TRUTH: Are you still in love with Katara?
— Well, he didn't expect that question.
It had been a while since anyone had spoken to him about Katara. Occasionally one of the younger Freedom Fighters would ask him where she's been but that was the extent of it. Everyone knew to keep hushed about it. And he appreciated it.
It wasn't so much that he didn't want to think about her. It was that he didn't like coming to terms with emotions he deemed more vulnerable such as heartache, love, fear, and sadness. And yet, with just one mention of her name... he felt them all.
When he came to terms with his love for his girlfriend it was when she was away— reconstructing her small tribe and rekindling the connection with the North Tribe. He realized he needed her, that he loved her and that it just wasn't an infatuation and that she was much much more to him than just his girlfriend. He was in love with her; every word, action, every kiss, every scold. He even found her temper beautiful. Even so, he was never graced with the opportunity to profess his love. Whenever she'd come back to him he was always absorbed in spending his time making up for the lost moments and he never found a suitable moment to tell her. Regardless, that didn't mean the feeling wasn't there. Just thinking about her alleviated the weight on his chest and made the pit of his stomach feel empty and clouded with happiness at the same time.
But as quickly as that feeling came, it left. He'd feel overwhelmed with sadness... how long had it been since he saw her? He feared for her safety and if she was okay in the South... if that's where she was. He wasn't entirely sure where she was or how long she were to be gone for. He didn't like not being there to protect her because if anything happened, he'd only blame himself. He was not okay with the distance and it pained him to be so damn far away. He couldn't deny the physical illness and the pain that would sweep his heart at the thought of being away from her, from not seeing or hearing from her. It hurt. Despite the distance from the south and his forrest and the distance between the last time he saw her and this very moment, he still loved her. Even if he hadn't outwardly stated it to her, or anyone for that matter.
"Of course I am," he answered plain and simple, "always will be."
