Chapter Text
"He's brooding again," Katara announced, storming into their room, slamming the door behind her, sending Aang jumping out of his skin. "Some- THING." She flailed her arms. "Didn't work. Now it's everybody else's fault."
After the Tagah event, Sokka returned to the Southern tribe, only to be sent back a few weeks later. Now he sat reluctantly in his own room, in the newly built air temple, brooding. Hakoda and Katara had been in constant communication about his moodiness. Random outbursts of frustration followed by distant grumpiness. They thought maybe he was just missing his friends, needed a break from tribe duties and so on.
The first few weeks after he arrived in Republic City, he seemed happy, excitedly picking through all the new markets, trying all the foods, but ever so often, Aang found him watching the sky, forlorn and too silent. And soon after, Sokka wasn't quite Sokka anymore.
Katara dropped onto their bed with her arms crossed. "I just don't know what to do anymore."
Aang moved from his meditation spot just out of the balcony, through the large, airy door to her side. "Maybe we should talk about it tonight… Toph will be there…" Not that he enjoyed the idea, but she would know if Sokka was lying, which Aang was certain of, but wasn't so good at confronting these things like the earth-bender.
"You want to interrogate him?" She snapped.
"Or get him drunk." Aang placed his hands up in defence. " You know how she can get, and she's great at getting people to loosen up, something Sokka definitely needs."
She went quiet again, her beautiful eyes still narrowed, full of frustration. "He mumbled something about 'not feeling worthy'. But I don't think I was meant to hear it."
Not worthy- it wasn't the first time they dealt with this; he being the only non-bender caused issues before, but they thought- or at least it seemed like that was in the past. But then again, this only started since the spirit event, so maybe that could have rekindled that feeling?
Aang tossed his arms back, lying down. If only Sokka would just tell them.
"Could it be chief- to-be pressure?" He asked.
Katara shrugged. "He was perfectly excited before-"
"Yeah," Aang sighed. "It's not long until sundown. Why don't we go on a walk, then meet up with Toph at the airship pier?"
Just a touch of gold light lingered in the sky as they entered the restaurant. A place they came to favour for its menu, having pieces of each of their cultures- even a few inspired by his own lost culture.
Aang had an arm around Katara's waist as they went to their reserved table. They bickered a few times before they got to the pier, leaving a tense, silent atmosphere between them as they walked. At least she wasn't being too distant, too. And Toph, of course, sensed it, following, arms crossed back, behind her head. Silent, but her demeanour was as rigid as ever.
They all plopped down in chairs. Their waiter smiled, filling their cups with water.
"We are waiting for one more," Katara announced before the lady had a chance to ask for their orders.
"Of course, can I get you anything else while you wait?"
Katara spoke sweetly, "No-"
"Sake!" Toph ordered.
Katara grumbled, but kept her complaint to herself.
"Soo… What's the problem now? Twinkle-toes boring you already?" Toph smirked. "And where's Sokka? I thought he was meant to be here… O? Let me guess, they are fighting- again."
Toph made a disgusted noise, leaning back in her chair, tossing her dusty feet on the table's edge. The shudder that went through Katara could only mean one thing: she was going to lose it.
Aang quickly sent a vault of air, pushing the feet from the table. "Sokka is… on his way." He took Katara's hand, placing a small kiss on her knuckles, a little distraction that usually worked.
She humffed, pulling her hand away with a soft blush. "He is still being difficult."
"So you brought good old Toph to beat it out of him?" She sounded too thrilled, smashing a fist to her palm. "Don't worry, I got this…speaking of the source of problems."
No more than a few seconds passed before Sokka entered the building. He walked as if he was being dragged, hands in his pockets, shoulders slouched, and his eyes glaring at the ground. Oddly, the only thing put together was the one thing that was usually a mess, his clothing. He wore a dark blue long tunic with a darker vest, loose-fitting pants tucked into tight, tall boots. Not a single wrinkle from leaving his clothing in its usual pile, Aang would hear Katara complain about, nor stains from the many endless experiments. What stood out even more was the lack of a belt full of his most recent gadgets; in its place was a simple stash.
Simple and clean.
"Hey," he mumbled, pulling out a seat.
"Jeez, he is fucked." Toph grumbled.
Sokka rolled his eyes. "Nice to see you too, unless you're working for them."
"I work for no one but myself, thank you very much. And I need a drinking buddy." Toph tossed her arms around him, forcing him into a hug.
As if on cue, the waiter returned with the sake. "Now, what can I take your orders?"
"Sea prune stew for me. And he'll have tofu curry- Sokka?" Katara ordered.
"Spicy noodles." With about the level of passion a dying man would have.
Toph added, "Roast duck and dumplings" She proceeded to fill Sokka's cup, then her own. "Let's have some fun!"
Sokka slammed the cups back just as quickly as the earth-bender. They- well, mostly Toph were singing before the food had a chance to arrive, and Sokka had his head down, moping. Katara, caring as always, ended up taking the bottle, hiding it under the table. Something Toph didn't take kindly to, raising her hand to get the waiter's attention for another.
"How are your students doing?" Aang asked her.
She shrugged, taking another drink. "We aren't here for me!" Toph elbowed Sokka.
"Traitor," Sokka whined. "Why is it that I have a small, insignificant, pointless, unfixable issue, we have to get MOSTLY everyone together?"
"Your food." The waiter placed the bowl of noodles just in front of him, along with everyone else's food. "Will that be all?"
"Yep." Toph dismissed her. "It is a pity the Fire-Lord couldn't honour us with his presence."
"Zuko has a whole nation to run." Katara took a small bite of food before continuing. "Besides, what is he going to do here anyway- more council meetings? Listen to Sokka's rambling about gadgets? Or the tantrums when they don't work out."
"I wouldn't…" Sokka trailed off, stabbing the bowl of noodles with his chopsticks.
At the same time, Toph narrowed her eyes, tilting her head slightly in Sokka's direction.
"Then again." Katara started again, "Maybe we should send you off to him. You both can brood together."
Sokka yanked his bowl closer, stuffing his mouth full of noodles.
"Along with Mai, we might as well call it the broody nation."
The non-bender glared at her, but didn't speak a word. That same distant, sad gleam in his eyes washed to rage. Silent anger on the world's most ecstatic chatter… "Maybe that's enough." Aang nudged her.
She huffed, her eyes snapped to Sokka, then to Aang. A little crease formed between her brows. "I was just teasing…"
"Yeah, whatever." He muttered something under his breath, then stood. "Enjoy your evening." Sokka dropped some coins to cover his portion of the bill, then turned on his heels and promptly left.
"Great!" Katara hissed. "It doesn't matter what we do- he doesn't even argue back anymore. It's just nothing."
Aang rubbed her back. "We'll figure it out."
"Send him to Zuko." Toph slurred, sipping her drink with a too-satisfied smirk. "I'm sure he'll help him out just fine."
They both stopped and glared at the earth-bender.
"Don't get all quiet on me now. If you were using your feet, this wouldn't be such a damn mystery to you. Every time we mentioned Lord Sparky, his heart started beating like crazy." She giggled.
"So all of this is just Sokka missing Zuko? I didn't know they had gotten so close."
Toph's brows almost touched her hairline; her eyes went to the side, nearly rolling them. A face usually followed by a sassy remark, but her lips remained in a thin line. The earth-bender switched her attention to the food in front of her, leaving Aang and Katara to their thoughts.
When did they get close? Zuko had been making many efforts to assist the Southern tribe rebuild. So that was the most reasonable time period. But why not just say that, why cover it up and pretend otherwise? Missing a friend is perfectly normal, but this felt more like when Suki dumped him… Aang could feel his heart leap out of his chest.
Toph laughed.
"I guess I'll send a letter to Zuko? Or maybe we shouldn't get involved?" Aang asked.
"Involved with what?"
"Just send him packing, twinkle toes, speed this along to whatever conclusion."
"But they are both in important positions, if it goes poorly…" Aang dragged his hands down his face. They were both his friends, and Zuko was excellent at dealing with uncomfortable situations. But if it went poorly. Would the Fire Lord forgive them now that they know, and they would be intentionally sending Sokka there? "There's just so much that could go wrong."
"It explains why he got so upset when Zuko complimented Tagah."
"Noo- you think? But Sokka doesn't- " Katara rambled, her face flushed. "I didn't know he- ugh, I'm such an idiot. Suki told me she thought Sokka liked someone else. But I never found the someone, and she was oddly calm about it."
"But Suki dumped him well before that last venture… and Zuko was around more often back then." Aang felt a pinch of guilt for being so ignorant of his friends' suffering. "How were we all so blind to this?"
"You two were, not me. I expected something for a while, and that little trip together confirmed it."
"So why didn't you say something until now?" Katara snapped back, that motherly instinct flaring up.
"Sokka is a big boy now, Katara. He had every opportunity to figure this out on his own- BUT it's getting annoying, so we might as well help him along."
Aang asked softly, "Do you think it could work out?"
"Not a chance. Zuko will probably throw a fireball in his face. As you pointed out, Zuko is an important figure- the Fire Lord. He needs to marry a proper noble family and have heirs."
"Excuse you! Sokka comes from a great family… heirs, on the other hand…" Katara went to the deepest shades of red. "Well, that would be a problem."
"A problem I'm sure Sokka thought about," Aang said plainly. He was too smart not to come to that conclusion. Even if Zuko liked him, duty would force them apart. "I don't think we should get involved."
"It would be kinder to let him break Sokka's heart now than let your brother suffer over the what-ifs for who knows how long," Toph spoke only to Katara. "Zuko seemed to be more reasonable, calm-headed than ever, so Sokka will probably just get let down lightly singed."
Katara poured herself a drink, sipping the clear liquid with all the grace of a moon goddess. Her lethal blue eyes burned holes into the unknowing Toph. That was the end of all talks; they ate in awkward silence. And Aang took his time, knowing the argument brewing to be released behind closed doors.
Once back at the air temple, the door to Sokka's room was firmly shut. Aang reached out to that earthen ability, opening his senses. Sokka sat at his desk doing what he could tell, but his knee was bouncing anxiously.
"You go up, I'm going to go check on him," she said too sweetly.
Aang embraced her. "Alright, just maybe don't say what we expect just yet. If he isn't ready to open up to us, then we shouldn't push him."
Katara caressed his cheek. "I know. Always the peacemaker."
3 days later
Aang sat meditating on the balcony. All Sokka-related talk had died down, but he had grown more distant. He went out of his way so far to avoid Toph that he actually asked Aang to cover for him if she came around.
Luckily, the earth-bender seemed more amused, showing her superior bending in the main city's courtyard, right outside of the council buildings, to much of their dread.
Soft beats of feathered wings graced the air, touching down on the balcony's railing. A large bird with a scroll tied to its leg. A messenger hawk? They didn't usually land here directly; they landed at the mail centre in town.
Aang lifted off the ground with a push of wind onto the balls of his feet. He pet the bird gently on the head, then went to the scroll wrapped in a red ribbon. A pit grew in his stomach as the contents of this letter became less of a mystery.
With a sigh, Aang unrolled the parchment: Perhaps Sokka could do with a change of tasks. Instead of inventing, he merely repairs mechanisms he's already confident in. I have a few airships here that could use some of his expertise, and there's always plenty of room in the royal palace for my friends.
If he didn't know better, Aang would believe Zuko was involved in this little scheme cause no one else could fix the ships besides Sokka- right?
"Don't read that," Katara shouted, snatching the scroll.
"I see you listened," he sighed again, not shocked at all. "So? What did you tell him?"
The letter Zuko received two days prior came as a bit of a shock, as Katara looked to him for help with Sokka. Things must be bad. So, of course, he offered his assistant. He absolutely wasn't going to abandon a friend in need… and maybe he missed the hyperactive man, just a bit.
Even more so when he was remembering the dance they shared just a few weeks back. Or the unintentional closeness when they were drinking together. How casual Sokka would lean against him, braiding strands of his hair.
He missed him, yearned to spend more simple moments together.
And it didn't take much to have a room prepared for him- even some clothing. The weather here was warmer than in Republic City, and they were in their hotter months.
With some luck, Sokka would be here by the end of the week, maybe sooner if Katara drags him here on Appa. For now, he was expected in the throne room.
Meetings and grievances.
Zuko groaned, rolling over in his bed, willing himself up. What he would give to have a moment of true personal time. Just another reason he was so eager to extend his help, to have a friend around again. Sokka never cared for his title, simply treated him like a person to the point it would be considered disrespectful.
Heat rushed to his cheeks along with his hands. Did he really want to be-no. He just missed the simpler life and the relaxed nature of his good friend. Relaxed is being used loosely.
A soft knock came from his door as it always did at the same time, every day.
"Come in."
The same servant came every day with a tray of food and was ready to take care of any of his needs. She was a kind, gentle-voiced lady named Yaru. She always had her long, dark brown hair up in a tight bun. He had no complaints outside the fact that having a slew of servants waiting around any and every corner for him was still unnerving.
She bowed as she spoke, "May I draw you a bath, or help you with your hair?"
"No, thank you."
Zuko waited for her to place the tray down on the vanity, bow and leave before he stood from his bed. It was a bit odd for the servants at first, who were in the habit of preparing and assisting the previous Fire Lord in everything. Now they always offered respectfully, but happily left. He preferred it this way, getting to spend his mornings and evenings in solitude. Well, perhaps his evenings now can be occupied by a certain tinkering enthusiast.
The smallest of urges tugged at the edges of his lips.
Zuko took the two steps down from where his bed was, sitting in front of his vanity. It was beautifully carved out of dark reddened wood; golden flames licked up the stand's legs and encased the mirror. The entirety of his room fit the standard red and golden theme, all but the bone comb with blue stone carved with the Southern Tribe's insignia embedded into the handle. A gift from the Tribe's head matron- Sokka's gran gran.
After their rocky history and complete distrust when the Fire Nation appeared in their waters again, this time offering help. They slowly came around to getting along. And it didn't hurt that Sokka was there every step of the way, being the bridge between him and his remaining family. The memento quickly became one of his most treasured items.
Zuko picked the comb, caressing its smooth surface before starting on the ritual that was his hair. Another knock came at his door; the monotone voice of the Chamberlain came from the other side, announcing himself before entering.
"Forgive me, I know you don't like being disturbed in the morning, but another letter came from the Water Tribe girl."
"Katara," he corrected.
"Right, my apologies."
The Chamberlain placed the letter down, bowed and dismissed himself. After what happened with Aang's last letter, there was no chance he'd have any of his council members or servants read the contents of his letters from the 'group'.
Zuko unrolled the scroll: Thank you, Zuko. I'll have him on the first airship there.
How was he to resist the quickening beat of his heart at the mere thought of his friend?
Sokka sat at his too-small desk in the corner of his too-small room, fiddling with gears for this thing that couldn't be bothered to name. Hell, he didn't even remember what it was meant to do anymore. Only that the gears didn't line up. He snapped a larger gear into place, turning it with the edge of his thumb. The interlocking edge jammed into the smaller side gear, locking everything into place and exactly what he didn't want from something that should be running smoothly.
He popped the gear out, tossing it into the room's corner. It bounced off the wall, colliding with the growing pile on the floor. This was all so pointless! It didn't matter what he did, made or became; it would never be enough. He would never bother with someone like him.
"Sokka!" Katara called, throwing the door open.
She had finally left him alone for the most part, the last few days. There was the occasional odd glance here or there, whispering when he was just out of earshot. But he couldn't be bothered to find out why. He just needed to work until he stopped feeling what he felt, push all those memories away. And he thought he did; then unexpectedly, he had to say that one line. Now Sokka couldn't stop wondering if he had been wrong and maybe they could… could what?
"Sokka?" Katara waved her hand in front of his face this time. "Fire-Lord Zuko is requesting your help with some... um… ship trouble. He didn't give the specifics."
"What…?" His eyes went wide. Did some spirit out there want to save himself from his lonely fate, or was this a too-good-to-be-true situation? It had to be; luck wasn't something he had when it came to relationships. But he couldn't pass up this opportunity to find out. "Uh… I'll leave right away."
The chair screeched against the floor as he slid it back. He walked across the room to his bed against the wall, and on a hook was a large empty bag.
"Well…" Her tone sounded too satisfied for Sokka not to turn around. Katara wore a large smirk, then giggled, "I see you're burning with the desire to help."
Sokka's face dropped. "Ha-ha how amusing." His voice dripped with sarcasm. But his hands quickly returned to the task of stuffing his clothing into that bag, along with any other essentials. He wouldn't need much; he yanked the drawstrings shut and hurried to leave.
Katara waited by the door, then followed him. "I'll fly with you to the pier."
"It must be quite the problem for him to ask for my help," he probed for any information.
His sister shrugged. "As I said, he didn't explain anything in detail. But it was a small scroll." They made it to the large plaza where Appa would eat. Katara smugly added, "I'm sure he'll tell you all of his problems once you're there."
"Why do I feel like I'm walking into a trap or something?" Sokka waved at the great flying beast, signalling for him to land. He turned to face his sister, her cheeks tinted red as she watched Appa. "I'm starting to feel like you and Father don't want me around anymore."
"Noo, it's nothing like that. Zuko just asked for some help, you specifically. So maybe he missed you."
His body leapt at that, taking the smallest of crumbs, turning his heart and face into a roaring engine. "Ah… um… I doubt that." Sokka pivoted, putting his back to Katara.
Sokka patted Appa's side before climbing up.
She hummed amusedly, joining him on the great bison. They flew mostly in silence to the towering pier on the edge of the city. Appa landed just in front of an airship docked.
"Grabbed that pack before you get out." Katara pointed to a blue satchel sitting at the back of Appa's saddle.
Sokka grabbed it and jumped out, handing it over to his sister. She pushed his hand back. "No, it's for you. I would be with you, so I prepared some basic medical supplies for your trip."
"I'll just be in the Fire Nation working; it's not like I'm off on an adventure."
"You will take it. There are bandages and salves for burns or cuts. I know how careless you get when you're tinkering."
It was hard not to roll his eyes at that, but Katara was ultimately right in the end. "Thanks, Sis. I'll send you a letter when I arrive." He pulled her into a hug.
She squeezed him a bit tighter. "Just make sure you come back safely. No matter what."
"Of course." Sokka pulled away, taking one more look at his sister. A shred of worry showed in her eyes; he couldn't blame her. It was always hard going separate ways after everything, but this time it felt heavier. "I'll be back before you know it."
"Go now; they are only waiting for you." Katara nudged him along, waving as he got on board.
The great ship undocked from the pier, moving forward while slowly turning towards the Fire Nation. Sokka could still see his sister standing, but Appa, as a certain bald-headed man, flew down and joined her. He could barely make out her arms crossing as she walked away from Aang.
It was a bit odd; neither Aang nor Toph said goodbye. And he didn't even stop to think about it until now. But as the ship went full speed ahead, his eyes ripped from that pier, and his aching heart felt lighter.
They will see each other soon.