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Suki had told Sokka not to worry about it, but he wasn’t sure how much longer they could ignore it. The coughing fits, the cold chills, the body aches,
nausea, dizziness. He finally convinced her to go and see Katara. Now they’re here, Suki holding his hand, while she lies in a healing pool. Suki chuckles.
“What's wrong?” Sokka asks.
“Nothing, the water just feels weird,” Suki says.
Sokka hums, from this point, she seems weak, or perhaps, weaker. For months she’s seemed weaker and weaker by the day. He’s worried. They’re both so young. He watches the water glow as Katara tries to heal her.
The silence is broken by Katara. “That’s all I can do for now. Please keep me updated, the both of you. She should feel better soon, if not bring her back and we’ll see from there” She smiles softly at the couple.
With furrowed brows, Sokka says “Will do.” and returned the smile to his sister.
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“I’m sorry Sokka, but there’s nothing else I can do for her. The fever hasn’t broken in months now, we’ve done everything.”
At that moment, Sokka knew he would lose Suki too early. At that moment, he thinks about all the times with his beloved. He almost doesn’t think it’s real when he’s dragged back down to reality by Katara. She hugs her brother. So tight. He hugs her back and cries. He just stands there and cries. He lets it out because there’s nothing else he can do. He can’t stop time, he can’t reverse this sickness, and he’s helpless in saving Suki.
“I’m so sorry Sokka”
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He doesn’t remember much from the night they found out. Just lots of tears and hugging each other. Lots of apologies, and lots of tissues. But one thing he remembers is when he got mad.
“I should’ve listened to you, Sokka. This is all my fault.”
Sokka looked at her in shock. He held her face firmly in his hands and said to her,
“None of this is your fault, Suki. There are things in life that are out of our control. There’s nothing we could’ve done about this. For now,” He sighs, “For now, all we can think about is what we want to do next.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you could make a bucket list. Write down the things you’ve always wanted to do, or want to do now, and we can do them. I can take time off of work. What do you want to do?”
Sokka holds Suki as she breaks her gaze at him to look down. She grabs Sokkas other hand and brings it up to her own. “To be honest, I would be happy to marry you.”
Sokka's eyes go wide. They’ve talked about marriage here and there, but nothing too serious to the two. Now Suki wants to marry Sokka. He wants to throw her up in the air and say of course. He wants to grow old with her with their kids and grandkids running around, but he knows he’ll never get the chance. So he takes this time to say yes.
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The ceremony was small for the most part. They didn't have a lot of time to plan the wedding. Sukis is in the room with Katara, Toph, Mai, and Ty Lee. Sokkas in the room with Hakoda, Aang, and Zuko.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married!! Much less to my brother! I never thought he would marry someone as sweet as you.” Said Katara
“I didn’t think he could marry anyone!” Barked Toph.
Suki sat in a chair as Katara did her hair. Mai and Ty Lee had helped her into her dress and Toph helped with the silence. It was a small, but big day for Suki.
“You're having a first look with Sokka and having your vows there right?” asked Ty Lee. “That’s the plan! I'm nervous about my vows, I just hope they’re good enough.”
“Oh please! You being here is enough for Sokka. I’m sure he’ll be happy with whatever” Toph said. “What Toph said. You have nothing to worry about Suki. He loves you so much and it’s so sweet to see. I’m so happy you’re officially going to be a part of the family.” Katara says softly.
There’s a knock on the door. Mai answers it and steps out for a brief second. “As we make that note,” Mai says as she walks back into the room, “It’s time for the first look, and looks like it’s going to be in here.”
Katara hugs Suki hard. “Suki, if anything goes wrong, know that Sokka loves you and he won’t be mad. No matter what, this day will be perfect for the both of you.” She holds her shoulders and gives her a soft smile. “Thank you Katara, thank you so much.”
Suki waves as Katara is the last to leave. She takes deep breaths in and out. She’s trying not to cry, knowing she’ll cry all night long. She sways to the muffled music from downstairs when she hears the door open. It’s a hand. “Sokka has a blindfold on right now so we kinda have seen you before you see him, sorry about that.” Ah, Aang.
“That’s ok! You guys can come in and…. drop Sokka off?”
“That’s not what this is!” She hears Sokka yell from outside. Aang and Zuko drag Sokka in, face him towards the wall and away from Suki, wave goodbye, and quickly leave the room.
“Are they gone now? Can I take off my blindfold?” Sokka groans.
“Yes and yes.” Suki chuckles.
Sokka removes the blindfold and turns around to look at Suki. “What do you think?”
What do I think? Sokka knows he is standing in front of the most beautiful woman in the world. How she looks at him any day will make his heart flutter, but the look she’s giving him right now makes his knees buckle. She’s wearing a long, detailed green Earth Kingdom dress. It follows her silhouette and gracefully falls into a train on the ground. Her hair is pinned up with a pin from her mother from long ago. The site itself makes Sokka cry.
“You look. You look amazing. Oh spirits, you look wonderful. I can’t believe I’m actually going to marry you.” Sokka sniffles.
“Oh, honey stop. I’m already trying to not cry. Cm’ here”
The two embrace each other. the two just home one to each other like it’s the only thing keeping them on Earth. Suki begins to sway again to the music, and Sokka follows her lead. “Do you want to say our vows like this? Personally, I would like to.” “Of course, Suki.”
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Kyoshi Island was the last place she wanted to go to, strange considering they lived there. “What do you mean? You want to go back home?” Said Sokka. Suki made a face of confusement and disgust, “I want to explore more of the island again. Ya know, it's been easier to move around and get around ever since you got that wheelchair made for me, and I’ll be able to revisit the places I explored with all my friends all those years ago. Plus, Kyoshi island is about to go into spring.” “...Ok, we can make that happen. While we’re there, I can tweak your wheelchair so we can go around and into rougher terrain.”
Suki smiled softly and shakily moved her hand up to Sokka's face. Sokka snuggled into the touch while supporting her wrist. “Thank you so much, Sokka, for everything. You’ve helped me throughout this journey and you've made everything possible, really. You held me through the darkest moments and the moments where I felt nothing but pain. Sometimes in those moments, the love overcomes the pain,….. and it makes me realize what the future holds for you. I know you’re strong Sokka, but I really worry for you. Will you go back to Katara? Back to the South Pole? I hope you do, to be honest. I want you to have someone, considering we uh, don't have kids. Sokka, promise me that after I go, that you'll go to your family. Please.” Her face pleaded the same as her voice did. Sokka felt chills run down his spine. He gave her hand a squeeze, “I’ll try, Suki. I just don't even want to think about it. We still have time.” Suki's face turned into one of sadness then blissfulness.
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22nd of June, 110 AG at 4:07 AM. She was 24. Now Sokka’s here, on a step in front of a funeral home, face in his hands and hot tears streaming down his face. He hears footsteps behind him, and he knows it’s Katara. “Oh, Sokka…. Come here.” Katara pulls her brother in close. She feels her shoulder become wet from tears. She hasn’t seen Sokka like this since their mother passed. “What did I do Katara?” Sokka sobbed. “What do you mean, Sokka?” Sokka holds on to Katara so much tighter. “I mean… first our mom, then Yue, and now Suki? How many more people do I have to lose before I lose myself, Katara? I can't take it anymore!” Sokka's sobs became louder as his breathing picked up.
Katara's blood ran cold. She didn’t think of it that way. Sokka has gone through so much, and for what? “You did nothing, Sokka. I don’t know why this is happening, but I promise you. I promise you, I will not lose you. I refuse to lose you, understand? I will always be here for you Sokka. I am your sister and I will stand by you forever.” Katara wiped the tears off of her brother's face. “Let’s go inside. It’s cold out here.” Katara stood up and waited for Sokka. “I’ll meet you inside.” Katara made a saddened look before going inside. Sokka stood up and looked down the mountain. A breeze hit his face and messed up his hair. Sokka smiled at the breeze before going inside. It will be a long journey to heal, but he’ll do it, for Suki.