Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.

64

"I love you," Aang sighed as Katara leaned over the couch to press a kiss to his temple.

"No, I love you."

Aang eyed her appreciatively as she waltzed away, mesmerized by the sway of her hips and the long length of her legs. "Have a good first day at work," he called to her. "I'll see you at the end of your shift."

She winked at him before pulling open the front door. "Any requests?"

"Some tea would be nice."

"Tea it is," she said airily as the door shut behind her.

When Aang settled back into a more comfortable position on the couch, he caught Sokka openly glaring. "What?" he asked defensively.

"'I love you'," Sokka mimicked irritably. "I was wondering why you two were so inseparable lately; now, I know."

Aang shrugged. "We've come a long way from several weeks ago. You know I've felt this way for a while. Yesterday, it kind of slipped out."

"You accidentally said 'I love you'?" Sokka asked almost derisively. "That only happens in sitcoms. Did you say it while you were hanging up the phone?"

"No, it was after-" Aang stopped himself suddenly, blushing to what would have been the roots have his hair had he not shaved just that morning. "Never mind."

Sokka scowled. "Ew."

"You're the one digging around in our private life," Aang protested.

"I wasn't expecting you to divulge details that intimate."

"What do you want, Sokka? Aren't you happy for us?"

Sokka crossed his arms and let out a slow, controlled breath. "Yea, actually," he said after a moment. "I am. Sorry, I'm- I'm in a mood."

"About what?"

There was a moment of silence while Sokka frowned, chewing on his lower lip with a worried expression on his face. Aang gave him an encouraging nod when it appeared no response was forthcoming. Finally, Sokka stuck his hand into his pocket. After fishing around for a moment, he held his hand out, palm up.

"Do you- do you want me to look at it?" Aang asked, amused.

Sokka nodded, clearly unable to speak.

"Okay," Aang said slowly. Standing, he peered down into Sokka's open palm.

Nestled among the lines and curves of Sokka's calloused hand lay a gold ring, intricately woven, with a raw cut emerald nestled between four delicate prongs. It was breathtaking. In fact, Aang felt his breath stick in his throat.

"Is that a-?" he asked tentatively.

Sokka swallowed nervously. "Yea."

"Wow," Aang breathed, sitting back down heavily. "I mean... wow."

Hanging his head, Sokka let out a groan. "I know. I know."

"For starters, it's a beautiful ring," Aang began. "It looks like it was made for Suki."

"I thought the same thing," Sokka said in a deadened tone. "That she'll love it. That it'll look amazing on her."

"I'm sure she will love it... assuming this is something you guys have talked about."

One of Sokka's large hands went to rub at his temple as the other hastily jammed the ring back into his pocket. "We haven't so much as broached the subject."

"Then what are you doing with a wedding ring?"

"Technically, it would be an engagement ring," Sokka deflected. "And... I went in the jewelry store for earrings. Or a necklace. I just wanted to get her something. But then, the sales associate was showing me the ring and- well, it's like we already said. It's like it was made for her."

"I understand getting carried away," Aang said with a pink tinge on his cheeks, "and I'm happy for you, if this is something you both want."

Sokka groaned again. "That's just it. I don't know if she wants it. But, now I can't get the image of her with this on her hand out of my head. It's like I didn't know what I wanted until I saw it, and now I can't picture my life any other way."

"That's really sweet, Sokka," Aang answered, "but a lot of pressure for Suki. When you ask her, I'd maybe consider soft-balling the idea. Suggest a really long engagement, or maybe just talk about marriage first. Like, put the idea in her head before proposing."

"Do you think I'm crazy?" Sokka demanded forcefully.

Aang blinked in surprise. "What? No."

"I can't talk to Suki about this," he fretted. "Telling her I love her was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Not because I don't feel it- I do, Spirit's know how much I love her- but because she's so... so..."

"Skittish?"

Sokka gestured emphatically towards Aang. "Yes, skittish. Exactly. If I so much as breathe a word of marriage, she'll be out of here so fast, my head will spin."

"I don't think so," Aang said thoughtfully. "I mean, yes, it's possible that that would happen if you proposed to her without discussing it first, but if it's an idea you're both comfortable with... then, no. She is skittish, but let's give her a little more credit than that."

Chewing on his lower lip, Sokka considered that for a moment. It's true that Suki struggled with major relationship changes. Major admissions of feelings and emotions weren't her strong suit. But she was stronger than that, and despite having been repeatedly pushed past her comfort zone, she was still here. "So, you think I should talk to her about marriage first?"

"I would," Aang said, nodding seriously. "And, even if the conversation goes well, don't end with a proposal."

"Why not?"

"I can't say exactly why," Aang answered. "I just wouldn't, if I were you. This is the rest of your life you're talking about. There's no need to rush."

Sokka leaned back on the couch, sighing. "You're probably right." He shook his head. "Six months ago, you were my trainer. Now, you're my roommate who's dating my sister- who is also my roommate- and I'm asking you for advice on how to get engaged to my girlfriend, who is also my roommate."

Aang let out a light laugh. "It is an interesting situation." He scooted over a bit closer to Sokka to pat him on the shoulder. "I'm not even going to try to pretend that I understand how scary this conversation is going to be with Suki, but I am very happy for you. And I think that with time and patience, everything will end the way you want it to."

"I hope so," Sokka said. "Time and patience is how we got together in the first place. I suppose I can bear a bit more to hold onto her."

"That's the spirit," Aang agreed with another firm clap on the shoulder. He leaned a little bit closer. "Can I see the ring again?"

A/N: he did it

@marjojo thank you! I can't wait to read it. I scooted on over to WIAO today and read some of it. Loved the politics. I'll leave a review soon :)