A/N: I'm back with another one I wrote yesterday! More gaang interactions--right around the end of the finale. I love writing Kataang, but I also really like character interactions (which is probably why I enjoy writing Sherlock Sokka so much!). Also: clueless Sokka is so fun to write! Haha, I hope you all like it.

And After

A few critical comments aside (most of which he'd taken with a grain of salt), Sokka was just about finished with his updated painting. His tongue was sticking out in concentration; and his blue eyes glanced over at Toph as he added the final touches to her outfit. The brush met his chin as he looked it over. It still needed something….

He did a quick search before asking, "Has anyone seen Katara and Aang?"

Suki, who had taken her boyfriend's lap as her seat, looked at the picture on the table. "I doubt them being here would change the outcome much," she quipped. He batted at her gently, lips forming a pout, and she playfully poked at his face.

Toph messed with one of her sleeves in a bored manner. "They're just out on the--" Her expression froze, pale eyes widening in shock. With a loud laugh, she cracked, "Well, it's about dang time!"

"What?" Sokka demanded, leaning forward in his chair.

"…really?" Suki was the first to get it. The Kyoshi warrior brought a hand to her cheek. "Oh, that's great!"

Sokka turned to his girlfriend. "What?" he repeated, obviously miffed that he was being left out. "What's great?" He scowled when she just cuddled closer and grinned.

"It's about time," Zuko added. Mai raised her brow in question and took another sip of her tea. Leaning over, he whispered something to her. The woman's eyes softened, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

Iroh stood, arms spread, and announced, "This is truly wonderful news! I believe this calls for more tea--and cake, as well." He walked to the back room, chuckling to himself.

"Why am I the only one in the dark?" whined the watertribe warrior after a few moments of silence.

Instead of a response, the earthbender's face twisted into a grimace and she quickly shuffled to the nearest chair. "It was cute at first," she grunted, "but now it's kind of annoying." In one swift motion, she pulled her legs up onto the seat with her. "That's better. No more 'good' vibrations for me!"

It wasn't until half an hour later, when Aang and Katara walked back into the teashop with linked hands and flushed faces, that Sokka understood.

("Eh, I knew it would happen someday.")

07-22-08