Chapter 5
Zuko climbed out of the airship and shivered at the sudden chilly wind that rushed past him. He pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders and looked back to watch Sokka practically leap over the railing and sprint towards his father. Even though he’d been back home only a few months before, he was acting like he hadn’t seen his family in years.
Hakoda held his arms open and pulled his son in for a tight hug. Katara stood nearby and hugged him as soon their father let go. They were all talking to one another with big smiles on their faces and Zuko felt that familiar pang of jealousy whenever he saw their family interact. His thoughts were interrupted by Katara calling out his name and waving him over.
He shuffled over across the snow and ice and shivered again. Sokka wrapped an arm around his shoulder when he was standing next to him and stepped closer. He immediately warmed and Katara smiled at the two of them.
“Firelord Zuko, it’s a pleasure to have you here in the Southern Water Tribe again. It’s been too long.” Zuko shook Hakoda’s hand and smiled.
“Please sir, Zuko is fine. I’d almost forgotten how beautiful it is here.” Hakoda laughed and nodded.
“Well we’re glad to have you back. I, along with some of the elders, prepared a feast in your honor with some Water Tribe delicacies. I hope you’ll join us this evening.”
“I’d love that but first,” He said, looking at Katara with a smile. “I’d love to meet that daughter of yours.” She laughed and took his hand, pulling him inside the wall and towards her home.
Bumi was running around in circles when they walked into the house but he froze when he saw Zuko. He dropped his doll and sprinted into the other room, calling out for his father.
“I don’t think he remembers you.” Katara said, her voice sad. She rushed after her son, leaving him alone.
He wasn’t alone for long though as Sokka pushed the flap aside and entered the house. He smiled at his lover who was clearly a bit uncomfortable and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“It’s just Aang and Katara.” Zuko smiled and shook his head, relaxing under his touch.
“I’m not nervous about that. I’m worrying about the feast later.”
“You’ve met with my dad dozens of times. What’s so nerve wracking about this one?” Zuko gave him a look and he frowned. “We don’t have to tell him anything yet. I’m not sure if I’m even ready to have that conversation yet."
Katara stepped back into the room with Kya who stared up at her mother and fussed at her. Her eyes were blue, like her mothers, and her skin was dark like hers as well. Zuko lowered his bag into Sokka’s arms and stepped forward to take her from Katara.
She was already moving her head around without his support and it made his heart ache a bit. She’d only been born three months earlier but she was already strong and growing fast. He caressed her cheek and she grabbed his finger, staring up at him.
“Hello beautiful. I brought you something.” Sokka opened up his bag for him and pulled out the rattle he’d gotten her. “I got one for your brother a long time ago and now I have one for you.”
The rattle was made of a dark wood, almost black. It was polished to shine almost like glass and there were dragons painted on its surface in red and gold paint. He shook it and when the beads inside rattled, she giggled and grinned up at him. Zuko smiled and Sokka watched him, his heart full at the sight.
Katara looked at her brother who was staring at Zuko, smiling like an idiot, and she suddenly made the connection to who his mystery crush was. She cleared her throat and sat down at the table.
“Well why don’t we have some tea and catch up, Zuko. Sokka can go help dad with the feast.” Sokka whipped his head around and stared at his sister.
“Excuse me?” She rolled her eyes at him.
“I want to catch up with Zuko and he wants to hold a beautiful baby. Now go!” She shooed him away and her older brother waved her off and walked out the door. Zuko watched him leave with a soft smile on his face and Katara fought back a grin.
Once he was gone, she pulled Zuko over to the table and sat him down gently. Kya was still focused on the rattle in his hand and seemed unaware of her mother’s sudden excitement. He watched his friend confused as she sat across from him and smiled.
“You’re the mystery man, aren’t you?” He gave her a blank stare.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“When Sokka visited last, he told me there was a man back in the Fire Nation that he had feelings for. It’s you, isn’t it? I see the way you look at each other. You’re in love.” Zuko’s face warmed and the fireplace behind Katara roared suddenly.
“I don’t think we’re telling anyone yet.” She leaned forward and wrapped him in a hug, making sure to avoid squeezing Kya.
“I won’t tell a soul!” He relaxed a bit and she patted his cheek. “I’m so happy for you both. Truly.” She put a hand to her heart and he immediately felt calm.
Katara had always been able to do that to him. As much as he loved Sokka, all he’d ever done was rile him up. Aang entered the room with Bumi on his hip and a huge grin.
“Zuko! It’s been too long!”
“When did you grow a beard?” He asked, standing to give him a side hug. Kya grumbled in his arms and Katara stood to take her daughter.
“Are you hungry, little one?” Her face crumpled and she let out a sharp wail and she laughed. “I’ll see you later. Duty calls.”
Zuko turned to Aang who was talking to Bumi softly. He was listening to his father but still staring at him. He waved at him and shot him a smile which just made the boy bury his face in his father’s shoulder.
“You don’t need to be scared, Bumi. Zuko is my best friend.” Bumi looked up at him and frowned.
“Uncle Sokka’s your best friend.”
“Zuko is my best, sane, friend.”
“I wouldn’t really describe myself as sane.” Zuko said with a laugh. Aang chuckled and Bumi seemed less scared. He put his son down and patted him on the head.
“What’s wrong with your face?” Bumi suddenly asked, earning a shocked laugh from the two men. Zuko crouched so that he was eye level with him and tapped his cheek.
“I fought a dragon. The biggest, strongest, dragon in the whole world.” Bumi stared up at him in awe.
“Whoa! Did you win?” He stepped towards him, eager for an answer.
“No. I lost and then the dragon threw me into the sea. Your daddy found me a few years later and saved me. He and your mommy and Uncle Sokka and a whole bunch of other amazing people took down the big dragon. Now he’s locked up in a cave in the Fire Nation where he can never hurt anyone again.”
“What if he gets out?!” Zuko took his small hands and smiled at him.
“He can’t get out. Your daddy put out the fire in his belly. Now he’s just a smelly, old lizard.” He tickled his side and the little boy squealed with laughter. Aang waved his hand and a warm breeze swept under him and lifted him in the air. He landed in his father’s arms, still giggling and red in the face.
Zuko smiled at the sight, ignoring the pang in his heart he felt whenever he was privy to a scene like this. It reminded him of precious moments he was missing out on with Izumi. He picked his bag up off the table and smiled.
“We’ll catch up later at the feast. I should probably go speak with Hakoda now. I’d like to get the business out of the way so I can enjoy my visit.” Aang nodded and watched Zuko practically run out of the house.
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Sokka held up one side of a large wooden table, the other end held up by another water tribesman. His father stood at the front of the room, directing people. He looked over at the entryway and sighed.
“Where is Katara? She said she’d build the archway and roof.”
“Do you want me to stand here holding this all day or can I put it somewhere?” Hakoda gave his son a devilish smile.
“You’re a strong, young man. I’m sure you can handle it.” He squinted at his father and shook his head. “Put it over there.” He pointed to a spot a few feet away.
They lowered the table and the other tribesman wandered off to help elsewhere. Hakoda pulled a chair over and sat down with a groan. He rubbed his lower back and sighed, sitting up a bit to stretch.
“Don’t get old. It’s terrible.” Sokka nodded.
“Figure out how to become immortal. Got it.” Hakoda chuckled.
“Wisecracker.”
The two men sat in silence together for a few moments, resting their sore bodies. Sokka had been here since his sister had sent him away. Zuko had come by not too long after to have a discussion with his father that left both men looking happy. He wished he could just mess around, no responsibilities, but his father needed his help and he never could tell him no.
“Sokka!” He snapped out of his thoughts to realize his father was trying to get his attention.
“Sorry. Wandered off.”
“I can tell. I asked how things are going in the Fire Nation. I’d like to know you’re actually working while you’re there.” He scoffed.
“Of course I’m working! What else would I be doing?”
“Sword fighting and stuffing your face.” He pouted and crossed his arms.
“I can multitask.” They laughed and Hakoda motioned for his son to sit next to him. He sat down on the edge of the table and his father grabbed his hand.
“What has your mind wandering? You look distracted.” Sokka sighed and squeezed his father’s hand. His hands were once rough and hard, calloused from decades of work. Now they were soft and wrinkled, age spots covering the back of them. He pushed away the intruding thought reminding him of his father’s mortality and shrugged.
“I’m seeing someone back in the Fire Nation. Actually it’s more serious than that. I’m in love.” Hakoda smiled and reached up a trembling hand to push his son’s hair out of his face.
“That’s wonderful, Sokka!”
“Is it? Because every time we kiss or hold hands or do anything romantic, all I can think about is how I’m betraying her. I feel like I’m breaking some unwritten rule.” Hakoda stood and grabbed his son’s face, cradling it in his hands. Sokka had tears in his eyes and he wiped them away with a sad smile.
“I felt the same way the day I kissed Malina for the first time. I felt like I was cheating on Kya even though she’d been gone for years. It took a long time for me to realize that she wouldn’t have wanted me to sit around miserable for the rest of my life. All we ever wanted was for each other to be happy and loved. And I am. Do you think I’m betraying your mother?” Sokka opened his mouth and then shut it, choosing to look at the ground.
“You were a good husband to mom. And you’re a good partner to Malina.”
“You were a good husband to Suki. You were lucky enough to have over 12 wonderful years with her and you should never forget that.” He tilted his chin up to look him in the eye. “But Suki wouldn’t want you wallowing in your own misery for the rest of your life. I was lucky enough to call her family, a daughter, and I know she would be cursing you for moping around the rest of your life if she was here now.” Sokka let out a choked laugh and nodded, wiping away his tears and standing. He gave his father a tight hug and smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders.
“Thank you, dad. I love you.” Hakoda rubbed his back and kissed his cheek. They pulled apart and pressed their foreheads together, their hands interlocked in front of them.
“I love you too, Sokka.”