Twisted Fate | Kataang

Chapter 2: Him

The next day, Katara was sitting alone under her favorite tree in her front yard, humming to herself. In her hands lay a little woven toy that she was making for her baby, nearly finished. A bowl of papaya sat next to her.

"Secret tunnel." A voice said from behind her.

Oh no. Katara knew that voice all too well. She spun around, a frown on her face. Aang.

"I'm surprised you still remember that song. We, uh, sure did have some good times in that tunnel though, didn't we?" He grinned.

"Aang you shouldn't be here! I thought I told you-"

"I know what you said. You're married now."

"Yes! Aang I-" Katara took a deep breath to calm herself down before continuing, "I'm in love with Haru. We're happy together. Why can't you just accept that?"

The Airbender ignored her. "I thought you didn't like papaya," Aang nodded towards the bowl.

"Aang!"

"I'll bet it's a pregnancy craving, huh?"

"Aang please!"

"All right, all right. I'll go." He put his hands up.

"Thank you," Katara let out a sigh of relief.

"After I see the baby," mischief filled his eyes.

"What? Why can't you just go now?" concern filled hers.

"Don't worry. You won't even know I'm in town," He said, turning to go.

"Aang, wait!"

"Already miss me, huh?" Aang reeled around, grinning that bright smile of his, causing Katara's eyes to shoot to the ground for fear her guard would slip.

"No. It's just... I know why you're here. And I swear, Aang, if you're trying to make trouble between Haru and I-"

"I'm afraid the damage is already done, sweetie," He simpered.

"Don't call me that."

"Oh? You didn't seem to mind when I called you 'sweetie' a few months ago. About seven months ago, right? In fact, you let me do a whole lot more than that," His grin was really getting on her nerves.

"Oh spirits, why?" Katara turned to grasp the tree behind her, gently knocking her head on it's bark.

"You know," Aang said, stepping closer to her, placing a hand on her shoulder, "we could have it all back if we wanted," he whispered this last phrase seductively, sending a shiver down Katara's spine.

This was the last straw.

"Stop!" Katara whirled around, looking him directly into his gray eyes, "Don't you dare think that I would ever leave Haru! You and I, whatever it is that we had, it's over!" And she stormed off, her handmade baby toy left behind.

...

Later that night, at the dinner table, Katara hardly spoke a word. Of course, Haru noticed. "Is something wrong?" He asked, worry in his eyes.

"N-no. I'm fine," she poked her fork around her plate.

"Come on, you don't expect me to believe that," Haru raised his eyebrows at her, a smile forming on his lips.

She let herself smile a little. "It must just be the pregnancy. It's not exactly easy to control my emotions when I'm pregnant, you know?"

"I don't know from experience or anything, but I guess I'll just have to believe you on that one, eh?" His eyes were smiling.

Something about that last phrase caused her stomach to coil. She forced a smile so he wouldn't read her mind. But deep down, Katara felt like such a fool. There he was, her husband, just a few feet away from her, so innocent and trusting of her. All she could think about was seven months back... she shuddered.