Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.

67

"What kind of flowers were you thinking?" Suki asked, her little spiral-bound notebook resting in her lap. "For your bouquet, and for decorations."

Song tapped thoughtfully against her lips. "I just saw this absolutely stunning wedding decorated only with plants gathered from local, in-season foliage."

"Sounds cool. And expensive."

"Yea, it probably is," Song sighed, her chin dropping into her hand. "Spirits, this is adding up. The dress, the food, the decorations, the alcohol..." She sighed again. "I'm too fucking sexy to have a budget wedding."

"You're gorgeous," Suki agreed, "but I think we can come up with something really lovely and unique for you and Haru, if we put our heads together and really focus."

Song tossed herself dramatically into the back of her chair. "Fine."

"Goodness, someone sounds enthusiastic," Suki laughed.

"I've dreamed about my wedding since I was five, Suki, and let me tell you; just because a box of shiny plastic utensils is labeled 'elegant', doesn't mean it actually is."

Suki huffed an amused snort.

"And pulling a dress off the discount rack at the 'Wedding Warehouse' wasn't exactly what I had in mind, either," Song added.

"Well, Sokka had this really good idea about the serveware, if you care to stop moping for a moment and listen," Suki said. "There are lots of caterers around Ba Sing Se, and I bet we can find one that will let you rent plateware and utensils, so we don't have to go with plastic."

Song's eyes trailed over, begrudgingly interested.

"You have eight months until your wedding," Suki reminded her. "Plenty of time to plan and save."

"Saving has never been one of my strong suits," Song said with a blush. "I struggle with keeping my eye on the prize."

"The prize is your dream wedding for a reasonable price. Something you've wanted since you were five, apparently." Suki shrugged. "Are you really going to lose focus on something you've wanted for seventeen years?"

"Good point."

"Thanks."

"What about a dress, though?" Song asked, running a hand through her long hair. "Where am I going to get a dress that looks designer for way cheaper?"

"I don't know about designer," Suki said slowly. "But Sokka was telling me that he read about a wedding where the bride found a wedding dress at a thrift shop, and hired a tailor to alter it to something more in line with her vision. It still cost some money, but not nearly as much as a designer dress."

Song gave her a curious look. "Sokka said that?"

"Yea."

"And he had the idea about the serve-ware, too?"

Suki gave her a confused look. "What's your point?"

"He seems to be taking a very serious interest in this wedding," Song said with a smirk. "Like, an interest that borders on personal."

"Of course it's personal," Suki replied. "He's the Best Man in one of his best friends' wedding."

Song scoffed. "I can fucking guarantee you that none of Haru's other groomsmen are looking up where to get discount serve-ware and reasonably priced custom wedding dresses."

"Sokka's more thoughtful than Haru's other groomsmen," Suki said loftily, tossing her hair.

"Yea... thoughtfully thinking about his own impending nuptials."

Suki's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"As if you don't know."

"I don't."

"Then pay attention," Song laughed, snapping her fingers.

"You're ridiculous," Suki answered, laughing too, despite the cascade of emotions flashing in the vaults of her mind. "Let's get back to it."

Aang ran his fingers through Katara's long hair as she snuggled up to him on the couch, reveling in the silkiness of her hair and the variations of brown that wove through the strands. "So beautiful," he murmured to himself.

"Hmm?" she mumbled.

"Nothing," Aang answered quickly, blushing. "I was just saying your hair is beautiful."

She chuckled wryly. "Thanks. The secret is not washing it for five days and then pretending it was intentional and not because I'm lazy."

"That must be what I'm doing wrong," he noted seriously, running a finger along his bald scalp. He grinned when she burst into laughter.

"Do you want something to eat?" she asked a moment later, still chuckling from his joke. "I'm starving, and I think we still have some ramen left over."

"That sounds good," he agreed. A thought suddenly struck him, and he frowned. "Actually, speaking of eating, there was something I wanted to ask you."

"Oh?"

"Yea, I was sort of thinking of doing a family dinner," he began.

"That sounds nice."

He swallowed nervously. "And also inviting Toph."

Katara stilled, giving him an inquisitive look. "What brought this on?"

"Well, she and I have patched things up, but what with work, and class, and then wanting to spend all my spare time with you... I just haven't seen much of her," he explained. "She was and is a good friend to me. She's important to me. And I think she's struggling right now. I want her to get to know you."

Katara frowned. "Aang, I understand, but... Spirits, that's going to be awkward."

"It might not," he protested. "I'll make sure she's on her best behavior."

She chewed her lower lip, and Aang took her hand in his.

"If you're not comfortable with it, I completely understand. But I think she needs a friend right now," he said quietly. "It would mean a lot to me."

Katara sighed, leaning over to press a kiss to his temple. "I must really love you to agree to an awkward dinner party. But sure. Does Saturday work?"

"It does for me."

Sokka tossed his shirt into the dirty clothes hamper, rolling his shoulders to work out a tight muscle. A long day at work, followed by a long evening hunched over his desk had not been kind to his muscles. He turned around to face Suki, squinting as if his narrowed eyes would help him determine whether or not she would be in the mood to rub his shoulders. But, on the other side of the bed, Suki sat with her knees tucked under her chin, lost in thought. Nothing about her posture screamed 'I'm willing to give shoulder rubs', but he supposed that the worst she could say was 'no'.

But before he could open his mouth to ask, she spoke. "Sokka," she said quietly, "have you ever given much thought to marriage?"

A/N: to Aanglovergirl, whose readership I am genuinely pleased to have. Not only do you leave awesome reviews, you seem like a really kind person!

I may have mentioned this in a previous A/N, but I've had to do some rewriting on Part 2 of the Minister. I had hoped to post the first chapter this month, but the material I had just didn't feel right. I know it's slow-going, but I want to make sure you're receiving the best I can give you. Especially after waiting so patiently.