Chapter Text
Their search for the Avatar continued as well as their training. In the mornings they weren’t searching temples, they both began with lessons with Quan, then they both practiced swords, after that Sokka continued with ‘consort lessons’ and Zuko trained on Firebending. In the evening after dinner, sometimes the young princes would read together. Other times particularly after another failed attempt at locating the Avatar, Sokka would have tea and play Pai Sho with Uncle while Zuko meditated.
Sword training usually gathered a crowd of whatever crew members weren’t on duty. It was by far the most exciting form of entertainment on the ship. Occasionally, when they docked at the bigger cities, Sokka would drag Zuko to the nearest theater to see a play. As much as Zuko protested, they both knew he was the one that enjoyed seeing plays the most.
When Sokka turned fifteen, Quan’s lecture on being a consort, became intimate talks about being careful, much to Sokka’s horror. However, as after horrible conversations covering the more carnal aspects of being a royal consort, their conversations turned to more political and domestic duties of a consort.
They had left the southern air temple barely a month ago. Zuko called Sokka, the Captain, Uncle, and Quan to meet with him about the Avatar.
“I must conclude that the Avatar is a waterbender. And the airbender avatar died long ago. We’ll check the prison of the southern raiders first, they say they have all the Southern waterbenders imprisoned. If the Avatar is in the Northern Tribe we will have a much harder time finding them.”
Sokka bit his lip. A prison full of his people. While true they hadn’t been his people in many years he still had a kinship with at least one prisoner. At least he hoped Katara was alive and hadn’t been killed on sight.
Quan and Iroh shot worried looks at Sokka.
He was particularly quiet that night, but Zuko didn’t seem to notice as he crawled into bed next to him. Sokka laid on his back staring at the rivets in the ceiling. Zuko snuffed out the candle next to the bed. The younger boy listened to his breathing soften.
“Zuko? Are you still awake?”
He grunted. “Unfortunately.”
Sokka found his hand in the dark. “Do you remember when your bandages first had to be removed and you didn’t want anyone but me there because you insisted it was too painful, but you didn’t really mean physically painful?”
He finally turned over and lite a small flame on the end of his finger to illuminate Sokka’s face. “I remember not wanting even you there, but you insisted why?”
“This prison we are going to tomorrow, my sister might be there. I didn’t want to say anything to anyone but I had to tell someone.”
“Gee, thanks,” Zuko said dryly.
He received a punch in the arm as a reply. “I’m serious. She’s a water-bender. Or was I… I don’t know.” He bit his lip.
Zuko put out the light and rubbed his face. Pushing himself closer to Sokka, I... I think I understand...I mean my mom.”
“Yeah… it feels exactly like that.”
“Do... do you want her to be there?”
Sokka let out a shaky breath. “I am not sure. I mean the alternative is she’s dead right?”
Zuko shrugged into the darkness. “How many scrolls have we read where generals swore that air benders were extinct, and you insisted one must have slipped through? Maybe your sister did too or she was married off like you were.”
Sokka smiled a bit. “Engaged, not married yet. And actually it was her they were after when they got me instead.”
Zuko huffed in disgust.
“Don’t sound like you missed out on fireberry-tarts!”
“It’s not that I can’t imagine growing up with another girl in the palace much less marrying one. You’re dramatic enough as is.”
Sokka laughed and rolled over to lean on his elbow above the prince. “I’m not the dramatic one you are.”
“Sokka, you are the most flamboyant person I’ve ever met. You overreact to everything.”
“I overreact? You once chewed out stage performers and corrected their lines for an hour in a town square.”
Zuko mumbled. “They were butchering it, besides-”
Sokka cut him off with a kiss, which he melted into.
Sokka was jittery as they left the walked up the island docs to the metal fortress that towered above the sea. Zuko had a stern expression in front of the guards but, whenever the older men weren’t looking he’d nudge Sokka with his shoulder or brush his hand against his. The warden led them down a long metal hall filled with hot air.
“We heat the air which pumps moisture out of the air to keep them from bending. They are immobilized when they are given liquid. We have suspended them for your safety, Prince Zuko.”
One of the guards smirked at Sokka but Zuko didn’t seem to notice. He followed behind Zuko as they entered the aired room. Cages were suspended from the floor and chains pulled tight inside. Slowly as his eyes adjusted Sokka came to realize that each cage had a person in it immobilized by the chains.
Zuko walked through the cages looking for someone old enough to be the avatar; Sokka walked through looking for someone young enough to be his sister. It was shocking to see so many of his people caged like animals. There had to be fifty or more.
Zuko stopped in front of an old woman. “Sokka, what do you think?”
He could see out of the corner of his eye the waterbenders looked up at the mention of a watertribe name. Sokka could see the looks they gave each other, some were bewildered others were ice cold.
He approached the cage of the old woman and squatted down to take a better look. “She certainly looks old enough. But if she’s been here a while she could look older than she appears. And the possibility of ‘em being in the northern tribe is real.”
“Hmm.” Zuko stared her down, before standing. “Did you find your sister?”
Sokka shook his head. “She’s not here. I hope she’s still alive.”
The old woman suddenly looked up sharply and spoke. “Traitor!”
The two boys startled. “Traitorous whore. You sold out your people and your manhood. You are not fit to wear that around your neck. Your father would gut you like a fish for letting them take you.” She spat into his face and quickly jerked her head causing the saliva to freeze and slice through Sokka’s cheek.
“Fuck!” He yelped as he fell back against the other cages. Many of the other prisoners cheered.
Zuko’s reaction was much more violent; he grabbed the chains that held her up and pumped heat into them.
With the yells of ‘whore’, ‘traitor’, and ‘kill yourself’ from his people following him, Sokka fled the room tearing his necklace from his throat. He could hear the old woman scream as Zuko continued to release his anger on the chains.
For once Sokka didn’t care that Zuko’s temper was out of control. He ran back to the ship hoping Quan would be able to stop the bleeding. He stormed past Iroh on the way up the gangplank. “Where is-Sokka are you alright?”
“I’ll be fine. Where is Quan?”
“Sokka, you’re bleeding?”
“I know that’s why I need Quan.”
Iroh nodded. “He’s in our room.”
Iroh waited for his nephew's return. Even from far off, he could tell that the boy was more upset than usual. “Prince Zuko, when Sokka came back early I was worried something had gone wrong.”
Zuko shot fire outwards. “It did. One of those stupid prisoners hurt him. They called him a traitorous whore, uncle.”
“Hmmm. and what did you do?”
Zuko’s voice cracked. “Me? I didn’t do anything to him.”
Uncle shook his head. “And what did you do to the prisoner? Your hands, they are red from too much heat.”
Zuko hung his head. “I...I burned her with her own chains.”
“Yes. I am sure that will show them, the kind of person Sokka associates with.”
Zuko snarled and stormed around his Uncle. “You punished Ba Sing Se for hurting Aunt Paili, you are in no place to judge me, old man.”
With Zuko and Sokka back aboard, the Captain set off once again. The sea spray was hitting Zuko and turning to steam as he walked to his quarters. Sokka was already inside with his cheek bandaged and reading a scroll.
Zuko awkwardly made his way over to sit next to him. He was so much more used to Sokka taking care of him from emotional abuse, he didn’t know what to do when it was the other way around. Sure, Azula said some mean things to him, but they never seemed to phase Sokka.
“I… uh…”
“Did you kill her?”
“What? No…. I just burned her a little. She’ll live but she’ll... she’ll have scars on her wrists.”
Sokka said nothing and just went back to reading his scroll. Zuko stared at his hands awkwardly and glanced at his bandages. “How’s your cheek?”
“I’ll live but I’ll have a scar. I guess in a way we match now.”
Zuko looked up. “It’s not that bad is it?”
Sokka looked at him with a weak smile. “It was a joke. Quan said it will end up being a barely visible line.”
Zuko flushed. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Sokka shuttered. “Yeah… I guess we’ve just learned hate and violence aren’t exclusive to the fire nation.”
“I’m sorry, I made you go in there.”
He turned and placed a hand over Zuko’s. “You didn’t make me. I couldn’t have lived with myself if I didn’t check for Katara in there.”
Zuko flushed and brought his hand to Sokka’s cheek. “And I couldn’t live with myself if you had to undergo what I did.”
Laughing Sokka leaned forward and kissed his scarred cheek. “You’re a romantic sap you know. I blame your love of theater.”
“You know the next place we’ll have to search is the southern water tribe?”
Sokka nodded. “The tribe is fractured into small coastal villages. It might take some time.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Maybe we’ll see. I’m not sure how it can get worse than today.”
A week later:
“The fucking universe hates me.” Sokka sighed as he stared into the cloudless sky from the ice. The ship had stopped on an icy shoreline to hunt for fresh meat and fish.
Zuko rolled his eyes. “You’re the idiot that thought that lady was a man.”
Sokka sat up. “She had a thicker mustache than Quan! And was wearing a chief necklace!”
Zuko smirked. “I thought you were supposed to be the one aware of the culture and make things less awkward for them.”
Sokka stood dusting the snow from his clothes. “There’s only so much awkward one can compensate for.”
The older boy gave Sokka a shove. Sokka shoved back. Zuko tripped Sokka so he landed face-first into the snow with a yelp.
Zuko laughed a genuine laugh, before being pelted in the face with a handful of snow.
Now Sokka laughed. Zuko tackled him backward into the snow.
Iroh and Quan were sitting at the Pao Sho table on the bow of the ship. They were sharing a warm pot of tea while they played. Iroh smiled as he looked out towards his nephew. “Humm. Zuko certainly seems to be enjoying himself.”
Quan stared at the board and mumbled into his hand. “I’m not turning around every time I do, you cheat.”
Iroh smiled. “I do not you just forget your moves. My own son-in-law accusing me of such dishonorable ways.” Quan continued to ponder his moves.
“I’ll enjoy Zuko’s laughter by myself then.”
Quan turned around. “He’s laughing.”
Iroh moved a turtle-duck tile. “He certainly seems to be enjoying himself.”
They watched as the two boys playful wrestling turned into something else. Quan smirked. “They certainly are having fun.”
Iroh sipped his tea. “I hope they just remember we can see them from here.”
Quan turned back around and raised an eyebrow at the board. “Old man, I know you moved that turtleduck.”
The older man gained innocence.
The fourth village they came to was just a little way from the edge of the ice. Zuko ordered the captain to cut a path to the village with the ship. Standing next to him, Sokka started flailing.
“Are you stupid? Don’t do that! You could de-stabilize the ice!”
“We don’t want their warriors to have time to rally to their ships.”
“Oh yes there’s what ten of them? Truly, a dangerous threat.” He responded sarcastically before yelling, “They have no warships; those are fishing canoes!”
With a glare, Zuko pursed his lips. Sokka rolled his eyes and yelled to the captain “Full stop!”
The two boys lurched forwards as the ship engines reverse. Iron groaned as the ship came to a stop.
“Sokka!” Zuko huffed. The younger boy ignored him. “We can tender to shore in one of the small boats.”
Zuko growled, “we’d look more intimidating coming in from the ship.”
He waved him off, “They are plenty intimidated, now get your butt to the launch deck.”
The scared boy grumbled the whole way down to the launch deck. He was horrible at socializing with people of any age. Usually, Zuko made situations awkward and intense. He had a tendency to come across as hotheaded and quick to anger. Sokka rarely helped matters as he was obnoxious, loud, and sarcastic. The only reason they ever got information or leads that didn’t involve something being shoved somewhere, was Iroh’s calm perfectly crafted words.
The three of them sat in the front of the boat while four crewmen rowed at the rear. Before they touched the icy coast, Zuko jumped from the bow and onto the showy bank. He paced in front of the gathered crowd inspecting them.
Sokka crossed his arms over the side of the boat and rested his head atop them. He watched the other boy pace back and forth judging them like they were all a threat.
The native boy could tell, however, any threat was out at sea. There were no warriors in the village. Mostly, there were women, young and old, and small children. There were a few men in the group, but they weren’t a threat, they were warriors. Yet still Zuko paced.
He stopped in front of an ancient man who was missing both legs. The prince stooped to inspect him further.
“Don’t even think about trying anything.” He warned him.
“Those toddlers look suspicious like they’re about to revolt.” Sokka drawled from the boat. Iroh smiled.
Zuko didn’t break his eyes off of the old man. “Shut up, Sokka.” He called out.
“Sokka?” A voice from the back of the crowd called.
People started to shuffle and let someone through. The teenager’s interest was piqued; he sat up.
The people parted as a little old woman came to the front of the crowd. “Sokka? That’s a watertribe name.”
“I was born in the watertribe,” Sokka said.
Mutters went through the villagers. The old lady moved closer. “And what were your parents’ names?”
Sokka stood. “Hakoda and Kya.”
She broke away from the other villagers. “I am Kanna, my son is-”
Sokka cut her off. “Gran-Gran!”
He jumped from the boat and ran towards her. She met him with a hug. The teenager held her tight. He’d hoped and dreamed of one day seeing all his family again he never dreamed he’d actually find any of them, beyond Fire Nation Prisons. Over her shoulder, he could see Zuko’s shocked expression. His eyes softened. He too knew what it was like to hope for your family’s return.
Sokka scanned over the crowd for his parents and his sister. Finally, when he realized he couldn’t remember their faces well enough to recognize how they would have changed, he spoke. “Gran-Gran, where is everyone else?”
He braced himself for the answer. He was face-to-face with his greatest fear.
She pulled back and took his hands in his. “We should talk inside.”
Sokka nodded solemnly knowing what that implied. He followed her towards a tent. The fire benders followed.
Kanna noticed and stopped. She turned to Iroh and Zuko. “This is a family matter.”
The foreign soldiers stopped and glanced at Sokka. He moved closer so the tribe wouldn’t hear. He wasn’t old enough when he was taken to know how the southerners felt about same-sex couples.
“Gran-Gran, Zuko is family or will be one day. We’re engaged. And Iroh is his uncle.”
Her face remained impassive. “I don’t see a betrothal necklace on either of you.”
Sokka blushed. “Well, the fire nation doesn’t really do that.” He pointed to the headpiece in his wolf-tail. “There this signifies the engagement.”
She hummed and motioned for the two fire royals to follow her. “You should still carve a necklace.”
The tent was just tall enough for Sokka to stand straight. Zuko had his head turned slightly due to his ponytail’s added height. “Sit, I have some seagrass tea I’ll put on for our guests.”
Iroh perked up. “Ah, I have longed to try the watertribe’s seagrass tea.”
Zuko just crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “Had you even heard of the tea until a moment ago?”
Iroh smiled. “It is possible to long for things one does not yet know of.”
Zuko rolled his eyes and dropped to the fur-covered floor. Iroh followed in a much slower fashion.
Gran-Gran put a clay kettle over the fire. And motioned for Sokka to take a seat. Finally, Sokka sat down next to Zuko. The prince visibly startled when Sokka put his hand in his. He gawked; he’d never seen Sokka’s confidence so shaken.
Kanna pulled a stool closure to the fire and sat down. She sighed before speaking. “After you were taken, your father was devastated. We know they were after a water bender, but for some reason, they took you instead of Katara.”
Sokka noted how weary her eyes looked. “Hakoda was devastated. You were his only son and his firstborn.”
Subconsciously he fingered at where his necklace used to be. “He needed an heir, so he started training Katara like a warrior. But the war found its way back here. Hakoda left with the rest of the warriors from most of the villages in the southern tribe four years ago.”
She shook her head. “We haven’t heard from them since, we all assumed they’d been captured.”
Sokka squeezed Zuko’s hand. “And mom and Katara? Where are they?”
Gran-Gran sighed again. “A few days ago Katara was teaching some of the younger children to fish when she found this foreign boy who was lost. They left to return him home.”
Something about what she said piqued Zuko’s interest but Iroh put a hand on his arm. The prince turned to his uncle, who slowly shook his head. He settled back into his seat.
Sokka took a shaky breath. “And mom?”
The old woman looked away.
“When?” Sokka asked with false confidence.
“The day they took you. They were looking for the last water bender, but Kya she told them it was her instead of your sister.” She looked Iroh dead in the eye. “They killed her outright. Katara witnessed the whole thing.”
Sokka started breathing fast before great tears started forming in his eyes.
Zuko didn’t know what to do. He was always the one having an emotional breakdown. He looked to his uncle. Iroh was holding the old woman’s gaze.
“There are no winners in war, only victims, too often do we lose the very things we think we are fighting to protect.”
Sokka shot for the door.
Zuko once again turned to Iroh. Iroh sighed and pointed towards the door. “Go.”
He followed Sokka, only to find the other boy on hands and knees dry heaving into the snow. Kneeling in next to him, Zuko tentatively laid a hand on his back.
“I don’t… I don’t know what to do.”
“And you think I fucking do?” Sokka spat back.
Zuko set his jaw as slowly he started to regain himself.
Sokka spat to get the taste from his mouth before moving back to sit on his feet. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “I’m sorry that was harsh, I know this is hard for you.”
“Yeah, because I’m the one whose life sucks right now.” Zuko drawled sarcastically.
Sokka let out a small laugh which dissolved into tears.
Zuko placed a hand on his shoulder. “What do you need?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know… Just… just stay with me.”
Zuko nodded and pulled Sokka’s head to his shoulder. The other villager’s scornful expressions had lost some of their sharpness. Some of them even looked sympathetic to the two boys kneeling in the snow.