Twisted Fate | Kataang

Chapter 5: Warrior Baby

There was a knock on the front door. Katara, who was standing over the pot of food she was cooking, tapped her wooden spoon on the side of the pot and set it down. She strolled over to the door.

"You're early hon- oh. It's you," She said, the smile dying from her lips as she realized that it was not her husband but rather a certain Airbender standing at her porch. She started to close the door on him, but he stuck his foot in the doorway.

"Katara, wait," He called, "please, I came to see the baby."

She peered out of the door crack so that Aang could only see half of her face. "No. Haru will be here any minute, and I can't have him see you here."

"Please, Katara. I have to see, I have to know," he pleaded.

She could hear the desperation in his voice. "Fine," she sighed, opening the door fully so he could come in, "you have one minute."

Katara led Aang down the hall to Tyro's room and nodded towards the bassinet. Aang took a deep breath and wandered over, clearly nervous.

"Aw, hello there," he put his hand in front of Tyro, and to Katara's shock, the baby grabbed Aang's finger, giggling lightly. Aang turned his head towards Katara, "I think he likes me."

"Don't flatter yourself," she responded coldly, trying not to be impressed with Tyro's seemingly fondness towards Aang. She had never seen Tyro look at Haru the way that he was looking at Aang. She shivered.

"He has your eyes." Aang smiled.

"That's what Haru said."

"You realize that time might show you things you don't wanna see," Aang said, his leery tone setting Katara on her toes.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what if this baby is an Airbender?"

Katara froze. Her heart began to thud harder. Why hadn't she thought of this? Careful not to display her fear, she answered, "Well what if he's an Earthbender? Or a Waterbender, or no bender at all?"

"Do those possibilities comfort you? You're saying that you feel no guilt, as long as Haru doesn't find out?"

"No! I-it's-well-"

"Be honest with yourself, Katara. Can you look me in the eye and tell me that you don't see my face in Tyro's?"

"It's time for you to leave now."

"We can't keep lying to ourselves."

Katara's lip quivered. "Oh, Aang!" She broke down on the floor crying, her face in her hands.

Aang was quick to comfort her, "Hey," he rushed over, kneeling beside her. Almost naturally, Katara threw herself into his arms, sobbing as the tears slid down her cheeks.

"Shh, it's gonna be alright," He whispered, stroking her hair.

After a few minutes, Katara pulled away so that she could look into Aang's eyes. "What am I supposed to do?" she sniffed.

"I think you know," he said solemnly.

"You think I should tell him," a fresh tear dropped down her cheek.

Aang wiped it away with his hand, saying, "Yes, I do. But only you can decide."

...

Later that night, as she and Haru were eating dinner, Katara found the task to be quite difficult.

"Haru, honey," she began, "I have to tell you something."

He looked into her worried eyes. "I bet I know what it is."

"You do?" She felt her heart skip a beat.

"Yeah, you're tired. I know how much work it is to take care of Tyro when I'm gone, I'm sorry honey." He placed his hand atop hers.

"Oh, right, well-"

"But he sure is growing, huh? I swear, he's gotten bigger since I saw him this morning!" Haru beamed.

"Yea-"

"And I've seen the amount of food he eats, he'll be a warrior, this one!"

"Haru, please listen."

"Is everything alright?" sensing her tone, Haru's face turned serious. He was looking directly at Katara, his attention undivided as he waited for her to speak.

"I..." Katara felt like her heart was ready to jump out of her chest. The way he was looking at her, so honest and full of love, she knew she couldn't. Not here. Not now. "I just wanted to say, I think you're an amazing father. I love you, honey." She smiled, trying to mask her edgy nerves.

"I love you too, honey. You're an amazing mother, and an amazing wife."