Extreme Makeover: Luceti Edition

[markofthewise]

Who: The Avatar Cast, any passerbys who want to gawk
What: Upgrading the Avatar House
When: Today, evening
Where: House 56
Summary: Sokka tries to make up to his housemates by using up his remaining points to make a crowded house much more spacious
Rating: Avatarlicious


That morning, Sokka contacted the Malnosso to use up most of his points. Not only did he recover some of his possessions he had lost when he died, but he opted to make the house bigger. Already there'd been issues after Zuko showed up and with Toph's arrival, there was just too little house for them all to fit into. More upsetting was the realization there was no room for Suki if she ever came back. So despite the knowledge that he might need those points for something else later, he took the hit instead. And so, the upgrade commenced.

He'd been intrigued to watch the house seem to just rebuild itself. He'd delivered the blueprints to the Malnosso and this upgrade would fortunately shift some of the rooms around just as it was supposed to. And it was the afternoon, which meant everyone should be out of the house and would be quite surprised when they returned from their wandering about. Of course, he had some other adjustments to make that would require his bender friends to work on. The Malnosso wouldn't include a free slide with it (after all, he used that free high level reward for a hot tub instead). So he intended to get the first earthbender he found to help him with that. Then of course, they would need to carve a hole in the ground and fill it up with water for a pool. But eventually, after getting that all sorted out, it was complete. The Avatar house had become twice as fun and despite how miserable he'd been lately, Sokka felt good about things.

And so he sent out a message on the journals inviting everyone home. He included an invitation to Suki and Ty Lee to check it out too. They may not have been living at the house, but he was hoping this might change Suki's mind.

By the time everyone else arrives, the pool will be ready (thanks to whoever got roped into making it) and Sokka will have even stocked up on sodas and junk foods for them to eat. He'd have made some good food for them to eat, but... he's Sokka. Junk food will just have to do.

Comments

[ex_tessen852]

The slide was nice, but nothing beat relaxing in the hot springs. So Suki happily dropped her towel and got in, letting out a very happy sigh.

"So nice." She even laughed at herself. "I could've used this so may times these pass few months."

[markofthewise]

Sokka watched as Suki made her way into the hot tub, but stayed outside, arms crossed. He felt rather awkward just watching her in the hot tub. Certainly he wasn't going to join her. He knew better than that. So he tried to act casual by leaning against the wall instead.

"You know, when I first showed up in Luceti, we had to walk to the hot springs. Up the mountains. Uphill! Both way! You new feathers have it way too easy."

[ex_tessen852]

She found it a bit odd too.

"Oh. You poor, poor baby. I will never understand the suffering you had to go through." She rolled her eyes. "And you know, you can join me if you want."

[markofthewise]

The invitation was tempting, but...

"Uh, no, that's okay. I should... probably dry off anyway. I'd ask a waterbender to help me out, but they're as likely to soak you as they are to bend the water off."

It was better this way. She had a boyfriend now and it was important to respect that.

[ex_tessen852]

She gave him a nod. Maybe it was for the best, after all, this was a bit intimate, and she didn't want to cross any lines.

"And you do get to have this everyday, so you can use it whenever you want."

One thing she had to admit, it was much easier being like this with him than it was yelling at him all the time. She liked this a lot more. It felt more natural.

"What made you decide on a hot spring anyway?"

[markofthewise]

He shrugged. "It was for Katara, really. She likes to take really, really long baths. I figured this would free up the bathrooms for the rest of us."

There was more to it than that. His sister struggled with being in this place and had so many troubles. It was his small way of trying to make things a little better and happier for her. It was his way of making up for his sins to her. Eventually, he'd find some way to do the same for Suki and for Katniss.

[ex_tessen852]

"Wow. How sweet of you. And here I thought you stopped being selfish." It was only supposed to friendly tease, and hopefully he caught onto that.

[markofthewise]

And predictably, he had to defend himself anyway. "Hey, it's for everyone. Not just me."

[ex_tessen852]

"No, of course. That's what I mean." She teases some more, finally laughing.

"What you dd was really nice though, Sokka. The whole house and the pool. It's all amazing."

[markofthewise]

His protests died and he felt a little embarrassed. He looked away with a small smile. "Oh... well, thanks."

[ex_tessen852]

His smile. That was something she missed a lot.

"I really missed you, Sokka. This you. It's so great to have you back."

[markofthewise]

"It's good to be back."

Sometimes. Right now, not so much. Because it just reminded him of how much he'd like to be there right beside her, arm around her, enjoying the warmth of the water together. Thinking about it was hard. Too hard for him right now, even as her turned to the door. "I'm going to go check on the others, okay? You can stay up here as long as you want."

[ex_tessen852]

"No!" She quickly got up and grabbed her towel. "I should come with. I don't want to ignore everyone for this."

[markofthewise]

Well. That was quick. Sokka's hand was already on the door even as he turned back.

"Are you sure?"

[ex_tessen852]

"Of course. I don't want to be unsociable. Maybe I can even-" Before she finished her thought, she slipped because of a lovely little puddle she made. Not enough to cause her to fall, but she did stumble, which was rather embarrassing.

[markofthewise]

Sokka wasn't paying much attention until he saw her stumble. Worried she'd fall, he immediately reached out, grabbing her shoulder to steady her. When she didn't fall, he quickly pulled back his hand, embarrassed.

"Um. Yeah, we should go back."

[ex_tessen852]

"That was... embarrassing" She laughed it off. "Thanks though." She reached over to him, placing her hand on his arm. "This is the Sokka I've missed."

[markofthewise]

He laughed, even if a bit awkwardly. "What, you think the evil me would have let you fall?"

[ex_tessen852]

"Yeah, and then not even care... He didn't care about a lot of things."

[markofthewise]

That was an uncomfortable shift in the conversation. One he was eager to delve into too much. There were too many hurt feelings involved. For both of them. "I guess it's a good thing I'm me again."

He made his way through the door, back into the open and eyed the slide, anxious to take the quick way back down to the pool.

[ex_tessen852]

"Wait..." She reached out to him, not wanting him to leave just yet. "I, um... I'm sorry. It's just really nice being able to talk with you again. And... well-"

Instead of words, hopefully he wouldn't mind a hug, despite her still being wet.

[markofthewise]

Sokka didn't mind a hug. It was surprising, to say the least. But it was nice. He both enjoyed the closeness, but it hurt at the same time. He had to be careful about how he hugged back, lest it be too intimate. He had to remind himself that she was just a friend now and that's all she'd ever be.

Because he didn't know what to say, he didn't say anything. He swallowed the lump in his throat and took solace in the fact he didn't have to pretend to smile, because right now she couldn't see how much this hurt.

[ex_tessen852]

It was bad, but she enjoyed it too. She felt so guilty for enjoying this and probably letting the hug last a little too long, but she missed him, so much. All she wanted was the hug to last a second longer and just forget about everything. Forget about how they broke up, how they fought, and how she hated him so much. She even wanted to forget about Kurt, but only for a second.

"You're not allowed to go on missions alone again, alright?" She pulled back and placed her hand on his chest, poking him. "You're not allowed to die again, got it?"

[markofthewise]

When she started poking him, he held up his hands and stepped back.

"Okay, okay! Trust me, nobody wants me to stay alive more than I do."

I'm doing playing that kind of hero.

[ex_tessen852]

"Good." She smiled, just happy to have him back to normal. A bit to happy actually.

"Come on." Without thinking she reached out for his hand. "Let's head back to everyone."

Before she stepped away though, she leaned over to give him a quick peck, like she used to.