AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 47

"Fire Lady," MyungJong was saying as Katara approached.

"Mm?... Yes?"

"You're kind of pale."

Athlea blinked. "Am I...?" She frowned and looked forward. "I'm sure it is nothing."

Katara approached Athlea just as she spoke to her Helper. "Take a break, Athlea," she said softly, taking Athlea's arm and moving her away from what she was dealing with. "You need another healing session." As she moved her away, she continued, "Zuko figured out that there were plants that were the reason we all passed out. He's going with the others to help Toph uproot them."

Athlea blinked at Katara, and Seo glanced at the waterbender. Athlea stood and followed Katara to her room, her Followers a short distance behind them. "Wasn't Zuko the same person that said for all of us to take a day off?" she asked, clearly annoyed, her brows furrowed.

Katara frowned. "I know you're upset that you can't go with, Athlea. He told Toph we could do this tomorrow, but Toph said it would be easier to deal with it more quickly." She bit her lip. "Remember you promised Zuko to stay here a whole week, so you'd better get used to it," she suggested gently.

Athlea glared at Katara. "Are you kidding me? Of course I am annoyed." She shook her head, her arms crossed as she faced forward. "Yeah, we should deal with the plants, but they're still not safe." She massaged her temples.

Katara raised an eyebrow. "Don't take your anger out on me," she reminded Athlea, her eyes narrowing. She took a breath and smiled softly. "Where shall we do your next session?"

Athlea let out a sigh, "Right... Sorry." She took a deep breath, looking at Katara. "We can do it here; we're in my room, after all." She looked toward the bedroom door.

Katara nodded. "Okay," she said, moving the water over her lower stomach. She frowned, then sighed. "You're grieving more than you are in pain, huh?" she asked sympathetically. She pulled the water back into her flask, her eyes round.

Athlea raised an eyebrow, sighing and looking away. After a moment she turned back to Katara. "...I guess," she said

"Do you want to talk, Thea?"

"Talk about what? I don't think there is anything to talk about... regarding the situation," she explained with a frown.

"You don't need to talk about what happened," Katara said gently, "just how you feel." She capped her flask. "I know you're sad, and Zuko's angry--well, frustrated. Sometimes it might be hard to talk to him, so you can talk to someone else instead."

Athlea frowned, sighing. "Yeah... it's true." She bit down on her lower lip and paused.

Katara gently placed a hand on Athlea's shoulder. "Take your time," she murmured.

"It's hard, okay?" Athlea said suddenly. "It's so, so hard, especially as a Fire Lady, when I used to be reminded every single day that I need to provide an heir. They stopped mentioning it but after this...? It hurts. And I talked to Zuko about it, and of course he wants us to try for an heir, but I don't even know if my body can hold a child after this," she said, her eyes holding her concern and fear.

Katara blinked. "I didn't even think of that," she admitted. She hugged her. "Don't worry. With Dai and I as healers, your body is doing well. You'll still be able to have a child. And I know you have a lot of pressure on you, but don't worry." She let her go and grinned.

Athlea looked at Katara and away again with a sigh, "But what if..." She returned her gaze to Katara. "What if my body can't hold it after what happened, or what if I stress too much because of the first time and it happens again." She frowned. "A million what ifs," she admitted as she stood up.

Katara pressed her lips together. "Just keep track of when you could be pregnant," she said. "You have to start protecting yourself before your kingdom until you have an heir. And besides, you have everyone's help now."

***

A/N poor Thea is so nervous. imagine the pressure of needing to supply an heir... and her annoying ass Helpers won't shut up about it. btw, Helpers are just employees.