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Cold Shoulder	By : AloofandAndrogynous Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female Views: 23509 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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- 3
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- 5
Cold Shoulder
Chapter 4
ATLA and its characters are property of DiMartino and Koneitzko.
~~~~~
Living with him was bearable; he provided for her, gave her instruction, and was not abusive. Katara wouldn’t admit it, but he was actually a decent husband. And he wasn’t so bad when he wasn’t ordering her around or insulting her. In fact, he didn’t really insult her anymore, although once in a while he might give her an order and it would sound condescending. But she learned to live with it; it was just how he was and she knew she couldn’t change him.
She was on the rooftop of their residence, practicing her bending and a new move he had taught her the day before. He had continued teaching her like he promised, and the instruction helped in part to make up for the fact that her teacher was also her husband.
Sometimes, when he thought she wasn’t looking, he would look at her with a gentle expression on his face and she wondered if he ever actually cared for her honestly. Whenever she caught him looking like that he would quickly put on a stern expression or issue an order. So she refused to believe that he really cared for her – she would never forget his words from their wedding night. So she refused to believe she was anything more than what he had told her she was – she would live under ho hope or illusion and as long as Pakku remained a decent man she could live with it. Compliments were rare, but insults were even more rare and she was fine with that.
She and Pakku each gave the other something – in his case it was protection and instruction as well as fair treatment and in her case it was keeping his house comfortable, and sleeping with him. A mutually advantageous arrangement for both, sometimes it felt more like a business deal to her. But, whatever – she didn’t care, right?
For Pakku, life was good. He had a wife he cared for very dearly, he had a high position and a comfortable residence and good status, along with excellent health. He took pride in training the younger Waterbenders and passing his knowledge down to them, especially his wife. There was no doubt in his head that Katara would be the next master, and he nurtured her skills to the fullest. He enjoyed being around her…
But he didn’t know if Katara would say the same about him. They got along for the most part. Sometimes they did argue, but it was inevitable with two such stubborn personalities, and he knew that she had no hopes for this relationship. That hurt him deeply.
He knew he should say nice things to her or find other ways to show his affection, but he had been so set in his ways that he found it hard to do anything else than just instruct her or order her. But when he tried to say something kind it froze at the tip of his tongue and when he finally had the courage to actually say it, it often was too late and he couldn’t say it at all.
She did her duties… she cooked his meals, did his laundry, warmed his bed, but he wanted more than that. During his instruction, Katara would push herself, and exceed his expectations. He was truly proud to have her as a student. He loved her fire and determination, even when she was being stubborn – it was part of her personality and he had come to embrace that. She was like him in that aspect and in fact reminded him of himself when he was younger.
Kana was a thing of the past – he certainly had been affectionate of her and it hurt when she had run off. But she paled in comparison to her granddaughter and Pakku had come to realize that Katara was better matched for him.
There was no doubt about it. He loved Katara.
He came onto the roof, sipping a bowl of stew and watching her bend. He had woken up this morning to an empty bed, but there was stew waiting for him and the door to their apartment remained sealed, so he had correctly assumed she was upstairs.
Her cooking was very good and he always looked forward to his meals. He took a seat near the low wall and watched her work on this new move.
He had taught it yesterday to her and the rest of his more advanced Waterbending students. He had to demonstrate it a few times, and none of the other students were able to handle it. Only Katara had shown any understanding of it, and even though she didn’t perform it correctly, he knew she understood it, and here she was, practicing it on her own. He wondered how long she had been at it, and her form was very good. Inside he beamed with pride when he saw how she handled the water and when he caught her eye he nodded in approval.
She continued practicing and he allowed himself a small smile as he watched. After a bit she finally stopped and stared at him for a few moments, clearly awaiting critique or further instruction.
"You don’t need to come to the lesson today, Katara." Pakku said and she stared at him curiously.
"How come?"
"I will continue teaching the other advanced students that very same move… and you understand it way more than them. You’re doing fine on your own and if you came to the lesson you would simply be wasting your time. You’re too good for that. So you have some free time." he said.
"I know I’m not doing it completely right…do you have any instructions or…" she asked and Pakku nodded before setting down his bowl and walking over to her.
He took a stance and she imitated him and watched closely as he demonstrated his move and she tried again, the visual of him fresh in her mind.
"Much better, Katara. Continue practicing and you should master it in no time. Then I will teach you the next move." Pakku said as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Master Pakku." Katara said with a slight bow of her head.
"You only have to call me that in class." he said with the barest hint of a smile, "Why don’t you take a break? You’ve been working hard."
"…Sure." she said softly and he took her hand off her shoulder, "I think I will take a walk?"
"Go ahead, Katara." he said and she nodded before walking down the stairs and leaving the building.
He stood there and watched her walk down the stairs before picking up his stew and going to the edge of the roof. He leaned on the low wall and watching her stroll down the sidewalk, her hands folded in front of her neatly, hidden under the fur cuffs of her parka before disappearing around a bend.
Pakku had chosen well, and despite the arguments he never regretted his choice. Plans raced through his head, to show her that he really did appreciate her.
~~~~~
Since Katara had moved here she had made friends, and sometimes during the day when Pakku was busy she would go out and socialize, or simply take walks by herself along the sidewalks. Pakku did not deny her her freedom as she had originally feared and encouraged her to explore the city, and now she pretty much knew it like the palm of her hand.
She had entertained thoughts of running away, but they came a lot less frequently now. Living here was better than the small village of the South Pole, she had Pakku and Yaguda to teach her how to use her bending skills, she was safe and comfortable, and it was interesting living here. There was a lot more to do and see, and Pakku rarely if ever demanded anything of her during the day, his only condition to her doing this was that she always come home before dark to make supper. Then after supper he often let her go out again and might even take walks with her during day or night, and at night the city was safe, unlike the cities of Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom.
As always, Yaguda welcomed her and she even let her help her teach a class. That was one of the things she liked about living here – she had people to teach her how to use her ability and now she was helping to teach others, although she spent more time under Pakku’s instruction.
After some time with the older woman, she wandered along the city wall, looking out at the ocean, pondering her life as she always did. Life here was nice, she had a decent husband and a comfortable yet stimulating life – yet at the same time she wasn’t really free. And her husband didn’t care for her like she wanted him to. She missed Aang, missed his open friendliness and affection. Pakku had never said that he actually liked her or anything like that, and sometimes she just felt used by him. Whenever she considered that fact she really hated her marriage.
When there was about an hour before sundown, she returned to their apartment, starting preparations for supper. When a hand landed on her shoulder she turned around to see him there.
"Did you need something? Are you hungry? I’m making supper right now." she said and Pakku shook his head, pulling her into his arms.
"I missed you." he whispered into her ear and she blinked, looking up at him. He had never said anything like that before, and she blushed when he kissed her cheek. Normally he saved his kisses and gentle touches for bed. But instead of pointing this out, she simply let his lips linger on his cheek before she felt said lips on her own. When his lips lifted off hers, she felt his fingers gently stroke her cheek and she couldn’t help but feel just a bit confused. Did this mean he wanted to lay with her? They never did that until they went to bed.
She blushed and looked down and to her surprise he pulled out an ice lily, its blue and white petals glittering in the light from the fire, and placed it in her hair. The flowers were rare but exquisite and her hand went up to stroke the soft petals. He smiled when he saw this, ice lilies were rare and a couple of times he had seen younger men offer these to their women, and felt that this was a nice gesture that might improve their relationship. He was better with gestures than words anyway.
"Why?" she asked quietly, making sure not to sound wary or suspicious, because if he meant this as a kind gesture she didn’t want to start a argument.
"Because I want to." Pakku replied calmly and she backed away from him, feeling a bit intimidated. His behavior seemed so odd to her.
"Please don’t play games with me."
"What? I’m not playing games with you…" her husband replied, taking a step towards her. She backed away a little more, eyeing him.
"I don’t expect or want little gestures or gifts...not if you don’t truly care for me."
"I do care." Pakku said firmly, taking another step towards her. She blinked and shook her head in denial, he couldn’t care for her, she had been with him for several months and he had never indicated that he genuinely cared for her and she held no hope.
"No you don’t and you have told me yourself! All I am is a pretty girl and a replacement for Kana and breeding stock!" she said bitterly, throwing his words back at her and he just barely flinched at the vehemence in her voice, "As well as someone to keep house for you and keep your bed warm!" she snapped back.
Pakku glowered at her, feeling angry that his gesture of affection was met with suspicion and anger.
"You give me shelter and instruction, I give you a clean house and what is between my legs." she said coldly, "I have no illusions about our marriage and I will be glad that you don’t try to create any!"
"I am not trying to create any!" Pakku growled, reaching out to grab her arm.
She yanked the flower out of her hair and tossed it back at him.
"Please. Don’t play games with me." she said...sounding sad and tired, her anger deflating in front of him, ‘Please don’t. Okay?"
"I’m not playing games. I’m not trying to create illusions. Do you really think I would do that?"
"Just...stop." Katara said with a quiet sob as he picked the flower off the floor.
"Katara, I do care for you. I always cared for you, that’s why you’re my wife."
"No you don’t. Not about me." she said before she ran off, tears streaking her cheeks. He stood there with the flower in his hand, so stunned that he couldn’t speak, much less run after her.
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Cold Shoulder