Chapter 2: Decisions
"Sokka!" Aang said with a hint of excitement. Truth be told, he was scared to see Sokka, but he also missed seeing his friend the past 3 days. When Sokka held up a hand between the two however, his enthusiasm quickly faded.
"Let's sit and talk, Aang." His calm nature took Aang off guard.
"Listen, the only reason I came today is because Suki finally talked me into it. If it wasn't for her, you'd probably be missing a few teeth right now."
"I'm so sorry, Sokka. I never meant for this to-"
He was quick to cut Aang off before he continued.
"Please Aang, I wasn't finished. Just because I'm talking to you, doesn't mean I want to. You know you're practically family to all of us, most especially Katara. But, I think it'd be best if that changed."
Aang was taken aback by what he was implying.
"What do you mean Sokka?"
"I mean it'd be best if you stayed away, mostly for Katara's sake, but for mine as well."
How could he say this?! Aang thought. I know it's probably what I deserve, but they've been the only family I've had since my parents died. And I can't be away from Katara, especially now! He sat in silence for a moment, but his expression gave away his true feelings. If Katara and Sokka knew one thing about Aang, it was that he wore his heart on his sleeve. He could never hide how he felt, even to the best of his abilities.
"I knew coming here that you wouldn't take this well."
"How else did you think I would react?! You know how I feel about Katara, and you too! Please don't ask me to do this."
"You don't understand Aang!"
"Then please enlighten me!"
Sokka let out an audible sigh. He knew Aang wouldn't take this so easily. He was only doing what he thought was good for Katara. That was all he'd ever tried to do for her. And he wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of that, even Aang.
"You have no idea how this feels, Aang. Katara is my SISTER, and for the past three days, I've watched her lie still in that hospital bed! And who else is there to blame for it but you?! If you hadn't been so damn wasted that night, Katara wouldn't be the way she is right now."
"You think I don't know?! It was my fault, Sokka! I crashed that car! I had too much to drink, and because of my stupidity, Katara might never wake up again! I wish I could undo this, for her! Knowing that she's suffering right now hurts me more than you'll ever know! I promised to keep her safe, and I failed her! I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I stayed away now."
Aang's demeanor changed almost instantly. Although he was mad at Sokka, and more so himself, he was feeling even more empty inside. He was not going to deny the mistake he made, but he promised himself something. He was going to be here everyday until Katara woke up, or until... He didn't want to think about that. She will wake up. She has to. I don't know what I'd do without her. Sokka's fist slamming on the table brought him back to their conversation.
"I don't care about how you feel Aang! The fact is, you fucked up! And I don't know if I can forgive you for what you did. But I do know that I can't stand to be around you right now."
"Sokka please, I don't want to do this to her."
"Believe me, you've done more than enough. You told me you'd never let her get hurt, and look how reliable you've been. Get out of here, Aang. Katara needs someone who can really look out for her, and you're not it."
Aang tried desperately to change Sokka's mind. "I won't leave her. Not now. Not ever."
Sokka balled his fist and adjusted his footing, and the veins on his face could be seen from a mile away.
"You will leave, or else I'll make you."
"I won't hurt you Sokka. I'm staying, and that's final."
Sokka needed no invitation, and he quickly swung a left hook and hit Aang square on the jaw. True to his word, Aang refused to fight. Sokka knocked him off balance, and he hit the floor hard. Aang put his hands up to block his face, but Sokka responded with a quick punch to the gut. He quickly curled up with a loud groan, but he was turned onto his back and Sokka gave him a barrage of hits and blows. Iroh ran as quickly as he could to break up the fight. It took him and three customers to restrain Sokka. And Aang looked like shit, to put it mildly. He had a black eye, and multiple cuts and bruises on his face, abdomen, and chest. Somehow, Sokka had even managed to tear his shirt in three places.
"You need to get those looked at Aang. I'll let him cool down here for a while." Iroh spoke softly, ever the peacemaker.
"I'll call an ambulance for you."
" Don't worry about me, Iroh. The clinic's only a block away."
Iroh wanted to argue, but a quick glare from Aang told the old man he needed some alone time. He nodded, but not before disinfecting Aang's minor cuts and giving him an ice pack for his eye.
As Aang walked to the clinic, he had a lot on his mind. Maybe Sokka was right. Katara would've been better off without me in her life. He hated to admit it, but he started to think about leaving. When she wakes up, she'll have her family, Toph and Suki. I know she'll find someone better if I'm not around. He rounded the corner, and he noticed something in the corner of his eye. It was a poster, displayed on the side of a bus stop in front of the clinic.
I WANT YOU FOR THE U.S. ARMY. ENLIST NOW.
This got Aang thinking once more. Before the start of the war, he worked at a car factory. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, he was able to avoid enlisting since the factory had converted to wartime production. Instead of cars, he was now making tanks. Although he was raised to avoid violence whenever possible, Aang had no objection to fighting. He would've gone off all those years ago if it wasn't for Katara. They met a few months after America joined the war, and had been together since. So for the past three years, Aang kept his factory job to stay as close to her as possible. Would she even want me around after what I did? It'd be better if I just got as far away as possible. With these thoughts in mind, Aang went to get his wounds fixed up, deciding he would make one more stop on his way home.
He thanked the nurses as he walked out the door, and continued walking down the street until he reached the recruiter's office.
"Mornin' son! I'm Sergeant Murphy. What can I do for you today?"
"I'd like to enlist, sir. It's well overdue, but I'd like to do my part." This of course wasn't his reason, but Aang wasn't really in the mood to give his whole sad life story right now.
"Damn right it is! War's just about over, and we've got the Krauts on the run with their heads between their legs!"
"Wait, I think I know you from somewhere. Yeah, yeah! You're one of the boys working at the tank factory, ain't ya?"
"That's correct, sir."
"Well shit, what took you so long?"
Aang pondered on what he would say, without blatantly giving away his situation.
"I guess I finally got that extra push."
"It's about time! Well, let's not waste any time!"
The recruiter pulled out the papers and had Aang sign and date all of them. Sergeant Murphy shook his hand one last time as he walked out with his new assignment gripped tight in his hand. He would be part of the 1st Infantry Division, Able Company. This would be best for Katara. Maybe I'll get lucky and die over there. Then she and her family won't have to be burdened with me.
He continued his walk home, but was barely five steps away from the recruiter's office before a car horn called his attention. Sokka's truck, he thought. It was a light shade of blue and had multiple dents and scratches all over the body. Yup, this is Sokka's, he thought with a smile. But then the fear kicked in. Was he here to apologize? Or maybe he came to pick up where he left off. He let out a sigh of relief when Suki and Toph walked out towards him. But then he started to wonder again. Why are they here?
"Hey Aang!" Suki said with a smile.
"Taking a walk, Twinkletoes?" Toph said with a smirk.
He was happy to see them. For the moment, he had forgotten why he had been so sad. But the moment was fleeting. Still, he recovered and put on a smile for them, trying his best to be strong.
"Hey guys" He said as he pulled them into a group hug and returned their smiles.
Suki spoke up and looked at Aang with a gentle look in her eyes. "Toph and I were just headed to lunch. Why don't you join us?"
"I don't know, Suki. I'm not exactly the best company right now."
"Any company's better than none, airhead. Come on!"
He knew there was no arguing with Toph, so he finally accepted.
"Fine. But I'll drive and I'm paying. I insist."
Suki and Toph were aware of his situation, but a chauffeur and free lunch? You'd have to be crazy to turn that down. They went to Jay's, one of the town's best diners and the group's favorite meeting spot. After they made their orders, Suki was the first to break the silence.
"How are you holding up, Aang?"
"As best as I can. So, pretty down in the dumps." He chuckled, and made a sad smile before trying to lighten up.
"You know, it isn't your fault Aang." Toph was being as straightforward as she always was.
"I appreciate the thought, but you don't have to do that Toph. None of this would've happened if I wasn't so drunk."
"Of course I do, Twinkletoes. What else are friends for?"
Suki picked up where Toph left off. "She's right. We're your friends Aang. You can come to us for anything. And of course it isn't your fault." She put her hand over his to try and comfort him, and Toph patted his shoulder. "We all make mistakes, and I know Katara will forgive you for this when she wakes up."
"I don't know if she would. Besides, I won't be around when that happens."
Both girls were taken aback by this, but at the same time were not surprised.
"We saw you walk out of the recruiter's, Aang. Please rethink this. Think of what Katara would feel when she wakes up and finds out you're halfway across the world. She'll be heartbroken."
"How could she ever forgive me, Suki? I did this to her. I love her. I told I'd keep her safe and I let her down. She deserves someone better."
"Oh spirits, you really are an airhead!" Aang was a little hurt by Toph's bluntness, but decided to ignore it and let her finish. "To Katara, there is NO ONE better than you."
Suki decides to answer Aang's question once Toph is done. " Toph is right. Katara loves you just as much as you love her. She'll know it was a mistake, and she knows you. Even now, you're only thinking of what she deserves. You messed up, but you can fix it Aang. You won't be able to do that if you're not here."
"That's not what Sokka thinks. I assume you heard about what happened."
"Iroh called and I got there after you left. I knocked him up a little and dropped him home to think about what he did before we came looking for you."
"Then you know why I decided to do this."
"Please don't, Aang. We all need you here, and you know she needs you the most." Suki grabbed the side of his face to stare into his eyes. She was going to convince Aang to stay no matter what. And Toph was going to do the same. But Aang had already made up his mind. He thought he was being selfish, up and leaving like this, but after his talk with Sokka, he couldn't think of anything else.
Toph and Suki went on and on for another ten minutes trying to convince him to stay, but to no avail.
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to do this. I'm leaving for training tomorrow."
Both girls sighed at hearing this, but finally accepted Aang's decision. Whatever he was thinking, he had decided to sort it out his way, and they weren't going to stop him.
"Fine, but at least promise us something."
"Anything." It was the least Aang could do, considering that he was going to be gone soon.
"Write to us? Toph and I would really appreciate it. At least to know how you're doing."
"Of course," he said with a smile. "But please don't show them to Katara when she wakes up. I don't want her to be any more hurt than she already is." "Sorry Twinkletoes. No promises." Toph grinned, knowing Aang was already too tuckered out to argue this. He looked to Suki, hoping she would be on his side, but to no avail.
"Fine, do whatever you wish."
"Already planning on it."
"Take care of yourself, Aang. Come back to us. Come back to her." Suki and Toph stood up to hug him, and they stayed like that for a while.
She doesn't need me to come back to her. She needs to move on. He decided not to say this, trying to be positive for his friends. "I'll try my best."
They separated from their embrace, and left the diner. They talked about random things on the way home to change the subject, news of the war and whatnot. They all lived on the same street, in different houses. So Aang walked them up to their doors, making sure to avoid Sokka when he said goodbye to Suki. He spent the rest of his afternoon getting ready for his departure, arranging for Suki to watch Appa and Momo while he was gone, and to look after his house. No, their house. He quickly blocked this thought out of his mind, and got back to finishing his preparations. He went to sleep that night, but not without crying his eyes out.
The Next Morning
Aang got dressed and ready for the day ahead of him. The recruiters were scheduled to pick him up at noon, and he had a few hours to kill before they came by. All the arrangements were made, and he had time for one last thing before he left. He signed in at the hospital and went to Katara's room. He spent the next few hours sitting next to her, with the doctor coming in once to update him on her condition. He talked absently to her, constantly apologizing for the accident, shedding a few tears on the blanket she was covered in. Every now and then, he would sit in silence and just take in her presence. Even though she wasn't really there, she was physically. He would gently caress her hand and her cheek, noticing how cold she felt. It chilled him to think how long she would be like this, so helpless and still, but he willed himself to get out of his own head.
Miraculously, she had come out of the accident almost unscathed, but not without a small scar across her left cheek. She was still as beautiful as the day they had met. Her silky smooth, chocolate hair. Her soft pink lips, her tanned skin. And her sapphire eyes, although he couldn't see them at the moment. He wished he could. He wished she would just wake up right now, they'd make up, and everything would be okay. Maybe he could leave knowing she wanted him to come back. But it never happened. She still laid there, unmoving and almost lifeless.
"I"m sorry that I'm leaving you right now. If you can hear me, please know how sorry I am. Katara, you make me so happy, and I can't bear the guilt of having done this to you. I hope you can understand why I did this. You need a man who can take care of you, and maybe you can find one while I'm gone. Whatever happens, please know you've been the best part of me for the last three years and that I love you so, so much. Goodbye, Katara."
Aang grabbed his bag from the foot of her bed and made his way out of the hospital, walking home to wait for them to take him off to war. He gently put her hand down on the bed and turned out towards the door. But unbeknownst to Aang, as he walked out, Katara's eyes started to water. Even though she was unconscious, her heart could still feel the pain of Aang's words, and when she woke up, there would be hell to pay.
Bay45220: AH! Thank you so much for the review! You're like my idol, and one of the reasons I decided to start writing fanfiction. I'm loving Heart Broken right now, and I hope I can write you and all the readers a story almost as good!
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