alwaysroomforhope | (no subject)

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Steph is, in fact, sleeping. She spends a lot of time sleeping, because it's significantly easier than spending time thinking seriously about her life as it stands.

Today, the couch is the lucky host to Steph's sleeping. The TV is still on and the edge of the cushion has made a square red pattern in her cheek. She doesn't even hear the door open.

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Quiet for a moment, Katara moves over to sit beside Steph, careful of Mel's hand, and squeezes Steph's. "You're kind of the-- well, not the problem, but... Zuko wouldn't listen to us."

And hasn't.

"But you know we wouldn't lie to you and you know we love you and we just hate seeing you get hurt."

Steph peers up over her arm.

"...yeah, I know. Otherwise I'd just kick you out and have a tantrum. And set fire to stuff. ... it'd probably be fun."

She sighs, and sits up to lean against Katara, putting her other hand over Mel's. Friends and sisters, Steph is sure, are the best things in the world sometimes.

"Will you put up with me pitching a total fit and demanding ice cream and crappy movies after I ... tell him?"

"Course we will," Mel says. "You play it right, there coudl even be pie."

"And more chocolate," Katara adds, smiling hopefully. "And bubble gum."

"Pie," Steph agrees, sadly. "And chocolate." She tries a smile for Katara, but it wavers.

"...I don't wanna break up with him. Can I just ... think about it a bit?"

"You think that's a good idea?" Mel asks, nudging Steph with the bottle again.

Face falling with Steph's question, Katara glances to Mel before looking back at her friend. "Do you want time to think about whether or not you should break up with him... or how to get rid of me and Mel so we'll stop asking you?"

"I don't want to get rid of you!" Steph says, and grabs both of their hands tighter.

"...don't want to get rid of anyone. 's the problem."

Mel squeezes Steph's hand but pokes her with the bottle again.

"Difference is, we're good for you."

Another glance at Mel - to make sure she should say this. And once she has any vague sign of approval, Katara puts both hands around Steph's, leaning in to speak softly.

"And we love you back."

Steph is about to accept the bottle Mel's so patiently offering, but Katara has her hands and Steph blinks at her, surprised and a little unsure. Because there was That Night, and ... are you still allowed to be as comfortable as before with your best friends when there's That Night sitting there?

"...even though I'm pretty much an idiot ... with terrible taste in men-and-don't-you-dare-say-told-you-so-Mel-Fray?"

"Y'know I wouldn't," Mel protests despite all evidence to the contrary.

But she shrugs, pulls the bottle back and takes a healthy swig herself, watching the two girls.

"All my family are idiots. It's why they need me."

"Besides, you have really good taste in sisters and friends," Katara adds, grinning hopefully.

"...y'know, apart from me."

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