The List, Part III

Suki pulled the tunic over her head and stared at herself in the tall mirror in front of her. It felt light and breathable, unlike the ceremonial clothing she was used to—clothing she had not worn in weeks. She gazed at her ceremonial clothing folded neatly on her bed and, for the first time, felt hesitant. She bit her lip, now feeling guilt ridden for dreading her imminent obligations and duties back home. She clenched the fabric at her sides and then slowly released them to smooth it over.

"You look…" Sokka started slowly, "pretty."

Suki almost jumped at the sound of his voice and turned to see him grinning at her. Her face grew hotter and hotter as he approached her.

"I didn't mean to take so long, I was just looking at your gift and I…" She trailed off, realizing she had no reason to be so flustered.

Sokka had gotten better at sneaking up on her, using her own stealth techniques she taught him. She beamed at him at this thought.

"It feels so comfortable." She said.

The way blue suited her. Check. Sokka mentally added the way she looked at this very moment to his list. The dark blue in her eyes were intense against the tunic she wore. But, even more distracting, was the way she reminded Sokka of home and how perfect she would look where home was. He couldn't help but imagine her sharing the most trivial of moments with him; ice fishing in the village, bickering over chores Gran-Gran gave him which he deemed 'girl stuff', and sparring in the early mornings.

"I can't bring you home with me. So, it's just something that reminds me of home that I wanted to share with you." He told her quietly.

She nodded, holding her smile regardless of a persistent guilty feeling gnawing at her.

"You ready?" He asked her, still engrossed at the sight of her in his tribe's traditional garb.

"I…" She started.

Sokka brought her closer, bringing her waist inches apart from his. Several thoughts had littered Suki's mind at that moment, distracting her from finishing her packing. But, the sudden sound of Appa and Aang outside chased away the butterflies from overwhelming her stomach. It was time to go.

"Suki…I'm sorry about last night." He confessed.

"You know, I didn't think it would hit me this way, this late. But…" She paused.

"I know." He replied, nodding.

Suki kissed him on the cheek, lingering near his ear to whisper, "You're my home and I'm going to miss you…so much."

Sokka gulped, swallowing a rather large lump in his throat that had appeared out of no where before saying, "Me too—erm—I mean, I'll miss you too. A whole lot, Suki. I can only imagine how the ride back home will be for me and seeing Aang and my sister together—"

Sokka's words were smothered by Suki's lips over his as she kissed him deeply.

"You talk too much." She said, smirking up at him.

She was still wearing blue as Sokka admired her from afar. He watched her, waving her arm rapidly in the air. As Appa took them higher and further into the sky, she became a mere blurry dot on the shores of Kyoshi Island. Another wave of fleeting, but rather detailed wistful images filled his head of things with Suki he'd only wish to experience some day. She was watching the sun go down at the borders of the village with him, she was helping him hunt for dinner, and she was laughing with that laugh that made him laugh.

Kyoshi Island was no more than a blur now too, with its edges fading into the vast ocean. But, her image was still clear to him. He smiled, thinking hopefully for the first time since dreading their separation. He thought of the memory of crossing the Serpent's Pass and escaping the Boiling Rock. Happenstance, a fairly common occurrence they had on their side and a previous listing he had only come to realize now. They would soon meet and the image of her smiling and wearing his blue seemed much more real and nearer in their future.

End.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. =)