Twisted Fate | Kataang

Chapter 3: Tea

A few days later, Katara wandered into town, looking for something to do. Haru was busy at work all day. Normally she held a teaching position at the healing center, but, being pregnant, she was on leave for a few months.

She strolled past the merchants with their carts, and eventually headed into The Jasmine Dragon, Iroh's tea shop.

"Well hello, Katara," Iroh came to her as she was seating herself at a booth. "I see the baby is coming soon. You must be pretty excited."

They shared small talk and Iroh took her order. When her tea came, it was steamy and warm, and she couldn't wait to take a sip. She held the teacup up to her lips. Ahh, it tasted perfect and the beautiful fragrance made her feel warm inside. She was mid-swallow when she heard a "Psst, Katara!" coming from behind her, causing the tea to spray out of her mouth. Aang.

Without turning around, she said, "What, you're following me now?"

He slid into the booth seat across from her. "Hey," he smiled.

"What do you want now?" she glared at him.

"You forgot this," He pulled something out of his pocket, revealing the partially made baby toy.

"Yeah well, I left it in my own yard. I could've gotten it back myself," Katara said, pulling the toy out of his hands.

"I know, but I thought I'd be polite."

"Polite. Ha. You wanted to see me," Katara glowered at him, her face slightly red.

"Maybe."

There was a quick silence.

"How's the baby?" Aang asked suddenly.

"What do you care?" Katara took a sip of her tea.

"I care about you. And besides, you know damn well the baby could be mine."

This was the second time the tea in Katara's mouth came shooting out, causing a mist to cover Aang's face. He summoned a gust of air to dry himself.

She stared at him in disbelief. He really just said that.

"What? Are you gonna deny it?"

"I-well-I think... ugh!" Katara stammered. Seeing the look of delight on Aang's face from her struggling, she added, "You love this don't you?"

"Hey, you can't blame me entirely for this mess, as I recall, you let me undo your dress."

"AANG!"

"Does Haru know?" Aang asked.

Katara just glared at him, her face growing redder by the second. "I am not having this conversation with you," she then pushed her tea away and stood up, dropping a few coins on the table as a tip. She walked away, trying ever so hard to keep the tears from falling.