Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.
95
Jin was back. Fucking Jin.
Mai didn't care. She really didn't. Like, of course it was irritating that Zuko was being nice to her and of course it was irritating that Jin kept coming back. The girl seemed to have some kind of sixth sense for when Mai and Zuko were on shift together, and she used it mercilessly. But that didn't matter, because Mai didn't care.
"I think she comes every day," Aang had offered weakly in Jin's defense the last time she'd stopped in for her daily cappuccino. "I don't think she has it out for you."
Mai had practically hissed at him, and he had raised his hands in a gesture of innocence, but the smirk on his face had said more than enough to fill the silence.
She didn't have to care, obviously. Zuko could choose to date Jin, if he wanted to date someone so badly. It was his own fault for trying so hard to put labels on something that could simply be. There didn't need to be a name for everything. Of course, Mai doubted that a relationship with Jin would last more than a few weeks. She was too sweet, too nice. Too boring. Zuko could do better. Needed better.
She slammed the cappuccino lid onto the little cardboard cup and strode to the counter with her personally patented 'intimidation walk'. Chin down, glaring through her long, dark lashes. One eyebrow subtly but artfully cocked high, lending her an air of disdain for everything around her. "Here's your drink," she said, proud of the flatness of her voice, but her eyebrow slid higher, emphasizing disdain.
To Jin's great credit, all she did was shake her head, leaning forward to take the cappuccino from the counter without a word to Mai. Instead, she turned to Zuko. "Well, it was nice seeing you again. Until next time."
Zuko dipped his chin. "Until next time."
As Jin strode away, he sighed, and although he didn't so much as look at her, Mai knew the sigh was directed at her. "So, when's the first date?" Mai asked loftily, brushing her nails indifferently against the soft cashmere of a black sweater that clung to her like a second skin.
"There is no date," Zuko snapped with more venom than Mai felt was really appropriate.
"And why not?" Mai questioned, following him when he turned away from the point of sale to grab more straws from the storage closet.
His head dropped in irritation for a moment before he turned to glare at her again. "Because you're ridiculous."
"Oh? How so?"
He gave a half-deranged little laugh. "Indulge me for a moment, if you will. I say yes to Jin, you'll pretend like that's fine, because you're so cool, far too cool for relationships. They're so confining and you're so original, obviously. And then, I'm getting glares and short answers from you and you're jealous, even though its your own fault, and you know that it's your fault. But you're too proud to be mad at yourself, so let's have two guesses on who you'll take it out on." He reached into the closet, grabbing the box of straws before slamming the closet door shut. "I'll pass, thank you. I'll stay instead in this wonderful limbo where you occasionally make out with me and frighten off anyone interested in me. Because I'm an idiot."
She faltered, afraid of the truth in his words, but recovered quickly with a half-hearted sneer. "How pathetic."
Zuko rounded on her. "I actually think that you're the pathetic one. At least I can admit what I want, and that I'm willing to wait. And if you move on or this gets to be too much- and you're damn close, Mai, let me tell you- then I'll move on, too, because I may be stubborn but I'm not fucking stupid." He pushed past her. "It's not pathetic to set down expectations, and then sticking to them. And I won't be shamed for caring about you."
His voice wasn't raised- though there was a tinge of red that shared the heat he was no doubt feeling. But the words dug under her skin like thorns, like barbs, finding chinks in her armor and weaknesses in her iron defenses. Because she could see it as clearly as he could. Zuko could date Jin, and there was no way that she would be mature about it. If this was tug of war, she was losing.
"You... you are?" Sokka asked.
It was soft, almost gentle, and Aang stole a glance at Katara. Her teeth bit gently into her lower lip, and he could see how much Sokka's question, spoken softly in surprise, hurt her.
"We are," she said. "Toph got me a job at the gym, and-"
"I remember," Sokka replied, cutting her off, though not unkindly. "And I'm happy for you, but... are you sure, Katara? This is your home."
Aang felt a pang of shame and indecision. But Katara's voice was clearer now, stronger, and she shot an affirming nod at Aang before straightening and turning her attention back to her brother. "I'm sure."
"That's great, Katara," Suki said, breaking her silence and reaching across the open space between them to take Katara's hand in hers. "I'm so happy for you guys. Sad, obviously, because I'll miss you both so much, but I'm happy that you're getting the chance to take advantage of this opportunity."
"We know this isn't coming at the best time," Aang said, reaching up to rub the back of his head. "But, we're really excited. This is a big chance for us." Sokka leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest, and Aang swallowed nervously before continuing. "We've already looked at places, Katara's already arranged to transfer her credits to FNCU. We'll finish the semester, and then... and then we're going to move." He looked at Sokka, an unspoken plea in his eyes. "I'm not asking for permission, but maybe... it would be nice to have your blessing. To know that we're going with your good will."
Sokka's eyes were unreadable, and Aang's heart thudded uncomfortably in his chest.
"Please, Sokka," Katara murmured softly. "I'm going, but... I want you to be happy for me."
It took a heavy moment, Aang's breath bated, before Sokka straightened again, his arms dropping from their tightly crossed position against his chest. His eyes were solemn, but his lips bore a smile. "This is what you want. You're sure?"
She nodded.
"Then, you have my good will."
"Looks like we know where our first vacation will be," Suki broke in, her light tone draining some of the tension from the room.
Aang felt his relief manifesting in an answering smile. "Can't guarantee the most comfortable living situation, but you're welcome any time."
"As long as it's not your car," Sokka said dryly, but there was no bite in his words.
"Can't make any promises," Aang returned with a tentative smile.
Suki joined Aang and Katara on the couch, dropping one arm over both their shoulders and hugging them close. "You always have a place here, too, if you ever need a break from all that success you've got going on."
Katara rested her head on Suki's shoulder. "Same offer to you, if Ba Sing Se starts to drag you down." She let out a nervous breath. "I'm glad you're both here."
The implication was clear. 'I'm glad you're both here together, because you're about to be all you have'. It couldn't have been louder, and judging by the look Sokka and Suki shared, they caught it, too.
"Us, too," Suki murmured. She squeezed Katara's hand tightly. "You'll be missed."
"Not yet, though," Aang said comfortingly. "We've still got time."
He could see the brightness that Sokka was forcing into his smile. "How much time?"
"Four weeks."
The smile faltered for the barest moment. "Well, we'll make the most of it."
"Are you okay with all this?" Suki asked gently. Aang and Katara had gone to bed, and Suki and Sokka had wandered back towards his room, lingering in the doorway.
"I think I have to be," he murmured, and she rested a comforting hand against his cheek.
"Do you..." She faltered, before steeling herself and trying again. "Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"
A slight frown warped his features, but his eyes told a different story. A wary desire, but still a 'yes'. He nodded once, briefly. "I'd like that."
"Then, I'll stay," she murmured, leaning up to press a kiss to his lips.
"I think that went well," Aang said into the dark, his arm tossed casually over her waist.
Katara didn't share his optimism. "That hurt him. I can tell."
She felt a momentary shuffling behind her as Aang leaned up. "It's only natural that he's sad, Katara. He'll miss you. You've been a steady presence all of his life. And now, you're leaving. It'll take him some time to get used to the idea, but once he does, well... I really think he'll be happy for you. For us."
Katara rolled over to face him. "I'm just a little nervous."
"Not getting cold feet, are you?"
She pressed her bare feet against his shin. "No," she said with a little laugh. "This feels right to me."
"Then what are you nervous about?"
"Him and Suki. Them."
Aang nodded his understanding, a movement almost imperceptible in the darkness of her room. "Yea. I get that." She felt his hands brush her shoulders mere seconds before he hauled her against him. "But, they need some time to grow together. Some time to sink or swim, really. When things have been difficult or complicated, they've been able to bury themselves in something else, like Song's wedding, or Ba Gua practice. This is the first time that they've faced their issues head on. And look what happened. They came out ahead."
"That's true," Katara admitted.
He pulled her a little closer. "You can't take care of everyone. They'll figure things out on their own."
"It's in my nature," she laughed.
"I love your nature," he said quickly. He pressed a quick kiss to her temple. "And other things about you, too."
She leaned into his kiss, another warm laugh escaping her. "What else?"
"Well, where to begin..."
They lingered in that place between awake and asleep until the late hours, coated in deep midnight, renewing familiarity with soft-eyed looks and lingering caresses. Sokka's fingertips dragged the length of her, thigh to the gentle curve of her rib cage, sliding under her shirt to feel the soft skin beneath. When Suki raised one eyebrow, a question, or perhaps an invitation, he shook his head.
"Not tonight," he said, "not now. Now, I just want to be with you, and have you here with me."
"I'm not going anywhere," she promised, pulling his hand to her lips to kiss his fingertips.
He leaned forward to press a kiss to her lips. "Me neither."
A/N: two days in a row, are you proud of me?