Polar Opposites

* :( The Kiss

Elodie was awoken by loud steps and a low roar. She stretched and thought to herself, 'Appa must be up.' She rolled onto her side and smiled when she noticed Hakoda was still asleep with his arm wrapped loosely around her waist. She knew he needed the rest, so she didn't attempt to wake him. She just closed her eyes again and enjoyed the peacefulness, the soft rocking of the ship and sounds of the water was making her fall back asleep. However, the sound of men starting to mill around the ship signaled that it was time to wake. Elodie was slightly startled when she felt small kisses on her cheek, not realizing that her eyes had closed. She looked over at a sleepy Hakoda, a tired smile on her lips, as he brushed some hair out of her face. He said in his deliciously deep morning voice, "Good morning." Elodie snuggled into him, digging her face in his chest, and mumbled back, "Morning."

They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other's company before Hakoda had to start getting ready. Elodie snuggled back into the covers as she watched Hakoda get dressed and ready for the day since she didn't have to do anything this morning. Once he was done and was about to leave, he went over to the bed and leaned down to give Elodie a good-bye kiss. He laughed as Elodie pulled him down by his shirt and trapped him in her arms. She said in a fake angry voice, "You're not going anywhere." The two started to playfully wrestle around on the bed before Elodie was eventually pinned down by Hakoda. He kissed her softly before frowning, "I have to go now." Elodie matched his frown before nodding. He got off of her and kissed her forehead before walking out of their room.

Elodie eventually rolled out of bed a little later. She went over to the small vanity in the room and started to wash off her face with the water that was in a bucket by said vanity. Hakoda had been kind enough to give her clean water to freshen up with. She looked at herself in the mirror and frowned at her reflection. She tsked and mumbled, "If I only I had my face care things and sunscreen... I'm going to be wrinkled by 35." She had the beginnings of a sunburn on her arms and face as well as a couple of pimples on her face and she hated it.

Elodie quickly finished getting ready and headed to the healing ward on the ship, hoping Zokkik was there. She smiled when she saw her favorite healer sitting behind a desk, working on some type of poultice. She hopped onto the edge of the and leaned back on her hands. He didn't even look up at her as he said, "What's troubling you?" Elodie gasped at him, "Do I need to have troubles to come and visit my friend?" He gave her his signature look and she sighed, "I need something to protect my skin from the sun." Elodie figured the ship would have some type of sun-protectant since she had picked up people from the Fire Nation were pale (from some not-very-nice names the crew called them).

Zokkik chuckled and stood up to search the vast array of creams and lotions they had acquired, "I noticed that you were a little... pink." Elodie scowled, "It's not my fault I wasn't blessed with perfectly tan skin." He just laughed and grabbed a jar off the shelf, "This should help." Elodie snatched it with a huff, "Thanks." She opened the jar and started to rub the cream on her arms as Zokkik sat back down. He hummed, "Now, tell me what's really wrong. It's about Hakoda's children, isn't it?" Elodie sighed and stopped putting on the sunscreen, "How could it not be that? They hate me, and I don't blame them."

Zokkik frown and held Elodie's hand gently, "They don't hate you Elodie, they were just shocked." She felt tears starting to well up in her eyes before she dove into Zokkik's arms, not speaking in fear of them falling. Zokkik rubbed her back, "Elodie. You should not feel guilty for being in love. Just give them some time to process it." Elodie just nodded weakly.