Previously posted on my tumblr (elementalavatars) for Makorra Week 2013.
Rated K. Warning: Character death (Katara)
There's a chill in the air as he enters the apartment soundlessly. Her boots, discarded haphazardly by the door, are slowly drowning in a slushy gray puddle of their own making, staining the wood floor beneath them. He sighs lightly as he removes his own boots, carefully placing them upright next to her saddened pair, before crossing into their small kitchen to look for something to wipe up the mess. As he absentmindedly opens cupboards and cabinets, he glances across the floor and into the dimly lit room, quietly assessing today's atmosphere. He recognizes the form under their sheets, curled up tightly, and an empty, plummeting feeling pulls at his chest.
If she hears him enter, she gives no indication. He tugs off his stiff uniform jacket and heavy pants, letting them crumple on the floor, as he slides under their comforter and pulls her back against him. Despite the weight of their blankets, her skin feels cold under his fingers, his hands running softly up and down her arm. He places gentle kisses against the back of her neck and shoulders, silently waiting for her.
"I had to meet with Tenzin at the Air Temple today." Her voice is tired and gravely, a voice he only hears when she's trying to hide the fact she's been crying. "Everything is in place for tomorrow. Kya just got here today and Zuko's supposed to arrive tonight, but everyone should be here in time for…"
She trials off and he places another light kiss on her shoulder.
"Even though I know I've lost my connection to Aang, whenever I was with Katara, it still felt like he was… there sometimes. Out of reach, but there nonetheless. And when I heard Katara had… when Tenzin finally told me, I felt so empty. And now they're both gone and all I feel is cold. No matter what I do, I can't shake it and I don't know how to get warm again, and I just don't know…"
Her voice breaks, and he feels the sob she's choking down shake through her body. Her hands are cool when he reaches for them, drawing simple patterns on her icy skin with his thumbs, before interlacing his fingers with hers. The words that come to mind sound silly and meaningless in his head; none of them can convey what he wants to say, but he whispers them against her hair anyways.
"I'm sorry you're cold. I'm sorry, and I love you." His voice is low and shaky, but she lets go of his hands and turns over to face him, her head pressed against his chest. She's quiet when she cries like this, like she can't stand for him to hear her or see her face when she's weak. He doesn't say anything when little spots on his battered white tank become wet against his skin, but his arms tighten around her.
"I love you." He kisses the top of her head.
"I love you." Another kiss and he pulls her closer, her hands clutching at his shirt. His hand brushes through her hair like the gentle caress of a mid-summer breeze, the radiating warmth from his chest like the lingering heat that clings to pavement at the end of the day. A comfortable quiet settles between them and he feels the slightest bit of relief when he realizes she's falling asleep, having witnessed her restless, sleepless nights since learning of Katara's passing.
"I feel a little warmer now." He feels her inhale and exhale deeply in his arms, the breath of her words steady and soft against his chest.
"I'm glad."
"Thanks." He lightly nods against the top of her head and he hears her whisper an "I love you" before she quiets completely. He continues to rub her back, her skin finally warm under his hands, until her rhythmic breathing lulls him to sleep.
She stays in his arms the rest of the night.