OTP Writing Challenge

7. A Death of Someone Close (ft. Kataang)

"He's dead Aang! He's dead!" Katara screamed, her cheeks wet with tears.

"I know Katara, but we can't do--"

"It's all my fault! I had the water, I just... I had it in my hand, I could've used it... I should have done something."

"Sokka wouldn't want you to think this way," Aang mumbled, stepping closer to Katara. Trying to hold her, he was dismissed quickly, waved away by a shaking Katara.

"It doesn't matter now! He's dead anyway! He isn't coming back!" she sobbed. Aang once again tried to comfort her, but to no avail. Their children, Bumi, Kya, and Tenzin stood nearby, watching their mother crack and their father try everything in his power to put Katara back together again. Soon they left, unable to bear the fact that their mom was falling apart.

"He's dead..." Katara whimpered, sinking to the ground. "He's dead because of me."

"Katara," Aang whispered, crouching down and pulling her into his lap. "It is not your fault."

"But... But..." she hiccuped.

"Shhhhhhh..." he soothed, running a hand over her hair. She sniffed, her breath slowing and tears drying.

"He's gone," she whispered.

"But that doesn't mean you have to be."

"He was my brother."

"He was mine too."

Katara fell silent, leaning against the airbender who had not only saved the world, but saved her, her life, her dignity, and her happiness. She knew he wouldn't fail her. He never had. And he never would. He loved her. She loved him.

But now Sokka was gone; her first friend, her first protector. He meant so much to her yet she never told him.

"He... He knew I loved him, right?"

"Of course," Aang soothed, pulled away and cradling her face in his tattooed hands. He kissed her forehead gently, then her cheek. "I'll help you through this."