And now we enter AU territory, and with longer lead-ins.
Epilogue
When Sokka is closest to Ty Lee, it's a bit sad to say that it was because he met her first.
It's sad to think of how much could change on a child's dilemma: to ride the Unagi, or go to a circus on tour? We know of what occurred one way, which actually goes to show us how similar it would have been had it gone another.
Tell me if you've heard the tale. Back-country bumpkin with an ego two sizes larger than his brain goes to new location, sees exotic skills done by a girl. Boy opens mouth, spouts misogynist bull crap, angers girl who initially had open opinion, and gets humiliated and beat up by said girl.
Said boy realizes error of his ways, begs for forgiveness in front of girl, begs to be taught. Girl agrees on specific terms, humiliates his masculinity, and is gradually re-impressed by both his willingness to go along with it and his ability to learn.
A certain Fire Nation Prince, chasing the Avatar, arrives. Chaos erupts: flames start burning, and the Avatar must flee. In a quick moment surrounded by flames, boy gives heartfelt apology, girl accepts, and boy is rewarded with his first kiss on the cheek not from his mother before fleeing.
Most of the tale goes the same way, with minor changes. When they do meet, Sokka and Suki start on much better terms, with much less friction-turn-attraction. His attention, and sighs, are directed elsewhere. As was said, the ease of difference might be a bit sad.
What is not sad, however, is just about everything else. What is not sad is the confusion and comedic value of their reunion, and realization that they are on separate sides. What is not sad is the flirtatious way in which Ty Lee fights, or how much the drama frustrates Sokka's sister (and amuses his friends). What is not sad is the actual drama and serious conversation that occurs in the heart of Ba Sing Se when she captures him and they finally, truly talk to each other, about each other, about the war, about their loyalties. What is not sad is the underlying development from kiddy flirtation to mature thoughts and concerns. What is not sad (but a bit heavy) is their actual connection and development as, over a variety of situations, they both accept that she isn't an eternally peppy airhead, and he isn't… well, he isn't just the Sokka that's easy to caricature as comedic relief.
What isn't sad (except to Azula) is the prison break, the ultimate betrayal and escape, and a few episode sub-plot of finally accepting it all.
It's comedic, flashy, and fun, but at the same time there's an undeniably adult undertone of questioned loyalties, exotic allure, and hidden seriousness that shouldn't but does surprise everyone when it rears its head.
Which, when you think about it in those terms, suits Sokka perfectly.
After the War, Sokka continued his travels with his girlfriend Ty Lee, 'running away with the Circus' as friends and family liked to put it. And a circus it could be called: bright, colorful, and cheerful everywhere they went, leaving the same behind them, the two spent some time righting wrongs, spreading happiness, and overall making the tired, bitter world a more energetic and happy place as they enjoyed being themselves with each other. Though age and responsibility did bring them to eventually settle down and at least act mature most of the time, it never took away their happiness towards life, or each other, nor did it ever stop them from the occasional free-spirited adventure on a whim.