The Other Woman

Katuki: KataraxSuki

The night was full of sounds from the creaking house and chirping crickets. Katara lay awake in her room, twisting in her sheets and sighing as if someone could hear her. The Kyoshi Warriors were kind enough to give them a place to spend the night until they moved on, and Katara wondered if maybe they would be awake this late. Especially Suki. She really hoped Suki would still be up, but couldn't name why.

She slipped out of the room into the wooden hall, but found that she was still alone. It was cold in the house, so she wrapped up in her old furs to just sit in the hallway.

The sound of footsteps woke her from her near-sleep several minutes later. Katara barely saw a female shape moving toward her in the dark hall.

"Sokka," said the girl. "Is that you? I thought I heard something." She approached in the night, seeing the furred body against the wall. Katara said nothing, recognizing Suki, but still unsure of herself.

"Are you cold? I can get you some blankets." Suki bent at her hips to be face-to-face with the hall-dweller. "Why aren't you answering me, Sokka?"

Under her hood, Katara knew she would have to respond, but was overwhelmed with the urge to remain silent. When Suki mentioned her brother it made Katara sad. But again, she did not understand it.

That was the problem around Suki. Katara never comprehended a thing. She wanted to be around her, watch her fight, keep her safe, and see her smile. She wanted her to be happy, but that meant Sokka was in the picture, and for some reason, that felt wrong.

Katara said, "Do you usually walk around the house this late?"

Taken aback by a girl's voice, Suki stood erect again. She said lowly, "Katara, I didn't know that was you. Are you alright?"

"I'm restless. It happens when I get nervous." She folded her arms and sniffled.

"Are you nervous about your friends?" she asked.

The Waterbender did not answer.

Crouching in front of Katara, Suki said, "Whatever it is, I know you're a very strong person, Katara. You would never let anything bad happen to your friends. I think that's such a noble way to act. You're very noble." She came closer, still very serious, "Can I help you with anything?"

Heart flickering, Katara felt that the darkness had become some sort of cover to make her brave. She felt bold for just a moment, and leaned forward.

Their mouths touched, neither one of them pulling back, until Katara gently breathed, "Can you pretend that never happened?"

The distance between their lips was miniscule when Suki responded, "Do I have to?"

The Waterbender leaned away, suddenly very upset with her actions. The darkness had betrayed her.

She rose to go back in her room. Suki followed, now completely confused. When Katara turned around saying, "Sokka would be furious," her voice was so heartbreaking it made Suki want to cry.

The door closed, leaving Suki in the hall, breathing hard, and Katara in the room, wiping tears from her pillow.

The door clicked open.

Suki stood silently, watching Katara stare back.

She said, "What just happened, Katara? I know you're not going to sleep tonight. I won't either." The other girl could not find the words to describe her turmoil; a choked sigh made its way from her lungs.

Suki did not wait for another answer, crawling in to the bed next to the crying girl. She wrapped her arm around her waist and touched the hair above her forehead.

"Suki, I- I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm so sorry. Please, you don't have to stay," struggled Katara.

The Kyoshi girl kissed her hand lightly. "Do you want me to leave?"

Katara shook her head.

"I'll stay then," she whispered. "Hey, at least we'll be warm this way, right?"

That night they pressed together, Suki holding Katara, touching her forehead against the base of her neck. And they slept very well.

They did not speak about that night until nearly half a year later. Katara continued her life with Aang after the war, and Suki stayed with Sokka. However, it became very clear to both of them that they were not happy in their relationships.

Sneaking out into the other's room, they would spend nights together, wrapped in the sheets. They longed for physical contact during the day, seeing each other from across a courtyard or dining hall. Sometimes Katara would brush her fingers along Suki's arm if no one could see, eliciting a small blush.

It did not take long for the Waterbender to break up with her boyfriend. Poor Aang could find no way to console himself, until he turned to Toph for comfort. Katara was happy to see them together.

Suki took much longer to leave Sokka. At night, when she was buried in Katara's embrace she would sometimes cry and apologize to her secret lover. She never wanted Katara to be the "other woman," but could not tear herself away from the girl's brother. She was afraid to hurt the young man who had saved her life so many times.

Katara understood, and was in no rush to push Suki away from him, but their secrets were becoming harder to keep. Other people started to notice the way they looked at each other. Mai and Zuko pulled Katara aside one evening, seeming very nervous and unwilling to explain.

After several long moments, Mai said, "You can't do this to your brother. It's not fair."

Zuko nodded despondently.

He said, "If you love her, you need to be honest about it. Wait for her. Let her break up with Sokka before you start seeing her again."

Near tears, Katara agreed. She told Suki that she would not let her be unfaithful to the boy she was dating, but would wait until her heart was free again.

The depression hit Suki very hard. Living without seeing Katara was like trying to fight without arms or legs. She couldn't take it anymore, and made her decision. Slouching to Sokka's room, she knocked on his door with a grimace. She told him everything.

Sokka did not handle this information well. But he handled it.

He was furious with his sister for about a week, but she begged him for forgiveness until he couldn't stand to see her so unhappy anymore. Suki and Katara needed each other.

Besides, once he was on the market again, Ty Lee was practically attached to his arm.

The burden of secrecy had been lifted, leaving the girls with just themselves for the first time. They could kiss, and did so often, and spend the nights together without worrying that they would be caught.

They sat against a wall, much like their first nighttime meeting, with Katara leaning into Suki's body.

"I have something to tell you," murmured Suki. She looked down into bright blue eyes.

"That night on Kyoshi Island- I knew it wasn't Sokka in the hall. I knew it was you. I thought if I pretended it was him, I could accidentally kiss you. But you did all the work for me."

Katara smiled, wanting to laugh. "I should have figured. Honestly, I thought you might slap me. But I'm really glad you kissed back instead." They cuddled closer and watched the stars from a window.

That night they each said, "I love you" for the first time before going to bed.

xxxxx