Chapter 39: Keep Me Bound

"Come on, come on—"

"Hold on, let me—"

"It's okay, I'll try to—"

"It won't take me long, let me— oh, oh, wait..."

Located close to the shelters in the western wing of the palace was a particular storage room. People passing by the place would've mistaken the grunts, pants, and clatter behind closed doors for something of quite the intimate nature, but they wouldn't see that on the other end was the Northern princess struggling to step out of her Kuunnguaq persona. That, too, without being smushed against the prince, who was doing his best to help turn her outer robe inside-out to evoke the white side of the robe as quickly as possible— a simple task somehow made complicated thanks to the time restraint and their directionless fumbling.

"Wait, I got it!"

"Thank goodness—"

"No problem— oow!"

"Sokka, are you okay—?!"

"No worries, just the wall," he tried to shift to where he could get a better angle, "Man, this place is cramped. You'd expect a storage room in a palace, of all places, to be a bit more spacious."

"Sorry, this was the next best thing," she took the robe from him and quickly cast it back over herself, "There would at least be privacy here. Everywhere else, people are running around."

"I understand. Every sacrifice counts."

She sighed, struggling to hide a torn sleeve beneath the robe as she mumbled, "An hour ago, I distrusted the idea of companionship, and here I am now, playing matchmaker." A shrug, "It's a balanced world."

He couldn't help a knowing smile only to have their moment of reprieve be interrupted by harsh banging and a shrill voice of a guardsman on the other end that knocked them out of their moccasins. "HEY! I get you're desperate, but wait 'till you get home!" More grumbling followed by the sound of retreating footsteps, "This is what happens if you hire newlyweds as servants…"

The prince and princess gawked at each other for a moment before chuckling nervously.

"Don't listen to him—" they paused, realizing they said the same thing simultaneously only to laugh it off and go back to their awkward struggling.

Sokka watched her cast her dark mask and veil off in haste, and as she fished for the white mask and veil that she kept in one of the inside pockets, her silk locks unfurled from their confines and cascaded down like a long waterfall, capturing his full attention. Yue gave an impatient huff, brushing back her hair only to have it over her face and block her view again. The Arctic zephyrs that slipped in through the cracks in the window teased her long locks over his face.

"Sorry," she quickly brushed her hair away from his flushed form, "Sorry—"

"It's okay, really," his eyebrows furrowed in concern as the impatience on her face turned to annoyance.

"Ugh," she leaned against the wall, closing her eyes, "This shouldn't be taking me this long, what's wrong with me…?"

"Hey, now, we've only been in here for three minutes at the most. Relax." Casting a glance at her hair, "I can hold your hair out of the way, if you want…If you're cool with it, I mean..."

Blinking, "Oh...sure, thanks. That would be a huge help."

He was overly careful in his grasp as he submitted to the reality that her hair was softer than ipomoea petals. He had the sudden urge to braid her hair, reminded of his basket-making lessons from his childhood years, but he resisted it. Her curls kept dropping like waterfalls, slipping from his hands as if he was trying to contain waves of milk in his palms. His efforts to gather the luscious locks resulted in him accidentally kicking a bucket of whale-oil grease in the corner, causing it to splash across the floor.

"Sorry, my bad!" Sokka yelped and quickly scooped up her hair, holding it up before it could be covered by the grease. "Phew…seriously, who leaves a bucket of grease sitting around?"

"I can bend it back into the bucket, no problem," Yue said, but she found that her movement was restricted given the fact that the previous commotion had caused them to bump into each other, and their necklaces, having been flailing in time with their movements, had gotten tangled together in the process.

"Allow me," and after a brief moment of thought, "Until then, I guess I'll just…" and he ended up draping her hair over his own shoulder, making sure her locks didn't touch the ground. The waterfall of white spilled from around his shoulders like a thick overcoat, reaching his stomach given its length.

"It's okay, isumataq," she held back an amused smile, "you don't have to be so careful—"

"It's fine, really. It won't be good if this muck gets in your hair."

His fingers reached for their intertwined necklaces next, threading between the knots that had formed. The necklaces reminded them of their arrangement that was yet to come, bringing a flutter to their insides. Yue, especially, felt nervous about how fast everything was moving, how she and the isumataq were being swept away by the universe's playful currents...though Sokka didn't seem to display that kind of nervousness. Not openly, at least.

"Sokka... are you sure about this?"

"About what?"

"About this," she gestured to their necklaces.

"No need to worry, dronningi," he reassured with a grin, "You see, back down South, I specialized in the science of special knots. There's this butterfly knot that I mastered, and then I invented the octopus and Arctic hippo knots and taught 'em to so many tribefolk. And the response you get for knot mastery, it's insane, I tell ya."

"It's good to know you're a knot specialist," she giggled, "But I was actually talking about...you know, our plan. The arrangement, I mean."

"Oh…" blinking back at the necklaces with a sheepish little flush, "Yeah, that makes more sense…" His gaze trailed up to her, "Are you having second thoughts?"

"I'm wondering how you're taking this."

Fiddling with the pendants, "I was the mastermind, remember?"

"You don't feel...uncomfortable?"

"Do you feel uncomfortable?"

Taking a deep breath, "I feel like I'm using you. I don't want to have to look back at my life and see that I reached chiefdom by using someone like this..."

"I told you you're not using me, Baby Blue," he told her. "You would be using me if you were deceiving me and didn't care about me at all, or if you forgot about me after the fact. This arrangement isn't like that. It's a mutual understanding. Like an undercover operation, remember?"

But the guilt never left her look. "Isumataq, I value you as a person. I don't want things to get uncomfortable for you. You deserve more than a fake marriage... more than playing pretend husband to uphold someone else's reign..." She didn't make eye contact, but she could sense him looking at her as she spoke. "You're deserving of real affection."

"I'm also deserving of the honor of being your sidekick, don't you think?" His fingers slowly drew out the conch pendant from the knot that had it bound to the La pendant.

"And who knows, dronningi," there was a hopeful lilt in his voice that was masked with a tone of mischief, "Maybe the cards will be in my favor and you'll fall in love with me one day. That'll make it all real and convenient for us, won't it?"

To which she finally looked up at him. The look on his face was soft, his eyes smiling at first, then quickly widening with realization. Why on earth did I say that out loud?!

"Uh...just kidding, I was just kidding, it was a stupid joke…"

But by then, she was already intrigued. "Love, hm?" she turned around, working a sash around her waist within the cramped space she was allotted, "That's not something you'd expect to hear from the president of the Anti-Sappiness Association."

"I...well…" the waterfall of her hair unwound from his shoulders and plunged into the vicinity of his hands, and under the haze of distraction, the isumataq's subconscious took the reins from there. His digits disappeared into the overwhelmingly abundant mesh of glimmering white, separating it into three sections.

"Unless your indifference was all a lie," the princess continued, a tiny smirk in her voice, "and you had other ulterior motives all along...?"

"The only ulterior motive I have is to be your partner-in-crime, dronningi," he continued to weave her hair.

"Are you sure it's not to crush my pride and make me fall for you?" she teased, "Because if that's the case, you know it's going to take a lot more than a shirtless rendezvous."

"Hey now, that really was an accident," he blushed. "Besides, your pride is my pride. I won't let anything crush it."

"That's what they all say."

"Come on, Princess, you know I'm harmless."

She turned back around, her baby blue eyes lit ablaze with amusement as he draped the finished braid over her shoulder. Her look zeroed in on the meticulous weave, eyebrows raised.

"Uh, yeah...it just sort of happened…" he said, "I-I thought it would be convenient—"

"I'm not saying it's wrong. In fact, that was my next step." Grinning, "You saved me a lot of time."

"Oh...hehe…"

"And it's quite impressive," her palms smoothed over his skill.

"I practiced on Katara's hair a few times when we were little."

"And she let you?"

"Well...I kind of practiced on her dolls' hair, too, whenever she didn't cooperate," he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, "But I was six, okay?"

"No worries," she laughed, "Six is when we're still innocent. Not exposed to pointless constructs."

Smirking, "Categories, am I right?"

"Tell me about it." She wound her braid up into a bun and covered her face and hair with a white mask and veil, "Well, how do I look?

With a spark in his eyes, "Dronningiujattit." Like a princess.

It was crazy how she easily transitioned into a different kind of body language. She had changed her gait into a controlled, more graceful rhythm, her feet treading lightly yet quickly across the snow in contrast to the more grounded "power walk" that signified her Kuunnguaq persona. The look in her eyes was calmer, more regal compared to Kuunnguaq's intensity, and the effortlessness of her transitions never ceased to amaze him.

Their journey to the shelters was quick, but in spite of the lack of significant distance, they remained unnoticed, for the Revivalists were distracted by a middle-aged man and his older son, who were shouting obscenities at the top of their lungs.

"I'll meet you there in two minutes," Yue told Sokka. "Think you have it covered?"

"No problem."

The father-son duo raising the ruckus were unyielding in their pursuits, demanding that they have Qaasan be dragged out of the building, for they were too proud to step into what they believed was a "sanctuary for spoiled women."

"Qaasan! Come out, you disgrace of the family!" the older man roared in the direction of the entrance, barely held back by a few guards and Revivalist men.

"If you call yourself a man of honor and dignity, let go of that wench right this instant and get your ass over here!" the brother followed.

"It's because he's a man of honor and dignity," Sokka stepped in, "that he's keeping his promise and not abandoning the woman he loves." His glare deepened, "Unlike people like you who take to their heels instead of standing by their family in times of tragedy."

"Prince Sokka, I believe you know not to interfere when you don't know the entire context," the father's frown deepened as he finally saw Qaasan standing by the door of the entrance, his hand firmly holding Iska's as he glared at his father. The older man turned to his obedient son, "What are you standing around for? Drag your brother over here!"

The younger man glowered in the direction of Qaasan, "You're not staying here a minute longer."

Qaasan pulled Iska behind him, refusing to let go of her much to his family's rage as he hissed, "I'm not leaving—"

"We'll see about that—!"

But Sokka stopped the brother before he could charge forward and shoved him back. The tribesman staggered backward, caught in his father's arms.

"Isumataq! Don't tell us you've fallen into these people's trap, too—"

"It's no trap, it's justice," came the fierce response. "Justice isn't something that stops at the misconception that people are objects to be spoiled. It means sticking to the truth, having an honest, dignified character."

"You think us looking out for our reputation is dishonesty?" the father flared.

"The minute you accepted their alliance, you accepted Iska into your family," Sokka boomed, "Instead of avenging the injustice that was done to her, you and your family try to separate Qaasan from her and run away like cowardly leech-pigs? If that's not dishonesty, let alone decency of character, then I don't know what is."

Qaasan's father fumed at the insult, "Last I checked, you're the prince of the South, so go rule the people there with this nonsensical 'justice' of yours."

"Nonsense, huh?" the isumataq crossed his arms, "On second thought, no comment. You know what they say; arguing with fools is a waste of energy—"

"You're crossing your limits, Prince Sokka," Qaasan's brother flared, "This is our personal issue, and your interference is not needed."

"He's my son," the older man added, pointing to Qaasan, "And I have all rights over him!"

"Too bad your son is old enough to decide what he wants for his future and not a tiny baby for you to take charge of every minute of his life!"

"You've made a valid point, Prince Sokka."

The voice belonged to the princess, who came into view and garnered all the attention in the premises. The sheen of her white robes sizzled beneath the spilling moonlight, complementing the determined fire in her eyes.

"Qaasan and Iska have both met the age requirement for being majors," she told the father-son duo. "They are allowed to choose partners of their liking without your absolute involvement. All rights to their autonomy are protected under the revised Water Tribe Law Code."

"No such rule exists—!"

"You didn't get the memo?" Sokka said. "Under Her Highness's leadership, several executive orders were passed and were announced yesterday afternoon."

"Forcing anyone under the legal marrying age of sixteen into a marriage falls under child abuse," Yue explained. "Perpetrators will be tried under Section Fourteen of the revised Code. Section Fifteen documents that tribefolk from ages sixteen to eighteen are of marrying age but must receive the approvals of parents or guardians. And under Section Sixteen, tribefolk aged nineteen and above with no known medical conditions that impair their judgment and capabilities are considered majors. Autonomous individuals who do not need the approval of their parents or guardians for legal issues, which include marriage."

"Which means whether you like it or not, no one gives a fuck, Uncle Blubberhead," Sokka said.

"We fall under Master Khasiq's leadership," the brother announced, "You Revivalist scum are unnecessarily placing the blame on our leader to eliminate his jurisdiction!"

"You and your dad still believe that piece of yakshit is innocent? Even after the White Lotus announced that investigations of your precious leader are in place?" Sokka asked, incredulous. "His involvement with Kinji, deceiver extraordinaire? And the masses supposedly whooping Kinji's ass and castrating him before sending him to La's hell? Does none of that ring a bell for you folks?"

"You're purposely trying to divert the topic to an unrelated incident!"

"Unrelated? Either you've been sleeping under a glacier all this time or you simply cannot fathom logic—"

"We are under Master Khasiq's jurisdiction!" the father exclaimed, turning to the princess, "And you have no say in this matter!"

"I understand where you are coming from, but it does not matter to me which jurisdiction one's parents support," she said, remaining calm. "If any individual approaches me, they are sure to be protected under my leadership. I will not tolerate your favorite candidate's dangerously outdated regulations and violent heresies."

"In the name of justice, you and your band of dimwits are committing grave sins—!"

"You shouldn't be the one to talk about sins," Sokka pointed out, "'Cause if you really want to, I can drag yours into the street. Not like I should try too hard since everyone here can clearly see your support for a serial rapist."

"Our leader has been wrongly accused! You're the ones ruining the dignity of the Water Tribe! Getting worthy, respectable men married off to whores—!"

"You will not disrupt public decency this way," Yue raised her voice, a glare in her eyes that chilled the man's bones, "Nor will you slander against respectable persons and expect to get away with it."

"Let me guess, there's a section for that?" the brother spat. "Well we don't need to take this from a princess who's likely as spoiled as the women here. Spirits know what exactly those imposters from the Earth Kingdom—AAAHHH!" He was cut short by the hand that struck his cheek and sent him in a whirl, the weight of the slap slamming against his cheekbone. The wide-eyed man tumbled backward and fell in the ice, his face paled from shock and a degree of fear from the impact of what happened, quivering digits landing upon bruised skin.

"Prince Sokka! Stand down!" Yue exclaimed.

Kanguq and Aput raced over to the Southern prince, coaxing him backward, but even then, the isumataq was scowling in the direction of the man, who was being held up by his incensed father. "One more word against our sisters here or our dronningi, and you'll be thrown in prison under grounds of public indecency," Sokka hissed at the stricken man.

"You dare raise your hand against my son—?!"

"I have no qualms about raising my hand against you next."

Intimidation prompted the older man to glare in the direction of his disobedient second son one last time, deciding to end either this conflict or the family bond— whichever course of action would ensure his "reputation." "If you don't come with us right now, you will never be allowed in my house again," the man told Qaasan. "Even if I can't physically cut you off from our bloodline, you will be cut off from the will and the family."

"Qaasan," Iska tried to gather herself together as she spoke through his tears, "If you don't go now, you'll never be able to undo this. You don't need to do this, you—"

"I'm not leaving you," he frowned determinedly, tightening his hold of his lover as he announced to his father, "Iska is my family from now on, and we don't need your money." Turning to the prince, "Please get these people away from here, isumataq. They're a threat and a public nuisance."

The father scoffed, "Then I will consider my youngest dead from now on." And with that, he began storming away from the shelters. The older brother, still reeling back from the shock of being stricken, glared at Qaasan, unable to take the moment of rebellion as well as their father did— a fact that was highly evident in his expression even as he was being dragged away.

By now, many of the surrounding people began to snap back into reality, their attention heading over to the princess, who yet again appeared to their aid. The Revivalist security's focus shifted to the isumataq and the dronningi in a matter of seconds, Qaasan and Iska left vulnerable for a mere few seconds. And yet, that slot of time proved to be just the moment of distraction that Qaasan's enraged brother had been anticipating. Driven by his craze for reputation and prestige, the tribesman broke out of his defeated father's grip, abruptly knocked over a guard with his extensive build and grabbed hold of the guard's spear, and with a war cry, he launched it in the direction of Iska.

"Look out!" Sayen quickly pulled Iska out of the way, her shriek jolting through the crowd as the spear sped in her direction, hurling towards her stomach. Her brain froze as did her reflexes, leaving her numb with horror. Kanguq, wide-eyed, raced for his wife amid harsh cries, the momentum of the weapon seemingly unstoppable… Only for the sharp end of the spear to suddenly come to an abrupt halt, for it was wedged between gloved fingers which were enclosed in a fist, the sharp end piercing through the fabric of the gloves instead of tearing through Sayen's skin. Shock seeped over the pale Revivalist as she saw that the arrow was barely a centimeter away from piercing her, the catastrophe thwarted by the gloved hand of none other than the princess. The leader of the North inched the spear away from Sayen, glaring daggers at the equally surprised perpetrator.

Everyone gawked at the spectacle in shock and immense relief as Kanguq frantically pulled Sayen back and Qaasan nestled Iska in his protective grip. Sokka, however, felt a sharp, indescribable pang in his chest. "Dronningi!" he cried in the haze of his panic, glaring daggers at Qaasan's brother with a booming command to the guards, "ARREST HIM!"

And as the guards pinned down the culprit, Sokka darted over to the princess, throwing the spear to the side and taking a look at her gloves, which were torn from the force of the blade at the sharp end of the spear. "Your Highness, are you okay?!"

"I'm fine, isumataq—"

"Are you sure?! Let me see your hands!"

"Calm down, Sokka," she removed her torn gloves, assuring him with her intact hands. "See? The perks of wearing gloves. You happy now?"

His frantic look melted into softness as he ran his fingers gently over her hands, checking for scratches but not finding anything. "You're really okay, right? You don't feel any pain in your hands—"

"No, I'm perfectly fine."

"Thank the universe…"

Yue briefly turned towards Sayen, who was still coming down from the shock of what happened, held closely by her husband. "Are you alright, Sayen?"

"Yes...yes, Your Highness," with a gulp, "I can't thank you enough…"

Sokka cast a look at Qaasan and Iska, "There's no greater chance. Before anyone else comes running to separate you two, you need to get hitched."

Osha's predictions bore fruit, the prince and princess realized as they led Qaasan and Iska to the Moon Temple. The priestess, along with a few angakkuit who had stayed behind to prepare the wedding feast in advance, had been waiting for them in the ritual chamber, which had been decorated for the ceremony earlier. The angakkuit, in spite of showcasing their irritation for the isumataq, remained oblivious to the truth that the masked princess was their Tuiup paninga. The same couldn't be said for the priestess, however, given her shamanistic prowess, and the older woman couldn't help flashing Sokka and Yue a knowing smile before she seated the bride and groom opposite one another and dove into the rituals.

"So does this mean she knows you're…?" Sokka asked the princess.

"Yes," she said in contemplation. "It's always been understood. We've never openly discussed it."

Meanwhile, the fact that all other arrangements had been made beforehand in anticipation of their wedding completely delighted the reunited lovers and made them feel blessed by the Spirits, almost as if Tui and La themselves had affirmed their union. With the Revivalists standing in to represent the elders, friends, and guests, everything went by fairly quickly, wrapping up in the span of a half-hour. Before long, the passionate lovers were united in matrimony. It was quite a symbolic moment, many felt, for following such an intense rescue mission packed with heart-wrenching realities was a moment of permanent union, and that, too, a product of persistent affection and a genuine promise of healing as opposed to a forced marriage. This was perhaps the greatest signifier yet that brighter days were to come for the victims. That they were beings in themselves and not objects, that they were wanted and loved no less.

Soon enough, the highs of the ceremony simmered into celebration, laughter filling the temple's exquisite courtyard. The angakkuit, representatives of success and abundance, set up the feast as per Moon Temple tradition, and in the meantime, everyone else gathered by the pillars and partook in the consumption of celebratory sweets, which were none other than the prince's offerings to the Goddess.

"I see Tui made sure your cream puffs didn't go to waste," Yue beamed at him.

"She has a soft spot for me, obviously," came his smug response, "You know, because I'm La. Co-keeper of the Wolf Moon."

"Oh, of course."

"Sure wish Kuunnguaq was here to see this, though," he gave her a knowing grin.

"Well...Kuunnguaq doesn't attend celebrations anymore," she said, taking another bite out of her fudge puff. "There was a point when she did. She was basically at all of these people's weddings. But for the past three years, she stopped."

"Is it because it's more risky?"

"Not necessarily," Yue shrugged, "She's just more serious. Brooding."

"Well she seemed to have a great time around me the day we met."

"That was a rare moment. Loosening up isn't generally an option. She's too guarded and alert. She heals, fights, lectures about morality. That's her purpose of existence. Like the princess. The two have significant overlap," she spoke of her identities. "They bleed into each other many times, and they act in similar ways since they're responsible for a large group of people. The princess is more...well, professional isn't the right word, but...I suppose she is more professional than Kuunnguaq. She's naturally all about duty, so even if there's a chance she might show up to certain events, since she's caught up in her unusual methods of leadership, be prepared if she can't make it."

"And then there's Yue," he smiled.

"Yes, the servant. Uses trickery more than she probably should. Doesn't like confrontations very much. Can't say no when people ask her to take their shifts. But she's all play and likes a good time."

Scooting closer to her, "Well I like Yuesanga better than all of them."

"Oh? And who's that?"

"All three of them combined, of course."

She grinned, the onslaught of warmth in her chest briefly startled by the sound of choked cries coming from the bride. Iska was getting quite emotional, still uncertain of what the future would hold in terms of Qaasan and his family, but for the most part, she was able to maintain her cheer, filled to the brim with love and hope as she laughed in the grasp of her joyful husband, who found that he had a hard time putting her down after repeatedly spinning her around in his arms.

"Good old love," Sokka nudged the princess playfully, "Don't ya think?"

Princess Yue, while happy for them, remained withdrawn as everyone else basked in the celebrations and soaked in all the affection in the atmosphere. "Ah yes, love. A complex range of chemical processes building positive emotional and mental states with an underlying biological duty to belong to a community, find companionship, possibly even procreate to further our species."

"That's rather sciency."

"Isn't that what's desired nowadays?" she teased.

"It doesn't seem satisfactory."

In spite of her amusement, she sported her nonchalance, looking at her surroundings, "In all honesty, it feels like I'm in a dream. Or a fairytale perhaps. Maybe even a long, dramatic work of fiction."

"It shouldn't have to be like that," Sokka told her. "True love isn't something reserved for just fairytales and fiction, right?"

Still holding onto a bit of pessimism, "True love in a romantic sense…well, you already know how I feel about it. I'm in no way invalidating a couple's genuine affections, but I personally prefer to think of true love as something between a mother and her child. The moment a mom holds her baby for the first time...the baby knows nothing of love, of course, but on the mother's part, the love is unconditional, instantaneous." Darkness settling in her gaze, "But no matter what type of affection we're talking about, reality always finds a way to balance itself out somehow. Something will definitely bring me down from this feeling of floating in the clouds."

"How optimistic, ikkingutima." Though his sarcasm was softer this time, more understanding, for she had obviously seen a lot throughout her life in a place like this.

"You're quite the optimist here, isumataq."

"Maybe, but you know, there's a difference between genuinely not wanting something and pretending to not want something. You shouldn't be forced to choose, but you also shouldn't force yourself to hold back, you know?"

She cast him a curious look, eyebrows raised.

"If you see someone you genuinely like, I mean." Shrugging, "I mean, I was the same way, too, kind of. I thought I didn't care for those things, but you never know. If you see someone who brings that kind of hope in you, brings that wish in you to life...Why not take the chance? If there's someone who...I dunno, wants to be your sidekick instead of keeping you tied down?" Playing with his fingers nervously, "Surely there's someone like that out there. Not too far from you, I'm assuming."

"Reality isn't always a perfect castle built out of clouds. I'm not a naive pre-teen to be filled with that amount of fantasy."

"It's not something to be seen as a naive belief, dronningi," he said with a magnetic sort of charm coalesced with sincerity, "You're deserving of love."

Several Revivalists surrounded Iska and Qaasan, continuing to do everything they could to make the newlyweds have a good time considering the reward for their unbroken loyalty towards one another was being abandoned by their respective families. One way of fulfilling that mission was through the usual conversations that reverberated among wedding igloos.

"Looks like almost everyone in this building is married or has been married," Aput looked over to Sokka and Yue, "Except for our isumataq and our dronningi."

"And our Kuunnguaq, of course, but she's not here for us to pick on her," Junguk said.

"Well I would've probably been married, too, if the man I chose at my matchmaking session hadn't been an imposter," Yue joked.

"Him?" Sanka blinked. "Oh come on, now, Princess, I'm sure you can do much better than a wild Aguntak."

"What can I say? Some people prefer psuedo-Aguntak warriors over large-robed manchildren," her knowing gaze danced coyly over to the isumataq beside her, sending a pleasant flutter through his pounding chest.

"You seem so casual about it, Princess," Kanguq noted.

"Honestly it had been entertaining," Yue shrugged.

"I'd imagine. Since you're already capable of defending yourself."

"But why did you get yourself kidnapped then? Unless the imposter happened to be really lucky that day..."

"Someone gave me the brilliant idea of using this incident to stall all wedding plans," the princess said. "So it worked out."

"So you knew it was going to happen?"

"Not exactly the kidnapping part, but I had a feeling that something was going to happen. I knew the night would be interesting."

"So you didn't feel threatened at all?"

"No, no way. Like I said, it was rather fun. Too bad that warrior wasn't who I thought he was."

"You know, our isumataq is a warrior, too," Aput began, wrapping an arm around his childhood friend as he spoke. "No tattoos and ceremonial paints, but he's got the muscles of an Aguntak."

"And your point is, Brother Aput?" she mused as the Southern prince flushed and swatted his friend's hand off of him in embarrassment.

"Alright, I'm gonna burst the bubble here," Old Man Ingimak turned to the isumataq, "Sokka, we know you haven't been here for long, but it's either the princess or Kuunnguaq, take your pick. Well, assuming Her Highness agrees to spending a lifetime with our goofball," he rumpled Sokka's hair, earning soft laughs from those around them.

The princess crossed her arms, "I wouldn't count on your isumataq to agree to something so saccharine."

"Though I will say that if I had to choose, it would be too difficult. Too bad Kuunnguaq and our princess aren't the same person or anything."

She widened her eyes in the wake of the surrounding chuckles, You're having way too much fun with this, isumataq.

To which he responded with a subtle smirk in her direction.

Clearing her throat, "Alright, enough about us." And though her face wasn't visible, her smile was recognizable from the way her eyes crinkled like crescent moons, "We're here to celebrate Iska and Qaasan."

"Then why not give a toast to the newlyweds, Princess?" suggested Old Man Ingimak.

"Yeah!"

"Woo!"

"Absolutely!"

Yue blinked, "Me?"

"Well yeah," Sokka smiled, "You're the one who made this possible, dronningi."

"I'm not the only one...isumataq, you may go first—"

"I believe it's ladies first."

"What, are you saying we ladies can't handle being last?" she smirked.

"You seem to be saying we gentlemen can't be polite."

Shaking her head as the cheers for her went on, she eventually stood up, calming the room. "Well, here it goes…" And after turning to the beaming newlyweds, "So...I know nothing about marriage, so don't worry, I won't be bombarding you with advice. I just want to say...the past few days have been quite stressful. With what happened with Kinji and the grim realities that our sisters were living in prior to the rescue mission. And my own personal experiences that the entire tribe now knows of...These are just some of many reminders of what the tribe is still going through, how there's a lot of work to still be done, how there's a lot of healing to still occur. But what I didn't expect in a time like this is a silver lining. A ray of hope. I've only used to hear stories about pining lovers and the mutual respect they give each other...like they're from some far-off world or confined to a storybook...But seeing the two of you like this, filled with happiness despite all that it took to get here, it makes me dare to believe even if for a moment, even if for just this moment, that happy endings might still be possible." Her eyes twinkled, "I wish you both the bliss of blessed companionship. May your wars be loving and playful, and may happiness dive into your lives and sweep you both off of your feet. Just like how you, Brother Qaasan, swept up our Iska tonight."

And the hope exuded from her words was evident not only in the applause that followed but also the gentle leap in the prince's chest.

The cheer heightened once the meals commenced in the courtyard with several people coaxing the newlyweds into feeding each other, and soon after, the guests' hearts (and bellies) began to be filled from the festivities. The angakkuit went on their way, followed closely by Osha, who managed to slip the spare temple key into Yue's hand before leaving. While preparations were being made to provide secure lodging accommodations for the newlyweds until they leave the next day for Minsut Village, Yue shifted her focus to Lady Sayen, who she'd noticed had been rather jumpy the entire day. Sayen was unusually distant from much of the mayhem, much unlike her nature to be involved in everything that went on. She was accompanied by Kanguq nearly all day, the couple's tenseness and insistence on staying out of the spotlight not having gone unnoticed by the Northern princess.

"You do realize that you would have been stabbed if Her Highness hadn't stopped that spear!" Yue overheard a shaken Kanguq say to his wife at one point.

"But nothing happened, Kanguq, I'm fine—"

"It could've ended horribly! You should've been more careful!"

And as the minutes passed into hours, Yue held a strong suspicion that both softened yet worried her. Utilizing her excuse of dining privately and being followed by an insistent Sokka, she approached Sayen and Kanguq, who were currently in the prayer chamber, perturbed looks on their faces. They scrambled up as soon as they saw the Northern and Southern leaders...with Kanguq taking more care than was probably necessary in helping his wife up...which only confirmed Yue's suspicion.

"Y-Your Highness," Sayen cleared her throat, "We were just on our way back…"

"It's alright. I just came to speak with you."

"Is everything okay—?"

"Everything's fine, Brother Kanguq," Yue assured. "I just wanted to inform the two of you of a decision I've taken recently."

"Are you talking about the campaign for the sector walls to be taken down…?" But Sokka trailed off, realizing after a few moments that there was probably something else that he didn't know of. Yue only calmly shook her head, keeping her eyes on the couple as if she was expecting one of them to say something. They didn't.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to temporarily relieve you from your duties, Lady Sayen."

Kanguq blinked, frozen for a moment before letting out a somewhat relieved breath. Sayen glanced at the princess wide-eyed. "What? But why, Your Highness? Was it something I did? I-I didn't mean to offend you in any way—"

"You're pregnant," the princess told Sayen matter-of-factly, "Aren't you?"

Which received another round of surprised looks from the Revivalist couple.

"Uh, I guess that's a yes then... congrats!" Sokka said, simultaneously unsure if that was the right response judging by the heavy looks on the Revivalists' faces.

"How did you know?" Sayen asked the princess.

"How long have you known?"

"I just found out this morning. That's why I had to leave earlier...B-But how did you find out, Your Highness? We haven't told anyone yet."

"Your Kuunnguaq isn't the only healer in these parts," Yue said, attempting a smile. Her hand flew to Sayen's shoulder, "I'm very happy for you both. Kuunnguaq mentioned to me how much you and Kanguq had been wanting to expand your family at the right time. Uki must be excited to be a big sister soon." Her smile slightly faded, "But what Kanguq has been saying is also right. You should've been more careful. What would've happened today...it can never happen. Never."

"It won't, Your Highness. I might not be on the front line, but I will be more careful behind the scenes—"

"But I'm not taking any chances," Yue said firmly.

"Princess, we knew this isn't the right time," Kanguq said, "but…but it's just…"

"Don't tell me you're feeling guilty about this," the princess told them.

"You need us right now," Sayen said. "You're in danger, and it's our job to make sure—"

"It's not your job. You're not responsible for me. No one is."

"I was the only person you agreed to have beside you," the Revivalist pointed out.

"Because I saw a friend in you, not a bodyguard. The same goes for Prince Sokka. I see a friend in him. I don't expect him to launch himself in front of me for every little thing, do I?"

"But that doesn't change the fact that you're targeted, Your Highness," Kanguq said, raising Sokka's dormant alarm as well. "Who knows what will happen the moment Avatar Aang and his associates leave this place?" Rubbing his forehead with a perturbed huff, "We really should've been more careful."

"You two shouldn't at all be guilty for wanting to live your life, Brother Kanguq," Yue told them. "And you shouldn't blame yourselves for wanting to expand your family. Truth to be told, I love children as well. If I was in a place where I would be able to have my own without anything to worry about, I would really want a baby, too." Sighing, "Besides, it's not like you're being irresponsible with this. You're both in a stable relationship. You're both experienced and capable of protecting Uki. You're capable of providing for another child." Turning to Sayen, "This is a natural next step that you both have kept repressed. Just like many of our friends who similarly want to expand their households but are afraid to. In a place like this, in a time right now."

They could not argue with that.

"Fire Lord Iroh recently told me something that really resonated with me," the princess said, briefly lost in thought. "He told me, 'Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.' And I greatly value that piece of wisdom. Life isn't going to stop for us, my friends. Not for me, not for Kuunnguaq. Not even for the fate of the tribe. So what we need to do is let it happen and not endanger it in any way. Life is a gift from the Spirits, the very essence of La." Turning to Sayen again, "How much longer are you going to be trapped by duty? Don't you want to live a normal life for once? Running around with Kuunnguaq, running around with me, living in fear, thinking of yourself as a machine that takes all hits. How much longer are you going to sacrifice your time? When are you going to start living for yourself?"

"Kuunnguaq is no different, either, is she? What if she wants a life of her own, Princess?"

"Why should you worry about what you think Kuunnguaq would want?" Yue asked. "Think about yourself for once, Sayen. Today, a stranger aimed a spear at someone, and that spear could've also harmed you and your child. Tomorrow, someone else will aim something for me

And if that happens...when that happens—"

"Your Highness, that won't happen," came Sokka's firm interjection.

"We need to be very real about this, isumataq. There are high chances of me being targeted sooner or later." With a sigh, "And when that happens...I refuse to have any of you be there with me. I would never forgive myself if anything happens to any of you because of my existence alone." Her attention shifted to Kanguq, "Brother, you and our lost Southern brothers have been in hiding long enough. You and your families have worked tirelessly for long enough. You need a break, at least. Don't you want to go back to your parents? Your brothers and sisters down South? Don't you want to show them the families you've built for yourselves?"

It was true. Kanguq and the other men were truly missing the South, and yet, they were halted in place, their reasons being both Kuunnguaq and the leader of the North, their current pillar of justice and hope for peace.

"I'm not telling you to stop fighting for what's right," Yue said. "I'm saying you shouldn't put your lives on the line when you have people relying on you. I know you're all tired. You had been since Uki was taken...according to Kuunnguaq…" Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, "I've been wanting to have this talk with all of you for a while now. Ever since I heard about Uki's kidnap. But I never got the chance to, and there's no time like the present." Giving them a serious look, "It's best if you and the others finally left for the South for a while."

"Princess, please, you can't convince me to leave you or Kuunnguaq behind!" Sayen exclaimed.

"Even if not for you, let us stay for Kuunnguaq," Kanguq said. "Sayen had always been by Kuunnguaq's side. She grew up with her. Sister Kuunnguaq can't afford to be abandoned, either, in times like these. Sure, we don't know her past and who she really is, but as far as our knowledge goes, we're all she has as friends, as any form of security whatsoever. Khasiq is after her with a murderous vengeance and—"

"Kuunnguaq won't be alone," Sokka told them. "I will be with her. I will be looking out for her."

"And so will I," Yue added. "What you need to do now is go to the South where it's safe for all of you, especially the baby. Like I said, it won't just be you. I will be sending several Revivalist families overseas. You're no longer trapped here, you understand what I'm saying? The ports are open so use them! Free yourself from this place for at least a little while. Until it's safe to come back."

"And when will that be?" Sayen asked. "I can't afford to leave you and my friend in the dust for what will take years, dronningi—"

"Give me a year," Yue told them. "One year. Until I become the Chieftess of the North and have gathered more allies than I have now. On that day, you will be free to return."

"You won't be leaving Her Highness vulnerable," Sokka said again, "Aang and my sister are going to be here, too. We'll look out for each other, and as long as Aang's here, no one's gonna make a move against us."

"Tell us a million things, but we're not leaving," Kanguq frowned. "Sayen will be guarded twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week until she has the baby. I'll gladly fill in for her in the security personnel in the meantime. Just give me a chance, dronningi. We can't knowingly leave you to tend to these responsibilities completely by yourself."

Yue, who had been patient enough, spoke sternly, "If you won't accept a request, then maybe you'll follow an order. Kanguq of the Southern tribe, Sayen of the Northern tribe, I order you to leave for the South as soon as possible," pulling out a scroll canister from the folds of her robe, "Along with the families mentioned in this document." She placed the canister in Sayen's hands, the official emblem engraved upon it glimmering beneath the rays of moonlight that danced in from a nearby window.

"Three days from now, the next set of cargo ships will leave for the Southern Water Tribe. The second day of the conference, to be precise," Yue told them. "If you and the other Revivalists board those ships, by the time the conferences are over, you will have safely crossed into Earth Kingdom territory. Under their jurisdiction, no one's going to lay a finger on you."

Sayen and Kanguq appeared helpless as they gawked from the princess to the scroll that they had unfurled.

"I will have all arrangements made for you and your friends. A few representatives of the party will have to stay behind since they're my cabinet members. For them, top-scale security will be provided. But everyone else who is vulnerable and subject to Khasiq's wrath will have to leave. Tomorrow, I will officially announce these plans to everyone else involved. Until then, you may choose to tell them or wait for me to do the explaining."

The Revivalist couple could do nothing but keep their heads lowered in reluctant acceptance.

"This is for your own good," Yue's voice softened before she turned and stepped out of the prayer chamber.

"I expected this," Kanguq sighed, "It was only a matter of time. The princess doesn't allow people near her in the name of their security."

And all that came to Sokka's anxious mind were Arnook words: "As the danger in the North increases, so will her distance from you. With nothing binding you to her in any way, she will eventually make you leave this place. You will see for yourself."

When she heard his footsteps approaching her, she didn't break her gaze away from the aurora-drenched sky, "Don't expect me to change my mind about this, Sokka, I'm in dictator mode."

He gave her an amused smile as he sat beside her. "I thought you said you don't want to be a dictator."

"I don't. But I do have moments where I expect to be obeyed without question."

Chuckling, "Well I was just curious about something. And as your advisor, I might suggest something, but I won't compel you in any way." Taking a look at the stars, distracted by the way the glow of the moon bathed the sky, "Keeping enemies close is good, but it's also good to keep allies close. Especially allies. I can understand sending Sayen and her family to the South, but the other Revivalists? They're capable, and they're saying they'll be smart about fighting. They're insisting they'll be alert."

"I don't expect people to ruin their lives for my sake," she said, "Or sacrifice their lives because of what's essentially my responsibility."

"Just because you're the leader doesn't mean it's just your responsibility. Even if you want to make it only yours," he told her. "No one who can be called a human can handle this kind of responsibility alone, and it could very well be that our friends' patriotism is what's driving them to want to stay and bring about change here."

"But I've been getting increasingly tired of seeing them like this. Seeing them exposed. Just because they have a fancy name now and are the heads of a political party doesn't mean they're floating above the clouds or anything." Frowning, "Uki's capture was both devastating and grounding. It showed me how vulnerable they really are. And with Khasiq and his forces advancing forward...They're my friends, Sokka. I don't want anything happening to them. Like I said, I'd been wanting to have this talk with them even as Kuunnguaq, but they were being so stubborn."

"They're consenting to stay dedicated to the cause, though," Sokka said. "Shouldn't that be honored?"

"They're consenting to anything, then?"

"Yes."

"Even death, I suppose."

"Well that's not what I..."

"Exactly," she sighed. "I respect them and their wishes. I really do. And had this been a more simple circumstance, then I wouldn't have overruled their decisions. But you see, Sokka, genuine care is messy."

"What do you mean?"

Scanning the splashes of color among the night clouds, "As the leader of a nation, your number one duty is to preserve your people even if it means throwing yourself in harm's way. True leadership isn't having millions of soldiers defending you. It's about you doing everything you can to stand at the very front of the line. Make the first strike and take the first arrow. And the need to protect lives sometimes overrides people's consent to voluntarily laying down their lives."

"I understand that," he said. "Believe me, I know that's true. But dronningi, all I'm really concerned with right now is...Who am I in your kingdom? Am I one of your people?"

"You have the same position I do. Obviously we're equals—"

"Then I just want to be your equal. Not one of the people you need to be actively worried about."

"As my ikkingut, you are most certainly one of my top priorities when it comes to protecting, Prince Sokka."

"Well just know that I'm not going into this bodyguard position with a suicidal mindset or anything. Nothing's gonna endanger me in any way. So don't...don't calculate too much."

"Calculate?" she raised her eyebrows.

"I mean...don't try to come up with ways to...get me out of the North," he said. "If you don't trust that everyone else will be safe, and if you want to send them away, then by all means, you're free to do that. You have that authority. But I'm not going anywhere." Casting her a determined look, "Just wanted to make this clear."

It may have been timely that he addressed this, for finding ways to keep his company, no matter how invested she was in that effort— even taking the step to agree to such a complicatedly perfect pseudo-marriage arrangement— was definitely one of those things that kept tugging her at the back of her mind. Was she doing the right thing? Not only with the part about the fake marriage but also the part about doing what she can to give him reasons to stay. Agreeing to him staying. Just because being in his company was fun.

"And also...you can tell me anything," Sokka said softly. "Anything that might be bothering you, anything you wanna get off your chest…"

With a dry chuckle, "You're not my therapist, isumataq, and I don't expect you to be."

"I don't expect to be a savior, either," he swallowed. "I'm your friend."

In that one moment, the universe seemed to be warmer, even if enough to melt a small piece of the many walls she built within herself.

"Roses are red, violets are blue,

The shape of your nose looks like a yakshoe!

Lilies are purple, and moonflowers white,

You're as sexy as a bat-spider bite!"

It was no coincidence that all specks of humor in the room radiated from the South's goofy isumataq. To contrast the grim reality of many of the Revivalists' relocation, which was yet to be announced, he did his best to entertain the audience with his share of self-crafted poetry and silly stories to which the princess, in particular, burst out of her formality bubble. She chimed along with the others in peels of laughter, and it motivated him to sputter more of his talent as he resorted to haikus next, his desperation nearly draining him of his creativity the more he sputtered on. It wasn't like he could help himself with the princess occasionally brushing her hand against the prince's shoulder during her giggles, filling him with an addictive kind of joy.

"Lady with her knife

Chopping up the meat— oh wait!

That's not the jerky!"

An angakkuq frowned from being made the subject of the haiku penned by the "disbeliever", pulling her knife out of the way as another frantic angakkuq moved her hand out of the blade's reach.

"Interesting," Old Man Ingimak nodded, "Go on."

"No one ever says,

'Man, I sure wish I can sleep

Near skunk-flies tonight!'"

"You got that right, Brother," Sanka said as everyone chuckled.

"Got any better ones up your sleeve, Socks?" Ujaraq taunted.

"Hey, that was pretty good, you gotta admit it."

"Nah, not really. You're losing your game."

"Fine," Sokka looked around to gather his supposed "inspiration", settling with one he personally felt proud of.

"Smitten by a lass,

A man on a great mission:

Holding back a fart."

"True, very true," Aput nodded with a chuckle as a few more laughs chimed in, "But fart jokes aren't exactly top-tier comedy, you know."

"Ugh, quit being difficult, guys," Sokka shook his head, nevertheless beaming appreciatively at the giggles that came from the princess, who was clearly having a good time no matter how his efforts were.

"You're doing good, isumataq, don't worry," she assured.

And in that moment, a bright light went off in his brain, "Speaking of being difficult, this reminds me of when Katara had a matchmaking session down South a few years ago."

"Someone came to ask for Sister Katara's hand?" Ujaraq blinked, "Who's the lucky guy?"

"Remember pupil Sangok?"

"Sangok?!"

"Sangok is Gran-Pakku's student," Sokka explained to the Northerners, his attention glued to the princess in particular, "He brought his family along and had the audacity to ask for Katara's hand. And Pakku agreed."

"He must be a talented student if your grandfather likes the alliance so much."

"Oh he's talented alright. Legends say he's yet to fight a sea sponge."

"You got that right," Aput laughed.

"Pakku normally would've kicked him out, but he actually didn't protest," Sokka said. "See, this was in those days when Katara was fighting back against the purity system and stuff. She was only fourteen, and the guy was seventeen."

"You're supposed to wait until you're sixteen, though," the princess said.

"Well Pakku was pissed, thought good ol' marriage would 'fix her up' and other shit."

"But of all tribesmen, why Sangok? The guy's a nutcase!" exclaimed Siluk.

"And Sangok's dad is a sexist leech-pig, obviously," Sokka said. "Nobody else liked the alliance. Katara was super pissed, of course. We decided to sabotage it without Pakku figuring it out and acted all sad and helpless." Crossing his arms in a sage manner, "And it only took one of my famous poems."

"Oh really?"

"Spill it then."

"You see, my sister was trying to stall the matchmaking ceremony, but Sangok's dad kept on yapping about girls taking a long time with their makeup. But here's the thing. Sangok's dad's big into makeup, too, only for his wig. The guy's bald. But no one else knew this secret, right? That's why I decided to take advantage of the situation. It was the only way: Sangok's persistent and isn't gonna give up on the alliance so soon. The only way out is to humiliate his dad for good."

"What did you do?"

"Oh, that's easy."

"Poetry, eh?" Sangok's father, Mr. Kenchi, raised his eyebrows at the Southern isumataq, "Since when did arts and crafts get people anywhere, young man?"

"It's not the only thing he does," Kya gave a nervous chuckle in defense of her son, "Just something he does for fun. It keeps the children behaving."

"My grandson can bring a smile to anyone's face," Kanna beamed, eyes twinkling in pride.

"Well sitting around smiling isn't gonna feed the tribe, now, will it, Mother Kanna?" Kenchi smacked his lips as he gulped down a piece of fried fish, his attention turning back to Sokka, "One doesn't simply become the daughter-in-law of such a noble household by having men in her family be unfit. Your father's fortunate we decided to step up and give your sister a nice life. With that leg of his, he can only do so much."

To which the members of the household paled, knowing the circumstance would have been highly different if Hakoda and Pakku hadn't gone out at the moment. Sokka fumed inwardly. Even Sangok and Kenchi's wife gaped at the older tribesman in alarm for what flew out of his loud mouth. Something smashed in the kitchen— likely a result of Katara's rage— which drew the attention of Kya and Kanna.

"But if you're that good at lightening the mood, give it a shot then, young man," Kenchi shot a look at Sokka.

The prince only gave a smug grin as he picked up some tea, which had grown cold but would nevertheless serve his purpose. He headed over to Kenchi, handing him a cup, patiently tolerating a comment about how he resorted so low to do a woman's job of serving before he quite deliberately splashed the tea over the man.

"Agh! Watch it, young man—!"

And the isumataq grabbed hold of the man's wig and yanked it off, an act which caused Kenchi's wife to shriek in embarrassment as Kenchi roared and tried to cover his head.

"Messy, must clean up.

Hey, this rag looks just like hair—

Mister Kenchi's bald?!"

"And everybody started cracking up after that," Sokka said, earning an uproar of cheers and boisterous laughter, more so from the Northern princess, who was nearly doubling over in her chair as she tried to imagine the scene.

"Oh my Spirits," clutching her side, "I can't laugh anymore, my sides are hurting."

And everyone was watching her with smiles, intrigued to see the princess opening up even if her face remained hidden.

"Leave it to the Southerners to wring the formality out of you," she spoke, tempted to slip back into laughter. "Southern parties must all be really fun...and karmic in nature." Turning to the Southern men, "Here in the North, we worry too much about ranks and classes. It's too ceremonial and overbearing."

"Well you're welcome to see us at any time of day, honorable dronningi," Old Man Ingimak chortled, "There's always a reason to celebrate with righteous leaders around."

In spite of her smile, she was reminded of the impending separation that lay ahead, particularly as she cast a look at Sayen and Kanguq, who at present appeared to be covering up their hesitation with superficial smiles. Yue, deciding now would be a good time to spill the news, barely had a chance to start the conversation before they were all harshly interrupted by a bellowing, "STOP! STOP THIS RIGHT NOW! I OBJECT TO THIS MARRIAGE!"

Iska and Qaasan jumped in their seats, casting alarmed looks at one another and holding each other in a tight grip.

"Who is it now?" Samka rolled her eyes, her hand reaching defensively for her spear, but as for the Southerners, particularly Sokka, the voice seemed like it hit too close to home. Everyone turned their attention to the door, which burst open, revealing the chief of the South barging in with a look of great trepidation on his panicking face. He was followed closely by another tribesman— Amaruq, a flabbergasted Sokka noticed— who was accompanying Hakoda, urging him to stop and settle down before coming to conclusions.

"They think they can just get my son married off to the leader of sin and EXPECT ME TO KEEP QUIET?!" the chief boomed, halting in his step as he saw that the couple in wedding robes in no way resembled his son and the woman who was seen with him during the Jungannat tour. Instead, Sokka was off to the side in the company of several Revivalist men, glaring at Hakoda with a flushed look on his face, the prince grasping hold of a wide-eyed, veiled woman's hand.

The confusion slowly unfurled from the chieftain's face. Oh.

A/N: Sorry it took a while to get this chapter out. Professional school takes up a lot of your life. If you're still hanging on for the ride (and if you are, thanks so much! :3), expect lots of drama in the next chapter.

Also, I've been working on a new Yukka story, Tethered. I'm not sure how invested I will be with that story since I'm working on OTTM and IIHS, and Tethered might just turn out to be experimental, but the first chapter is in the works. If you're a sucker for Sokka/Yue fics and you'd like to check it out, it'll be published in the near future.