Chapter Text
Aang fell unconscious, all that he learnt from the monks vanished from his mind and he was following his instincts.
When Aang opened his eyes, he was in one of the Water Tribe's tents, he had bandages over his arm, even if he didn't remember when he got injured. He suddenly remembered what happened, and got out quickly out of his tent.
All he saw was that the Fire Nation ship wrecked, the snow was dirty with blood and ashes.
—Katara? Sokka? He yelled out. Hakoda?
He looked around and the oldest woman of the tribe came to him, she told him that he went into the avatar state and destroyed all firebenders.
His heart beat fast. _I... I killed people_ he thought to himself, panicking and looked around.
—My niece and nephew are recovering from their injuries, she said softly.
—A-and Hakoda? He asked, feeling anxious.Grangran looked down, not saying anything.
—We are not sure if he will recover, she whispered and Aang widened his eyes.
—No.. I'm so sorry.. only if I was a better Avatar-
He began saying and grangran came to hug him.
—You saved our tribe, Avatar Aang. We're going to be forever greatful for that, she said, with a warm smile.
But for Aang, this wasnt good enough. He had to leave the tribe. Toph was right. The airbender made his way to Katara's tent, she seemed to be sleeping and he wanted to leave.
—Wait..She whispered and he turned and sat next to her, her frowned at her injuries, she seemed much worse than him. The 18 year old sat next to her, in his meditation pose. She looked at him, her eyes shined with admiration.
—Aang, what you did there was amazing.. I.. You saved us.The waterbender said to him.
—I didn't know you could waterbend like that.. I don't compare to you, she said and Aang shook his head.
—No.. that wasn't me, I don't remember anything i did, really, he said to her honesty and Katara believed him. It was the Avatar State.. i couldn’t control myself, but I'm glad you're all safe..
All expect Hakoda he wanted to say, but he kept quiet. They stayed in silence for a while, looking at each other when master Pakku entered her tent. Katara glared at him at first, but when he noticed the pergaments in his hands, he put them down.
—They're old healing pergaments, I've never tried to learn, and i am too old now, but you Katara have a young spirit.
He said and Aang looked at him surprised, opened the pergaments and showed them to Katara.
Katara was surprised, but now felt motivated to force herself to stand up and to ignore her newly acquired scars.
A few days later, Katara was practicing healing on her own scars and when she finally got it she made her way to her father where she was able to help soothe his deeper wounds.
He was going to make it and all thanks to Katara.
Aang told Toph they were going to leave, but Grangran insisted they throw a big party for them before they go off. Aang enjoyed himself, forgetting about his worries as he tried to avoid eating any meat and focused on the fruits and vegetable that weren't so good. At the end, Sokka was drunk and Toph was carrying him now to her tent, as she learnt her way to the tent she's sleeping in, she also drank a lot so when they'll reach her tent, they'll both fall asleep.
Katara wanted to talk with Aang, so he followed her to her tent as well, he was afraid of any other rumors appearing, but Katara calmed him down. They both sat down and Katara took off her necklace and the one that was hidden. She began explaining to him the whole tradition with the necklace being a marriage proposal.
—So that means... you're married? He asked, feeling the color drain from his face.
His heart beat fast and the embarrassed took over him, he couldn't believe what he had done. He had his first kiss with a married woman.
—No, silly. I.. I was promised to one of our greatest soldiers, but he died in the war, against the Fire Nation.She told him the truth, holding the necklace tightly into her hands. Now Aang understood her hesitation.
—I.. I also hated you for the war. For not stopping it, but you're a normal person, just like me. You might have the avatar state, but you can't control it. It's not your fault Bukaq died at war, i see it now.
Aang listened to her carefully.
—Katara... I promise you, I will stop this war. But I need your help, i need you to be my waterbending teacher.
He said to her, his eyes burning. Katara smiled a bit.
—You want me to go with you? She asked.
—I do, but first.. will you go penguin sliding with me?He asked her and Katara smiled and laughed, before hugging him tightly.
—Of course.
They packed their things, saying goodbye to everybody. The two siblings kissed their grandmother and their recovering father and left with the avatar, starting their new adventure on the Earth Nation ship.
The two lovers took things slow, Aang now understood why Katara was hesitant to get close to him and he didn't push her, instead he helped her heal.