[A/N: Heyyyy. Been a while since I posted anything… so here it is, my first attempt on a Sukaang friendship fic. There are barely any fics ou there with this pairing it seems :[. Going to start out as friendship only, but it may evolve into romance, if I can pull that off. My male brain is not romance-smart. R&R and leave any CC to help me better this fic.
- WC]
Chapter One: Talk To Me
It had been three years since the fall of Phoenix King Ozai and the beginning of restoring balance to the world. The ever faithful Avatar had traveled day and night, helping small villages and towns, making sure none were left out of the restoration process. Many things had transpired during those three years, some for better, and some for worse. Aang sat upon Appa's head, looking off in the distance where his destination was finally making an appearance in the vast ocean. Kyoshi Island had not seen the Avatar in two years, since Aang helped rebuild and reinforce houses that had been destroyed during Zuko's raid on Kyoshi in search of the Avatar two years before. As Appa neared the island, it became apparent among the villagers that the Avatar had finally returned to their humble village. People were gathering around the newly painted and newly repaired Kyoshi statue. Aang landed Appa at the edge of the forest and air-bended off of Appa and made his way to the growing crowd.
"Welcome, Avatar Aang! Kyoshi is honored to have your presence here," Oyaji said in greeting to Aang.
"Glad to be back. I hope it isn't a problem if I stop here for a few days before heading to the Southern Water Tribe," Aang replied in a calm voice.
"Not at all! You are always welcome on Kyoshi."
A familiar green armor-clad warrior had made her way to the front of the crowd.
"Aang! Good to see you!" She said as she ran up to hug him.
"Suki! Good to see you too," Aang said as he embraced her, glad to see a familiar face.
They exchanged a bit of conversation until the crowd starting dispersing, seeing as the Avatar has become engaged in conversation with Suki.
"You are welcome to stay in the house you have used previously. I will make sure your belongings are taken there immediately," Oyaji said as he walked off.
Aang turned his attention to Suki, who was the only person left with him.
"So, Aang, what brings you back to Kyoshi?"
"I'm on my way back to the Southern Water Tribe. They are in the process of adding even more houses since the village has grown. Last I heard, Katara was in Ba Sing Se settling a trade dispute between the Earth Kingdom and Northern Water Tribe, so they need another master water-bender to help with the houses," Aang said running his hand through his hair. Aang had barely had any time to do anything but help in the past few months because of the constant need of the Earth Kingdom villages. It was always either some dispute over removing Fire Nation colonists still living there after the war, or pleas for help rebuilding homes destroyed during the war.
"Oh… Well will you be staying with us for a few days at least? I haven't seen you in two years! You've got to tell me everything that's happened," She said as she dragged him to her cottage next to the training dojo. Suki changed into a more comfortable outfit and sat with Aang at her kitchen table.
They talked for hours, mostly about Aang and his adventures around the Earth Kingdom. They were falling over laughing at one point when Aang told her when a cabbage merchant had come up to him demanding a large sum of money for all of the cabbages he had supposedly destroyed.
"So, Aang… Did you ask her?"
"Umm… What do you mean?" Aang asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Did you ask Katara to, you know, marry you? You're both of marrying age according to Water Tribe customs," At the mention of marrying Katara, Aang's expression went from confusion, to a dejected look.
"We… aren't together anymore," he said with a sigh.
Suki brought her hand to her mouth and her eyes slightly widened. "Oh… I'm sorry Aang." She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay," he said with sadness in his voice. He quickly changed the subject. "So what about you and Sokka? I would have thought he would be here with you."
"He left me," Suki said with disdain in her voice. "He left me for some earth-bender. He didn't mention a name when he left." The next moment was filled with an awkward silence before the sun conveniently decided to slip behind the horizon.
"Well… It's getting late," he said stretching his arms above his head, fake yawning.
"Yeah, I guess it is." Suki kept her head down, pretending to be preoccupied with something on the end of her foot. They exchanged quiet goodbyes and Aang made his way outside. He made his way to his house, only stopping to pat Appa on the head. Aang undressed down to his pants and slipped into bed.
As the sun peaked over the eastern sky, a boat made its way into the harbor. The boat was of the traditional Southern Water Tribe style, displaying a flag of the northern and southern tribes. This ship belonged to a diplomat, and not just any diplomat. It was Lady Katara herself. Katara had decided to stop on Kyoshi on her way home from Ba Sing Se. Her trade dispute had been settled much faster than anticipated. She stepped off of the boat and was greeted by a very sleepy, but very excited Oyaji.
Aang didn't have to look twice to know who had arrived. Even from his window, Katara stood out from the rest of the small crew from the ship, and not just because she was the only female. Katara had an aura of dignity and elegance. She moved very fluid-like, like her element. Aang could see Oyaji and Katara exchange greetings and then Oyaji gestured towards Aang's house and for a split second, Katara and Aang made eye contact. Aang quickly moved from the window and looked around for another escape route. He wasn't ready to face Katara, not after what had happened. He made his way downstairs, and thankfully found a small window facing opposite of Katara's general direction. Aang squeezed through the tiny hole, thanking the spirits for his thin and lean frame.
As Suki woke up, she could hear someone sneaking around the back of her house. She was immediately on alert and walked stealthily to her window, which the intruder was about to pass by. As the figure walked past the window, she reached out and slammed him to the outside wall of her house and brought him into a headlock. When she looked at the intruder's face, she was thoroughly surprised.
"Aang? What are you doing stalking around my house at this time of the morning?" Suki said as she released him from the headlock.
Aang gasped for air and took a few deep breaths before turning back to Suki's window, twiddling his thumbs with a worrisome look on his face. "Suki, Katara," he stumbled over the name, and had trouble keeping eye contact, " she's here… She's on Kyoshi!"
For a second Suki was confused, then she remembered the end of her conversation with Aang the night before. I guess their relationship ended on a bad note. She thought to herself.
"Well what do you want me to do about it?"
"I need to hide somewhere, at least until she leaves!"
Suki thought for a moment then turned back to Aang, "Well you can't hide here, she'll probably come by later," Suki tapped her chin as she thought for a few seconds, " I know the perfect place."
She had led Aang to a secluded part of the island that was uninhabited. "You can hide here until she leaves."
"Thanks, Suki," Aang was still slightly nervous and not making eye contact.
Once Aang had settled down she began to make her way back to her house, but stopped abruptly after a few steps and turned back to Aang.
"You can't run from this forever, Aang."
Aang sighed and looked down at his feet. "I know… It's just… I'm not ready to face her."
"Aang… What happened with you and Katara?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Aang muttered, rubbing the back of his neck and not making eye contact.
Suki made her way over to Aang, worry written all over her face. She placed a hand on his shoulder and forced him to look her in the eyes.
"Aang, talk to me. Please."