Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.

60

"It was completely romantic, I mean, just over the top," Song gushed, sitting casually on the couch with a glass of wine, her newly-bejeweled hand wrapped casually around her wine stem in such a way that ensured that everyone in the room would see it.

"Over the top?" Haru protested from his seat across the room. "Would you have said yes if there wasn't fanfare?"

Song tossed her hair as Suki and Sokka hid their laughter. "Of course not," she said loftily.

"That's why."

Suki gave her friend a warm grin. "So, let's dive into the details. I told you, don't spare any second. I want to hear everything."

"Maybe spare some seconds," Sokka said warily. "The gist of it will probably do."

"Well, we went to the restaurant a bit early, which I thought was a bit weird," Song began, patently ignoring Sokka. "Haru said he wanted to make sure that everything was in order. I was a touch confused, because, I mean, it's a restaurant and I'm sure they've figured out reservations by now, but it makes him happy, so..." She shrugged. "So, we arrived fifteen minutes early. I was kind of okay with that, though, because I've never been to such a fancy restaurant before. Even the sconces looked expensive."

Suki nodded. "Sokka and I just went to a restaurant like that recently. It was unreal to see the way those people live."

"Oh my gosh, was it ever."

"We've gotten a bit off topic, here," Sokka said placidly, as Haru snickered beside him.

"Anyways," Song continued, "As I was admiring the decor, Haru insisted that he had to use the restroom, even though he'd gone to the bathroom right before we left. He was gone the entire time that I was waiting, only joined up with me when I was already seated. The hostess said there was some kind of mix-up, so we got to have this absolutely stunning private balcony all to ourselves- it was sort of like a huge terrarium with gorgeously dim lighting, all lush plants and absolutely stunning late night city views. I must have looked absolutely ethereal in the light there. I took some pictures, Suki, you should see them, I'm positively unreal."

"I can't wait to see them."

Song laid an affectionate hand on Suki's arm. "I've decided that I'm going to be rich so that I can continue living life like that."

"I support your decision 100%," Suki laughed.

"What about me?" Haru asked plaintively.

Song grinned at him. "We'll be married, so you'll be rich, too. What's mine is yours."

"How romantic."

"Once again, off topic," Sokka interrupted.

Suki shot him a strange look. "Why are you so fixated on this? Relax."

He sunk into his seat, pouting.

"Please, continue," Suki said politely. "Before Sokka has a conniption."

"We got complimentary wine, complimentary dessert. It was like we were celebrities," Song sighed almost longingly. "I thought for sure that they were going to kick us out any moment, that there had to be some mistake or something. And Haru- oh, Spirits, Haru was an absolute terror."

"I was not," Haru grumbled.

Song shot him an irritated look. "I could hardly pry a word out of you the whole night. And I have never seen someone sweat like that." She turned back to Suki. "I thought he was ill, I swear. He was stuttering, fumbling over his words. The poor man was sweating so much on that balcony, I thought he was going to kick-start the water cycle. Fog was forming around us."

Suki and Sokka burst into laughter, even as a pink tinge colored Haru's cheeks.

"Much longer, I'm certain that clouds would have formed overhead and created a deluge. It nearly ruined my hair," Song declared. "And then, he sat up all of the sudden, like he'd seen something that terrified him. The doors to the restaurant swung open, and all these beautifully dressed people filed out with lit candles, like it was a concert. It was so beautiful, I wanted to cry." The corners of her lips quirked up at the memory, and Suki felt a warmth blossoming in her heart at the sight of her friend's happiness. "I looked a bit harder, and it was my family! My family, and his, all smiling and bathed in warm candlelight. I was speechless, and when I looked back at Haru, he was on one knee, and he wasn't sweating anymore- thank goodness," she added with a fond little laugh. All her love was in her eyes when she turned to him.

Suki was holding her breath, and as she waited for Song to continue, she felt Sokka's hand slide smoothly, discretely, into hers.

Song was still lost in Haru's eyes when she continued. "He said, 'I don't believe in love at first sight, but I believe in knowing, in understanding, that someone is meant for you. If you're the moon, I'm the stars that gather around you, supporting you as you journey across the night sky. If you're the sun, I'm the clouds, the fields of blue, made for you, because of you, and I won't live a moment of my life without you. I love you. Marry me.'"

"Oh, Spirits," Suki breathed.

Sokka blinked in surprise. "You said all that?" He shook his head. "I think I'm swooning, and I'm getting a second-hand account."

Haru blushed, but he was clearly pleased. "I meant every word."

"He slid this ring onto my finger," Song said, wiggling her sparkling finger for emphasis, "and I barely remember saying yes, but I remember feeling it with all my heart."

Suki stood from her seat to hug her fiercely. "I'm so happy for you."

"You'd better be. You're my Maid of Honor."

"I can't wait."

Sokka was frowning as he looked at Haru. "I hope you're happy," he said to his friend, his voice light and teasing. "You've raised the bar immeasurably high."

As they shut the door behind Song and Haru, after the hugs had been exchanged and the joyful tears had been shed, Sokka pinned Suki against the wall, and kissed her the way he'd meant to kiss her since Song had first described her proposal. He had no clue, no understanding, of the emotions brewing inside him. Sokka had never been a sucker for weddings, or proposals. The way he figured it, love wasn't in flowery speeches or extravagant gestures, but the small things. Waking up a few minutes early so that she could have coffee ready the moment she stumbled out of bed. Making her bed, even if he thought that making one's bed every morning was absurd when you're just going to unmake it later that day.

But as his lips moved over hers, as he felt the way she breathed, the way she groaned in pleasure, he knew why he was so affected. He could see himself on that balcony, with Suki's fair skin warm in the light of the candles, and he could see her smiling fondly as he fumbled over the words in his head and heart. A ring sliding onto her finger, a kiss to seal their promise.

They weren't there, not quite yet. But as clearly as a forest trail tracking between the trees, he knew where he was going.

"I love you," he breathed when he pulled away from her, his forehead pressed against hers.

"I love you," she whispered back, hands sliding to his cheeks to pull him to her again.

A/N: Sukka endgame. my love for Sukka is spilling over to the part 2 of the Minister- or is that a spoiler?

Sorry I've been MIA for a bit. Work has been very busy and a very close friend of mine moved away so I wasn't in a good state for writing. But, I'm back now.