Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.

84

Katara hovered in the kitchen and Song frantically dug through her purse.

"Oh, shit," the bride-to-be muttered. "I swore I left my appointment card with my wallet; it must have fallen out. I can't remember if my appointment is 10:30 or 2:30."

"Maybe you put it in your phone calendar?" Katara suggested.

Song snorted. "Me, that organized? A dream outside reality."

"It's at 10:30," Suki said as she strode into the kitchen. "I saved it in my phone."

"You're amazing," Song breathed with visible relief. "I don't have time today to drive to the bridal boutique twice. I feel like I double-booked myself for something, but I don't know what it is."

Suki shook her head in fond exasperation. "Well, if you've told me about an appointment, I've put it in my calendar. And I haven't seen you double-booked for anything, yet."

"You're a life-saver," Song said. "Alright, well, it's 9:45. Should we make our way to the boutique?"

Katara stepped forward. "Shopping for wedding dresses today?"

"Just bridesmaids dresses," Song corrected. "I have a pretty clear vision of the wedding dress I want, and this particular boutique we're going to doesn't have it."

"Miles and miles of lace and ruffles and flowy fabrics," Suki teased. "Haru won't even be able to reach you when the minister says 'Kiss the bride', your dress is going to be so extravagant."

Song laughed. "That would be preferable, anyway; my makeup will take precedence."

"I know this is unorthodox," Katara began hesitantly, "since I'm not part of your bridal party and I don't want to impose. Please, don't hesitate to say no-"

"I never hesitate to say no," Song interrupted. "Just ask, sweetheart. You want to come along? You're more than welcome. I'd love to have you there."

"Really?" Katara grinned in excitement. "Thank you! I won't be in the way, I swear. I just need to peek at some dresses for the charity ball thing I'm going to with Toph."

Song raised one perfectly arched brow. "With Toph? Please elaborate."

"Please elaborate in the car," Suki interjected. "We're on a schedule."

"Oh, Spirits," Song breathed as Suki emerged from the dressing room, swathed in a deep burgundy that highlighted her fair skin and showed off her lithe curves. "I'm not sure I can have you standing next to me in that; all eyes will be on you."

Suki flashed her a grateful smile. "Well, I can try on something else. Although, to be quite honest, it sounds like your wedding dress is going to be a showstopper, so I'm not too worried about upstaging you."

Song tossed her long black hair. "That's true. What do you think, Katara?"

"It's beautiful," Katara agreed, "but I think I liked that dark green one, better."

Song tapped her lips thoughtfully for a moment. "I think I'm getting too focused on Suki."

"What do you mean?" Suki asked.

"You look amazing in these dark earth tones, love," Song explained. "But they're, like, barely within my color scheme. It's a summer wedding. You'll melt." She turned speculatively at Katara. "There are a couple girls in my party with complexions similar to yours, Katara. Would you be willing to try some bridesmaids dresses on?"

Katara shrugged. "Sure. I might even find one that I like for Toph's ball. Two birds, one stone."

The next hour saw a flurry of fabrics and colors, worthy of a montage of the silliest romantic comedy. Dresses of all shapes and hues were inspected and axed as necessary, until two contenders remained.

Suki stunned in a moss colored silk dress, low cut and cinched flatteringly at the waist. "I think I like this one best, Song."

Katara eyed her speculatively from her spot in front of the mirror, clad in a backless dress in navy blue. "I'm inclined to agree," she said. "It's perfect. And, if I'm being perfectly honest, I kind of selfishly want this dress I'm wearing for Toph's ball." She laughed. "But, obviously, the final decision rests with you, Song."

"I can't part you from that gorgeous dress," Song said, nodding to Katara. "And Suki, I think that one's the one. You're right." She clapped her hands together, standing from her bench seat. "Alright, that's handled. Excellent, I hate being sidelined. I can't wait til it's my turn."

"We'll need to bring sustenance and hydration for when it's your turn," Suki said dryly. "I imagine it'll take a while."

Song patted her cheek affectionately. "Imagine away. Just don't wear that dress in front of Sokka; he'll probably have a heart attack when he sees you. That, or immediately propose."

Suki scowled darkly. "That would be a terrible mistake on his part."

Katara turned away uncomfortably, but Song put her hands to her hips in defiance. "And why's that?" she demanded. "Because you're scared of your own feelings and resent anyone who makes you face them head-on?" She shook her head in irritation. "If you keep pushing him away, Suki, you're going to lose him. You've been reticent every step of the way in this relationship, and literally every single time, the thing you've been afraid of has turned out to be amazing."

"This is different," Suki snapped. "And, just because we're not married doesn't mean we can't have a wholesome, meaningful relationship."

"Well, according to Haru, that's not how Sokka feels," Song fired back.

Suki faltered. "What?"

"Haru said that when they were doing the fittings for the groomsmen's suits, Sokka said he didn't know where your relationship was going," Song said sharply. "He said he feels like this difference is a lead weight hanging over your relationship."

"He said that to Haru?" Suki asked dangerously.

"Maybe he said that to Haru because you won't even allow him to have a conversation with you about it," Katara said softly. "He has to talk to someone."

Suki took a step back, her arms wrapping around herself defensively. In a moment of sharp clarity, she could see how Sokka would want someone to talk to about the things going on between them. She thought that they had put the conversation to bed, but apparently, Sokka was hiding this burden from her. And she had no excuse for it. She'd pushed him away, made talking about marriage between them taboo.

Looking back up at Song and Katara, her heart stuttered with embarrassment at the looks of concern on their faces. "I'm glad he spoke with Haru," she said finally, plastering a smile across her face. "I'm glad he has a friend like Haru to help him with it. He and I will figure things out." She took both girls' hands in hers. "Let's focus on why we're here. Today's not about me."

Song regarded her almost coldly for a moment, but relented, the warmth returning to her face with a charming smile. "No, today's not about you. It's about me," she replied airily. But when her eyes met Suki's, there was a pointedness there, a piercing look that spoke volumes. "But, you're going to have to pay the piper soon, Suki," she warned. "You can't hide forever."

A/N: tomorrow starts longer chapters so yea we're so so close to the end here