now or never || an atla fanfic

𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔠𝔥

Sokka plucked a random book off of the shelf in front of him, flipping through the pages and blankly staring at the words.

His mind wouldn't stop returning to the conversation last night.

After they all decided that they would leave the following morning for the Spirit Library, Sokka followed Suki back to their room.

His eyes glimmered with affection as he watched Suki sit at the vanity, combining through her hair with a wide-tooth comb. Her blue eyes caught his gaze in the reflection of the mirror, a questioning look in her eyes.

"What?" she asked softly, pausing while combing her hair.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Just admiring the view."

A smile twitched at her lips, taking some coconut oil that she bought at the market and lightly oiling the ends of her auburn hair. Even with the coming summer months, their constant traveling and fighting made it difficult for her to keep her hair in good condition. It was nice they had an actual home they could stay in for the time being.

"Suki...can I ask you something?" the prince asked.

"What is it?"

"What are your plans...after this is all over?"

She paused, turning around in her chair to look at him. "To be honest, I haven't given it much thought. I've always planned to go back to Kyoshi Island, since it's my home. What about you?"

Sokka nodded. "I would have to go back home too, no questions asked. But, if you had the chance, would you consider relocating?"

She raised a brow, already knowing where this conversation was headed. Suki sighed and stood up, walking across the room and looking up at Sokka. She folded her arms, now standing inches apart.

"I've never imagined living anywhere else but my home, and as the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, you can imagine that it might be difficult to move with you, Sokka," she explained softly.

"So then what happens to us?" he asked softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

This was the big question. Right now, they could easily pretend to be normal adults, living in blissful ignorance without royal titles or duties. But after? The future was already uncertain as it is.

Suki pursed her lips, looking away. "I don't know, Sokka. All of this is uncertain. You and I..." she said, gesturing between the both of them, "is uncertain. We might be able to pretend right now, but your customs and duties as a prince point to something else."

"So that's it then? After the war...you and I?" He paused, unable to bring himself to even mention it.

Suki shook her head. "I'm not saying that we're over. But please, think realistically about the future. Would your father accept us? Would your people accept us? And even if they did, I would need time to think it over myself."

Sokka paused, mulling over her words. He turned, preparing himself to leave the room. He needed to think about this by himself as well.

"Take all the time you need," the prince said, his hand resting on the doorknob, forcing himself to leave. "But there is no future of mine without you in it, Suki."

- ♚ -

Sokka's eyes stared into the book, but he wasn't comprehending any of the material within it, his mind occupied on something entirely different. He could feel his eyes stinging, a lump in his throat forming as worries filled his mind.

"I didn't know that you were so interested in badgermole reproduction," Katara remarked with a small smirk, her shoulder leaning against the bookcase.

Sokka looked up, snapping the book shut. His eyes fell on the cover of the random book he picked up. To his horror, it was, indeed, a book about badgermole reproduction.