Disclaimer: I do not own any Avatar or Korra characters created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, and owned by Nickelodeon. All OCs, however, are all mine.
Chapter XI
Fushin Yao sipped his tea as he finished signing paychecks for his workers in the shipyard. It was payday and all the workers were eager to go home to their families, money in their pockets; even if it was meager, it was something. Fushin was eager to go home as well, his wife waiting for him with dinner cooked and their children gathered at the door to greet him. Fushin smiled as he dreamt of what a wonderful evening he would have with his family; him and many of his workers.
As Fushin was finishing his work, the door to his office opened and in walked three tall shadowy figures in cloaks. He could see two of them were armed, one with a whip and the other with a pair of sais. The third one in the middle was unarmed, but he was wearing the same style of armor as his companions.
"Excuse me, who are you and what do you think you're doing just waltzing into my office?" Fushin demanded as he stood up from his desk at the intrusion.
"I am Sun Wukong and these are my comrades. We're just here to ask you a couple of questions, if that's alright," the one in the middle kindly replied in a rough voice, "Has anyone, not one of your usual clients, made port in your shipyard over the past few days?"
"That is none of your business. Our policy prevents us from divulging any information about our clients to anyone outside the domain of our company. And honestly, you three just seem far too suspicious for my taste, so I'm gonna have to ask you to leave," Fushin firmly explained to them, pointing to the door, "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to go home to my family."
The figures didn't answer him, silent for a moment. The one with the sais switched the lights off and locked the door as the one carrying the whip grabbed the kettle from Fushin's personal stove. Wukong reached into his pockets and took out some brass knuckles. He then came up to Fushin's desk, reached across and yanked Fushin out of his chair, growling in his face like an animal, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."
Fushin received a hard punch to the nose, sending him back in his chair. He screamed as steaming hot water was poured on him. His hand was grabbed and held onto the desk, only to be impaled by a knife, nailing him to it.
"I'll ask again, and this time you'd better answer: has anyone, other than your usual clients, passed through here in the past couple of days?" Wukong asked again, this time without manners or politeness. This wasn't a mere question, it was a demand.
Fushin gave up what information he had, "Alright, alright… Two White Lotuses, an Air Nomad, and a metalbender docked their ship here three days ago and left with it the next day."
"Was there anyone else?" the Wukong demanded.
"I don't know," Fushin croaked in fear and pain.
Wukong dealt another blow to Fushin's face and the knife in his hand was removed. The whip wrapped around his throat and flipped him onto the desk. He squealed as he was nailed to the desk again with the pair of sais in his arms. He screamed again when more scalding water war poured onto him.
"Was… there… anyone… else?" Wukong repeated slowly, angry and impatient.
"Yes! Yes, I remember, now," Fushin screamed, "There was another. A spirit with red skin wearing a blue hood."
"Where did they go?"
"Omashu, to get supplies," Fushin groaned.
Wukong socked him in the jaw, knocking out a few teeth, and roared furiously, "I meant when they left. Which way did they go when they left with their ship?"
"Northwest!" Fushin gave up, "It looked like they were headed northwest. That's all I know, I swear!"
"Good," kindness returned to Wukong's voice, his manners returned as well, "That wasn't so hard, now was it?"
The sais were taken out of Fushin's arms, freeing him. He just laid there on his desk, wallowing in the pain inflicted upon him.
The Wukong's cronies exited the office, but he stayed behind. As Fushin just stayed there, laying on his desk, Wukong drew something with cylinder at the end of it from beneath his cloak and aimed it at his head.
-oOo-
" Fifty billion yuans… Fifty billion," Sokka exulted as he chewed his food, "Can you believe it?"
"Sokka, can you please not talk with your mouth full?" Katara mildly nagged her brother as they all sat at the dinner table in the galley; Sokka at the head of the table, Aang and Katara sitting on one side together, and Toph across from them.
"I know, it's unbelievable," Aang grinned at Sokka's excitement, "I can't believe it's only half of what we won."
"What should we spend it on?" Toph excitedly asked, "A night on the town?"
"I'd like a new ship," Sokka put in.
"Why would we need a new ship? The one we have is perfectly fine," Katara questioned.
"Have you seen this thing, sister? It's too dull and too slow. I've always preferred ships with sails," Sokka replied.
"And the deck isn't big enough," Toph added.
"What are ya talkin' about? There's plenty of room on the main deck," Aang told her.
"Sure, but there'd be more if Appa wasn't hogging it up all the time," Toph countered.
"Guys, we don't need a new ship," Katara sternly insisted.
"Then how about a night on the town?" Toph then went back to her choice.
"How about we do nothing with it, except buy necessities for when we need them," Katara suggested.
Toph blew a raspberry at her, "Boring. Why don't we just donate it all to an orphanage?" she said sarcastically.
"That would actually be a good idea," Aang put in his two cents.
"Aw, Sweetie," Katara gave him a kiss on the cheek. She couldn't help but adore her husband's charitable and generous nature.
Sokka and Toph just stared at him for a moment. Finally Sokka uttered, "Really?"
"What? There are a lot of kids in Republic City on the streets, and a lot of orphanages that need funding," Aang defended his answer.
Momo flew to Aang's shoulder and Aang gave him a peach slice. Katara then added, "As great as it would be to do something fun and extravagant, or something charitable with the money, I think we're in a position where we need a resource like this at our disposal, and we need to use it wisely."
Toph blew another raspberry at Katara, "Once again, boring."
"Well, we can't do anything that'll draw attention to ourselves. We're on the run," Katara reminded them, "We did that in Omashu, and look at what happened: I can't even remember my own wedding, Sokka," she directed at her brother.
"And let's not forget the only reason we're still alive is because of Leo," Aang reminded.
"Oh no. No, no, no, no. We're the ones on the run because some killers from an alien kingdom want us dead because, apparently, we know too much," Sokka demurred, referring to the four of them, then pointed up at the ceiling, "He is the hitchhiker who still thinks we're giving him a ride to Ba Sing Se." Leo was currently up on the roof of the bridge, alone.
"How are we gettin' to Ba Sing Se, anyway?" Toph cut in.
"WHAT?" Sokka burst out loud in disbelief right next to her, earning him a solid jab to the shoulder from the petite earthbender.
"Not so close, Loud-mouth," Toph retorted, then nonchalantly explained her reasoning, "And besides, we already solved the pirate case: it was those psychos that killed that whole village. I say we got nothing better to do, so let's go."
"And don't forget that I said I'd get Leo to the city, and I'm not breaking that promise," Aang firmly told his new brother-in-law.
"And I'm going with Aang," Katara added, wrapping her arm around Aang's, "He's my husband now and where he goes, I go."
Sokka crossed his arms, stubborn in his decision. Aang then tried to reason with him, "Sokka, the people Leo's told us about are hunting us, we know that much. They ambushed us at the village, stalked us in Omashu, and openly attacked you guys the following day. This is an enemy we know nothing about, and is too strong for us to fend off on our own. Even if we do just drop him off somewhere, they'll still come after us. We need him just as much as he needs us."
"Arrrgh, fine," Sokka huffed, sour at being outvoted and conceded, "So what's the plan?"
"We were waiting until after Omashu to bring you two into this conversation," Katara told them.
"Either we travel by air on Appa, or we go by sea along the coast, up the Hei Bai river, then up the Zhang Tze until we dock at Canglong and go on Appa from there," Aang explained.
Sokka scratched his chin, thinking of it all in his head, "Hm, not too bad. Not bad at all, Aang," Sokka patted him on the shoulder, impressed with how much Aang had picked up from Sokka on navigating over the years.
"Thanks," Aang replied. Katara smiled at the two getting along.
"I say we get there on Appa; he may be smelly, but he's faster than a boat," Toph cast her vote.
"Ship, Toph. It's a ship," Sokka corrected her.
"Whatever," Toph said.
"I say we take Appa, too. It'll be just like old times," Katara reminisced when she and Aang started dating and he'd sneak into her tent whenever they made camp, "What about you, Aang?"
"What do you think? Of course I say Appa," Aang playfully nuzzled her, giving her a kiss on her head.
"Alright, alright. Settle down," Sokka urged them to stop, then sighed as he put in, "The sooner we get this mess over with, the better. Appa it is."
"How does Leo vote?" Toph wondered.
"He hasn't, really. He's the one who suggested we wait for you guys," Katara told them.
"Hm… well, that was… thoughtful of him," Sokka admitted slowly.
"I'll go tell him what we've decided," Aang volunteered as he got up from the table.
"Aang, I'm gonna finish up and meet you back at our room, okay?" Katara told him.
"Sure thing, Sweetie," Aang replied as he wiped off his plate and put it in the sink, "See ya in a bit."
Right when Aang left, Toph blatantly asked, "So have you guys had sex yet?"
"TOPH!" Katara hissed out loud.
Leo took a deep breath as he sat on the roof of the bridge, praying and meditating, "Bless me, dear God, and bless these people, who rescued me, have given me shelter and a place at their table. They are good people who're generous in nature. I pray that you'll keep us safe as we're hunted by the serpents in the garden. God, please keep my family safe, my wife and children, as I find my way back to them. Let them know that I love them. I ask for your mercy and forgiveness. In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen," Leo finished and made the sign of the cross.
"I didn't know you were religious," Aang said, hoping not to startle him. Truthfully, Leo had already sensed Aang's presence.
"I don't consider it being religious, but rather spiritual," Leo commented.
"What's the difference?" Aang asked, curious.
"Religion is worshiping God your way. Spirituality is worshiping God according to his instructions," Leo explained.
"God?" Aang grew more curious.
"God, Graethos, Buddha, whoever you pray to and whatever you call him," Leo reiterated.
"Oh," Aang said, able to understand the gist of it. Leo seemed very intelligent, and wise, yet still so young; probably only a few years older than him. Aang liked the way Leo explained things: in simple terms, describing the core of such reason.
"Come on, join me for a moment," Leo invited, patting the spot next to him. Aang climbed up and crossed his legs next to him.
"So, what else are you doing up here?" Aang asked.
"I just needed some fresh air," Leo said, then took his turn to ask a question, "So, what about you? What brings you up here this time of night?"
"We've all decided how to get to Ba Sing Se: we're gonna take Appa," Aang finally relayed.
"Ah, okay. So we'll be able to get there faster."
"Yep," Aang then thought of a question he'd never thought to ask until now, "What's so important about this sword of yours, anyway?"
Leo just smiled as he explained, "It's made from the strongest metal in the known universe: aeternium. The metal gets its name from an ancient root that means 'eternal', because it is eternal in its strength, shape, and condition; it never breaks, dents, dulls, or rusts, forever strong and forever sharp. A skilled warrior with such a weapon can easily defeat entire armies, and if such a weapon were to fall into the wrong hands… well, you know."
"They'd cause a lot of harm," Aang picked up as he saw where Leo was going with that.
"Exactly. Also, it has a bit of sentimental value to me. You remember when I told you about the night I changed into… this?" Leo referred to what he was and Aang nodded, "My sifu gave it to me shortly after. It's one of the few things I have left of him."
"What happened to him?" Aang was a bit cautious to ask, but Leo came across as a relaxed and open person to him.
"... He was killed," Leo soft answered.
"I'm sorry," Aang replied.
"It's okay," Leo accepted his sympathy, then changed the subject, "So… how does it feel being married?" Leo inquired.
"It feels good, real good," Aang happily replied, then thought to ask something he was nervous about, and he suspected Leo knew about, "Um, Leo? You're married, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, Katara and I haven't… well, we haven't… yet-" Aang stumbled nervously, but Leo caught on to what was trying to say.
"You and Katara haven't… sealed the deal yet, have you?"
"No."
"Okay, have you and Katara talked about this?" Leo inquired.
"Yeah."
"Alright, that's good. You gotta communicate with your partner about this stuff," Leo told him, "Other than that, just relax, get lost in each other and have fun."
"Wow. Really it's that simple?" Aang asked.
"No, but I think it's best if you figure out the other stuff on your own. This journey is between you and your wife…" Leo patted him on the shoulder.
Katara waited in her room for Aang. She was hoping that tonight would be the night; their first time. She wanted this to be perfect. But still Katara was a bit apprehensive. She'd heard that a woman's first time was accompanied by some initial pain. Regardless of that, she still wanted this. She was Aang's wife now, and she wanted him to make her his, and him hers. She loved him.
Instead of her regular gown, Katara was wearing a short night dress with thin noodle straps. She hoped Aang would like it. She lit a couple of candles and incense around the room to help set a romantic vibe.
She sat on the bed hugging her knees to her chest, anxious. The door opened and Aang came in, his eye instantly fixated on her, his cheeks glowing red, "Woah."
"Hey," Katara stood up as she welcomed him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "What'd he say?"
Aang shook himself out of his trance before he answered, "Uh… he-he said he votes to go on Appa."
"Oh, well that's good," Katara replied, rubbing her hair nervously, "So, um… do you wanna-"
She was interrupted when Aang closed the distance between them and brought her lips to his. Stunned at first, Katara eased into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt Aang snake his arms around her back. She smiled, moaning into the kissed at her husband's tender touch.
Aang broke off and whispered in Katara's ear, his breathing heavy, "You look beautiful… you're always beautiful."
"And you're always… so... amazing," Katara was overwhelmed with him. He was always so sweet, attentive, and supportive. There were so many reasons why she loved Aang, but one of the main reasons was how caring he was; not just towards her, but to everyone. Everywhere he went, he just wanted to help people and make sure they were alright, help them heal, in any way, shape, or form; like water.
Aang leaned towards the bed and fell onto it, pulling Katara with him, bringing her to giggle. She straddled him, held his hands down, entwined her fingers with his his and leaned down to kiss her husband. She moaned against his lips and started to slowly move her hips back and forth against his groin. Suddenly, he held her hips still, causing her to end their kiss, "What? What's wrong?"
Aang cradled her face in his hand and brought her forehead against his, "We don't have to do this right away. We can wait until you're ready."
"But I don't want to wait," Katara insisted, "I'm ready now."
"Then if you insist, let's get lost in each other," Aang slyly smiled as he lifted the night dress over her head; she raised her arms to make it easier. They resumed their passion and forgot the world around them. Her wondrous mounds revealed to him, she cradled his head as he explored her breast. He cupped them in his hands and massaged them slowly. His lips sought her neck, his tongue occasionally grazing her skin. She gasped in satisfaction at his attention; she wanted him as close to her as possible. His exploration continued to her jaw and she leaned her head back to grant him greater access. His hands remained on her breasts, feeling them up as mush as he could.
Katara groaned in disappointment as Aang detached his mouth from her jaw, but gasped again with pleasure as it found its way to her breasts and the valley in between. He kissed the sides of her breasts, then out of instinct took her nipple in his mouth. Sparks flying throughout her body, Katara threw her head back in ecstasy. It was incredible. She could feel his lips try to take in as much as of her as they could and his tongue flick and caress her peaks. As Aang gorged himself on her breasts, he unexpectedly rolled them over, causing a small squeal followed by some laughter to escape Katara. With Katara on her back, Aang brought his lips down to hers, both smiling into the kiss. Katara gave a sigh of content into the kiss, which turned into moaning as Aang lightly ran his hands up and down her thighs. He then started kissing down her neck, then her chest. He took turns with each breast, making Katara bite her bottom lip in pleasure, but he seemed to pay special attention to her the valley between them. He continued his journey down her body, leaving wet trails on her skin. Aang became focused on her flat stomach. Katara sighed in satisfaction as he kissed and licked her all around her stomach. Then he came to her belly button, cradling her body as he gave it a direct kiss, lingering there as he thought it was one of the most intimately attractive parts of her body. Aang then let instinct take over and stuck his tongue in it.
"Aang," Katara gave a surprise gasp at this and held him there. The contact, as well as the act itself, were both intoxicating. Aang kept tonguing her belly button a bit more before he moved farther south to her true valley... her sacred fertile valley.
The way Aang slowly made it down Katara's body was both agonizing and intoxicating, making her want more.
Aang hooked his fingers under the rim of her panties and slowly dragged them down her long beautiful legs, leaving her completely naked before him. She thought she might be a bit reluctant to show herself at first, but she didn't. She trusted Aang, loved him, and deep down wanted him so see her... and she wanted to see him.
Aang hovered over her entrance as her gazed at it for the first time. They had talked about physical relations before, so she had told him what was down there. But looking at it was something different. He was captivated by it, the folds, the small button, and the small patch of hair. Katara had meant to shaved it, but Aang honestly felt more turned on by it.
Aang lightly kissed around her entrance, on the left, right, lightly grazing her folds with his lips. Katara's breathing became heavy and shallow. He was driving her crazy as he took his time, and she loved it. He blew on her folds and she threw her head back as if a lightning bolt stuck her, "OH, Aang! That's incredible."
Aang smiled, pleased with the results of his attention to his wife. He then kissed the inside of her thighs, his lips trailing up and down one, then the other. He then made his way straight for her garden, cradling her thighs and ass as he ran his tongue up and down her lips. Katara gasped for air and arched her back as he stuck his tongue inside of her, spreading her folds so as to reach as deep into her as he could. Aang then replaced his tongue with his fingers and moved his mouth to her sensitive button. Katara's gasping and heavy breathing turned to loud moaning at his attentive sucking, her back arching in an extremely provocative position. She bucked her hips as he rolled his tongue over her clit, pushing herself to him so he could taste more of her.
Katara's was soaring through clouds of euphoria, going faster and faster as Aang continued his work. His ministrations sent her mind rushing and blank, only breathing and riding the waves of pleasure. Katara instinctively ran her hands through his hair; she loved to feel his hair. The waves of pleasure grew greater, more and more, until they peaked and she felt it burst like a dam, and she had no choice but to ride it. She gave a great exclamation of ecstasy as she rode her orgasm, holding Aang's head between her legs as he continued, making her get the most out of her ride as she came down.
As Katara got control of her breathing, Aang planted kisses everywhere he had explored, her legs up to her stomach, to her mounds and her neck, her jaw and finally her lips. As he brought his lips to hers, she seized his face and dove right into the kiss, deep and full of immense passion. The taste of herself mixed with his was a tremendous turn on to her at the moment as Katara gorged herself on Aang. She moved her mouth in sync with his, moaning from the subsiding high of her orgasm and enjoying her husband.
Their kiss ending, Katara still cradled Aang's jaw as he remained hovered over her. Her breathing was steady again as she asked, "How did you do that? Where did you even learn to do that?"
"Remember Bolin and how he and I used to run with the Triple Threats?" Aang began.
"Yeah," Katara replied.
Aang explained, "Well, there was this one time where he found a book with certain... secrets and depictions of... explicit... erotic nature. He showed it to me and let me borrow it for a bit. Said it would," he used air quotes, "'help my game with the ladies'."
Katara chuckled at this. She didn't know Bolin all that well, other than he and Aang used to be close friends and he was dating Toph's cousin, Opal; but from what she did know of him, that certainly sounded like Bolin.
Katara figured her husband was at long last putting the 'forbidden knowledge' he'd learned years ago to use, not that she was complaining.
"You think I don't know what the Kamasutra is, Aang?" Katara playfully inquired. Aang looked at her in surprise. She adored how innocent he that she was, "Let me show you what forbidden knowledge I've learned."
Katara was the one who rolled them over this time, helping him removed his shirt as she straddled him. She then moved to his trunks and dragged them down and off, leaving Aang as naked as her. She kissed his lips again, then moved to the side and licked his ear lobe. A shiver ran down his spine as Katara whispered heavily and seductively in his ear, "I've waited a good while to do this."
Katara returned the favor and kissed her way dow his body. Aang's diet and fitness helped to form a toned torso she loved to touch and stare at, and she enjoyed kissing every muscle. Aang thought it felt nice, although he enjoyed worshiping Katara's body more than her worshipping his. But he didn't want to spoil her fun, with his abs of course. It was turning him on, but it really started turning him on the lower she got, all the way down to his erect phallus. She didn't know what was average size, but it seemed a bit big to her; Katara was almost intimidated by it. She felt nervous at the stretch it would take to fit it inside.
"What is it?" Aang asked as he caught Katara just staring at his piece.
"Nothing, it's just... so... big," Katara got out.
"Listen, we don't have-" Aang began but was cut off as Katara ignored his concern and assured him by taking him in her mouth. The sensation was new. She felt him throbbing with excitement. She wanted this and was determined, plus she heard it helped with lubrication. She bobbed her head up and down his shaft, only managing to take half in her mouth. She sucked a little and when she saw he reacted to that, she sucked more. He leaned all the way on the bed and threw his back. Aang didn't last long and burst all over Katara.
When he looked down to see his wife covered in his mess, Aang apologized profusely and cleaned her right up.
"It's okay, Aang," Katara chuckled at her husband's attention.
Aang wiped her face, "Do you wanna stop now, or...?"
"Are you kidding? That was just the warm-up," Katara said in a sultry voice that made Aang's face turn red. She then moved up on their bed and opened her legs, beckoning him to join her. He crawled toward her, mesmerized by her. He came up to her in between her legs and brought his face to hers, meeting in another kiss. Aang just loved kissing Katara, and she him. Their lips parted he finally asked, "Are you ready."
Katara was a bit nervous about the ensuing discomfort, but she knew it would subside once her body became accustomed to the action they were about to take together. She nodded and answered, "Yes."
Aang sat up between Katara's legs and took his length, lining it up with her entrance. He spread her lips with his head then slowly pushed deep inside her tunnel. Her face scrunched up in discomfort as he stretched her muscles out for the first time. If they hadn't lubricated each other first, this would've been even more painful. The head of his penis finally met her barrier, and he met her eyes for permission. She nodded and he pushed through all the way inside her, taking her maidenhood. Pain shot through her as she held on to him for dear life, her body adjusting to the intrusion. He peppered her shoulder with kisses in the meantime.
After most of the pain subsided, Katara bucked her hips and whispered in Aang's ear, "Go ahead."
With that, Aang commenced slowly thrusting his hips against Katara's, in, out and into her again. It was incredible feeling inside Katara's moist cavern; it was tight, slick, and warm, but he wanted her to enjoy it as he did. Each thrust brought more pleasure as the pain went away. She moved her hands down his body to his ass. Katara grabbed his cheeks and held his pelvis closer to her. Aang first thought she wanted him to stop, but when she start massaging and caressing his ass-cheeks, he knew she wanted him to go faster.
At Katara's encouragement, Aang increased the speed of his thrusts. As their bodies moved faster, Katara started to moan again, and Aang groaned as he slid his length in and out of her, hitting her most sensitive spots. Once again, he was sending her to through clouds of euphoria. He then had an idea. Aang started to slowly move out of her tunnel all the way until only the tip was left, then slowly back into her. That really drove her crazy, like a pleasurable water-torture, but instead of waiting for the next drop, it was when he would fill her up again. Katara had to cling to Aang for dear life, holding his body flush against hers as he rocked his hips against hers at his hypnotic slow rhythm. She wrapped her legs around his waist. An orchestra of erotic moaning and groans echoed in their room from their lovemaking. As Aang slowly moved out of her, then back in, Katara could feel the tip of his big member kissing her uterus. This became too much for Katara and her body reached its peak of pleasure, making her go stiff and quiver with euphoric waves. As Katara came, her muscles tightened around Aang's length and brought him over the edge, groaning as he shot his seed into her waiting womb. She felt the warmth of each spurt he sent into her body. The buzz of their orgasms froze their minds, and for a few moments nothing existed but them as they soared together.
As they slowly came down to the world together, Aang lay on top of Katara, her loving his weight on her as he kissed her shoulder and she trailed her fingers across his skin. Katara breathed in his scent, musky from their first time making love. She ran her hands up and down his back, reveling at the muscles she felt.
Exhaustion from their time being intimate with each other brought them on the edge of sleep. Slumber crept over them as they felt one another, dreaming together intertwined.
Sokka walked down the hall to the deck with his breakfast in hand. Toph was eating in the galley and he didn't want to bother her. Ever since they'd found themselves in the same bed, and naked, and hungover, Sokka didn't know how to act around Toph anymore. He'd always thought she was pretty, but she'd been more like a pal to him than a potential partner. So, he figured he'd eat his breakfast outside on the deck this morning.
Sokka predicted that Momo would take something from his meal, so he brought a peach for the lemur; that way Momo would snatch something the Water Tribesmen didn't mind losing. He was surprised to find the lemur already munching on a piece of fruit. Next to him was their guest, eating a bowl of egg fried rice and a pair of stuffed pork buns. His hood was down, for once, so his face was more visible. Behind them was Appa, greeting Sokka with his usual grunt.
"Mornin' ta you too, big guy," Sokka replied with a yawn. Momo just sat there eating his fruit.
"Don't worry. He already took mine," Leo said, referring to the lemur and the fruit.
"You can have mine. I only brought it for him, anyway," Sokka tossed him his peach.
"Thanks."
Sokka sat across from Leo in front of the bison and began eating his breakfast. It must've been around six or seven in the morning. Leo pulled the peach apart and offered one half to Appa. The bison opened his mouth and Leo tossed it in.
"They seem to like you," Sokka stated plainly, making small talk.
"Yeah, I guess they do," Leo said, then inquired, "You feeling alright, Sokka?"
"Yeah sure, why wouldn't I be?" Sokka blurted, his voice unsteady. If that was his best attempt to hide how uncool he felt about a lot of things, he'd most certainly failed.
"Sokka, take it easy," Leo calmed him down, then just ripped the bandage off, "Is it Aang and Katara, or you and Toph?"
Sokka tensed at both. He gave a sigh of defeat, "Both."
"You wanna talk about it?" Leo offered, "Any of it?"
Sokka figured what the heck and started with the easier issue, "It's not that I don't trust Aang, I do trust him. If there's anyone I trust with my sister, it's him. I know he'd never do anything to her, and that he's strong enough to protect her. It's not that they're married that I got a problem with, it's just… you know… the way they did it…"
Leo nodded as he started to understand what Sokka was getting at before he continued, "I mean in Omashu," Sokka uttered the word with disgust and disbelief, "Of all the places in the world they could've gotten married, it ends up being the gambling capital of the world; one of the worst cesspools of crime and filth. Katara deserves something special, not cheap and quick," Sokka paused again, "I don't know, maybe I'm just not ready to get over that my little sister isn't so little anymore."
Leo smiled at how much Sokka cared about his sister, "Maybe what matters to Katara isn't the wedding, but the marriage. A wedding is just one day, a marriage is the rest of your life. Besides, they can have a ceremony that they can actually remember later."
Sokka supposed that made sense, "Yeah, I guess you're right." He actually could imagine Katara saying something like how nice weddings are, but how being married is what truly matters, and how a wedding is just a ceremony that kicks off a married life, or something along those lines.
"What about you and Toph? You two… you know… talked about that yet?"
Sokka rolled his eyes at Leo's blunt questions, "No, we haven't. We've hardly even spoken to each other," before Leo could respond, Sokka kept on, "And honestly, I still don't know how I feel about it. I'm just tryin' to wrap my head around everything that's happened. I don't know what to think, what to say, how to feel. I just… blah."
Leo understood this was something he didn't have an answer to. This was something Sokka had to figure out himself. Leo told him not to get too stressed about it and not to worry too much.
"Thanks," Sokka said.
"You're welcome," Leo replied, then blurted, "So, still can't believe your sister's married?"
Sokka chuckled at the blunt humor, "Screw you, asshole."
"Oh, you think I'm an asshole? Wait 'til you meet my cousin-in-law, Dax," Leo gave his own challenge, laughing, "He is one of the biggest assholes you will ever meet. Not only does he have a short fuse and a big temper, he will curse you out and dominate you with a loud mouth spewing with profanity. His honesty is blunt, his sense of humor borders on cruel, and his style is simply aggressive."
"Wow, man. That really does sound like an asshole," Sokka almost didn't believe him, thinking that no person could possibly be that much of an asshole.
"One time he caught two subordinates sleeping with each other, but he only gave them a warning. However, it was laced with a threat. He told them, 'You so much as eyefuck another person on this ship, I will deport you two naked to the Empire'," Leo recited, almost unable to speak without struggling to maintain his words.
Sokka burst out laughing. Leo joined in, finally unable to keep his composure. Once they finished their laughter, they went back to their breakfast. Sokka finished his first. Just as Leo was about to take the last bite, he sensed something off in the distance. He dropped his bowl and climbed to the roof of the bridge. Sokka was amazed at how fast he got there from the deck. Leo's ears flapped down, then up, down, then back up. He gave a few sniffs, then shouted down towards Sokka, "Get this thing moving, NOW!"
Sokka was startled by the sudden alarm. He rushed to the bridge, grabbed a pair of binoculars and glimpsed in the direction Leo had. He saw something coming at them, and fast.