Chapter 1: Talking With Ghost Can Be Tiring
Notes:
(A few warnings, I guess, there are a few fourth wall breaks because Ghost and I thought they'd be funny, so just a little reminder that these brackets "()" are me, aka Hina, while these brackets "[]" are Ghost's anddd all the shenanigans might be because of the playlist we were listening to...)
[Should I give them the playlist?]
(Yes!!!)https://open.spotify.com/playlist/60FPuFNL3mQmeB4wydRAis?si=094e2b54e7784605
[credit to Invalidusername on Spotify for this amazing playlist that became the soundtrack to today's episode of two bantering authors deciding the fate of Kenma]
(And the reason why this was lowkey a crack chapter XD)
[guilty as charged lmao]
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
3 Hibakugatsu, 33 Days Since Yu Dao
Sumi has finally recovered from her injury. She's been especially energetic, and sometimes I think she can actually understand me.
On other news, her favourite food seems to be fish… whatever to keep her happy, I guess.
The sun has barely surfaced from below the ocean's depths when Kenma wakes to a fuzzy weight on him. His breath wheezes from his lungs as he slowly blinks the sleep away. A Sumi-shaped mass curled up on his chest lets out a self-satisfied yawn as his personal bubble has been ripped open, shredded, and eaten by the fluffy hellion.
Again.
Be it his leg, stomach, thigh, arm, or — today's pick— his chest, it seems like she constantly needs to be in his personal space.
Not that Kenma minds.
He stretches his stiff limbs gingerly, flexing each muscle and relaxing in hopes it provides a better transition into the lucid world than the half assed blinking attempt from earlier. Sumi stirs with the disturbance of her sentient pillow and mirrors Kenma's outstretched dead starfish pose.
It's been 22 days since the impulsively adopted Cloud Jumper cub barreled into his life, leaving nothing but chaos in her wake. He loves her to bits. Though there is one thing -very minor but mildly inconvenient - he's not very fond of. One, tiny thing— it's monumental for Kenma— her favorite food happens to require him to do something inconvenient— read: highly unpleasant.
He makes his way to the mouth of the river by his camp, a trek he's made so often that he doesn't even spare a glance at his burn trail. He breathes in the crisp scent of his surroundings, the smell of freshly turned earth and midnight showers permeates the air and tickles his nose, which helps him feel a bit more awake.
He pulls out the net trap— thank the Hearth for the manual guide— that took him a full day to assemble and then another couple of agonising hours to set up. He sighs as he examines today's haul.
Fish.
Through much trial and error, he has come to find that Sumi's food of choice is fire-roasted fish.
Much to his dismay.
If it weren't for Sumi, he'd probably only cook fish if he really needed the food because of how much he hated preparing it.
Though… seeing Sumi enjoy her portion of the food makes him almost forget his suffering.
Almost.
***
With a well-fed Sumi curled up by his thigh, surrounded by half-gnawed fishbones and little bits of cooked flesh, Kenma closes his eyes to take a deep, grounding breath. Feeling it flow easily through his lungs and back out into the late morning air.
The past Avatars have started to check up on him from time to time, sometimes as a group, and at other times they come individually. His most frequent lone visitor is Yangchen— previous mother comparisons are not the reason for this, nuh uh, what a silly connection to make.
During one of these visits, she taught him how to go about contacting them himself if he ever needed help in the living world.
As he lets calmness wash over him, his senses dull to nothing but a warm numbness, the pressure of Sumi softly pressed against him drifts to nothingness, and he begins to feel himself slowly separate from his body.
Time moves at a crawl, his surroundings melting away to the now familiar void of vast nothingness— he's started to call it the VVN for short, though Kuruk prefers to call it the ‘Afterlife Waiting Room’— a comfortable weightlessness consumes him as he makes a gentle descent to his intended destination.
A month ago, the notion of him seeking this place out would have sounded like the most ridiculous joke told to man… or woman— Kyoshi has made him drink his respect women juice—
He never expected to find some peace in hearing the now familiar voice.
“Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?” A voice more gentle than the fluffiest of wispy clouds greets him with a smile equally as gentle, calming any tension he could have carried. A soothing breeze accompanies her as she approaches him.
“Hello, Yangchen,” He greets her with a slight bow to be polite— at least he thinks a small bow should be a universal sign of politeness— three figures stand beside her, and Kenma can't help but remember their first meeting.
10 months sailed by really quickly.
“What? And we don't get a greeting?” Another voice asks with a hurt too comical to be genuine, “I thought you finally started liking us, kid.” The smile on Wan's face betrays his act, to which Kenma rolls his eyes playfully.
“Don't embarrass him now, this is the first time he came to us first,” Kuruk helpfully points out— to no one— “So let's be civil, I'm looking at you, Kyoshi.” He hisses warningly, which does nothing to help Kyoshi's already thinning patience, her eye twitches.
“Don't make me punch you in the presence of a child.” She grits through a slightly menacing smile.
“I'm starting to regret this…” Kenma sighs to himself.
Aren't they supposed to be older than me? He judges with a look that practically shouts his thoughts in bold letters and a neon sign— whatever that is… I’m looking at you authors.
“Don't mind them, Kenma,” Yangchen soothes as she glides forward (I swear she uses her airbending to fly, I just can't prove it) as if she could hide the much taller bickering adults behind her slight frame. “What do you need, little gale? We'll help you to the best of our abilities.”
That seems to initiate a temporary truce as everyone's attention falls on Kenma, Wan snickers. It's something he still can't get used to. Attention. His eyes alternate between looking at the endless void beneath his feet and the never-ending darkness that surrounds them.
He chews on the words that have been weighing heavily on his mind for a couple of days now. They wait patiently for him to elaborate, a silence hangs in the air as if on a drifting current.
“I…” He takes a breath before continuing, “I want to learn waterbending.”
The silence that follows makes Kenma raise his head to gauge their lack of response.
Yangchen’s smile has softened like she is being filled up with pride. Wan's head tilts to the side like he'd be able to see where this came from if he could adjust his frequency of understanding right. Kyoshi’s eyes narrow in surprise like her vision worsened suddenly, and she doesn't know what she's looking at. Kuruk’s eyes go wide, like he is still processing what he said, but a smile slowly washes across his face.
Kenma averts his eyes before he continues.
“I just… water is the opposite of fire, and— and I think— I need to start with something different. Something not tied to…” It's awkward and stuttered, as he vaguely gestures around himself like it adequately explains the Fire Nation, their war, and his whole life up until recently. The others seem to get the point regardless, so he guesses it was enough.
“I mean, you almost set your camp on fire two days ago, waterbending would be good for you.” Wan teases with a huff and a gleam of amusement dancing between his eyes, something Kenma doesn't appreciate in the slightest.
Mainly because he doesn't have a defense for that besides his fire still feeling woefully unbalanced as it roils in his sternum, and something tells him that he still wasn't ready for that conversation.
“Setting that aside,” He snarks at Wan, “I was wondering if one of you could teach me...”
“We'd love to, but—,” Yangchen gently starts before being interrupted.
“We can’t teach you since we're dead.” Kyoshi interrupts bluntly, Kuruk practically glares a hole into the side of her head, to which she dutifully ignores him before she sighs and continues, “We can't use our bending anymore, and even if we tried to help, we wouldn't know if it was meaningful until you're back in your physical body. I'm sure you can see how ineffective that is.” Kyoshi deadpans at the end.
All those days of building up the courage to ask gone to waste like washed away words written on the shoreline before high tide [oof, that’s rough buddy].
“Aren't you guys just… me from different lives? Shouldn't I just know how to bend all the elements?” The question comes out small and meek, scared it will be met with a similar rejection.
“That isn't how this works, unfortunately,” Wan starts, “You're technically not wrong, but we're all still our own people at the end of the day. Things I may like Yangchen might hate, and things Kyoshi is bad at may be things you are good at.” He explains gently.
To his credit, Kenma does understand this, but it doesn't solve his current problem at all.
“Why not go to the Northern Water Tribe?” Kuruk suggests, “It's a short boat ride from here, and it's also where I grew up.”
“And this helps me how?” Kenma raises a brow, he doesn't understand how that would make a difference.
“Hmmm, he might be onto something…” When Yangchen's response is met with Kenma's blank stare, she continues, “The place is connected to one of your past lives. The familiarity may help, even if it's not your own.”
He is about to refute when he remembers the temple. Since being here, he's had the most encounters with the Avatars, and he senses that the fact he could contact them so easily has to do with the spiritual connection this place has with Yangchen, therefore, him.
Wan nods at the sentiment, “Though, I'm not sure that a Fire Nation kid showing up in their land would be met… positively… what with the war and all.”
Kenma stiffens, not in surprise— never surprise after Yu Dao—, but rather because he doesn't blame them. Doesn't blame their fear or their hatred.
It's been over a month since the attack.
Since he disappeared.
Even though he's sure that the Fire Nation wouldn't make public the news of his disappearance — can't let your targets know you’ve lost your greatest weapon—, he's also sure that the news of the attack definitely has been. The destruction he caused, the deaths—
“Hey, hey, get outta your head. I didn't say that to make you spiral, kid.” Wan ruffles his head, just like he did when they first interacted, “I just want you to stay safe, okay? Be aware of what you might be walking into.”
“I wasn't spiraling…” Kenma sulks— he totally was— as he fixes his hair, “I was just thinking that maybe being by the area should be enough… I don't want to interact with people anyway.”
“Then it's settled.” Kuruk punctuates with a clap, “You're going to my homeland!” He says it with a level of carefree joy that suits him perfectly.
Kenma almost smiles at that… only almost.
“You'd better start preparing for the trip now, though. It should take you about 4 weeks to get there by boat, and that's assuming nothing goes wrong.” Wan says this way too casually for Kenma's liking.
4 weeks?! Didn't Kuruk say it was a ‘short boat ride’ away??? I barely survived 3 days… He mentally freaks out, taking a moment to close his eyes and deeply consider his impending fate.
When he opens his eyes, everything around him slowly begins to become fuzzy.
“Looks like you're waking up,” Yangchen remarks, and she gives him a sympathetic smile, “You'll be okay, Kenma.” She places a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Just do your best and we'll be right behind you.” Kuruk’s voice fades out completely at the end, and Kenma is alone again. The air around him shimmers and warps slowly like melting ice in a glass of water. He feels himself descend, and he closes his eyes against the feeling.
The feeling of plummeting down is a distant vertigo as he enjoys the feeling of gradually entering his body. When his eyes open, he's met with a sleeping Sumi who has made his lap her personal bed. He smiles, running his fingers through her fur, and a purr vibrating through his crossed legs is her only response to his returning consciousness.
“Well, I can't leave you here, now can I?” He's grown very attached to Sumi over the short period of time she made herself at home in his life and personal space. Yangchen told him that she had become a sort of animal guide for him or something.
That's a good enough reason for me to take her, he concludes.
He looks around his tent, taking in the temporary shelter he'd made.
The one he'll have to pack up. Urghhh…
“I'll start tomorrow.” He decides, “Sumi's napping.” Kenma smiles as she continues to purr.
This is going to be a long couple of weeks.
3 Hibakugatsu, 33 Days Since Yu Dao
Sumi has finally recovered from her injury. She's been especially energetic, and I think she can actually understand me. Either that or I'm actually going insane.
On other news, her favourite food seems to be fish… whatever to keep her happy, I guess
–
They really think I can survive 4 weeks when I barely survived 3 days. I wish Sumi could fly or something.
Notes:
[As per Hina's demands, we have a song that she thinks is the perfect rep of him, so I present to you: Scrawny by the Wallows, and for the lucky fellows with Spotify, here's a link]
https://open.spotify.com/track/1pNUmVxDiE8t6P1XxcZAv8?si=f79c12e975f94128
(It's so him coded it's great)
(Anyways, another Avatar Skit because I like to think they watch over like a reality TV show, they can sometimes interact with)
(Do I even need to say where this place is anymore?)Kyoshi: Do you think he'll be okay?
Wan: Ehhh… I mean, I was fine.
Kyoshi: (deadpan) Weren't you the one to tell him that we aren't the same?? Doesn't that defeat the point of what you told him?
Wan: Not the point I'm making here.
Kuruk: He'll be fine, I have faith… plus he's learning my bending first—
Kyoshi: Oh, you really want to go there—
(Bickering ensues as Kuruk’s smirk makes Kyoshi swing to punch him. Wan stops himself from attempting to break up the fight.)
Wan: (sighs, turns to Yangchen) But really, do you think he'll be okay?
Yangchen: I mean, she wants him to get there in one piece, so I'm sure he'll be fine. He might struggle a bit, but nothing to worry about— I'd assume.
Wan: Who is she— who are you talking about???
Yangchen: (smiles) Don't worry about it.
(Oh, and another thing, idk when I'll upload art- probably when I get over my art block- but when I do I'll update the tags accordingly)
Chapter 2: Fire, Ice, And I Almost Died Twice
Summary:
Kenma's voyage at sea.
What's the worst that could happen?:)
Notes:
(Sooo... this chapter wasn't supposed to come out this late since this was already pre-edited by Ghost but I've just been in and out of depressive bouts and I can't get my meds yet or go to therapy since my dad is against the whole thing BUTTT when the stars align my mum is gonna help me with all of that behind his back. My mum has also been in and out of the hospital, seeing doctors, which also contributed to the lack of motivation, but she's doing better now, and I was feeling uncharacteristically motivated today, so hence the update.)
(Ghost is also pretty swamped with lectures and assignments on her end, and I'm lowkey dyslexic- I literally had to look up the spelling T^T- so I can't post chapters without her corrections and writing improvements... Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
4 Hibakugatsu, 34 Days Since Yu Dao, Day 1 of Voyage
The more I think about the fact that it will take 4 weeks to get to the Water Tribe, the more I wish the Water Tribe would just come to me.
“Settling up this tent was way easier than packing it up, it makes no sense,” Kenma grumbles under his breath as he finally packs the now folded up tent in his bag.
He had procrastinated packing up yesterday for very valid reasons— Sumi took a nap, he joined her and didn't wake ‘til sunset— so here he is, at the crack of dawn, fumbling through packing his makeshift shelter to make the dreadful great voyage to the Northern Water Tribe.
He hauls the last of his supplies onto his boat, which Sumi— after a thorough inspection— has deemed her personal playground. She glides and hops between the two small benches of the sailboat, nearly throwing herself into the water a few times when particularly strong gusts catch in her gliders. Barely catching her, Kenma gently deposits her back into the safety of the boat. Every. Time.
He sighs, placing his hand on her head to keep her still, “I swear to the Hearth if you throw yourself overboard, I'm not fishing for you.” Sumi tilts her head to the side to better nuzzle Kenma's hand, which prompts him to scratch behind her ear. She purrs recklessly.
He sighs.
“Fine, you get one more strike…”
***
The boat gently sways as they head north. A cool breeze fills the crimson sails as Kenma grips the rudder, steering the boat towards the golden horizon. Kenma shields his eyes against the descending sun to his right. The first 3 days have been significantly easy— when compared to his first voyage— and they've been making good progress distance-wise.
“If we keep this up, we might even get there earlier,” He smiles at Sumi, who is snuggled up around his feet on the deck, “I guess sailing isn't that bad.”
***
Kenma should really learn to shut up.
Day 7 of his voyage, a minor storm came to humble him. It heaves the boat at dizzying angles— not enough to capsize him and Sumi, but enough to make him green in the gills and praying for relief— the winds rip at his hair and clothes, trying to drag him to its clutches.
Securing the sails was a mission and a half, and that's not even mentioning the number of times the ropes have smacked Kemma square in the face. It's seriously getting old.
Poor Sumi is forced to escape the comfort of Kenma’s lap to shiver beneath the bench he's sitting on, her distressed whines adding to the sound of the whipping sails and crashing waves.
***
When the storm passes, he dozes to the gentle rocking of the now still water under the midday sun, jolting awake at dusk when Sumi pounces on his unprotected stomach.
“Never mind, sailing is still shit.” He groans out, and Sumi meows enthusiastically from her perch on his chest. Kenma assumes she agrees.
***
By day 11, the sea is glassy and calm, and this time he's smart enough not to comment on the fact out loud, choosing to just enjoy it in silence instead.
He's worked out a rhythm over these past few days— wake up, eat, check course probably, fish for Sumi, check course later or whatever, maybe sleep, rinse and repeat— and he was even able to find a way to attach the fishing net to the side of his boat— to Sumi's delight.
When night falls, he watches as the stars glitter and twinkle around the full moon, as wisps of clouds glide across them like a painter's brush on a canvas. The position of the bright star and its oppositely crossed friend tells him he's still on course. The water is so still that Kenma can't tell where the horizon starts and the sky ends, and he feels like he's floating alongside the glittering orbs above him, a warm body pressed against his thigh snoozing gently as Kenma breathes in the scent of the sea.
A memory resurfaces.
“What story would you like to hear before bed today, our little spark?” The soothing voice of his mother crooned at his bedside as his father tucked him into bed.
“The one about the stars, mama!” Giggles rippled throughout the young boy's chest as he snuggled himself comfortably in his blankets, embraced in the loving gaze of his parents.
“You seem to like that one quite a bit,” His father laughed, loud, affectionate, and warm as he settled next to his mother, pressing himself against her side gently.
“Long ago, when the world was still young, the night was very, very dark, darker than the darkest piece of coal. Children everywhere were terrified, too scared to fall asleep without the constant comfort of their parents.” The boy clung to her every word as she brushed away a stray strand of hair from the boy's face before continuing.
“So one day all the parents got together and lit silver lanterns, then using their love for their children, sent them high above the sky. Their devotion created the moon spirit. Awakened and moved by their love, she vowed to protect the lanterns they lit for as long as she stayed in the sky.” As his mother continued to tell the story, the boy slowly began to fight the call of sleep.
“To keep her promise, the moon turned the lanterns into ever-burning stars, and the parents’ love kept them shining to brighten up the scary night.” The mother shares a loving gaze with her husband.
“Every time a child was frightened, the star their parents lit for them would glow just a bit brighter. That's why there are so many stars in the sky, because each one was lit by a parent to tell their child, ‘Don't be scared, I am here.’” The boy's mother smiled at her dozing child.
“And when you see a star fall, it's racing to comfort a child in the place of their parents.” She placed a loving kiss on the boy's forehead, whose eyes began to droop closed with a content smile.
“Our love for you also made you a star, so remember to look out for it when you're feeling scared.” The father concluded the story, and the boy finally closed his eyes, “Sweet dreams, my boy.” His father whispered as he blew out the lantern in his room.
Kenma feels a wetness on his face at the memory. With melancholy and grief warring in his chest, Kenma lets out a small wet chuckle as he wipes away his falling tears.
“What a time to remember that story, huh.” He sniffles a bit, “This is stupid, I'm crying over—.”
The moment he looks up, he sees two shooting stars and can't help but choke on a sob as a burst of laughter comes with fresh tears.
“Thanks…” A smile spreads across his face as he closes his eyes for the night.
***
On day 16, Kenma and Sumi greet a pod of playful silver otters.
They swim around and past the sailboat, occasionally splashing water their way. He watches Sumi try to paw at the few that jump up for bigger splashes— making sure she doesn't accidentally fall in.
If he cackles out a laugh or two, only Sumi would know.
***
The first cracks of lightning and thunder rattle Kenma to his core. Heavy rain forces him to squint his eyes for a semblance of working sight. Waves toss them around without a care, threatening to make them no better than sentient driftwood.
“Nooo, because of course this storm is worse— why wouldn't it get worse?!” He snarls, the ropes slippery with seawater and rain. A sharp sting blooms across his cheek when he loses his grip on the rope, and it snaps violently through the sleet.
“I didn't even say anything this time! This is just unfair!” He complains to the dark, roaring skies as he fights to keep his boat upright, a lazy trickle of blood oozes from the cut the rope made.
It's day 23 when his luck runs out, and the biggest “screw you and your weird ass cat ” storm attacks his boat.
Wind howls like an enraged animal. Occasional drops of hail pelts his skin like non-lethal cannon ammunition. Kenma does not like the sounds of the sailboat groaning and creaking under him like it just might splinter any moment.
A particularly violent wave crests and breaks over the side of the boat, and Kenma's body is thrown against the boat's tiller. Pain licks hot flames through his ribs, nerves screaming. Sumi cries, cowering beneath the onslaught of hail. He throws his shirt over her, shielding her shaking form with what little he can. He then positions her under his bench, locking his legs on either side of her to prevent her from being thrown.
“I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, just hold on, Sumi!” He can make out her trembling form under the makeshift coat he threw on her, “Just hold on!” He half pleads, half orders as his voice cracks.
The hail begins to plummet down in earnest now, thick sheets of ice pelt him from every angle, and Kenma curls forward to shield as much of his face as possible, grateful that he covered Sumi when he did. At least she won't feel the brunt of the hail now.
A sudden wave crashes broadside and nearly capsizes them. Kenma's stomach heaves as cold seawater slams into him, soaking him more than he thought was possible, causing the gash on his cheek to sting painfully. He chokes, coughing out the water that made it into his mouth and nose. Sumi yowls from underneath him. He wrestles with the tiller, trying to aim the vessel headlong into the waves to avoid capsizing into the churning ocean.
He continues to cough, salt burning his throat and nose. He holds a death grip on the ropes, his arms burn, and he can feel the rope cutting into the flesh of his hand and arm where it's wrapped tightly. Sumi whimpers beneath him. He will not fail her.
The storm lasts for hours. By the time it's over, the sail is frayed at the edges, they have lost their fishing net, and Kenma is thoroughly bruised and battered. He pants and heaves, hair tacky with salt and blood. Exhaustion racks his body, and his shoulders shake with the effort to stay upright. His lungs feel scraped and burnt, and his throat is shredded from screaming.
Sumi wiggles out of her makeshift protection, not as completely soaked but clearly rattled as her claws have made harsh lines in the dark wood. She climbs up into his lap to lick at the purpling bruises along his side.
“Aww, it's okay, Sumi, they don't hurt too bad.” He says—you know, like a liar— they throb terribly, his nerve endings sing and pulse in time with his heartbeat, each breath causing the pressure to increase. Sumi seems to pick up on it anyway, rubbing her head against his chest.
He opens the sail, forcing his trembling hands to at least get that job done. They burn and sting where the rope touches the tender flesh, and he notices a thin layer of blood covering his hands.
Rope burn.
As the temperature drops, he raises his body heat to keep himself and Sumi warm.
“Cold means we're getting closer. Cold means we're getting closer.” He repeats like a mantra. He needs to be closer.
***
It is the next day that they finally, finally, see bergs and ice patches drifting in the water.
“I've never been so happy to see ice.” Kenma almost cries out. Sumi wakes cradled in her personal heat source, and Kenma shifts to give her space to stretch.
Only for her to accidentally fall onto a drifting patch of ice.
“What did I say about throwing yourself overboard!” Kenma quickly grabs her scruff before she drifts too far, the action making the pain in his ribs throb through his torso. Clearly not understanding the gravity of the situation, Sumi playfully paws at the air near Kenma's face.
“I swear you're smarter than this…” He sighs, placing her back into the safety of his lap.
***
After 25 days at sea, Kenma begins to see vast, frost-covered glaciers and snowflakes slowly drift around him—Sumi has made it her personal mission to swat as many of them as possible.
He navigates through towering glaciers and glistening icebergs, then pushes his boat onto the rocky shore near a cave. He walks a few paces up the beach before securing it in place. In the distance above the white trees, he can see a high stone wall covered in ice, sparkling like it's made of diamonds. Streams of smoke curl up over the walls to blend with the low-hanging clouds.
His sightseeing is cut short when a gust of wind reminds him that he is, in fact, in one of the coldest regions on the map, and he is severely underdressed. His shivering aggravates his injuries.
Kenma grabs Sumi, placing her under his right arm— away from his bruised side— and slings his bag over his left shoulder, biting his tongue when yet another bruise makes itself known.
“Into the cave we go.” He announces as he quickly makes his way to the cave— well, as quickly as his shaking legs can go.
Apparently dream cold can never prepare you for real cold.
When he enters the threshold of the cave, he's pleasantly surprised to see that it isn't housing some dangerous beast. Should he have thought about that possibility before clumsily dragging himself in? Yes, but it worked out, and he needs shelter from the wind, so he doesn’t care to think about the alternative any longer.
After putting Sumi down, she begins to shiver violently, and Kenma runs— read: limps moderately fast— out to grab the bare minimum amount of wood to light a fire.
His hands shake as he raises them to ignite the wood — from the cold? Fear? Trauma? Pain? He isn't sure until the memory of almost burning his tent— and by proxy Sumi— with his bending taunts him, then the memory of the execution curls its way through his mind and wraps itself around his heart, it haunts him.
All of them. He's shaking because of all of them.
A whine from Sumi snaps him out of it, and he flicks his wrist, not looking at the gentle flame it creates. Sumi curls by his core, and he raises his body temperature to provide more warmth, her tremors subside.
He leans his face into her fur as she purrs, “We made it…” His voice cracks slightly as it drifts off. Then he achingly allows sleep to drag him under.
At least this place is relatively clean.
29 Hibakugatsu, 25 Days After The Voyage
I am never taking Kuruk's word on what a ‘short boat ride’ is ever again. Never.
Notes:
(More Avatar Skits, cause I love writing them)
(The spirit meeting room) [idk why, but I picture a conference room]Yangchen: I told you he'd make it in one piece, Wan.
Kyoshi: I'd hardly call that one piece, but okay.
Wan: I'm honestly really proud of him. That last storm? I was getting worried.
Yangchen: I did say she'll make him struggle a bit, it can't be too easy.
Wan: ‘She’? Again with the ‘she’. Seriously Chen. Who. Is. She??
Yangchen: No one you could influence.
Wan: What are yo—?
Kyoshi: Forget that. Did anyone else notice how the brat is complaining about you, Kuruk? Not me.
Kuruk: …I've never been so provoked to hit a woman with a chair…***
Ghost [during the Fairytale Scene]: *screaming, crying, throwing up * AHHHHHH nooooo my babyyyyyyyy T^T T^T T^T
Hina: Hehe ^V^
Ghost: I could say this is editor cruelty, but we both know I've written worse.
Hina: Yep 1000%[On another note *wipes away tears* my deepest apologies for the late chapter… again >^<]
[As compensation for emotional damages, I present yall with songs that specifically played while editing the big boi storm scene][50 ways to say goodbye by train, Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/track/2NniAhAtkRACaMeYt48xlD?si=001267cc938a408c, and hard times by Paramore, Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/track/0w5Bdu51Ka25Pf3hojsKHh?si=c60252b333784791]
(Is it just me, but I associate the hallelujah part of this Fall Out Boy song, Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/028njLMKzGg4gAVSgMeOhm?si=ee387ae352164644] with the wedding motif from Shrek XD)
[ummm no, I think it's just you. What do yall think? Leave a comment]
Chapter 3: When Did We Get Here???
Summary:
(Honestly, I love this chapter because it's the Kenma and Kuroo meet-up chapter, and Ghost and I loved every second of writing this - especially Kuroo's POV of their meeting. But yeah, that's the chapter summary. They meet, and it's funny- to Ghost and me.)
(Also, if you couldn't tell, this is the chapter the alternating POV tag finally applies, so that's fun.)
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
30 Hibakugatsu, Day 1 In The North
If there's anything good about that trip, it is finding this remarkably clean cave. Even I know when to count my blessings.
“And that should be the last of it.” Kenma sighs as he secures the last of his bandages around his torso and chest, “That one from the tiller hurt like shit. I don’t think anything’s broken…”
Turns out falling asleep on the hard, cold stone floor of a cave without treating any of your injuries isn't a good idea. No matter how clean the cave appears to be.
“I should probably set up my tent and other supplies… ughhh!” Kenma flops down with his hand on his face. He is not looking forward to doing all that. Again. Sumi bats at his shoulder with her paw, clearly concerned about her human’s mopping.
And promptly decides to start making biscuits on his chest to cheer him up.
Kenma sighs.
***
Kenma spent the next 5 days slowly setting up his tent and supplies— and procrastinating setting up his tent and supplies. Then, once his bruises stop nagging him with aches and pain, he tries his first attempt at waterbending and… well.
“Make it easier for me, my ass!” He huffs, like a dragon whose immortal patience has worn as thin as the wisps of smoke from its nose.
He's standing at the mouth of what he assumes is a main river, the rocky beach is covered in pitch stones and seaglass, and the water glitters and shines brightly enough that he needs to look away every few minutes to avoid sunspots in his vision. Curled up in a blanket on a dry, sunny rock— well as sunny as the North can get at least— nearby, sits Sumi, who meows questioningly— or at least that's how it sounds to Kenma.
“Those old geezers said that being in a familiar place might help! This isn't helpi—!! I need to calm down.” He runs his hands roughly through his hair and takes a deep breath in, “Fine. Everything’s fine— I'll just try again.” He says in a much more controlled manner than he feels.
He tries to draw water from the river, and when he's met with not even a ripple in the frigid currents, he overcompensates. Again. This time, instead of the water splashing outwards, it slams straight into him, sending him sprawling to the smooth stones beneath his previously sturdy footing. Sumi hisses at the offending river but doesn't move from the safety of the blanket, growling low in her chest with suspicious, narrowed eyes.
“No, no, because this is just lovely.” He grits out a frustrated laugh as he slowly starts steaming. The stones beneath him are hissing and spitting as the water is removed from the air around him. His irritation bubbles under his skin, and then Kenma begins to feel jittery from all the pent-up energy. In a sudden uncharacteristic fit of rage, he hurls a stream of fire to strike at a nearby drifting iceberg, successfully it explodes with a cloud of powder and a rain of ice— which, consequently, makes all his injuries protest and scares Sumi into a hissing fit.
“Oww— shit— wait Sumi, I'm sorry I didn't mean to—.” He turns to soothe Sumi, only to see that she wasn't hissing at him at all, but in another direction.
A low chuckle is carried in the wind, further startling Kenma. He runs to grab Sumi to carry her in his arms, and he whips his head in the direction of the noise, water droplets flying out of his hair from his earlier attempts at waterbending.
As he scans the white terrain, his eyes stop at a tall figure casually leaning against a tree, holding a fishing rod. He looks around Kenma's age and has an amused smile plastered on his face, like he was trying not to laugh at the scene in front of him. His hair is dark as a moonless night, and it's tousled— messy— like he rolled out of bed and barely ran his hands through it before deeming it good enough for the public.
He is in a blue winter suit and sealskin pants, covered in a white fur cloak made for traveling in this snowy climate. He has an air of carefree nonchalance as he observes Kenma, who is clearly stuck between all three trauma responses, as he awkwardly jerks and shuffles on his feet.
“That's an interesting cat you have there.” The stranger starts way too casually.
Smug.
He clutches Sumi protectively as he stumbles to take a step back, only to abruptly stop when the movement sends a jolt of discomfort ringing through his ribs, reminding him of his previous tiller accident.
“ …Not cat,” Kenma answers carefully, “Cloud Jumper. What do you want?” He tries to summon his best glare, but the adrenaline of meeting a person so suddenly promptly canceled any hope of a successful intimidation tactic.
The stranger raises his hands to better show that he's only armed with the fishing rod and an empty bucket, “Whoa there, man, relax, I'm not trying to fight.” He takes one step out of the shade of the tree he was leaning on.
“I come here to fish, and I assume that the tent in the cave is yours? You know, it's considered rude to take a guy's hideout like that.” He says, mouth twitching upwards in a show of humour— probably meant to put him at ease— a half-amused, half-curious tone probing but not pushing Kenma to reply, his posture relaxes ever so slightly.
“How long have you been standing there?” Kenma asks carefully.
“Long enough to see at least two failed waterbending attempts and that fire attack.” Kenma tenses, debating if he should just run, fight, or just curl into a defeated ball with Sumi.
The stranger speaks up again. “I must say, I never expected the Avatar to be so full of rage.”
Run. Kenma should run.
“Aren't you supposed to be all about peace or something?” The stranger takes a moment to look at him, “Thought you'd be bigger too…” He murmurs, seeming to accidentally think out loud.
“It wasn't intenti— I'll just take my stuff and leave.” Kenma is willing to jump into the cold, unforgiving sea if it means getting away from this guy.
“Wait, wait, wait, I'm sorry,” The stranger frantically apologizes, “My name's Tetsuro Kuroo.” The introduction makes Kenma stop to turn to him.
“You looked like you were struggling, and I was just waiting to see how far you'd get before asking for help.” If Kenma hadn't already stopped walking away, that would've definitely stopped him in his tracks.
“You want to… help me?”
“Well, you definitely need a change of clothes, you aren't dressed for this climate at all.” The strang— Kuroo's generosity throws him through so many metaphorical loops that Kenma wonders if he somehow has a concussion he isn't aware of.
“Come on, are you seriously not cold? Is that like a firebender thing?” Kuroo takes Kenma's lack of movement as a sign to walk over to him, “Besides that, if you come to the village, I'd be able to get you a teacher and a place to stay.”
“Village… teacher… place to stay…?” Kenma's starting to wonder if perhaps this guy is the one with the concussion.
“Yeah, you know a warm bed, food, someone that can help you not soak yourself in ice cold water, and give yourself pneumonia." Kuroo glances over to Sumi, who cranes her neck to get a better look at him, “A safe place for your… Cloud Hopper?”
Kenma looks down at Sumi, who's taken to slow blinking at Kuroo as she continues to observe him, and he sighs.
“Where is the village?” Kenma does like the idea of a more comfortable place for Sumi. Kuroo points in a direction where Kenma can just make out curling smoke streams.
“I don't know which direction you came from, but the main gate is in that direction,” He stops pointing, readjusts his hold on his fishing rod, “I can help you pack up and give you my cloak to cover up your clothes until I can give you something to change into.”
Kenma just continues to stare at him, and Kuroo doesn't hide the chuckle that escapes quickly enough, "Careful now, if you keep your mouth open like that, something might fly in.” Kuroo smiles as Kenma's jaw closes with an audible click.
Before he's fully processed anything, his camp is packed up, and he's following Kuroo to the village's main entrance, wrapped up in his cloak.
Is this a trap?? Why's he helping a random firebender that he knows is the Avatar???
“Look alive— Ah, I'm sorry, what's your name?” Kuroo turns to ask.
“Kenma Kozume. But I… prefer Kenma.” He answers in a daze.
“Well then, Kenma, this is my place. Make yourself at home.”
When did we get here???
Kuroo gestures inside a small, cozy house. He's holding the door open as he waits for him to walk in. Sumi clearly gets the memo faster as she wriggles and flops out of Kenma's arms and trots into the house.
The place looks significantly warmer than his now-abandoned cave. It's carpeted and has a few fluffy rugs acting as decor— Sumi instantly claims the one closest to the yet-to-be-lit fireplace and promptly falls asleep.
Tetsuro Kuroo's POV 2 Hours Earlier
“The trek here doesn't get any easier.” Tetsuro muses, his usual hideout finally in sight, “Can't wait to—”
“Eh?”
Three years and nothing has come to disrupt his peace here.
Until today.
So he begins to analyze the scene.
Footprints, too small, so not mine. Too human-shaped to be an animal…
Unless it’s an animal wearing boots.
He's careful in approaching the entrance and peers cautiously through it.
And yep… a campsite, someone's here… suspicious.
Noticing the remains of an ashen campfire, he corrects his last observation to the past tense.
I can't let someone just take my spot like that, so he follows the footprints all the way to his fishing spot.
My fishing spot too?? Just who does this person think they are?!
***
Well, ain't that a surprise…
Tetsuro leans against a tree as he watches a boy he's never met before— and that on its own is a great feat because he knows everyone in his village— try to waterbend and fail.
Miserably.
“Make it easier for me, my ass!” The mystery boy exclaims before continuing to complain to his cat for a bit.
But the weirdest part?
He's criminally underdressed. Covered in bandages, looking like some child's botched imitation of a firebender with his attire adorned in rabidly patched red and black underclothes as he… literally steams from frustration?
What?
The boy tries again, gesticulating violently like he's picking a fight with the ocean, only to get soaked with water. Tetsuro cringes at that. He has fallen in this river enough times to know how cold it is, but before he can call out to the boy, he summons fire and destroys a sizable iceberg.
Tetsuro may not be a genius, but he’s not stupid either.
Conclusions are drawn.
There are only three people who can throw fire and even think to try to bend water after— so either this kid is the Avatar, God, or a spoiled kid whose parents told him he could do anything he put his mind to.
But something doesn’t sit right about two of those possibilities.
Last he heard, the Fire Nation was busy tearing up the Earth Kingdom. And even if they're not, why would their Avatar be out here freezing his ass off alone, practicing waterbending like some toddler stomping rookie?
None of it adds up.
Then he begins to hear low hissing.
There's a cat… does it have glider flaps? Huh.
He didn't mean to laugh, but the cat is just too cute, its face is all scrunched up, and its tail snaps wildly back and forth, so… floofy. Though looking up now, the boy doesn't seem very amused by his presence. Tetsuro tries to break the ice.
“That's an interesting cat you have there.”
The boy practically jumps a step back, but he doesn’t get far, like he's in pain somewhere, or judging by the healer's stash worth of bandaging, even everywhere— though he’s not close enough to be able to tell yet.
The boy holds on to his cat protectively, “Not cat. Cloud Jumper.”
“What d’you want?” He looks halfway between wanting to run away like a cornered cat and throw himself at Tetsuro, fists flying and hackles raised.
Okayyy, no ice was broken, and I think the boulder bounced… violently, Tetsuro concludes.
Definitely not a good start, so Tetsuro tries to make himself look less threatening by showing him he's not armed.
They talk for a bit before Tetsuro makes a mistake— calling him small out loud wasn't on purpose, what can he say? He's an honest man— and the boy looks like he's contemplating running into the sea just to escape him.
He can't have that— the boy's already drenched like an angry, soggy cat.
“Wait, wait, wait, I'm sorry. My name's Tetsuro Kuroo.” That seems to stop him, so Tetsuro then offers to help him a bit, to which the boy just… stares?
“You want to… help me?”
Yeah, that's totally not concerning.
The more he talks, the more the boy stares at him like he’s growing extra heads.
Seriously, I can't be much older than him. What happened to this kid?
Then Tetsuro really looks at him and doesn't like what he sees.
He has bags under his eyes, deep enough to press your fingers into and still see the dark bruising, and there's a tremble rattling his arms, and as they walk, he sees a slight limp in his step, too. His hair is a mess, sticking to his head awkwardly in some places and a bit frosted in others. He's covered in bandages— definitely self-applied by the direction of the visible wrappings.
He's clearly not with the Fire Nation anymore if his observation skills are as good as he thinks they are— they are.
“Where's the village?” The boy asks, while looking at his Cloud… Hopper? Leaper? Skipper? He makes a mental note to ask for the animal's name later. As he explains where the village is and his plan, he notices the boy— again— just staring at him, his mouth slightly open.
“Careful now, if you keep your mouth open like that, something might fly in.” Tetsuro teases with a smile, the boy pouts adorably, and continues to follow.
***
Saying that the boy has been following him is a generous way to describe his trance-like motions.
He hasn't spoken once since asking where the village is— not that Tetsuro minds, the boy clearly needs to process… something.
No one should be that shocked when someone offers them help, though he’s definitely not a leopard seal calling a porpoise violent.
When he gets to the gate, Tetsuro makes up some story about helping a friend of his from the neighboring village to get past Uncle Naoi, who's acting as today's watchman.
It can't be considered lying if you think it's true.
He makes it through the village with the boy in tow, excusing him from talking with passing people by telling them he's extremely tired and shy. It works because they make it to his place in record time.
“Look alive—,” It is now that Tetsuro embarrassingly realizes that he never got the boy's name, “I'm sorry, what is your name?”
That seems to snap the boy out of his trance-like state, “Kenma Kozume. But I… prefer Kenma.” He is meek in the way he says the last part, but Kuroo is never one to be stopped by shyness.
Might be anxiety, but I'll figure that out later, He sidelines.
“Well then, Kenma, this is my place. Make yourself at home.” He holds the door open for him, though it's his feline companion that walks in first like she owns the place, nose high and paws light as she crosses the threshold, while Kenma just stares at the door frame like he doesn't know how he got here.
This will be interesting, Tetsuro thinks as he lightly nudges Kenma to walk in.
5 Rekkagetsu, Day 6 in the North
I can't tell if my survival instincts need refining or if this guy's need to be established.
Notes:
(You know what's coming next… Avatar skit!)
(in the afterlife hangout and judge Kenma room)
Wan: Not that I'm complaining, but I didn't expect him to find anyone who is that willing to help him.
Yangchen: (smiling) She loves Kenma too much to make him suffer more, especially after that rough storm he went through.
Wan: Okay, are you doing this on purpose?!?? You can't JUST keep mentioning this ‘she’ person and brushing it off!
Kuruk: You're not winning this one, Wan. (Kuruk laughs)
Kyoshi: (deadpan)Like how your suggestion to go to your homeland isn't ‘winning’ at helping Kenma with his bending?
Kuruk: You make it really hard to want to like you. (Kuruk's eyes twitch slightly)
Kyoshi: Like you're any better.
Wan: (sighing)Both of you are children… centuries-old children.
_________________________________________________________________________
[And now, may I present that weekly ramble]
(Because our authors’ notes are NEVER complete without them)[On today's episode of songs playing on loop in Ghost's head, we have the ‘Help! I’m a Fish’ soundtrack, honestly, a true masterpiece of a movie… I mean, Alan Rickman plays the antagonist so…]
(I love how they’re all fish-based)https://youtu.be/ZbuAWSbWmi0?si=qzCYfUofD00b7Dr8 -ocean love
https://youtu.be/fw9FpzDJihY?si=YqI-1-EVHor-_lS7 -fishtastic
https://youtu.be/RqqOVo6q5J0?si=-F_GU3m4SuEqdN-Z -Help! Im a fish
Chapter 4: The Friendly Neighborhood Waterbender
Summary:
Kuroo is an overly kind menace and generous in a way that has always has Kenma halfway between punching him in the jaw and jumping out a window.
Will he survive the chaos that is Kuroo?
...
...
Probably not, but he can try!
Notes:
[Another apology note from chaos…
I'm so sorry for the delay TwT, life has been chaotic and wild for the past month, but I am back for the hols and hope to edit many chapters to avoid more delays.]
(A note from Hina: Ghost has between really tired and stressed. She deserved the break, but I digress. This is a double post, so I hope you enjoy!)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
5 Rekkagetsu, Day 6 in the North
I don't know if my survival instincts need refining or if this guy's need to be established.
—
Turns out Kuroo is just a friendly weirdo.
Kenma Kozume's POV 5 Hours After Meeting Kuroo
“I knew keeping my old stuff would come in handy one day, and my uncle said that I needed to fix my ‘hoarding’ problem.” [lol same] Kuroo laughs as he looks at him. Kenma has just stepped out of Kuroo's spare room in the new— old??— clothes he was given.
The winter suit— no, the ‘anorak’ as Kuroo informed him— is a deep blue with white fur lining that peaks out at the cuffs, bottom, and the hood, leaving Kenma feeling round and fluffy. His pants are black with delicate white embroidery on the sides that disappear where they are tucked into his new winter boots. His hair is clean now, and he has fresh bandages dressing his wounds— the one on his face being the only one visible. The look is so different from what he's used to that he stares at the mirror for a little too long.
“Soooo, how does it fit?” Kuroo walks up to him, “Uncomfortable anywhere?”
Kenma doesn't even bother with answering his question as he stares at him.
There is something fundamentally wrong with him— because there has to be! Too much is happening, and none of it makes sense.
After he entered Kuroo's home, the boy? Teen? - He's certainly not a man yet— not only offered him a warm bath, treated his wounds, gave him a warm meal, a pain-killing solution when he hissed under his breath from agitating his side, and is now giving him new clothes too.
It's beyond overwhelming, and the worst part is that Kuroo dares to be the one looking confused here.
“You saw me waterbend.”
“I definitely saw you try.”
“The firebending?”
“That was my first time seeing something like that.”
“You know I'm the Avatar.”
“That much is obvious.”
Kenma feels a migraine begin to form behind his eyes at the anomaly that is Kuroo.
He can't get a read on him.
“You have no reason to help me.” Kenma tries to explain frantically while rubbing his temples.
“Or— and flow with me here for a second… I do.” Kuroo says this like it's a groundbreaking discovery. Dramatic pause and all. He's looking at Kenma like he should be impressed— he is not. Kuroo clearly picks up on that and seemingly decides that now is a good time to explain.
“It's the fact you need it, and if I didn't help you, no one would have.” Kuroo shrugs like it's common sense, but Kenma doesn't agree with that.
“How do you not see how that makes no sense?? People don't just help others without wanting something in return?!” Kenma's whole life seemed to constantly remind him of this fact.
Before his parents died, other nobles would try to get him to be friends with their kids to get to his dad. The Firelord only took him in because he needed someone to help his son be sociable— and give Keiji a friend he could control. Then, when he was revealed to be the Avatar, they gave him gifts or fulfilled his requests because they needed a willing soldier. It's a give-and-take world. Hence, Kuroo's ‘reason’ makes no sense.
“Oh, ouch, now that hurts, my friend.” Kuroo places his hand over his heart dramatically in faux pain, “You think I brought you to my home, concealed your Fire Nation origin, fed you, patched you up, and clothed you because I expected you to give me something in return?” He laughs like Kenma just told him the joke of the century, and Kenma could not be more unamused if he tried.
“I'm sorry, I just—,” Kuroo starts cackling again before barely composing himself, “What exactly could you give me? Your dwindling rations? Your weird ass cat?”
Sumi doesn't seem to appreciate that last comment as she hisses from her spot on the fluffy rug by the now-lit fireplace and swats in his direction with narrowed eyes. Kuroo chuckles out an apology before continuing.
“Besides, I'm not the type of person to see someone struggling and just leave them…” Kuroo seems to reflect on something as he says that, there is a look in his eyes that Kenma can't place.
It's gone just as quickly as it appeared.
“And don't worry, this benefits me as much as you. If I can get you a waterbending teacher, then I won't have to worry about you drowning yourself in my fishing spot. The Avatar should at least be able to manage that much.” Instantly, any tension in the room is gone, and for once, hearing that ‘title’ being used to refer to him didn’t feel like a burden— just mere objective observation.
“Also, you never answered my question. How do the clothes fit?” Kenma absent-mindedly fiddles with the fluff of the sleeves when asked, the texture foreign but warm.
“They fit,” Kenma answers softly. They provide a comfort he didn't know he needed.
“Great!” Kuroo punctuates with a clap that feels oddly familiar (I don’t think it was clear, but I’m referencing Kuruk). “Let me show you around my humble abode.” The word “humble” is said with a flair that is unnecessary and overly dramatic for the situation.
Kenma doesn't like that tone. [this boy is so autistic it hurts]
“Why'd you say it like that?” He narrows his eyes questioningly.
“Something about you gives off ‘ex-rich kid’, so I just wanted to lower your expectations.” Kuroo's smirk widens, and Kenma begins to mildly regret any decisions that brought him here.
“Come on— uhh, Sumi, was it?” Kuroo looks down at her, and she mewls in agreement, “Okay. Sumi, let's show your grumpy little master around my house.” When he puts out his hands to pick her up, she promptly clambers up and makes herself comfortable in Kuroo's arms.
“How could you betray me like this, Sumi?” Kenma sighs dramatically.
“Sumi just knows a good idea when she hears it, and I always have great ideas.” When Kuroo says this, her tail swishes happily as she takes her rightfully earned praise, “Don't worry, I’m sure she still likes you more.” He laughs as she purrs at that.
“Just show me around your house already.”
Tetsuro Kuroo's POV An Hour Later
“Hello, Tetsuro dear, who's that boy with you?” Mum Kai greets him.
“This is my friend Kenma,” He answers casually, “He's visiting from the neighboring village, you'll probably start seeing him around more often.” He pats Kenma on the back to prompt him to greet as well, after all, it’s rude not to greet such a sweet old lady.
“Oh, um, hi.” Kenma barely waves. ‘Timid’ is an understatement. In fact, the interaction is so downright spinless that a jellyfish would be classified as a vertebrate next to him.
He definitely has social anxiety at the very least, Kuroo concludes as he watches the exchange.
“Hello deary, I'm sure Tetsuro will take good care of you, he always does.” She gives Kenma a warm smile before she turns to face him, “I'm glad I caught you when I did. My poor Nobu hasn't been doing well since the accident last night, and Miss Itsuki hasn't come back yet.” Her smile melts into deep concern, and Kuroo places a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
“I'll check on him after I escort my friend here. Don’t worry too much, Ma Kai, we don’t want a beautiful lady such as yourself forming wrinkles." He teases with a smile to calm her worries and succeeds in making her laugh.
They exchange goodbyes, and Tetsuro can feel Kenma’s stare burning holes through him.
“Miss Itsuki is our village's doctor and healer,” Tetsuro begins to explain, “She took me in at 11 and taught me everything I know with her son, ahh, that demon spawn.” He says that last part affectionately, oh how he misses being the bane of Mori’s existence— sure, they’ve only been gone for about a week, but that is too much peace for his dear Morisuke.
“Anyways, now whenever she leaves the village with her son to get supplies from the inner town, I step in for her.” He finishes his explanation, making sure to give his best ‘holier than thou’ performance, hand over his heart and all.
“I didn’t ask.” Kenma softly snarks as he rolls his eyes.
“You’re not impossible to read, Kenma,” Tetsuro snickers, “Anyways, we're here, I already talked to them, and Uncle Nekomata will be teaching you.” He gives Kenma a slight nudge to walk through the entrance.
“Wait, uncle? As in the one you mentioned earlier?” Kenma stumbles a bit as he walks in.
“What? Oh, of course not, my favourite pyro pipsqueak.” Kenma’s appalled grimace at his improvised nickname brings about a huge grin to Tetsuro's face, because maybe he doesn’t have to miss Mori too much.
“Uncle Nekomata is everyone’s uncle.” Tetsuro chuckles as he walks away, “Have fun, and don’t do anything too stupid.” He turns when he hears Kenma grumble something under his breath.
He’s almost too easy to rile up. It’s like stirring still water… if it also had some dry ice mixed in sometimes. [that makes a sort of explosion… never try that at home kids] Tetsuro huffs out a silent laugh at no one but Kenma’s expense.
***
“I said not to do anything stupid.” Tetsuro is thoroughly amused when he finds an irritated Kenma drenched like a cat that accidentally fell into an easily avoidable body of water and an exasperated Uncle Nekomata, whose expression is a hilarious mix between deeply concerned and mildly terrified.
“He’s had a… tough day. We can try again tomorrow if he’s up for it.” The elderly man gives him a small, awkward smile.
After walking away a bit, Tetsuro notices how Kenma’s eye begins to twitch and how he can just make out steam forming on his shoulders.
Well, that’s not good.
“Want to talk about what happened? I thought giving you a teacher would stop the whole—,” Tetsuro gestures at Kenma in all his steaming wet cat glory, “This.”
All Kenma gives him is a huff in reply, just like how he’d imagine a pouty dragon would— that is, if dragons can even pout. [ I can confirm, I have read many a dragon book]
When they get home, Tetsuro replaces the wet bandages and gives him a long-sleeved black shirt with a warm blue poncho before sitting down on one of his lounging chairs.
“Sooooo, do you want to talk about what happened there? Or are you going to keep up the passive-aggressive kitten act?” He hands Kenma a towel to dry his hair, which he accepts.
“Your ‘uncle’ wasn’t making any sense!” He grits out through clenched teeth as he runs the towel violently through his hair, ranting with a burst of anger that looks entirely too comical to Tetsuro, “He kept saying stuff like, ‘Feel the water’ or ‘Move like water’. What does that even mean?! That’s not how they taught us in the Fi—” Kenma freezes mid-action when he says that, looking away from Tetsuro.
“I mean, this isn’t the Fire Nation, and you are a firebender.” Tetsuro ponders that, careful to make sure Kenma doesn’t think he’s being malicious. That’s the last thing he wants.
“Oh!” Tetsuro jumps up as he gets an idea— he startles Kenma a bit with that, “I still have a few things I need to do, why not accompany me?”
Kenma’s face so clearly said, ‘Why would I do that?’, that Tetsuro almost doubled over laughing— Kenma truly is a riot.
“I mean— you only know fire,” Tetsuro starts, “I don’t know how you grew up, but here, waterbending is a part of daily life for those who have it. Maybe if you follow me around— see how waterbending is naturally, you might understand it better.” He finishes grabbing his traveling bag and water skein, with a skip in his step, and starts moving.
“Come on, Kenma, you can even bring Sumi.” Speak of the tides, and they will rise, because after saying this, Sumi seems to pop out of thin air to brush her tail against Kenma's leg. He sighs and picks her up.
“Don’t expect me to be much help,” Kenma mumbles with a happily purring Sumi in his arms.
Mission accomplished, the bribe is successful. He almost makes this too easy, Tetsuro smirks triumphantly to himself.
“Let’s go then!” Tetsuro leaves his house with Kenma in tow.
As they move through the busy village, Tetsuro makes it a point to greet everyone, which means introducing Kenma to everyone, who was clearly not excited about that. No matter how friendly everyone was, Kenma seemed to shrink into himself, barely saying more than two words or his name.
“Hii! I haven’t seen you here before. How are you liking the village?” An excited Lev tried to converse.
“It’s nice.” Kenma averted his gaze, his voice really small.
“That’s great! I like your cat, it’s cute! I just know that my sister will love her!” Lev tried to pet Sumi, but she glared and swatted at him, effectively stopping him in his tracks.
“Oh, she must not like me. Alisa is wayyy better with animals than I am!” He laughed it off as he continued to run through his words, “I hope to see you around more and, oh, I need to hurry before my sister gets mad! Bye, Kenma, and bye, Tetsuro! It was nice meeting you!” And like the rip in a tide, he disappeared with a twirl and a crash.
“Do you have to interact with everyone?” Kenma’s voice is barely above a whisper as he continues to look down at Sumi, “Even if we don’t tell them, I don’t think it’s smart…” He drifts off at the end.
Maybe it’s more than just general social anxiety, Tetsuro ponders.
Tetsuro is a bit stumped, but he doesn’t let that keep him down for long as they arrive at their destination.
“We’re here,” Tetsuro stops at a house, “This is Mum Kai’s house— the lady we met earlier— turns out Nobu’s got a pretty bad injury from an accident at his carpentry job.” Tetsuro takes out his water jug from his bag, “I needed to get my purified water to heal the wound. I’ll let you watch.” He holds up the skein for Kenma to see.
It's dark and slightly curved with ornate snowflake patterns that dance around its lower body. Attached to the top of the Skein is a leather strap that has ‘To Tetsu’ carved on it.
He doesn’t let Kenma utter so much as a peep before he knocks on the door and lets himself in. They enter and greet Mum Kai before going to see Nobu.
“Hey Nobu, this is my friend Kenma,” He starts as he arranges his things on the side table by the bed he’s sitting on, “Kenma, this is Nobuyuki Kai, Mum Kai’s son.”
They get introductions out of the way, and Tetsuro makes small talk as he offers Nobu some painkillers before removing his wrappings to prepare the site for healing.
“Oh, Kenma? He’s from the neighboring village, and he’ll be staying with me for a while.” Tetsuro gracefully begins to draw the water out of his jug using bending, a move so practiced he can practically do it in his sleep.
“Like a precious baby penguin with its doting father, I’m having him follow me around to get the hang of waterbending— hold your leg still for me, please.” He holds and shapes the water on top of the injury, then he continues talking when he’s asked a question.
“I actually sent him to Uncle Nekomata. If you can believe it, he came back drenched as a drowned cat.” He snickers at the memory as the water begins to glow a pale blue. “That reminds me, you still need to go over and help fix his table.”
Then, as if the injury was never there to begin with, it vanishes with not so much as a scar or dent to remember it by. “That should do it. Tell your dad to watch where he places his heavy tools next time… although knowing him, it would probably be safer if I just organised the workshop myself.”
“Oh, how time flies, Tetsuro!” Kuroo hears Nobuyuki’s dad laugh, “When you talk like that, you sound just like Itsuki. Able to lecture an old man like me.” He pats Tetsuro on the back.
“What can I say? As of next month, I’ll be an adult — Aunty Suki says I should start practicing how to wrangle reckless idiots.” Tetsuro reciprocates the pats with a playful punch to the older man's shoulder, laughing with Nobuyuki as he sits up.
“Thanks a lot, Suro!” Nobuyuki smiles as he tests out the movement in his leg, “And tell Uncle Nekomata that I’ll come and fix it tomorrow if you see him.” When Tetsuro agrees to find Uncle Nekomata later, he's about to leave with Kenma when Nobuyuki's dad stops them.
“Ah, wait, Tetsuro, my wife and I want to leave you with something to say thank you.” When he says this, Ma Kai leaves and comes back with a covered basket and a simple animal skin jug.
“I made steamed buns earlier today,” Ma Kai explains as she hands the basket to Kenma, “I do hope you enjoy them.”
Tetsuro internally throws his fist in the air. Ma Kai’s steam buns are the best.
“And since you'll be an adult next month, here's a small jug of glacier beer.” Nobuyuki’s dad smiles, and Tetsuro feels his blood run cold for one horrifying second before he composes himself, “It's not a lot but—”
“Ah, you don't have to give me the alcohol,” Tetsuro pretends not to see Kenma's questioning look at his strong rejection, “I'm not really a fan.” He laughs it off in hopes of making light of the situation.
After reassuring the couple by at least taking the basket of steam buns— nothing can make him turn them down, that would be like discarding high-quality sealskin— they leave to go to Tetsuro’s next errand.
“If I got an injury like that, I would need to do stitches, and even then, it would still scar.” Kenma doesn't look up at Kuroo when he says this, almost like he is pondering deeply about something.
“You know how?” Tetsuro inquires.
“Read how to from my manual… I can do the basics.” Kenma responds meekly.
“You'll have to show it to me sometime.” Tetsuro smiles and takes out a steam bun, “It would be criminal to eat all of these myself!”
***
The rest of the day continues on like this. Tetsuro helps someone in the village while Kenma watches silently, only speaking when spoken to.
Tetsuro goes on to heal two more people.
Help an elderly couple remove snow from their house using his bending.
Catch some fish for a recently widowed and grieving woman.
Inform Uncle Nekomata about Nobu, along with other errands.
He can get very busy, as is the blessing and curse of being the marvellously generous person he is.
Every once in a while, Tetsuro will look back and see a look of undivided focus on Kenma’s face. Like he was analyzing his every move and drawing his own conclusions.
Whatever helps, Tetsuro initially concludes, but when Kenma’s silence doesn’t change even when they finally get back home, he starts to worry a bit.
I know he doesn’t talk much, but is he good??
***
“I want you to teach me how to waterbend,” Kenma announces the moment he sees him as he exits his room the next morning.
Ah, so he was good, just impressively socially awkward.
6 Rekkagetsu, Day 7 In the North
Kuroo is weird, but I could benefit from the help. Since he apparently likes to give handouts.
Notes:
(Not an Avatar skit, but a skit nonetheless)
Uncle Nekomata: To bend water, you must feel the water. (Swishes water in a bowl) Now you try.
(Kenma flicks his wrists too hard and splashes water on the ground)
Kenma: Uhmm…
Uncle Nekomata: No, no, that’s too aggressive, you must move like water. Try again.
(Insert Kenma trying 10 different ways and becoming increasingly more drenched)
Kenma: (Annoyed at all the vague advice) This is stupid. You can’t just—
(Uncle Nekomata, who has never seen such a fundamentally violent and aggressive kid)
Uncle Nekomata: (Slight nervous smile) Why don't we try another time…
Chapter 5: How To Train(Tame) a Stubborn Firebender
Summary:
The title is indeed inspired by "How To Train Your Dragon" because Kuroo might as well be Hiccup doing the outstretched hand thing to Toothless when dealing with Kenma.
And can you blame him?
Kenma's basically the same thing.
Notes:
[Warning for slight self-harm in the form of hair pulling, know your triggers and take care of yourselves yall]
(Yeah, so guess who found out pulling at your hair is a form of self-harm through the shared fanfic Google document between herself and her editor... ANYWAYS, always count on Ghost to actually remember these things. Love ya <3 And I hope you enjoy the chapter.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
7 Rekkagetsu, Day 8 In the North
Asking Kuroo for help might have been a mistake.
Kenma Kozume’s POV Yesterday After Following Kuroo All Day
“Goodnight, Kenma. Shout if you need anything.” He hears Kuroo’s voice through the door of the spare bedroom.
His current accommodations.
It’s nothing extraordinary. A small room with simple wood carving accents and minimal wood furnishing: a rounded table with a stool, a chest with clothing, and the bed’s frame. There is a simple wool tapestry hanging above the bed and extra blankets for Sumi, who is curled up by his thigh.
It’s all surreal.
Just today, Kenma went from sleeping on the cold stone floor of a cave to a warm, soft bed in the house of a weirdly friendly stranger. The generosity is one of the most violent forms of whiplash he’s ever experienced.
I need Yangchen. Kenma realises that nothing is stopping him from contacting her or the other Avatars.
He lies down and slows his breathing, like he is carefully threading a needle as he focuses his energy to flow outward. Outward to that otherworldly realm. He just hopes it’s not as chaotic as it was last time. He feels his body and spirit separate slowly, like how one would slowly peel away bandages, careful and deliberate.
***
“Hello, little gale.” A soft breeze seems to accompany her voice, “How can we help?” When he opens his eyes, he is met with the only four people he can ask for help with this.
“You’ve seemed to catch yourself quite the stroke of luck, kid,” Wan speaks up, and Kenma presses his lips into a thin line as he thinks on how to go about this.
“That’s the thing,” Kenma pinches the bridge of his nose as his real-world headache seems to follow him into the spirit world. He begins to pace.
“It’s too lucky. He keeps saying that he ‘just wants to help’. No one should be that nice, especially knowing what he does about who I am.” He looks over to the Avatars to see that they all have a weird shared look as they look between themselves and Kenma.
“Kenma, do you think he’s not being genuine?” There’s a weird look on Yangchen’s face when she asks this.
“Well— no, but that’s part of the problem, I just—.” Kenma stumbles a bit before he’s interrupted.
“Don’t trust him.” Kyoshi finishes for him, albeit a lot more bluntly than Kenma was going to be.
“No— I mean, yes? I mean - Urghh.” Kenma grabs his hair as he tries to think, “I watched him all day and couldn’t find a single reason to doubt him!” He moves to rub his temples in distress as he continues to pace.
“I think you need to calm down a bit.” Kuruk places his hand on Kenma’s head to hold him in place.
“It’s just— kindness always comes at a cost.” All his memories point to that being true. The Firelord, the Generals, and the random nobles that approached him.
Everyone wanted something. Everyone except—
Keiji…
How many times had he said something, done something, and told him something that he just wanted to?
Kenma's eyes gain a watery shine at the edges.
But he's just the exception, not the rule— he isn’t even here.
“Let’s not pull at our hair,” Wan is holding his hands and gently untangles his fingers from his hair, “This might not be your physical body, but let’s not do that, okay?” Kenma didn't even realise he was pulling at his hair until Wan did this.
“Kenma,” Kuruk calls for his attention.
When did he move?
“Some people are just kind. Simple as that.” Kuruk smiles at him, “I’d have loved to meet someone like him when I was struggling, maybe my journey wouldn’t have been so hard. Yours doesn’t have to be as hard.”
“You’re allowed to accept help.” Yangchen starts softly, “How you grew up hasn’t allowed you that, but things change… it doesn’t have to always be that way.” At this point, Kenma has stopped pacing, and Wan has let go of his hands, too. Then, as if things hadn’t already been weird since arriving in the North, Kyoshi joins in again.
“Kuruk is right about some people just being kind,” A bit of her seems to waste away at the admission, but she pushes through, “When I trained my warriors, I didn’t ask them to build me that shrine, I did it because I wanted my people to be able to protect themselves even after I was gone.” Kyoshi will deny it, but a faint smile emerges as she talks about her people.
“Learning how and when to trust is an important skill for the Avatar,” Kyoshi says flatly, “If you’re going to trust anyone, it might as well be him.” She shrugs like she doesn’t care.
“I want to, but…” Kenma can’t think of a reason not to.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, kid,” Wan playfully pats his back, “Caution is good, healthy even. But you’ve watched him the whole day, and you’re really observant. Was there even a moment when his kindness felt like an act?”
“No…” Kenma isn’t usually one to fight logic in favour of feelings, but…
“It’s okay, little gale,” Yangchen says ever so reassuringly, “We’re not saying to completely trust him, just to at least accept the help.”
Kenma takes a deep breath in, “I will ask him for help… not because I trust him, but because I need it.” He glances at their faces, and they all look at him supportively, even Kyoshi in her own indifferent way.
“Okay, I will ask him to teach me how to waterbend tomorrow,” He says with a bit more confidence, “Because he seems competent and should better understand me since we’re close in age.” His determination gets him a smile from Yangchen and Kuruk.
Yeah, I’ve got this!
***
“I want you to teach me how to waterbend.” Kuroo has barely left his room when Kenma announces this in his face.
I should’ve thought this out more, Kenma silently laments.
He watches as Kuroo’s initial confusion blooms into glee. I am already starting to regret this. The smirk that surfaces on his face tells him that Kuroo will do it, but it also tells him that there is a lot of teasing coming his way.
“I'm loving the enthusiasm, but we should see how the colouring of your injuries have changed and eat first. Can't bend on an empty stomach!” Kuroo smiles as he makes his way to the kitchen, “That's what Aunt Suki always says anyways.”
“An actual aunt of yours or…?”
“Nope.” Kuroo emphasizes the ‘p’ as he takes out some pots and puts them aside for later, “Aunt Suki is the doctor that I talked about— Miss Itsuki. I call her ‘Aunty’ because she basically raised me and we’re close.”
“Calling people who aren't related to you by family titles? I don't really understand that.” Kenma admits. He is so lost.
“It might just be a culture difference,” Kuroo shrugs, “And that's okay, I mean, you call me ‘Kuroo’ even though I gave you my first name.” He walks to open a chest with medical supplies and gestures for Kenma to sit on the couch.
“I just assumed that's what you're used to, since you specified that I should call you by your first name.” He rummages through the chest for a bit before finding what he wants.
“Should I call you by your first name?” Kenma asks softly.
“Whatever makes you comfortable, dude.” Kuroo walks over to him, smiling, like he means what he said, “Okay, I want to check how your ribs and side are doing. If the colouring is still shit, I’ll heal it.” He explains as he places his water jug on the table.
“Fine, but we have to do real training, not whatever your ‘uncle’ was doing.” Kenma takes a seat and removes his top to give Kuroo access to his bruised side and ribs.
“You worry too much, Kenma,” Kuroo laughs, “I wouldn’t lie.”
***
“I thought you said we’d be doing real training. This just looks like the same dumb task that the old man did.” Kenma is standing in Kuroo’s cleared lounge area in front of a full water basin that's resting on the table.
“Well, you can’t teach a dog new tricks without knowing what tricks it already knows.”
“I am almost certain that isn’t how the saying goes.” Kenma deadpans.
“Semantics, but if you really want, you can think of it as a skill assessment test.” Kuroo gestures to the basin.
A skill assessment? At least that makes sense, Kenma agrees mentally.
Which Kuroo picks up on if his grin says anything.
“I just want you to move the water around in the basin from where you're standing.”
Kenma attempts to do that. Only for the water to violently tremble before splashing out just as violently, scaring and wetting Sumi, who was napping under the table. She jumps away from the table, hissing, and Kuroo picks her up.
“Hmmm, I think I see the problem here.” Kuroo says as he draws water out of Sumi's fur and his floor, “You're wayyy too aggressive, it’s almost off-putting.” He says it like it's obvious, and Kenma is taken aback.
“Me? Aggressive??” Kenma considers himself a lot of things, but aggressive has never been one.
“I'm not talking about your personality,” Kuroo places Sumi down, who then trots to curl up by Kenma's feet, “It's your approach to things. Water is a gentle element. You have to work with it, not force or ‘dominate’ it.” Kuroo air quotes with one hand while the other directs the collected water back into the basin.
“It would rather be guided.” When Kuroo says this, the water lazily sloshes in the basin, like it's sentient.
“And how would that work?” Kenma sighs, and he fights the urge to roll his eyes.
“Like this.” Kuroo slowly moves his hand in a circle, and the water swirls with his movement.
“Am I supposed to be amazed? I've seen you do more impressive things.” Kenma deadpans.
“You’re merely splashing in the shallow end, you living bonfire,” Kuroo lets out a light-hearted laugh, “It’s clear that you're trying to use your firebending instincts to waterbend. You don't swim in a river the same way you'd swim in a pond.”
“Do you have to be so cryptic?” Kenma raises an unamused brow.
“Yes, actually, it's something I pride myself on.” Kuroo smiles and places a hand over his heart, but after a beat, his smile softens and suddenly becomes serious.
“I mean it, when you try to bend water like that…” Kuroo looks at his hands with a gaze that Kenma can't define, “It will slip through your fingers, no matter how hard you try to hold on to it.” Kuroo seems to think about something before mentally shaking away the thought.
“Let's stop for now.” The weird look vanishes like it was never there, replaced with his signature smile. The shift gives Kenma slight whiplash.
“Wait, already? But—” They've barely worked for more than an hour, if he were still in the Fire Nation, they'd go on for at least—.
Oh, right, this isn't like training there… maybe I should just go with it. Kenma picks up Sumi, who begins to purr against his chest.
“You said Sumi likes to eat roast fish, right?” Kuroo seamlessly shifts the tension, and Kenma just nods.
“Let's go and get something fresh.” Kuroo grabs his fishing rod and bucket by his door's entrance, “It's still early, perfect time to get a good catch!” He seems to gain a new spring of energy, and all Kenma can do is just go where that spring takes him, with Sumi on his tail.
***
Kenma watches as Kuroo manipulates the water to catch some seal trout. He’s sitting on a clean log with Sumi curled up in Kuroo’s travel cloak, which was discarded along with his boots to stand in the river. There is an odd grace that is Kuroo waterbending, which Kenma wouldn’t believe would be true if he weren’t sitting here watching. Though the more he watches and thinks about it, he realizes that grace was always there.
“Come join me,” Kuroo suddenly speaks up.
“What?” Kenma ‘intelligently’ blurts out, because what in Hearth’s name does he mean, ‘come join me.’ Kuroo seems to find his reaction hilarious, but to his credit, he composes himself quickly.
“As in, come here and stand in the water with me.” Kuroo gestures to the river with outstretched arms and a grin. Kenma doesn’t like it one bit.
“Hearing an extended version of that request didn’t make it sound any more inviting or any less stupid,” Kenma stated bluntly.
“Think of it as extra training,” Kenma tries to hide it, but that did pique his interest. “Just get in the water, or are you actually secretly part cat?” Kuroo jokes, to which Kenma groans while taking off his boots and rolls up his pants.
The water wasn’t too deep as they were further up the river’s course, the water gently laps up his calves. The water is so cold it bites at Kenma’s soles and nips at his ankles. It reaches up to just below mid shin, and it takes everything in Kenma to stay put in this icy death trap. Kuroo is only a couple of steps away.
“There.” Kenma crosses his arms as he looks at Kuroo, “I’m standing in the freezing river, are you happy?”
“Can you feel how the water is moving?” Kuroo asks with a smile.
“It’s moving, and it’s cold.” Kenma deadpans, and Kuroo’s smile begins to morph into a sinister grin before he shouts.
“Catch!” Kuroo forms a small wave and hurls it at Kenma.
Kenma tries to push it away, but all it does is spread itself bigger while small puffs of fire spark in his hands. That is, before they and Kenma are doused out by said wave.
“Kuroo?!” He shrieks as Kuroo begins to cackle, “Why on Hearth’s flame would you do that?!” He fumes as he promptly storms out of the river.
“That’s what happens when you try to force water to move instead of working with it.” He snickers as he follows Kenma out of the river and apologetically draws out the water from his hair and clothes, leaving him slightly damp. He fastens his boots in record time and prompts Sumi to leave her cloak-nest.
“I’m changing.” Kenma huffs as he takes Sumi and begins to march away.
“My actual uncle taught me how to bend,” Kuroo opens up a bit, which makes Kenma slow down, “He'd play a game with me where we'd stand in a river, and he would throw waves at me until I learned to redirect them.” Kenma turns around just in time to see a sombre expression paint his face, but before he can say anything, Kuroo speaks up.
“Looks like this exercise isn’t going to work.” Kuroo laughs, but Kenma can hear how it’s slightly strained, “Let’s try something different another time.”
“Okay.” Kenma agrees softly, and he waits for Kuroo to fasten his own boots, cloak, and grab their latest catch.
“If we get moving now, we’ll be home before dark.” Kuroo playfully bumps Kenma’s shoulder before starting a stroll back.
There are a lot of things to unpack there, but one of them pulls at Kenma’s heart the most.
‘We’ll be home.’
He’s embarrassingly starstruck by the casualness Kuroo uses when he says that. So much so that he’s practically frozen in place, it takes Sumi gently pawing at his shin to kick-start his own stroll to follow Kuroo. Sensing that Kuroo turns his head.
“Come on, man, don’t tell me you forgot the way.” He teases as he stops for Kenma to catch up.
“Home…” Kenma feels out the word, a small smile surfacing.
He likes the sound of that.
7 Rekkagetsu, Day 8 In the North
Asking Kuroo for help might have been a mistake.
—
I don’t think I deserve to call this place home, but…I guess I’ll let Kuroo say it.
Notes:
(More Avatars skit because I can’t get enough of them)
[yay more skits… especially after that depressing diary entry TwT](Anywayss where dead people chill.)
Wan: *wistful* Would you look at that, he’s made a friend. (wipes away a fake tear)
Yangchen: He’s been feeling rather lonely even with Sumi. (a smile spreads on her face) I’m happy for him.
Wan: Though, call me crazy, but doesn’t that Kuroo kid remind you of someone?
Kuruk: Who?
(Wan, Kyoshi, and Yangchen all silently turn to face Kuruk.)
Kuruk: Wait, me?!
Kyoshi: (Monotone) Waterbender, shit eating smirk, always making jokes, annoyingly charismatic—
Kuruk: Wait, you think I’m charismatic? (He smiles smugly)
Kyoshi: (Under her breath) Don’t hit him. Don’t hit him. Don’t hit him—
Wan: At least she’s exercising self-restraint. (He shrugs)
Yangchen: Which will run thin if Kuruk doesn’t humble himself quickly.
Wan: …
Yangchen: …
Wan: She’s going to hit him.
Yangchen: Eventually, yes.
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