He had been watching her for some minutes already, unable to say anything. How could he? Interrupting her safe space with Appa was a good way to be mutilated.
After walking down the sanctuary, he couldn't get any sleep back. He had worked with what he thought curing and nursing was, guided by the other waterbenders in the room.
Surprised it had worked.
Annoyed he had to hear Electra's thoughts
"What are you doing here? You should be with Suki, helping her '' Her hoarse voice said after a long silence, as to Sokka who looked confused.
"I…She is fine? She is recovering, she is at her home. I won't annoy her due to Mai's trap" He replied upset "What if that makes her run away from me forever? We…we bonded in our trip to save you"
"Then, nurture it" Electra scolded, coughing a piece of metal it seemed. Sokka placed his hands again above her, doing his best to concentrate on his new ability.
"I'll tell Aang and Katara you are also happy" He ignored her advice, happy and tired of using it. He had even MORE respect for his sister, who constantly did this pregnant.
"I'll tell them myself, as soon as I can sit" She grabbed his hand, stopping him from overworking. "I don't know at what point I…I saw him"
"Him?" He questioned, lost in who she was speaking about "You heard me when I was talking to you?"
"No" Electra replied slowly, tearing up "Silla, he said I couldn't be with him"
"I'm so sorry…." He was limited to reply, unable to clear his head. She was dead.
"Don't be. He showed me I was needed here, it seems my duty is tied to yours. So honor me and help Suki, please"
Upset that he ran back to her, after all that happened and they talked. She wanted space, she wanted to be alone.
Yet, hearing Electra was the last push he needed to start packing Appa up, with water from the sanctuary to whom he promised would be returned. He didn't expect to find her crying, he didn't want to believe Mai after what he saw on the ride back from the North Pole.
Unfortunately, they were right.
"I'll…I'll let you breathe" He excused himself, wanting to punch himself for not reaching. He just stood there like a creep and was now on his way to play dumb in the woods until the first rays of light graced the forest.
Besides Appa, Suki felt paralyzed. Karina had numerous times advised her how it was okay to take time to find things, alone. To experience being a human, alone.
But she wasn't fond of being alone, that's why she ran to Zuko. Was that why Sokka tempted her every time?
No, she was avoiding the obvious.
Is that why she was speeding up her way out of Kyoshi?
She wanted love, she wanted a family. She had found a family with her warriors, with her friends, with her lovers. She couldn't keep running away from being happy to avoid more deceptions.
She could. Of course she could. Unless Electra never walks again, if Karina never wakes up. She had to honor them. She needed to stop being a coward.
She needed to be vulnerable, again. When two arms wrapped around him he was surprised, freezed. He was limited to pose his hands above hers, caressing them as her sobs were muffled in his back.
She wanted to say it.
She wasn't happy, she wanted a way out. She wanted to not think about anything at all. She wanted to say she loved him.
So she did. Scrambling to write in his torso with shaky hands. Gibberish to his understanding, lost in translation what she had tried to say.
"I can't understand your writing" He said, pulling her away from him, turning around to face her.
Startled a bit by her motionless face, she took a deep breath and exhaled.
"I…will miss you as a friend" She coughed a bit, recomposing herself "please send my regards to your family"
Sokka was lost in what that meant, nodding.
"I'll go there quickly, do that, and we'll meet here again?" He asked, confirming with Suki so she would have enough time.
"Sure, do you need help?" She asked clumsily, pointing to his bags. He nodded, handing them.
"Thanks…."
They stared at each other, unable to mutter another word. Their hands barely grazed each other.
He knew after all of this was over, she would be gone from his side, forever.
Not another chance of meeting unless another horribly tragic mission happened.
While her head begged her to move and continue petting Appa, her heart wouldn't listen. The dim lights of the morning mixed with the deep blue framed his shape dreamily, unable to tear her eyes away.
He smiled, almost as if knowingly, being the first to move away. Dragging his feet down the hill for what felt like hours, he was meeting with his family before risking being caught by the cops.
"Good luck"
Sokka looked up and saw the body of the firelord passing by, the comment probably directed towards him.
With heaviness, he decided to leave the scene, contrary to what Mai asked him to.
"It's not a trap, but it's not safe here" He calmed himself, willing to take a last dive before respecting Suki's wishes.
"You thought I wouldn't say goodbye?"
She continued killing time above in the saddle, unsure of wanting to talk alone with him after all she had gone through.
"I supposed, the doxie doesn't get attention outside the palace" She replied in her most disinterested tone "specially one that's a fugitive"
Zuko decided to climb up the saddle, looking at her doing nothing.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Zuko asked hurt "I noticed"
Suki looked angered, taking a deep breath to calm herself down.
"Where would you like to start?" She asked sarcastically "Unless I'm talking with the pretend to be Zuko, you accused me of being a double agent and not loving you"
Zuko sighed, guilty.
"I…it's been some rough weeks, for all of us" He tried to justify himself "What I did is in no way correct and….I wish you could tell me how to fix this"
Suki thought about it for a second "he already promised me if I am his doxie he would never let Azula grasp a piece of power….but why I feel it's not entirely true…."
"If it's in my hands, I'll try to make it true" Zuko spoke without confidence, risking his relationship in case she also demanded a lover. It wouldn't be fair but it would confirm his suspicion…
He clenched his jaw, "What if it's true? Will I let her go?"
"I need to think this" She snapped, trapped. She had a duty first, another mission to end before managing Zuko and his duties. "I can't give you an answer"
"I know and…I'm sorry for making you see us fight" He apologized "I was jealous…of what could have happened in that trip"
Cheat. "You are a cheater…" Suki was disappointed in herself. At least when they broke each other's hearts they were single.
But is it cheating if he has his own lover and you are the extra one?
"I could see why" She admitted, flashes of how close they were during the mission, the last intimacy she seemed to show thanks to the feeling of death behind her neck.
How they had kissed.
But there was no reason Zuko should know that, at least now.
This didn't make Zuko feel any better, once the news broke he had been placing it in the back of his priorities. But now that he was free, he couldn't help feeling envy.
Of that simple life, running away and coming back without the weight on his back.
"I'm glad then, that I'm not acting irrational" He whispered, turning around. The drumming in his ear was louder than Suki reaching for him to talk.
Something happened, she just couldn't own it, be brave enough to say it.
Suki, struggling to be heard, felt they were at a very low point in their relationship. Why wouldn't they?
They haven't talked to each other alone for more than a couple of minutes. They were now almost going back and forth with each other.
And still, nothing was said.
"We do this every time we are alone," Zuko interrupted a frustrated Suki. He walked towards her. "When did this happen?"
"We are…in different lines. We don't see each other as frequently too" She tried to justify her selfishness.
She loved him, she did. Was it harder to love him when she was all the time with her instead of him? Yes. It doesn't mean she was lying!
"Is it a big issue now?" He mocked, crossing his arms. "I thought the absence of the presence made the heart fonder"
"If we are creating a family, it could be an issue" She reminded him, saying it out loud to feel the taste of the words coming out. It wasn't any better.
Zuko's anger bubbled, but was low enough to focus on what Suki was trying to say.
"I apologize for being absent" He kneeled, unsure if it had ruined everything. He must certainly felt it was the beginning of the end "and for reflecting my choices in yours"
Without a breath, Suki kneeled. This made Zuko look up, guilty of thinking the worst would be happening.
Shaking, she posed both hands on his face. The sun was almost completely out, she needed to speak now.
This was all he needed, leaning in to kiss her passionately. She continued the kiss, her head heavy and dizzy.
She pushed him away, catching air. Her eyes never left his. He smiled.
"Send my regards to Karina" He gave her another quick peck, standing up. As if an arrow pierced through his armor, he looked down to see Sokka briefly staring at him, turning around to avoid being caught, albeit too slow.
Zuko winked at Suki, jumping down.
He was not feeling down anymore for his feelings for Mai, just from the look of guilt in her eyes.
He wasn't still sure if that was enough or if he was being capricious with her love. Either way, he felt they were now on equal ground.
Aang felt like he could fly out into the sky.
Tapping his feet on the wood, he cooked enough food to feed the island. Eager to assist Katara in her daily routine.
Unfortunately, cooking with meat was never his strong ability, unable to distinguish if the meat was edible enough. He decided to run each of them in the fire for the same time.
Zuko smelled the burnt meat, squeezing his eyes to see who was the one in the kitchen.
"Uh, good morning" He saluted, before letting him reply, he removed the pan "The meat is burnt"
"huhh?!" He groaned, irritated that the meat was a waste and the life was sacrificed for nothing. "I should have asked Hakoda for help"
"Are you experimenting with food?" Zuko asked intrigued, grabbing the meat to crush some peppers and garlic above it, trying to mix it into a sauce "You could have asked me too"
"I was trying to prepare Katara a balanced plate, without her doing it" He said defeated "She needs to rest from all the work she has been doing this days"
"I agree" Zuko finished the paste, putting aside the cut to marinate "This plate will be for Mai, if Katara tries this she could upset her stomach"
He nodded, taking all of his attention into the new piece he began to cook. It was rare to see the monk so quiet and focused in the task.
"Did you manage to talk to Suki?"
And he ruined the healthy silence. He nodded, moving his body a bit so he could have a better view of the presentation.
"I'm glad you figured it out with both, it reminded me so much of how she was a few years ago" he slipped, smiling proud. Zuko turned his head slightly, interested.
"Yes, it seems your chat with her helped" He grinned, annoyed that Suki ignored that word of advice. "thanks for your concern"
"No need to thank, you are my friends and I want all of us to mingle and be…calm" Aang giggled, preparing the vegetables and sides. Zuko smiled, hoping that would be in the end how they would get together.
"Oh sweetie" Katara walked around the wall, kissing his cheek "You didn't need to force Zuko to cook some meat for me"
"I just did Mai's piece, not yours" He lied, nodding off to Aang who couldn't lie.
"As much as I appreciate it, it's impossible that Aang is an expert cook in the lapse of a few hours" She smiled warmly, pinching her husband's cheek. "Thank you for lending him a hand"
Zuko nodded, amused at how much love they displayed after everything calmed down. The hardest part would be the paperwork and audience held by the rest of their friends.
It did have its perks being the one in command. He couldn't help but wonder if that life was the one he aspired to have, or if he was capable of it. Aang has the weight of the world on his shoulders and can start a family, why couldn't he?
After he finished putting some plates on the table, he decided to serve a piece of last night's cake and deliver it to Mai. He should try at least to be more cordial if she was the one helping him.
Love could grow as big as he wanted to, as they wanted to. Is that why he felt relieved Suki was guilty?
He knocked on the door gently, opening it to see Mai still sleeping peacefully. Out of her shell.
He placed the cake on the night table, sitting on his side of the bed.
He loved her, but not enough. Not how she wanted. Yet, she agreed to work with them.
It did pain him how she would bend herself to be flexible to his commitments, wants and needs. He also loved Suki for being the exact opposite of this.
So why did it taste like their last kiss? Nothing was fixed, he just confirmed his suspicions. She was keeping her word, she would break his heart before breaking up with him.
He had compromised too much, he wouldn't let go off her. He needed to hold her.
Having a friend, a lover, like Mai, was a blessing to him.
Hopefully the trip back to Republic City would muster enough courage to talk with Suki about the inevitable.
He saw close they were to the city, expecting any minute to be ambushed by the police. He was glad she was riding, leaving him enough time to think about the letter he would be sending to his sister tribe.
He would of course omit the part where he had been blessed by Yue, there was no reason for them to know that.
"Ready?" She asked him, walking towards him. He stood up, nodding. Seeing the city below them, he rushed to Appa´s reins, controlling him. Ready to slow down in case they were asked to stop.
Suki didn't feel strong enough to jump out of Appa, but what other choice did she have? She still needed to deliver the water. She needed to help Karina return.
"I don't see anyone, maybe I could drop you before someone notices we are here" Sokka said rushing Appa towards the facility. He could see them making it before they were apprehended, he was sure.
It was too early for the whole team to intercept them. That's why they decided to travel at this time.
She was thankful she had read enough on that library to know the differences in the pace of the moon and sun, aiding them in their arrival.
Jumping out immediately, Suki ran towards the backdoor of the center, startling the staff at the back whom were eating.
"That's her!" One of the women said, rushing towards her with their flask, beginning to bend.
She stopped with both hands in the sky, the bottle visible.
"I need to see Karina, the patient. She might need this" She gestured to the half emptied bottle. The nurses examined it, one of them shrugging.
"Was this blessed by the spirits?" The nurse asked, Suki confirmed it. "Okay, we'll ask master Katara about the dosage"
"Thank you" Suki said relieved, letting down her guard. "I am sorry for running away"
She followed the nurses, wanting it to see the spirits in action…again.
Sokka entered, following some steps behind, watching the girls glance at the bottle. Walking behind Suki, he wanted to see how it would turn out, unsure of the final result.
"What if she is gone already?" Sokka gloomily thought, glancing at her silhouette. She entered the room, taking a deep breath.
"Believe, Suki" She thought, glancing at Sokka, whom seemed more worried than ever. He relaxed his face upon seeing hers, nodding.
They entered Karina's space, sliding the door.
Karina smiled at the couple.
Katara continued writing at the desk the progress of Electra's body after being touched by her brother.
It seemed like the world had tilted in favor of them, some scars being completely healed (but not hidden unfortunately) with the exception of the amputated zones. Toph continued visits throughout the day had helped her mood.
Sokka was really blessed, to have cured most of her body. She could take it from there. She was stable enough to be moved again.
But Kyoshi was proving to be welcoming and comfortable, so leaving wasn't her priority, thanks to Sokka's assistance.
"Time for your scheduled break babe, time to take a walk" Aang interrupted her thoughts, leaning on the frame of the door. Katara smiled, standing up with a stretch.
"What will we see today?" She asked enthusiastically, "More Koi riding?"
Aang giggled "I thought about something less threatening, due to these new circumstances. But I'm sure you'll love it"
"Of course I will" Katara thanked, taking his hand in their walk out of the hall. "I hope there is some food at the end of this walk"
"Anything you wish for, babe" He said, kissing her hand. "C'mon"
Sneaking behind the house, Aang guided her towards the mountains, lifting her off with a sheet of earth.
"I can still walk babe, it's not too steep" She giggled, leaning into him.
"I can't risk it until we arrive, I know you'll want to be rested" He winked, making Katara grin. She was appreciative of how they were treating her, even before she announced they were expecting, all of them tried to be helpful and cooperative to the point she felt drowned.
She hoped she could apologize for her tantrums before leaving.
"Oh dear…I didn't know Kyoshi had springs…when did you find them?" Katara asked stepping down from the step. Aang rounded her waist, nibbing her neck playfully.
"Mmm…maybe in one walk when you were too busy being the most powerful waterbender in the world" He continued kissing her neck, sucking softly her ear before whispering "Don't you want me to take care of you?"
Katara could have melted right there, helping him remove his robes as they made their way into the springs.
Suki laid down in the bed beside her, hugging her whole body. Karina rested peacefully, stroking some of her hair.
"Since when you woke up?" Suki asked, struggling to not hiccup.
"A day ago I believe" She replied confused, looking down at her "Have I lost muscle from being too sleepy?"
Suki laughed heartily, hugging her tighter. "You scared me….you scared us a lot"
"I wouldn't leave you, not today at least, maybe tomorrow. But please, let me get up and stretch, we have been laying here for at least, three hours" She said, hugging her back for more seconds, before trying to push her away.
Suki conceded, cleaning the rest of the fresh tears she had.
"You have been a case too, I can't believe you stole from the spirits" Karina sighed, nodding her head in disapproval, but with a big smile "Thanks to you Electra is alive"
"We will give it back, besides, that's not the strangest thing that happened on the trip," Suki said excitedly, grabbing her hands. "Can you guess who is expecting?"
"Expecting what?" She asked confused, before her face changed into shock and surprise "NO"
"Yes" She nodded, jumping up and down. "Aang and Katara will have their firstborn"
Karina squealed excitedly, jumping up and down (with difficulties,but did it) "We should totally go out and grab some beers over it! I can't believe they had it on their first try"
Suki fake gagged before laughing "I'm sure they weren't even trying for it"
"I bet" She laughed, looking fondly at her. "I am so happy you are here with me Suki"
"I am happy you are alive, I would follow you to the grave" She admitted, her face frowning slightly.
"Now, now. I'm here. We are here" She smiled, hugging her tightly. "But I would drag you back to life if you did something so reckless"
"I have done worse," Suki mocked, smiling. "Besides, there…are some news I need to say"
"I am all ears," Karina said, sitting down on the bed with her again. Focused, hopeful something else had also changed while sleeping.
"I will marry Zuko, I'm letting go of Sokka because I…relapsed, at the Northern tribe. So it's for the best to cut him out of my life forever" She said proudly, ignoring her own advice, and Karina's, of being alone.
She looked suspiciously at her, crossing her arms.
"Mai and I are also on good terms, so both of us will be at peace while being with Zuko" She explained, omitting a lot of what had happened and they had talked "So ... .I also won't be going back to Kyoshi…Sorry. She'll help me with some stuff in the fire nation"
"It's okay, are you okay?" Karina asked immediately, seeing Suki's nodding, she decided to shake some of her sister's brains. "So Sokka leaving the room means you won't be seeing him ever again?"
"Yes" She gulped, "I still need to tell him that I made up my mind, finally"
"Okay, I'm glad you are choosing to be happy" She smiled sincerely, trying to not nitpick at her body language "But…"
"But? No buts in here sis" She interrupted before Karina raised a hand again.
"But how will you do that….won't you ever visit your friends? He is the uncle of the kid, of course he will be there" Karina asked, Suki shrugged.
"I…planned to live in the fire nation. And cut them off physically at least" Karina frowned, biting her tongue. "At least for some time"
"Okay" She said disagreeing, looking at the wall and back to her "I am glad you are choosing yourself first"
Suki nodded along, trying to mask herself up with how Azula had taught her. Unfortunately, Karina had picked up too many mistakes she had tried to cover up. Including the sadness in her eyes.
"Thank you for understanding" She said with a big smile "Zuko also says hi, by the way"
"Send him my regards too, when he visits you in jail" She winked, fake smiling. "You…said you relapsed? Did you have…an attack?"
"No, no" Suki denied it with her whole body, feeling odd for being defensive "I…darkened"
"What? Why?" Karina asked concerned "What happened?"
Suki bit her lip, turning her face away. It was the part of the story she wanted to avoid.
"Well…we borrowed the oasis water to save you and Electra" Suki explained at her "But…Sokka was the one who filled the bottle from the pond"
Karina looked intensely, not prepared for what came out of Suki's mouth next.
"He almost died and is now a waterbender?" Karina asked incredulous
"That's why he walked me up here…to see if he would need to heal you" Suki admitted, with a guilty smile.
"The thought of Sokka dying made you darken and you are still going to commit to Zuko? I thought we were beyond this point" Karina said, annoyed, making Suki stand up defensively.
"Hey! I…I can't risk…risk everything" Suki tried to reason, almost convincing herself "I have changed and-"
"You want to stop everyone and everything that reminds you of that feeling, Suki. Just let go of that fear you have" Karina urged "Don't make me tell you what to do"
"I was not asking you at all what to do. I'll continue my duty, out of love" She failed to convince herself and her sister, making her grab a pillow and throw it to her face "Hey!"
"I don't want to hear you in the middle of the night, bawling out your eyes after missing him your whole life. I can't physically go through that and won't do it after you have his babies.
Just remember me telling you that you are a coward, you don't want to be loved"
Suki's expression made Karina's heart drop, but it was something she needed to hear.
"You won't hear or know of me after you are done here" Suki said wiping her tears "I can't believe you-"
"I can't believe I have been sleeping and YOU can't tell what are you feeling, or accept it"
With fury in their eyes, the sisters stared at each other with disdain. Suki was speechless, unable to say anything else. Karina had a lot to express and say.
"I will tell Zuko I quit" Karina said, sitting down. "I will return to Kyoshi with my wife. Send me a letter when you make up your mind"
Suki was too proud to say anything, nodding along. "I'll go and call her so you can leave this facility together"
"I hope jail is worth it" Karina got back to the point, her eyes heavy on hers "I hope it does make you choose the correct decision"
"I don't owe you an explanation, at fucking all" Suki expressed hurt "You said I should choose and I chose not to go back to Kyoshi, take care"
"You don't even like Kyoshi anymore, you can reduce the funds going there" Karina said bitterly "We have done it a hundred years without the world"
"Fine! Have it your way" Suki said angrily "You won't guilt me into doing anything else"
"No one is guilting you, we are telling you what everyone can see and you make excuses to stop your feelings, COWARD!" Karina said standing up to her face "I will hate to say that I was right the moment that letter arrives of how miserable you began to feel"
"Karina, stop it" Suki said tearfully "You are…you are hurting me"
"You are torturing me!" Karina continued her rant "I care for you Suki, I don't want you suffering"
"I need to go" She waved her hands by her sides "I need to arrange everything before leaving"
"Okay" She said angered sitting down again "Good luck with your endeavors"
Suki felt heartbroken for a third time, unable to say anything as she rushed towards any other room that was empty. Unfortunately, not a single room was of use as they were either with patients or nurses, walking endlessly alongside the corridors.
"Why was her reaction so strong?" Suki thought to herself, walking slower. "I…I need to clarify everything"
Suki turned back, after some minutes of debating whether it was a good idea or not to tell Karina her findings. She could try and talk with her again.
She walked towards the door, knocking on it first.
"Yes?" Karina asked, looking at Suki worried instead of angry, not what she was expecting. "What's wrong?"
Suki sighed, sitting on the couch. "I can't leave Zuko because that's what Azula has been planning with Mai and Ty Lee. Not because I can't choose"
Karina's head dropped to her hand, trying to deal with it she glanced at her. "Are you su-"
"Ty Lee told me herself" Suki said, taking a deep breath "I am blackmailing Mai so I can get Azula jailed again and be alone"
"Why…why did you wait to tell me until I said all those…"Karina stood up to apologize, realizing her plan "Suki!"
"I wanted to do it alone" She said dismissing it "Besides…I need to admit that my relationship with him hasn't been the best due to numerous circumstances"
"Right…"Karina listened confusedly. "Something else happened…"
"I darkened also because I realized I…I am not sure what my purpose is anymore. My last realization was that I needed to keep you alive, afterwards…not a warrior, not a wife. Lost in the limbo" Suki explained leaning on the couch.
"I haven't talked to anyone else, but I'm sure you…you are still denying feeling love. You were betrayed twice" Karina said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "This is not the first time you feel lost"
"Yes…I want a family, another one because I already have one, with you" She smiled at her, cheering up "but…maybe I need to pursue other ways of resources lent to Kyoshi…full time, without the help of the fire nation"
Karina shrugged "You can do everything and nothing. You can't eat the world in a single bite" smiling, she massaged her hands. "Just pick one to start, the rest will follow in it's due time"
Suki giggled "I should be the one massaging you" she said standing up
"Nah, I am sore of not doing anything, not because I'm exhausted" She cringed a bit, sad "I'm sorry I said you were a coward"
"I deserved it" Suki sighed "I wanted to lie to you too…maybe to believe it"
"I already knew you were lying to yourself, it's no use putting more pressure" She also sighed "But you need to be careful with your…actions. Ty probably told Azula you know"
"Yes, she will be on edge and try her best to be careful. She won't be the minute I am married to Zuko" Suki sighed "Her best bet is that I won't do it, she has been bombarding me with Sokka, with everything…actually"
"She read you well, she…has leverage after all" Karina explained "I…would suggest you see someone else here in the city"
"Oh…yes, I will" Suki replied sheepishly "Same one I sent Sokka too. He has gotten better"
Karina smiled, pained. "You…you know you can count on us to do everything. We are warriors, sometimes the best thing to do is stop it from the-"
"Thank you" Suki interrupted, too tempted to put a hit on Azula "But I think that'll make everything worse. Trust me, I have planned on Azula knowing that I know"
"Ookay" Karina said happily. "Do you want to grab some lunch?"
"Sure!" She said gloomily "Want anything in specific?"
"Not made by you, just that" Karina jokes, rounding her shoulder as they walked "anything else but this damn liquid is good"
Sokka re read the scroll multiple times, hoping it would be enough to avoid judgment due to abandoning their positions, stealing and abusing their power.
At least here in the city they are excused, the Northern tribe? Is like fighting a wall. So hard to convince them your intentions were pure.
Good thing Electra accepted signing the scroll without any type of content written
"Councilman Sokka, we are sorry to interrupt you. We need to give you your medicine" The man said, offering him the glass of water.
He just took it, wanting to make sure it was perfect to send the letter.
"Anything else I can help you with?" He said attentive, looking at every movement he did.
Sokka looked at his paper, unsure if it should have gone also through Electra before handing him the scroll.
"Could you please send this to the Northern tribe embassy? It's urgent" He asked politely, exhaling after he nodded and left the room immediately.
He hoped that was enough so Aput would stop trying to kill them, or at least Suki. He could deal with him later at court, it was a thousand times easier.
Leaning his head on the table, Sokka rested his eyes, trying to make sense of all the fast changes he was experiencing.
First, he gets to kiss Suki again, but as magical as that moment was, in the end, nothing is resolved, and she has worsened.
Second, and most importantly, he can bend. Why had Yue suddenly granted him the power? or unlocked the chakras in him? why?
He could remember his worst thoughts darkening, he thought his mission was taking care of Wolf cove like a real leader, with power. Katara is still a master waterbender and did an amazing job helping their dad.
Why was he granted now, after the war, this blessing?
He pulled out another piece of paper, struggling to write down a capsule. Erratically and without structure, words filled the sheet, almost a thousand ways to describe what he was feeling with this sudden change in his life.
Stopping only when his tear made contact with the ink, blurring it a little bit.
He sighed and made his way to the door, knowing that they still had to be put in custody due to their inter continental agreement.
Putting both arms to the front he smiled cheekily, letting the handcuffs be tight on his wrists. Walking towards the main waiting room, and trying to distract himself, he rested his head on the wall, counting the times the nurses went back and forth between the rooms.
They were only delivering paper, they could have implemented, by now, another way to quickly pass the information to avoid people running away or-
"Huff!" Suki sat forcefully by his side with a smile "Well, we did it!"
Glued to the glee she showed, he smiled back. "We did it Daisuki"
Electra could barely sit up straight, clinging to the sides of the fountain in Kyoshi. Katara sighed shakily, letting the healers take up her place while she stood in front of her.
"How are your legs feeling?" Her cool hand clashed with her legs, sending a shiver up to her back.
"As if they were a thousand wet dresses in the sea" She explained, unable to move them. "Is your hand usually this cold?"
"Just when I'm doing this" Katara smiled, focusing but failing to do anything else. Electra bowed thankful, leaning on her hands.
"Thank you, for taking care of my wounds" Her purple eyes looked full of emotion, but her face kept still. She was still unable to do any type of facial expression, it pained her too much.
"It's the least we can do" She limited to say with a shrug "Thank me when I get you back to your feet"
"I'm thanking you because you are here when you should be resting" She glanced at her body "I-"
"I read your scrolls, remember?" Katara limited to say, upset "Please let me try to help you without…having to talk"
She was surprised at seeing Electra emote, huffing at her shock.
"Please take a break" Katara indicated to the women, who nodded and walked out of the shrine. She kneeled besides Electra, squinting.
"What scrolls?" Electra rolled to her side, embarrassed, brainstorming a thousand excuses to it "I….don't recall all the things I sign"
"Does 'Ulu' and 'civil war' ring a bell to you?" Katara said frowning "You lended Sokka the work of your tribe, luckily for us, there is a raging snowstorm so no one is able to do anything or have any type of communication"
Electra looked shocked and confused, her eyes lifting to see if she could recall anything about what she said.
"Ulu?" She asked out loud, Katara rolled her eyes and sighed "She probably has a brain injury too" she thought, frustrated
"Yes, that's what your letter said…apart from other stuff" She spoke softly, looking with pity at her confused face. "and other personal stuff I shouldn't have read. They were in your mother tongue"
"That paper…" Electra's bruises were covering her blush "I don't think they'll do anything considering they think I'm dead"
"They are informed you are alive, well, Sokka should have sent a letter by now" Katara reassured "But-"
"Ulu, yes" Electra interrupted "Ulu…it rings a bell to me but I can't wrap my finger about who it might be…"
A bolt shocked Electra, making her shiver and drag herself to the water, irrational fear taking over her as she thought of who it might be that mystery person.
"Electra!" Katara screamed, alerting her team "Hey! Come back"
"I met her…I think.." She shivered, horrified "I think she was in that….that…"
"In the cave?" Katara asked, "She was a captor?"
"No! No. no" Electra grabbed her head, tugging her chopped strands of hair "Please stop!"
Katara stretched her hands, stopping the group from getting any closer. She dismissed them again, seeing how the ambassador broke down crying.
She stepped out of the room, strutting behind one of them and whispering urgently
"Please call master Beifong and tell her she needs to be here now"
Sokka had never been on this side of the office, as a criminal, the cold metal was uncomfortable and unwelcoming to his back.
Toph's office was empty and was almost inviting to do other stuff he wished to do if the guards weren't outside of the door watching them.
"This is a nice room" Sokka coughed, trying to spark a conversation. Suki was limited to nodding, being tied from her arms down to her feet, already researching she was an experienced fighter.
"It would be nicer with some cookies" he wiggled his eyebrows, grinning "I know where she hides them here"
"We shouldn't give them more reasons to think we are scheming, again" She said with a small smile. "Those cookies sound promising" She thought, sighing.
"Thankfully, we were caught in my city" He boasted, flexing his arms, or his shoulders, due to also being tied. "It's just a matter of minutes before Toph gives us the free pass"
"I wouldn't be so sure…you know, this being an international issue" Suki mocked playfully "But I am interested in where Beifong would hide the cookies from you"
"She hides them under the bookshelf, in a metal case" He confidently said "I will show you once she comes back"
"I will slave you if there are no cookies!" Suki remarked with a grin "I didn't get any dessert and is making me-"
"angry" Sokka completed with a loving look, earning a glossy stare from her. For some seconds they held their gaze, Suki removed herself first, looking straight to the window.
"Yes, angry" She completed her sentence, disappointed in how the erraticness in her life made her gullible to believe she could run away with Sokka. How she could defeat Azula and leave the palace to be happy.
Those were stories she was told twice, from her mother. Warriors Don't get happy endings or the prince, they get the glory.
"You know, we can visit after we are bailed out" He suggested, paying attention to her reaction. She nodded
"Do you think he accepts walk ins? I was told you need to book him first" She continued the chat, it would be helpful to avoid falling into the trap of loving him.
"Uh…I didn't think of that" Sokka said clumsily "Maybe he will make an exception?"
Suki huffed with a smile "Let's hope so. I want to be the strongest I have ever been when I return to the palace"
"Right" Sokka nodded with a sad smile, wondering if there was anything he could help her from afar, besides Mai's possible bait and Electra's inconclusive advice to be there for a shoulder to cry for.
She never ran to him to confide, why would she suddenly do it?
"Ambasador Sokka, General Suki, you are free to go" The captain of the police force removed the metal binds, letting them stretch and stand up "Only condition is you can't leave the city until the Northern tribe captain comes to talk to you"
"Yup, we'll take it" Sokka said disinterested "I'm sure ambassador Electra will take care of that"
The captain shrugged, ordering them to get out of the room.
Out of the building, Suki could notice that the weather had changed, the cloudy sky making strange reflections in the ground. He stood next to her, almost freezed on what road to take.
Was he allowed to talk after everything he had told her?
"I-Is there somewhere you'll like me to walk you to?" He asked her with a stutter, beating himself mentally for it. Suki looked down to his eyes, searching for someone afterwards.
"Could you take me to Mr. Saturns office?" She asked shyly, crossing her arms against her chest. He nodded, leaning his head to lead the way.
Walking side to side, drowned by the multitude of people walking and shouting, Sokka looked at her closed posture, tense and ready to fight anybody.
"How are we feeling with the new discovery?" She asked him, chatty as usual. Her grip on her arm was showing him the contrary.
"I am not sure how long this will last" He admitted, trying to reassure them that being a waterbender was, maybe, temporary. Maybe he would need to give up something else "I find myself enjoying it even if I'm below average"
"I see" Suki said, looking straight ahead "Now we can fight up to par, finally"
He laughed heartily, the sound breaking a bit of Suki's heart.
"I am mediocre at best. You are still the best fighter, even incapacitated" He conceded, smiling "I wished this…wasn't true in some way"
"Why?" Suki asked confused, looking up to him "I…remember this being an aspiration. You can learn from Master Pakku and Katara…you'll finally fill what you yearned for"
He sighed shakily, putting both hands on his pants. He looked down, unsure if he needed to reply to that.
"I do finally have everything I wished for…but knowing what I endured…maybe I would rather be a non bender" He admitted, his eyes wandering from hers to the road "I…also…"
He didn't want to say outloud one thing he had in common with her was gone. Something he was so sure of.
"Also think is overrated" He decided to say instead, recognizing the street that would lead them to the Dr.
"You say that now" She joked, elbowing him "Wait until you have taken some classes. Knowing you, you will excel at them"
He smiled, guiding her with a hand around her back to walk across the street. She felt her heart race, for multiple situations that overwhelmed her.
The fact that she might not be ready to face whatever the doctor now tells her, being this close to Sokka…
and not wanting to acknowledge she had to return to Zuko.
Entering the door, they sat down to wait until someone could take their names. She looked at the wall where Dr. Saturn hanged in a beautiful abstract painting. Digging her nails in her knee, she took a deep breath.
It was long overdue for this visit.
Sokka was grateful for her having enough trust to ask him as a companion. He wished he had the guts to also ask someone and not do it alone.
"Hello! Mr. Sokka we are happy to see you here again, how have you been feeling?" The lady greeted with a slight bow.
"Hi Ann" Sokka waved, standing up to bow immediately "I am doing better, thank you for your concern. I came here to see if the doctor had any space available today?"
Suki noticed that Sokka never mentioned her at all. She smiled sadly, realizing he was being courteous enough to not say anything until he could secure an appointment.
"Oh dear, the doctor left some minutes ago to take a long needed break. The next date available is… let me check the paper" She said rushing to the desk. Sokka was about to follow until he felt her hand on his elbow.
Looking terrified, shaking her head. He nodded, grabbing her hand and kissing it.
"Next appointment available is in three weeks. Would you like to sign up?" Ann asked him with a warm smile.
"Yes, I should have followed up some months ago" He admitted, caressing Suki's hand softly. "Is there anything else to do?"
"You are all set up. Excuse my manners, hi sweetie" Ann said bowing to Suki, who returned the gesture "Are you feeling well?"
Suki froze for a fraction of a second, before smiling.
"I am here for a visit, he is my tour guide" She replied "Thank you for asking"
"I am glad! We hope you enjoy the city" She smiled "Your friend is a very brave person, setting an example of taking care of oneself is something crucial if you are ruling most of the city wellness"
"He is a strong person" She said looking fondly, gripping his hand. "I am glad he is taking care of himself too"
"We will be going" Sokka excused them with a big smile, not wanting to make Suki any more uncomfortable "Thank you Ann!" He said pulling Suki out into the streets again, speeding up to Katara's facility.
"Thanks" Suki said, keeping up with him, both unclasping their hands as they walked towards it. "I…I am sorry I wasted your time"
"Don't be, I wasn't ready at all when I contacted him" Sokka admitted, uneasy "But I had to start somewhere…and you said he was the best. Last one I saw didn't make it for me"
"I am glad he made you feel better. I meant that, back there" She explained breathlessly, unusual for her.
"I have to" He replied with tears warning him to stop talking "I…I need to live and acknowledge all that happened. For Kat, for that baby…"
Suki didn't need to hear it to know what the next word was.
"I will do it too" She reassured "I promised it"
"You'll do in your due time, don't stress yourself over it" He said rounding her shoulder amicably "We'll be here to help you too. I won't be going nowhere at least"
She blushed, rounding his waist as they walked in comfortable silence.
The walk to the facility felt quicker than she expected, something inside of her yelling she had missed hanging out with him. She could see the eyes of the people following Sokka and her briefly before minding their business.
She did like not having the attention set all the time on her.
"Daisuki…"He hesitated to say it, trying to stall them for some minutes before reaching the facility again "I know you made up your mind already"
She walked slower, her legs heavier after his affirmation "I had to. You know…why I am doing this"
"I wanted to make sure you are aware that even if I cannot be there all the time, my line is always open to talk about anything. No double entendre there" He said, raising both arms with a smile. "Even if you want to push me away…I would like another opportunity to show you I could be a great friend"
"Oh Sokka" sadness fell with his name, dropping her shoulders "Please, be easy on me. I…I need to tie some knots first before reopening my arms to you"
"And I'll gladly wait for you" He said in a lower tone "I…I meant it when I said I'll be loyal to you….all my life"
"After everything?" She asked heartbroken, wished she had heard this years ago
"Yes" He said, looking up at the building. "After everything, after seeing another part of you, I will be here for you to reconnect and see…if I'm worthy of your heart"
She melted under his words, taking a deep breath to overtake her heartbreak. Grabbing her hand, Sokka wrote with more complex words how he felt about her.
"I can't understand it" Suki said, confused, charming her with his smile.
"I will tell you in due time" He rounded her arm, pushing her inside "We need to catch up with Karina, cmon"
She let herself be strolled to the front desk of it, waiting for the receptionist to give them a free pass to hang out around. Upon seeing the room dead for more than a few seconds, they began to worry.
"Maybe they are in the basement with the papers" Sokka tried to reassure, ringing the bell at the desk.
One of the doctors' shouts could be heard, making Suki cringe. They probably had an emergency.
Dinging against the bell, they waited in the room, deciding to sit down. Suki caught some sleep, leaning her head against his shoulder. He leaned his too, waiting patiently until anyone was available.
He couldn't pinpoint how many minutes had gone through, until the doors crashed open, a young woman violently shaking him and Suki awake.
"Ambassador Sokka, we need your help!" He shot up like a bolt "We heard you can cure quickly? From master Katara, please come!"
Sokka didn't even waste time, rushing to the rooms. Suki blinked confused, unsure if she could stay there or sneak her way inside to eat with Karina some dessert.
She opted to follow behind Sokka briefly, amidst the chaos she would be mistaken for an admitted patient.
She searched for Karina in the garden, where she told her some hours ago would be. Unimpressed, she walked inside towards the hall where her room was. Her mind away due to how she would scheme with her against Azula.
Would she move the royal guard and impose her? Or was it better to ambush her?
Shouts and frantic movement stopped her steps.
"Fuck!"
Suki's eyes registered everything in slow motion, in fact, everything inside her moved slowly. Walking towards Karina's room, seeing the open doors that her sister hated seeing, seeing the nurses and doctor look defeated.
Hearing Sokka scream angrily. His eyes and hands glowing, breathing heavily.
"Miss! get out of here!"
A man shouted at her with two women pushing her out of the room, her body paperlight by everything suddenly speeding up.