Chapter 2
Five Years Later
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Sokka shielded his eyes from the bright sun and looked down at the city below him. The Fire Nation airship was making good time in bringing him to the palace. The palace could be seen in the distance and he smiled. He’d just gotten back from visiting Katara and Aang, and his favorite nephew Bumi. The toddler was full of energy and blissfully unaware of the sibling growing in his mother’s belly.
The airship began descending in the field near the palace and Sokka picked his bag up off the floor. There were a few small red dots on the ground below and he was sure it was Zuko there to greet him. A huge grin spread across his face at the thought of seeing him. It’d been almost a year since the last time they had been together and it’d been even longer since he’d seen Izumi. He just hoped she was there and not training at some elite academy or traipsing around the world with her mother and step-mother.
The ship shook as it touched the ground and Sokka eagerly waited for the gangplank to be lowered. Once his feet were back on solid ground, he threw his bag down and ran over to Zuko who was already walking over with a smile on his face.
“Firelord Zuko!” He laughed and the two men embraced. They held on tightly for several seconds before Sokka pulled away to get a good look at his friend.
There were crow’s feet beginning to form around his eyes and gray hair peppered his temples. He was sporting a beard that was well groomed and his familiar top knot had a gold chain braided into it. He was wearing casual clothing for once which was surprising to Sokka who hadn’t seen him out of royal dress since he was 17.
“You look great, Sokka!”
“So do you! It’s nice to see you relaxed a bit.”
“Well I’m trying my best. Hard to do when you’re running a nation.” Sokka threw his arm over his shoulder and grinned.
“We’ve got a lot to catch up on and there’s a niece I wanted to see.” His tone was hopeful and Zuko frowned.
“Izumi is spending a few weeks with her mother on Ember Island. You’re stuck with me.” Sokka laughed.
“Well there’s worse people to be stuck with. Like Azula!” Zuko snorted and shook his head.
“She’s much better now. Trust me.”
“I do. Just don’t ever leave her alone with me.”
The two men walked to the palace, arm in arm, as the guards followed closely behind. When they arrived at the courtyard, Zuko asked one of them to find a servant and put an order in for dinner. The two of them sat down in the grass and Sokka shrugged off his thick jacket.
The air was warm and the breeze smelled faintly of fresh bread. The turtleducks quacked and swam in circles around the pond and Sokka watched them with a smile. He pulled some jerky out of his pocket and bit into it.
“Dinner is coming soon. Why are you eating?” Zuko asked, confused.
“I’m hungry. Want some?” He offered him the piece he’d taken a bite from and smiled. His friend hesitated a moment before grabbing it and taking a bite.
The most vile taste spread across his taste buds and the amount of salt made his mouth sour. He swallowed hard and forced a smile.
“It’s good.” He handed the jerky back to Sokka and shuddered a bit.
“So how’ve you been, Zu?” Zuko sighed and looked across the pond.
“Busy and stressed. Izumi is getting ready to head to the academy here in the city, my advisors are pressuring me to marry again, and both of my water tribe advisors left last week.”
“Wow that’s...a lot.”
“You’re telling me.”
“Why are they trying to get you to remarry? You’ve already made an heir for the empire.” Zuko threw a small rock into the pond, his other hand playing with the grass.
“They want to make sure that my lineage is secure. They don’t want Azula or her children taking the throne if something happens to me or Izumi. I don’t want to even think about my daughter…” He trailed off but Sokka knew what he was implying. The fact that his advisors were trying to get him to make a replacement for Izumi in case the worst happens made his blood boil.
“I would’ve fired them for even suggesting that.” Zuko smirked and turned to look at Sokka.
“I did. Why do you think I’m out two water tribe advisors?” He barked out a laugh and clapped Zuko on the back.
“Well if you’re looking for a new advisor, I’m sure I can recommend someone from back home.”
“I was actually going to ask if you’d be interested in the position.” Sokka choked on the jerky he was chewing and coughed. Zuko patted his back as he tried to regain his breath and get the jerky out his lungs. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine!” He rasped, desperately grabbing for his canteen and taking a swig of water. “I just wasn’t expecting a job offer!” He coughed again.
“Well that’s part of the reason I invited you. You’re one of my closest friends and I thought you could do the job better than anyone. That is, if you’re interested.”
Sokka thought for a moment. He’d spent his entire life preparing to be a warrior and a leader of his tribe but as he grew older, he wasn’t sure that was what he wanted anymore. A position like this would help him if he ever decided to return home to become chieftain. He looked up at Zuko who was awaiting his response and grinned.
“When do I start?”
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Katara stood at the kitchen table, slicing up fruit for Bumi’s lunch. The little boy was running around the house pretending to be the Avatar and fighting imaginary monsters. She smiled at her son and put a hand on her belly when the baby suddenly kicked.
“You’re going to be a bender, little one. I can feel it.” She whispered.
Aang entered the house with a smile and a letter clutched in his hand. Bumi ran up to his father and ‘blasted’ him with a ‘fireball’. He clutched his chest and fell to the ground, his tongue lolling out of his mouth dramatically. Bumi giggled and jumped onto his father who groaned.
“You’re getting so big!”
“Mommy said that too!” He raced away and Aang smiled.
He approached his wife and gave her a quick kiss. She smiled and he stroked her cheek before a hand on her belly. The baby kicked again and his grin grew wider.
“Someone is eager to get out.” Katara scoffed.
“Not soon enough. I think she might be an organ bender because my stomach is killing me.” He laughed and leaned down to kiss her belly.
“Be kind to your mother, little one.” He stood and offered his wife the letter he’d come in with.
“What’s this?” She wiped her hands off and unfolded it.
“Sokka is staying with Zuko in the Fire Nation. He took a position as an advisor.” She read the letter and frowned.
“He’s not coming home?”
“I think this will be good for him. It’ll be a long time before he’s chief and this will help him prepare for it.” He kissed away the worry lines on her forehead and took her hand. “He’ll be fine. He and Zuko get along like oil and fire.” She laughed and nodded.
“I’m sure you’re right. But I can’t help but be a little worried.”
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Sokka pulled on the collar of his robes. The advisor’s robes were blue and white and heavy. The constant heat from the dormant volcano under their feet combined with the thick clothing made him sweat all day. He continued to fidget as citizens stood in front of Zuko, airing their complaints and making requests. A lot of them were serious but more often than not, they were pointless issues to bring to the Firelord.
Nevertheless, Zuko took each one seriously and offered help for them all. Whether someone was complaining about needing a window replaced or medicine for their sick husband. A man was standing in front of him now complaining about a pest who kept stealing from his cabbage patch in the middle of the night.
“Well I’m sure we can provide a guard to patrol your garden until the creature is caught.” The man smiled and bowed.
“Thank you, Firelord Zuko.” The man exited the chambers as the guards ushered in another citizen. Sokka fanned himself and Zuko caught his eye and smiled. His stomach fluttered and his face warmed. He brushed it off as impending heatstroke.
When the last citizen left, the advisors bowed to Zuko and filed out of the throne room. Sokka wiped sweat off of his forehead and faked panting. Zuko laughed and waved his hand, the air around him cooling quickly. He sighed with relief and leaned against the pillar.
“Why are these robes so heavy and hot?”
“How do you think I feel? I’m in my robes all day. You only have to wear them when you’re in here.” Sokka placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head.
“My condolences.” Zuko smiled and motioned for the man to follow him.
They walked down the back hallways until they were in the hallways surrounding the courtyard. A few guards walked past them and bowed their heads in respect. Zuko opened the door to his office and stepped aside for Sokka to enter ahead of him. The room was pitch black but was quickly illuminated as a ball of flame appeared in the Firelord’s hand. He threw it forward and it bounced between the candles mounted on the walls and lit them all.
The room was filled with armor and weapons of all kinds and his jaw dropped. Zuko laughed and gestured towards the items.
“I figured you’d appreciate this. I discovered it recently. It was my great-grandfathers collection. It’s been sealed away for nearly 100 years.” Sokka ran his hands over the scrolls and books on the shelves. He picked up a bow staff off the table in the center of the room and gave it a test swing.
“This is amazing!”
“It’s yours.” He looked back at his friend in shock expecting him to be fighting back a laugh but he seemed completely genuine.
“You’d just give me all of these ancient relics and scrolls because you felt like it?” He nodded.
“I feel no connection to these items. Sozin was a bastard. But you like this stuff and I thought it might make things better for you here. I know you’re having trouble settling in.”
Zuko smiled softly at him and Sokka felt the same flutter he’d felt just a few hours before. He’d felt it once years before as well when he’d helped him free Suki from Boiling Rock. He smiled back at him and quickly looked away, feeling overwhelmed.
“Thank you, Zuko. This means a lot.”
Later that evening while he was lying in bed, Sokka thought of Suki. He pictured her smiling face as they laid in bed together, trading stories and jokes. He loved her fiercely and passionately and even then, five years later, he still felt that love. But then he pictured Zuko at dinner earlier that evening. They were cracking jokes and trading stories and his heart felt fuller than it had in years.
He’d given him an esteemed position in the palace, a room full of artifacts, and his devoted friendship. Now he was imagining what it might be like to ask for more. To dare to want more. What would Suki think? Wasn’t it too soon?
He sat up and threw his blanket aside. He walked over to his desk and lit a candle, pulling a piece of parchment out of his desk and his pen. He dipped it in the ink in front of him and frantically began scribbling out an entry for his journal.
The next morning, he met with Zuko in the dining room. The bender was already eating his breakfast and reading the local newspaper. He looked up at Sokka and offered a smile.
“Good morning.”
“I know I’ve only been here for a few weeks but I was wondering if I could borrow an airship?” He asked suddenly, ignoring the greeting. Zuko raised an eyebrow.
“What? Is everything alright? Did Katara have the baby?”
“No. I just...have business back home. I won’t be gone long but it’s important.”
“Of course, Sokka. You can take whatever you need.”
Damn, you’re so generous.
He packed what he needed and dressed in his traditional Southern Water tribe clothes. There was a small airship waiting for him in the fields near the palace within the hour. He climbed aboard and took off.
The trip was long and lonely. He almost wished he’d asked for a pilot but he knew he didn’t have reason to ask for one. He’d helped invent the ships in the first place.
When he landed the airship just outside the walls, he was greeted by half the tribe. He grinned and greeted his friends, neighbors, and former pupils with hugs. He chatted with everyone for a few minutes when Aang made his way through the crowd. He grinned and pulled his brother-in-law into a massive hug.
“You’re back so soon!” Sokka laughed and nodded.
“Thought I’d stop by for a visit and see how my little sister is doing.” Aang smiled and wrapped an arm around Sokka’s shoulder.
“What about Kya?” He looked at him confused for a moment before realization dawned.
“The baby is here?!” Aang grinned and nodded, pulling him within the walls towards their home.
“She was born three days ago. Healthy and strong. She looks so much like Katara.”
They walked up on the house and Aang held the flap aside for him to enter. Bumi was playing silently in the corner with some wooden dolls but he shouted with joy upon seeing his uncle. Sokka ran over and scooped the little boy up, peppering his face with kisses. He squealed and covered his eyes.
“Uncle Sokka! Mama had a baby! She’s ugly!” Sokka burst out laughing and put his nephew down.
Katara stepped into the room, clearly annoyed at the commotion. She cradled Kya to her chest and smiled at Sokka. He stepped towards her and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
“How did you get here so soon? We just sent the letter yesterday.”
“I was just stopping in for a visit but now I can meet this beauty.” Katara gently passed her over to her brother. He looked down at the sleeping newborn and his heart swelled. Her little cheeks were fat and red, her eyes were squeezed shut, and she was breathing softly.
“She’s beautiful, you guys.” He whispered, pulling the baby closer. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake.
“I’ll take her.” Aang took her from Sokka and carried her back into the other room.
Once he was safely in the other room, Katara leaned in to hug her brother. She was pale and clearly exhausted but her smile still reached her eyes. She pulled him over to the table and gestured for him to sit. She raised her hands and the tea from inside the kettle over the fire rose out of it and landed gently in the two mugs on the table.
“I can’t tell you how useful that is with two children.” He laughed and grabbed the cup, wrapping his frozen fingers around it.
“I got so used to the heat that I’m already cold.” She laughed and grabbed her own tea, taking a slow sip.
The two of them sat and talked quietly, catching up on everything that had happened in the past seven weeks. She told him how Bumi had finally started school, he told her of his room back in the palace filled with ancient weapons. He grew silent as she continued to speak, his mind wandering.
“Sokka! Are you listening?” He snapped himself out of his thoughts and she rolled her eyes.
“Sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“I can tell.” She was clearly faking being annoyed but he still felt guilty. “What’s got your mind wandering?”
“Katara...do you think I’m a good person?” His question clearly surprised her as she almost choked on her tea when he asked.
“What? Why would you ask that?” He sighed and looked down at his hands, almost ashamed.
“I feel like I’m betraying her by feeling this way. Like, I’m breaking some rule I don’t know about.” He choked up and he covered his mouth. Tears were threatening to spill down his face and Katara frowned. She walked around the table to sit next to him. She took his hand and he smiled weakly.
“Is this about Suki? He nodded and she sighed. “Why do you feel like you’re betraying her?”
“I think I have feelings for someone. I’m not sure but I feel awful.”
“Oh Sokka!” She pulled him into her arms and rubbed his back. He wrapped his arms around her and let himself cry. “You’re the best person I’ve ever met.” She pulled him back so she could look him in the eye.
“Really?”
“You’re so kind and smart. You put everyone before yourself and I know that if it’s something you want, you’ll be an amazing chieftain one day. You’re allowed to feel like this. Love is something that we all share as humans. Whether it’s for each other, our homes, our families, or a partner.” She took both of his hands in hers. “You do not betray your love for Suki by feeling this way. Love is not finite.”
“He’s so kind and I…” He trailed off and Katara smiled.
“Whoever he is, he’d be lucky to have someone like you.”