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On full moons, Sokka stays up.
It's something Suki's noticed for a while. She thought it was a bit strange that he used to keep a lunar calendar with him at all times until he ended up memorizing the dates. He acted weird whenever the moon was brought up, to the point of being oddly defensive (she wasn't sure how to describe it any other way). And while Sokka had never been shy about peppering her with physical affection, he always seemed more hesitant on those days of the cycle.
She wasn't sure how to ask about it either because he seemed touchy about it. Maybe it was a Water Tribe thing, since Katara acted odd on full moons as well. But … she did remember that whole moon princess thing in the Ember Island Players that had him crying about it during the show. She’d never gotten to ask him about it, and he’d never really brought it up again after.
Though, he had been acting extra weird ever since Hakoda had asked them to visit to the North Pole to reestablish ties between the sister tribes. While Zuko was busy in the Fire Nation and Toph was teaching her lily livers, er, metalbending students, the couple had been helping Aang and Katara sort out some political unrest in the Earth Kingdom. Upon receiving Hakoda’s message, however, Sokka had offered to go in his father’s name, and she’d offered to accompany him immediately. Suki didn’t miss the quick look Aang and Katara exchanged right before they asked to have their regards sent to Chief Arnook.
Nonetheless, she usually just let him be, but this time, she awoke to the sound of a voice.
“Huh?” She yawned, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “Sokka?” The voice seemed to be coming from outside, so she snuck up to the upper deck as quietly as she could. She stopped when she saw her boyfriend, back turned to her, sitting on a box. She ducked behind a crate and peeked out from behind, trying to figure out who he was talking to.
“Have to say, Yue, you’re really … glowing tonight.”
She blinked. Yue … that was the name of the girl who became a moon spirit, right? So was he talking to the moon? She continued to listen intently.
“Anyway, I’ll be in the Northern Tribe by tomorrow,” she heard him go on. “It’s … been a while. The last time I was there was back during the war.” There was a pause. “I’m not sure how to feel about it.”
“I’ll be seeing your dad again. I’m sure he still misses you. The entire tribe does, and so do I.” Suki felt a pang. She hurt for Sokka, whose grief was something she could never take away, and she hurt for herself, as a deep-seated insecurity of hers started to resurface. “Oh, ugh, and I’ll probably be seeing Hahn, too.” She tilted her head. This was someone she hadn’t heard of, but from Sokka’s tone, she’d probably have to watch out for him. “I heard from Pakku that he got promoted to some General position. But whatever, he hasn’t got anything on Captain Boomerang, eh?” Suki covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, already imagining him flexing a bicep at the moon.
“By the way … I’m coming with Suki.” Her heart stopped. “I … guess I haven’t really told you about her. I mean, you probably see her anyway from up there, but uh, she’s the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, which is a badass kick-butt group of women who fight in the name of Avatar Kyoshi. I met her back on Kyoshi Island and she taught me that women could be warriors, too.” Warmth started to wash over her with his words, and she smiled at the memory. “Ha, I know, right? Water Tribe traditions tend to be outdated, as I’m sure you know. Katara might’ve been the one to get your tribe to realize that, but Suki was the one who did that for me.”
There was a pregnant silence, and Suki strained to listen to what he had to say next.
“I … actually haven’t really talked to her about you yet either. Remember when I told you about that horrible Fire Nation play? She kinda got that you turned into the moon. But there are times I wanted to, you know, explain it more, but I just didn’t know how to bring it up.” His voice softened. “I don’t want to ruin what we have now, but she deserves to know. Both of you deserve that.”
”You know, Suki is amazing.” She felt her cheeks heat up. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. I wish you could’ve met—actually I’m not sure if that would’ve been awkward since … you know …” He trailed off awkwardly. “But I know you’d want me to be happy. So maybe it wouldn’t be so awkward after all.”
“I think I’ll tell her tomorrow. Before we get to the North Pole, so she doesn’t get blindsided or anything.”
She heard him let out a yawn. “I think I’m gonna sleep. It’s a long day tomorrow, and it would be embarrassing to face your dad looking like I’m on cactus juice. Remember when I told you about that?” He let out a laugh. “Really was a trip. Well, good night, Yue. You keep shining bright and looking after us and ruling the sky with your lunar goodness. I’ll camp out here for the night like I usually do, but it’ll be morning when I wake up, so I’ll see you next full moon.”
Suki watched as her boyfriend adjusted some nearby sacks to make a makeshift pillow and lay down on it. As was typical of him, he was out cold in 5 minutes.
So that’s who Yue was, she thought.
She swiftly went back into the cabin to fetch a blanket, and with the lightest footsteps, made her way to him. She lightly draped a blanket over him, careful not to wake him.
She looked up at the moon. It was remarkable, she thought, how the celestial body was bright enough to cast light, but gentle enough to still keep it night.
“Yue,” she whispered. “I’ve never met you, but I think we would have been friends. You seem to have been a true princess of her people, with the kindest and bravest heart. If you’d been a Kyoshi Warrior, I think you’d be one of the best.” Suki smiled, tears pooling at the corner of her eyes.
“Sokka loved you dearly. And he still does.” Her voice broke at the last word. She took a breath to compose herself. “I promise I’ll take care of him. For the both of us.”
Maybe it was just her, but the moon seemed to get even more radiant as she smiled at it. She watched her favorite warrior doze off under the moonlight for a few more seconds before slipping back into the cabin.