Freedom Fighter

● — || Katara sat in the little teashop , watching the way the sunlight lit @wheatsprig 's brown eyes with a warmth unlike any other . Since as long as she could remember , she'd learned to memorize the way that his eyes held every shade of brown , gold , and green that the world could offer . Gold , like the rays of the [ [ s u n ] ] that danced through the green treetops he effortlessly claimed . Green , like the [ [ l u s h ] ] terrain she met him in , and how he effortlessly seemed to fit in with the world . Brown , deep , and [ [ m a g n e t i c ] ] , yet with a warmth unlike any other .

He was her treetop bandit , and her , his endless sea .

She rested her hand on her cheek as she thought about how they got [ [ h e r e ] ] . Somewhere , in the back of her mind , Katara felt like this was a parallel universe . Once upon a time , she was cursing his name under her breath in the moonlight , swearing she would [ [ n e v e r ] ] want anything to do with him again . He ruined her [ [ l i f e ] ] at one point -- and not just because he was handsome , charming , or caring -- but in other ways as well . Trusting him again wasn't an easy feat . It took time , a lot of talks , and [ [ e n d l e s s ] ] patience . Now , she sat across from him , drinking tea as if the world hadn't crumbled beneath their feet , if it weren't for her and her friends . Was it a challenge to get to this point with Jet ? Absolutely . But , she wouldn't go back in time and change it . They were adults now . Things changed -- [ [ t h e y ' v e ] ] changed .

After a moment , Katara moved her hand from her cheek to holding the teacup in front of her . Her fingers twisting it before she hoisted it to her lips . She took one sip , two , then sank back into her seat .

❝ Hey , Jet ? ❞ It started quiet , her eyes looking into her teacup , ❝ Do you . . . ever think about if we'd be here , if things had turned out differently ? ❞ She didn't elaborate as her eyes found his . She was going to let him fill in the blanks himself .

Watching them, it made Jet think about his own childhood. Before his parents died. How, like these kids, he was always outside playing and laughing and just... having fun. He knew about the war, about the threat the fire nation posed, but they'd always been safe. His parents made sure of that... until that one day everything changed. His life changed. No longer was he a worry-free child playing with his friends. No. He became a child trying to survive, trying to find allies to help him fight the fire nation and get revenge. But these children, he hoped they'd never have to experience anything like that.

But it wasn't just his childhood he was thinking of while watching these kids. He was thinking of the future. Their future. His and Katara's. He smiled to himself at the thought of watching his own children play, full of life and laughter. Their daughter with eyes the color of the sea like Katara's and their son with a head full of brown, fluffy hair to ruffle like Jet's. A charming smile, too. He could see it and it was making his heart leap and dance.

He'd almost forgotten where he was had Katara's voice not broken him from the daze he'd so clearly fallen into it. It was always her voice pulling him back to reality. It was always her voice that saved him from the darkness, too.

"Hm?" He hummed in question as he gazed into her eyes that held a warmth that melted away any worries. The smile on his face faded just a little, not because the question bothered him. It didn't. It just took him by surprise, but it was a fair question. One he didn't think about much, only because he hated to think about anything different. About a life without Katara. "It's not something I think about a lot, but I have thought about it." He told her, turning so he was fully facing her now instead of towards the window. "But I think it also depends on exactly what you mean. If I hadn't hurt you," his voice broke when saying that. It always would. "If I hadn't been captured by the Dai Li, if I hadn't survived.." There were so many points in his life, and in her life, that if had gone differently, could have changed things, so it was hard to know exactly what she was referring to. "I'm just happy we're here, Katara. That I get to be in your life again, that I even have my life again.." He smiled, reaching out to take her hand in his.

● — || @wheatsprig inquired : “Hey, Katara…” Came Jet’s voice as he approached his girlfriend, hand rubbing the back of his neck. “I, uh, I was just wondering..” He was nervous, even though he probably didn’t need to be. “Do you think we could visit the Southern Water Tribe sometime soon?” Finally, he gave her a smile. “I’d… like to see where you’re from. You know, to see your home, meet your family…” He cleared his throat, then. “But only if you’re alright with it. With me going and all..”

● — || Katara followed Jet's boots with her eyes , before they trailed up his body like she was following the trunk of a tree to it's full leaves . She didn't know what he was so [ [ n e r v o u s ] ] about . It actually drew a lot of questions to her . . . Almost , wondering what he had done [ [ w r o n g ] ] of he was acting this way ? Then again , this way of him acting was different . Like , he was shy to ask something ? What could he be too shy to ask her ?

She didn't interrupt him , though . She let him talk it out and take as much time as he needed . As his question [ [ f i n a l l y ] ] made his way out into the space between them , Katara's own smile started to tug at the edges of her lips . She almost couldn't [ [ b e l i e v e ] ] that he wanted to go visit the place that she would always call home . None of her friends had ever asked that before . Well , Toph had once , but Toph also needed to wear shoes because she'd get frostbite , so they are still in the planning process for that .

❝ You . . . want to go to the South Pole ? ❞ She repeated it like it was hard to believe , her eyes fluttering in surprise -- like it was a [ [ p r a n k ] ] that she was learning the punchline of . However , that look in his eyes , and the way he smiled , told her that he was being [ [ i n c r e d i b l y ] ] sincere . Her feet kicked under the kitchen table twice while her hands started to toy with the ends of one of her long waves .

❝ Well , you already know Sokka . I think my Dad would like to meet you . Though , he's never really met [ [ a n y o n e ] ] I've dated before . ❞ She paused , before tacking on , ❝ -- Not that I've ever dated [ [ a n y o n e ] ] at home , either .❞

❛ Not that he was around enough to know if I did or not .❜

A tinge of sadness flashed across her pretty blues before her smile returned right back for him , ❝ We can go by boat , or we can ask Aang to borrow Appa . We could also ask Zuko to borrow an airship , but Appa's faster and makes a great travel companion . And besides , he likes the otter penguins . And we'd have to pack a lot of snacks and -- ❞ When she realized she was rambling , Katara's hand reached out for his free one as both a way to steady his nerves , but to silence her [ [ o w n ] ] stream of consciousness . ❝ I'd love to take you , Jet . We have some customs we have to talk about , but I think everyone should see the Southern Water Tribe at least once . I think you'll like it . You'll need a good coat , and some good boots . ❞

She genuinely sounded surprised by his interest in wanting to see her home and it made him smile. Because it wasn't just surprise, but excitement, too? Maybe? That he - that anyone at all - wanted to see where she grew up. Wanted to meet her family. Her friends. To just know her. Because that's exactly what Jet wanted. Katara had seen his home, she met his friends and found family, and Jet wanted the same in return. Now that they seemed to be in a good place again. It had taken a while to earn her trust back, to earn her love, and though he may never feel truly deserving of it, he didn't want to waste a second of it. Of their time together. Of this second chance he'd been given not only by Katara, but this second chance at life.

"Yeah, I really do." He answered without hesitation. There was no sign of doubt in his eyes, nor in his voice. The only thing he was admittedly a little scared about, was the cold. Well, that and maybe meeting her father. Especially if he knew about their past and how Jet had hurt Katara... and almost hurt so many innocent people. But he had a right to know. Katara was his daughter after all and Jet would rather he know than keep any secrets, but that would ultimately be Katara's decision. He just... wanted to see her life and know the people most important to her. As Katara just stated, he already knew Sokka, but no one else from her home and he was curious to see for himself what it was like.

"You think so? I'd like to meet him, too." He smiled. "So I'll be the first, huh? No pressure at all, then." He chuckled, only teasing. Well, partly. "I'll be sure to make a good first impression, and not just with him, but your Grandmother, too." Another person Jet really wanted to meet. From everything Katara had told him about her, she sounded like an amazing woman and... damn, he just hoped they'd like him. And that they'd approve of him. He was nervous, yes, but more than that? He was excited. And it showed in the way his face lit up at Katara agreeing to this and already thinking up a way to get them there.

caretaker.

i'll  stay  until  you  fall  asleep.

you're  not  a  burden.  not  to  me.

you  don't  have  to  act  tough  with  me.

let  me  help.

if  you  need  to  cry,  i'll  look  the  other  way.

you  don't  have  to  talk.

let  me  handle  it,  just  for  a  minute.

rest,  i'll  watch  over  you.

i  don't  care  if  you  think  you're  fine.  i'm  staying.

deep  breaths.

just  lean  on  me.

you're  safe  now,  okay?  just  breathe.

i  know  it  hurts.  i'll  sit  here  as  long  as  it  takes.

i'm  not  leaving  until  i  know  you're  okay.

you  don't  need  to  hide.

let  me  take  care  of  you  this  time.

shh.  i'm  right  here.

you  don't  have  to  put  on  a  smile  for  me.

i  don't  think  less  of  you.

i'll  be  here  when  you  wake  up.

you're  allowed  to  lean  on  me.  that's  what  i'm  here  for.

you  don't  have  to  be  okay.

scoot  over,  i'm  not  letting  you  sleep  alone.

your  hair's  a  mess.  let  me  brush  it.

don't  apologize.

cared  for.

i'm  tired,  that's  all.

please  don't  go.

i  don't  know  what  i  need.

you  didn't  need  to  come.

you  shouldn't  have  to  see  me  like  this.

i  hate  feeling  like  this.

i  was  trying  to  push  through.  i  think  i  made  it  worse.

this  is  so  embarrassing.

can  you  just...  stay  a  little  longer?

i  didn't  think  anyone  would  notice...

i'm  not  safe  in  my  own  head  right  now.

why  are  you  being  so  gentle  with  me?

i  don't  want  you  to  fix  me.

today's  just...  one  of  the  harder  days.

i  didn't  know  i  needed  to  hear  that.

can  you  stay?  after  i  fall  asleep?

sorry.  i  didn't  mean  to  flinch.

i  don't  always  know  what's  going  to  help.

this  is  the  nicest  anyone’s  been  to  me  all  week.

i'm  sorry.  i  know  i'm  a  lot.

i  don't  even  know  why  i'm  crying...

i  think  i'm  broken.

you  didn't  have  to  do  all  this  for  me.

i  don't  want  to  be  a  burden.

🌿-- @coffeemusings continued from HERE .

🌿-- Jin's eyes quietly fixed on his hands , watching how they shifted and morphed . Not in a bad way , or a judgemental way , but in a way of sheer { { c u r i o s i t y } } . It worried her , a bit , to see him so stressed . She wondered what it was that was plaguing his mind so much . She wasn't going to pry . It wasn't her place to dive that { { d e e p } } when she wasn't certain if he'd want to talk about it in the first place .

So , Jin clasped her hands in front of her as she looked across the table at him . She smiled , it was gentle and pure . ❝ If it helps you , then that's all that matters . Everyone has things that they do when they're stressed , or when they are feeling anxious . Sometimes , the best thing that you can do is move . ❞

She looked from his hands to her own , thinking about her own methods to calm her worried thoughts and { { e n d l e s s } } anxieties about the world . ❝ I think i like your method for how you handle those sorts of things . It seems . . . Healthy . I'm glad that you've found something that helps you , but , for what it's worth . . . I'm sorry that you feel like you have to do that at all . ❞ She lifted her jasmine green eyes up to his earthy brown ones , ❝ I'm Jin , by the way . It's nice to meet you . ❞

But when she called it healthy, it made him think. Was it? "Yeah, I guess so..." He shrugged. "All I'm doing is moving my hands.." Her interest in this was a little amusing, he had to admit, and it posed the question: what did she do when she was anxious? Though before he could ask that, she was apologizing for what had happened to him, even though she didn't know anything. He appreciated her sympathy and it showed in the small smile he offered her. "Thanks, but I'll be alright. Already am." For the most part, but he wasn't going to get into it.

Of course, Jet wasn't completely innocent. They were going at each other, trying to come out on top, get the last word in, but then it went too far.

● — || ❛ It's fine . ❜

What a great [ [ l i e ] ] that was . She knew that it wasn't fine , and she was okay with that . She could [ [ s e e ] ] that it wasn't fine . One of the things about Jet that she admired was just how much he [ [ c a r e d ] ] , not just about others , but about himself , too . He had been put through the wringer because of the cards he had been dealt . He'd had [ [ e n o u g h ] ] to haunt his heart , including her . He didn't need this too -- not when he was just trying to fit in .

❝ You don't have to say something is fine , when it's clearly not , Jet . I know what she said hurt you , and I'm sorry that I wasn't there to step in sooner . . . ❞

Katara's fingers subtly tightened into Jet's shirt , letting him talk . She listened to every word , every shortened breath , and every [ [ s c o f f ] ] . She listened to him retell the story like it was happening right in front of his warm , brown eyes all over again . Slowly , she took a deep breath , but she didn't pull away . Instead , Katara just closed her eyes as she rested her ear against his chest .

❝ I don't think Mai hates you . ❞ She said gently while she opened her eyes to look at the ground nearest his boots . ❝ She's particular about who she is around , and trust me when I say . . . that if she hated you , she wouldn't be talking to you at all . Everyone is allowed at the beach . Including you . Whether she likes it or not , you're coming . Everyone is . It wouldn't be right to leave you out . ❞

It was Jet's next question that brought Katara to a pause . She didn't fully understand Mai sometimes . Of all the things she didn't understand , this was probably the most [ [ d i f f i c u l t ] ] . Why would [ [ a n y o n e ] ] throw someone's experiences back at them like that ? It's one thing to remark on someone's character , but it's another to completely destroy them because you were annoyed at them .

❝ She . . . can't be like that all the time , Jet . Zuko wouldn't be dating her if she was . Maybe something you said made her snap , and that's why she reacted the way she did ? I - . . . Really , I don't know . I wish I did . ❞

She rubbed his back twice with her left hand , then slowly lifted her head back so that she could properly look up at him . She kept her right hand interlocked in his , while she moved her left to rest on the back of his neck and gently [ [ p u l l ] ] him down so that his eyes met hers .

❝ I know you walked away , Jet . And , I know how hard that must have been for you . I know you could have stayed -- you could have had more to say . . . but you left . That's always the hardest decision to do in any argument , but it's also the [ [ b r a v e s t ] ] . ❞ She began to smile , the kind that mimics the warmth that bounces off morning dew . It reached her oceans -- the very same that fell deeply into his soil . ❝ You made the right choice . I promise . ❞

But if there was some way to work it out, well, he'd prefer that. But he didn't exactly want to be the one that approached first, although he wasn't sure if Mai would do so either, so that would just leave them at an impasse. For now, however, he didn't want to see her. Not yet. He was still too angry and hurt and he didn't want another argument to come from it, one that he may not be able to walk away from.

Maybe in a few days, if things hadn't resolved, then maybe he would be the one to take that first step. But for now, he was content in being with Katara like this, wrapped in her arms and wrapping her in his in return. No one could calm Jet the way Katara did and sometimes just thinking of her, when she wasn't near, helped. But thankfully, she was, and he didn't want to let go of her. Not just yet. She was safety. She was home.

But when she pulled back and guided him down so his eyes were level with hers, she let him. His brown eyes gazed into her ocean blues and he felt his shoulders fall. Her words meant everything to her, everything, and it showed in the way he melted in her hands. But his eyes watered again before closing, taking in a deep breath. "I... I saw them, Katara. I saw my parents," he muttered, keeping his breath held. "When she said that to me, I saw their faces and there was a part of me that felt guilty for staying, for not defending them, that it was wrong of me not to stay and fight, but I know that's just me. That's me being scared that they'd be disappointed in me." He finally let out that breath. He knew better, though. And Katara being proud of him was also a reminder and it made him smile.