Flashback tiem! Well yeah, I thought that I'd clarify things a bit with a Sokka POV. also, pissed off zuko always makes me happy :D

Undignified Escapades: Chapter 2

It had been a while since the war had ended and the Gaang had been doing a lot of nothing. Of course, Aang wanted to jump up and go around saving people as he always did, but Sokka wanted to just sit back and relax. Unfortunately, no one really cared what Sokka wanted (as usual). They spent their time travelling around, doing avatar-esque good deeds around the four nations. Sokka enjoyed spending time in the fire nation the most (apart from home sweet home among the icicles). There was something so funny about seeing Zuko so stressed out and then trolling him- Sokka and Toph had practically made a sport out of it. They sent him fake letters from his uncle, crushed flower seeds and disguised it as a packet of tea, and even sent him a fake military report saying that badger-moles were attacking and taking over Ba Sing Se. Sokka remembered that time the best best. Him and Toph crouched behind the sofa, snickering, while Zuko screamed at the messenger

"THEY'RE BLIND, GODDAMMIT! HOW THE FUCK CAN THEY EVEN FIND...SOKKA GET THE FUCK OUT HERE. I KNOW YOU DID THIS!"

After the lecture (Sokka-Toph-it's-not-funny-this-is-really-serious-what-if-badger-moles-actually-got-through-the-wall-LISTEN-TO-ME-GODDAMMIT), they had spent the rest of the night recounting the adventure and laughing over Zuko's reactions. Toph could really do a good Zuko impersonation when she wanted to.

He had scarcely noticed when Aang began intruding into their group at first. However, the Avatar's presence wasn't something Sokka could really ignore. ("Instead of putting itching powder in his hair brush, why don't we all go plant daisies in the back yard?" *cue shining face full of expectation*) Sokka thought Aang was just being a third wheel- no one could really beat the Sokka-Toph Prankster/Gambling Alliance (STPGA) that was already established. But Toph actually seemed to like spending time with Mr. We-have-to-help-everyone-and-everything.

"He treats me like a girl," Toph remarked to him once.

"Yeah, doesn't it stink?" Sokka asked her. She kicked him in the groin.

Sokka didn't understand. Why did she like the flowers he plucked from the garden that he made (what kind of self-respecting man even made a flower garden in the first place?) as opposed to the drawing he made of her face ("I'M BLIND, BASTARD"). Okay, so maybe Sokka wasn't the most sensitive person in the world. He would admit to that. But Toph and Aang? It just wouldn't work. It shouldn't have worked. But it seemed to be doing just that. And it really stunk to be the third wheel in the Toph-Aang Saving the Environment/World Committee (not even cool enough for an acronym).

But he really didn't expect her to marry him. He just figured that she would come around some time. He didn't express if often enough, but losing Yue and Suki really hurt him. He thought that he fell in love too quickly and always got hurt (which was holding true so far), so he didn't tell her. And then she accepted Aang's proposal. Everyone was bustling with excitement (Katara almost cried from excitement when they got the news), and Sokka didn't want to be the downer.

"Hey meathead," she called to him on the day of the wedding and beckoned him into the room where she was getting ready. She ushered the protesting Katara out of the room and looked at Sokka. She looked beautiful. Katara had done some strange thing with her hair to make it long and straight and cascading down her back. Her hair was adorned with pink and whitish green flowers. A long white gown and lace veil that made even her muscular physique look fragile.

"Do I look nice?" she asked Sokka. "I don't trust Katara to tell me the truth, and Zuko, well. You know Zuko.." Sokka looked her up and down. He had a chance to tell her the truth but...

"You look.. really nice." She punched him in the stomach.

"Ugh you Water Tribe Siblings," she threw her hands in the air. "I can't count on either of you to tell me the truth. Get Zuko for me."

And just like that, she was gone.