A/N: Back again! So, this week I had my placement in a different hospital that's further away, the bus journey was over an hour long which meant I had nothing to do but to write XD Good for you guys, but for me it meant I had to wake up at 5:50am which I never want to do again lol. On the bright side, thank god I have a proud achievement to announce: I managed to put in my first cannula on a person! So that was exciting XD Anddd I also got to assist in a surgery, holding the tools, snipping the suture and the surgeon even let me use the blade for a bit which was so fun. Anyway, I'll stop rambling XD
This chapter turned out to be longer than I realised which will prob be a welcome surprise for you guys. I hope you enjoy it and thank you everyone for all your support, it really means everything.
1 Week later:
Katara's POV:
I watch as my father shifts uncomfortably on the sofa as Sokka and I are seated opposite him with expectant gazes after dropping our two big questions:
"Did you know Aang from the fires?"
"Did you know Mum's life was being threatened?"
The man releases a long heavy sigh before answering.
"Yes and semi-yes." Our Dad replies reluctantly. I share a glance with Sokka, prompting him to continue.
"What do you mean semi-yes?" My brother asks with a frown. Our father runs a hand through his greying hair, presumably to give him more time to select his words carefully.
"I knew I was being threatened, but I didn't think it would involve my family. I was so stupid. I should've got security for everyone or told the police or relocated." The man mutters quickly as his face screws up in pain. I swallow at the news. On the drive here, I was really hoping this wasn't going to be his answer, because this way it means Mum's death was preventable and somehow that's just as bad as her actual death.
"How long were you getting these threats before she died?" I choke out. Dad's eyes fall to the ground.
"A few months." He answers gravely. I hear my brother's sharp intake of breath beside me before he lurches to his feet, but I've gone completely frozen.
"Months?! You knew about this for months and didn't tell anyone?! Mum could be still around if you had said something!" Sokka yells angrily as our father slowly gets to his feet.
"Don't you think I know that? Blame me, I deserve it. But it won't change what happened." Dad voices lowly. My brother juts his jaw out before crossing his arms.
"Are you still getting threats?" Sokka asks and when my Dad dips his head slightly, I already know the answer.
"Yes, but I've already informed the police. They've posted more security around my office and there's a watch van outside our house and your university." Hakoda tries to explain calmly, but if anything that just makes me feel more sick.
"Wouldn't a watch van attract more attention?" My brother points out with a scowl, prompting the older man to massage his forehead.
"What would you prefer me do then? Not have them? The police are still struggling to track the source of the threats." Dad tries to explain, but Sokka just turns his head away from him.
"Was it worth it? Protecting someone's identify for Mum's life?" I ask quietly. The room goes eerily silent as my father scrutinises me while my brother glances between the two of us.
"I...I don't know." He admits quietly as he hangs his head in shame. A lump lodges in my throat at the response and I can feel my eyes pricking with tears.
"How much do you know about Aang? Why are you so desperate to protect him?" Sokka asks with furrowed eyebrows which elicits a heavy exhale of breath from the older man.
"I first met him the day after his parents died. He was still so shaken up after the firefighter brought him to the police station. It's no surprise that he didn't recognise me when he came for the holidays." He vaguely explains.
I watch as he pauses to organise his thoughts, before he opens his mouth again.
"At the time I didn't just work in Public Affairs, but also Children of the State, so his case automatically became my responsibility. He was a subdued boy and I felt sympathetic for him so I tried my best to find the ideal place for him to live since he had no other remaining family members. He started out in foster care, but it quickly became obvious that he didn't fit there, so we moved him to the local Air Nomad orphanage." Hakoda explains. I furrow my eyebrows at the story and tilt my head slightly.
"Did you continue seeing him?" I ask curiously, but the man shakes his head.
"No. After our first meeting, I organised things behind the scenes. When the orphanage burnt down, I did see him behind one of these screens in the police station as he gave his statement, but I let the other council members talk to him, which was a mistake on my part." My father admits with a scratch of his neck. I blink twice as Sokka quirks an eyebrow.
"Why was that a mistake?" My brother echoes in confusion. Hakoda releases a quiet breath as he returns to his seat. After a moment, my brother does the same.
"Aang didn't get along with the other council members. There were a few misunderstandings from what I was told. You two were growing up and I wanted to drop my position as the councillor for Children of the State to spend more time with you all, so I wasn't involved as much as I should've been. Anyway, it was decided he'd be sent to a university in another city and a new councillor took my position, but Aang's case was still left to me to oversee." At Dad's words, I find myself frowning.
"Why's that? If you dropped the position, then wouldn't you drop all the cases associated with it?" I query which prompts the man to cross his arms.
"Supposed to. But since it was clear that Aang's life was in danger, they thought it would be best to limit those who knew his whereabouts as much as possible. So, we excluded the new councillor from the intel. Only me and a couple of other councillors knew." Our father answers.
"And his guardian." I add. Dad shoots me an uneasy glance as he nods slowly.
"Yes. What do you know about his guardian?" He asks quietly. I glimpse at my brother who shrugs as he opens his mouth.
"Nothing much. I caught a glimpse of him on Aang's laptop, looks like some old guy with a beard." Sokka says with a wave of his hand which elicits a nod from our father. He almost looks relieved.
"Do you know him?" I ask. That uneasy look re-appears on his face as he clasps his hands out in front of him.
"Vaguely." Is all he says. I open my mouth, to question him further, but Sokka beats me to it.
"So, this gang somehow found out that you were still on Aang's case?" My brother asks. Hakoda nods.
"Exactly. They know I have his whereabouts, hence the threats." Dad clarifies.
"And how did you know Aang's life was in danger? I've read the articles and nothing indicated it being more than an accidental fire." My brother probes further, causing the older man to blow a quiet breath.
"We don't release everything to the press. The first indicator was the recurrence of the fire. Police did investigate whether there was a possibility that a child had set it, but it was inconclusive. And forensics found bullets and gunpowder from multiple guns. Ones that are often linked with the more severe crimes that occurs in the city." Hakoda reveals. My lips part in surprise.
"Then why didn't you release that information to the public? People think it was just an accident!" I protest, only for my brother to turn around and face me.
"I'm presuming because it would let the bad guys know that we're onto them." Sokka assumes which earns a nod of agreement from our father.
"Correct. They eventually managed to find out somehow. Now, we believe it might be time to transfer him to a new location." Dad confesses with a sigh. My eyes widen as I half jump out of my seat.
"What?! Why!" I demand as the older man rubs the back of his head.
"Because the threats are becoming more real. The last thing I want is for those gunmen to come storming into your university while you're there." Hakoda utters gravely. My lips part in shock, before I shake my head.
"So now you're more worried about us than you are for Aang? Where was that when Mum needed you?" I retort harshly, shocking the man.
"Katara, you have to understand that the boy was my responsibility. I couldn't let anything happen to him after all he's been." Our father pleads, but it still doesn't change what happened.
"And what about Mum?" I fire back.
"I didn't think they knew about her. If I could change things I would." Our father insists, but the implication doesn't make me feel any better.
"So, you'd hand Aang over to them?" I ask, feeling appalled. The question silences the man as he massages his forehead.
"No. I've been following him up since he was 8. I...may have got more attached than I should've, but that isn't the point. This isn't about whether I'd pick to save your mother or Aang. It's about me putting in the security that should've been in place sooner. I know what happened to Kya is my fault and that guilt will always stay with me. I can't even say sorry because it wouldn't change anything." Dad croaks back as he closes his eyes briefly to compose himself.
I sag back into my chair at seeing his facade crack and try to blink back the tears that threaten to spill. Sokka glances at me hesitantly before opening his mouth and turns to Dad.
"So, you're going to move Aang?" My brother asks delicately, but it still feels like a sucker punch to the gut, leaving me almost gasping for air.
"That's the plan. Police are working on finalising the details and this time even I won't know where he's being kept, only the council of the new town and his guardian." At those words, my internal struggle for air feels like it's given way to drowning.
"B-But he hasn't finished university!" I protest as soon as some of the air returns to my lungs. Dad shoots me a sympathetic look before opening his mouth.
"Aang has had enough credits to graduate from his first year. We just thought it would be better for him if he still continued going to not arouse suspicion." Hakoda explains sheepishly. My jaws slacken. 'He…never told me. Forget drowning, this is suffocating.'
"Why did you move him to the same university as us, if you were worried his presence could draw unwanted attention?" Sokka chimes in, giving me time to wrap my head around what's being said.
"It wasn't on purpose and I didn't have much say on where he was relocated to. It was agreed that he'd attend a prestigious university that would hopefully mentally challenge him, while still being near enough that he could attend his weekend job. He was unfortunately adamant that he wouldn't agree unless we comprised on that, despite the risk it posed." Our father reveals. I blink. 'Aang's job is here?! I assumed he worked in one of the mechanic shops near the uni.' I silently voice in disbelief.
"So, does that mean we weren't meant to be friends with him? Wait, were you shocked when we brought him here then?!" My brother questions with wide eyes as my father parts his lips in hesitation. He rubs the crown of his head before sighing.
"I was shocked and happy to see you both getting along with him, but it did have me worried. I think maybe...it might be better if from now on, you spend less time around him. It will make the move less painful for all of you." Dad suggests begrudgingly. I'm up on my feet before he's even finished his sentence.
"You want us to what?!" I shout just as the older man slowly stands up.
"It's just a suggestion. If you prefer to stick around him until he leaves then that's fine by me too. I just...I know what's it's like if you get attached to someone and they leave. It hurts. You won't be allowed to contact him after he moves anyway." Hakoda explains patiently, but I'm already shaking my head in anger.
"It's bad enough that you're connected to Mum's death and want to take Aang away, but now you don't even want us to keep in contact?" I fire back, silencing the man.
I clench my teeth and barge past him to run upstairs to my room before slamming the door behind me. As soon as I'm sure no one is rushing up the stairs after me, the tears fall. Thick, large drops stain my floor as I try to control my breathing, but instead I hear a whine escaping past my lips. 'Why do I have to be taken away from the people I care about?' I mourn bitterly as I slide down my wall onto the floor.
When I hug my knees to my chest, I hear my phone clattering to the floor as it slides out of my pocket. When Aang's grinning face appears in my mind's eye, I find myself burying my face into my kneecaps.
And then all of a sudden, I can't stop seeing his scars. White lines littered across the soft underbellies of his forearms. 'Not once did he come knocking on my door in the last week about his self-inflicted torture. And I doubt it's because he has miraculously stopped. How can I let him leave when I haven't helped him?'
I grind my teeth at the thought. 'No, how can I let him leave at all? He's my friend and spirits knows he doesn't have many of those. I can't let him continue sinking into that hole. I can't let him...go.' I swallow and turn my head to the side as more tears trek down my face as I stare blankly at the dark screen of my phone.
I blink when something occurs to me and quickly wipe my eyes as I pick up my phone. 'I took some pictures from a book on Air Nomads at the library! Maybe it will give me some clues on how to help Aang. And maybe...how to persuade him to reveal the name of who's behind this. If we catch the gang then Aang won't have to leave. He won't have to be alone.'
With renewed vigour, I scroll to my photos and start flicking through picture after picture. But with each photo I flick past, my hope begins to dim. Pages detail Air Nomad culture, foods, festivals and clothing, but nothing on behaviours, attitudes or mind-set other than pacifism.
I'm almost ready to chuck the device across the room when a photo of those blue tattoos catches my attention. I pause and with curiosity I start reading, wondering if it will mention what it means when they glow, but I come up empty handed.
With an aggravated sigh, I furiously swipe through the last set of photos I took from the library and immediately freeze when I catch sight of another photo of the blue arrows. I frown.
"These are the photos I took from that Avatar book; what's Air Nomad tattoos doing here?" I mutter to myself.
My thumb swipes across the screen to the next photo and I inhale sharply at the crude drawing. White arrowed tattoos. Exactly like the ones that I saw on Aang when he got upset. I bite my lip as I read the following passage:
Every Avatar has the capability to enter a so-called Avatar state. This state enhances the user's natural bending prowess by more than ten-fold. Before mastering the state, it's usually activated unconsciously in times of danger or emotional turmoil.
Glowing white eyes are a sign that the individual is in the Avatar state. However, an additional sign is seen in an Avatar born from an Air Nomad lineage. Air Nomads are typically more spiritual than the other nations and have adopted a ritual of tattooing all their Airbending masters. Since the tattoos follow an Air Nomad's chi path, their tattoos will also glow white when in the Avatar State.
The phone slides out of my hand to land on the ground with a thump as I stare at my now empty hand.
"No. Way." I whisper. "He...he can't be. He would've told me if he was this mystical, all-powerful being, right?" I croak to myself. 'Yeah, just like how he told me that he cuts himself, or that his homes were purposely set on fire, or that he saw his guardians shot down in front of him or that he knew my Mum's death had something to do with him.' I swallow and close my eyes.
"Does our friendship really mean that little to him that he thinks he can't tell me anything?" I choke out as fresh tears spill over my cheeks. I tightly screw my eyes shut to rid the nagging thoughts in my head before snatching my phone up and dialling his number. It takes 3 rings before he picks up.
"Katara? I thought you went-" Aang begins before I cut him off.
"Why didn't you tell me you were the Avatar?" I whisper harshly. I hear his breath catch on the other side and he doesn't answer for several moments. I start to think he must've hung up and go to check my phone, but no. He's still on the line. "Aang?" I press, shaking him out of his reverie.
"The Avatar is a silly fairy-tale." He finally mutters tightly. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from screaming at him as I take a deep breath.
"Then why do your tattoos glow white?" I question. There's silence for a full minute before he answers.
"What makes you think that this isn't a normal occurrence for an airbender?" He retorts. My eyebrows draw into a frown as I roll over the thought in my mind.
"Well, is it?" I ask. I hear him cough on the other end and instead of answering, he dodges.
"Katara, I'm at work. Can we talk about this later?" Aang suggests, but I'm already throwing on my coat and socks.
"Then I'm coming to visit." I announce as I start brushing my tangled hair.
"What?! But!" He starts, but I cut him off.
"I'm assuming you don't work in the car garage smack bang in the city, so you're either at the one that's not far from the water park or the other one at the edge of town." I deduce.
"Katara, are you really going to waste your Saturday looking for where I work?" The airbender points out.
"I don't need to waste my time, I can just ask Dad." I answer smugly.
"Katara, I'm going to repeat myself; I'm at work. I can't talk." Aang stresses, but I ignore him and grab my shoulder bag.
"Are you going to tell me which one you're at or are you going to make me ask my Dad?" I ask bluntly.
"Katara." The airbender emphasizes strongly.
"Aang, I'm not going to let you brush me off again." I voice so firmly that I hear the boy's breath catching.
"You need to learn that there are some things that you don't need to know." Aang orders quietly. The response has me pausing before I shake my head.
"And you need to learn to be more open with things." I mutter back.
"Katara -" He starts, but I cut him off.
"Address." I utter bluntly. I can almost feel him frowning on the other end.
"Ka-" He tries again, but I don't let him.
"Address." I repeat. I hear him exhale roughly through his nostrils.
"Ask your dad." He snipes before hanging up. I stare at my blank phone before sighing and sticking it into my pocket. 'Great. I'm sure Dad won't actually tell me where Aang works.'
With a grumble, I open my door and quietly go downstairs, but I can already hear my brother's and Dad's hushed voices from the first couple of steps. I chew my lip for a moment, before going down the rest of the way. Their chatter immediately ceases and I can feel both pairs of eyes on me as I eye the table where Sokka's car keys are placed.
"Katara-" My Dad starts as he semi-rises from his chair.
"It's ok, I just need some fresh air. Sokka, can I borrow your keys please?" I request, making eye contact with my brother who blinks twice.
"My keys? But you've barely driven since you got your license last year." Sokka points out in surprise. I shrug.
"Well, I feel up for a drive now." I reply as I reach for his keys, prompting the pony-tailed man to cross the distance between us.
"Hold on, I'm coming too." The non-bender announces as he grabs his coat from the hanger. I glare at him.
"You don't trust me to drive?" I mutter through grit teeth which causes the man to quirk his eyebrow.
"I don't trust you to not be rusty. Come on, I'm not changing my mind." Sokka decides as he throws me my jacket. I glance at our father who nods his head.
"Sokka's right, best he goes with." At his confirmation, I sigh and begrudgingly nod my head.
"Fine." I mumble as I put on my jacket and zip it up.
"Katara, about earlier..." Hakoda trails off, but I know that I should apologize.
"I'm sorry, I know it's not your fault. And Aang's safety should come first." I mutter as my eyes flicker to the ground.
"It's ok sweetheart, I know it hurts to lose a friend." My heart constricts at my Dad's words and I realise that at some point, Aang became something more than just a friend to me. Maybe that's why my chest feels like it's been ripped open at knowing that contact between us will be cut off.
"Does he know he's leaving soon?" I ask suddenly, surprising the older man. I watch as he scratches his beard.
"I believe so. His guardian should've told him by now. We're still working through the details ourselves, so it will be at least another few weeks before things are ready for him to leave." My Dad tries to reassure, but I'm already giving him my back as I head towards the door.
"Yeah." I mumble, but inside I'm screaming. 'Weeks?! He'll be gone in weeks and he never thought to bring up the subject?! When I see that boy I'm giving him a piece of my mind!' I think angrily as I jerk the door to outside open.
"See you in a bit Dad!" Sokka hollers behind me. I sigh before turning around and giving the man a wave before my brother locks the door behind us. I pluck the car keys out of his grip and immediately go round to the driver's side of the car. I wait till he's closed the door before I drive off as muscle memory kicks in with ease.
"Woah, I thought you'd be rusty." Sokka mutters with a twinge of disbelief.
"I told you it would be fine. Do you want to go back home?" I ask, giving the man one last out so that I can see Aang without worrying about Sokka being around, but the non-bender simply shakes his head.
"Best I stay just in case you've forgotten something. Plus, I want to see what happens." My brother discloses with a wave of his hand. I almost take my eyes off the road at this, but opt to frown instead.
"What do you mean by that?" I ask wearily while Sokka sits back with his hands cushioning his head as if he were on a day out to the spa.
"I mean, you're going to confront Aang about what Dad said, aren't you?" My brother states knowingly. I grimace before shrugging.
"Something like that." I mutter as I take a right-turn.
"He works at the garage near the park by the way." The man offers breezily and this time I do chance a glance at him in shock.
"How did you-" I start, until my brother snorts.
"I told you, I help with Dad's papers sometimes. I caught a glimpse of it from one of his folders the other day." Sokka explains as if it were nothing, but considering how tightly our father has kept a lid on any information regarding Aang, it's a surprise that Sokka found that out at all.
"Did you find anything else in Aang's file?" I ask cautiously, earning me a weird look from my brother.
"Nothing useful or about his new location if that's what you're thinking." He answers while keeping his steady eyes on me. I open my mouth to refute his assumption, but close it a moment later when I realise that my question may have had a subconscious motive for asking it. I don't reply and instead take a left as memories of being driven to that same park takes over my senses.
"Are you going to confess?" Sokka suddenly asks. I frown and shoot him a confused glance before refocussing on the road.
"What?" I echo.
"You know, how you really feel about him." My brother elaborates. I inhale sharply and brake harshly without thinking. I glimpse in my rearview mirror, relieved to see there were no cars behind me. I take my foot off the brake and accelerate.
"I told you before, it's not like that." I mutter between grit teeth. But the engineering student simply smirks.
"So, you won't miss him when he leaves?" Sokka queries with a raised eyebrow. I scrunch my nose up and continue to stare at the road in front of me.
"Of course I will, but as a friend." I emphasise strongly. I hear him hum in response as he crosses one leg over his knee.
"So, you don't mind that you'll never see him again? Or that you won't be able to stay in contact?" My grip around the wheel tightens at each question. "I mean, you spent a lot of time with him and he lives just across you. Won't it be weird that one day he just won't be there anymore?" Sokka points out. I feel my knuckles going white as my fingernails dig into my palm.
"Sokka, stop it." I order harshly which elicits a loud sigh from the man.
"Why don't you want to admit it to yourself?" He asks in a confused tone.
"Because!" I fire back as I make a harsh left, almost glaring at the small, green car in front of me.
"Because what?" My brother probes.
"Because he's younger than me! He's still a kid and I'm legally an adult. It wouldn't be right. He's probably not even interested. And he's still grieving everyone he's lost, not to mention I still miss Mum. And we can't forget that there's a bunch of evil people after him. This isn't the right time." I explain bitterly. "Is that enough reasons for you to drop it?" I mutter as my throat closes up.
"So, you do love him." Sokka states, as if everything I've just said didn't matter. I snap my head towards him with wide eyes.
"No! I mean, I don't know! I feel...something for him. More than just friends." I mumble as I feel my cheeks flushing with heat. And instead of the teasing I expected, he simply nods his head
"Well, explain it." My brother encourages. My lips part as I slow the car to a stop at the red traffic light.
"It's like...I want to protect him from everything, including himself. I want to be the reason he smiles and laughs. To be his rock and take away his pain. Being around him is easy. He reminds me to have fun and appreciates who I am, even though I'm a handful." I murmur as the light flashes amber, then green. It takes a moment before I press my foot down on the accelerator.
"You've fallen hard." Sokka snickers. I shoot him a stink eye.
"Coming from someone who can't decide whether he likes Suki or Yue more." I retort with a snort, silencing the laughing man.
"Hey! Suki and I have gone to a few restaurants, thank you very much." My brother answers with a miffed tone. "Besides, you're the one making excuses not to tell him." He adds after a moment's thought. I scrunch up my nose as I mindlessly stare at the mechanic sign that comes into view.
"It's not happening, so will you drop it?" I gripe tightly.
"You're not even going to tell him?" Sokka queries with a raised eyebrow. I scowl at him.
"I said, drop it!" I growl as I click the left indicator on and park in the first available slot.
"Your loss. It's not often when you connect with anyone, but if you don't mind losing your soul mate, it doesn't bother me." Sokka voices offhandedly.
I snap my seatbelt off and open the car door before slamming it angrily. 'The nerve of him! As if I don't know what Aang moving away will mean. I do know. A little too well. But...if he doesn't want that, there's nothing I can do.' I whisper to myself as my feet falter.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath to steady my erratic heartbeat before I push open the glass door to the entrance of the shop. I eye the bored receptionist as she clicks the end of her pen repeatedly. With a small exhale, I go over to her just as I hear the door behind me swing open and a string of grumbles exits my brother's mouth. I roll my eyes before approaching the lady.
"Hi there, I was wondering if Aang works here?" I ask politely, as the woman gives me a once-over.
"Who wants to know?" She asks with a quirked eyebrow. I bite my tongue at her rude attitude, but answer regardless.
"I'm a friend from uni; he said he was working today." I explain patiently, but somehow her eyebrow rises further up her face.
"Yeesh. I didn't think that kid had friends. He's at the back." She directs with a point of her thumb. I frown at her.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I demand sharply which prompts a shrug from the woman.
"Exactly what I said. He's a bit of a loner, only ever seen him interested in talking to one customer here. And he never talks much to the rest of us despite working here for a few years. I guess you were too pretty for him to ignore." She says with a shrug, making me flush red.
"I'm not... it's not like...aurgh, we're just friends!" I stutter in protest while Sokka cackles beside me. The receptionist finally smirks as she gives me another once over.
"Trust me darling, your looks are beyond average. I'd say go find someone your own age, but that's none of my business. Now off you go, I need to see the person behind you." The woman shoos with a wave of her hand and Sokka starts dragging me by the wrist before I can jump over the desk and give the woman a piece of my mind on manners.
"That woman has some nerve. Insulting Aang and then sticking her nose in things." I grumble sourly.
"You do remember she called you pretty, right? Isn't that like the best compliment a girl can get?" Sokka points out, before I elbow him hard.
"It depends on the context!" I retort as I cross my arms over my chest while my brother rubs his ribs.
"Spirits, girls are too much work." I hear him mumble, but when he sees my hand flying, he lifts his hands in defence. "Forget I said anything!" He quickly squeals. With a sigh, I drop my hand.
"Come on." I mutter as I step foot into the open garage. My eyes roam over the vast space littered with cars. It's several moments before I spot a familiar orange hat that's bobbing up and down behind a van. "Aang!" I call out as I cross the room. The airbender's head tilts back up as he grimaces at the sight of me.
"Katara, I told you I'm working." The boy utters in exasperation as he pushes himself off his knees and gives himself a quick dust off as I go around the vehicle to stand before him. Once he's finished wiping his hands on a stray cloth, his eyes finally rest on me before he blinks twice and cocks his head to the side. I furrow my eyebrows at the weird expression on his face.
"What?" I ask, shaking the boy from his daze as he shakes his head and drops his eyes to the muddy-stained cloth in his hands.
"Nothing. I've never seen your hair down is all." He says with a shrug, but the tips of his ears redden slightly as he turns to give me his side. A rush of heat enters my cheeks as I subconsciously brush a hand through the tangles in my hair.
"Oh." Is the only one word that escapes past my lips as I try to stamp on the sudden warmth I feel in my chest. The room falls into the most awkward silence I've ever had the discomfort of being in. And it's somehow made even worse by Sokka's obvious efforts to hold back his chortles. It's Aang that ends up breaking the silence with a cough.
"Anyway. Can't we talk later?" The airbender queries with an underlying insistence, which has me crossing my arms stubbornly.
"You didn't tell me you were leaving." I blurt, despite knowing I should be asking about the very important, other topic. The boy seems taken back by my statement as his jaw hangs open.
"Your dad told you?" He deduces once he's set his expression straight.
"That wasn't my question." I voice firmly which elicits a quirked eyebrow from the airbender.
"You didn't ask me a question." He points out smoothly as he squats by the tyre of the van and screws in a bolt. I take in a deep breath to keep my temper in check as I stare at the child genius.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask, my voice sounding scratchy with brimming emotion, but the boy barely twitches.
"I didn't see the point. We've only known each other a few months." Aang explains, his hardened grey orbs fixed on the car's silver bumper.
"Ouch." I hear my brother mutter from the back of the room. Before I can even think about what I'm doing, I slap Aang hard across the shoulder. I hear him inhale sharply, but he doesn't turn to face me.
"After everything, that's how you feel?" I demand, my voice pinched with pain.
"Kata-" He begins, but I cut across him.
"You didn't even consider how that would make me feel if I found out you just disappeared one day? Or is it that you just didn't care? I...I really thought I got through to you. That you at least thought of me as your friend, but I guess I was being naive. I was just...no one to you." I choke out as my throat burns with hurt. Aang's hand stills on the wrench as he closes his eyes briefly.
"It's better this way." He insists softly. I clench my hands.
"Why won't you let me decide what's better for me?" I retort sharply. I watch as the boy slowly lowers the tool in his hands as he releases a quiet sigh.
"Because I know you'll choose wrong." He utters firmly. I didn't even know it was possible to get madder at the airbender than I already was.
"So, wanting to stay friends is wrong then?" I hiss. A lump that I hadn't noticed before starts bobbing up and down his throat.
"Katara, you're making this harder than it needs to be." Aang pleads as he finally turns to look at me, his eyes glassy. I swallow as I bite the inside of my cheek.
"No, you're the one making it harder. You don't have to be so distant most of the time! I understand you're scared to let people in, but are you really going to live the rest of your life alone?" I demand, only for the boy to scrunch up his nose.
"What I do with my life, is my choice." Aang utters darkly. I clench my teeth tightly together.
"You know what? Fine! I don't know why I tried so hard in the first place." I bite back as I take a step away from the airbender. A flash of pain crosses his features, but he tries to hide it with his hand as he tugs his hat down.
"Fine." He echoes back faintly.
"Good." I shoot back without realising as I cross my arms.
"I'm glad you're good." He voices quietly, as if he really thinks I am. That is, until I recall us sharing a similar exchange before. I swallow thickly as I jerk my head to the side, refusing for this to be deja vu.
"You didn't even tell me who you really were." I mutter, my voice low enough for only Aang to hear. That same sharp intake of breath greets my ears as he shoots me a piercing look and shakes his head slightly.
"You need to go." He voices tightly. I roll my lip between my teeth before dropping my arms to my sides.
"Just tell me this, is it true?" I ask quietly. With the blankest face I've ever seen on him, his grey orbs lock onto mine.
"It's just a story." The airbender voices smoothly. The pit in my stomach grows in painful disappointment.
"So, that's how it is." I mutter, casting my eyes away from him.
"It is." He confirms just as my brother's ringtone echoes behind us. I take a deep breath and blink back the tears that prick at my eyes.
"I hope you're happy." I choke out as I spin on my heels and walk away from him. I don't go further than three paces when I'm greeted to my brother's pale face.
"What?" I echo back, until I notice the phone pressed against his ear. With a shaky hand, he clicks on the loudspeaker.
"Are you listening to me runt? If you don't come back to your house in 10 minutes, I'm killing your father." A gruff, masculine voice orders from the other line. White hot fear grips me as I stare at the device. 'This has to be some sick joke.' With a gulp, Sokka returns the phone to his ear.
"How do we know you have him?" Sokka asks in an attempt to sound bold. I hear shuffling and grunts before a sharp voice.
"Speak." Comes the demand.
"Sokka, take your sister far from here." Our Dad's voice crackles through the phone, before a thump echoes.
"Do as he says or get the police involved and he dies." The man growls. Then the line goes dead. For a moment, all I can do is stand frozen as ice continues to spread through my veins. Before it can take hold of me completely, determination grips at me, making me grit my teeth as I go to grab Sokka.
"Come on." I order, yanking the pony-tailed man behind me, until a hand pulls me back.
"Katara, I want to save Dad too, but we're walking into a trap." My brother urges.
"Then what are we supposed to do? That could be the guy that...that killed Mum. I'm not losing anyone else!" I vow with watery eyes.
"That's why I'm coming with you." Both Sokka's and my eyes snap towards the airbender who's throwing on his jacket and grabbing a pair of car keys. Something worse than fear grips me as I go to clutch the boy's shoulders.
"No way on heaven or earth! These people are after you. I'm not going to hand you over to them on a silver platter!" I argue vehemently as my lips set in a downward line.
"Katara's right, you're being dumb." Sokka adds as he comes to stand next to the airbender.
"Think about it. You going there will only be so that they can threaten your dad to reveal my location. You two are the only ones that will force Hakoda to do that. And then there's nothing stopping them from killing all three of you. No. I'm not putting you all in danger for me. Get in my car, we're going now. No arguments." Aang explains firmly as he pulls away from me and jerks the door open of an orange car. I feel my brother's eyes on me as he gingerly rubs his neck.
"He does have a point." He mutters as he goes over to open the back seat and slides in. I clench my hands before opening the passenger's side and slamming the door after me.
The drive is stifling and silent as I dig my fingernails into my knees to stop myself from screaming. When we pull up a couple of houses away, I immediately spot the broken door, hanging open by the frames.
"I'm going in first, don't do anything unless I tell you to. And whatever happens I promise I won't let anything bad happen to any of you. I promise." I can hear the unnerving determination in his voice as he cuts off the engine.
The back door behind us shuts as Sokka gets out of the car. I watch as the 16-yr old boy goes to open his, before pausing and turning to glance at me. He hesitates for a second before stretching out a hand to rest it on mine. I swallow, shocked at him for initiating the contact in a moment of rarity.
"Your Dad will be fine." He reassures. But he doesn't get it. 'My Dad isn't the only one I'm worried about.' I want to yell.
"What about you?" I ask instead. He gives my cold hand a warm squeeze.
"I'm sorry." Is all he says. His fingers linger for a moment longer before he withdraws and opens his door. Those grey orbs are fixated on the house, as a certain expression takes hold of his features. Relief.
That look alone has me feeling nauseous as I shakily exit the car. 'This is what he wanted.' I think with sick realisation as we make our way to the house.
A/N: Welp, things are pretty messy at the moment huh? The tug of war between Katara and Aang is really fun to write. You have Katara who likes being close to Aang and ignores the reasons why they prob shouldn't be. Then you have Aang who wants to be close to Katara, but chooses not to for her safety. The result is the same tho, hurt on both ends. As you can see, we're starting to enter the final phase of the story. I'm not sure how many more chapters there'll be left bc there's still a bunch of stuff I want to include. If I had to guess, I think we'll at least reach the 50 chapter mark, but we'll see!
Next chapter is in Aang's POV and I've almost finished writing it, so might be able to post it next week or the week after. In the meantime, hope everyone is doing well!
6/2/22