They swayed together, rocking back and forth.
After all, they had accomplished as of late, they decided a night out would do them some good. He had taken her to a few local shops in Cranefish, had a delicious meal and some tea, and on their way back - found some couples dancing in the middle of the street.
Music filled the air.
She instantly grabbed his hand, and drug him to the improv dance floor. She was all grace, and he fumbled along as best as he could. She smiled sweetly at his poor dancing, encouraging him with an 8 count and training stance terms he recognized.
He eventually found his footing but refused to release his tongue from in-between his teeth. "It helps me focus!" He had protested after she had called him out for it.
As time went on, Sokka eventually felt more confident and twirled her. Well, tried.
He accidentally hit her in the head with his forearm. He winced and she laughed, covering her mouth with the hand he wasn't still holding.
Sokka tried apologizing but she hushed him and brushed a kiss against his lips. His mind went hazy.
Her chin rested against his collarbone, and her eyes lazily found his. Their dance became a slow, simple, swaying movement.
His breath caught. The look in her eyes pulling him into a trance. Words he had wanted to say for a long time entered his mind, but his throat tightened. He opened and closed his mouth.
Finally finding his voice, he said, "I ugh ...Th-This was nice."
Her eyes shined in the candle-light and her smile widened. "You've got to wake up."
A firm hand found his arm, and he jolted up. A bright light soured his vision, and he covered his eyes with his hand. The pungent smell of sea salt entered his nose to the point where he could practically taste it.
The girl who had woke him up handed him a bowl of dried meat and gestured toward a pitcher of water. "Dinner," she clarified with a soft voice; her crystal-blue eyes staring into his own. "-I'm sorry if I startled you."
Sokka made a noise that sounded oddly like a strangled hog-monkey; he cleared his throat before responding. "No, I'm fine. Thank you, Yura."
Her full lips up-turned into a bright smile. She lifted herself, tucking some of her long, dark hair behind her ear. "Can I get you anything else, Sokka?"
Giving her a small smile, Sokka shook his head. "I think I can manage on my own, but thank you."
Though she seemed crest-fallen by his refusal, Yura kept her cheery disposition. "The captain said we'll be reaching Whale Tail Island here shortly. If you need anything, you know where to find me," she said before slipping away.
His smile fell, and a groan passed Sokka's lips as he rubbed his face with some cold water, slicking some of it through his bed-head. Beside his cot was his hair tie, he grabbed it up and pulled his hair back into his signature wolf tail. His muscles were sore, and he strained to get up.
Lifting his bare arms over his head, he stretched as he walked over to pick up his discarded top off the floor. He fumbled with the article of clothing before looking out his window to the sea.
The calming sway of the water washed over him. He loved the ocean.
After his adventures with the Avatar had come to a close, he had begun his formal training as the next chief of his village. His father saying that it was time he passed on his knowledge to him, as per tradition. Since then, he had hardly stepped foot on any mode of transportation.
The sea mocked him some days. He even missed a certain, smelly, sky bison from time to time.
People need us, Sokka. He heard a familiar voice say in his head. He huffed, angered that he was subconsciously thinking about his past - about her. He chewed on his lip as thoughts of Yura entered his mind. He didn't mean to sound so cold and harsh with her. She was really a sweet girl - bubbly, out-going, even stunning. But he wasn't ready to let anyone in yet.
He pushed himself out of his cabin and up the stairs to the main deck.
The wind pulled at his hair and the small stone around his neck. He took hold of it to stop it from flying behind him. He held it over his heart and looked out at the glimmering waters. Whale Tail Island was starting to come into view, and for some reason, his chest felt tight.
They had only a couple of hours before passed by Kyoshi Island. He couldn't find it within himself to look though - telling his crew that the sea wasn't agreeing with him.
It's been years. He thought to himself, holding onto his necklace tighter.
He felt like a coward.
They sat in silence. He had just told her the news his father had given him that morning - that he would be heading home in a few hours. She looked ahead in a blank, unreadable stare. He could only watch and wait. Let her process. His heart sunk further and further with every passing second, realization dawning on him as well.
His hold on her hand grew tighter, and tears welled in his eyes.
They had said goodbye to one another many times before, with no promise of finding one another again. But in their hearts, they knew they would. This was different though.
This was simply, 'goodbye'.
He knew of her oath. Any sifu of the Kyoshi Warriors had to find certain requirements in the next leader before they could 'pass the torch'. It would be hard to find someone to meet every expectation. She couldn't simply leave to be with him. And he couldn't stay to be with her.
They had responsibilities.
"I... I don't know what to do," he finally said, unable to bear the silence any longer.
She stood; her hand slipped out of his hold before he could react. "People need us, Sokka."
He wanted to grab her up, hold her, tell her that he wasn't going anywhere. But he couldn't. Swallowing a large breath, he slowly made his way over to her. He knew she was upset; he was too.
Winding his arms around her, he pulled her in. She didn't object. He could feel the front of his tunic becoming damp with hot tears, but she refused to make a sound.
Laying his head on top of hers, he took in the smell of her hair for a final time. He almost broke at the thought but fought against it. He wanted to be strong too. He held her uncomfortably tight. "I don't-" he couldn't finish, so he buried his head into her neck.
She pressed into him further and nodded in understanding. "I know." She pulled away quickly, reaching behind her head.
Her sudden movement startled him, but a small smile reassured him. She pulled out a necklace he had seen only once before. He didn't have time to ask what it was then, but as she placed it over his head and around his neck - he wondered even more.
At the bottom of the thin cord was a smooth, uneven stone. He held it carefully, fearful that it may break.
"I want you to have this," she said in a voice softer than silk.
"But, I - what is it?" He bit his tongue and cursed inwardly. He realized only a moment too late that his question may have sounded ungrateful for her gift. But in all honesty; he was asking, 'what it meant to her?' He could tell it was something important. Something precious to her.
He opened his mouth to explain, but she beat him to it. "Maybe one day -" she paused to take the stone out of his hand. Placing a kiss on his chest, she laid the stone over it. "-I'll get the chance to tell you."
From then on, he found a strange comfort in holding the pendant. It made him feel at ease when his mind went into 'overload'. Like when he held it, she was there to calm him and make sense of his crazy wonderings.
It brought hope to his heart - reassurance that he wasn't alone.
A smile lit his features and he pushed his thoughts aside. A royal ship cruised across the waters on the opposite side of the Island. The Fire Nation symbol proudly billowing on their flags.
Hearty laughter filled the cabin; Sokka and Zuko reminiscing and sharing stories of recent and past events. They lounged as though they were kids again, and not the powerful leaders they actually were.
Zuko slouched on a comfy ottoman, legs sprawled out, with his head thrown back to the ceiling. His cheeks glowed with warmth from his mirth. "I needed this. I'm glad we're all able to get back together. Just like old times."
Sokka chuckled, taking a sip of his beverage. "How you remember the old times, and how I remember the old times are 2 very different things, buddy."
A snicker escaped the Fire lord's mouth, and he placed his hands behind his head. "Yeah. I guess you're right about that."
"You boys having fun in here?" A low, feminine voice called out from the other side of the room. Mai entered their cabin, leaning her hip against the frame. Zuko stared up at her with a suave grin and a loving gaze. "Of course! Care to join us?"
"Smoochie smoochie," Sokka sing-songed in his little corner, smirking at the newlywed couple before taking a sip of his wine and waggling his eyebrows. Zuko couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's behavior.
Mai rolled her eyes at the water tribesman. "Zuko, don't encourage him. I just came in here to tell you I'm going to bed." Pushing off the doorframe, she sauntered over to her husband and left a lingering kiss against his lips. She then leaned down to whisper something in his ear, and Zuko seemed to find whatever she said hilarious.
Brushing her hand slowly across his shoulder, she slipped away. Zuko followed her out with his eyes and a goofy grin.
Sokka gagged. "You 2 give me the oogies. You're almost as bad as Aang and Katara."
Laughter filled the room once more. Once he was able to compose himself, Zuko replied before taking a slow sip of his drink, "you're just jealous."
"Riiiight, right." Sokka's laughter began to die down into muffled coughs, and a loud sigh. He gave his friend a genuine smile, and said, "-marriage suits you. You seem happy."
An easy smile found itself on Zuko's face. "I am."
At a thought, his smile dimmed some. He tilted his head and analyzed his friend a moment. "So, what about you then?"
Sokka's face contorted in confusion, "what about what?"
"I mean, what about you? Have you thought about settling down, starting a family, and all that? You do realize we aren't getting any younger?"
Sokka released a pfft, and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, trust me. I know. Dad's been trying to set me up for years now, but I - I'm just busy. I've got a bunch of stuff to do back home."
"If I can make time for love, so can you," Zuko countered, lifting a challenging brow.
"Yeah! I know, I know. I just - I guess I'm just not the 'settling down' type. I've got a reputation to keep up, Fire guy." He said smoothly, leaning back and kicking his feet over to a desk to rest them.
Zuko let silence fill the space between them.
A question teetered dangerously at the edge of his tongue. He didn't want to overstep his bounds or upset Sokka. But as his friend, he wanted to help him overcome his avoidance - an avoidance years in the making.
Leaning forward, he spoke gently. "You're still in love with her, aren't you?"
His eyes opened and set on Zuko's. His initial shock quickly morphed into something playful and teasing. "Nah," he chuckled. "-Listen, Yue was an amazing girl. But she's the moon spirit! She was out of my league when she was just a princess, but now? Talk about complicated! And not to mention -" Zuko waited patiently for Sokka to quit babbling. He never took his eyes off his friend, even though Sokka avoided his at all cost.
"I wasn't talking about Yue, Sokka."
Sokka tried - unsuccessfully - to hide behind a smile. "I'm sorry, but I really don't know what you're talking-"
"Suki."
The room went silent. Sokka's eyes swirled with emotions. Zuko could hardly decipher one. It was as if he hadn't spoken, or even thought her name in their years apart. Zuko almost felt bad that he had said her name so candidly and without warning.
With great effort, Sokka finally managed to think of a response. "I don't - she's - Zuko! It's been years! You can't honestly expect me to still think about her like that? We were just kids anyway! She's the leader of elite warriors, and I'm going to be the next chief of the Southern Water tribe! It doesn't work! W-We don't work." Sokka slung his hands to the side and nodded his head - content with his answer.
Zuko pursed his lips, "that's not what I asked you."
"Just-" Sokka growled, looking into Zuko's sympathetic eyes with ferocity. "-Stop. Okay?" He stood up to leave, forgetting completely that this was his cabin.
Zuko's voice halted his movements. "Sokka. It's okay to still love her. You know that, right?"
He chewed on his lip to stop himself from acknowledging his statement, lowering his head. "Like I said, that was years ago. I'm over her, okay? ...Now! We've got a long journey ahead. So ugh, goodnight, Zuko."
Chapter 3 will be up tomorrow! Remember to follow and review. :)