Sokka peeked out of his sleeping bag. Good. They were all asleep. He quietly crawled out of his “cocoon” and tip-toed past Toph’s earth tent. After he got far enough away, he began practicing with his boomerang and sword. His boomerang sailed over his head.

“Awww. Boomie, you’re supposed to ALWAYS come back.” He heard a thunk as it hit something.

“I got it.” Sokka jumped as Kayla appeared, holding the boomerang. “You know, for being a warrior, you’re not so good at stealth.” Kayla giggled. Sokka flushed.

“Darn, another thing I’ll have to work on.” She sat down beside him on the log and peered anxiously into his face.

“Something’s bothering you.” She concluded. Sokka shrugged. Kayla put her hand on his shoulder. “Tell me.” Sokka looked away from her.

“My mom died on this day, 4 years ago. It seems like such a short time. Then my dad left to go help out in the war, and all the men went too. That left me, a 13 year old, in charge of our entire tribe.” Sokka admitted. Kayla leaned around him so she could look into his face.

“It must have been hard.” Sokka nodded.

“I didn’t cry. Not when my mom died, not when Katara blamed my dad for it, not even when my dad left. I think I forgot how.” Kayla blinked, shocked.

“Crying’s not a sign of weakness, Sokka.” She said gently. He was silent. Then he sighed.

“I’m lying and there’s no reason for it. I cried all of those times, but I haven’t cried since.” Kayla rested her head on his shoulder. He closed his eyes. “I don’t want to lose you too.” Kayla looked at him, puzzled.

“Every girl I’ve ever fallen for has either died or disappeared. Even my mom!” Sokka groaned, banging his fist on the log. He stood up and rested his head on a tree across the clearing. Kayla watched his back shudder, obviously trying to hold back sobs. She walked cautiously across the clearing and hugged him from behind. His breath was coming out in short little jerks.

“Warriors d-don’t cry.” He was hiccupping. Kayla turned him to face her.

“Maybe so, but men do.” She gently wiped a tear from his cheek. More tears escaped from his eyes, and he allowed her to stroke his hair as he sobbed into her shoulder. Once he regained his composure, he asked: “Shouldn’t this be the other way around?” Kayla grinned.

“Not right now.” They looked at each other and their heads moved together slowly. The kiss was sweet and innocent.

“I’ll prove you wrong.” She whispered. He looked at her, his mind blank of what she could mean.

“I’m not going anywhere.”