of you.
[he presses a comforting kiss between her brows, cupping her face gently in their hands as they wipe stray tears from her cheeks]
you can’t keep overwhelming yourself with everyone else’s problems when you haven’t even dealt with you own, my love
[aang doesn’t hesitate now. he just pulls her close for a deep hug, running a hand through her hair as they hold her tightly]
you’re so strong for everyone, katara. you keep everyone from falling apart. you know i love that about you, but you need to take care of yourself too +
[ she gives them a sad smile ]
You couldn’t have known Honey, it all blew up so fast I was in shock myself. I’ve never seen Yue get like that… but I understand her too, she’s going through so much it’s affecting her temper and I don’t blame her for lashing out. I just wish +
[they squeeze tighter as she lets her tears free, rocking her gently as she cries into his chest]
it must be so hard having to keep everyone else afloat, i’m so sorry that i recognise that. you take such good care of the people you love, but it’s time that someone took care +
earnest contact. when she meets his eyes, they smile softly at her]
you’re so thoughtful… you always take on everyone else’s problems and try to solve them, even when you have your own problems to solve…you need your own problem solver too…please, let me be that person
[relieved tears already begin to well up in their eyes as they blow out a heavy breath. he begins to speak, but pauses to clear his throat of its watery quality]
you’ve had so much on your plate recently, it was inevitable that it would get to be too much sooner or later +
[ she stifles in an affectionate laugh ]
It’s alright, Aang. We’ll have plenty of time for that later, though.
[ she takes their hand and urges him to sit down on the loveseat. she keeps their hands clasped ]
I’m sorry about how I reacted yesterday. It was completely +
[they rub a thumb across her knuckles, to comfort her and him in equal parts]
i’m sorry that i wasn’t there when you needed me. you just always seem so put together, i forget sometimes that you have so much beneath the surface
[aang dips down, catching katara’s eye to keep +
[the moment his arms are free, they’re around her waist, hugging her close while they bury their face in her shoulder. they squeeze katara in tighter for a moment, before he lets go and gives her space]
sorry, i just…needed that
[they swallow down their words, needing badly +
[ she frowns and furrows her brows in worry. then reaches out to cup aang’s cheek ]
And your hair… don’t tell me you-
[ she doesn’t finish the sentence but it’s clear to both of them what she means. she steps back slightly ]
Come in, Dear. Let’s sit.
[aang stands awkwardly in the doorway, swaying side to side in some attempt to calm his frayed nerves]
it’s not some small thing to me…
[they take a small step forward with arms still full of apology gifts]
i wasn’t thinking. like, at all! i should’ve been more considerate
[ katara takes in the food, letters and flowers aang is holding out to her. she feels a wave of embarrassment mixed with affection ]
Aang, I… thank you, but you shouldn’t have. I got upset over a small thing and you did all this just to make up for it?
i was planning to just drop everything off and then kinda…leave!!! but if you’re up for it, can i come in? ONLY IF YOU WANT!!! I CAN JUST LEAVE THESE HERE FOR YOU IF YOU NEED SOME ALONE TIME!!!