Hiya! This new arc follows the life of the Gaang after Republic City was born (The very beggining of the city!)

Age table: Zuko 22 y/o, Suki and Sokka: 21 y/o, Katara/Ty Lee/Mai: 20 y/0, Toph and Aang: 19 y/o.

"Firelord please, let's discuss the arrangements, the people need to know how well we are doing"

Zuko sighed heavily extending his arm. A series of paperwork and images were immediately delivered as he looked at them. Beautiful decorations and venues were his wedding could take place. Most of them were traditional, with a hint of other nations in there.

"I like all of them" He said motionless, saving one for him.

"What about the one you are keeping?" His advisor said "We need to take some measures for all of the guest invited. Especially the firelady"

"I think they won't mind" Zuko said smiling "We are all friends"

"As you say, my firelord"

The advisor got out of the room with the folder, bowing before getting out of the room. As the doors closed, Ty Lee and Suki got out of it's hidden positions, chatting between them about the party they would attend on their free day.

"How was your day Zuzu?" Ty Lee asked happily, as Zuko coughed.

"As always, planning a wedding is not as easy as I thought" He laughed looking at his friends. Suki smiled back.

"Nothing is easy in this life, get used to it" She said as Ty Lee smacked her arm "Ow!"

"Got you! You get so distracted whenever Zuko is close" She wiggled her eyebrows at them, with the duo laughing.

"I pay attention to him, that's different"

"Right" Ty Lee mocked. "We have a reunion to attend, so if you could excuse us?" She asked with small jumps in her place, ready to be discharged for the day. Zuko gave the signal, making her screech with happiness and grab Suki by her hands.

"Calm down!" Suki said laughing, Zuko walked out of the room. "It's just a hairstyle, nothing to be amazed at"

"We will steal the show! You bet"

Suki's hair has grown past her shoulders, almost to her lower back. She kept it secure in a high bun with the hairband helping her. It had more reddish hues, making her stick out a lot more. Suki's already big eyes looked almost fake, as her eyelashes grew longer than before.

Ty Lee hadn't change a bit regarding her appearance, her youth still showing. She was still the single lady most sought after in the fire nation, with her flexibility and beauty being main reasons for numerous guys trying to marry her.

They walked behind Zuko, who's main change was the long hair he sported. The top knot characteristic of the firelord with dark silky hair. His bone structure became more sharp, the last of his baby fat finally going away.

"We will get ready! Come here in 40 minutes to put some make up on the scar" Ty said running past him, dragging Suki. They giggled and immediately closed the door to start their routine.

Since they returned from the trip, the relationship as friends was kept intact. For most of the time: when she avoided the subject of formalizing a relationship, suddenly they would fight about it. Suki being the one not ready for it.

Ty Lee sat Suki in front of the mirror, brushing her hair and not letting her be helped in anything. Suki closed her eyes and let the tiredness take over her.

"So…how are we feeling?" Ty Lee asked, as she started doing a bun in the high of her head.

"I am sure I will go out this time" The warrior replied, denying the style and Ty Lee taking the comb to brush from the scalp.

"There is no pressure, but… it has been some time" She asked as she secured the hair in a high ponytail, similar to how she sported it. Suki gave her a thumbs up, finally Ty sitting down to start doing her own.

She started doing her make up in silence, closing into a shell of herself. On the surface she tried to be more assertive, getting away from all of the news regarding Republic City. Even if she was a founder, Karina helped her get some order in that, avoiding reading unnecessary news.

"There you go, closing yourself again" Ty said a bit exhausted, Suki looked at her through the mirror.

"You look beautiful" Ty smiled sadly

"You are still not going out are you?"

"I am not having fun tonight" Suki said standing up, walking towards her bed and sitting down. Ty lee followed and sat by her other side.

"Suki, you need to let him go" Ty said before Suki sat up, brushing some tears off.

"I have let him go already" She said seriously, walking towards her wardrobe "I just…can't believe he is alright without me."

"You don't like that he has moved on?" Ty interrogated confused "I thought you were both friends"

"We are, apparently" Suki said grabbing a green dress she had bought for the occasion. "But…I had daydreamed again…"

"Oh dear" Ty said as she changed clothes "What about Zuko?"

"What about him?" She asked with an edge "He is getting married"

"But…you like him, don't you? It's obvious"

"No I don't"

"You kissed him that one time"

"Because I was drunk" Suki said rearranging the skirt of the dress. Ty Lee raised an eyebrow incredulous.

"Zuko was the one drunk, you kissed him because you like him. Don't run away from it" Ty said putting on a necklace, as Suki punched the wall softly. Ty Lee turned surprised to see her friend.

"I don't! He is a good friend and I… I was a bitch. I shouldn't have kissed him but he felt…safe"

"Safe?" Ty asked more surprised "You mean he is your is better than nothing? I envy you" She said amazed

"Ty lee!"

"Okay okay!" She apologized "Has he tried anything after all of that?"

"No, when he has…I push him away and he forgets it"

"Why not allow him?"

"That's the point of this night out isn't it?" Suki said with a frown, putting on some perfume. Ty dropped her head backwards, annoyed.

"Suki, you need to have sex! Kiss other boys, have fun!"

Suki blushed at the suggestion, it wasn't something she hadn't thought, but it would be hard to go through the whole motions.

"That's the point of this night out" Ty said as she pulled out the painting in Suki's room, sticking her head to see if Zuko was close.

"Most of the guys you have introduced me are jerks, I can't be turned on by that" The warrior said rolling her eyes

"You just need to laugh and wink, that drives them crazy"

Zuko sighed as he returned to his room, greeted by the Kyoshi warriors in charge. As he closed the door, he immediately stripped down to take a shower, feeling overwhelmed and dirty. Not because he had done labor work.

He will marry another girl soon. One whose attitude vastly improved upon receiving a contract

None other than Mai. His childhood crush, lover and friend.

"I'll use the bath" Zuko announced getting on the water, calming down as he heated it.

"This is no train station, you don't need to announce it" Mai replied with a bored tone, flipping the page of a book she currently read.

"Mai"

"It's a joke, gosh. Have you talked to her about the subject or has she rejected you again?" Mai asked leaning on the frame that separated the bathroom from the room. Zuko rolled his eyes.

"I worked all day, what else could I talk about? We will go out later too. Shouldn't you be getting ready?" he asked as she was sporting her nightgown still.

"I don't wear make up, I leave that to Ty Lee and your forbidden love" Mai said sitting by the chair.

"Right"

The room fell on silence as they relaxed. The shared company they kept with each other was fine. They wouldn't judge each other for the decisions they made. The agreement they made was simple: Zuko would marry Mai so she could give the best commodities to Tom Tom, who was currently growing up without a father.

In exchange, Mai would be blind if Zuko decided to fool around or even go out with other girls. Only if he didn't made it obvious he had two ladies at the same time.

"Alright, I think I am falling asleep in here" He said standing up to reach for a towel, Mai smirked. "Don't peek"

"There is nothing to peek even if I wanted to" she replied as Zuko threw her the wet towel.

They laughed at the pettiness. Each using their own mirror on the big chamber.

"Meeting is over"

He arched his back trying to reduce the stiffness in his body, finally standing up after most of the room was cleared out, two of his best friends waiting for him: Toph and Electra.

"Hurry up snoozles" Toph said annoyed, tapping her feet on the floor.

"Come on! I don't want to keep looking at different wedding venues for the rest of the night, this paperwork I have is enough for me" Sokka replied with a whine, putting all of them into his bag.

"You have to live a little" Electra said smiling gently, Sokka smiled back walking in the opposite direction of the exit.

"Fine! Keep sulking in that work room, if you are not by 10 pm at Aang's place I will issue an order to detain you" Toph said walking out of the room, Electra following with a giggle. Sokka looked at the clock.

"Shit. 8 pm"

He hurried to his office where most of the city could be seen. The lights reminded him of how the fire nation downtown looked: Full of life, people and colors. When designing the place, he had in mind how he would feel when walking at night.

It was difficult planning and keep developing laws and places without thinking of his teenage love. He opened a locked drawer, where her last love letter was kept securely. His finger followed the lips imprinted on it.

He smiled at it.

"You will adore this when you come" Sokka muttered as he put away the letter, closing safely the box and pulling out of his bag all the paperwork he wanted to follow on.

His last invention was a hit: A Camera! It helped him keep memories from the people he loved and wanted to remember as they were. It was fast and less expensive than the paintings that took hours. The radio he helped develop only worked with another extra part, named caset. He didn't like that name at all, but it helped with the economy: A new way of listening to music without having to be in front of the band.

The new project he currently worked on was a new communication method.

His muse was the same as it was 3 years ago: Suki. He promised he wouldn't ever forget how she looked before, holding on to the memory he had the last time they kissed.

"She probably looks prettier than before" Sokka thought as he started writing some of the modifications the city will suffer so the device could work outside of it. It was being tested with his close friends in the city: Aang, Kat, Toph and Electra. But he wanted it to be even further from the city.

His head felt hot from all of the words and codes he made, struggling still to design something easy to understand so they could finally take the project to the next level. Putting it aside, he started with the law on how prisoners should be punished: Death or reintegration to the society.

Nothing easy to do as people will always feel conflicted when killing streaks were made by benders to the non benders. Sokka understood what this could meant to him: Some day waking up to a bender who wants to rob him.

The door was opened by brute force and various metal strings surrounded his body, Sokka was startled and angered at the intrusion.

"What in the name of Tui and La is this?!" He said angry, the growth showing not only on his muscular body, but on how deep his voice had become when angered, contrary to the breaking and higher pitch he had as a teenager.

"You are arrested sir for not…following a Beifong order" The captain said with shame, as Sokka gritted his teeth. "You have to follow us to the house or extreme measures will be held"

Sokka sighed standing up from the chair, coughing so they would set him free. He walked towards them, the policeman forming a circle around him to escort him.

"Fucking Toph" Sokka muttered annoyed, as they went out of the building, turning the lights off.

Katara and Aang cuddled as Electra and Toph talked about the food and the wedding guests. After some bumpy roads, they would finally tie the knot.

"You took your time, seriously" Electra said as she crossed out some of the guests who had already declined "I wonder if we should pay for the ones that are not being used"

"We should" Katara replied "It's only fair to them"

"I wished I could help but I'm here for the food only" Toph said munching a piece of cake that was delivered to the room. "I don't like this one, too overcooked"

"Can you write some thank you letters to the bakers?" Aang asked as Electra nodded, pulling out of her bag a stylish pen and small paper.

A knock of the door made Toph smirk, opening it with her bending. Sokka's entrance in the room scared everyone except the guilty girl.

"Why the fuck did you do that?" Sokka said upset, Toph offered a slice of cake. Sokka took it and sat by her as Electra, Aang and Katara finally let go of the breath they held.

"You scared me, my sun" Electra said, continuing to write the thank you letters. Katara suppressed the urge to scream "oogies" at her, similar to the many times Sokka had done with her.

"Me too and I am not your girlfriend!" Aang joked as Sokka ate angrily his cake.

"I was having a full blast designing my last invention! Until Toph interrupted me" He burned her with his sight, until Toph flipped him.

"Okay, not in this room" Katara scolded them, as they stick the tongue to each other. "Toph, do you think you can deliver the invitations to the fire nation?"

Sokka perked up at this, being as discreet as he could. He fooled everybody except his teacher, Electra, who narrowed his eyes.

"SURE! I miss Suki like crazy. Taking a day off work does wonders to your skin, RIGHT SOKKA?" Toph said not so discreet. Sokka changed the sit besides Electra, kissing her cheek.

"That's why you look old" Toph continued. Before Sokka could scream at her, Electra put a hand on his chest, calming Sokka.

"Whatever" Sokka rolled his eyes, cuddling with her lady. Aang looked happy while Katara felt bittersweet about it.

"Sweetie, you won't miss your charge in the South? It was pretty important" Aang asked strocking her hair loopies, Kat sighed, smiling in love.

"Nope, I have done the most I could. They will be fine without me, specially with who I left in charge" Katara said snuggling herself more in Aang, who hugged her.

"Oogies!" Sokka screamed

"We are adults get over it Sokka!" Katara answered as she pointed towards Electra "You give me Oogies with her too!"

"Don't. Point. At. People" He said smacking the hand away "It's rude"

"We used to do that all the time! Don't change the topic!"

Aang and Electra shared and awkward stare, as they waited for the siblings to stop fighting. Toph grabbed another slice of cake and smiled, enjoying the fight.

The four looked unrecognizable, even Mai had another look so they wouldn't recognize the firelady to be. Suki with her high ponytail, black boots and green shirt and skirt: The long sleeves and low cut on her back that showed enough skin, Mai made a twist from her two buns and sported her hair in a big bun, a black tube top, pants and flats that made her stylish and stand out.

Ty Lee had a short pink flowy dress with high heels, her hair loose and in waves immediately attracting people on the way to the party. Zuko looked different: His hair held in a hat that helped cover the make up they put on his scar, with a red shirt and black pants.

As they entered the house, Ty Lee was greeted by the host, who quickly introduced her to a bunch of his friends. She grabbed Suki's hand so she would be set up with another boy too. They sat on the table and wasted no time, starting to drink, immediately setting up a Sake pong. Even if Suki drank, she couldn't focus enough to forget about the boy who tried his best to hit on her.

"You look like an exquisite roll, ready to be unwrapped"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Suki thought rising an eyebrow.

"Thanks?" Suki smiled as the guy hugged her by the waist.

"If you were a flower, you would be a venus fly trap" The guy said trying to whisper in her ear. Suki couldn't hold her laugher and snorted, making the guy more interested. He softly kissed her cheek, making a trail towards her neck.

She pulled away and walked towards the kitchen, tired and feeling conflicted. She usually hid in the place it seemed more isolated. The guy had followed her, smirking.

"I never thought you would be the one that likes to be watched, exciting" He said getting closer.

"Who are you again?" She asked annoyed, getting out of her thoughts.

"What the…didn't you enter here to…?"

"No"

"Oh well, I was getting a bite anyway" He said walking towards the foodies, grabbing a whole plate and getting out of the kitchen. Suki sat on a corner with her cup, reaching for the radio above her. She turned it on to hear whatever group the host liked.

"Secret tunnelll….Secret tunnel…..through the mountainsss…."

Suki smiled, she loved that band! She bobbed her head to the beat of the song, relaxing her current state. She had to love how the fire nation had the most advanced tech sent from Republic City.

It had it's perks from being one of the first investors on it. She saw a boy sit by her, recognizing his golden eyes.

"Why are you hiding now? I thought I was the grumpy one" Zuko said grabbing her cup and taking a zip. His face twitched in disgust at how strong that drink was. She giggled at how he looked.

"I got tired of that many people in one small house" She grabbed the cup back "I am tired of Ty trying to set me up with another boy, too"

Zuko laughed resting his head on Suki's shoulder, who cuddled.

"You should just tell her you are not interested"

"Like that has worked with you"

Zuko frowned and jokingly slapped her arm, making her laugh.

"Rude"

"Sorry"

They laughed and grabbed hands, making Suki heart jump and frizzle. It didn't meant that she loved him, but it showed how much she still cared for him after all these years they have spent together.

She could consider herself lucky to be with him even as a friend, the love triangle before could easily be something to made him hate her. To be used, disposed and as a last resort. But Zuko didn't seem to care at all.

Maybe he had really moved on with Mai. They were lovers at some paint and she was partially responsible for the break up that followed. Suki felt uncomfortable with the way she used to express herself of Mai and never apologized.

"Where are you going?" Zuko asked, she looked and smiled.

"I need to mend something, can you wait for me here?" She asked batting her eyelashes, making Zuko flush and nod his head in confirmation. She went out of the kitchen and looked around to the only girl wearing black. She found her by the set of stair with two guys already pinning after her, her face showing the tinniest lift in the corner of her lips.

"Can we talk in private?" Suki asked standing next to the boys who looked annoyed at the interruption.

Mai sighed and lifted her hand to dismiss them, they groaned and sulked to a corner, where they winked at Mai.

"We are private now" She reminded Suki, who lost focus for a bit with how intense they seemed to look at Mai.

"Um…well. I wanted to talk to you about our relationship" Suki said with more courage, thanks to the drinks she had before. Mai raised an eyebrow suspicious.

"Relationship? Us?" She doubted, crossing her hands in front of her chest

"Exactly. I…wanted to apologize. I shouldn't have meddled the relationship between you and Zuko that day" Suki said stumbling in her words, as Mai face softened at her.

"No hard feelings, it was something bound to happen" She replied "We were in two different roads"

"But I'm glad that you two are back!" Suki said cheerful, as Mai smirked.

"You? Thank you, but Zuko might not feel the same" She said taking a sip from her own cup, leaving Suki with a blank face. "Agni you are really dumb"

"Hey" Suki warned with a frown "Zuko needs a firelady and you are the best option"

"Perhaps, but I wasn't the only one, you see. An arranged marriage to someone outside the fire nation could have made him even more popular" Mai said with a full smile seeing Suki overthink her words.

"No" Suki said widening her eyes "I can't"

"Now you don't have to be" Mai said walking towards the boys in the corner "But you could still be by his side"

Suki stood there with the words sinking in her mind. Had she mixed the feelings of friendship and love? Was the marriage pact restraining her from loving Zuko?

Or was it Sokka still lingering in her thoughts, that prevented her from moving on? She took another cup from a nearby table and walked towards the kitchen, searching for the guy waiting for her on the floor.

Zuko smiled up at her, reaching out to her. She obliged and sat by his side, cuddling.

It felt safe, it felt nice. Maybe it was something she needed to experience and not leap to other stages she still wasn't ready.

If any guy could understand why it takes her so long to do it, it would be him.

Sokka finished his draft faster than he had thought.

It would have been an impressive feat if Electra wasn't fuming in anger at him for not sleeping enough.

Or eating enough

Or loving enough

"Are you listening to me?" She said by the other side of the table, sitting with water on her hand "You have your date in an hour and haven't done your homework"

Or doing his chores on the house

"And you haven't…"

"Electra, please stop" Sokka calmly said, finally touching the meal in front of him. She stared at him with anger, not wanting to keep rising her voice.

But recently she has had it. He had been deflecting the issue, going out in public and formalizing their relationship

"The doctor doesn't seem to be helping you as I thought, maybe we should change" She stated drinking her water.

Nobody wanted to cross the path of a mad woman, specially one with the character of Electra. It wasn't something that bad, at least to him. It reminded him a lot of another girl she had tried to replace so hard.

She was outspoken, demanding, smart and independent. The same qualities he craved were the ones he hated her guts for.

"It doesn't seem to be helping you" Sokka muttered back, chewing immediately as Electra clenched her teeth.

"You don't seem to move on from that illusion. I have tried to be a very patient girlfriend. Only your close group of friends know we are a couple"

Electra had a plan scheduled, she had already gained the trust of Katara and her close group. The only piece that didn't budge was the one that could secure her future and it made her crazy.

Control was something she had to have, otherwise, the moment would quickly go south.

"I don't think more people knowing will change anything in our relationship" Sokka said without looking at her. Electra finally stood up and moved the chair to sit by his side. He sighed and knew what will happen next

"I think your main concern is one person finding out"

"I think your main concern is Suki finding out" Sokka thought looking at her icy eyes, who showed how angry she was with him.

"I have told you before: I don't think it would look good for you to be the love interest of another councilman" Sokka excused himself with that. Rumors went around of a relationship between them, who shared close rooms because of the place they represented.

"That's bull" Electra said, for the first time, upset. Sokka noticed it.

"Hey, calm down" He replied with an authoritative tone. Electra hated it, but she hated that he couldn't seem to love her enough.

They were playing dumb at the thought of being an established couple. Sokka had tried his hardest and she saw it, their relationship had even improved after they shared their first night together.

But faking something had it's weakness and an absolute ending. Electra saw they were close to that, Sokka saw how suddenly she had lost her calm demeanor. She showed a face his ex would do whenever he had to said something.

"We are not breaking up, don't be upset" Sokka answered before Electra could even say anything else. "I'm getting late to the doctor's office. Can you calm down so we can talk about this later?"

"You are treating me like her. You haven't improved anything in yourself" Electra bitterly stated, Sokka was now angry.

"Do not compare yourself-"

"It was never a competition, I just wanted you to love me and I have seen some improvement-"

"Then WHY are you contradicting yourself? Didn't you just-"

"I SAID that improvement is regarding your appearance, your way of seeing life, you have finally outgrew the mold of 'Sokka the Boomerang boy'-"

"Like it was a bad thing? You are implying-"

"Do not put any words in my mouth!" Electra finally screamed, breaking the glass of water near them to the floor. Sokka looked speechless, staring at her in disappointment.

Disappointment in himself, on trying to keep the relationship floating. It was doomed from the beginning.

"It's what I believe. Weren't you telling me before that we would never last together? Why are YOU now surprised?" Sokka exploded at her rage, who didn't show shaking or punching. It showed with the venom she speak and the damage she inflicted with the choice of her words.

"I thought you changed your way of loving. But you are still the selfish, narcissistic, scared boy who can't move on from an idealized girl who is, currently, getting her shit together, thanks to you" She said holding her stare.

It hurt him exactly how she wanted and it never made her feel better. But it was pent up anger that had built over the course of two years. She had seen all of the signs months earlier than two nights ago.

That's a reason why Sokka held so much from looking or traveling to the fire nation. He avoided it so Electra would feel safe and loved, even if he didn't love her the way he did Suki. It still hurt hearing that because it had truth in it.

A reason he didn't want to see Suki was because she would have changed. She would be someone different he might not love anymore and it terrified him. Because without his goal of being a better man for them, what was he?

He sat again, looking at the broken glass on the floor. He kneeled and started picking up the pieces, as if trying to mend his own breaking heart.

Electra is his girlfriend. She is amazing in her own way: All of her achievements, all of the fears she had to get over with.

Feeling equal and something new: Her partner in crime, the giggles in the night, knowing why she had this icy persona and bubblier around him, not feeling needy to tell her how much he missed Suki.

But today, he realized what he didn't want in a girl, and it was exactly what Electra was. Someone stubborn, a strategist, someone so proud that couldn't admit any fault at all, a manipulator and arrogant person.

He put the shards of glass on the table as Electra continued watching him, as if expecting an apology. He stared at her with hurt, hoping for a change of heart in her. Something rang on the other side of the room, taking him out of his thoughts and walking to answer it.

"Councilman Sokka" He answered, steadying his breathing at the anger he had. The other line went silent.

"Who is this?" He said more angered, as if fighting with Electra wasn't enough to vent out.

"I am searching for Ambassor Electra"

His eyes went wide as he turned to Electra who looked as scared as him. She ran and took a shaky breath before grabbing the pod.

"This is her" She said with her tone as usual, the voice babbled at the other side of the pod. She closed her eyes frustrated, as the man in the other side talked about the interview she had postponed the other day.

"Great" Sokka thought sitting on the couch, completely ignoring his date with the therapist. "Now it's official we are out"

She hanged the pod back to it's place, and looked at Sokka.

"He was a reporter I shooed away the other day" She explained sitting at the other side of the room. "He said there was a report on the building of a brawl at my room…"

"And then I grabbed the phone" Sokka completed, hanging his head forward.

The air was tense. Electra looked still upset, Sokka glanced at her and became more irritated. Both had carefully watched how they were perceived by their co workers and now, the city would run it's gossip about them as a couple.

"I hope you are happy" Sokka thought.

"I am going to bed" Electra said as she fastly unbraided her hair. Sokka followed her, removing the jacket he had on and his shoes.

They laid on silence, their backs touching but their minds far away from their place. Maybe he did need someone else to help him heal from Suki. Maybe it was really the time.

What he was sure, it was that he had to let go of Electra.

"Electra…" He whispered, afraid of even speaking for himself. For some time Electra had chosen most of the things in his life. Aang once told him how it wasn't alright. Sokka didn't care that much, it was for his best.

But now it was really time to grow up.

"Not now" She replied "Let's sleep"

She had heard whispers from everyone in the room.

Councilman Sokka had a girlfriend.

The very same thing she had avoided this three years.

Ty Lee was very protective of her that day, helping her with not crossing paths with Zuko directly, just guarding. She couldn't wait for the day to be over and for her to fall in her bed. A mechanism she did to protect her heart.

Their relationship was a mess looking back at them as a couple. It was the best for them to be over, to not keep contact. Her heart still couldn't help to struggle drawing the line between liking him and loving him.

"Sokka…and a girl" Suki thought behind her pillar, gripping her fan harder. She was upset, he seemed to be doing well without her. As always. All the drama, all the letters in between where he promised eternal love and the whole world to her.

Trash.

She wanted to know more. Maybe it was the last push she needed to get over him. Suki was tired of crying some nights in her bathroom alone, to push out any person that tries it.

Karina and her checked some of the news and laws that were currently trending, that way she wasn't as disconnected from that new world, were they would attend once Katara and Aang sent their wedding invitation. Today, she was more interested in the gossip.

"Karina, any interesting news in your section?" Suki asked with determination, lowering her newspaper and glancing. Karina shivered.

"Suki, I… don't think you should see it. I am saying it as a friend" Karina said gulping, hiding her newspaper. Suki's eye twitched and Karina recognized that signal.

"I am an adult. Give it" She handed the newspaper with a sigh, as her eyes set on the front section.

THE "IT" COUPLE RIVALING THE AVATAR: THE WATER TRIBES

Councilman Sokka from the Southern water tribe and Ambassador Electra from the Northern Water tribe, the son of Chief Hakoda and the daughter of the highest rank commander, were confirmed as a couple out to the public. According to close sources, they had been dating for almost…2 years!

We are sorry to inform all of the girls and boys waiting for a chance to date them, as for this pictures taken 3 weeks ago were our clear sign that they seem to love each other to the moon and back!

Suki looked at the picture next to the test, were Sokka and Electra seemed to be dancing close to a temple, with him kissing her on the cheek on the last panel. She could feel her billis coming to her throat, burning her.

We hope to hear and see more about them after todays session, as news about a possible engagement were what had been holding them from telling it all to the public. Congratulations to our new couple from the upper side of Republic city!

Karina looked nervously at Suki's reaction, who didn't seem to express anything. She carefully folded the newspaper to how it was delivered. Her eyebrows slowly but firmly lowered to a deep frown, still in her thoughts.

"Suki"

"They have been dating for two years" Suki said motionless "It's been two years since the last letter he sent me"

"You kept talking to him?" Karina asked more surprised at the revelation, quickly getting on track of the conversation "Well…you are friends aren't you?"

"I found him a therapist on Republic city. It was recommended to me by my own" She said bitterly standing up and shaking, walking from side to side of the room while Karina carefully followed behind her.

"Well…it helped him? Shouldn't we be happy?" Karina asked with a forced smile as Suki continued walking

"I guess. He moved on fast too, I don't get that" She said clutching her fans too hard, the leather on her gloves starting to give in to the grip.

"Well…"

"I don't get it. I wish I could do that too…how did he moved on?" She continued rambling as Karina stopped trying to ground her, listening instead.

"Well good for him! I'm so happy he is doing superb, being an excellent boyfriend and having the girl of his fucking dreams and has forgotten me as a friend" she finished throwing the fan towards the door, a loud thud following as Karina opened her eyes and saw nobody was in the room anymore.

Suki was fuming

"Congratu-fucking-lations Sokka. Screw you and screw your promises" Suki said walking towards the kitchen. The staff stopped and saw the rage on Suki's eyes, quickly moving out of the way as she went through the whole room without grabbing anything and leaving it.

"You look so amazing and aren't as sad as you said. You even look hotter, fitting for your ice queen" Suki continued as she pulled out the bun, letting her hair flow in anger, quickly unclasping the headpiece.

"Maybe you never cared at all, I was a replacement to your previous as she is to me. Well good for you, Sokka. I won't be fucking left behind in this stupid life"

Zuko stopped his training as Suki grabbed a Katana from the barracks. She walked with inmense fury and pain, gritting her teeth before walking faster towards Zuko. Zuko unsheathed his dual swords.

"OUT OF THE ROOM" Both said as their guards and servants obeyed, leaving them to duel.

Suki immediately tried a step forwards, as Zuko dodged by the side and suppressed the urge to relitate against her. For Agni's Sake.

She continued slashing and fighting with a sharpness he hadn't seen since their war days, the ugly and terrific leader of the Kyoshi warriors. The attitude and discipline that definitely made him fall for her.

But if he got too lost in the beauty of a good sparring partner, he would be cut out in pieces. Anger management was something Suki still wasn't good at it. Zuko managed to knock the sword out of her hand.

A movement she regrated, as Zuko wanted to scream she flipped and pinned him to the ground, making him hit his head hard on the floor.

"Oh gosh, Zuko!" Suki said getting off him and checking his pulse. Zuko slowly opened his eyes.

"Are you satisfied? You won" Zuko groaned grabbing his head in pain as Suki helped him sit up.

"I…I'm sorry. I thought you wouldn't hold back" She said checking for blood, relieved when she didn't feel or see any.

"Of course I would, look at your hair. I would have slashed and you would have killed me for doing that" Suki glances at her hair down and laughed. Zuko smiled and laid down relaxing, feeling chilly as the sweat dried.

Suki looked at his friend and bit her lip.

"Zuko" She wouldn't mention anything that happened that made her snap out of herself, Zuko had probably guessed it anyway, as he looked at her suspiciously.

Maybe it was time for her to actually listen to her therapist. The void in her heart might not be filled with all of the expectations. She should try anyway.

"Would you go out on a date with me?"

The words left from her mouth fast and breathless, as if saying it slower would make her choke. Zuko was shocked, unsure of it what he had hear was true, he sat down and stared without the intent to talk.

"Is she being serious?" Zuko thought feeling cautious. He dreamt for the day to come where he could go out on a date with her, free of boundaries.

But that was the keyword. Boundaries.

"Why?" He asked, making Suki blush through her makeup and turn away. "why?" Suki thought to herself.

"Why not? I think is the time to do it" She said avoiding meeting his stare. Her blood was still boiling from thinking about Sokka. But not in a good way anymore.

"Suki. I am suspicious this date has to do with certain news that have been running around" Zuko sighed frustrated.

"again, the second choice. Is it always going to be this way?" Zuko thought as Suki looked uncomfortable, he had hit the nail.

"Does it matter the conditions that had made me realize my..feelings.." She whispered, just enough for him to hear her. She kept trying to steady her breathing, overwhelmed, tired and fearful of loving again.

Loving anyone that wasn't herself of course because she knew why she wanted to date Zuko, she couldn't feel she had lost. She was being selfish in that aspect, knowing that it would be a bait if the news spread around, if she could she would have changed that trait of hers.

Of yearning revenge.

Was it something that she learned in war?

"It doesn't, but I don't want to feel cheated on. Not anymore" Zuko said grabbing both of her hands "I think you deserve love on it's fullest forms Suki, not holding anymore"

Her mind was changing, the thought of him not being there and her hurting because of it was gone, or so she thought.

She wasn't hungry for his love.

So why she was crying? Why she was angry at the news?

She was having a meltdown.

"I…can't believe it" "Again" she wanted to add, something Zuko already shared a view with her. "I was feeling like myself and…this breaks me…"

"Forgive yourself Suki, you are not the one to blame…"

"I killed people for him" She whispered "I wanted to save him and…they were so young…"

Suki starts crying right there, having a full breakdown. Her hiccups and gasps for air reminded Zuko of someone really close to him, who he also couldn't help. He takes her into his arms and carries her through the doors towards his room.

The whole road he whispered mechanisms for her to calm down her breakdown, to the simple ear they sounded like riddles, games or sequences. Learning them from his own uncle when he would have nightmares about his father burning him after being vanished.

Suki at times would just sniff loudly, trying to suppress the feeling of heartbreak. Once in the safety of Zuko's room, she let herself go, hugging him. Time to time he would offer her some water.

As she felt asleep by his side, Zuko sat on the edge, watching her peacefully sleep after venting it all out.

"I am staying a Ty Lee's room"

Mai startled Zuko, walking inside the secret wall towards Ty's room. Zuko exhaled, feeling bad for just barging into the room with another woman in his arms, even if it meant his lover.

That made it worse.

He felt they had gone to the first step of recovery, again. Looking at her chest going up and down, Zuko thought if it was his time too, to let got of Suki. He won't ever think of pushing her away, but to resign at the thought of having her as a firelady.

Of being public and he knew she deserved better than to be the "another"

"It gets creepy" She mumbled opening her swollen eyes

Zuko snorted turning away "You caught me thinking" he said as she giggled, burying her face in his pillow and taking a deep breath.

"Sorry for that breakdown" Suki said siting up, feeling awful but a lot lighter. "Can you pass me a wet towel please? I must look funny"

"Your make up is waterproof" He replied standing up to gather the petition, sitting again in the bed to do it for her. Suki refused at first but Zuko didn't let her choose, already cleaning her face.

Looking at her that close always made Zuko heart jump happily, relaxing him. He lent her a mirror for her to look at her bare face.

"Thanks cleanerlord" She joked, putting down the mirror as Zuko looked at her hands. She looked at them too, seeing how he put his on hers, fitting as if it was a lost puzzle.

"Would you go out on a date with me?" Zuko asked as Suki looked petrified "Don't worry, we won't go public"

That statement made her roaring heart calm down, the adrenaline of going on a proper date with his friend excited her. But doing it undercover?

"What about Mai?" She asked "I don't want to be…"

"You won't! It's…difficult to explain. It's arranged, you know I have never moved on from you" Zuko cleared his heart, as he felt a knot form in his throat. He felt it was a clear rejection but he had to try.

After this, he would leave her alone forever.

Suki looked at the gold, the feeling of adrenaline and excitement of something new feeling her body. "It is time"

"Okay, let's go on a date"

They smiled like idiots, their heart rates dying down after all the rollercoaster of emotions that happened before their confession. It might take time for her to get used to Zuko, but it wasn't such a bad thing.

And she would be anonymous! No honor corrupted, no bad feelings again between Mai and her.

Zuko laid her down on the bed and walked to the other side of the room, a small bed could be seen from Suki's perspective. She covered herself in his sheets and calmed down, focusing on the way he was making her feel.

The same as she felt that night she kissed him to let go of the feelings, that had begun to grow slowly.