Chapter 34: The Spring Festival Ball
Author's note: No lemon in this chapter, sorry if you feel that's a tease.
Sokka went right to the buffet at the Spring Festival Ball, grabbing two sticks laden with meat. He tasted one and closed his eyes in delight. "You've got to have some of this," he told Zuko. He was wearing his formal uniform from the Water Tribe Navy, with epaulet decorations noting his rank as captain, and his medal from the Earth King on his chest. Zuko wore his crown in his topknot, as well as his regal robes with the pointy shoulders.
The two wandered around the edge of the party, munching hors d'oeuvres, watching the people in their fancy clothes, and chatting about the colony talks, when suddenly Zuko noticed that Sokka had fallen down. He appeared to have walked into a pillar. Zuko bent down to help him up. The boy was staring transfixed from his spot sprawled on the floor, his eyes focused on something on the other side of the hall.
"Suki!"
Zuko followed his eyes and saw a group of girls in matching green dresses. Their costumes seemed like dressed-up versions of the Kyoshi Warrior uniforms, made of shiny silk instead of rough wool, and without their padded armor. They didn't wear their white theatrical makeup either, but a more understated, elegant look. From this distance, he couldn't tell which one was Suki, but he was sure his friend had recognized the girl accurately.
"C'mon, get up." Zuko pulled on his friend's arm. "Are you ok?"
"Fine." Sokka rubbed absently at his head, where a knot already seemed to be forming. He was still looking steadily at the group of girls.
Zuko moved to block his view, so that he wouldn't get caught staring. "Do you have a plan?" He asked. "Do you know what you're going to say?"
"Kind of. I mean, I've thought about it a lot. Like, every hour of every day. But what if it's not good enough? What if I'm not good enough? Look at her! She's perfect! It's like staring at the sun!"
Zuko had known Sokka was hopelessly in love, but thought his despondence, like all of his feelings, was a bit over the top. "Come with me." The firebender led his friend to the bar in one corner of the ballroom. "Sake, vodka, or whiskey?" He asked.
"Vodka."
Zuko ordered two shots of the finest vodka—his rank was clear and got him fast service, even at the crowded bar-and handed one to Sokka. Zuko couldn't help thinking of his own reunion with Mai. He hoped Suki would be as forgiving as his own girlfriend had been. She certainly had a lot less to forgive. He raised his glass. "To ex-girlfriends. May they always be as merciful as they are fierce."
Zuko could see the alcohol hit his friend's system. Instantly, he looked more relaxed.
"Oh, that is better." Sokka remarked. "I need another." He started to raise his hand to get the bartender's attention.
"No, you don't." Zuko lowered his arm for him and steered him away from the bar. "One shot gives you courage. Two will make you want a third, and three will make you flub your words. You don't want to flub your words, do you."
"No!" Sokka's blue eyes filled with anxiety again. "I'm going to mess it up again, aren't I?"
Instead of answering, Zuko turned him to face the other side of the room, where he could see the girls in green. He put his hands on Sokka's shoulders and spoke in his ear from behind. "You are good enough. She thought so once, and that hasn't changed. You've got history together, and she remembers it. You're over Yue and ready for her. You're going to tell her how you feel, and she's going to listen. If you don't seize this moment, you're going to regret it forever." He gave Sokka a little shove. "Now go redeem yourself."
Katara was discovering that accompanying the Avatar to public events was not as much fun as she'd anticipated. That afternoon, there had been a bit of a scene at the house, when she'd had to remind her boyfriend and brother four times to stop playing boomerang fetch with Momo and start getting dressed. And now, so many people demanded Aang's attention that he didn't have much to spare for her. She stood by his side dutifully as he talked to a bunch of Earth Kingdom generals and nobles, continuing a conversation from the colony meetings about the placement of borders. She followed as long as she could, but eventually lost what little interest she'd had in the talk going on around her. Finally she excused herself, whispering to Aang that she'd be back with some punch.
"Ugh!" Toph groaned, joining her near the bar. "My mom is following me everywhere, trying to introduce me to a bunch of old people. Chao and Chen are supposed to be here and I want to hang out with them, but I don't want my mom to see them."
"Why not?" Katara asked.
"She'll make it a whole big thing! She'll want to talk to their mom, and before you know it, they're planning a wedding."
"I thought your parents were over that?"
"She's given up on picking the guy herself, but not on marrying me off." Toph explained. "If I ever bring a boy around, she will do her damnedest to make sure we walk down the aisle. Especially if he happens to be a prince."
"Well, I certainly don't blame you for wanting to avoid that." Katara saw the two identical boys over Toph's shoulder. "I think the twins spotted you. They're behind you."
"Oh. Um, how do I look?"
Toph was wearing the jade gown they'd picked out in Gaoling. It didn't have a train, or trailing sleeves, or irritating embroidery, but the simple ribbon waistband made the girl's newly blossoming figure look very pretty. Her shiny black hair was piled on top of her head, giving her a little extra height. "Lovely, Toph." Katara patted her friend's arm affectionately.
Toph paused, as if a new idea had just occurred to her. "How do they look?" She wondered.
The two princes of Omashu were honestly, quite possibly the most unattractive boys Katara had ever seen, but they seemed sweet, and their letters had occasionally been funny. "Um, they look excited to see you." She answered brightly.
Toph grinned. "Of course they are."
Katara surveyed the room again. She found her friend's parents on the far side of the room. An escape route was open.
"Why don't you take them to the garden outside?" She suggested.
Sokka walked straight through the dance floor toward the group of girls in green. Suki was facing away from him; he easily picked her out from among the identical green backs. Gathering his nerve, he tapped her on the shoulder.
She turned around and he saw her face up close for the first time in months. Her lips were bright red, and her eyes were striking, lined and colored in a more subtle version of Kyoshi's opera-inspired streaks. He had wondered whether she could really be as lovely as he remembered. Perhaps his memories had been gilded by nostalgia. But the reality of her was even better than his dreams. No costume or paint could have kept him from recognizing her now.
Suki narrowed her eyes at him. "Do I know you?"
His insides turned to ice. Of all the reactions he'd anticipated—anger, joy, ambivalence, annoyance-he had never imagined that she might have completely forgotten him, or that she would pretend to, so cruelly. He was sure his devastation showed on his face but couldn't quite gather himself to rearrange his expression.
She elbowed the girl next to her. "I've met his type before. He thinks he's hilarious, but he can't take a joke." Then her voice warmed and her smile shone on him as brightly as ever. "It's good to see you, Sokka." She opened her arms to him and hugged him like an old friend.
He closed his eyes and relaxed into her, savoring her touch, her scent. Of course she knew him. It was just a dumb prank. Her wisecracks usually did fall flat. It didn't matter. He was holding Suki again, and she was squeezing him back, with those surprisingly strong arms of hers. He could have stayed like that forever. But he was afraid of being too clingy, especially with the other girls watching them. All too soon, she pulled away and held him at arms' length, surveying him.
"You're so beautiful." The words fell out of his mouth as if he had no control over it. He was staring at her intently and barely breathing. It probably looked creepy. He shook himself and tried to act normal.
Suki's lips curved up in pleasure and she flirted back. "Look at you in your dress whites. Been working out?"
Ty Lee hooked her arms around two of the other girls' elbows and turned them away from the couple. "We'll let you two talk." The others followed, tittering behind their fans.
They were alone, which was a relief, but it also meant Sokka no longer had an excuse to delay saying what he had to say.
"I…..didn't know if you were coming." He didn't know how to ask about her failure to answer his letters, her refusal to answer the question about whether she was coming to this festival or not.
"I thought I'd surprise you." Suki bounced on her toes in excitement.
"You sure did! I—uh—bumped my head on a pillar." He rubbed the spot. It was still tender.
She came close, placing her cool fingertips against the aching knot on his forehead. "That looks pretty bad. Should we go find Katara?"
"No, it's fine." Her proximity was doing things to his brain. "Can you walk?" He asked, dopily.
"Uh, yes, I can walk." Suki looked at him like an idiot, because he was acting like one.
"I mean, uh, would you like to go for a walk? With me? Um, in the garden?" He wanted to get her away from this crowded, loud party, to talk to her somewhere peaceful. They needed quiet and privacy for this conversation, and a pretty setting couldn't hurt.
"All right," she nodded and turned around, walking toward the garden. One whole side of the ballroom consisted of large windows over open doors that led to the king's garden, a meticulously landscaped area full of fountains, manicured trees, and shrubs cut in the shapes of animals.
He didn't know if he should take her hand or offer her his arm, or keep his distance. What was allowed, what was polite, and most importantly, what did she want? She led him through the crowd, going around the edge of the room instead of cutting through the dancing couples in the middle. Finally they stepped outside together into the garden, where fountains sparkled and flowers bloomed under a full moon.
Katara walked to the bar, where she found Zuko and Mai. She greeted her friends with hugs. Ty Lee soon joined them.
"Your brother is the biggest sap!" Ty Lee exclaimed to Katara. "He comes right up to Suki and the first thing out of his mouth is 'You're so beautiful.'" She sighed. "But I've got to give it to him, that boy can wear a uniform." She nudged Mai, as if asking her to share her appreciation, but the taller girl just rolled her eyes.
"Do you think she'll take him back?" Katara asked Ty Lee hopefully.
"I think she wants to, but unless he says the right things, she won't."
Katara sighed, resigning herself to nursing her brother's broken heart again.
"If she doesn't want him," Ty Lee went on, "I'd be glad to cheer him up. What a cutie!"
"If she doesn't take him back, she'll have to explain herself to me," Katara said, almost ominously.
"And me," Zuko added, his tone equally dark. The others looked at him in surprise, so that he felt compelled to explain himself. "I mean, they're perfect for each other!" The young Fire Lord declared. "That was, without a doubt, the stupidest break up I ever heard of."
"Second stupidest." Mai put in, looking sidelong at her boyfriend, who blushed.
"You don't have any other brothers?" Ty Lee asked Katara.
She shook her head.
"Cousins?"
"No, sorry."
The acrobat pouted in disappointment.
Katara held up crossed fingers. "Let's keep hoping. I don't know if I can take any more sad, rejected Sokka. I miss seeing my brother happy." She picked up two glasses of punch from the bar. "I told Aang I'd bring him this. He's stuck with the politicians again. Have a fun night, guys!"
As she walked across the ballroom toward her boyfriend, Katara saw a young couple dressed in green sitting closely together in an alcove and smiled. When she caught sight of the group of older gentlemen where she'd left Aang, she noticed that the scene had changed. Now the airbender stood off to the side of the circle of distinguished men, talking with a teenage girl. She had a voluptuous silhouette, and wore a dress that bared the pale skin of her shoulders.
Katara's stomach dropped and hovered somewhere around her knees. She remembered the snobby girls who had taunted her and Toph on their way home from the spa, the way they'd made her feel like an unsophisticated bumpkin playing dress up. This young woman had the same upper class refinement, the light skin prized by Earth Kingdom nobles, a figure that proved she'd never gone hungry. She was gazing at Aang with that witless adoration that men seemed to find intoxicating and irresistible. No way she would keep the Avatar in the friend zone for a year. A girl like that would always be perfectly serviceable and agreeable, would never fuss at or lecture her boyfriend, the way Katara had, just a few hours earlier.
Again, the waterbender wondered if this would have been a normal thing at the Air Temples, for relationships to be fluid and open, for new partners to rush in and out with the breeze. She'd thought Aang wanted what she did, but their upbringings had been so different she couldn't be sure, and they'd never really talked about it.
Something masochistic in her made Katara want to stay where she was and watch what might unfold.
Sokka and Suki wandered through the garden paths, moonlight shining down on them. Silence stretched between them as Sokka racked his brain for something witty to say. Finally, he decided he was incapable of small talk tonight, and addressed the main question in the most oblique way he could manage, which was not very subtle at all.
"So, did you come alone?"
"Tonight? I came with my warrior sisters." She answered coyly, as if she knew exactly what he wanted to know and wasn't going to make it easy for him.
"You haven't….met anyone?" He braced himself.
"Well, this brilliant inventor came to town, but he couldn't fight. Next, I met an expert martial artist, but he couldn't make me laugh. And then there was the funny guy who was kind of ugly, to be honest. Ling set me up with an incredibly handsome man who turned out to be a straight up asshole. There was another one who was sweet, and decent with a bow and arrow, but dumb as a rock. And then my mom really wanted me to go out with this rich guy, but that was about all he had going for him."
"So, uh, you've been busy," Sokka tried to keep his voice neutral, aware that he had no right to be jealous. He didn't feel anger, he felt grief, as if his time with her had been cheapened, though he knew that wasn't fair. Still, he was sure he could disregard anything that might have happened in the last few months, if only he could share her future.
"None of them got past a first date." She assured him. "The whole time I kept thinking about my ex, who was smart and brave and funny and good-looking...not rich, but I don't care about that, even if my mom does."
A sense of déjà vu gave him hope. "You mean me?"
"Of course I mean you, stupid!" She gave him a playful nudge.
"Oh, thank goodness!"
Sokka started to lean in for a kiss, and she did too, but then she turned her cheek at the last second, almost teasing.
"What about you? Did you meet anyone on the road?" She asked, fluttering her lashes at him.
He took a breath to recover from nearly kissing her, then tried to imitate her dispassionate tone. "Well, one of Bumi's great-granddaughters wrote me a letter, but I didn't remember which one she was, so I never wrote back. Apparently there was a girl in the North who tried to flirt with me, but I didn't even notice. Katara had to tell me about it later. Turned out she was Princess Yue's cousin. And, um, Toph..."
"Ah, I wondered if she'd make a move." Suki nodded with a knowing half smile.
"You knew she had a crush on me?"
"She only tried to kiss you and got me instead."
"Wow. When was that?"
"Serpent's Pass. In the water."
"So that's why she was so bitter about learning to swim. Anyway, I turned her down. She's just too young. She asked if I'd take her out on a date in five years if we're both single, and I said ok. I'm hoping you'll get me out of that." Sokka thought it best to confess the promise he'd made to his younger friend, but worried that it might bother Suki. With her chaotic energy and flattering crush, Toph had more potential to actively create problems for the couple than a distant, peaceful spirit like Yue had ever had. But maybe that was the difference: attacks on their partnership from outside were easily dismissed, while internal threats were much more insidious.
"Nice way to let her down easy, I guess." Suki shrugged, easing his anxiety again. She seemed to understand: he'd only agreed to the conditional date as a way to make Toph feel better in that moment, not as a backup plan for the distant future.
"I might have gotten over the age thing eventually, except that I'm not over you." His eyes sought hers steadily; they met for just long enough for his intensity to pierce her. She looked away and started walking again. After a beat, he followed, catching up to her side.
Still looking forward, she asked, faking nonchalance, "How was your visit to the North?"
"It was good." He imitated her tone, and spoke conversationally about his trip. "We stayed at Pakku's house. I guess it's Gran-Gran's too, now. I took Zuko ice-fishing. And I got to talk to Yue." He slipped the bombshell in casually, as if his ethereal spirit of an ex-girlfriend were just another vaguely interesting person he'd encountered on his travels.
Suki stopped walking and turned to him in surprise. "Do you mean she actually talked back?"
"Yeah. She appeared right there in the sky above the koi pond, and spoke to me."
"What did she say?"
"Yue gave us her blessing. She said, I wish you happiness with the woman you love."
"So it won't matter if the moon sees us kiss?" She challenged him, gesturing at the sky.
"Not at all." Despite the skepticism in her voice, Sokka couldn't help feeling increasingly optimistic at the mere suggestion of kissing.
"So you don't love her anymore?" Suki verified.
He shook his head. "She's not a person anymore. You could ask, do I love the moon? And I'd say, sure, just like I love the ocean and the trees and all of nature. It's not a personal love. I have moved on."
"But you still love her memory?" She pressed.
Now that he had Suki in the flesh in front of him, the idea of preferring Yue practically made him roll his eyes. Sokka took a deep breath and got ready to try to explain the way he understood his feelings now. "I guess the sixteen year old boy that I was still loves the girl that she was, and he's inside me somewhere, but I'm not that guy anymore, and I didn't realize that until I saw her again. Now I'm almost eighteen, and I'm a battle-tested soldier and leader, and a sweet, simple girl like Yue was isn't enough for me." He stood in front of her, his hands just above her elbows. "I need a strong woman who will grow and change with me, a fellow warrior who will push me to be my best, not a boy's static fantasy of an ice princess."
She swallowed, and he thought he felt her tremble a little. Her eyes suddenly looked very wide and vulnerable. "What changed?" She whispered.
"I got to say goodbye and let her go. Really let her go this time." As if modeling what had happened within him, he dropped his hands from her arms. It seemed to make her take a small step closer.
"What does that mean?"
"It means thinking about her doesn't hurt anymore. It means that now there isn't any room in my heart for her; I made space for you. I'm sorry I had to go off without you to do that. I know I hurt you and it tears me up. I'm sorry I wasn't honest with you before, and that I wasn't ready to give you what you deserve." Sokka looked down, trying to get all of his apologies out of the way at once. "And I'm sorry if my letters were too long. They were probably boring. I just can't help going on and on. And it's ok that you didn't write back as much. It's fine that you were b-"
Suki silenced him with a kiss. It was short, not much more than a peck, but it sent a shock right through his whole body. She pulled away just enough to look into his eyes. "You talk too much." She whispered, her voice husky. Then she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him again, pulling him into their future.
Toph and the twins found the king's garden to be a place full of excellent opportunities for pranks. First, she made a girl trip and stumble, so her date had to catch her. They both seemed to appreciate that. Then there was a drunk guy throwing up in the fountain, so Toph bent down the edge of the pool to give him a bath, then rolled him onto his side when he passed out. Next, the three of them played around putting walls in random places in the hedge maze, so that it became more of a prison. They trapped a few girls in there, then guided them out. On their way back into the party, the clueless girls kept congratulating themselves on how smart they were for figuring out the maze.
The three collapsed on a stone bench, cracking up, the princes on either side of the metalbender. When their laughter died down, Chao said something surprising.
"We wondered if we could kiss you."
"Uh, we?" Toph repeated, incredulous.
"Not at the same time, of course." Chen clarified. "We'd take turns."
"Unless you prefer me. It won't hurt his feelings." Chao joked, presuming he would be chosen over his brother.
"Or his if you pick me." Chen put in hopefully.
Toph was taken aback. The idea of two guys taking turns with her was beyond gross. But she also had to admit that she kind of thought of the twins as a single person most of the time, and that if only one of them had been here, and made the request in first person singular, she'd have said yes without hesitation. Either of them. She had no idea which she preferred, and maybe this was a way to figure that out. She couldn't deny it: she was curious. What would it be like to kiss a guy who wanted to kiss her? Not to grope and fumble for his lips but to have them offered to her? She didn't think it would have gone differently with Sokka if she'd known how to kiss, but she wouldn't have felt so anxious about it, so worried she would embarrass herself, if she'd been more confident in her skill. She wanted experience, and this seemed like a harmless enough way to get some. Two partners meant twice the training, right? They were offering, after all, so it seemed they wouldn't mind if she practiced on them.
"Ok." She shrugged, nonchalant and daring. "I don't want to pick yet, so we can take turns. But what would the other do, just sit and watch?"
"If you'll let us."
That confirmed her suspicion: sighted people do enjoy watching others kiss. That didn't make any sense to her; when she'd sensed romantic stuff going on around her, she didn't find it a bit of a turn on. But then, sighted people were often weird.
"I don't think so." She decided she could live with going back and forth between kissing the two of them, but not with each of them getting an extra kick out of watching her with the other. "All right, so who first?"
"Me," Chao said, as if they had already decided between the two of them beforehand.
"Ok. Chen, go stand over there on the other side of that bush, and remember I can tell if you turn around."
She turned toward the twin on her right and lifted her chin. He dropped a series of gentle pecks on her lips, without touching her anywhere else. It felt nice, and there was something sweet in the gesture, but she also found it a little frustrating the way he kept pulling away, losing contact. She was about to grab his shoulders and make him stay put, when the other twin called, "Time!"
"You two are keeping time?" She asked.
"It's the only way to keep it fair," he explained.
Fair for you, she thought.
Chen took his brother's place and started kissing her the exact same way, as if time had rewound. She put her hand on his upper arm and kissed him back more firmly, so that she could feel his lips give under hers. He increased pressure and firmness, and touched her arm too, mirroring, as if he'd needed her touch first for permission. Again, time was called before she could really get into it.
Chao came back from the other side of the bush. "We'd really like to keep going, if that's ok with you."
"Another round? Sure."
The twins switched. Toph and Chao started kissing again, and it was as if he were picking up just where Chen had left off. She wondered if they had communicated with a gesture in between. They seemed to have planned every detail. Was that his tongue? She darted hers out too, and tasted his top lip. Using the tongue, even just on the outside, seemed to add another dimension to it, taste as well as touch. It also made it more wet, so that when they stopped, she felt like she wanted to wipe off her mouth, but it seemed like it would be rude.
The boys traded spots again. Chen turned his head to the side, and she started to turn the same way too, but then his fingertips were on her temple, softly pushing her in the other direction. He seemed to have an idea of something he'd like to try, so she decided to let him guide her. She felt the middle of his mouth line up with the corners of hers, to allow maximum area for their tongues to move around inside. Oh. This was an interesting technique. A lot of space to explore, a whole arena for tongues to do battle. It felt kind of cool, but there was a lot of saliva involved. Were they going to call time?
When Chao came back, he told her, "Your friend who came to Omashu is over there with a girl. One of the Kyoshi Warriors, I think."
"I saw him too." Chen said. "They're still kissing?"
"Yeah. What was his name? Sukka?"
"Sokka." Toph corrected him.
"That was it. Man, those two just keep going! It's like he's trying to drown himself in her spit."
"Are you up for another round?" Chao asked Toph, touching her hand shyly.
"Uh, no thanks, guys. I'm done."
It wasn't because it bothered her to hear about Sokka and Suki getting back together. She'd expected that. She felt glad to hear it, even. Suki was a tough fighter who'd saved Toph's life twice. If Sokka had to pick another girl, at least it was one who could kick his ass when he needed it. If Suki hadn't taken her ex back, it might have jeopardized the progress Toph thought she'd made in shaking off her crush. No, it was better this way.
But hearing about her friends' endless kiss was a reminder of real love and what that would be like. This wasn't it, and four kisses had been plenty to let her know that. These two really seemed to like her, and it wasn't right to use them as practice, as pleasant as it was, and as much as they both seemed to be enjoying it. She still couldn't tell them apart by their kisses, which were nearly as identical as their voices. That meant she couldn't pick one of them over the other, since she didn't want to hurt either twin without a real reason. The only fair thing for her to do was to turn them both down.
"Oh." She could hear the disappointment in Chen's voice. "Did we do something wrong?"
"No, the kisses were really nice, and I'm glad we did this, but I think we should just be friends. I don't want to come between the two of you."
"You wouldn't!" Chao insisted. "We agreed, no hard feelings either way!"
If they wouldn't take that line, then she'd have to be her usual blunt self. "Well, I'm just not interested anymore. Sorry."
"It's ok," they mumbled in chorus. It sounded like their voices were directed downward.
"And just some advice for the future, guys? Don't expect most girls to go along with taking turns."
"I told you that was a bad idea," Chao nudged his twin.
"Maybe you should try doing this separately." She suggested. "Each of you pick a different girl and go after her on your own."
"Well, um, part of the reason we picked you was because we're….not very good looking, and we figured you wouldn't mind that." Chen admitted.
"Because I'm blind?" She asked. Toph wondered if she should be mad at Katara for withholding that bit of info from her, but decided it wouldn't have made a difference because she didn't care.
"Yeah."
"Well, you were right. I don't mind that. I'd like to reassure you that other girls won't either, but I really don't know if they will or not. Good luck, though."
"Do you know any other blind girls?" Chao asked hopefully.
"No. Sorry."
The twins were quiet for a moment, and then Chen asked her a question. "Can we give you some advice too?"
"Sure." That was half the point, she supposed. To get better at this for next time, when it would really count.
"Close your eyes while kissing. People who can see do that so they can focus on the feeling, and because seeing another person so close up-"
"And getting stared at so close-"
"-is weird. Of course, we know you're not really staring, but the effect is still disconcerting."
"Oh. Um, thanks for the feedback." Toph replied, grateful to have been spared the future embarrassment. "I guess I wouldn't have known."
"But besides that, it was great!" They assured her.
"Best first kiss ever!" She heard them high five each other. They were so lame. It was kind of sweet.
"You think that was my first kiss?" She asked, bemused at their assumption, and glad it was wrong.
"I meant for us."
"Oh. Um, should I be honored?"
"No, truly, we are the ones who are honored." The ground shifted minutely under their feet as they bowed to her.
"That's right. You should be." Toph smirked. "Want to go mess with the statues?" The three ran off to another part of the garden.
Sokka was utterly lost in her lips, in her arms. He clutched Suki with grateful desperation, as if he were afraid she would disappear if he lost contact with her. How long had they been kissing, there in the Earth King's garden? Five solid minutes? Ten? Longer? It wasn't exactly private; any number of people might have walked by and seen them, and they wouldn't have even noticed. He'd imagined this moment so many times, but the reality of Suki surpassed his most vivid daydreams and memories. To the extent that he was capable of thought at all, he tried to pinpoint what had changed. But everything about her was familiar, in the best possible way. Which meant he was the one who was different. He was available now, in a way he hadn't been before. He was primed, he was open, he was offering and she was taking him up. He could feel that empty place in his heart filling, drop by drop. He might never have stopped kissing her, except Suki eventually pulled away to catch her breath.
That made Sokka gasp, thrown off balance by the sudden disconnection of their mouths. He felt so dizzy he might have fallen down, except for his hands on her shoulders, and hers on his waist, steadying him. Panting, he rested his forehead against hers. "I don't understand how I could ever have left you behind." He mused, once his mind cleared enough to speak.
"I don't know how I was able to let you go." Suki echoed, touching her lips wonderingly with her fingertips.
Sokka trailed his fingers down her arms and took her hands in his. "Yue said I was a fool for holding on to her. I have to say I agree."
"I feel foolish too." Suki admitted. "You'd done nothing to cause me to feel jealous. It was just my own insecurity."
He shrugged. He'd long since forgiven her any part she'd played in their breakup. "Everybody feels like that sometimes. If someone as amazing as you felt insecure, it must have been because I'd given you reason, even without meaning to. And I acknowledge I was holding something back. But not anymore."
"I should have realized she was never a threat to our relationship. It's not like you could ever cheat on me with a spirit, even if you wanted to, and I don't think you did. There's nothing wrong with reserving a part of your heart for someone you loved and lost."
"That's true, but that wasn't all I was doing." Sokka confessed. "I was nursing my feelings for Yue instead of letting them fade away, even after we were together. I was keeping something from you that should have been just yours. You were right not to let me do that, not to settle for sharing me. Now I'm determined you'll never have to." He let go of her hands, touching her lower back and bringing her into the circle of his arms, as he said the words he'd thought about and rehearsed. "I thought Yue was the girl of my dreams, but my dream has changed. Now it's you, Suki. You're a dream, and you're real. And there is nothing I want more than to be completely yours. No secrets, no reservations, no separations. I'm ready to give you everything you said you wanted."
"All of you?" They both recalled her words from that painful conversation on Kyoshi Island.
He nodded, putting himself on the line. He felt faint, as if his heart were outside his body. "If you'll still have me."
"Oh, Sokka. I will." She looked down, wiping roughly at her eyes. Then she gathered herself and told him briskly, "But enough about the past. This is new, beginning now."
"Yes. A fresh start. I can't believe you're going to give me a second chance." He barely got the words out before his throat started to close up and his lip to quiver. Before he could burst into tears, she kissed him again, softly and slowly this time. Her kiss balanced him and channeled his emotion, turning his attention from the sorrow and difficulty of their time apart, to their very real present togetherness. Sokka felt as thankful and relieved as if she'd just saved his life again. He tasted a tear, and cupped her cheek.
This kiss could easily have gone on as long as the last one, but suddenly there was a crash nearby, and Suki whipped around, shielding him from whatever intruder was threatening them. He let her, knowing he was completely unarmed, while she almost certainly had several weapons hidden somewhere in her skirts. Yep, he was right: she was holding a fan behind her back for him to grab, as she unfurled a second one. He was blown away once again by what a great team they made, when he gave up on the ridiculous notion that he would be the only one providing protection.
It was a bronze statue, about ten feet tall, with a black-haired girl sitting on its shoulders, and two identical well-dressed boys with uneven eyes and serious acne, trotting along next to it. "Toph?" Sokka asked, standing up from his defensive crouch.
"Sorry, guys!" She called down from her perch on top of the statue, then yelled at her companions. "I told you two to steer me toward the giant pai sho board! Let's leave this happy couple alone! It wasn't enough that you spied on them before-although you might have needed the instruction. Guess I shouldn't complain. Which way?"
The boys pointed wordlessly, prompting more scolding from the statue's rider.
"Don't point, you idiots, tell me left or right!"
"Left," the twins said simultaneously.
"Have fun, guys! Glad you're back, Suki!" Toph called as she turned the statue around. The twins followed like loyal pets.
Sokka handed Suki back her fan and she tucked it away in a pocket.
"That girl is insane." She shook her head, looking after Toph. He thought he could detect some affection in her voice.
Sokka chuckled, glad that it seemed there would be no awkwardness between his two favorite girls. "Yeah. I probably don't want to know what she meant by those guys needing instruction."
"That's a safe bet. Now, where were we?" Suki asked, coming close again, eyes on his mouth. Instead of kissing interminably, this time they spoke quick phrases to each other, between short, firm touches of their lips, punctuating their rapid conversation with kisses.
"Missed you so much," he murmured against her mouth.
As he moved his lips up and down the side of her neck, she revealed, "I read your letters so many times."
"Dreamt of you every night," he replied against her throat.
"I never had any fun without you," she pouted, which pushed out her bottom lip in a way that made tasting it irresistible.
"You're even more gorgeous than I remembered," He pulled away just far enough to take in her face again, before diving back in for another kiss.
"Are you taller?" Suki wondered, realizing she was craning her neck back at a sharper angle than before.
"Maybe." He ran his hands up and down her sides, and shivered when she did the same. "Oh, this feels so good!"
When their dueling tongues made her think of their practice sessions, she sighed, "I missed sparring with you."
"I think I'm out of condition." Sokka explained while her lips trailed along his jaw. "None of the others are any good to practice with. They're all benders and I end up soaked or flying through the air….."
"I can't wait to whip you into shape," she smirked, squeezing his bicep.
"Oh, please, correct my form," he begged, his voice deepening.
"Gladly," Suki reached behind her, and pushed his hand from her lower back to a spot a bit further down.
They both moaned as they fell into an even deeper kiss.
As soon as her mouth fell away from his for a second, more words slipped past his lips without thought, his voice dreamy, eyes still closed: "Come to my tent tonight."
"Your tent?" She pulled away a little, looking confused. The spell was broken. "You're sleeping in a tent?"
"Well, no. I'm staying in a house in the upper ring with the others." He felt silly that his invitation had come out like that. He'd been remembering the way he'd asked her to spend the night with him, both still jittery from their near escape from Azula as they'd fled the Western Air Temple. But he was probably wrong to have made such a bold request at all. There were still a few important issues they needed to discuss, like where they would live. Were they really ready to jump right back into bed? And just kissing her was so much more intense than before-could he even handle it?
Before Sokka could figure out how to say any of that, she'd already decided. "I'm staying here in the palace. It's closer." She took his hand and started tugging him back toward the lights and music of the ball.
He took a few steps after her, while his sluggish brain caught up with the fact that she was taking him to her bedroom. Elation battled with mild panic. He slowed down and resisted her pull until she stopped and looked back at him.
"Don't you want to?" Suki asked, her forehead pinched. She had that vulnerable look in her eyes again. He knew he couldn't bear to make her feel hurt or rejected in any way.
"Of course, but-" He paused, unable to voice his fears. He settled on asking, "Are you sure?" He felt cowardly for not owning his own hesitation, for making her say again that she wanted him.
"Yeah," she gave him a puzzled look, as if it were a stupid question. Then she led him back through the party, up a flight of stairs and down some corridors, until finally they came to a door she seemed to recognize. She let go of his hand to pull out a key and open it. Next, she pulled him inside, closed the door behind her and locked it, grinning at him a little wickedly.
First she pulled the tie out of his hair and leaned back a little, to take in his face with his hair framing it. She made an appreciative sound in the back of her throat and pulled him in for another kiss. Suki seemed to be everywhere, quickening the pace of their kisses, hands working on the buttons of his jacket and shirt. When she'd uncovered his chest and run her fingers over it, she paused and looked at him.
"You're shaking." She observed, concerned.
"I think I'm more nervous than the first time." Sokka confided, trying to still his trembling fingers by gripping her waist more tightly.
"Why is that?" She asked softly.
"That night I was just so excited I wouldn't die a virgin. But now I know I'm going to have a future, and this is it. You are it for me, Suki. And that's a lot scarier. If this goes wrong, if I mess this up again, I will not be ok."
"I know what you mean. This feels more serious for me too." Her steadfast eyes grounded him, until his shaking calmed and mind cleared. She looked like she'd never been more sure of anything when she told him, "I love you, Sokka."
"I love you too." He responded immediately. "Even more than before." The words were a paltry reflection of his feeling inside. He'd show her this time, he resolved, leave no room for her to doubt it. Tonight, with his body, and then with his whole life.
"It is scary, but I want this." She affirmed.
"Me too." He nodded solemnly, grasping her hand the way they always did when they agreed on a battle plan. "We can face our future together. It'll be an adventure. You taught me how to be brave. You are a warrior."
"I'm a girl too." Suki reminded him, her lips quirking flirtatiously.
"Oh, I know." He grinned, taking her into his arms. "That's the best part." Sokka fell backward onto the bed, pulling his lover on top of him.
Katara found a spot behind a pillar where she had a clear line of sight to where her boyfriend stood chatting with the elegant, curvaceous girl. She felt ridiculous hiding and watching him. Surely if he were going to cheat on her, he wouldn't do it in public like this. But the issue was that he might not see it as cheating, and if that were the case, he would be as open about it as he was about everything he did.
Aang appeared increasingly uncomfortable as the two continued to talk. Katara saw him take two steps backward, as the girl moved into his personal space once, failed to take the hint, and did it again. When she put a hand on his arm, he moved it behind his head, and Katara caught a nervous look on his face. Clearly, he wasn't having a good time talking to this girl, and that was the main thing that mattered. She decided to swoop in.
"Oh, hi, sweetie!" Aang's eyes lit up as soon as he saw her. He accepted the glass of punch from her hand with a kiss on the cheek. "This is Genji. She's General How's daughter." After perfunctorily introducing the girl he'd been speaking with, he launched into a long speech bragging about his girlfriend, focusing on her recent work as a healer and midwife. Genji got a sour look on her face and beat a hasty retreat.
"Finally!" Aang burst out, as soon as the girl was out of earshot. "Thanks for rescuing me! I was starting to wonder how long it was going to take for you to come back with this." He took a drink of his punch.
"I saw you talking to her and wanted to see if you were enjoying yourself before I interrupted. In case you wanted a break from me." She told him sheepishly. "Here there are so many girls like her telling you how great you are all the time, and all I do is nag."
"Having fans does kind of feed the ego. You've done that for me too, sometimes." He touched her hand earnestly. "Whenever I was really discouraged, you built me back up. But too much of that-the monks would say it isn't healthy. And, sweetie, you don't nag. You get stuff done. It would take us forever to break down camp without you to run the show. We would have been late to this party if you hadn't made Sokka and me quit horsing around this afternoon. We need you to keep us on track. I'm sorry if I don't thank you enough for it."
"No, you do," she assured him. He expressed his appreciation for her all the time. For her to forget that in pointless speculation was ridiculous, she understood now. Abashed, she tried to explain herself. "It's just- she was so pretty, and fashionable, and the way she was looking at you…"
"I know nothing and care even less about fashion. Obviously." He indicated his outfit, 100 years out of date. "And you are clearly the most beautiful girl in this room. In every room. Yes, I'm biased, but that is also simply an objective fact. Genji," he shook his head. "she might be a nice enough person, but she was too….."
"Handsy?" Katara supplied a word, sipping her punch.
"Um, yeah." He looked embarrassed. "Did it bother you?"
"Well, I know it shouldn't." she said carefully, putting down her cup. "We never made any kind of promises about…..other people. I didn't know if the couples in the Air Temples were exclusive, or what you wanted…."
He appeared surprised. "Well, sometimes they were, and sometimes they weren't. I know we didn't talk about it, but I assumed….I thought it was implied in being your boyfriend."
She was immediately comforted: maybe they'd been on the same page after all. She hastened to clarify to him that she didn't consider herself free. "On my side, I made the same assumption when I started thinking of you that way. But we didn't agree on what that means either, did we?"
"You're right, we didn't. You do want us to be exclusive, don't you?"
"I do if you do." She stipulated. She couldn't imagine pursuing another guy, even if he asked for and took advantage of that freedom for himself, but her pride demanded that they have equal terms.
"Yes, I do." He confirmed. "It doesn't matter how pretty or how flattering these girls might be. My fans might try to stroke my ego, but you, Katara-you touch my soul. I'm not interested in anyone else."
"Aang." She wrapped her arms around him, and they relaxed into each other for two breaths. "Me neither," she whispered into his ear.
"Whew, that's a relief!" He exclaimed, pulling apart enough to grin at her. "You had me scared for a minute! I'm sorry, you're right, we should have discussed that a long time ago." With his apology, he dropped his arms from around her, and she did too.
"I guess I didn't need it to be explicit until we got to the city." She looked down at her hands. It was simple enough to rely on her deductions from their interactions when they were traveling with only their group and not staying anywhere long. But here, with girls throwing themselves at him all the time, she found it would help her insecurity if they had it clearly laid out. "I do trust you, but it's easier if I have some words to cling to. Especially now."
"Now that my fan club is waiting for me every time you step out of the picture for a second?" He guessed ruefully.
"Yeah." On one hand, she felt justified in questioning a commitment he had never voiced. Logically, she knew it would have been unreasonable if he had expected her to rely on unverified assumptions forever. But on the other, she thought that she wouldn't need a promise if she were stronger, if she could trust her power to attract and hold him. It was her own weakness that had made her act so foolishly, and that made her ashamed. She hung her head. "I hope that doesn't make me a jerk. I don't want to be possessive and jealous."
"Not at all!" He reassured her, touching her arm. "It's perfectly natural to want words and definitions, so that we're both clear on our expectations. On what this means." They looked at each other for a long moment. Exclusivity wasn't the only thing they'd left unspoken far too long.
Katara was suddenly overcome with relief and gratitude. To be permitted to need explicit promises, and to be given them so freely, when she'd been imagining a precarious future entirely lacking any such commitments-it seemed a great gift. Before he could say anything else, she put her hand behind his neck and pulled him to her for a deep kiss. She pushed her lips emphatically against his, trying to show what his words meant to her. She knew she couldn't kiss him too long, because they were in the middle of the Earth King's crowded ballroom, but she made sure to be thorough enough to leave them both breathless.
"Thank you." She moved her hand to his cheek and caressed it with her thumb, a small smile lighting her face. "I'm glad we have that settled. Now I feel really dumb for hanging back to watch you with that girl. To see what you would do." She confessed.
He raised his eyebrows, taken aback. "You were testing me?" He frowned to himself. "Did I pass?"
"Yes, but not with flying colors. It looked like you were pretty uncomfortable." She took another sip of her drink. It was warm, so she cooled it again.
"I was! She was telling me about her vacation on Whaletail Island, where she and her sisters like to swim naked."
Katara practically spat out her punch. "And you didn't shut it down right there?"
"I didn't want to be rude…."
"She's the one who was acting inappropriately." The waterbender insisted. "I could tell from across the room you didn't like her getting in your space; she could have stopped that at any time. How would you feel if a guy talked to me that way?"
Aang's stomach turned. "I….wouldn't like it."
"And I wouldn't either, so I would walk away."
"Oh." Now he felt stupid. What a simple solution! "So that's what I should do? Just walk away?"
"Maybe, but not because I'm telling you to. Because you know you don't have to sit there if some girl is crossing a line. You're naturally polite and loathe to offend anyone, but you have to have boundaries. You can be firm without being mean." Katara sighed. "I know that fangirls are part of the deal with dating the Avatar. That doesn't bother me. I understand that women are going to find you attractive."
"I don't think that's it," he said modestly. "It's just because I'm famous."
"That's part of it," Katara allowed. "But I think as you grow up, that balance may shift. Anyway. I'd never hold you responsible for their….craziness. That would be really unfair. The only thing that matters to me is your response."
"And how would you like me to respond?" His gaze was totally open; he was in student mode, willing to take any instruction she might give.
"If we're going to be exclusive, then I would like it to be clear to me and to everyone that my feelings are more important to you than some stranger's. Don't be so worried about hurting one of them that you end up hurting me instead."
His eyes widened in horror at the thought. "You're right! I would never want to do that! I'm so glad you explained it to me that way, because I can remember that and use it to help me set those boundaries."
"It's only the really aggressive ones who will push you to resort to rudeness. Genji was far from the worst. All you had to do was call me sweetie, and she ran away. I have noticed how you make it a point to introduce me as your girlfriend. You're aware of this situation, and mindful of how it affects me, and that's all I can ask of you. I hope you know how much I appreciate it." She took his hand and squeezed it.
"Of course I tell everyone you're my girlfriend. I'm so happy and proud to be with you." He pressed her fingers in return. "And you're considerate of me the same way. You show me that I'm your priority now, and other guys don't have a chance. Like when you turned down all those waterbenders who wanted to dance with you at Chief Arnook's party. Or when you came straight to me after you talked to Haru."
"Hey, speaking of Haru, I saw him in a corner alcove flirting with one of the Kyoshi warriors." She shared the gossip. "Ling, I think was her name? She was almost in his lap."
"Good for them." Aang approved.
"I think it helped that he shaved that ridiculous moustache."
"If he hadn't had that moustache, would he have gotten anywhere with you at the Western Air Temple?" He teased her.
"No." Katara answered seriously. "I was a wreck. Your kiss blew me away. I couldn't handle it, so I stuffed my feelings in a box marked 'to be opened after the war.' And if I couldn't think about how I felt about you, I was even more incapable of considering any other guy. The truth was, you had claimed me. Even then I felt bound to you. I was just too afraid to voice it or admit it to myself."
Aang swallowed, his eyes focused on hers. He'd expected her to say no, but not to share such an intimate confidence. He hadn't known she'd felt so strongly for him that early. Moved, he reciprocated. "You had claimed me too. Probably the day you woke me up. Even without meaning to."
The conductor of the small orchestra that had been playing all night announced that the musicians were back from their break and about to begin a waltz.
A dance seemed like the perfect way to celebrate their new understanding, while also stepping their emotional intensity back down to a normal level, one appropriate for a public event. Aang turned toward the floor and held up his elbow for Katara. "Shall we?"
"Yes, we shall."
The morning sun found Sokka and Suki making love for the third time. Their first reunion had been fast and explosive, the second took place somewhere between dreams and reality, and now, thoroughly rested and reacquainted, they were languid, decadently slow and deliberate. Eventually, both sated, they rolled apart and lay side by side, looking up at the ceiling and wondering what came next.
Sokka turned his head on the pillow to look at her. "So how long are you in town?" he asked brightly.
Suki narrowed her eyes at him quizzically. "I don't understand."
He rephrased. "When do you go back to Kyoshi Island?"
She threw the covers off her and got up. Instantly, she remembered she was naked and started looking for some clothes. She was sure she looked foolish rummaging around her room without a stitch on, and that only infuriated her more. Finally she did find a robe and pulled it on. "I can't believe that after last night, after everything we said and-and did, you're going to just send me back to Kyoshi Island—"
"What?" He jumped out of the bed as well, on the opposite side, just as naked, but too upset to bother looking for something to put on. "I can't believe that's what you think! What did I do wrong? I thought I made it perfectly clear last night that I want to be with you! More than anything!"
"Then why did you just ask about when I'm going back?" She accused him. "Like you're trying to get rid of me!"
"I just thought if you were leaving, like tomorrow, I might need to stay here and finish up this round of colony talks before I join you." He explained. "I've been representing the tribe. I guess Katara could do it, but she's been busy taking classes on medicine and working at the midwife clinic. It would probably only be about a week. And then I could take the train, or a boat. How did you get here? Which is faster?"
"You were planning to come to Kyoshi Island with me? For good?" She looked shocked.
"Of course. You have obligations there. And family." He said in a matter-of-fact way, as if it were settled. "We didn't discuss any of that last night, but I assumed it hadn't changed."
"What would you do there?" She wondered, baffled.
He shrugged. "I don't know. I'd figure something out. Teach the Kyoshi Warriors to throw a boomerang?"
She laughed in surprise, covering her mouth with a hand, then dropping it to her delighted heart.
He considered that encouragement and went on, sharing a couple other ideas he'd had. "I could captain a fishing boat," he offered. "Or make trade runs between Kyoshi Island and the South Pole."
"You think you'd like that?" She asked doubtfully. That kind of life seemed so modest, for a boy who had changed the world.
"Sure. As long as I could come home to you."
"But you have obligations too." She argued. "What about the tour?"
"That's not important, and it's winding down anyway. If you hadn't shown up last night, I was planning to go see you on Kyoshi when Aang and Katara go to the Fire Nation. I couldn't wait any longer. I missed you too much."
"I missed you too. That's why I gave up my command."
"What?" Now he was the one who was shocked.
"I passed off my role as captain to Ling. She's been itching for it."
"But you love being a Kyoshi warrior!" He felt devastated on her behalf.
"And I always will be one. It's a lifelong sisterhood. But I wanted to be with you. And I was starting to feel stuck and stifled on the little island, to be honest. So when I got your letters, with hints that you wanted to get back together, I started thinking about how much fun I had flying around the world with you." She looked shy suddenly, as if her words were even more revealing than the way she'd disrobed for him the previous night. "I hoped that we'd see each other here and then you'd just…take me along on your next adventure."
"Oh, Suki." He walked around the bed and hugged her. "Sounds like we have some things to talk about." He pulled playfully on her robe's sash. "Do you think we can have a serious discussion lying naked in bed, or will it be too distracting?"
"I think that's a situation where we can't lose." She answered coyly. "Either we make a big decision together quickly, and then celebrate, or we get distracted, and just take a little longer to decide."
"Good point. I don't have anywhere to be this morning. Or afternoon."
"Me neither."
They climbed back into bed, and made themselves comfortable lounging under the covers in a loose embrace.
"All right, what choices do you have? What would you want to do if I weren't in the picture?" Sokka asked. He didn't want to restrain her or tie her down in any way.
"I guess I could go back to the island and ask to resume my command." Suki mused. "Or move to a different role, probably training new recruits. Girls are coming from all over the Earth Kingdom lately. And our services are in demand. King Keui invited us to work as police here in Ba Sing Se, now that the Dai Li have been disbanded. Zuko asked us to come provide security for him, but I think that's mostly a way for Mai to get to hang out with Ty Lee. And the colony cities, especially Yu Dao and Cranefish Town, have requested our help keeping the peace during the transition."
"I heard about that last one. Is there one of those places you'd like to go more than the others?"
"I was going to ask which you might prefer. And I'm sure you have some options too. There's the tour, I know, but what about after?"
"Well, like I said, the colony talks are ongoing, and I might be expected to participate in those." Sokka began. "I could always to go university, either here or in the Fire Nation. Zuko invited the Mechanist to Caldera University to research peaceful technologies. Transportation, mechanical plows, that kind of thing. I have a spot in his lab if I want it. He says I need to learn to draw a proper diagram. Or Zuko would let me just hang out at the palace if I wanted. He could appoint me advisor of something, or I could be the Water Tribe ambassador. Master Piandao invited me to train at his estate. I could always just keep tagging along with Aang and Katara. Toph is thinking about starting a metalbending school, I could help her out with that. And, of course, Dad would love to have me back in the south."
"Wow. It seems like a lot of people want you around." The number, variety, and prestige of Sokka's offers impressed her. Suki appreciated how multitalented her boyfriend was, how he'd formed relationships with people all over the world.
"Yeah." He lifted and dropped one shoulder nonchalantly. "But if you didn't, none of it would matter."
Suki realized that he'd weighed his love for her against the chance to develop one or all of his many skills, and had picked her. She was humbled and gratified, but also understood that she'd basically made the same choice. Her eyes softened and she kissed him, a short, pillowy touch of thankful lips.
Sokka stroked her hair and arm as he pulled away. Her bare skin pressed against his side felt amazing, but he was too curious about the decision she'd made to focus on the places his body touched hers. "What did you think you would do, when you decided to come here and rejoin me?" he wondered. "You're not the type to just follow a guy and support his career. You have dreams of your own. And don't get me wrong, I love that about you."
"I figured I'd done everything I wanted to do on Kyoshi Island. I finished training a set of recruits, officiated at my sister's initiation, and appointed my successor. I know I'll be able to help people and make myself useful wherever I go, and there's no better way to make sure I'm in the thick of things than to be part of Team Avatar. And, to be honest, the time we spent traveling felt like an amazing vacation to me, even with all the danger. It was a lot less regimented and more exciting than life on Kyoshi."
"I'm really glad to hear you say all that. And you know the others will be thrilled to have you along again. But I'd feel bad if you had to sacrifice your dreams, just to be with me."
"I wouldn't want you to do that either." She agreed. "But, luckily, it seems like that won't be an issue for either of us. We're both pretty flexible. And there might be some overlap, a few ways we could both be useful and do interesting work in the same place. Like you could work in the research lab while I provide security for Zuko."
"Yeah. Or we could go to the colonies. They could use all the help they can get."
"That might be the place we're needed most," she nodded thoughtfully. "The other opportunity that intrigues me is Master Piandao. Do you think he'd train me too?"
"I'd be surprised if he wouldn't." Sokka lowered his voice. "He hinted about the White Lotus. The paper he wrote the letter on had the symbol on it, and he gave me that pai sho piece, so I wondered if he was going to invite me to join. They're all about peace and balance and supporting the Avatar, and now I'm a war hero who happens to be the Avatar's best friend."
"That's amazing, Sokka! What an honor!" She nudged his shoulder with hers, her eyes shining with pride. "And you would look great in those blue and white uniforms!"
"I know! Although I think they're missing something." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder if I could talk them into adding hats to the ensemble…"
"Do you think they let women join?"
"You know, I don't remember seeing any old ladies at the camp around Ba Sing Se. But if they don't allow women, that's a problem for me. If they're stupid enough to exclude half the world, I'm not sure I want to be part of a group like that, no matter how prestigious they are. Or how cool their outfits look."
"Well, if that's the case, maybe we could help them reform the ancient organization, and make me the first female member of the Brotherhood. I changed your mind about women warriors, after all." She poked his chest playfully. "And Katara got Pakku to go against his tradition to teach her. I'm sure the two of us could take on a bunch of old dudes."
He loved the idea of her showing those elderly masters what a woman was capable of. An image of that uniform, cut to fit her figure, came to mind. Her confidence was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen. He was ready for this conversation to be over.
"So…Piandao first, then either Caldera or the colonies?" Sokka proposed tentatively.
"I like that plan." Suki nodded. "I don't think we need to look any farther out than that right now. The most important thing is that we're together." She held up her hand, and he took it in that battle-ready grip they had used the previous night to seal their union.
"Absolutely." Sokka couldn't imagine being parted from her for long now, and was grateful she seemed to feel the same. "Whew. It—uh-sounds like we just made a big decision." He raised a suggestive eyebrow at her.
"I think that means we have something to celebrate." She mirrored his grin.
He pulled on their joined hands, using that leverage to roll them both onto their sides, facing each other. "We certainly do."
Author's Note: Well, was the Sukka reunion everything you hoped it would be? Please leave me a review and let me know what was your favorite part of this chapter!
