Twisted Fate | Kataang

Chapter 8: The Stupid Avatar

Haru slept at a relative's place that night, leaving Katara to drown in her pains and regrets alone. Early in the morning, though, she heard the front door slam shut, indicating that he was back.

"We have to talk," he was standing at her bedroom door.

"I know."

They sat themselves at the kitchen table, coffee cups between them. The early morning sun filled the room with a mystical glow, but neither one of them noticed.

"I've been thinking all night." Haru said.

"Me too."

"I love you, Katara. And I don't want this to be the end. So you need to tell me, is there a chance for us?"

"Of course there is! What are you implying?"

"Do you love him?"

"What?"

"Aang- the stupid Avatar. Do you love him?"

"I-I..." Katara exhaled deeply. The cheeks she finally got dry were now wet again. "...I think I do."

The earthbender's eyes fell to the floor. "That's what I thought."

"But I love you, too!" Katara pleaded. "Doesn't that mean anything?"

"I want to fight for you. I want to give that idiot what he deserves. But something tells me that it would all be in vain."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I can see it in your eyes when you talk about him. You want to be with him. You love him more."

Katara didn't know what to say. She knew deep down that what he was saying was true.

"This isn't a permanent goodbye. I would never walk out on Tyro, even if he isn't my son. But Katara, I don't think we're gonna come out of this alright...I think we both know what I'm trying to say..."

"You think we should end our marriage..." She felt her throat tighten. "I'm so sorry!" She threw herself around her husband. "You probably hate me."

Haru felt his own eyes get misty. "I hate what you did, yes. Last night, I went over a million and one reasons why I regret marrying you. Funny thing though, I couldn't get myself to believe a single one of them. No matter how hard I try, I could never hate you."

"Are you sure we aren't being too quick about this? You just found out last night, now you're just gonna leave?"

"No offense, but I don't think I left first. The second you let him touch you, you left me."

They stood in a silent embrace for a few minutes. Finally, Haru pulled away. "You can reach out to me anytime. I love you."

"I love you too."

"I uh, just need to say goodbye to Tyro." Agony tore across his face.

"Right."

Haru went to Tyro's room, and Katara could hear a few of the words he was saying to the baby. "You be a good boy", "I'll visit soon", and "I love you" being some of them.

After a few minutes, Haru came back out into the kitchen, his eyes heavy.

"I'll be there, whenever you need me." He nodded, and stepped out of the house.