Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.

30

"What is it?" Suki asked Katara softly, still leaned away from Sokka. The mention of his prior break-up had left her a little uneasy, as if Sokka and Katara knew something she didn't.

But, that was a discussion for another time, and right now, Katara deserved her undivided attention.

Katara sighed quietly. "It's Jet, ironically. Speaking of processing break-ups, he's processed ours by telling everyone that I cheated on him, with Aang. And, to cap it off, that Aang is using me to get a roof over his head, because somehow that disgusting little bastard found out about Aang's prior... living situation."

Sokka let out an explosive breath. "Spirits, what I'd give to knock that asshole's teeth in."

"At least there's one thing we agree on," Katara muttered darkly.

"I never said I disagreed with you being with Aang," her brother answered in a wounded tone. "Just that I was concerned about it. I don't want either of you to get hurt." His hand went to rub one temple, and Suki reached out to give him a tentative squeeze on one shoulder. He leaned into her almost gratefully.

Katara looked away. "Well, it doesn't matter now, anyway."

"Doesn't it?" Sokka asked, and Suki withdrew her hand silently, ignoring the look he gave her.

"You know, I really thought you were going to be happy for me, or at least more understanding," Katara snapped.

"I am," Sokka insisted. "But I can be worried, too. It doesn't have to be one or the other. You're my sister, and Aang is my friend. If you're happy together, then great. I'm just worried that you're doing it too soon. Aang's not going anywhere, and now, you have to deal with a bunch of gossip from your very recent ex."

Katara lifted one haughty brow. "I couldn't care less what Jet has to say."

"Aang might feel differently," Sokka countered.

Suki could sense that Sokka struck a nerve; Katara's haughty brow lowered, her arms wrapping around herself defensively, as if to protect herself. "I know," she murmured sadly.

"There's only one way to know," Suki said, interrupting the heavy mood with a business-like tone. "You have to tell Aang, and you have to do it soon. He needs to find out from you."

Beside her, Sokka nodded his agreement.

Katara bit her lip. "But what if Aang decides that it's- that I'm- not worth it?"

Suki's face twisted in sympathy, and she strode to Katara, sitting down next to her to wrap an arm around her. "I don't think you need to worry about that," she reassured her. "He likes you- a lot. It's plain to see."

A surge of affection grew in her belly as Suki watched Sokka lean forward to grab his sister's hand. "You're worth it, Katara," Sokka said firmly.

After Katara left the living room to shower, Sokka remained on the couch, chewing worriedly on his lower lip. He'd meant what he said to Katara; he was happy for her, if she was happy. But it all seemed a bit fast, to him; they were roommates, after all. Neither of them was going anywhere. It wasn't as though they didn't have time.

But, she was free to make her own mistakes, if that's what this was. For once, Sokka hoped that he was wrong.

"Penny for your thoughts," Suki said from his right, nudging him gently in the ribs.

He shook his head, as if emerging from water, and rubbed absently at the spot where she had nudged him. "I was thinking about my sister. And Aang."

"You don't say?"

He scowled. "Ha. Very funny." Tilting his head slightly, he peered at Suki with a penetrating look. "Don't you think it's a little odd, how quickly she moved on?"

Suki shook her head firmly. "No. I don't. Not if she doesn't think so."

"It's been less than two months-"

"She only dated Jet for six months, that's a third of their entire relationship-"

Sokka turned to her. "I know my sister. She always needs time to heal from these kind of things."

"Your sister knows herself," Suki countered. "And she's an adult. She didn't come to you for permission."

"I know; she came for support. Which she has- always," Sokka added vehemently. "All I've done is express concern that she still needs time to heal."

Suki regarded him solemnly, a frown at the corners of her full lips. "How much time is enough, just out of curiosity?"

A little voice in Sokka's head warned him that they were in dangerous territory. "It's different for everyone," he answered carefully.

She looked down at her hands, resting palm down on the tops of her thighs. He resisted the urge to pull him to her.

"You mean, like how some people need three years to process a break-up?" she asked quietly, her voice muffled from behind a dark screen of hair.

"I didn't need three years," Sokka said, sighing. They were dancing not-so-subtly around a delicate subject. "But... I did need a long time, yes."

"And you think Katara needs that long?"

"No," he said. "Katara never felt for Jet what I felt for... for Yue."

Suki looked up at the mention of Yue's name, frowning worriedly, then blushing at her strong reaction. "Strong, was it?" she mumbled.

"Yes," he answered simply.

"And is it still?"

It was easy enough to answer her. Easy enough to say the words she wanted to hear. But hearing it and knowing it, in her heart, wasn't the same thing. Sokka knew the wrong answer now could set them back weeks. Had he loved Yue with every fiber of his being? Absolutely, yes. Did he love Yue now?

No. No, he didn't. There was only space in his heart for one person, now, though it was still a bit too early to tell. Yue had been the moon, cool and pale and distant, a relic to worship, changing and mercurial. Suki was fire, warm and bright and here, burning him with every kiss and touch and breathy sigh. But, it was such a sweet agony.

Since he had been old enough to notice girls, Sokka had felt deeply, with all of himself. It was no different with Suki. Or, maybe it was- this was stronger and faster and harder than anything he had ever felt before. Still, that was a bit intense to say to the new girlfriend of a burgeoning relationship, especially given her rather skittish agreement to it's initiation.

So instead, he knelt before Suki on the couch, taking her hands in his. "I won't pretend that I didn't feel very strongly about Yue," he murmured to her. "And you shouldn't pretend that there weren't others, before me. But we're here now. And I don't want to be with anyone else."

Suki nodded, not meeting his eyes. "I know. I guess I just... was surprised to hear Katara mention it. I'd never given it much thought, before." She laughed ruefully. "Would you listen to me? I'm not this girl- the one who worries about exes."

Sokka leaned forward, kissing her soundly. "Good," he said when he pulled away. "Because you have nothing to worry about." He leaned forward again, and he felt, more than heard, Suki's sigh of contentment, the warmth of her breath fanning against his lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pulled him close, and they fell sideways onto the couch. His hands traced the flare of her waist, as if imprinting the shape of her in his mind, the warmth of her winding a burning trail from his palms to his heart.

A/N: I really appreciate the comments about the banter!! A few people have mentioned it and it really means a lot to me