In the weeks that followed, in which Azula's funeral was planned, it became a time of chaos for the families involved. Katara was swept away into the planning, alongside everyone else. It took a couple of weeks to plan the setting, the after party, and other intricacies of such an event. But she would be lying if she said it didn't make her slightly uncomfortable. Azula was a victim, that was true, but she still had followed the laws of their degrading world.
Working with the girl's family was...strange and a little unsettling. Even though she knew they meant her no harm, it was still unusual that they allowed someone who was little more than a stranger to help them. But Katara felt terrible for them, too, and Aang knows them, despite the years apart. Ursa herself was quite a gem, a woman of kindness and a gentle nature that was reminiscent of her own mother. She even started to fuss like a one towards Katara after learning about what happened.
Once everything was set, the funeral began. It was a somber event, just the immediate family and those who came into contact with the young woman, especially for those who had witnessed her death. This was just a memorial kind of thing, as they have had Azula's body shipped to their home in Detroit during those weeks.
During that time, she got to know Aang's other family, people he had looked up to when he was younger. At one point, Zuko used to bully him for having a father who loved his son, but eventually warmed to the boy after being protected from older bullies. Katara could just imagine that; Aang was a kind person with a good heart, and he would never turn his back on someone who was in trouble.
After everything was said and done, with promises of another, more pleasant visit, the group left for Detroit, leaving Aang and his friends behind for the time being. It was later that night that Katara woke up, the dream disturbingly lingering in her mind. The image of Azula's body falling to the ground made her stomach curl, and when she looked over, the absence of her boyfriend made fresh fear envelop her heart.
Rushing out of her room, she went downstairs in a panic, only to find said boyfriend in the kitchen. His dark blue pajamas hung loosely on his frame as he watched out the window, a mug of tea in hand. He turned towards her in surprise, watching her face. Concern furrowed his brow.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, putting it down so she could slip into his arms.
"Nightmare," she mumbled, snuggling close.
"Sorry I wasn't there," he murmured regretfully, holding her close. "I couldn't sleep."
Looking up at him, she noticed how dark the bags under his eyes were and raised a hand to his cheek. He nuzzled into her hand, sighing tiredly.
"Aang, I know sleeping is hard, but you need to try, okay? It's not good for your health."
"I know, Katara," he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers. "I just..." Sighing he closed his eyes, hiding his tormented grays. "I can't get that image out of my head. Seeing her lying there, dying and scared, it torments me in ways I wish it didn't."
Katara held him closer, feeling her heart ache for the boy she had fallen in love with. "Aang, you have to make peace with what happened. I thought you had gotten closure when Azula was dying."
Raising his head, he looked at the love of his life, safe and secure from the madness of before. "I did, but...I feel like there should have been more I could have done to help her. If only..." Sighing, he closed his eyes, and Katara reached up to touch his cheek, which caused him to look at her again. "Yeah," he said upon seeing her gentle yet stern expression. "You're right."
Katara, heart heavy at the weight he was carrying, pulled Aang into a hug. "You'll get through this. We'll help you, all of us."
"Was is that day?" he asked suddenly, looking down at her again.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"Your nightmare," he clarified.
Katara blinked before giving a slight chuckle. "Are you going to throw my advice back at me?" He said nothing, and the small smile vanished as she lowered her gaze to his top. "Yeah, it was. I'm having a hard time getting that out of my head, too."
He thought for a moment. "Want a cup of tea? When I went to the store earlier, I bought this sleep aid tea that might help."
Katara looked at the cup, seeing a small amount had been drunk. That sounded pretty good in her mind. "You know what? I would like that."
He kissed her forehead gently before moving back to the stove, adding water to the pot and warming it. "It tastes like chamomile. It's pretty good."
"I can understand that. I've had it before, but not the type to help one sleep."
"I see," he replied, turning to her as they waited. "I haven't had sleep aid in a really long time. I've had them once, but after that, I haven't had any more." The water was beginning to boil and Aang turned the stove off.
A question came to mind as she sat on the counter. "Why don't you take sleep aid?"
Aang stuck his tongue as the now boiling water was poured into a cup. "I've never liked the taste, or how they felt going down my throat. I'm more of a tea person any way, thanks to Mom. You want honey or sugar?"
"Honey, two spoons," she replied without hesitation. Sugar always felt to be too much with tea. "So your mother got you into tea drinking?"
"Yeah," he said with a smile, pouring the honey as she requested before handing the mug over. She cradled the warmth, inhaling deeply. The scent of chamomile soothed her frayed nerves. "Before the Event, I used to drink tea all the time." He grabbed his own mug and took a sip, before looking at it thoughtfully, if a little sadly. "I missed it."
Katara took a sip of her own, the slightly sweet liquid flowing down her throat. The warmth calmed the chill her nightmare had invoked. "Yeah, it is a calming to have something familiar." Her hand reached up to her mother's necklace, of which she still wears.
Aang noticed her arm up. "She must have been wonderful."
Smiling slightly, the girl sighed. "She was. Mom never turned her back on someone who was in need of help. I hope to one day achieve what she had. It was because of her that I got into healing medicine."
"And a jewelry maker, don't forget," he added, smiling.
A little laugh escaped her. "Yeah, that too. Maybe I could become a nurse or a doctor, someone who can help the injured."
But neither of those sounded right. She wanted to help heal people, to help build their strength back up.
Aang must have seen the thoughtful look on her face as he added, "Or maybe a physical therapist?"
Katara tilted her head at that. That sounded like something she would do. Mentally putting it to the back of her mind for later thought, she nodded in agreement. They drank their tea in comfortable silence until it was all gone, and it wasn't long before the effects started to work. She yawned, putting the cup in the sink, and Aang grabbed her hand.
They walked into her room, since that was where they began sleeping together after the traumatic events from a few weeks ago. From time to time they would switch rooms, but so far neither have had the courage to sleep on their own.
After laying down, Katara felt as if she could sleep for a century, and the warmth of Aang's body made it all the better. The feeling of dread and fear from the nightmare eased away from her, and bliss began to calm her mind and heart. They snuggled on the bed, holding one another close.
Before sleep claimed her, Katara had one more thing she wanted to ask. "Aang?"
"Hmm?" he murmured sleepily, tightening his hold.
"What do you want to be?"
There was a long pause, and Katara thought he had fallen asleep when he lifted himself up, hovering over her face, a serious look on his. Touching her cheek, he whispered, "Yours, forever."
Heart skipping a beat at the unexpected answer, she raised herself slightly to kiss him. This kiss was...different than their usual ones. This was more raw, a little desperate, but still sweet and all-consuming. He pulled away for a moment before diving in again, this time aiming for her neck, which she allowed. Shuddering at the tingles that the contact sparked, Katara gripped his hair as Aang bit lightly at her skin.
"I like kissing your pulse," he whispered, his warm breath causing goose-flesh to rise and she shuddered, holding his tighter.
"Why?" she asked just as softly.
"Because it means you're still here, alive, with me."
He raised himself once more to kiss her, breathed deeply, gently bit her lip, before pulling away completely. They were slightly panting from the intense moment. A brightness had entered Aang's eyes, but the sleepy look still dominated his gaze.
"Wow," he breathed, in awe of her, it seemed, and Katara smiled back before reaching up to bring his head to her chest until it rested over her heart. He may hear it beat loudly and a bit too fast, but he didn't argue. Instead he snuggled into her body, wrapping his arm around her waist, trapping her, but Katara didn't mind. His weight on her made her feel safe, as if the deepest dark of night couldn't touch their light.
She never wanted him to leave this spot, as she, too, would protect him from the darkness inside his memories.
"Let's sleep; you can answer that question when you're rested."
He sighed, closing his eyes, already gone. "Okay. I love you." The sincerity was there, even dulled with tiredness, and her heart felt too big for her chest. Holding him closer still, she kissed his head.
"I love you too," she whispered, laying her head back down and closing her eyes, sleep encompassing the couple at long last. Neither of them woke for the rest of the night.
When Katara finally opened her eyes, she looked around until the time on the clock caught her off guard. It was a good thing it was Saturday or else they would be late. It was past noon already. Normally she would be up at eight to make breakfast, but this time she didn't. Looking down, she saw her boyfriend, still asleep, his breath gentle on her skin. That tea certainly helped, as she had no recollection of any nightmares.
It helped that he had slept, too, and was still blissfully unaware of her awakening for now. Though she felt that she should get up to eat, the idea of leaving their little haven felt like too much. Besides, Katara didn't want to wake Aang, knowing that this was the first decent sleep he had received since the funeral. The last thing she wanted was to disturb his slumber.
Instead she focused on his face which had stayed put from the night. Breathing deeply and evenly, he lay dormant, eyes closed as his back rose and fell with said breaths. She can feel his heart beat against her, a calming thump that once again reminded her that he was alive, and now free. They both have demons in their minds, ones they will learn to better control. They had no place in the future, as the past should stay where it needs to rest.
It took a long time, but Aang finally woke up, taking a deep breath and stirring slightly. Katara watched as hazy gray eyes opened, flecks of green making them look as if emeralds hid in boulders. The boy looked up at her and smiled, one of sleepy satisfaction, which made her cheeks go a bit warm.
"Hi," he whispered, as if not wanting to break the spell.
"Hi," she breathed back, smiling back.
Sitting up, he looked at the clock, eyes slightly going wide. "We'd be in trouble for sleeping this late."
"If it was a weekday, yeah," she agreed, making him lay down again. "Good thing it's Saturday."
He chuckled, a rumble in his chest that made her skin tingle pleasantly. "Good point." He paused for a moment, then said, "I want to be a storyboard artist."
"Oh?" she asked, recalling dimly the question she had curiously asked.
"Yeah, I like the idea to begin with my career. Gotta start somewhere, you know?"
She turned so they were facing each other. "It's sounds like a good idea. I know you'll go far. You have a lot of talent."
"As do you," he replied with a smile, brushing an errant strand of hair from her face. The gesture was soothing, his expression calm. Katara knew they were far from better, but at least, now, they can start their futures together.
"Katara?" he asked gently.
"Yes, Aang?"
After moving closer to her, he quietly asked, "Can I keep you?"
Remembering the first time he asked that made her blush, but also indescribably happy. There was only one answer for such a question.
"You can."
And it was there they shared a kiss of the deepest love, forever bonded by trial and fate. The darkness of past actions will always linger, but with the brightness of a future full of possibilities, nothing was going to stop them from reaching them.