
I slam the door behind me and throw myself on the bed, but regret the action when I realise the arrow is still protruding from my arm. I'm just about to pull it out when I remember that Kyla mentioned once that it should be done by a professional. I mutter incoherently but make no move to find Katara. 'In fact she's the last person I want to see right now. What she did...was so unfair and horrible. I can't believe she did that to me.' I shake my head trying to stop seething in anger. I take in a deep breath. 'I need to control myself. I was so close in smashing that guy's face in. No, I was going to do it. If it wasn't for Toph I would've done something that I would've regretted.' I cover my eyes with my good arm. 'Is that really all of them? Or are some more lurking around, waiting for another opportunity to strike.' I bite my lip. 'I knew I shouldn't have opened up to them. Spirits, Katara was almost hit by that arrow. If I hadn't sensed it, it would've gone right through her heart...and our last conversation together would've been of us arguing.' I start shaking at that thought and tears begin spilling down my cheeks. 'Maybe she was right to break it off...I can be so inconsiderate.' I bite my lip to stop any sounds of crying from escaping. And just then I hear two tentative knocks at my door. I breathe deeply, hoping whoever is on the other side will get bored and leave.
"Aang, it's me." My breathing catches in my throat. "I know you don't want to see me now, but I need to check on your arm. Please let me in." I don't answer. "I'll be in and out, I promise. We don't even have to talk if you want." My resolve melts as I hear the pleading in Katara's voice. I get up slowly and wipe the tears from my face. I take another breath, go over and open the door to find Katara's downcast expression.
"Ok." I reply as I let the Waterbender in and shut the door behind her. I perch on the edge of the bed and give her my arm in silence. From the corner of my eyes I watch as she takes a seat beside me and inspects the damage. I wince when her hands brush near the arrow. Now that my anger is fading, the pain is becoming more prominent.
"Sorry." Katara whispers when I wince again. "The arrow is barbed and is caught up in your clothes." I sigh at hearing this and find myself saying something that shocks even me.
"Should I take my top off then?" I ask before I can take it back. Katara tries to mask her shock as she leans back. Her eyes contemplate my words.
"We can just cut off the sleeve of your arm." The Waterbender states neutrally as she rummages in the drawer beside her for a pair of scissors. My mouth drops at this, 'Katara has been badgering me for showing her my scars for days and now that I gave her the chance to look at them, she just passes it up?!' When she finally finds the scissors she turns back to see my shocked expression and shifts uncomfortably at my stare. "I know what you're thinking." She finally settles on saying.
"Then tell me." I respond.
"I don't want you to feel obliged to show me them because of the circumstances we're in. You need to show me them because you feel comfortable to do so." I feel tears of emotions building up in my eyes and I turn my head away from her. "Hey, look at me." I find myself obliging at Katara's soft request. "I know I've been pushing you to do things you don't want to do and I can't apologise enough for that, so I'm trying to make it up to you." I gulp hard at my Sifu's heartfelt view and wipe at a tear that leaks out. I clear my throat.
"I...I think it will be easier to get to the cut if I took my top off. I think I'm ready to show you. Just...just don't freak out too much." I say as a corner of my mouth tilts up. Katara purses her lips in thought and nods. Silently she helps me out of my robe until I sit before her with all my scars and marked glory. But instead of Katara's eyes ravaging over my chest and stomach as I expected her to, her gaze remains fixated on my arm with the arrow in. She bends some water onto her hand until it glows and brings it up to the wound.
As she slowly removes the arrow I find myself gritting my teeth hard to stop a scream from escaping. 'How did I not notice how painful this is?' Katara's sympathetic eyes flicker to me and I see my pain reflected in them. Soon the arrow is out completely with my blood dripping from its pointed end. She places her healing hand on my arm and relief quickly swamps over me. I breathe out easily again and flop back onto the bed, not realising that my scars are so easily visible for her to see, until I feel her piercing gaze on me. I turn my head to look at her and find tears gathering in her blue orbs. When she notices me looking she swipes at her eyes quickly.
"This is all my fault." Her whisper is choked and I push myself back up into a sitting position. I find myself at a loss on what to say, especially as I had told her that not even an hour ago. I swallow harshly. "I nearly lost you because I was too much of a coward to confront you about the council's demand." Her hands tremble as they move towards the scar at my stomach and I hold my breath in, not having the guts to tell her to keep away from it. But on the last second they divert and take my hands in hers. She looks me in the eyes, her crystal orbs so filled with emotions, some I read easily like guilt and regret, but others are much harder. The Waterbender then pulls me into a tight hug and rests her chin on my shoulder. "Thank you for trusting me." Katara says in a shudder. I gulp and find myself hugging her back just as tightly. And before I know it I start bawling.
"I nearly lost you today. That arrow was coming straight for your heart. If I hadn't sensed it...if I was just a little bit more absorbed in my anger then then..." I shake my head, unable to get the words out. "I don't think I could've lived with myself knowing that the last moment we were together was spent shouting at each other." And as I imagine the moment that Katara nearly left me, my crying gets louder. I feel Katara hug me closer and begins rubbing my back in soothing motions. Eventually, my crying dies down until they're just sniffles.
"Hey, I'm ok and alive thanks to you. You have every right to be mad at me, but despite that, you still saved me at the cost of your safety. I can't thank you enough." She pulls back slightly and eyes the newest mark on my body.
"You don't need to thank me. You've saved me enough times. It was about time I repaid you." I say with a small smile. Katara closes her eyes briefly before opening them, forcing a smile to her face. "Are you ok?" I say with a frown.
"Yes...I just don't like remembering what happened at Ba Sing Se. It was one of the worst days of my life." The Waterbender says with a grimace and I give her a hand a reassuring squeeze. Then I adopt a more serious expression.
"So...are you ok with this?" I say whilst gesturing to my scars. Katara looks appalled at the question and then does the last thing I expect. She reaches down and kisses one of the scars on my shoulder. I blush bright red and Katara grins widely when she sees my expression.
"Does that answer your question?" I duck my head down in embarrassment. "Aang you can be the colour green for all I care. It wouldn't change how I feel about you." My Sifu continues with seriousness and I feel my face growing hotter.
"Same here." I squeak out and that's all it takes to make Katara laugh, seconds later I find myself joining in. And without thinking I lean my head on her shoulder just like I used to and she wraps an arm around my shoulders.
"I missed this." Katara comments softly and I hum in agreement. "Can we please go back?" I close my eyes, having expected this question. I move off Katara's shoulder and look at her.
"I want to Katara. You know I do, but...is it really a good idea? As much as it hurts, maybe you were right about us not being a good pair." I watch as an aghast look crosses the Waterbender's face.
"No! I was just upset. You know what I'm like when I'm angry." I breathe heavily at Katara's panicked response.
"But neither of us came to the other when we were troubled by something. Isn't that what we should've done?" I ask carefully and I watch the thoughtful expression on Katara's face.
"You're right about that. But that was a mistake on our part and we should learn from it not give up. It's something we can change." I bite my cheek hard and don't respond, but I can sense the question on Katara's mind. "There...there's something else isn't there? Something you haven't told me." I hear the pain and disappointment in the Waterbender's voice and take a deep breath.
"Yeah...there's one more thing I haven't told any of you. And I think it might be a deal breaker." I say quietly. A frown appears on Katara's face and she looks me up and down. Her eyes resting on the scar at my stomach for a few minutes before slowly returning back to my face.
"Does Kyla know?" I raise an eyebrow at the question and to her credit Katara blushes in embarrassment.
"Jealous much?" I tease and the Waterbender opens her mouth to retort before closing it again.
"Fine. I'm jealous of her. She knows more about you then I'll have the honour of knowing. She was there when you needed healing, she held you when you were in pain and she came to your rescue when you required it." I shake my head at her.
"But so have you. Yes, Kyla was the one who stood by my bed side for the month I stayed unconscious after that nasty run in. She stopped me from drifting away completely and trust me, I was close to just saying 'stuff it, I'm not taking this anymore.' She spent a month giving me physiotherapy and several more healing me. But you've done the same when Azula hit me, perhaps not for as long as but does that matter? You've always had my back when I needed it." The shock on Katara's face at the new, dark information is evident, but fortunately she decides not to probe and continues on with her previous argument.
"But not for the last 3 years!" I take her hand at her rebuttal.
"We have to just get over that. I'm willing to do it if you are." I state as I look earnestly into her eyes, I see the fight in them, but as she stares deeply into my eyes I see her relent.
"Ok." I nod.
"And yes, Kyla knows." I say which leads to Katara slapping my arm gently.
"You said that just to irk me!" My Sifu whines and I grin in confirmation. Then I hear a sigh from the Waterbender and the serious atmosphere returns.
"Listen Aang, whatever secret you're hiding. I don't need to know it. When you're ready to talk I'll be here. But I don't want to wait till then. I want us to return to what we had before." I hesitate at the confidence that Katara's words hold especially as that isn't the only reason why we should wait.
"I'm also concerned about Kyla's reaction." I watch Katara's reaction as my words sink in.
"So where you two...?" I shake my head at the implied question
"No we weren't, but I'm pretty sure that Kyla has some feelings for me. I don't want to hurt her." I say sincerely, hoping that Katara understands.
"You're very protective of her." The Waterbender observes and I nod.
"I am. She lost her family a little while ago and I want to make sure I'm there for her." I say softly and sympathy shines from Katara's eyes when she hears this.
"I understand..." I bite my lip at Katara's reserved response.
"If we keep it on the down low then it should be alright." As soon as the words leave my mouth I'm engulfed into a huge embrace.
"Thank you for giving me this second chance. I won't let you out of my sight again." I chuckle at Katara's enthusiasm and sink into the warm embrace.
"Do you think I can put my top on now? It's getting a bit chilly." I request jokingly
"You don't have to ask me." Katara says as she swats my arm. I grin and bend down to grab my robe that fell off the bed but I tense up when I feel a hand touching my old lightning wound. I straighten up and cast a glance at the Waterbender.
"It's been a long time since I last saw it." I raise an eyebrow at Katara's remorseful expression.
"It's not like you missed anything." I retort.
"You know, as much as it reminds me of that horrible day...it also reminds me of how lucky I am that you came back." Katara confesses which makes my eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
"Well I had an excellent healer." I compliment and it's enough to bring the smile back to my Sifu's face. I begin putting my top back on and Katara gives me a hand. "Your arm will probably be sore for a few days, so if you need help changing just let me know." I blush and just nod. As Katara pulls the hem down, she pauses at my stomach and just stares. I look at her face but her expression is unreadable.
"It's ok Katara." I say gently and she shakes her head as if to break her out of her day dream. And she pulls the top all the way down.
"Aang, you know what I said back at Kyoshi Island? I didn't mean it at all. I was just angry at you leaving us for so long." I blink in surprise at the sudden change in conversation and frown when I try to remember what she's specifically referring to until it clicks. 'What she said about her Gran...'
"Oh, erm. It's ok? I mean technically you were right and I'm sorry I kept you away from home for so long..." I pause when I see Katara shaking her head vigorously.
"No! What I said was unreasonable and mean. Please tell me you didn't take it to heart." I shrug uncomfortably, not wanting to admit how bad I felt afterwards. I feel Katara's eyes on me and they widen a moment later. "Oh spirits, you did! I'm so sorry. I was just so mad."
"Hey, don't worry about it. We're starting anew from now, ok? But I appreciate you telling me." I say in an attempt to settle Katara's worries and admittedly I feel better knowing that Katara doesn't really blame me for that.
"Alright." The Waterbender states reluctantly, 'she probably wants to make sure I'm really ok with it.'
"Really, I'm fine!" I say and shoot an encouraging smile at her which seems to let go of the last of her fears as she finally smiles back. She then rises to her feet.
"Ok, I guess I should go. Tomorrow we have to head to Ba Sing Se for those meetings right?" I grimace at the reminder, 'Aurgh, great a meeting with Xiu and all those stuck up nobles being on my case again.'
"I know you aren't looking forward to it, but remember we've got your back." At Katara's comforting words I release a breath that I didn't realise I was holding.
"Thanks." I say with a smile and Katara leans in and pecks my cheek before going over to the door. I raise a hand to my cheek in surprise and smile wider. She looks back at me as she opens the door and laughs at my expression.
"Honestly, sometimes you're still like that 12 year old I found in the iceberg...and I'm glad." She confesses softly and leaves the room with a wave goodnight as she closes the door behind her with a click. I lie back down on my bed and my grin broadens. 'Strange how I go from being furious at Katara to falling head over heels for her in the space of an hour. I'm glad we got that sorted out. As hurt as I am with Katara's actions, I can't really blame her since I essentially did a similar thing…perhaps not so extreme but I still hid something important from her and then dropped all contact with her for years.' With a smile still plastered to my face I find sleep washing over me easily tonight.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed that little patch-up. Regarding the next chapter, I'm not sure when the next one will be out. I start having proper lectures from Monday and have no idea what sort of schedule I'll have and how busy I'll be. I know it will be intense, or at least that's what all the talkers I've had been telling us. In the previous years I've always been really bad at updating during term time which was terrible from me.
This time, I'm going to try my utmost best in posting one chapter every week. I know I have a lot of assessments coming up in October and November, so there won't be any guarantees. While this might sound disheartening I do have good news…for the first time in 3 years I have no exams in January, this means that I have 1 month of Christmas holidays where I don't have to do any revision for exams the next month, meaning I should be able to update a lot more frequently then. I'll try my best to be regular, at least 1 or 2 chapters in a month if the load is more than I expected, but at the end of the day I do forget. I do get too caught up with life and studies that I forget I've left you guys waiting. So PLEASE tell me if I'm taking too long with an update. Just a short PM will be enough for me to get back on it immediately.
At the moment I've got the next 5-6 chapters written up. Usually I have something like the next 10 or more chapters up, but I was focusing more on getting the chapters that I've already written out to you guys since I've been so bad at doing that. Which, well explains how I've been posting chapters a day or two later after the last one, because it takes me much longer to write a chapter out, hence why I write multiple chapters in advance so you wouldn't wait long if you guys ask for the next update soon – if that makes sense?
Anyway, now you guys are probably thinking how long is this story going to take?! Currently writing chapter 41 and you know? I have not a clue. But I can tell you we are reaching a point that's moving towards an end goal. For a long time I knew exactly what scene I wanted to end this story on, but I'll admit I didn't expect it to take this long, but I've loved writing, loved the angst and loved these characters with all their problems and fun – I hope that's the same for you all and that you'll stick with me till the end, whenever that is. I just know that I want to share the completion of this story with such gracious and wonderful people – you.
Ok sappiness over. Sorry, that was a long PM! But seriously guys, just PM me or if you're a guest just say in a review to speed me along. As always I look forward to hearing your lovely reviews from even lovelier people. Hope you all enjoy the weekends and just maybe I might squeeze another chapter out for tomorrow, but don't hold your hopes up. Most likely the next update will be in the following weekend.
28/9/19
