Chapter Text
Katara swallowed hard as her thumb gently brushed against the old black and white photograph she held in her trembling, shaky hands. Ignoring the tight pain in her chest, Katara forced herself to look at the picture in a desperate attempt to try to console herself.
The photograph had been one of her favorite pictures in the entire world. It featured the entire family and had been taken about a month or two after the birth of her youngest child, Tenzin.
Tenzin, a baby then, was swaddled in Katara’s arms and wrapped up in one of the warm, fur Southern Water Tribe styled blankets Gran Gran had made for each of her great-grandchildren when they were born. Thankfully, Gran Gran lived to see Tenzin’s birth before passing away about two months later at the age of 100.
Tenzin was his father’s son. There was no doubt about that. Not only did he look so much like Aang, but he also acted like Aang from his mannerisms to the way he even talked sometimes. Despite the fact her only airbending son was more on the serious side, he had his father’s passion and spirit. His very existence meant that Aang was not alone in this world anymore, which caused the father and son to be very close.
Of course, Katara's older children were also very special. In the photograph, her eldest child, Bumi, was ten at the time and he was smiling brightly as he posed beside his little sister. Kya, Aang and Katara’s only daughter and second child, was posed next to her brother on a stool. She had been five years old in the photo and looked just like Katara at that age.
Their son Bumi had heart. Named for the late and great King Bumi, who had died a couple of years before the death of Aang and Katara’s firstborn, Bumi II not only lived up to his namesake but also took after his uncle, Sokka, a great deal. Bumi has a fun-loving personality, a vibrant spirit, and despite being a non-bender, he proved his extraordinary talent as a warrior and soldier. He looked a lot like Katara with his dark brown hair and russet complexion, but inherited his father's deep gray eyes.
Then there was her Kya, her graceful waterbender and only daughter. She was her mother’s daughter through and through and was named for Katara’s own mother, a woman who sacrificed her life so that her daughter could live. Kya has a free spirit and an adventurous heart, which is why the moment she was old enough she spent her time traveling the world. She was also compassionate and a skilled waterbender who learned everything she knows from Katara.
The children were Katara and Aang’s pride and joy. Their entire world.
Katara sighed heavily as she focused on her husband in the photograph. Aang. He looked so content in this photo as he proudly posed right beside his family. This photograph immortalized everything good about their family. All the love and happiness they shared over the years.
Spirits, Aang loved his children so much. Katara can still vividly recall the day she’d given birth to Bumi. She remembers how Aang’s face lit up in a way she’d never seen before. Katara had seen him interact with children plenty of times – kids he would meet in passing to being fun Uncle Aang to Sokka’s children. However, when Aang held Bumi for the first time, it was a sort of love her husband never thought he’d have for another person. This bliss would only grow with the birth of their two other children.
All Katara can say now is that their life together had been good. Very good.
“You miss him, huh?”
Katara turned around to see her older brother in the doorway. Even though Sokka was now a middle-aged man and Chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe, she couldn’t help but still see a sarcastic sixteen-year-old boy smiling back at her. The one that dared to drink cactus juice and always had his trusty boomerang at his side. Memories like that bring a bittersweet pain to Katara's chest as she recalled the days they traveled the world and helped the Avatar save the world.
“Of course I do,” Katara said, taking a deep breath as she went to place the photograph on top of her dresser. “He is…was my husband, after all.”
“I know,” Sokka replied, nodding stiffly as he leaned against the door frame of his widowed sister's bedroom.
The Chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe carefully studied his little sister and her choice of words. He could tell that even though Katara was portraying her usual face of strength, Sokka knew better than anyone right now that she was dying inside. Since they first met, Katara and Aang have practically been inseparable. This had to be killing her.
“I miss Aang too,” Sokka continued, blinking back the tears that stung his bright blue eyes. “He was a little brother to me…Spirits, I still expect to see him coming through the door to his office at any moment…”
Katara looked up from where she’d placed the photo on her dresser to give Sokka a gentle, but sad smile.
She had an inkling this was coming. After all, Aang had known his time on this earth was ending. Since he had spent one hundred years frozen in an iceberg while in the Avatar State, it drained much of his inherent life energy. It put a considerable strain on his body and his health started to deteriorate at a rapid rate.
Around the time he turned forty, Aang knew his life would be shorter than expected. He had prepared Katara, warned her, and made sure she gathered everyone so they could be there for his final moment…but truthfully, she didn’t quite want to believe it. It was too soon and still, somehow, unexpected. Aang was only forty-five years old. That isn’t very old in retrospect. Not to mention, forty-seven seemed too young to be a widow…
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this, Sokka,” Katara whispered, holding back her tears the best she could. “Tenzin…He’s fourteen years old. I know he’s practically mastered air bending now. He has his tattoos and thanks to Aang he has plenty of resources to only get better…but Tenzin idolized his father…They practically did everything together. And Kya and Bumi are still too young to lose a father. I know they’ve been on their own for quite some time now, especially Bumi, but they still love their father immensely and it’s killing them all…”
“Hey, it’s going to be okay, sis,” Sokka said softly, bringing Katara into a fierce hug. She nodded, swallowing her tears as she took in the comfort of her older brother, her hands gripping to the tough fabric of his heavy fur-lined parka. “Kya and Bumi are staying to help with Tenzin. Dad’s here, I’m here, and so are Suki, Anna, and Koda. The whole family’s here. It’s what Aang wanted…It’ll be okay.”
Katara smiled warmly at her older brother as they gently pulled apart. She had to admit, she was happy to at least have all her children with her. It’s been awhile since she’s had the three of them under one roof with Bumi being so wrapped up in his military career, Kya traveling the world with her girlfriend, and Tenzin constantly taking trips with Aang to either practice airbending or to help him work on building the air nation back up with the help of the Air Acolytes.
Spirits, now thinking about it, Katara hadn’t seen her niece nor her nephew in a long time either. Sokka and Suki had twin children of their own, Kanna or “Anna”, named for Gran Gran, and Hakoda or “Koda", named for their father. The twins, who were two years older than Bumi, moved to Kyoshi Island when they became of age– Anna wanting to learn the art of the Kyoshi Warriors, like her mother, while Koda joined for the adventure. But low and behold, Koda ended up falling for one of the Kyoshi Warriors, just like his father and married her. The couple now has two young girls, giving Katara great-nieces and her brother and sister-in-law grandchildren.
Sokka had been definitely saddened by his children’s departure from the Southern Water Tribe, but he was ecstatic to know they were at least happy with their choices and they all visited each other quite frequently– Koda and Anna often spending a month or two out of the year at the Southern Water Tribe.
“Come on,” Sokka said, wrapping an arm around his younger sister’s slender shoulder. “I think there are some people who wish to see you.”
“If they’re people wanting to pity the Avatar’s widow, I’m going to have all of Aang’s funeral in Republic City for that,” Katara muttered. She knew people were appreciative of her husband, and it warmed her heart seeing all the people Aang’s helped, but she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by all of it. Sure, it helped with the grief, but other times it just made her want to hide out in her room all day like a sullen little kid. Katara needed to be strong though, especially for her children who needed her the most at this time. This was not a time to break, even though she wanted to.
“I think you’ll be happy to see these visitors,” Sokka commented as he proceeded to lead her out of the home she and Aang shared.
For most of their marriage and even before that, Katara and Aang had lived in Republic City, specifically on Air Temple Island after it's formation. They raised their children there, but they still had a residence in the Southern Water Tribe whenever Katara was feeling homesick. When Aang knew his health was failing, he had asked that the family spend his final days in Katara’s homeland, the first place the couple fatefully met, and the same place they’d part for good.
As Katara exited the warmth of her home and entered the brisk tundra of the South Pole, she came to a halt when she noticed who was standing before her.
“Oh spirits,” Katara whispered, trying her best to control the influx of emotion that hit her like a ton of bricks. In front of the waterbending master stood not only her children and family but also the rest of Team Avatar. Toph was standing there with her two children alongside Zuko and his daughter.
“Hey there, Sugar Queen,” Toph Beifong choked out as tears rapidly flowed out of her pale green eyes and down her cheeks.
Instead of her Chief of Police uniform, which she rarely took off, the earthbender was in a more comfortable green Earth Kingdom tunic, wrapped up in a rather warm parka to keep her protected from the brisk South Pole weather. Her long black hair in a bun.
“I’m so sorry we couldn’t come sooner,” Toph continued, swallowing hard as she walked forward to greet her life long friend. Katara could see Toph's young daughters, Lin and Suyin, standing quietly behind their mother. Lin, who was a year younger than Tenzin’s age and one of his best friends, had immediately gone to his side to comfort him while nine-year-old Suyin sniffled at the loss of her Uncle Aang.
“Oh Toph,” Katara said, bringing the blind bender into a tight hug. “I missed you…And so did Aang.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here to give Twinkletoes one last goodbye,” Toph told the widow broken-heartily, wiping the tears from her eyes as she and Katara pulled apart.
“It’s okay. He didn’t want to burden anyone with this,” Katara said, sighing heavily. “You know Aang…But he loved you. You were one of his best friends.”
“As was he mine,” Toph added, smiling sadly at her friend.
“I’m just glad you’re here,” Katara replied before she was greeted by Toph’s daughters with gentle hugs.
As she pulled away from the Beifong family, Katara turned to face the Fire Lord. Zuko was wrapped up in a thick red parka as opposed to his usual regal Fire Lord Robes. His black hair had been pulled into a top knot, but his Fire Lord crown nowhere to be seen. At this moment, he reminded Katara so much of the Zuko that had joined their cause as teenagers and the Zuko that became one of Aang’s best friends rather than the all-mighty Fire Lord. He was just simply their old lifelong friend.
At Zuko’s side was Izumi, who was three years Kya’s senior and had grown into a beautiful young woman. She looked a great deal like both of her parents with her silky long black hair, pointed chin, and amber eyes.
“Zuko,” Katara choked out as the Fire Lord walked forward to greet her friend.
“I knew he was hiding something from me,” Zuko spoke, his voice trembling as he took Katara’s hands in his. “And Agni, I wish it was anything but this….We just lost Uncle last year…if I had known we would be laying Aang to rest as well….I just…”
“Aang didn’t want you to worry,” Katara declared to her friend, the tears dripping from the corners of her blue eyes. “He went peacefully though…Surrounded by me and the children…It’s what he wanted.”
Zuko nodded before bringing Katara into a comforting hug. She felt at ease as she and one of her husband’s best friends hugged for a little while longer. Once they pulled apart, Katara was greeted by the embrace of Izumi.
“I’m so sorry about this all, Aunt Katara,” Izumi muttered, hugging the older waterbender tightly. “We all miss Uncle Aang terribly…”
“Thank you, Izumi,” Katara replied warmly, giving the Fire Lord’s daughter a tight squeeze. It’s been awhile since she and even Lin have addressed her as ‘Aunt Katara’. When they were children, they often referred to Katara and Aang as aunt and uncle, but as the years progressed it was always ‘Katara’ rather than aunt. Something about the young woman addressing her that way made Katara’s heart swell. It was if she could hear the eight-year-old voice of her honorary niece crying out for her again.
“I’m so glad you’re all here,” Katara said, greeting her friends as she looked at the group before her. “To be honest, I thought we’d meet again for the funeral in Republic City…”
“We couldn’t leave you and the kids to go to that by yourselves,” Toph remarked, putting her hands on her hips as if Katara just suggested something outrageous. “I know it’s out of the way, but it’s the least we could do for you and Aang…”
“Well I’m very grateful for that,” Katara announced as Kya came forth to wrap an arm around her mother’s waist while Bumi and Tenzin joined her side. “I’m grateful for all of you…Losing Aang has been hard, but I’m warmed by the fact you will all be with us as we lay him to rest….”
“We wouldn’t want it any other way,” Sokka proclaimed as he put an arm around Suki's shoulders.
“We’ll be with you all until the end,” Zuko added as everyone else nodded in agreement. “The Royal Fire Nation fleet will escort us and Aang to his final resting place. We wish to give the greatest Avatar ever born a hero’s funeral.”
“Thank you all so much,” Katara whispered, wiping the hot tears from her cheeks as she looked upon her family and friends fondly.
The next couple of days seemed to blur for Katara. The trip to Republic City to Aang’s city-wide funeral…She kept to her role as the grieving but strong widow and constantly made sure her children were coping well. That was the most important thing to her right now was making sure her children would get through this. They were all handling it in very different ways, but hopefully, in time, they would heal.
“Are you all alright?” Katara asked Kya as they settled down in their Republic City residence on Air Temple Island.
It was just the family and friends now on the island. Katara was with her children in the bedroom she shared with Aang, a place she hadn’t entered since they left for the Southern Water Tribe. The first night they returned to Republic City, her three children had stayed the night with her in the room, feeling like their home was empty without their father.
“I’m doing okay,” Kya insisted, nodding her head slowly behind a curtain of dark brown hair. She was sitting beside Katara on the cushioned windowsill bench. The mother and daughter were currently resting after a long day of greeting people and sitting through memorial speeches. “It was nice to see all those people at Dad’s funeral…” Kya trailed off, her eyes drifting for a moment as she tugged at the hem of her dark blue pajama bottoms. “Just good to know he meant so much to so many people, ya know?”
“I know, dear,” Katara said, reaching over to squeeze Kya’s hand. Her daughter gave her a sad smile in return before turning to look at her brothers who were sound asleep.
“It’s also good to know they are getting some rest,” Kya stated lightly as she motioned to them.
Katara chuckled as she observed the scene before her. Bumi and Tenzin were passed out on the bed. Her twenty-four-year-old son was snoring away with his arm slung around the frame of his little brother. Tenzin’s head was burrowed into Bumi’s side as he curled up to his older brother in a very rare moment. The two probably butt heads the most out of her three children so the scene before Katara was something out of the ordinary.
“And you should really get some too,” Katara remarked, cupping her daughter’s cheek. “It’s getting late.”
“I think I might join the flying bison pile,” Kya joked, jerking a thumb to her brothers. “What about you? You need rest too, mom.”
“It's a full moon and I'm feeling a bit restless. I’m probably going to take a little walk around the garden,” Katara said, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s temple. “However, you need to sleep. Tomorrow is a new day and you should keep up your strength.”
“Alright, if you insist...Goodnight, Mama,” Kya said softly to her mother, causing Katara to smile warmly. It’s been years since one of her children called her that.
Once Kya was asleep, Katara quietly made her way out to the garden. The garden on Air Temple Island always brought her peace and she couldn’t help but bask in the solace and quietness right now.
Katara slowly walked down the pathway and to her favorite bench, right underneath a Moon Peach tree. Aang had placed it there especially for her, right in front of the small koi pond so she can be near to the water with hundreds of panda lilies surrounding the area. Anytime the couple got into a spat or if Katara was having a rough day, Aang would always show up with a bouquet of panda lilies to apologize or to make her day brighter.
Meanwhile, after making sure Izumi was turned in for the night, Fire Lord Zuko also made his way out to the garden.
Zuko's head had been spinning from today and he could feel his emotions starting to overwhelm him. The garden on Air Temple Island was something that always brought Zuko ease, specifically when he was young and he and Aang would find themselves stressed out over the construction of their beloved Republic City. The two friends would just take a simple walk through the garden and remind themselves they were still adolescents. It usually ended with them playfully sparring or meeting up with the rest of Team Avatar.
As Zuko made his way down the pathway, he stopped when he noticed the form of the waterbender sitting at a nearby bench. Her favorite spot in the whole garden.
The Fire Lord paused to study Katara for a moment, the way she looked out towards the pond and seemed to only stay focused on the water itself. The usually sharp Katara would’ve spotted him from a mile away by now and probably would’ve shot some witty remark to the Fire Lord.
Zuko hesitated, thinking if he should go over there or not for a moment, before finally deciding to join her.
“Trouble sleeping?” Zuko spoke up, making his presence known for Katara who seemed slightly startled at first but pleased to see it was him.
“Hey there,” Katara responded, her voice light. “You can say that. Are you having trouble too?”
“Just a bit. Thought I could try getting a bit of fresh air….Mind if I join you?” Zuko asked, motioning to the free spot next to her on the bench.
“I don’t mind at all,” Katara replied sincerely, taking a deep breath as the Fire Lord took a seat beside her on the garden bench.
There were a few moments of silence. That’s when Katara said, “Your eulogy was beautiful. I think you handled it all rather well.” The widow paused, realizing her words as she continued, “Or you handled the situation well, for a funeral…”
“Of course,” Zuko insisted. “I know the beginning of our friendship was rough, but I would do anything to make sure Aang would be remembered and respected after death. I owe my whole life to that kid...”
“Thank you, Zuko,” Katara said, placing a gentle hand on his forearm. “I really appreciate it.”
Zuko nodded at this as he bit his lip, hoping to see if he could get Katara to open up more. He wasn't the only one worried about her right now. He'd discussed it with Sokka, Toph, Suki, and even Hakoda the other night, how Katara seems to be holding in all of her pain in. Sokka has mentioned how he and Suki have tried desperately to get her to open up, but she usually brushes it off and tries to focus her attention elsewhere. Zuko knew the feeling all too well and he wanted to take as much of that pain as he could away from his friend.
"So, how are you feeling?” he asked, his tone slightly timid, almost afraid to ask the dreaded question.
“I’m…alright,” Katara confessed rather bluntly, taking in a forced breath as she looked out at the darkened garden. Her eyes scanned the distant twinkling lights of Republic City and the soft glow of the full moon. Katara's focus then locked with the full moon almost as a way to ask Yue to keep an eye on Aang for her.
“Katara, you know you can’t fool me, right?” Zuko pointed out softly, placing a gentle hand over his friend’s. “You don’t have to be strong in front of me right now. It’s okay. I…I know what it’s like to be…To be widowed.” The Fire Lord had said the world with such dislike and pain. He still had trouble saying it, despite the fact his beloved wife’s been gone for over a decade now.
Katara froze, blinking in realization as she looked up into the distraught amber eyes of the Fire Lord.
Mai.
The Fire Lady's death had been unexpected, to say the least.
Zuko and Mai continued their on-again and off-again relationship for a few years after the war, but they eventually found their way back to each other by their mid-twenties and got married. The two were really happy and only grew happier with the arrival of little Izumi, who they had much difficulty conceiving. For about three years the couple tried everything to get pregnant, but by miracle chance, the Gods managed to grant them with their precious daughter and heir to the Fire Nation.
Unfortunately, Izumi’s birth was a lot for Mai’s body. She was strong, but her build was frail and a couple of years later she grew very sick. Katara remembered coming to the palace and did everything she could to help the Fire Lady, but there’s only so much a healer can do when it’s a person’s time. Mai knew this and told Katara not to worry, knowing it was the best her old friend could do to heal her ailing body.
Zuko had kept a long vigil at Mai’s side until the very end and handled his grief by burying himself in work. Izumi was only eight-years-old and Zuko not only had to be the Fire Lord of a nation, but he had to also be mother and father to his little girl.
“Remember how mere hours after the funeral, you and Uncle decided to spend a month at the palace to keep me in check,” Zuko mentioned, pulling his hand away from Katara’s to rest them on the edge of the bench.
“I remember,” Katara recalled wistfully, turning back to look at the garden. “Bumi and Kya were so little then and Tenzin was just a baby. Aang had to leave after a week to go back to Republic City to resume his duties–"
“He helped me a great deal by taking off a lot of my responsibilities during that time and you helped by dropping everything to spend the next few weeks making sure me and my daughter were okay,” Zuko pointed out, tilting his head so he was eye level to his friend.
“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” Katara declared almost protectively. “That’s what friends are for.”
“Exactly. Having you, Aang, Sokka, Suki, Toph, the kids, and Uncle be there for me and Izumi helped immensely,” Zuko reminded the grieving widow. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without all of you. Probably would’ve drowned myself in work if you didn’t slap me out of it…You helped me and my daughter back on our feet and I want to do the same.”
“What do you mean?” Katara asked softly, her head quirking slightly at the Fire Lord’s words.
“It’s been awhile since I took some time off with Izumi and with Uncle’s death last year and Aang’s death now it’s just been…” Zuko trailed off, taking in a sharp breath for a brief moment. Katara also froze to study the pain inflicted on his face. Losing Iroh had been extremely difficult for Zuko and Katara could only imagine how he felt losing one of his friends almost a year later. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, we want to spend the next month here with you all,” Zuko continued. “Toph is taking a much needed few weeks off as well…It’ll give us all time to grieve together, as a family.”
“Are you sure?” Katara asked hesitantly as she fiddled with her hands. “You have your Fire Lord duties and Toph has her duties as police chief and–“
“I want to and so does she,” Zuko declared adamantly, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder to stop her. “Besides, I think Aang would be happy to know we’re all together for the first time in a long time, celebrating his life and being there for you and your kids…”
Kate couldn’t help the tears forming in her eyes as she gave the Fire Lord a grateful smile. “Thank you, Zuko.”
“Don’t thank me. It’s the least I can do,” he replied, chuckling lightly as he tried to control his own tears. “I’m just looking out for an old friend…Anyway, I wanted to give you something.”
Katara’s eyebrows knitted together in slight confusion at the Fire Lord. “What?”
“It’s the last letter Aang ever sent me,” Zuko told her stiffly, gingerly taking out a scroll from his robes and handing it to his friend.
Katara was quiet for a moment as she carefully unfolded the letter as if it would escape her grasp at any moment.
Dear Zuko,
I think you’ve suspected for awhile now that I haven’t been in the best health and by the time you get this, you will probably receive the news that I have passed on. I wish we had longer, my friend, but the universe tends to work in unpredictable ways.
I want you to know that despite this friendship starting on the wrong foot, you have grown into one of my dearest and best friends. Truthfully, you and Sokka have been the older brothers I never had. I am at peace knowing that I can leave everything we’ve worked so hard on in good and trusted hands. I do ask of you that when the time comes and the new Avatar is revealed, you are there to help guide them as you guided me. I know you will be a great asset to the White Lotus in making sure the next Avatar is well looked after. I also have high hopes that this Avatar will be born of Katara’s people, even though everyone is convinced it’ll be the Northern Water Tribe.
Katara…I know she will have her family and our children to look out for her once I am gone, but I need you and Toph to be there too. I know you will do this without me asking of you, dear friend, but promise me this– make sure Katara still keeps a smile on her face even though I am gone. I do not want her to mourn forever. I just want her to be happy. Watch over her and let her and the children know I love them a something fierce.
Until we meet again.
Your Friend,
Aang
Katara couldn’t control the tears as she finished the last bit of the letter. Aang’s final sign to her. The boy in the iceberg that turned her world completely upside down.
“The day I got this letter, I was ready to march down to the South Pole myself when I was informed of the news,” Zuko confessed to Katara, his lips forming into a thin line. “He wanted you to know he cared for you and he loved you and your children so much…”
“Oh Aang,” Katara cried, trying to control herself. However, she couldn’t help as the ugliest sobs ripped through her throat and the hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Her hands clutched the letter to her heaving chest. It was probably the most she’s cried since the day of her husband’s death. She’s shed tears, but kept as much of her pain as she could away from her children so that she can console them on their grief.
“Shhh,” Zuko whispered, placing a comforting hand on the waterbender’s back. As he did this, he was surprised as Katara proceeded to bury her face into the Fire Lord’s chest, openly sobbing in his arms. He blinked for a moment, shocked by her actions, before tenderly bringing the grieving widow into his arms in a strong embrace. He rested his cheek against Katara’s hair while she gripped to his robes for dear life. “Don’t worry, I got you,” Zuko promised, rubbing her back with one hand while his other arm held her tightly to him. “It’s okay, let it all out. I’m here.”
Katara stayed there for a few moments, not caring who's arms these belonged to as she let out tears for her late husband. Slowly, the crying stopped and she had taken a few moments just to quietly rest against Zuko’s chest– to regain her strength and composure. The waterbender’s body felt worn, her cheeks burned from her salted tears, and her body trembled with grief. Katara’s entire weight seemed to be supported by Zuko as she buried herself deeper in his arms, the silky fabric of his tunic feeling nice against her raw skin. She listened to his steady breathing and tried to copy it for herself while the feeling of his heartbeat against her cheek lulled her into a state of ease.
Katara couldn’t help but relish being in someone’s comfort again. She missed the feeling of Aang’s arms around her and the feeling of Zuko’s warm, muscled arms gave her great comfort. Although, Katara knew these arms did not belong to those of her husband. These arms belonged to someone who smelt of sandalwood and smoke instead of Aang’s scent of citrus and jasmine. These were the arms of someone who wore royal robes instead of her husband's air nomad attire. These were the arms of her good friend. One of her best friends. Zuko’s arms.
“I’m sorry,” Katara whispered haggardly, her voice rough like sandpaper as she pulled away from Zuko’s embrace carefully. One of her hands still resting delicately on his broad chest. “I didn’t mean to–“
“I don’t mind,” Zuko promised, taking the hand on her chest and holding it tightly in his grasp. “You did the same for me long ago, remember? Don’t worry.”
Katara gave her old friend a grateful and warm glance. “Thank you.”
“Any time,” he replied as they gently pulled away from one another. “Do you need anyone right now? Sokka or the kids?”
“I’m fine right now…I’ll head back to my children in a bit,” Katara said, stopping for a moment as she studied Zuko with wavering eyes. “But...If it’s alright though, do you mind just staying here with me? Just for a few moments? I just…I just need a few minutes–“
“It would be my honor,” Zuko said as the waterbender proceeded to almost sigh in relief as she looked out at the garden again. “And Katara, I just want you to know…If you ever need to talk or just breathe, I’m here. I know what it’s like…I can be your fellow widow.”
“Fellow widow?” Katara snorted at the term but chuckled a little as she looked back at Zuko. “So are we in some secret widowers club now?”
“If you want,” Zuko teased, causing Katara to crack a slight grin. “Just to know we’re not alone in this and if there’s anything we need from one another, we have each other to rely on. We’ve always relied on each other as friends, but we can be there for one another this way too…”
“It’d like that very much,” Katara replied wholeheartedly. She then proceeded to rest her head against her friend’s shoulder while Zuko gently snaked an arm around her frame, bringing Katara into a comforting side hug.
The two of them would stay like that until dawn would peak it’s head out behind the clouds and sleep would finally catch up…