Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Lake Laogai had to be the creepiest place Sokka had ever been. Which was quite a feat when he had been to the most confusing swamp in the world and that library with the greedy owl.

It was eerily quiet as they snuck through the neverending stone halls. Everything was lit by dimly glowing green crystals embedded in the walls, which were way too tacky and on the nose in his humble opinion.

Toph just kept leading them further and further down, at this point he was almost positive the Dai Li were holding Appa in the center of the world. Toph had said she couldn’t even map out the entire place with her earthbending because of how far down it went. So they were pretty much just wandering around and hoping they would come across Appa.

And of course Jet was no help, like always. He couldn’t remember anything about the tunnels except blurry flashes of light and voices. Sure, Sokka felt a little bad for him. He had been brainwashed most likely, that weird room with all the Joo Dee’s repeating “Welcome to Ba Sing Se” had pretty much confirmed it for him.

Which… he really did not want to think about because how many people had they brainwashed down here? He shivered in disgust, and also at the cold air.

He really missed his Parka right now.

He also really missed talking. But everybody seemed to silently agree to stay silent unfortunately. He supposed it was fair, they had no clue how many Dai Li were down here even if they had only seen a spare few pass by so far.

Sokka was honestly surprised that Aang hadn’t broken the silence yet, he was like Sokka and liked to talk when he was nervous. It was very, very clear that he was nervous. They weren’t even positive if Appa was down here, so if he wasn’t and something bad went down he knew Aang well enough to know he wouldn’t forgive himself.

Toph directed them down another identical hallway that led to another staircase down. Spirit’s knew they all would’ve been screwed without Toph. Sokka would never be able to tell these passages apart enough to make his way around.

He stuck close to Katara, boomerang clenched in his fist. He knew she was a powerful bender but she was still his little sister and he didn’t want to let her out of his sight in a place like this.

Finally, Aang broke the silence, “So, uh- you feel anything yet?” He spoke in a much lower volume than was usual for the boisterous kid.

“Nope, this place goes on forever.” She grumbled, “Sorry, Twinkle-Toes.” The nickname came out without the usual snarkiness that accompanied it. She had been weirdly solemn on the way here and as they ventured down.

She led them through many, many more identical hallways and 2 more floors down (Sokka suspected most of the hallways were just made entirely to confuse people, with the few rooms and locked doors they had come across there was no way all this space was needed). This floor was a bit different, the walls were more intricate with pillars supporting the ceiling every once in a while and considerably more stone doors lining the walls.

Toph paused and everybody else hesitated behind her. She pointed to the right, “Down that hallway to the left there's two people. They're just standing there.”

“Then we go straight.” Jet spoke up for the first time since they’d gotten down here, pointing one of his hooked blades forward. Longshot and Smellerbee both stood beside him and Sokka wondered for not the first time why they chose to stick around a genocidal maniac.

“Well unfortunately for us, we have to go this way to get to the next level down. And I’m not feeling Appa on this floor.”

Jet visibly grimaced but nodded and continued on with them as they all slunk along the wall to the corner. None of them wanted to make an enemy of the Earth Kingdom, so it would be best to get out of here without having to fight a bunch of Dai Li.

Aang poked his head around the corner for a moment before whirling around and spinning his staff towards the end of the hall, sending a huge whoosh of air through the hall. Toph slammed her foot down, twisting it into the stone. With a loud banging sound Toph dusted her hands off and smirked.

Sokka was once again hit by the fact that two 12 year olds could probably take on a whole army. The two Dai Li had been supposedly guarding a stone door bordered by two sconces holding those eerie green rocks at the end of the hall. They were slumped against the walls surrounded by bits of rubble.

“Appa isn’t here but what do ya say we check this place out?” The little earthbender walked forward confidently. She didn’t seem at all bothered by how creepy this place was. Which was probably because she couldn’t exactly see how weird it was.

His sister pulled a thin stream of water out of her waterskin and crept forward warily, “Nothing else was guarded here so this place must be important, right?”

Sokka stepped up beside Katara and nudged one of the unconscious Dai Li with his foot, “I kinda thought this whole rescue mission would be a lot more exciting you know?” There was a dent in each of the Dai Li’s helmets, “Y’know a lot more, Wap! Boom! Pow!” He sliced his boomerang through the air for emphasis.

Katara rolled her eyes and elbowed him, “Shouldn’t you be glad we aren’t in life threatening peril again?” She glared down at the body.

“To be honest I kind of miss the high stakes adventures.”

Toph groaned, “I know right?! Ba Sing Se is sooo boring!” She punched the stone door and slid it open, stomping inside before Sokka could even protest that they needed a plan before going into the clearly important guarded room that could hold more enemies?! “Once we get Appa, let’s get the hell out of this city.” She said over her shoulder.

He rushed into the room behind her with his boomerang at the ready. Only to find it completely empty.

Where was everybody? Sure this place was huge but he had really expected a lot more and was honestly severely disappointed.

It was a decently large room with a tall ceiling. The whole room contrasted with the bland hallways, it seemed like an office with plush armchairs and a large unlit fireplace. The walls were even inlaid with wood and bookshelves.

Sokka wandered towards the desk and sat down behind it, it wouldn’t hurt to snoop a bit would it?

“Come on Sokka,” Katara hissed, “We can’t just go through this person's stuff!”

Sokka pulled open one of the top drawers, “But what if this guy has something that tells us if Appa’s here or not?” He shuffled through neatly organized, boring letters from Generals and other things he didn’t know enough about running a kingdom to recognize, “Besides they’re probably evil anyway if they really are holding Appa, so this is justice!”
Katara shook her head, turning away to stand guard at the door (despite the fact that Toph could most definitely just tell them if someone was coming).

Aang also knelt and started going through the drawers on the other side of the desk.

Jet leaned against the desk, “So who do you think this office belongs to?”

“What you gonna genocide them and their family as well?”

Jet narrowed his eyes at Sokka, “Well whoever he is, this guy probably fucking brainwashed me. So it wouldn’t be that undeserved, would it?” He turned away to his freedom fighters, Smellerbee was lounging on the couch with Toph.

Sokka just huffed and flung some papers out of the desk, that guy would find any reason to murder families.

Sifting through a few more papers, a name caught his eye.

Stupid General Fong.

The letter was dated a few months ago. Just after they had left the North Pole. It recounted the day General Fong had nearly killed his sister just to force Aang into the Avatar state. He gripped the paper tightly. He reached the end of the letter.

It was addressed to King Kuei.

But the King was just a figurehead, he didn’t even know of the war! So what were his letters doing in an office hundreds of feet underground?

Oh.

“This is Long Feng’s office.”

Aang’s bald head shot up from where he was fiddling with the lock on a box he had found. Everybody else’s eyes trained on him as well.

“And who’s Long Feng?” Jet asked.

“He’s the head of the Dai Li,” Aang stood up from behind the desk, “He runs basically everything in Ba Sing Se. He stopped us from talking to the Earth King.”

“Yeah he’s an asshole.” Toph grunted.

“Language, Toph.”

“Sorry, he’s a butthole.” She drawled at Katara.

“What, so the Earth King just let him kidnap the Avatar’s pet?” Smellerbee’s raspy voice questioned.

“Aparently the Earth King is more useless than an ashmaker underwater,” Sokka shoved a few unopened letters into his pockets, Even if they were useless to him maybe he could cause a slight inconvenience to Long feng, “He’s just a figurehead, Long Feng is behind everything.”

Jet crossed his arms, “So the Earth King is sitting up there all comfortable in his palace while his people are killed and forced to flee their homes?” He glowered, and if Sokka wasn’t sure Katara would beat his ass for it, he’s pretty sure Jet would have started plotting a coup right then and there.

Aang grimaced, “Uh, yeah.” He placed the box down on the table, “When you put it like that…”

Sokka may not like Jet much, for very justified reasons might he add, but for once he kind of agreed. Not only was the King doing nothing to help his people, but it didn’t seem like Long Feng was planning on doing anything anytime soon either. Which was real bad for them, because if they couldn’t get the support of the Earth Kingdom before the Eclipse how were they supposed to defeat the Fire Nation?

“Does anybody know how to pick locks?” Aang broke the silence and tapped the wood box.

Jet stepped forward wordlessly and pulled out one of his hooked swords. He maneuvered the curved tip into the lock and jiggled it around a bit. He flipped the box open and presented it to Aang, “Here you go, Avatar.”

“Thanks.” Aang started pulling various papers and scrolls out of the box.

Sokka rifled through some of them, shoving all of them in his pockets as he went. If they were in a locked box they were most definitely important. He hoped taking these pissed Long Feng off to no end. He unfolded a small scroll, a map with an intelligence report attached.

“Katara!”

She whipped around and rushed over, “What!?”

The map marked a small blue dot in a bay along the Eastern Earth Kingdom, “A small fleet of Water Tribe ships protecting Chameleon Bay, led by- Katara! It’s Dad!” Sokka grinned. They had Dad’s location! He wasn’t even that far away either, not too long of a trip from Ba Sing Se to the marked spot on the map.

Katara smiled wider than he had seen in a while and it warmed his heart, “Chameleon Bay, that’s not too far! And it’s pretty recent too, if we hurry they’ll probably still be there.”

Aang leaned over Sokka’s shoulder, “Appa can get us there in no time!”

Sokka couldn’t stop smiling. After 2 long years, they could finally see their dad… Sokka was equally as excited as he was anxious. His dad couldn’t be that different from what he remembered, right? Maybe Sokka could finally get traditional Warrior training.

He rolled the scroll back up again and handed it to Katara, his pockets already bulging. She happily accepted it and picked up another scroll, seemingly having abandoned her previous disapproval of snooping (Hypocrite…).

Katara gasped, “Toph, it’s a letter from your mom! Your mom’s here in the city! And she wants to see you!”

Toph sat up, “Long Feng intercepted our letters from home?” She shook her head, “That’s just sad.”

Katara pocketed that one too.

Aang nearly jumped for joy at the next letter he unfurled, “It’s from the Eastern Air Temple! There’s a Guru there that wants to help me unlock the Avatar State!” He inhaled cartoonishly, “AND IT SMELLS LIKE APPA!” At that he did actually jump for joy, sending papers whirling around the room with a gust of wind.

“Ew, why do you know what Appa smells like so well?” Actually, Sokka supposed that wasn’t too out of the question. His nostrils could still vividly remember the stench of Appa’s dirty toes that one time he had to clean out his feet.

Aang shrugged, practically vibrating with adrenaline now, “He has a very distinct stench. But this means this letter’s been with Appa! He has to be down here!” He tucked the scroll into the waistband of his tunic.

“Or he’s not here at all and he’s all the way at the Eastern Air Temple.” Jet said, Katara scowled at him as Aang’s face fell a bit.

“Well, Appa’s still most likely here.” Sokka glowered at Jet, “Why else would Long Feng threaten us not being able to find him?”

Jet just shrugged.

“Let’s hurry up, I don’t want to leave Appa waiting!” Aang rushed to the door and bounced back and forth on the balls of his feet.

“Alright Twinkle-Toes wait up.”

They all filed out of the office as Toph closed the door behind them. And they were off again, “Seriously how far does this place go down?!” Sokka groaned, “I swear I’ve worked off the last 3 days of meals.”

Katara chuckled, “With how much you eat I highly doubt that.”

“Hey!”

-

Sokka stopped counting the floors a long while ago, he didn’t know how long they had been down here at this point but his feet hurt. He had grown too accustomed to flying everywhere on Appa.

Seriously though, what in the Spirits were they using all this space for?

Sokka had stopped being so tense and battle ready by now, they very rarely came across any Dai Li. If they did, they just ducked into one of the many alcoves in the walls as they passed.

They had made it down a particularly long staircase when Toph gestured for them to stop again. “There’s another two or three Dai Li just standing farther down that way,” she pointed off to the side, “Probably guarding something again.”

“Is it Appa?!”

She shook her head at Aang’s enthusiasm, bangs swishing around to shade her milky eyes more, “No, I would be able to feel his heartbeat easily if he was on this floor.” She tapped her foot, “But there’s some large caverns a few floors down. If they were gonna hold Appa anywhere it would be there.”

Sokka tossed Boomerang back and forth in his grip, “Last time they were guarding something it was pretty important,” He smiled at Katara, “so we should probably check this out too.”
“Well then let’s hurry so we can get down to Appa!” Aang said frantically.

They creeped around a few corners until Toph pointed around one to indicate they were here. Sokka peaked his head around and sure enough, there were two Dai Li standing along the wall.

He readjusted his grip on Boomerang and flung it towards the nearest one. It slammed into their helmet with a loud clang (because of course it did, Sokka had impeccable aim). The other Dai Li spun towards the sound and spotted Sokka half tucked behind the corner. He scowled in at Sokka and raised a rock covered hand towards him. Before Sokka could even react, the guy was knocked out cold when a chunk of rock came flying out of the wall into his helmet.

“You’re welcome, Snoozles.” Toph stepped up from behind him.

“I had them handled!” Sokka boasted, “That last guy was cowering in fear of Boomerang!” He picked up Boomerang from the floor and brandished it in her face, before realizing she couldn’t even see it and huffing.

She snorted, “Yeah, alright Captain Boomerang.”

Sokka inched up to the solid stone door, Boomerang brandished in front of him. Jet had also come up closer and held his swords aloft. Toph bent the door open and Sokka prepared himself for a fight, he made sure Toph was behind him this time. Her strolling into a random guarded room with no plan was stupid. Sokka knew he was the plan guy, but he had hoped that maybe his friends would have enough common sense to know when they needed a plan.

The door slid open to pitch blackness, unlike Long Feng’s office that they had found before which was lit. Sokka hesitated for a moment before taking a slow step into the doorway.

The dim green glow from the hallway provided a small bit of light into the small room. It hit the back wall to display the cramped size of the room. He squinted into the dark, Boomerang still at the ready for a sneak attack. He could see that the dark space was bare and held nothing.

He almost turned back towards the others when something shifted in the darkness of the back corner. He took the smallest step forward further into the room, now that he had seen movement he could make out something, or someone, on the floor in the shadows.

“Hi?” He asked slowly, “Hey, Hello? Somebody there?”

There was no answer or movement, but as Sokka’s eyes adjusted to the light he could definitely see a figure curled up in the corner of the room. Or cell? Yeah, this was definitely a cell.

A hand touched his shoulder lightly and Katara stepped into the cell beside him, eyeing the darkness as well, “Hello? Who are you?”

Sokka took a larger step towards them, about to kneel before the figure shifted away and he paused, “You good?” He realized how stupid of a question that was, they were locked in a cramped room hundreds of feet underground.

They were most definitely not fine.

Toph handed one of those weird crystals to Katara that he assumed she had ripped out of the wall. It lit the room up green, which made it arguably more creepy than when it was dark.

There was a person, seemingly a guy, slumped into the corner. His shaggy dark hair concealed his face from Sokka in his hunched over position. It was clear he wasn’t unconscious as he turned his face away from the light.

Katara sucked in a sharp breath and moved closer, crouching down a fair distance from the guy, “Hey, uh…” She paused and looked up at Sokka for help, he just shrugged. How was he supposed to know how to deal with this? “My name’s Katara, this is my brother Sokka. Do you need help? What’s your name?”

Sokka waved, and then let his arm drop when he realized he looked stupid because the guy wasn’t even looking up. He turned his head to face Katara more and his sister tensed, “Tui and La.” He heard her whisper.

He couldn’t see the guy's face from this angle so he kneeled next to Katara.

And also muttered a curse about the spirits.

His ebony hair still shadowed a lot of his face but that couldn't cover the huge angry red scar on the left side of his face that covered half of it. His left eye was squinty but his right watched them intently with a look Sokka couldn’t decipher.

His most striking feature was definitely his eyes. They weren’t just light brown or amber, they looked like solid rings of gold.

Which immediately identified him as Fire Nation.

Now Sokka wasn’t so prejudiced as to immediately want to fight him as Jet probably would, but he couldn’t lie to himself and say that didn't make him the least bit wary off the bat.

The boy, who couldn’t have been much older than Sokka, kept shifting his gaze between him and Katara.

Both Katara and Sokka were silent, unsure of how to proceed. This really wasn’t the kind of situation most people often found themselves in. It also didn’t seem like the person intended on answering either of Katara’s questions.

“Um… well this place doesn’t seem very nice.” Katara finally said, "We're looking for our friend right now. You can come with us if you want?”

He didn’t answer for a long while, so long that Sokka was getting a bit impatient. Then he nodded stiffly.

Katara smiled at him and stood up, offering her hand to him. He didn’t acknowledge her gesture and used the wall as support on his way up. She didn’t seem bothered. He was about the same height as Sokka, wearing a loose dark green tunic that was ill fitting and baggy pants.

Aang stood in the doorway watching them, “Hi! My name's Aang, don’t worry we’ll get out of this place soon. We just have to find my Flying Bison first!”

He still didn’t answer as expected.

The dark haired teen trailed behind them as they exited the cramped room. Sokka could immediately see Jet examining him suspiciously. That stare turned into a glare when the new guy looked up the tiniest fraction and Jet most likely saw his eyes.

He looked just about to speak up, and Sokka made sure he was standing in between him and the scarred boy. Smellerbee seemed to whisper something at him that Sokka couldn’t hear and he just crossed his arms tighter.

He breathed out a sigh of relief that they wouldn’t have to deal with Jet’s attempts at murder for now, “Toph, you said Appa might be close?” he questioned.

“Yup! Those caverns below are definitely large enough to hold a Sky Bison.”

“Then let’s get moving Gang!”

-

Sokka stuck close by the new guy, not trusting Jet to not stab him in the back at the first chance.

He seemed fine.

There were no visible injuries on him, though that very well could have been because he was in long sleeves and long pants. The only evidence of anything was the large burn scar marring his face. As well as a few smaller scars that were less noticeable. There was a faint, thin jagged one running on the right side of his neck and a small one on the bridge of his nose.

He kept staring at the floor, bangs covering his eyes. Sokka could see the visibly tense body language even through his loose clothing.

Toph laughed out loud and broke Sokka out of his admittedly much too long staring session, “He’s down on the next floor! That has to be him! The stairs are just up ahead.”

Aang whooped with joy and started speedwalking, almost running, before he realized he didn’t actually know his way to the stairs and sheepishly waiting for the rest of them.

“We can’t just go barreling around in this place, what if we get caught?” Katara hissed, but she had also picked up the pace as they all headed for Appa.

“Oh c’mon, Katara,” Sokka elbowed her, “There’s been literally nobody here the whole time, it's fine.”

Katara just rolled her eyes as they all hurried to catch up with Aang and Toph.

This floor of the place was at least a nice change of pace from the other identical ones. It was more cave like, lined with larger stone doors that he presumed led to holding cells.

Toph stopped them in front of one of the last ones, “Here.” She said confidently, thrusting a fist forward towards the door and smashing it open.

There was a familiar low grunt, “APPA!” Aang rushed forward, flinging himself at the giant fluffy Bison. His arms barely covered Appa’s nose.

Sokka grinned. Appa may be smelly and eat way too much, but Sokka had really missed him.

He was just about to go hug Appa himself when he felt a light tap on his arm. He turned to find the scarred guy looking up at the tall, arched ceiling. Sokka followed his gaze, there were dozens of Dai Li agents hanging from the Spirit’s damned ceiling.
“Guys, uh,” he pointed up, “the happy reunions gonna have to wait.”

Katara whipped the water out of her waterskin as the Dai Li began to drop down. She sliced it through the air aggressively to deflect the rocks being hurled at everyone. Toph was sending back retaliating pillars of rock.

Sokka ducked a large rock hand and threw his Boomerang at a Dai Li getting too close to Katara. It knocked him out cold.

Spirit’s Sokka loved his Boomerang.

“Sokka!” Aang called out to him, he was at Appa’s side using a thin stream of water to slice through the shackles that kept Appa down, “Help me out with these!”

Sokka ran for Appa’s other side and started hacking at the first of the shackles with Boomerang. They were thick metal, but nothing could withstand the might of Boomerang!

He realized quite quickly that these chains were much too thick for his boomerang.

He slid it into its holder reluctantly and pulled out his club instead, the blade was much thicker and would cut through it hopefully easier.

The chain finally snapped and he moved onto the next one. A stray chunk of rock sliced through his arm and left a thin cut that started leaking blood. He hissed in pain but continued on.

He spared a glance behind him to be met with absolute chaos. Surprisingly, despite being hopelessly outnumbered his friends were faring well. Katara had a bunch of Dai Li frozen to the floor or in chunks of ice. Jet and the other two seemed to have each other's backs. There was also a huge pillar of rock in the center of the room now, and he assumed it was Toph that was fighting on top of it.

Second one down.

He started on the final chain. And then nearly jumped out of his skin when a rock hand came dangerously close to slicing off his nose. He turned in time to see the new guy roundhouse kicking the Dai Li who had sent the rocks at him in the face.

Sokka blinked.

Sokka could do nothing but stare. That was… well it was surprising to say the least. That very much contrasts the image of him slumped in a dark cell.

The boy nodded at Sokka briskly and then ducked out of his sight to rejoin the fray.

There was a gust of wind and suddenly Aang was right in front of him, “I got the other side done!” He then took over and started slicing through with his stream of water, “Done! Now let’;s get out of here!”

“I don’t think I’ve ever agreed with you more than right now.”

“Toph! How do we get out of here?!” Aang launched himself over Sokka’s head and he scrambled to catch up.

Toph was back on the floor again, “We’ll make our own way!” She shoved her palms out, Sokka nearly fell on his ass as the ground beneath him shoved him towards Appa along with the rest of the group.

She bent the Earth around them into a solid rock box and then Sokka really did fall over as she hurled them upwards into the earth.

Chapter Text

Sokka settled into Appa’s saddle for the first time in months. He remembered despising flying on Appa for a good few weeks into leaving the South Pole. Now though, it was a comfort after so long of traveling on foot without Appa. Even with the winds whipping by that would always mess up his Wolf Tail.

Once they had reached the surface again, Aang had immediately rushed them all onto Appa. They couldn’t know how far behind the Dai Li would be. They were all y’know, Earthbenders, which meant they could just use the same trick as Toph.

Appa’s saddle was very cramped at the moment. With the addition of Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot plus the other mystery guy.

“So where too now?” He called out over the wind, “Do you think they’ll still feed us now that we beat a bunch of them up?”

Aang sat at Appa’s head, running his hand through the thick hair, “I don’t know…”

“You’re right… Long Feng is probably waiting for us.” She frowned.

“So the first order of business is to get out of this city.” Sokka said.

“Finally.” He heard Toph grumble from where she was clutching the side of the saddle.

“How’s Appa doing, Aang?” Katara asked, moving to sit closer to Appa’s head, “Is he okay to carry all of us?”

Aang smiled, “He’s okay, just tired. We should be able to make it past the wall though.”

“Why do I feel like I’m being kidnapped?” Jet huffed from his spot across from Sokka.

“Do you really want us to drop you off back in the city with Dai Li everywhere?” Katara crossed her arms, “Cause if so we will gladly do that.”

They all settled into tense silence after that. Everybody was all exhausted. They had all originally gone into Lake Laogai a little before midday and it had to have been nearing dinner by now. If the sun didn’t imply that then Sokka’s stomach definitely did.

The great wall was slowly closing in from a distance. Aang directed the flying bison higher to soar above the wall. It was unlikely that any Dai Li had time to get to the wall, because they had the advantage of a flying bison now, but nobody was gonna take any chances. Especially when they had just jail-broke a flying bison and some prisoner guy that was down there for some reason.

Sokka’s exhausted mind caught up to that thought. He whipped his head around when he remembered the mystery boy they had pulled from that dank cell. He was sitting a distance away from Sokka to his left. His chin rested on his forearms which rested on his knees. His unscarred side was facing Sokka and his face looked a lot less severe from this angle.

“Hey, new guy,” His gold eye shifted to peer at Sokka, “We didn’t catch your name?”

“Zuko.” He said flatly after a moment. 

Sokka couldn’t lie and say he wasn’t caught off guard by his voice, it was soft and raspy (He suddenly wished that this Zuko was more talkative than he currently seemed). Something itched at the back of his mind that said he’d heard that name before. It was probably just some common earth kingdom name though.

“Alright, well you already know me and my sister. Oh, and Aang.” Sokka pointed at the Freedom Fighters each, “That’s Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot.”

Toph raised her hand before Sokka could continue, “Toph, greatest Earthbender in the world.”

Zuko nodded and looked away again.

Sokka slumped into as comfortable a position as he could find and watched the clouds pass by. He didn’t know how much time passed but just as he felt himself drifting off, the saddle jostled and he sat up. Aang was touching them down near the forest that bordered a clearing.

Toph was the first off, flopping down into the dirt and making a dirt angel, “Appa I missed you buddy, but I did not miss your flying.”

Sokka snorted and slid off Appa. Aang was the only one who stayed. He bearhugged Appa’s head and sunk into his fur, disappearing from sight.

The sun was beginning to set, Sokka's stomach growled and he instinctively turned to the back of Appa’s saddle to look for their supplies.

There was nothing there.

Well, crap. Of course the supplies would have been removed first thing. They hadn’t brought any supplies with them either. Everything was left back in the house they’d been given in Ba Sing Se.

So they had nothing to their name except the clothes on their back and no clue where to go now.

He also realized with a pang that Momo was nowhere to be found. He must be in the home still, or wandering the city. He was confident that Momo would be safe, the little lemur seemed to have no difficulty stealing food and if he needed any he was sure their newly acquired companions in the city would take care of him.

Aang’s firebending teacher.

Visiting the Jasmine Dragon for the first time had been probably the most confusing day of his life. It was a very popular spot in the upper ring of Ba Sing Se. But the popularity of it wasn’t what attracted team avatar to the shop.

Both King Bumi and Pakku had recommended the place specifically and were very insistent they make sure to stop there whenever they went to Ba Sing Se. How either of them knew of it when it seemed neither really left their home city often was beyond Sokka. How either of them knew General Iroh of the Fire Nation had Sokka’s brain malfunctioning.

When Iroh had first invited them to a private tea room in the Jasmine Dragon under the ruse that he was honored to have the Avatar at his tea shop, Sokka had just seen him as a nice old man who was over enthusiastic about tea. And then he had told them his identity and Sokka had nearly ran out to go find that creepy Joo Dee girl, because if General Iroh was here surely he was plotting a coup to overthrow the king?!

But he had requested they sit and hear his story. Three years ago his nephew, the Crown Prince to the Fire Nation had been banished and he had accompanied him. Iroh didn’t go into much detail about the banishment. Sokka prided himself on being good at reading people (His job as an older brother), and he could see the sadness and guilt in his eyes as he told his tale.

Unfortunately, only a year after his banishment, the prince had died in a storm out at sea. Iroh had been living in Ba Sing Se for 2 years now. With the Lieutenant, a gruff guy named Jee who Sokka had never warmed up to. Neither of them could return to the Fire Nation. Not in good conscience after the Fire Lord had banished his own son, resulting in his death. 

He told them he had no intention of harming Ba Sing Se. He wanted to teach Aang firebending.

They had warily trusted him. Sokka was glad they had, because Iroh was harmless. He was clearly a skilled bender, but he was a good teacher. Strict, but gentle and encouraging. 

He also made some incredible tea, and Sokka had never been a tea guy but damnit if Iroh hadn’t made him one.

He shook his head to clear out his trailing thoughts. He forced himself not to think about how Iroh and Jee didn’t even know where they had gone and would have no clue where they were. He couldn’t be reminiscing about Aang's teacher right now when they had more pressing issues.”

“Anybody bring any snacks by chance?” Everybody now seemed to realize they had basically nothing.

“We can go hunt something before it gets too dark?” Jet volunteered Smellerbee and Long shot with him.

“Yeah that’d be great, thanks.” Sokka would, in any other situation, insist on hunting himself. He did not want to get shown up by Jet of all people, but right now he was just thankful he didn’t have to go trudge through the woods right now.

Katara started gathering bits of brush and sticks for a fire once they had disappeared into the treeline. Sokka started digging a small firepit and clearing a space for the fire so they didn’t burn the whole clearing down. He sat and leaned back on his arms.

Katara sat down next to him and started arranging the sticks into an appropriate structure. She sat back on her haunches once she was done and paused.

They didn't have their supplies which meant they didn't have their spark-rocks.

Oh how wonderful a day this was.

Katara thought hard for a moment, “Maybe we can do that spinny stick trick?”

“Doesn’t that take forever?” Sokka groaned, he really did not want to sit here and rub two sticks together hoping they would light, “Do you even really know how to do that?”

“... No.”

They both just stared at the now sad looking pile of sticks.

Both he and Katara startled when the dry leaves lit up and slowly flickered to life with flame.

Zuko knelt on Sokka’s side in front of the now lit campfire. His hand was held out to the dry bramble Katara had collected and there was a small flickering flame sitting in his palm. It was a small, flighty little thing that kept flickering out.

Oh.

Zuko was a firebender. 

That was fine. 

If Sokka hadn’t just spent the last few weeks around three Firebenders training all the time then he definitely would have been more wary of an Ashmaker. But Zuko didn’t seem hostile, he had fought with them when getting out of Lake Laogai.

Maybe that was why he was locked up down there? That he was a Firebender? Was he a prisoner of war? That didn’t make any sense though because he really didn’t look much older than himself…

Zuko was watching them stiffly like he was waiting for something.

Katara spoke up first after the initial shock, “Oh, thank you!” her smile wavered a bit as well and Sokka could tell she was making herself think of Iroh as well, “That would have been such a hassle otherwise.”

Zuko frowned, that didn’t seem to be what he was waiting for.

“Zuko’s a firebender?” Toph plopped herself down on Zuko’s other side and sat with her feet warming by the fire, “Well, guess we’re gonna have to lose a member of our group now.”

Katara bristled, “What?! We’re not gonna leave him. What the heck, Toph!”

“What? I thought you hated Jet?”

“Jet? What- Oh.” Katara’s face fell as it clicked.

Right. Jet.

Sokka clenched his teeth. Jet would probably try to kill Zuko if he found out he was an Ashmaker. Disregard the fact that he clearly had no intentions to go crazy and attack them. Jet would go crazy though, he was psychotic…

Sokka and Katara side-eyed each other and then looked at Zuko who was watching the fire now.

“Listen, Zuko.” Sokka reached out and grabbed his shoulder, the other boy visibly tensed and glanced at his hand, “You cannot Firebend in front of Jet. He’s actually crazy and will try to kill you. He doesn’t care if you don’t want to hurt him.”

Zuko nodded.

“Seriously, he’s psychotic and won’t listen to reason.” Sokka locked eyes with his bright gold ones intently, “You cannot under any circumstances Firebend.”

“I won’t” He says firmly.

Sokka releases his shoulder after a moment. He just hoped Jet didn’t question how the fire was started.

The other three returned by the time the sun had fully set, only a dim glow shining over the treetops. They had managed to catch two large rabbits and a few apples.

Sokka gladly took the rabbits and started skinning them as everybody took an apple gratefully. Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot settled down by the fire (Thankfully not questioning how it came to be). Everybody fell into comfortable silence as the warmth of the fire made them all sleepy.

Sokka finally started slicing up the meat and spearing strips of it with sticks that Katara sharpened for him. Sticking the skewers into the dirt by the fire to cook.

His sister handed him an apple and he ate it quickly as the meat cooked. If anything the small apple only made him hungrier. Aang popped up from his hiding spot in Appa’s fur at some point while the meat was cooking. He left Appa where he was munching on the grass to come sit by Katara.

Sokka was practically salivating at the mouth by the time the meat was done, and he tore into his the second he had passed out everybody’s share.

He groaned, “I think this is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

Katar smirked at him, “You say that every time you're hungry.”

He ignored her in favour of scarfing down his skewer. The rabbits had been quite large ones, the Earth kingdom had much larger rabbits than the South Pole, so Sokka helped himself to a second skewer.

He leaned back and basked in the warmth of the fire and his full belly. Most everybody was done, Aang had eaten his food nearly as fast as Sokka.

Jet and Smellerbee were both talking to each other, Toph was sprawled out in the dirt again, and Aang and Katara were tossing a ball of water back and forth. He glanced at Zuko sitting next to him.

He hadn’t eaten anything. There was still an apple sitting next to him and he twirled the skewer between his fingers idly. Sokka couldn’t even imagine not wanting to immediately inhale your food.

“You gonna eat that?”

Zuko froze, he gripped the skewer tighter and turned his head towards Sokka.

“Sokka!” Katara elbowed him, “Leave him alone and let him eat in peace.”

“Ow!” He rubbed his arm, “I’m not trying to steal his food, okay?” Sokka directed his next words at Zuko, “I just want to know if you don’t want it, cause we can save it for later.”

Zuko looked like he was contemplating something, “I’m… not hungry.” he finally decided. Which made no sense to Sokka because even wearing an oversized tunic Sokka could tell he was too thin.

Sokka took the held out skewer from him anyway, no use forcing him to eat.

He wrapped up the rest of the rabbit meat in the cloth that the apples had been held in. They were all drained so it was probably best to get to sleep so they could figure out where to go tomorrow. The fire might be warm but sleeping on the hard earth was not very nice (Except for Toph) so they decided to cuddle with Appa. Katara put out the fire with a splash of water.

Appa was already snoring away so Sokka steered clear of his face. He was about to settle down on Appa’s tail, but spotted Zuko still sitting by the now doused fire for some reason.

“Hey Zuko!” He called out and gestured him over, “C’mon Appa’s way more comfy than the grass! I swear he doesn’t bite, he does lick though.”

Zuko stood up and approached Appa, steering clear of his face. Sokka patted the Appa’s fluffy fur, Appa’s tail was so large it was probably the size of his igloo back home.

Zuko perched on it lightly and sunk into the fur. Sokka realized that Zuko was barefoot in the grass. Had he been barefoot this whole time? Fighting barefoot underground was pretty badass if you asked him. There wasn’t really anything he could do to help fix this issue at the moment though. It’s not like they had a surplus supply of shoes, or really anything, right now.

Sokka flopped back into Appa’s soft fur, he propped his hands up behind his head. Staring at the dark sky, he located the moon.

The moon always brought him comfort, now more so than ever before after everything that happened at the North Pole. He hoped Yue was watching right now, maybe she would send them a giant box of supplies!

He traced the few constellations he recognized as his eyes drooped. Most of the familiar ones he left behind at home in the South Pole.

Sokka allowed the exhaustion of the day to overcome him.

-

Sokka hated mornings.

The sun burned at his eyelids as he tried to keep them shut tightly. He was already awake though, there was no use.

He forced his eyes open and scrubbed at the crusting on the inside of his eyes. Allowing himself a few moments more of rest before he propped himself up on his forearms.

Zuko was already sitting up on Appa’s tail and Sokka could hear the others slowly waking up as well. The sun wasn’t even entirely over the horizon yet.

He stretched and sat up fully, “C’mon, man I’m hungry.” He said Zuko quickly climbed up Appa’s tail where he had left the meat last night and then slid back down the tail to the ground.

The leftover meat wasn't enough to feed them all for a whole meal so everybody took a small portion for a snack.

“You all figure out where our next stop is,” Jet said, “I really don’t care where we go as long as it's far away from Ba Sing Se. We’ll go find more food before we go.”

And then they were gone again. Sokka sat next to the remains of the fire, it was warm with the sun rising so there was no need for it, but it felt like a good place to gather.

“Where to now?” Aang asked, “I don’t think we’re getting the help of the Earth King anytime soon.”

Sokka knew he was the plan guy but he didn’t really know either. His plan had been to recruit help from the Earth Kingdom military to invade the Fire Nation capitol, but that was out of the picture now. Long feng had complete control over the city and Sokka would be surprised if they could even get into the city or make it all the way to the Earth King.

“Oh Katara!” Sokka suddenly remembered the most important scroll they had found, “That map! Didn’t we grab it? The one that led to Dad?”

She grinned and reached into her deep pockets, producing the scroll Sokka was referring to with their Father’s location. He also started pulling out the various letters and scrolls with official looking seals on them. He had definitely lost a bunch of them on the escape but it was fine, they had the most important one. 

“Yeah he isn’t too far from where I think we are now,” She had unrolled the scroll, “Two days counting today probably.”

Sokka wrapped his arm around her shoulder’s, they were going to see Dad! It was actually going to happen! It wasn’t just some distant dream, in a few days they would actually be with him.

“Do you think his fleet could help with the invasion?” Aang looked equally as excited as them.

“Oh yeah!” Sokka smirked, “The Water Tribe warriors are waaay better than some stupid Earth Kingdom soldiers!”

“We’re going to see your guy’s Pop’s?” Toph cracked a grin. 

“Yup!” Katara piped up, “We’re setting a course for Chameleon Bay!”

The air was lighter now that they actually had a plan. The invasion plan could still work! Maybe they could still take down the Fire Lord after all… It wasn’t too far-fetched of a plan now that he knew they would have the greatest warriors in the world at their side!

“Hey you!” Toph pointed across the pile of burnt sticks where Zuko sat, who startled at her abruptness, “Why do you breathe weird?”

Zuko blinked, not answering as was expected to such a weird sudden question.

“I can feel your breath and heartbeat with my Earthbending,” She dug her toes into the dirt for emphasis, “And you breathe really weird. Also your heartbeat is all over the place.”

Sokka was a bit concerned now. He was not a healer but somebody breathing weird couldn’t be a good thing right? Zuko still didn’t answer her, stubbornly. 

Toph tilted her head, “So unless you’re like the most anxious person I’ve ever met then what’s wrong with you?”

Katara shifted towards Zuko slightly, “What’s wrong? Are you scared? Are you hurt?” She examined him intently, “Toph, what’s wrong with his breathing?”

“I don’t know, it's just really irregular and light. You’re really hard to see, man.”

Zuko just looked more and more confused every time Toph opened her mouth, “Toph is blind, she sees through her feet with bending. She can see you from your heartbeat and breath.” Sokka explained. It wasn’t surprising that he hadn’t come to the conclusion she was blind yet, Toph’s so good at ‘seeing’ that it’s hard to tell honestly.

Katara was already uncorking her waterskin, “Do you want me to check anything out? I can heal whatever’s wrong, hopefully!”

He shied away from her as she coated her hands in globs of water. He clearly didn’t trust what she was saying, “Please? We really don’t want you dying on us.” He shook his head slowly and Katara frowned, “I just want to help, Toph says something is wrong so maybe something doesn’t hurt, but it could still be bad.”

“... I’m fine.” He muttered.

Sokka could see Katara’s frustration growing, she had never had a good grip on her temper, “We only want to help! What’s your problem?”

His gaze hardened and he glared at Katara, “I’m fine.”

Katara glared back, her fists were clenched and he was about to step in because he could already envision her losing her temper.

Aang spoke up though, “Hey, Katara? Maybe leave him alone… if he says he’s fine then we should trust that, y’know?”

Katara huffed, but shoved the water back into its waterskin, “If you die because of some injury I’m gonna kill you.”

Zuko switched from glaring at Katara to glaring at the dead campfire.

Toph shrugged, “Suit yourself, Sparky.”

“Uh, you probably shouldn’t call him that…” Sokka winced, “it’ll probably tip Jet off.”

“Okay…” She thought hard for a moment and then smiled proudly, “Flutter it is then.”

The others returned after a while with more apples and an assortment of fruits. They all ate and Sokka packed up the excess food into another cloth that Smellerbee offered him.

“So where are we heading?” She asked.

“We need to get the help of our Dad’s fleet for the invasion.” Sokka informed them, “So we’re heading for Chameleon Bay.”

“What invasion?” Jet raised a brow..

Sokka had forgotten for the moment that Jet, Smellerbee, Longshot, and Zuko were very new additions to their group.

He was hesitant to tell someone as crazy as Jet about the invasion plan. But Jet hated the Fire Nation… and for a plan aiming to take down the Fire Lord that couldn’t hurt right? The three of them were good fighters and they needed any help they could get.

So Sokka relayed the invasion plan. Everything about the eclipse and how they needed a force to get into the capitol, and how their original plan was ruined because they wouldn’t be getting any help from the Earth Kingdom now.

Jet nodded, “Well we want in. Sound’s like you're short on soldiers anyway.”

Team Avatar all glanced between each other, “Sure, as long as you don’t kill any innocent bystanders.” Katara raised her eyebrows at him and then turned away to climb up onto Appa.

Jet rolled his eyes but Sokka couldn’t do anything other than think he most definitely deserved all the criticism he received.

He and Katara both looked over the map again to double check their position and the fastest way to the Bay, and then they were off. 

Chapter Text

Sokka had missed how much faster traveling with Appa was. It would probably take a week to reach the bay without him. They might’ve even missed his dad and the fleet would have already left if they didn’t have Appa.

Spirit’s Sokka hoped his dad wouldn’t already be long gone from the Bay. The report had been dated very recently, but never said how long the Water Tribe fleet had already been there or how long they would stay.

He could do nothing but pray to Tui and La that his father was still there.

Otherwise he didn’t know what else to do. 

He missed how much less cramped this saddle used to be as well.

He very much disliked Jet’s company. It wasn’t like they spoke much, both had seemingly mutually agreed to interact as little as possible. But even having him around irritated Sokka, reminded him of how Jet had hurt his sister. Had used her and Aang for his twisted plan.

Sokka was above what Jet would do though, he wouldn’t leave the new additions to their group in the woods with no supplies. He suspected Katara wanted too though. 

He didn’t hate Jet that much.

He was a bit wary of having Jet around even more than before though, now that he knew Zuko was a firebender. It was clear from the sidelong glares Jet kept shooting him that he wouldn’t care even if Zuko was a defector, he hated him enough just for being Fire Nation. It was most likely Zuko was a defector, why else would he not have already tried to kill them?

Unless he was just a civilian and not in the military at all. Which also didn’t make any sense because why would the Dai Li imprison some random Fire Nation civilian? Him being Military also didn’t fit though, he seemed around Sokka’s age.

Nothing was adding up.

Once the sun was beginning to lower, Aang set them down near a creek nestled into the forest.

They needed water, the only they had was from Katara’s bending water and they had been sharing that. Sokka really tried not to think about where that had been, but it was better than dying of dehydration.

Sokka immediately rushed off of Appa to go drink from the cool stream.

“We could probably have already reached your dad,” Aang said as he walked back over, “but Appa’s not used to carrying so much more weight. We should get there by lunch tomorrow though!”

Sokka smiled, “Great! I’m starving by now too.” He turned to Jet, “Could you go hunt again? I don’t think we have enough left over for everybody.”

Jet shrugged and left with Longshot and Smellerbee again.

Sokka still hated letting Jet feel like they needed him for food. He could very well hunt for everybody on his own, thank you very much! Katara could also probably just pull some fish from the river with her bending, but he needed Jet out of camp for a little while so Zuko could start a fire.

Katara gathered sticks quickly and Toph just earthbent a firepit this time. Sokka settled down beside it and patted the spot next to him for Zuko. He didn’t seem to enjoy their company unfortunately, either that or he was just incredibly awkward and silent.

“Could you, uh…” He gestured at the prepared sticks.

Zuko furrowed his one eyebrow at him. He looked at the unlit campfire and then back at Sokka, he looked confused.

“...Are you sure?”

Sokka was confused now too, “Uh, yeah? Why else would I ask? We don’t really have any other way of lighting one so…” he hadn’t seemed to have any problem with it yesterday.

“But…”

He hesitated for a while longer, watching Sokka with narrowed eyes until Sokka was fully creeped out by his gold stare. Until held his palm up and a little flame sputtered to life. It was unlike the other Firebender’s flames he had faced over the last few months. The other ones were fierce and dangerous, this one seemed like it was struggling to stay alive. Zuko held the flame up to the dry leaves, it caught easily and the rest of the sticks started smoking soon too.

The last 3 of their group were back soon and Sokka repeated the process of skinning and cooking another rabbit they had caught, and also heating up the leftovers from yesterday.

Luckily, Zuko ate a bit this time. That might be because Katara kept shooting him narrow-eyed looks though. 

Katara doused the fire again and everybody went back to cuddling Appa in their same spots as last time. Sokka flopped down onto Appa’s tail again, the sun had only just set so he couldn’t really make out any stars yet.

Zuko was laying on the other side of Appa’s tail a way’s away from him. Sokka wondered what he was thinking about. It was hard to tell what was going on in his head most of the time. He was also endlessly curious as to why Zuko had even been below Lake Laogai. Sokka was a pretty blunt person, but not so blunt as to just ask him to his face. At least not yet.

He was honestly surprised Toph hadn’t asked yet. She was the most blunt, straight-forward person he knew. Sokka wouldn’t be surprised if she just randomly popped out with the question sometime.

Sokka was exhausted but it still took him forever to fall asleep.

-

The next day’s traveling felt so much slower than yesterday’s. Sokka was high on anxiety and adrenaline. They were supposed to arrive at the Bay by noon, but Sokka swears those few hours felt like all the last few days of traveling combined.

Katara seemed just as jittery as him, neither really knew what to say to each other though. They hadn’t seen dad in 2 years.

The closest way they had been too reuniting had been when Bato had offered to bring them to meet up with their Father’s fleet when he was injured. He remembered Bato sharing stories of the last 2 year’s travels. He wondered if they would have any new ones from the last few months.

Sokka didn’t really believe in destiny, but he knew it hadn’t been theirs to find Dad that day. If they hadn’t stayed with Aang then Katara would never have gotten to train in the North Pole. Who know’s, Aang might’ve even been captured by Zhao and shipped off to the Fire Nation.

Damn, he had kind of forgotten about that guy. They hadn’t seen the old mutton chops guy since the attack on the North. Sokka suspected he had most likely died when Aang had gone all Water-Spirit possession crazy. He didn’t really seem like the kind of guy to just give up, especially after spending so long chasing a 12 year old around the world.

Sokka wasn’t about to bring up the fact to the pacifist, vegetarian Air Nomad that he had probably killed him along with hundreds of other Fire Nation soldiers. Even if they did deserve it.

Sokka leaned over the edge of Appa’s saddle, he could faintly make out the scent of salty air on the wind. He couldn’t yet see the Bay though over the trees and mountains.

He couldn’t wait to give his dad a big’ol hug. Also dump their invasion plans on him, even if they didn’t really have a solid plan yet. All they had to go off of was the Eclipse date. Sokka hadn’t really thought of how they were gonna get into the Fire Nation. It’s not like they had a map of the Fire Nation Royal Palace.

Maybe Sokka should’ve asked Sifu Hotman as Aang had so lovingly dubbed Iroh. That probably would’ve been smart of him considering Iroh was literally born there.

Now though, Iroh was probably worried sick. Their house would’ve been abandoned when Iroh and Jee came to visit for his daily lessons with Aang. Maybe they could send a letter once they found Dad!

Katar suddenly perked up, “Look, that’s the beach!”

Sokka shot up after her, leaning more over the edge of Appa’s saddle, there it was. The Bay was beginning to get closer and Sokka could heavily smell the salty ocean air now.

He grinned, “C’mon Aang! Appa’s got to be able to go a little faster!”

Aang laughed, but Sokka could feel the wind get a bit more aggressive as they sped up. He scanned the beach as they flew closer.

“There!” He shouted, pointing down towards a cluster of blue spots on the beach. A few water tribe ships were lining the beach as well.

Aang veered Appa down towards the cliff that the tents were tucked down into. Sokka suddenly felt sick to his stomach and wanted to throw up over the side of Appa.

Appa touched down on the sand outside the campsite. Sokka and Katara both leaped off and turned to face the slowly growing group of water tribe warriors who were gathering at the edge of the tents.

Bato pushed his way to the front of the group of familiar tanned faces, “Bato!” Both he and his sister yelled in unison. Bato was smiling and holding his arms wide for them as they rushed into his arms.

His left side was free of the bandages it had been covered in when they had found him months ago. His left arm was covered in a scorching red burn scar that looked incredibly painful. He didn’t seem bothered by it though as he hugged the siblings tight.

“Kids!” Bato pulled back a bit, “We’ve been worried sick! How did you find us?”

Sokka laughed, “That’s a bit of a long story…”

“Yeah, maybe we can explain everything with dad?” Katara asked, pulling out of the hug with Sokka.

Bato nodded, “Of course, Hakoda will be so excited to see you both.” Bato gestured for the rest of their group to follow.

They made their way through camp and Sokka was greeted by many familiar faces as they went. People that he had trained with when he was young, or people that he knew their kids back home.

This was the closest he had felt to being home since they had left the South Pole. The familiar blues of everybody’s clothes, the blues of the tents, and the sounds the ocean made.

Bato led them to the largest tent in the center of the campsite. He gestured for them to wait outside and he entered.

Katara and Sokka stood beside each other, glancing at the other nervously. He hated this suspense that Bato had left them in. It was quick though, that Chief Hakoda rushed out of the tent entrance and stood before them.

He looked wide-eyed at them, “Katara… Sokka…” Sokka was flinging himself into his dad’s arms. Katara followed after him.

And Sokka was most definitely not almost crying. Katara had flung water into his eyes of course! That’s why he was making Hakoda’s shoulder damp.

His dad’s hugs felt exactly the same, strong and warm even on the coldest nights. He had missed him so much. Sokka stayed in Hakoda’s hold for much longer than what any 15 year old would normally want. Eventually, Sokka had to pull away reluctantly.

“How did you find us?” He repeated Bato’s question, “Only some Earth Kingdom generals know our location.”

Sokka also repeated his answer, “It’s a really long story, a lot has happened since we met up with Bato.”

Hakoda lifted up the flap of the large tent for them to enter, “Well I’ve just cleared my schedule so I’m all ears.” He looked over Sokka towards their ragtag group, “Maybe you could introduce me to your entourage?”

Sokka smiled over his shoulder to invite everyone else forward. Aang was waving fastly both nervously and excited, Jet had somewhere found a piece of long grass to stick in his mouth obnoxiously, and Toph was gripping Zuko’s sleeve tightly.

Oh, yeah, he forgot she had trouble seeing on sand. This probably wasn’t very enjoyable for her right now.

Hakoda asked the few tribesmen who were gathered in the tent to leave for the time being. They seemed a bit annoyed but then spotted Sokka and Katara and smiled wide at them. He realized that this was a war tent quickly, there was a map laid out on the center table that showed the Eastern Earth Kingdom coastline.

Everybody settled down around the circular low table onto the cushions surrounding it. Sokka sat down next to his dad.

His dad looked at him expectantly and he launched into their story.

He told him about the attack on the North Pole and if he conveniently left out Yue then that was no one's business. He may or may not have exaggerated some of their heroic exploits but that was also no one’s business.

The other members of Team Avatar cut in with their own comments and explanations as he went through their Journey through the Earth Kingdom. That stupid General Fong, the Swamp, meeting Toph and her becoming Aang’s Earthbending teacher, the Library and then losing Appa, staying in Ba Sing Se for a few weeks. And then how they had met up with Jet and he had helped them find Appa, also that they had found Zuko when looking for Appa underneath Lake Laogai. He also dropped the bomb that the Earth King was just a figurehead and how Long Feng, the leader of the Dai Li, was behind everything involving Appa.

He did fail to mention anything about Iroh teaching Aang firebending, he didn’t really know how he would react to the General that had laid siege to Ba Sing Se for 600 days just chilling in the city running a tea shop. 

Chief Hakoda nodded along quietly as Sokka went through their adventures, “So now we know that the Fire Nation loses their bending on the eclipse and we were trying to get that information to the Earth King, but he’s obviously no use.” Sokka rolled his eyes, “So we came to find you for help with the invasion!”

Hakoda smiled at him proudly and it made Sokka feel all warm inside, “So this is the Avatar I’ve been hearing so much about these last few months?” He turned to Aang curiously. It was a tame reaction compared to how shocked everybody they met was at the Avatar being 12 years old instead of over 100.

Aang sat up straighter, “Uh, yes sir! Chief Hakoda, sir… uh.”

Hakoda chuckled at his nervousness, “Hakoda is perfectly fine. No need for such formalities, Avatar.”

“Oh, well then Aang is just fine too!” Aang smiled back.

“This eclipse sounds like great news, but right now I think you kids need some good food and rest. You seemed exhausted.” Bato stood up, I’ll have some of the men set up tents for you all.”

Aang raised his hand, “I can just sleep with Appa, he’s warm.”

Jet said he was bored and asked to go help set up with Bato, and Katara offered to share with Toph. Which Toph visibly grimaced at but said nothing.

That left just Sokka and Zuko to share, “You good with sharing one, Zuko?” He asked. Zuko just nodded his head which Sokka had kind of expected with how little he spoke.

Bato left with the others to go set up their sleeping arrangements. Sokka looked down at the map on the table, there were various marks on it in red to symbolize what he assumed were Fire Nation colonies, ships or ports.

“So Katara,” He addressed his daughter who sat on his other side, “You found a Master to teach you?”

And that of course sent Katara into a rant about Master Pakku and how he had refused to teach her because she was a girl.

Hakoda seemed a bit surprised by that. The Southern Water Tribe definitely had gender roles and restrictions, but they had never had an issue with women learning Waterbending. Or at least they never had an issue back when they had Waterbenders other than Katara. Sokka had been a sexist asshole before Suki taught him to, well, not be a sexist asshole. Watching his sister grow as a warrior also helped him grow from his stupid ideas. Even he had been increasingly frustrated by Pakku, he didn’t think he had ever seen his little sister so angry.

“Yeah! Katara’s been my Sifu!” Aang said happily, “She’s an amazing bender!”

Katara flushed a bit, “Thank’s Aang.”

“What do you say we get you all some food?” Hakoda got up to his feet.

Sokka’s stomach growled and he agreed enthusiastically with his dad. He saw Toph grab Zuko’s sleeve again as they left.

 Hakoda brought them out to a fire with a large pot propped above it to heat, one of the men was watching it and greeted Sokka happily. He vaguely remembered the guy as the father of one of the young boys he used to train back home while all the men were gone.

“Hey Sokka!” He gripped Sokka’s arm in the traditional Water Tribe greeting, “How’s little Heto been?”

“He’s doing great.” Sokka lied through his teeth, “The best warrior the village has to offer!” Heto was probably the worst actually, but who was Sokka to taint the only information he had about his son over the 2 years?

He smiled wide and started dishing out bowls of a thick meaty stew to the group as they gathered around the fire. Sokka was already downing his. Katara would always lecture him about eating his food slowly so he doesn’t get sick, but he was a growing teen! He needed food, and lot’s of it.

“You should probably eat, y’know?” Katara was looking at Zuko, “You haven’t really eaten much.”

Sokka was done with his food so he looked over at Zuko worriedly as well. He was standing next to Toph, who had already finished her food as well, just holding the bowl and not eating any of it.

“Yeah, much as I like to disagree with Katara, you should eat dude. Might just have to start calling you Bones instead of Flutter!” She laughed at her own joke and punched Zuko in the side.

Zuko inhaled sharply and promptly collapsed to the floor.

Chapter Text

Katara immediately dropped onto her knees next to Zuko, “Sokka help me get him up!” She was already looping her arm under his shoulder to pull him up.

Sokka was frozen in place in shock for a moment, before he dropped his bowl and started helping Katara with Zuko. Which was surprisingly easy between the two of them, he really did need to eat. 

“Dad, do you guys have a medical tent?” Katara asked.

He nodded, “Go find Anak, he was supposed to be reorganizing his herbs today.” Hakoda addressed the man who had served their food and then turned back to Katara and Sokka holding up Zuko, “Follow me.”

Sokka and Katara carried the unconscious Zuko between them as they followed their father. Aang looked ready to follow them, but Toph grabbed his arm as they left.

The medical tent wasn’t far, but it felt like a long walk even if they were hurrying. Multiple tribesmen eyed them worriedly, fair since he and Katara were carrying an unconscious body between them. One that’s strained breathing was very noticeable now that his body was pressed up against Sokka’s side.

No wonder Toph had been worried.

Hakoda held open the tent flap of a larger tent open for them as they dragged Zuko inside. It wasn’t nearly as big as the war tent, but it was big enough to fit three small cots, a low desk in the back and a small wooden chest comfortably. They laid Zuko down on one of the back cots.

“I’m sure your friend will be fine.” Hakoda smiled even though he clearly had worry in his eyes.

He was pushed to the side as a slightly older man ducked into the tent. Sokka remembered him as the healer who had set the various broken bones he had received as a child. He could admit he didn’t exactly think out many of his elaborate plans as a kid.

“Hello, I’m Anak- ah! Sokka, Katara!” He hurried over to kneel beside the cot, “Wow, you’ve both grown so much!”

Katara nodded, she seemed to remember him too, “Uh, hey, our friend kind of passed out? He wasn’t in the best conditions when we found him and it kind of seems like he has a breathing problem? So maybe something’s wrong with his lungs?”

“Yes, hmm… I’m sure it isn’t life threatening if he’s been fine so far. I’ve got everything covered,” He shooed Hakoda away with a wave of his hand and the chief left reluctantly, “You kids shouldn’t have to worry you can-”

“No. I can heal him, I learned healing in the North Pole.” She clenched her fists in her lap, “I could’ve healed him before but he wouldn’t let me. I can't not help now.”

Sokka placed a hand on her shoulder and she reached a hand up to rest on top of his, “He seemed pretty resistant to any healing.” He reassured her, “I don’t think he would have ever let you.”

Anak nodded, “Alright, then. If you’re sure.”

“Sokka, could you go get me a bucket of water?” Katara released his hand.

“We’ve been collecting fresh water from a waterfall and stream a bit further down the beach where the cliffs meet the woods.” Anak directed him, “It’s impossible to miss.”

Sokka left quickly, grateful for something to do. He left the tents behind and jogged through along the cliff face until it dropped away to the forest. The small waterfall fell into a large pool which trickled into a lazy stream further down. It was beautiful and Sokka would’ve enjoyed just relaxing on the smooth rocks around the pool it cascaded into if there wasn’t such an urgent situation at the moment.

He spotted multiple buckets sitting near the rocky bank for easy use. He stole one and filled it up with the running water near the fall, hefting the now weighted bucket along.

He made it slower back to camp with a full bucket, not wanting to spill it when he had no clue how much water Katara would need. How badly injured Zuko might be.

He carried the water into the tent, Katara looked grimfaced as he set it beside her. She was already anxiously swirling the water from her waterskin, while Anak was leaning over Zuko’s body.

They had already removed Zuko’s shirt and Sokka stilled at the sight.

Anak was hovering over a jagged gash running on Zuko’s side. It was wet with blood but it didn’t seem to be bleeding too much anymore, which suggested it was older. It was puffy red and there were sections of it leaking yellowing puss. Anak seemed to be worrying over those sections the most. He was dabbing at them with a piece of cotton that he kept wetting with a vial of something.

Sokka glanced over the rest of his body, his much too thin body. He could see Zuko’s ribs through his pale skin, some sections of his ribcage did not look at all how Sokka thought they should. It was like a dip or an indent where the bone cut off. There was intense dark bruising on those parts as well. He was actually covered in bruises in various stages of healing, mostly his torso and less so on his arms. 

Underneath all the bruising he could make out multiple scars on his pale skin as well. Long thin ones and wide uneven gashes.

Sokka’s heart stilted for a moment he swore. He was not stupid enough to convince himself that all of those were all accidents. No, most of those had to have been intentional.

He tore his eyes away, “What’s he doing?” He whispered to Katara.

“I’m disinfecting the wound.” Anak said, and Sokka was a bit embarrassed, “Katara’s waterbending might be able to heal the wound well, but I don’t want to risk sealing any of this infection in and making things worse. I’m surprised it isn’t worse than this.”

Katara looked even more worried, “Why didn’t he say anything? It couldn’t have not been painful…”

Sokka didn’t know what to say to that.

Anak set aside the vial and cotton pad, “From the looks of it he has two broken ribs,” he furrowed his brow, “Neither pierced anything internal, he wouldn’t have made it this long if it did. That must be the cause of the weird breathing you mentioned earlier.”

Had… had Zuko been walking around with two broken ribs and just failed to mention it? Had he been fighting with two broken ribs?! Spirit’s, this guy must have the highest pain tolerance known to man.

“Katara, if you would?” Anak moved aside to make room for her beside Zuko.

She looked just as worried and anxious as he felt but she scooted closer wordlessly. Katara pulled water from the bucket Sokka had lugged here and coated Zuko’s torso in it. She held her hands above the large wound on his side, the water started glowing an ethereal pale blue.

Sokka would honestly never grow used to how beautiful it looked. He could barely grasp the fact that his little sister, who 6 months ago could barely hold a sphere of water together, was now a Master Waterbender and healer.

He was so proud of her.

Anak looked just as entranced as him. Sokka couldn’t remember how long ago the last raids had been before the one that had taken his mother. Anak definitely didn’t seem old enough to remember any Waterbender healers though.

The water stitched the large gash up slowly until it was just a long raised pink scar. The weird cut off looking ribs snapped back into place as well and the worst bruises faded.

Sokka could leave right now if wanted, it wasn’t like he was needed with two amazing healers here. He didn’t want to leave Katara though, neither did he want to leave Zuko. He'd only known the guy for like, 3 days, but he was worried. The situation they had found him in wasn’t exactly… reassuring. Now that he had seen the damage inflicted on him too…

Katara pulled the water away once she was done and dumped it back into the bucket. Anak seemed at a loss for words at the moment.

“Well.” He finally said, “You better not have me out of a job, Katara.”

She smiled but it was strained, “Thanks.”

Anak moved over to the small chest and started rifling through it. He pulled out a few rolls of bandages and returned, “Sokka, could you hold him up so it’s easier to wrap these?” Sokka followed his instruction and held Zuko up in a sitting position leaning against him, “I want to make sure his ribs are bound tight.”

Katara frowned and opened her mouth to say something but Anak cut her off, “I just don’t want to take any risks. I trust in your healing Katara, but broken ribs can be very serious if we don’t take precautions. I’d rather be overly cautious than have him break them again and stab something.”

Katara shut up at that. 

Sokka laid Zuko back down again once Anak was finished with the bandages.

“He’s gonna be fine now right?” Katara asked.

“Of course, thanks to your healing. He would have to have been on bedrest for weeks otherwise.” Anak sighed and rubbed a hand down his face, “I’m sorry to ask this of you when you both just arrived, but could one of you stay here and watch him? Come get me when he wakes up. I just need to reorganize my supplies. Some of the men got everything all mixed up with the food when they were unloading and I’ve been putting off doing it for a week.”

Katara and Sokka nodded as Anak got up to leave and hurried out, “I can stay here, sis.” Sokka spoke to Katara, “You should go tell the other’s Zuko is fine now and go get some rest.”

“You sure?” She looked back worriedly at the unconscious Zuko.

“Yup! As long as you bring me dinner.”

Katara laughed a bit and Sokka was glad to break some of the tension at least. She stood up and brushed herself off, taking the sloshing bucket of water with her as she left.

-

Sokka wasn’t really sure how long Zuko had been passed out for, or how long he had been sitting here bored in this tent. He hated the silence but it wasn’t really like there was somebody here to fill it up with conversation with.

He was sat down on the cot nearest to Zuko’s as he glanced down at him. Sokka was practically burning alive with questions at this point. He knew basically nothing about this guy other than his name and the fact that he was a Firebender.

“Hey.”

Sokka nearly jumped out of his skin and spun around to face Toph, peaking her head in at the entrance to the tent.

“Holy crap, Toph!” He pressed a hand to his heart dramatically, “I nearly died of a heart attack.”

She scoffed but stepped inside fully and plopped herself down next to him. She crossed her arms and neither of them said anything for a moment, Sokka assumed she had something to say eventually.

“Is Zuko okay?” She eventually asked in a soft voice that was very unlike her, “Katara said he was fine now, but she likes to act like I’m some child who will throw up at the mention of violence sometimes. So is he actually alright?”

Sokka could see her sad expression even through her shaggy bangs. Toph might be incredibly defensive and boisterous, but she was only 12 years old. Aang might not have picked up on it in his own grief, but to Sokka it had been clear that she had blamed herself for Appa’s kidnapping.

Sokka knew why she was uncharacteristically quiet right now. He was a very tactile person and Toph was not, unless you count her punching her friends all the time, but anyone would probably enjoy some comfort right now right?

He wrapped his arm around her smaller shoulders, “Don’t worry, he’s fine. Katara wasn’t babying you, he was hurt but she healed him and he’ll be perfectly fine.”

Toph nodded tersely. Sokka was itching to talk but now that he had someone here to talk with he didn't know what to say. He didn’t really know if Toph would appreciate his rambling right now.

He didn’t want to be subject to a punch that would knock him out right now.

Toph didn’t stay for long, eventually shoving him off and leaving with a grumble that she ‘needed to get Twinkle-Toes back on his training’.

And Sokka was alone again.

He leaned back on his arms and stared at the arched ceiling of the tent, “You’re really weird y’know?” He muttered, finally deciding that an asleep person was better than no one to talk to, “I think I hate Long Feng more than I did before now.”

He swayed back and forth and was suddenly aware that he was very hungry, “I mean he had to be the one keeping you down there right?”

Sokka really, truly, despised that man. His stupid face and his stupid voice. He was the reason their whole invasion plan was upturned, the one keeping Appa hostage to keep Aang in Ba Sing Se, and presumably the one also keeping Zuko captive for however long he did.

Which Sokka really tried to push out of his head because some of those scars looked really old. Especially that big burn scar on his face.

Sokka looked down to get a good look at the scar on that thought and came face to face with two slim gold eyes staring back at him. He startled and wow did he need to get better at being aware of his surroundings.

He blinked blearily and Sokka stared back at him. Zuko abruptly pushed himself up into a seated position on shaky arms.

“Woah, hey! Maybe take it easy? You just woke up!”

Zuko stayed seated anyway and started pressing on his ribcage where one of the previously broken bones were. He was also picking at the edge of the bandages like he was about to peel them away.

Sokka grabbed his wrist to pull it away from doing just that, “Hey, those need to stay there, okay?” He warned, “Katara healed everything right up but those are so your ribs stay straight I guess. I’m not exactly a doctor uh..”

Zuko had stiffened when Sokka grabbed his wrist and was watching him with narrowed eyes now. Sokka dropped his wrist when he realized his mistake.

Zuko had lowered his other hand from pressing against his ribs and laid both his hands in his lap. He rubbed the wrist that Sokka had grabbed but didn’t take his eyes off of him and kept shifting uncomfortably.

Sokka should be grateful that now he had somebody to talk to. But his mouth was frozen and he couldn’t really think of anything to talk about to the guy who passed out 5 seconds ago from broken ribs that he had hid from them even when Katara offered to heal him.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone you were hurt?” Yay, great job Sokka way to be blunt and not even ask if he felt okay first.

Zuko shrugged and pulled his legs up so he was sitting with them crossed.

Okay, well that gave Sokka literally nothing and he still knew nothing about this guy. He also realized that he should probably go get Anak right now, but Sokka’s curiosity won out. He had to know at least a little more from this conversation.

“How old are you?”

Zuko fiddled with his hands a bit before answering, “Sixteen.” Then after a moment, added, “I think.”

Okay so maybe asking questions wasn’t the best course of action with this guy when he didn’t give straight ones. “What do you mean, ‘I think?’”

Zuko was quiet for so long, Sokka was about to ask a different question, “I…” He finally said, “I didn’t have a uh- good way of telling time. Down… there.”

Now Sokka felt like an asshole for asking that. That was probably the most Zuko had spoken combined over the last few days. And Sokka had gone and dug up what he assumed were probably not the best memories.

Sokka had been right at least, Zuko was only a year older than him. Even less than a year actually, since Sokka’s 16th birthday wasn’t too far away.

“Oh.” Sokka replied dumbly, “Um… are you feeling okay? Any pain? Or are you hungry?”

Zuko shook his head, which left Sokka with another dilemma of how to fill the silence. Spirit’s, this was the most awkward conversation Sokka had ever had.

“So, Firebender huh?”

Zuko glanced up at him and then back at his hands, “Yeah.”

Tui and La why wouldn’t this guy just talk.

He suddenly remembered that he had an escape excuse, “Uh, I have to go get Anak. He’s our healer here and he wanted me to get him once you woke up.” Sokka stood up, “Er… just, stay here for now.”

Sokka quickly stepped out, grateful to finally be out of that stuffy tent and away from the gaze of those burning eyes.

He asked a man sitting in the sand sharpening a blade where he could find some of the food supplies, he hoped Anak was still there even though the sun was much lower in the sky now. The man directed him towards the farther edge of camp near the cliffs. He found the crates stacked up along the rocks easily.

Anak was hidden behind some of them surrounded by open boxes and various bottles and herbs scattered everywhere mixed with different food supplies. He muttered some not very nice words under his breath as he sifted through a box and stuffed things away into it.

“Hey,” Sokka alerted him to his presence, “Zuko’s awake now, you said to come get you when he woke up?”

Anak jerked his head up, “Oh great!” He looked at the mess of supplies scattered around, sighed, shrugged, and then shoved the rest of them into one box. “I give up.”

He stood up with a creak of his old-man knees and Sokka followed him as they headed back into camp to the medical tent.

“Did he seem in pain?”

“Nope, he seemed fine and dandy!” Sokka answered. Which now that he thought about it didn’t really hold up well since he did in fact lie about being fine before.

They didn’t continue conversation as they had reached the tent and Anak entered first with Sokka in tow. Zuko was sitting in the same spot as before, he watched Anak kneel down near him with a suspicious eye. He supposed that was fair, Zuko had been unconscious when Anak was helping him so this was just some random man approaching him.

“Hello! My name’s Anak. You’re Zuko, correct?.” Anak introduced himself, Sokka realized he never really told him Zuko’s name but he guessed Katara probably did, “I’m the resident healer, but I can’t take any credit for your injuries being healed so fast, that was all Katara.”

Anak laughed but Zuko’s wary expression didn’t change, he wondered why he would be so distrusting of the guy who had literally helped heal him so he didn’t die.

“Sokka,” Anak addressed him standing near the tent entrance, “Could you go get a bowl of the soup I was preparing, I left it warming on the fire. It’s mostly just broth, not the stew made for everybody else.”

“Yeah sure.” Sokka could see Zuko glance at him for a moment as he left with an expression Sokka couldn’t decipher with the quick look he got.

He retraced his steps from earlier in the day towards the center of the camp and found the same campfire warming a large bowl of what he assumed was the camp’s stew. Sitting beside it was a smaller pot of thinner soup.

The same man that had fed Sokka lunch before was stirring the large pot of stew. He smiled at Sokka as he approached, “Sorry, kid. The food ain’t ready yet.”

Sokka was a bit offended that the guy would immediately assume the only reason he was here was for food. Even if that was exactly why he was here and if the stew was done he would have definitely taken some.

“Nah, I’m here for some of the soup Anak prepared?” Sokka laughed, “He sent me to get some for Zuko I think.”

The man nodded and pulled out a bowl to ladle some soup into, “That the one who passed out? How is he?”

He really should ask for his name. Sokka couldn’t for the life of him remember what it was.

“He’s doing fine now.” Sokka accepted the warm bowl he was handed, “Thanks.”

Sokka really wished that stew was done, he was so much more hungry now that he smelt the good food. He returned to Anak quickly and handed over the bowl to him.

“Apreciated, Sokka. Here, you’re malnourished so you need to get some nutrients in you.” Anak handed the bowl off to Zuko, who took it but didn’t make any movement to eat any, “I don’t want you eating anything heavy for a while, your body needs to adjust with lighter foods first or you’ll get sick.”

Maybe that was why Zuko hadn’t been eating? Did he know he shouldn’t be eating filling food and just opted to not eat at all? Meat wasn’t really a light food and that's all they had access to the last few days.

Zuko didn’t seem like he was planning on eating anything, just kept glaring at the bowl of broth. Anak nudged it a little further into his pale hands and that’s what instigated Zuko into finally lifting it up and taking a small sip.

“I know Katara healed your wounds well, but I want you to stay here for a day or two more so I can check if any infection has set in.” Zuko nodded wordlessly at Anak’s words, “You should probably get some real sleep now once you’re done with that. Me and Sokka can leave you be for now as long as you promise to finish that and then rest.”

Zuko nodded again and took another sip of the broth to emphasize that he would.

Sokka waved at Zuko as Anak pulled him out, “Bye, Zuko.”

Anak pulled him further from the tent and once they were a good enough distance from it he stopped and gripped Sokka’s shoulders tightly, “Where the hell did you find that kid?”

The reassuring smile that had seemed to forever rest on his face was gone, replaced with an anxious frown.

“He is severely malnourished, way past too thin for someone his age. I’m surprised he hadn’t bled out from the wound whenever he first got it. And those scars…” He drifted off, “You’re a very smart boy Sokka, you and I both know there’s no way all of those were accidental.”

He wasn’t really sure how to respond to that, Anak had just voiced aloud every concern Sokka had been trying not to think about.

Sokka swallowed hard, “W-we found him under Lako Laogai when we were looking for Aang’s flying Bison,” He saw Anak raise a questioning look, “Lake Laogai is this place in Ba Sing Se… the Dai Li, they watch over the city, were brainwashing people down there. We think he was a prisoner down there, but he’s not exactly very talkative so we don’t really know anything else.”

Tui and La had they brainwashed Zuko?

If he was being kept down there then probably… maybe they could get Katara to do that weird memory thing that she did with Jet and see. Why would they brainwash him and then keep him down there though? With Jet it seemed like they had just released him back into the city with weirdly altered memories.

Anak did not look comforted at this information, “Okay.” He released Sokka’s shoulders and rubbed his face, “Sokka he must’ve been there for… a long time. Those scars are very, very old. Especially that one on his face… I’m surprised he didn’t die from that one either.”

“...Yeah.” Sokka said quietly.

Anak looked conflicted and pulled his hand out from his hands to look at Sokka carefully.

“Look, Sokka.” His shoulders slumped, “I don’t want to put this pressure on you, but I want you to watch out for him. The psychological effects of whatever he’s gone through cannot be good. He needs someone his own age around, not some old man like me.”

Sokka nodded firmly. That wasn’t a big ask at this point. He was going to do so anyway, and he suspected Katara, Toph, and Aang were on the same page.

Zuko was a much better addition to Team Avatar than Jet anyway.

Chapter Text

Despite how exhausted he was from the last few days of travel, Sokka struggled to fall asleep that night. After he had stuffed the various stolen letters and scrolls under the sleeping mat, he tossed and turned back and forth. There was just too much for him to think about and he couldn’t shut his brain off.

He flipped over on his side again to stare at the empty cot sitting on the other side of the tent. The one that was empty because its intended inhabitant was sleeping in the medical tent after walking around with 2 broken ribs and a huge wound in his side for 3 days.

Seriously, what was up with Zuko? He couldn’t come up with any good reason for hiding it, even though he’d been thinking about it for hours. He couldn’t get Zuko out of his head.

He really shouldn’t be this invested in somebody who was practically a stranger. He had only known Zuko for 3 days now. Literally all he knew about the guy was that his name was Zuko, he was a firebender, and he had pretty eyes.

Sokka did eventually fall asleep, thankfully. He was woken up rudely though by somebody shaking him awake.

“Sokka!” His sister’s voice reached him through his tired daze, “Wake up, you’ve been asleep all morning.”

He rolled over away from her, pulling the blanket over his face to protect it from the light seeping in through the entrance of the tent. “Lemme sleep… five more minutes…” He groaned out, voice scratchy with exhaustion.

Katara ripped the warm safety of the blankets away, “You’ve been asleep forever!” She shook him again, “You missed breakfast, I saved you some food. You’re lucky I’m such a good sister, I heated it back up again over the fire.”

That finally gave him enough motivation to push himself up with a yawn. Rubbing at his eyes, he finally opened them up to the dim light of the tent.

Katara handed him a bowl of rice porridge that he accepted gratefully, it was already a bit lukewarm but he couldn’t care less. Food was food.

“You’re my favorite sister.” He managed to get out between large bites.

“I’m your only sister.” Katara deadpanned.

He just grinned at her and she rolled her eyes back at him. She stayed with him as he ate though.

“Anak told me Zuko woke up. Is he feeling okay?” She asked softly, “I can see what else I can do if something’s up.

Sokka set his finished bowl down, “Yeah, he seems fine now I guess.” He shrugged.

Katara nodded, “I might still go visit him again just to check up. I’m sure he’s bored out of his mind with only Anak to talk to.” She laughed.

Maybe Sokka should go with her later, Anak had told him to watch out for Zuko anyway. Katara already seemed to be doing that without a warning from Anak. And yeah she was right, Sokka knew he would not be able to sit in a boring tent with an old healer all day with nothing to do.

Katara smiled at him as he finally got up out of bed, “Dad actually wanted me to find you for a reason, he wanted to see if you would spar with him.”

“Really?!” He could stop the wide grin that spread across his face. He used to love sparring with his dad when he was little. It had been one of the things he missed most when he left.

Sure, Sokka had definitely gotten better at fighting over the last few months, but it wasn’t the same as getting true Water Tribe Warrior training. Maybe he could show off some of the other stuff he had learned from the Kyoshi Warriors.

He dragged Katara out of the tent by her arm, “Great! Where is he then?!”

“Jeez, calm down!” She laughed, “They have a training ring set up near the rocks down the beach, Dad’s waiting I’ll bring you there.”

He dropped her arm and hurried along beside her, he was practically vibrating with excitement as they left the campsite and headed down the beach past the collection of ships along the coast. The training area was set up in the opposite direction from the pretty waterfall.

They rounded an outcropping of rock and the sand led into more stiff dusty earth. There was a wide square cleared of any debris or larger rocks, marked by a long stick in each corner. Hakoda was crouched nearby near a crate with his back turned.

“Dad!” Sokka called out.

He turned to them and stood with a wide smile, “Hey, kids.” gathering them both into a tight hug.

Katara shifted out of it quicker than Sokka. He squeezed Hakoda one more time before letting go.

“Um, I’m going to go check up on Zuko.” Katara avoided Hakoda’s eyes, “I’ll leave you to catch up with each other." She hurried off and disappeared behind the rocks. Sokka squinted at her back as she left.

“You ready to get started, son?” He looked back to his dad, who was holding out a wooden staff that he had pulled out of the crate in the sand. He accepted the placeholder weapon and stepped into the marked off area for fighting.

“I know it’s been… awhile since we last sparred,” Hakoda’s smile wavered, “so I want to see what you remember first.”

“Alright, uh…” Sokka shifted awkwardly, he was nervous to practice with him. It had been so long since he had and he wasn’t sure if what he knew would be up to warrior standards.

Hakoda moved into a fighting stance and Sokka copied him. He gestured for Sokka to attack first. He moved first and swung at Hakoda who easily blocked him. They traded blows for a while, Sokka hated to admit he was struggling. His dad was clearly much more skilled than him, which was to be expected because of how many more years of experience he had. 

After an embarrassingly short time, Hakoda disarmed him and his wood staff was flung to the side. Sokka sagged in defeat, but his father just chuckled and picked up the staff for him again.

“You’re leaving yourself much too open,” he said, “you need to keep your movements more controlled. As well as work on your reaction time.”

Sokka adjusted his stance as Hakoda instructed, “Like this?”

“Yes, exactly! Let’s go again.”

Despite how grueling the next few hours of practice were, Sokka hadn’t been this happy in a long time. His dad really hadn’t changed much like he had feared. His hugs still felt the same and he still gently corrected Sokka’s mistakes like he had when he was younger.

They trained until the sun indicated it was well past midday and then trained some more. By the end Sokka was obviously no master, but he definitely could hold his own against his father for much longer. He unfortunately didn’t manage to disarm Hakoda yet… but it was only a matter of time!

Sokka flopped back onto the dusty ground and panted for breath. His dad sat down next to him, breathing just as heavy.

Once Sokka had caught his breath he sat up quickly, “When can we do this again?!”

Hakoda threw his head back and laughed heartily. Sokka had missed that laugh, “I’m up for it again tomorrow?” He smiled, “You’re already improving, you’re practically a natural.”

Sokka did not flush at the compliment, “Yes, uh- definitely!”

Hakoda stood and helped him to his feet, “C’mon then, your old man can’t keep up with too much more of this for today”

They both headed back down the beach towards the camp. Sokka hadn’t realized just how long they’d been at it, but the sun was pretty low and he could see a thin line of smoke coming from the camp. Most likely dinner again.

“I’m sure you’re hungry by now, you go ahead I need to go find Bato.” Sokka was about to gladly run off to find food but his dad grabbed his shoulder at the last moment, “Oh, and how about we talk more about that invasion plan tomorrow? We need to be prepared.”

“Oh yeah! Finally someone gets the need to plan these things…” Sokka grumbled. Being the oldest of a group of mainly pre-teens was endlessly frustrating. Especially kids like Aang who wanted to go off course to go say hello to some giant 3 headed fish or something.

Once they parted, Sokka let his nose lead him to the food. Various other tribesmen were gathered around eating and laughing. The cook this time was a different guy that Sokka didn’t recognize.

He served Sokka a bowl of fish over rice along with a piece of flatbread, “Sokka right?”

“The one and only.” He responded.

“Anak told me to bring him some of this sad looking soup when it was done, and also a portion of food. Could you bring it to him for me? I’ve still got to serve food here.” He held out another bowl of fish and rice as well as a thin broth that looked the same as the one Zuko had eaten yesterday.

Sokka shrugged and took the two bowls from him, balancing them together as well as two other other pieces of bread. He carried them over to where he remembered the medical tent to be.

He pushed through the flap to see the two of them. Anak was sitting next to the small, low desk in the back with his back turned to the entrance. Zuko was sitting in practically the same position as before. He did, however, have on a new green and brown tunic and dark pants.

“Dinner’s served!” He announced his entrance loudly.

Anak jumped a bit but turned and took the food Sokka handed him with a grateful smile, “Sokka! You can’t be scaring an old man like that! Thank you.”

Zuko nodded at him and mumbled a thanks as well when Sokka handed him his bowl and bread. Sokka plopped himself down onto the end of Zuko’s cot far enough away to hopefully not make him uncomfortable.

“Did Katara stop by earlier? She said she would.” He asked.

Anak paused to finish a bite, “Yes she did actually, we both checked the injuries again and good news!” He smiled at Zuko, “You’ve been officially discharged! You won’t have to be stuck with me anymore.”

“Oh nice, we can finally be roomates!”

Zuko nodded silently in response, looking back down at his food. They all fell quiet as they ate.

Eventually though, Anak sighed loudly and spoke again, “Okay, I need to know. Are you a Firebender?”

Zuko’s eyes shot up to watch Anak carefully.

“Purely for medical reasons but you run very warm, and you don’t seem to show any other signs of a fever. The only thing I can think of that would explain things is if Firebenders run hotter.” Zuko stared at him intently, eyes narrowed. He glanced at Sokka for a moment and then back at Anak.

It didn’t seem like was going to answer so Sokka decided to answer in his stead, “Uh… yes.” Zuko was watching him, “He’s a Firebender…”

Sokka wasn’t really sure how Anak would react but he couldn’t really think of an explanation to give him as a lie. It was also kind of clear that Zuko was at least Fire Nation if you look at him long enough.

Anak and Zuko eyed each other, “... Alright.” Anak finally said, “So is the body temperature normal for you?” Zuko nodded confirmation, he seemed fond of nodding.

Sokka panicked for a moment, “Uh, wait- you can’t tell anyone Zuko’s a Firebender! Especially not Jet, he really hates Firebenders.”

Anak blinked, “Who’s Jet?”

“He’s that other annoying guy we brought. Always around one guy with a bow and a short girl? He’s also always eating grass like a cow.” Sokka huffed

“Ah, okay.” The healer seemed slightly more confused, “I wasn’t planning on telling anyone anyway. I do think you should tell your father though, it would be best not to hide this from him.”

“Yeah you’re…” Sokka glanced at Zuko, who locked eyes with him as well, “...you’re probably right, we should.”

The food was gone quickly and Sokka smiled awkwardly at Zuko, “I can uh, show you to our tent now if you want to get to sleep?”

“Goodnight you two! Go easy on your ribs, Zuko.” Anak said as Sokka and Zuko stood to leave.

Sokka stepped outside after waving bye to Anak. The sun was setting now and it was probably too early to go to sleep but oh well. Zuko was silent as they crossed through the camp, a few tribesmen looked at Zuko curiously but left them alone.

He glanced over at Zuko a few steps behind him, “Are you glad to be out of that stuffy tent? Anak wasn’t annoying was he?”

Zuko just shrugged and kept his eyes on the floor. 

Sokka held up the flap of the tent for Zuko when they reached it, “Here’s our humble abode! Are you sure you’re okay with sharing, I’m sure my dad would be fine with setting up another tent if you want to be alone.” Sokka stepped inside behind Zuko.

“It’s fine.”

“Okay, well that’s my bed,” Sokka pointed to the left side of the tent, “and that’s yours.”

Zuko sat down and laid back, turning away from him. Sokka took that to mean he really didn’t want to talk and he would respect that despite his want for conversation. Instead he decided it was about time he went through all those letters he had stolen. There had to be something of importance right?

He pulled the cluster of them out from under the mat and spread them out onto the blanket in front of him. He sifted through a few letters first, most were just letters from Earth Kingdom generals about the war. He also noticed that most were addressed to the Earth King, it seemed like even the high ranked generals didn’t even know their King was useless.

Some letters were between Dai Li agents and Long Feng about things like refugees bringing up the war or various minor problems in the city. It made sense that Long Feng would send notes between the Palace and Lake Laogai, instead of taking the long trip across the city to the outskirts whenever he needed to go to either place.

Most of the scrolls were the same as the letters and Sokka wondered why Long Feng would even keep any of these. They had been meticulously organized and filed away in the drawers but most of them weren’t even that important, was that just something high ranked Earth Kingdom people did? It’s not like Sokka had much experience being a leader in the Earth Kingdom anyway.

One scroll caught his eye though his skimming of them. It was pretty recent and talked about their group's arrival in Ba Sing Se. They had been right to have Toph watch with her feet while Aang was practicing Firebending, the Dai Li had been watching them during their excursions in the city. Sokka read through the scroll as it mentioned Team Avatar’s different activities during the day. A popular Tea Shop they frequented and a certain tea maker-

“Fuck.”

They knew Iroh was in the city.