Beauty in the Beast (Zutara)

Chapter Twenty-Three

                Despite all of Sokka's best attempts, Aang felt as though Katara continued to slip away from them more and more. Walking home with them seemed like a rare treat now. Even though Katara claimed to say the biggest hurdle of her project with Zuko was done, she often found herself busy with him. Whether its in the library after school, or them walking in the opposite direction from home. What made it worse was people were beginning to speculate now. The change between the two of them was so drastic, all eyes were cast upon them and it became more obvious how much they couldn't really keep whatever was budding between them a secret. Casual glances became too longing, smiles between them had become slightly too wide and anyone who was paying enough attention could see the light in their eyes once they saw each other. All were jabs to the young boy's heart as he continued to follow her whenever he could only to have any advances of his fall so short. And every day he got to spend with her, her eyes fell away from him. Aang was sick of it. He wanted her eyes to be on him and only him, he wanted her to see him as more than just a friend; he wanted to be seen as a man—possibly her man. He adjusted his wardrobe one more time before heading out the door after saying a quick goodbye to Gyasto. He straightened his back, and puffed out his chest slightly before heading over to the meeting spot where he waited for Katara and Sokka. After a couple minutes, he noticed only Sokka was approaching them letting his shoulders slump as Sokka waved.

"Hey, Aang." Sokka greeted before his smile dropped. "What's wrong?" Aang rubbed the back of his neck a little and peered a little behind him before looking back up at Sokka.

"Morning. Um, you came alone?" He asked a little confused. Sokka chuckled.

"'Tara said something about needing to go to the school earlier, so she just woke me up and headed off." He shrugged. "It's probably got something to do with Suki's club." Aang nodded a little sated by that answer. Sokka rose an eyebrow looking his younger friend up and down. "Trying to impress someone?" Aang blushed a little, a nervous chuckle coming out of him.

"Actually, I was going to take your advice;" he admitted, "I'm gonna stop being so subtle and just show her how I feel about her." Sokka clapped his friends back, a small smile on his face as they continued forward.

"Good for you, buddy!" He smiled. "Let's hope it all works out!" Aang tried to laugh off his rapidly beating heart as he quickly dried his palms against his jeans.

"Yeah." Sokka watched as Aang tried to steady his breath the closer they got to the school grounds, resisting the urge to chuckle as his own heart was soaring knowing this was one of Suki's rarer days where she could spend more time with him during the school day. Subconsciously, he himself began to fix himself up, taking opportunity to check his reflection in passing mirrors and primping accordingly. Sokka gasped seeing a familiar person talking to another student in front of the grounds as he sped up seeing them begin to part ways forcing Aang to keep pace as Sokka grabbed his girlfriend by the waist and dipped her slightly, elated to hear her laughter as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Well good morning to you too, handsome."

"Hi there, beautiful." Sokka sweetly chuckled pulling her up with a kiss. Suki melted immediately one hand moving up to the back of his head as she deepened it with a smile. After a few moments they parted, their foreheads against each other with a small breathless chuckle. Aang pushed down the jealousy as he smiled at Suki.

"Hey Suki." Suki smiled as Sokka's hand naturally found her waist.

"Hey Aang," she greeted, "you look different today."

"Aang's gonna shoot his shot today." Sokka stated as Suki gasped a little with a small smile before tapping him in the shoulder with her fist.

"I'm sure things will be alright. Just be yourself. She loves you." Aang's face lit up a smile pulling at the corner of his lips.