The One That Got Away | Kataang

Chapter 17- The talk

Hey everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that this chapter will be a bit shorter than usual. I'm not feeling well right now because I came down with COVID-19.
But on a brighter note, I've already begun working on the next chapter for you all!

Thanks for your understanding and continued support❤️

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Katara spoke first, her voice hesitant, breaking the suffocating silence. "You're back" she started. Aang rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah" he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Honestly, all I wanted to do was crawl into a hole and hide. But that's not right, is it? I can't just run away from everything or leave you hanging. It wouldn't be fair." He settled awkwardly beside her on the couch. The air crackled with unspoken emotions, a tangled web of tension and confusion" he said quietly while sitting next to her on the couch. How do they start to talk about any of the things they need to say to one another?

After a while of companionable silence, neither daring to meet the other's gaze, Aang finally spoke. "Katara" he whispered, his voice thick with guilt. She turned to him, her eyes searching his. "I'm sorry" he continued, his head hanging low. Katara shook her head, a forced smile gracing her lips. "Aang, I told you, it's okay. I'm not mad" Though deep down, a secret part of her had cherished the unexpected closeness, the reminder of his unwavering love.

"It's not just that" he confessed, his voice strained "I'm so sorry I forgot you. YOU, of all people..." He trailed off, unable to finish the agonizing thought. "Aang, you couldn't control that" Katara interjected softly, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "The most important thing is that you have your memories back. Now you can focus on healing from all those injuries" she answered.

They sat in a heavy silence once more, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging thick in the air. Both knew there was more to be said, but the words seemed to catch in their throats. Finally, Aang cleared his throat and began, his voice barely a whisper, "So now you know... you know about what I..." he started to say, unable to finish the sentence. It was too painful. Katara finished his sentence, a tear slipping down her cheek, "You wanted to propose," she whispered, the sting of her past betrayal rising to the surface. Suddenly, an unexpected confession burst forth from her. "I would have said yes, you know?" she blurted out, a desperate need for him to understand her feelings.

"I think at that time, I knew that too... But apparently, fate had a different plan for us" he mumbled the last part of his sentence, bowing his head down. She looked at him and saw how harmed he was. She couldn't bear to see him like this.

"Yeah, a different plan..." She bowed her head, the weight of the past pressing down on him. Katara couldn't bear his pain. Tears welled up in her own eyes. "I was stupid to move on, Aang" she confessed, her voice trembling. "I should have waited... I'm so sorry" she continued. Aang looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and sadness. "Please don't apologize, Katara" he whispered gently. "I understand why you did what you did. I never should've expected you to wait for someone who might be gone forever" he added.

He reached out and placed his head on her thigh, seeking comfort in her presence. A blush crept up Katara's cheeks, despite the pain that hung between them, she couldn't deny how much she had missed his touch. "But you did wait for me" she protested, her voice choked with emotion "You even kept the necklace". Aang lifted his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, I did," he admitted "It was a source of strength during those lost years. But that doesn't change the fact that I shouldn't have burdened you with the expectation of waiting. You had a life to live, Katara. For all you knew, I was gone forever". Aang's genuine understanding, his ability to see things from her perspective, was a quality she had always cherished about him.