'Katara, when I went to master the Avatar State with the Guru I – I couldn't do it,' Aang admitted, his eyes on the ground.
'What? Why?' asked Katara.
'He told me I had to let go of every earthly connection. And I mean every one.' He looked up, his eyes full of pain and confusion. 'I couldn't let go of you and so my thought chakra became locked for good. Now I can't go into the Avatar State at all.'
Katara opened her mouth and then closed it again. A great surge of affection flooded through her and she obeyed her first instinct and took his hand.
'Aang, I'm really touched that you did but – you should have done what the Guru said.'
She didn't want to say it, every particle of her existence hated saying it, but she had to.
'It's so important for you to master the Avatar State; it's the only way we can win this war.'
'I know,' said Aang through gritted teeth, glaring at his knees. 'But I couldn't just let you go, Katara, I – I love you.'
Katara looked away, unsure of what to say. When she looked back, she saw Aang with his face screwed up, fighting tears that were spilling down his cheeks; and she pulled him into a hug, pressing her face into his neck.
'I will always be here for you,' she said, her words muffled slightly by his robe. 'Always.'