dear_mun | (no subject)

If there's anything I can do... just tell me.

You'll be the first person to know, Suki.

I really hate seeing you two like this.

Trust me.. I hate being like this.

And... you don't mind me being in the house? [She just wants to be there for you, Katara.... and be there for Sokka.]

I don't have a problem with you, Suki. I just -- it's hard to trust him right now.

I know. But hopefully you can find a way to trust him again.

That's what I'm hoping, too.

I'll- I'll try to think of something. You two are the most important people in my life...

Suki... It'll be okay. Trust me, okay?

I do. I'm just worried right now. I wanted to protect your relationship with him so badly, but I guess I couldn't.

It's not your fault to, Suki. We're adults.

You won't lose anybody.

Yeah. I hope not.

I mean it.

-- yeah, yeah. Thanks, Jet.

Don't yeah, yeah me. Trust me.

Thanks. For making peace with Mako.

.. I'm trying.

You haven't always gotten along, you know. But your brother will never give up on you, Katara.

I know. But things are -- different here, dad.

I have heard that.

[He puts a hand on her shoulder and gives a squeeze.] But you two aren't so different on the inside, are you? As long as you still care for each other, that's what matters most.

I'll always care about him. And he'll always care about me. [ This is said with easy sincerity; she doesn't allow herself to even consider otherwise. ] But it's not always so easy.

[A proud smile.] Most of the important things aren't easy, but you're tenacious. More so, I don't believe your mun can be told to fix this.

Sokka has always been willful, but never so much that he won't listen. Perhaps you can try speaking with him again.

.. what am I supposed to tell him? 'I don't trust your friends'? 'I think you're making terrible choices'? 'You never would have excluded me on a trip like that before Adstring, why don't you trust me anymore'?

It's dumb, Dad. I think it's just -- it's just part of growing older, I guess. I guess it was naive to think that we'd always be as close as we were when we were kids.

It's not in what you say -- those are all valid points -- but in how you say it. Especially so with matters of the heart.

Your brother has always had trouble finding his way, though more by his own design than by the will of anyone else. To venture off the obvious path is his way of showing he can be independent, but it doesn't ensure he wants to be entirely so.

Is it so hard to understand why he might have excluded you? He has always felt responsible for your safety in the absence of your mother and I. I don't believe his trust in you, or lack thereof by your perception, is the issue. If anything, he tries too hard to be protective, forgetting you are more than capable with or without him.

I understand it. No - I sort of understand it, but it's the parts that I don't understand that are making this hard. I'm sorry if this is disappointing to you, Dad. I love him, and I always will.. but in my heart, I can't agree with what he does. It just makes things hard.

I could never be disappointed in either of you, Katara. You are both exactly as I'd have you be.

[He lets out a breath, not a sigh, just a long exhale.]

Should you and your brother choose different paths, it will not be the first time or the last time that such a thing has happened in this world or any. If nothing else, keep in mind what is important, and exercise patience where due. You were taught to follow your heart, and I trust it will lead you appropriately.

I want to ask what happened, but only if you want to talk about it.

I'm losing Sokka. Or I've already lost him.. I'm not sure.

What?

That's impossible.

I hope you're right.

It's Sokka. I know I'm right. And I normally wouldn't be so confident without knowing the circumstances.

Jeez. Why does it always take conversations like this for me to remember how much I really miss you?

[ Aang doesn't believe that. ] I'm not there. And talking out here only makes that harder, but it's way too worth it to not.

Yeah, well I'm not shaving it off. So there.

[Cuz that's totally what this is about.]

You've got some sort of hamster-flea on your face, Sokka.

Now that's just rude.

Fiiine. It looks very.. um. Manly.

Thank you! You're right. It does.

[There. Problem solved. They're happy again. It's all about compromise, Katara!!]