Writer's Note: You know, for as much as I enjoy this pairing, I realised I don't really seem to write a lot about them; I instead write stories about Mai/Zuko and Aang/Katara and feature Suki and Sokka in the background and allow the reader to fill in the blanks. And then I realised how much I really wanted to write a little romantic story about these two, and how it's just the sort of thing that I should have written sooner. So, here we go: a little Sukka romance spanning over several years (unrelated to any of my past stories). Enjoy!

The Heart Grows Fonder
Or, a Suki/Sokka Romance

Year 1

Summer

"So, what now?"

Suki said it calmly, plainly, her face an image of tranquility. Sokka stared at her, wondering how she could even ask, wondering how she could ask so calmly. It had been their one moment of privacy together during the whole day, the two of them surrounded by friends and family and tea. When, for the moment, the others were distracted by each other, Suki had drifted to his side and placed her callused hand upon his, her question as calm as her stance.

"I mean," she went on, looking to the side a little. He knew that look well; it meant she was about to say something she didn't like, no matter how honest it was. "We both have to go home."

"Oh," he murmured, his face growing warm. Home. A place other than Appa's saddle. A place he hadn't been to in over a year, one that seemed so far away and distant, another world altogether. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I mean, I have to go home, too," Suki added, sounding like she was rushing to get the words out. "I have to get back to the Island, finalise Ty Lee's place as a Warrior, get back into a routine..."

"Right."

"And you have to get back to the South Pole, check on everyone who lives there, make sure everything is okay and perfect for the men returning back."

"You're right."

"Yeah." The word was flat, sad, and Suki's eyes never returned to his, her fingers drifting up and down his own.

"So what are you saying, Suki?" he blurted out, keeping his voice low but making sure his tone conveyed his frustration. They had finally gotten back together, finally taken down the Firelord, finally found a routine that they had settled on here in Ba Sing Se, and now she was bringing up home?

She didn't wince, but her eyes narrowed, and she looked back at him. "You know what I'm saying, Sokka."

Something desperate seemed to leap into his chest, the same desperation he had felt when Azula taunted him in the bunkers of the Fire Nation. He placed his other hand on top of hers and held it tight. He looked at her, really and truly, and finally her eyes met his again. They were light, and full of unshed tears, but her mouth was set. Clearly, she thought that this was the only solution.

"Hey," he said softly, "this isn't the only way. You know I love you, right?"

Her eyes sparked a little, but she nodded.

"And I think I know you love me." When she repeated the gesture more fervently, he went on. "So letting some stupid thing like distance get between us, after all we've been through? Not happening."

"But," and here her iron look vanished, into one of both gratitude and confusion. "How can it work?"

"Hey, I still have Hawky!" he replied, before adding hesitantly, "Somewhere in the Earth Kingdom, anyway. And I'm sure once things settle down I can come visit you!"

A small smile graced her lips, and Sokka knew that she had been more than prepared to bid him farewell once this trip concluded. The very thought of it brought an ache to his heart. "Yeah, you're right," she said softly.

"So can we stop talking about breaking up, now? Because, really, it's killing my ability to draw."

Suki jumped on the bait. "But I just told you now. How could it have affected your drawing skills before I even told you?"

He scowled at her, and she laughed, music to his ears.