#99. Well, this one was made because it simply HAS to be at the end to kind of wrap up everything. This one is kinda me putting my angst style of writing into a happier note. So don't worry, it's not angst it's pure, pure, pure, well, happiness I guess. Expect a terribly long author's note tomorrow. And a drabble, don't worry. If I don't update tomorrow, I apologize, it probably just means that I'm working on #100. Cause, I want it to be good, so I might work a little longer on it. -sigh- One more.
Sokka knew that smile.
Oh how he knew it, for he's guilty of using it before, countless times. Time and time again.
The brother saw it across the camp fire under a full moon, when the dragon flies had just started to go to sleep and the stars were beginning to glimmer. He knew his blue eyes were not deceiving him.
Zuko smiled.
It was when the most of the group had sleepily gotten up and went to their beds, whether it be earth tents, or on flying bison's heads, or just a plain sleeping bag, it left the two water tribe siblings and exiled prince alone around the slowly dying fire.
Katara rose first out of the three remainders, giving her brother a soft and warm hug before making her way to pass Zuko.
The water bender yawned, stretching her arms under the summer night, and smiled as she patted Zuko on the head. Rustling and messing up his long dark hair, she laughed softly as she walked away, glancing back once leaving a the fire bender to glance back at her.
He smiled.
Sokka glanced down when he saw that, his dark hand clenching up in a fist, but he slowly let out a long sigh.
Whether it was with a princess, or a warrior, Sokka knew that smile. That glimmer in his eyes, the soft blush across his face, and the pure, utter, distinct happiness on his face.
He missed that feeling.
Somewhere in the camp a neatly folded Kyoshi dress and fan was tucked away and hidden inside a blue pillow, with the moon over head and a young warrior left to hold and watch it all.
"Zuko?"
His blue eyes looked up as he placed his hands in his lap and quietly stared at the fire bender who looked up once his name had been called in the silence of the night. Katara laid asleep somewhere in the of the group, her soft snores and breathing that Sokka knew so well fluttering away with the wind.
"Answer this one simple question for me, Zuko. Are you attracted to my sister?"
Sokka watched as the exiled prince's head flashed red and his head nearly exploded. Sputtering and stuttering useless words, Zuko ran a nervous hand through his hair.
Sokka sighed.
He always knew fire benders weren't on the bright side.
But he would handle this, the Water Tribe way.
"It's yes or no. Answer it or I'll get Toph. And you don't want that."
Blue eyes stared into golden, and the warrior's attention was raised when he heard the fire bender sigh and glance at the ground before staring across the fire and looking at Sokka. With a sharp intake of breath, he answered as quickly as possible before closing his eyes painfully.
"Yes."
Zuko's shut his eyes, flinching, ready for something to happen. Like a blow to the head with a boomerang, or a sword to his heart. Something painful. Like a slow and painful death with a lot of deathly blows. Or at least...something.
Nothing. Happened.
Opening his eyes, he found Sokka hadn't even moved.
He blinked in confusion.
"You're not going to hurt me?"
Sokka shook his head, blinking slowly to make sure he wasn't losing his mind. No matter how much his brain was screaming at him right now, his heart was chanting him along.
"Look Zuko, over this time you've been with us, I learned a lot about you. So basically, I trust you."
Nodding and absorbing this new information, Zuko gave a tiny smile. A small one, but still a smile. Sokka nodded back, cracking his back as he sat straighter.
Flashbacks of the past days, no weeks, went through the warrior's mind. Moments of laughter between his sister and this fire bender, the jokes and smiled between them, and even the friendly sparring. And even, the time of comfort that he had seen.
Sokka frowned and stared at Zuko.
He remembered when he had his own moments like that.
"She likes you. She really likes you, Zuko."
He shook his head in almost disbelief, placing a hand to his aching head. The fire bender looked up in surprise, a small smile still on his lips.
"Really?"
Sokka quietly ignored him, thinking about what he had just said. Now he was remembering how much his sister smiled around this fire bender, laughed and actually cared about him. Sokka gave a small nod at Zuko's question which made Zuko blink and softly blush.
The Spirits might kill him for this, but Sokka wanted his sister to be happy, and yes he was going to dare say it, in love.
"If you hurt her in any way I'll...hm..what is the word..."
"Kill me?"
"Yeah, that. I was looking for something more graphic and painful sounding but that'll do."
"I swear, I won't. I'll give you the privilege of choosing my death if I ever do."
Sokka decided that maybe fire bender's weren't so dull as he thought. At least, this was one catching on.
Blue and golden eyes slowly trailed their eyes to the sleep water bender, who was far away in some dream. A small smile was on both their lips, the moon's light reflecting down on both of them.
All he wanted was her to be happy. And if she was happy with this...this...guy, he would be too.
He remembered when he was happy and in love, and it was the best time of his life. It was what made your lifeworth living for. It was then when he made the memories that would last him forever, till the very last day of his life.
He remembered how happy he was then.
Sokka only wanted Katara to have that. And so much more.
So he was letting her go, but into the arms of happiness and love, and for that he gave a smile.
After all, that was what big brother's were for.