A/N: Okay guys. Here we go. We are diving into the arc. It gets dark, but it's necessary for character development. Just hang in there. It starts out slow but it will pick up. I am sorry for such a long wait, I just wanted everything to be perfect. Thank you so much for your reviews. I am going through an incredibly rough period in my life and your words are so kind and lift my heart. This year we lost our home and my husband lost his job. Altogether not the best year, writing has helped me through it. So… Thank you.

Gentle sunlight filtered in through the window, the shafts crossing their bodies as they lay tangled together in the sheets. Aang had found himself victim of her pouty lips more than once in the past two weeks when asked if he would stay with her. He always gave in, finding it incredibly hard to say no. Waking up next to her just felt so right to him. He almost felt bad, like he was taking advantage of her. The truth was she needed him as much as he needed her. He looked at her in his arms, her hair a wild mess around the pillows and her face, draping over her shoulders and down her back. Her lips were parted and he watched her chest rise and fall, slow and steady. He smiled and brushed a lock of hair out of her face, giving her cheek a small kiss. She stirred softly and stretched, turning away from him. He laughed quietly and took her in his arms, turning her back to him.

"Hey sleepy," he cooed at her. Her eyes opened slowly, looking around the bed and up into his eyes, instantly smiling.

"Morning," she responded, looking over to the clock on her night stand. It was early, just after seven. She let her head fall back onto her pillow and closed her eyes again, trying to decide if she was getting up or not. Aang started to untangle his legs from hers and she gripped him with her own set. "Where do you think you're going?" She asked with a little smirk, placing a hand on his chest. He just laughed and tightened his grip around her.

"I've been up since the sun. I'm getting up."

"No, you're going to stay right here and keep me warm." She said and looped her arms around his neck.

"Katara, it's summer."

"Then to keep me company while I sleep."

"Sweetie, we have this discussion every morning. I need to get up." He stated and tried to pull her off of him, even though he loved the attention of his sleepy sweetheart. "Besides, you should get up. It's kind of a special day."

Katara just looked at him with curious eyes, waiting for some kind of hint.

"Sokka and Suki? It's their wedding today."

She gasped and let go of him, jumping out of bed. She padded clumsily to her kitchen where she had her calendar and a line of X's led up to that day's date, circled with a heart. It was indeed their wedding day.

"No, no, no, no, this can't be right!" She said with a high level of anxiety. Aang heard her and came to her, looking at the calendar.

"It's today, what's wrong?"

She heaved and tangled her fingers into her hair.

"What's wrong? Everything! Nothing has been practiced yet! We haven't gone over a seating arrangement, the decor isn't put up in the ballroom that's rented out, oh there is so much wrong!" She said as her hands streaked down her face. "I need to get ready this second!" She shouted and was practically running down her tiny hallway towards her bedroom when a knock at her front door came. "Can you please get that?" She asked as she ran into her room, starting to get ready for the day. He sighed and walked towards the door, rubbing the back of his neck. When he opened the door he smiled widely.

"Well, speak of the bride." He smiled as he looked upon Suki, wearing a simple, short green dress.

"Oh, hello Aang," she said and blushed, him being in just pants, "I wasn't expecting you to be here so early." She said and raised an eyebrow curiously. "I didn't know you and Katara were... so close," she said and smirked, walking into Katara's humble home. He closed the door behind her, hearing her implications.

"Suki, it's not like that," he tried to defend, turning away from the door,

"Hey, you don't have to explain yourself. You're both adults." She said now completely smiling, crossing her arms.

"No, I don't want you to think this is something it isn't. We're just sleeping together."

"Oh? So it's not making love? It's just sex?" She inquired, a little worried for her friend's relationship status. Just then Katara came around the corner, dragging her fingers through her hair and pulling it back into a wolf tail.

"No Suki, we literally sleep together. We cuddle and kiss and just hold each other." She said, completely unembarrassed. Suki blushed again, feeling bad for even thinking Aang could be that type of guy.

"Aw, that's so cute." She said looking from her to Aang, who was rubbing the back of his neck. "You two are adorable together. I expect impeccable dancing tonight from you both." She said and walked over to Katara, still in her night gown.

"Yes Ma'am." Aang said and walked back to Katara's room, getting dressed. When he had his staff and sash and beads in place, he slipped on his shoes and stood outside the bathroom door, watching Katara do some elaborate hair work on Suki while she sat on a stool.

"I'm gonna get going… unless you needed me to do her make-up." He said with a laugh. Katara stuck her tongue out at him but Suki spoke up.

"Actually, could you meet us at the ballroom in like an hour? We'll need help putting up the higher decorations, and it would be so easy for you."

"Sure, I can help out. See you two then."

"Bye sweetie." Katara called from the bathroom as he left. When the front door was shut, Suki spoke up.

"So… he's sleeping here then?"
"Yes." She said simply, concentrated on the intricate work of styling her friend's hair.

"Do you two sleep together a lot?"

She hesitated, lacing the auburn pieces together. "Don't say it like that. You make it sound so dirty."

"Well, you're not exactly covering yourself up. I mean you're not even wearing your bindings."

"I can't sleep like that! You know that."

"I know; it's just odd that you two are having a cuddlefest every night and not taking advantage of that time alone to do other things. I mean, do you even want him that way?"

She pinned a piece to Suki's head and sighed.

"Of course I do. And I know he does too. It's just not the right time."

Suki was quiet for a while, her mind wandering from Katara and Aang's relationship to her own. She was making a huge step today and even though the planning had been going on for some time now, the reality of it all was starting to sink in. She sighed softly, feeling her stomach flipping.

"Are you nervous?" Katara murmured.

"Just a little. It's stupid, don't you think?"

"Why would I think that?"

"It's not like anything will be different for us after today. It's just a title…"

She was quiet as she pinned another strand in place.

"Is that how you really feel?"

"I don't know, maybe. It's just that we have been together for so long, I just feel like he is a part of me and that today only enforces that. I'm happy; don't get me wrong, I just don't see how our relationship is going to change."

"It will though." Katara replied, pulling the hair out of Suki's eyes and wrapping it around and rolling it into a bun.

"How do you know?"

"Because marriage is sacred, something special. It's a commitment between two people, saying that they love each other and will continue to love each other. I've seen it change people for the better and I think it will do the same for you and Sokka." She promised and gave her a hug from behind around her shoulders. Suki's hand lingered on her arm and she smiled.

"Thanks Katara."

"You're welcome. You're done, you can look at it." She responded, patting her on the shoulders and letting go. Suki stood from the stool and looked into the mirror. Her auburn hair was pulled back and into a bun surrounded by spiraling braids that formed a sphere around the bun.

"Oh Katara… it's so beautiful!" She gasped, turning from the mirror to her friend, giving her a big hug. "Thank you so much!" She mouthed into her shoulder.

"You're welcome. Now, let me go get dressed and we can head over to the ballroom."

….

By the time Aang showed up a good portion of the decorations were set up. He walked through the large doors and looked at what was usually an empty space now split into three sections; the right for the ceremony filled with chairs and a small platform, the left filled with tables for eating and chatting, and the middle was left as a dance floor. There was green and gold and blue and silver everywhere he looked. He found the girls sitting at a table laughing. He smiled and walked over to them. Katara noticed him and stood from the table, both of them caught in each other's gaze. They were both in formal clothes, him in red and sunset orange robes that flowed around him gracefully while she was in a shortened navy blue dress, sleeveless, with a beautiful wide scoop neck. Her hair was done in a similar way to Suki's, just two small braids coming from her hairline and pinned back into her bun. She even had make-up on, smoky navy color on her eyes and a cherry red on her lips. As he walked up to her he wrapped his arms around her waist, giving her a kiss on the lips.

"Hello Handsome." She whistled.

"You should see yourself." He murmured back, catching her lips again in his.

Suki cleared her throat and the two parted, looking away from each other.

"Right! Well, you two got a lot done in an hour." He said, looking around.

"Yes, well, everything but the lanterns." Suki amended and gestured to a couple tables behind her, littered with both small and a few very large blue and green lanterns. "The little ones go down the aisle over there and above the tables here, the big ones go above the dance floor. Alternating colors of course. We've also got streamers that need to go from the center of the lanterns over the dance floor to the walls. We left the high jobs for you." She added with a smile. He looked around and tried to envision what it would look like and nodded.

"It's going to be beautiful. I'll get to work then." He agreed and kissed Katara on the cheek, grabbing some lanterns and walking to the other side of the room. Suki laughed when he was gone and Katara turned to her.

"What's funny?"

"Oh nothing. Just you two."

Katara raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It's just cute that you two still make goo-goo eyes at this point. I mean I could cut the tension between you two with a dagger."

"Oh please, like you don't look at Sokka sometimes and the world doesn't disappear."

Suki laughed and stood from the table. "Of course I do. I just feed the hunger beneath my skin." She purred with an evil grin playing upon her lips. Katara rolled her eyes and walked over to her, grabbing lanterns.

"Can we drop the subject? We are not like you and Sokka. We can control ourselves. We're waiting for it to be right." She defended.

"Alright, I'll say no more." She said and grabbed a few lanterns.

"Let's help Aang with this part before people start arriving tonight."

…

As the sun hung low in the sky, the lanterns inside were lit, giving the ballroom a warm, intimate glow. Upstairs Sokka and Suki were preparing themselves for the most important day of their lives up until this point. The ceremony was to happen at seven, then food and fun. It was a quarter after six now and people from all over were showing up. Aang and Katara were happy to usher people in for the couple, seeing faces that sometimes only Katara knew, sometimes only Aang knew, and sometimes neither of them knew. Aang and Katara were very happy to see one in particular. A porcelain face with black hair and pale green eyes dressed in a beautiful light green dress that had slits on the sleeves. She wore sole-less shoes, making her look presentable and appropriate without being totally blind.

"Toph!" She squeaked and the young woman came up to her.

"Hello love birds." She grinned.

"Sifu." Aang bowed to her. She just punched him in the arm. "Ow, what was that for?"

"For not visiting me. This is our first encounter since you moved here. You're quite rude."

"Me, rude? You just punched me. I should tell the force to put you behind a desk and give you paperwork."

"Very funny Twinkletoes. I'm sure that blind people do the best paperwork."

Katara laughed at their back and forth.

"And don't even get me started on you Sugar Queen. You haven't visited me either."

"I'm sorry, life has been busy."

"Yeah yeah, young love and all that." She sneered lovingly, crossing her arms. She bid them goodbye and took her seat near the front so she could hear.

Then came two faces Katara would recognize anywhere. She ran up and almost tackled the man, but be stood firm and immovable, giving a laugh as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Dad! I'm so happy to see you!" She laughed; looking up into those light blue eyes she had missed. She looked to her left and saw an older woman. "And you too Gran-Gran!" She added and hugged her grandmother.

"We wouldn't miss this for the world." Hakoda beamed with joy for his son. Aang took over ushering people in so she could visit with her relatives to the side.

"It's so nice to come up and see you Katara. You are as beautiful as ever my dear."

"Aw, thanks."
"No, I mean it. Say son, wouldn't it be a shame to come all this way, just to have to come back again for another wedding?"

"What are you getting at?" Hakoda questioned his mother, unaware of her evil scheme.

"Why don't we find someone for our special little waterbender to marry while we are here? Save a trip?"

"Mother, stop this. I thought we ended this conversation when we reached the dock." He replied, giving an apologetic look towards his daughter, who was blushing.

"What about that nice looking young Firelord? He's always been good to you." She cackled and poked her ribs.

"Gran, stop it. That would be so weird. He's like my brother. I am perfectly capable of picking a man on my own!" She argued and crossed her arms, the feeling of déjà vu settling in.

"That's alright dear; I'll find you a nice strong young man by the end of the night. Don't you worry about it." She said and walked off to get a seat.

"Gran! No, wait! Ugh." She groaned and Hakoda came up to her.

"Don't worry; I'll keep an eye on her, make sure she's distracted."

"Thanks Dad. I really have missed you."

"I've missed you so much." He lamented and pulled her into another strong embrace. "I am so glad you are safe." He whispered into her hair. She smiled and pulled back.

"Why wouldn't I be safe? I mean, yeah Zuko has been setting me up on dates that seemed a little shady but-" She said with a small laugh. Everyone knew she could take care of herself.

"Wait, Zuko? Again?" He graoned and shook his head. "But that's not why I was worried."

"Then why? What's wrong?" She asked and he dropped his arms. He looked from her face and looked around; spotting someone he desperately needed to talk to.

"Not now, it will ruin the wedding. I'll talk to you later, I need to go. Big day!" He rushed and kissed her forehead. She had a suspicious scowl and she watched as her father walked over to Aang, have a very short conversation with him, and then they bowed to each other and parted. She huffed and made a mental note to talk to Aang later about that. She continued to help people get seated until about ten minutes until seven, checking back in with Aang at the back of the room.

"Everyone is seated, we just need the couple now," she said in a hushed tone to him. He nodded and looked around.

"Should we go check on them?"

"Probably." She nodded and crept her way up the stairwell in the back, walking up to the room Suki was in. She was about to knock but she turned to Aang.

"Will you check on my brother?"

"What? Why me?"

"Because someone has to and I think it should be a guy!" She hissed at him.

"I don't know what to say to him, I'm not married or even engaged!" He argued quietly. She was about to retort when she saw her father coming up the stairs.

"Dad, will you go check on Sokka?"

Hakoda looked from the Avatar to his daughter, wondering why he was up there with her.

"Sure, I was just coming up to share some words of wisdom." He said slowly, his eyes not leaving Aang until he walked up to the door. He knocked and was asked to enter, closing the door behind him.

"Okay, he's good. I'm going back down." He whispered and kissed her on the cheek, walking back down the stairs quietly. Katara sighed and knocked on the door.

"It's open." She heard softly from behind the wooden door. Katara slipped inside and closed the door behind her. Suki was sitting on a simple chair in front of an antique vanity. Her timeless kimono was emerald green with a gold obi, her train about two feet long. Her hair was still as perfect as it was this morning and her warrior paint was worn with pride. A smile played on her lips as she looked at Katara in the mirror.

"Hey."

"Hey. You okay?" Katara asked, coming over and taking the chair next to her.

"I think so. Just nerves," she paled and tried to steady her heart racing beneath all the silk.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She smiled, clutching the little bouquet of pink and white. Her dark blue eyes searched Katara's ocean blue for reassurance.

"You will be fine. Don't even start second guessing."

"I'm not. I just wonder if he is."

"How could he possibly?"

"I'm no Yue… He loved her so much that he made sure a bay was named after her. I mean… how can I compete with that?" She murmured and looked down.

"Suki, you can't."

"Thanks, that makes me feel a whole lot better." She scoffed.

"No I mean she is not your competitor. Sokka loved her very much, but when she gave her life to become the moon spirit, she took a part of Sokka with her. He failed to protect her from that ending and he was broken. He wasn't sure how he could love someone if he couldn't protect them. And then you came into his life. You, the strong Kyoshi Warrior who has protected him and handled yourself with complete confidence. He needed exactly you. You fit into his life like you were made for him. He may be the brains, but you've got the will power to execute a plan. You've proved that during the war and even with this wedding. "

Suki smiled again and looked back to her friend.

"Now let's go get you two hitched so you can spend every moment together!"

Suki laughed and they both stood, lacing fingers together and walking out into the hallway. They met Hakoda and he smiled looking at the blushing bride, though you couldn't tell with all the paint.

"Hakoda," she smiled.

"Come here." He said and opened his arms wide for her. She came forwards and accepted his embrace, a tear threatening to streak out of the corner of her eye. "I guess I have two favorite daughters now."

"Dad stop, you'll make her cry." Katara said, already on the verge of tears herself.

"Can't have that…" He said and pressed a kiss to her hair. She smiled again.

"Is Sokka downstairs?" Suki asked.

"Yes. Just waiting for you dear."

"How is he?" She wondered, still nervous.

"He's fine. A little scared but I talked to him and now. To quote him, 'Nothing in life comes freely, even happiness. You have to take action to make your own happiness'. "

Suki found resolve in those words and held her head higher, her flowers in both hands and almost ran down the stairs, followed closely by the father-daughter team. She stood at the base of the stairs and her body slowly carried her forward until she was standing at the end of the aisle.

Katara and Hakoda took their places in the back and everyone turned in their seats, all eyes on Suki. She was only watching one thing; the painted warrior at the other end of the aisle. His bright blue eyes shined in the lantern light and his light blue clothing echoed the sky earlier in the day. He was smiling and she was unaware of the hundreds of people around her, his gaze pulling her forward. He wore his paint proudly, just like she did and she was so happy they had decided on a warrior wedding; what they were at heart. He held her hand out to her and she took his hand, walking up to the platform and kneeling on the two cushions set out for them. They faced each other and the official started to speak. After his speech and their murmured acceptances of each other they stood and faced each other. All too soon the time came for their kiss. The kiss that would seal their marriage. Suki threw her arms around his neck and dropped her flowers, he leaned down and fully captured her lips in his own, earning a few hoots and whistles from the crowd. It took them a while to separate and when they did, they just stared at each other, smiling and laughing.

People started to clap and they turned to their friends and families, holding each other's hands.

….

The party had been going on for some time. Meals had been finished. The first dances were out of the way and the band was playing exciting loud music. Wine was being passed around like it was free. Some of the older folks had left, leaving their gifts beside the bridal table and giving their congratulations. It was mainly just friends and family left at that point.

Suki and Sokka were whispering to each other in the corner between make out sessions. Katara overheard Suki say something to him.

"Sokka stop, you'll smear my paint."

"Come with me and I'll smear it all over." He said and she laughed, being dragged out of the ballroom early and letting everyone else enjoy the festivities. Katara laughed and downed her fourth glass of wine. She was a lightweight, her face hot from being drunk. Aang sat with her, only having two glasses and looked to her.

"What's so funny?"

"The happy couple gave us the slip. Look." She pointed to their empty table.

"It's a good thing they hired someone to clean this place up after tonight. Hey, I think you've had enough." He advised as she grabbed the bottle.

"Oh come one! One more won't hurt!" She contested and poured herself a glass, then him one. She raised her glass to him.

"To love." She gestured; her cheeks entirely flushed.

"To love." He laughed and clinked his glass with hers, watching her down her last glass of the night. He took his time with his, drinking it slowly over a few minutes.

"I guess I should have figured it out sooner, huh?" A voice behind them came. Aang turned to see Hakoda standing with softness in his eyes. "You two. You're together." Katara didn't seem to hear her father, looking out onto the dance floor and laughing at someone who had slipped.

"Yes. I'm sorry we didn't take the time to tell you."

"You don't need to apologize, she should have written me, but what's done is done. I'm happy for you both. I know you'll take care of her. Just…" He laid a hand on Aang's shoulder. "Keep her safe and make her happy." He warned and patted him.

"I will, I promise." He affirmed.

"I'll see you tomorrow afternoon Avatar Aang." He walked off toward Katara's gran. Aang took in the rest of his wine and was tugged on by his sweetheart.

"Aang, let's dance again!"

"Are you sure?" He asked and smiled, putting down his glass. "We've danced so much already."

"But you're such a good dancer and it's fun and listen to this song, it's so upbeat, come on!" She slurred together, pulling him up from his chair and racing towards the crowded dance floor. He laughed as she twirled under his arms, dancing so playfully and looking so seductive at the same time, it was almost unbearable. He started to feel a little lightheaded from the alcohol and rested his forehead against hers once he caught her. He felt like his skin was burning and hers was no better. She was swaying with him with her eyes closed and started to chuckle for no reason. He knew she was far gone.

"Come on." He mumbled and took her hand.

"Where are we going?" She practically yelled.

"I'm taking you home."

"Aw, but the real party just began!"

"Katara, trust me. We need to get you home before you make a fool of yourself."

"No I won't!" She tried to fight and he pressed onwards, pulling her off the dance floor and towards the doors, her arguing the whole way. Aang looked over his shoulders and saw Hakoda sitting at a table, laughing at his daughter's drunken display and saluted Aang, wishing him luck in trying to tame such a stubborn waterbender. He rolled his eyes and pushed the door open, the cool night air hitting his face and giving him some relief from the heat inside the ballroom.

"Fine!" She finally spat out, admitting defeat. "I'll go home, but you have to stay with me!"

"That was the plan."

"Okay then." She said in a softer tone, taking his hands and walking to her house. Somewhere along the path they had stopped and kissed a few times. A few times he had pressed her body against a cool stone building; sometimes she dragged him into a dark alley. Either way, they stumbled through her front door lips locked. Aang kicked the door closed and she pressed him against the door, easily undoing his outer robes and letting them fall to the floor. He slipped out of his shoes and she kicked hers off quickly, giving him a very heated kiss and then backing away, walking to the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" He asked, walking into her house further in just his sash and pants.

"It's a habit of mine!" She shouted, getting into the pantry and pulling out the red box he had given her so many weeks ago. She came back into the living room and grabbed him by his sash.

"Come with me!" She chuckled and stumbled a bit, walking back to her bedroom. She let go of him at the doorway and sat on her made bed, pulling her legs up and setting the box in front of her. She motioned for him to come over to the bed and he did, rubbing the back of his neck as he sat down. She opened the box and only two strawberries were left.

"You and I are going to finish this box off together. I like to eat one on special days and today is very special." She said, her face completely red.

"Yes it is. It was a beautiful ceremony." He agreed softly, smiling at her. She laughed and took one for herself, laying back and eating it slowly.

"I thought they were never going to stop sucking face!" She complained with her mouth full, laughing and chewing at the same time. Aang ate half of his in one bite.

"Yeah, I thought that kiss was never going to end." He said, his mouth full too.

"They make a good couple though; they are perfect for each other." She amended, taking another bite. They ate in silence and she finished hers, leaning back up and sliding the box off the bed. Aang swallowed his last bit and smiled to her as their gazes locked. She laughed and put a hand on her lap.

"What?" He asked, chuckling with her.

"You have chocolate all over your face." She laughed harder and crawled towards him, feeling so out of balance.

"Where?" he laughed, trying to lick it off.

"Here." She said with a seductive smile and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down into her. She licked the chocolate off of him and he blushed deeper than he had been. Both of them felt flames inside of them flicker on and he turned his head, catching her lips in his again. She moaned softly and pulled him back with her, laying down with him over her. He let his tongue explore her mouth lazily, the alcohol really taking effect on both of them. She gripped his body with her thighs and his breath was coming short. He lifted up from her and took off his sash, feeling extremely hot, and tossing it into the corner. Before he knew it she was tossing her dress over to the corner and he was tracing the lines of her body, covered only by thin white bindings. Katara took her hair out of her bun and let the braids spray around her pillows. She pulled him back down and their make out session continued, him trailing his tongue down the side of her neck and making her moan his name; a sound so incredible to him, he would give anything to make her do it again. His hand slipped up her side and over a covered breast, palming her and squeezing her flesh. It enticed another raspy groan from her lips, her back arching into him.

Somewhere in all of this, a voice in his head told him to stop and he pulled back.

"What's wrong?" She slurred.

"We can't do this. This isn't right."

"Aang, I want you." She admitted, giving him bedroom eyes that could have thrown his argument out the window had he had just one more glass of wine. "Baby please, take me." She purred to him, licking her lips.

"I want you too, Spirits I want you so badly Katara. But not like this. It has to be special. Drunk after your brother's wedding is not special. You deserve better than that."

She huffed in frustration and looked away from him. He framed her face and tilted her to look back at him.

"I love you Katara. And I think this would be disrespectful. We can only do this once. It has to be perfect. Please understand." He pleaded with her. She was silent, her eyes drifting open and closed.

"Just… stay." She said softly.

"I promise." He cooed and rolled off her, letting her curl into his side. He kissed her tenderly on the lips and she whispered her love for him before falling into a deep sleep. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled the covers over them, knowing he made the right choice.