Gradual wishes
Chapter 1: Prologue
The sun was scorching. Sokka wiped the sweat from his fore brow as he contemplated the day. He had finally been able to get enough material. Opening the bag, like he had done 5 times since the sun was high, he looked at the shiny material.
He was so happy that he forgot the whole reason for starting this material hunt. When the village came into view, and he could see the warriors performing their afternoon exercises, the smile faltered. Instead, he showed the fake gentle smile that he walked around with for weeks now.
When the gang split up, he came to Kyoshi village, with Suki unable to leave the Kyoshi warriors. He felt bad leaving his family in the Southern Watertribe, but his dad was busy enough rebuilding it, and Katara was traveling with Aang.
Things were well enough, living with Suki was far better than he had ever imagined, but there was one little snag in this idyllic picture.
She was here.
The others never knew about the things that happened between them, the chance encounters, the talks, their history. Even Suki never suspected more than the superficial crush that it seemed in the beginning.
That's why it hurts, that's why every time he sees her smile, carefree yet not so, something aches. Then Suki is there, and he really liked her, maybe even love.
But.. something nags on his mind.
Not many things held him back these days. He had grown up a lot in the last year. Something always got to him though, in the last year, and now.
A smile, not just a smile, a pink smile.
Even though they had strict regulations on clothing, she managed to change small things, the pink gradually growing back into the clothing, but never noticeably so.
A real smile appeared on his face for a moment.
Walking by the nearby florist the man notices the happy smile.
"Aren't we in a good mood today. Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I am, and I did."
"Would you like a bouquet for the lady? She was in a right fit when you weren't there this morning, hustled up all the warriors for a 15 mile run at sunrise."
"Good idea, I think I'll take some Butter-roses."
"What color would that be?"
"White... No, make it pink.
"Pink it is."
A few short conversations later the watertribe boy was back on his way. He looked at the pink flowers, and realized he had a small detour to make.
Suki was standing in the training room, thinking of ways to torture her blue-eyed boyfriend for leaving without saying where he went, but when she heard the unmistakable sound of Sokka falling through the front door she rushed to the door to hug him.
The added weight of Suki hugging him to death was the last bit the flowers could take.
"Sokka, you're finally back! Where did you go?"
"I got some materials. I dug around in the mountain spot I told you about, and I finally found more. I picked up some flowers on the way home… But they didn't make it."
Suki stared at the pink mush on the floor as she laughed a little. Giving Sokka a small kiss on the lips she looked into his eyes.
"I should've known."
"You always were happiest digging around in the mud."
As she looked into the blue orbs she noticed it again. Behind the sparkle there was always something. Almost..
"Sad."
In another part of town a door opened. A young Kyoshi warrior picked up a single pink flower. She didn't need a personal delivery, she knew who it was from. A small blush crept up her features.
It never left, it never faltered, it never grew less painful and less joyful.
It was there, and she didn't mind.
"I still love you."
She said to the evening sky, as orange and red mixed together in the sunset.
If this was as close as she would get..
..Then this is where she would be.