ATLA: Bonds Within Bending

Morning Meetings

Katara's POV

I struggled to fall asleep last night, I just couldn't stay still. From what happened with Jet and Azula, to the moment with Aang in the hallway, Ive been uncontrollably anxious and generally emotional. I know I need to explain to Aang about the favour because I can't keep things from him like this.

Sokka and Toph were on the balcony when I got out of my room, I checked my look in the mirror beside the flat door. Should I go and put some makeup on? Those bags under my eyes are really saying hello there. I rolled my eyes as I began to criticise my entire outfit. Nope, stop it.

I grabbed the keys and opened the door, at coincidently the exact same time Aang opened his.

His eyes set straight onto me, widening slightly in surprise then let out a small laugh. 

"Good timing", He grinned and stepped out into the hallway, to the exact spot we were stood together last night. 

"Impeccable", I smiled back, in a way thankful that I didn't have to anxiously wait outside his apartment, which would make me overthink even more, then i for sure would've gotten changed. I also stepped out to the same place I was the night before, closing the door behind me, turning back to see him right there, inches away.

"Morning", He looked into my eyes as he spoke softly. "You look beautiful, love the coat", Aang then turned to shut the door and began to walk down the corridor.

Why do I even overthink when he loves my flaws?

I smiled for a second just thinking about how him and his words make me feel, then I went after him.

The walk to the coffee shop was quiet, we talked about how busy the city was this particular morning or how the weather is getting colder and colder. But we mainly just walked in silence. The whole time I just wanted to grab his hand and cling onto his arm, but after last night I'm not sure how comfortable he is with physical touch and public displays of affection right now.

We ordered then sat down opposite each other, Aang's eyes were always wandering around, he wanted to take in everything that's around him, looking at every person and every corner of the room. He did this everywhere we went, like he sees every location as an art piece, when he looks at me I feel like I'm an art piece too, he can't figure me out but he loves to stare.

Whilst his eyes drifted, mine were firmly on him. I want to explode and tell him everything at once. I couldn't stop fidgeting with my hands under the table, squeezing them together to try and distract myself.

"So, how's everything going with Iroh?", I asked to clear the silence, Aang's eyes stopped, they lowered slightly, avoiding my general area. He's nervous talking about it? Or feels uncomfortable talking about it around me? "Sorry I shouldn't have-", I began to apologise.

"No it's alright. We're getting somewhere and even though I don't like it, I'm learning", He shrugged, resting one arm on the table and nervously tapping the surface with his hand, his eyes focused on it. "I need to go through a lot of self searching, meditation and connecting with The Avatar. Along with slowly disconnecting myself with materialistic things I depend on or something like that", he mumbled.

I watched his movements and frowned at how upset he seems, I reached across the table to hold his hand but stopped myself. He needs his space Katara let him deal with this, he isn't a baby.

As I was thinking, he grabbed my hand and held it. He may not be a baby but he is mine. I squeezed his hand supportively after holding it back.

"It'll get better with time, like most things. I'm sure you'll start to enjoy it soon enough. All the new techniques you'll learn, the people you'll meet, the peace you'll feel after accepting the other part of you after all these years", I smiled, gently rubbing the side of his hand with my thumb.