Work Text:
181AG
“Daddy?” Jingyi calls as she enters the study.
“Yes Yiyi?” Hakoda smiles at his daughter.
“Who is this? I don’t know him and who is the baby?” Jingyi hands him a photograph taken on the day his parents got married.
“This is your great great grandfather Hakoda and that baby is me,” Hakoda shares with his daughter.
“That’s where you got your name?” she checks.
“It is. Your Grandpa Tenzin had a special relationship with his Grandpa Hakoda,” Hakoda provides the simplified version.
“Did you spend a lot of time with him?” Jingyi wonders.
“Most of it was before I can remember but your grandparents made sure to write it down for me and of course get pictures like this. There’s actually a section for him in my copy of our family book. Every picture has some summary of what happened from his perspective,” Hakoda shares before taking it from the shelf, “let's take a look.”
“This one is from the day I was born”
156AG
“Hakoda huh?” Chief Hakoda checks with his grandson.
“It just felt right,” Tenzin offers a small smile.
“Wow,” Chief Hakoda looks at his great grandson in awe.
“Would you like to hold him a little?” Lin offers.
“It would be an honour Linny,” Chief Hakoda nods.
“Grandpa this is Hakoda Beifong, Hakoda, this is grandpa Hakoda, my hero,” Tenzin officially introduces the two as he carefully hands the baby to the Chief before taking his seat beside Lin on the bed. Chief Hakoda stares at the baby in awe. He doesn’t know how long passes until his grandson addresses him but the time barely feels long enough in his great grandson’s presence.
“Grandpa, wait right there!” Tenzin jumps up from his place beside Lin and runs into the hall.
“He’s really excited chief,” Lin smiles at Chief Hakoda.
“For what?” Chief Hakoda looks at her in confusion.
“To add you to Hakoda’s family book,” Tenzin answers as he enters with a camera.
…
“This one is the day grandpa Tenzin and gran gran Lin got married”
157AG
"Hi dad, everyone is still running around with the last minute preparations. Do you mind holding Koda?" Katara asks.
"Of course, where is my seat?" Chief Hakoda checks.
"Right there," Katara points.
"Come on Koda, great grandpa is going to tell you a story about your father," Chief Hakoda carries the toddler to the seat.
Flashback to 153AG
"Grandpa!" Tenzin enters Hakoda's igloo.
"Tenzin, I wasn't expecting you so soon," Hakoda reaches for his cane to walk over but Tenzin stops him.
"I will come to you," Tenzin walks to the couch and kneels in front of his grandfather for a hug. His grandfather was nursing an injury or the other which resulted in him using a cane for a few weeks.
"It's good to see you," Hakoda smiles at his youngest grandchild.
"It's good to see you too grandfather," Tenzin tries to stop fidgeting.
"Cold finally getting to you?" Hakoda notices his unease.
"I'm here early because I want you to teach me how to make a betrothal necklace," Tenzin admits.
"That's a serious step," Hakoda watches his grandson.
"I'm serious about Lin," Tenzin insists.
"Marriage isn't all sunshine and roses," Hakoda reminds him, "both your legacies will weigh heavily on your relationship especially when you have children. I saw the pressure your parents faced and that takes a different level of commitment."
"It can make or break us," Tenzin agrees , "but I'm willing to put in the work to be with Lin and I know she feels the same."
"And if you don't have airbenders?" Hakoda asks the question Tenzin had to tackle before making this decision.
"If it's meant to be it will happen," Tenzin remembers his father's words before adding his own, "if it doesn't it won't change how much I will love her or our children."
"And you've considered her job?" Hakoda thinks he knows the answer but wants to be sure.
"It's a part of who she is," Tenzin nods.
"And why a betrothal necklace instead of maybe a ring for a metalbender?" Hakoda wonders
"It's a part of who I am. I couldn't think of a better way to propose us becoming one than giving her something that represents a piece of me," Tenzin explains.
"Fair enough, we can start in the morning. We have to look for a stone first," Hakoda decides.
"Can this work?" Tenzin pulls out a small block of obsidian.
"A man on a mission," Hakoda nods with a smile.
"She is supposed to come with mom and dad in two weeks. I want to ask her then," Tenzin shares
"That's fast," Hakoda looks at his grandson for any doubts.
"I just know grandfather. Lin is the one," Tenzin smiles.
"I had a very similar conversation with my father before asking Kya to marry me," Hakoda smiles at the memory.
End Flashback
“I have always been proud of how your father and his siblings embraced our traditions,” Chief Hakoda smiles at baby Koda, “one day I hope you'll consider making a betrothal necklace for the wonderful person who you will fall in love with."
“Grandpa, Koda, smile!” Bumi takes a picture of the two.
…
“My first trip to the South Pole”
158AG
"Well guys, I have to go. My great grandson is supposed to be here shortly," Hakoda informs them.
"The one allegedly named Hakoda?" one of them wonders.
"The one and only," Hakoda continues packing up his gear.
"Still can't believe they named the kid after you off all people," Bato rolls his eyes.
“It was a surprise to me too,” Hakoda admits, “but definitely an honour.”
“There’s no way they would name the boy Hakoda,” someone insists.
“You can ask them yourself,” Hakoda gestures to Tenzin and his family as they approach the group.
"Hakoda!" Lin calls after the toddler who runs towards his great grandfather, unaware of the possibility of slipping on the ice.
"Got him," Tenzin runs to catch the toddler before he slips.
"He's growing up so fast," Hakoda grins.
"Tell me about it," Tenzin nods.
"It’s good to see you two,” Hakoda pulls his grandson and great grandson in for a hug, “and of course my lovely granddaughter.”
Hakoda II reaches up to Hakoda and the chief obliges him.
“So who is this chief?” one of the women walking by stops to look at the toddler and asks the question the men in Hakoda’s hunting group want to ask as well.
“I am pleased to introduce you to my great grandson Hakoda Beifong,” Hakoda holds up young Koda for the group to see.
“Koda!” Hakoda II cheers.
“So he wasn’t joking?” one of the warriors asks Malina.
“No he wasn’t,” Malina chuckles as she watches Hakoda play with Koda.
“Figured if they were naming the kid after someone, the avatar or even Sokka would have beat him out,” the man considers.
“They have a special bond,” she shrugs as they watch Tenzin and Lin join the two.
“Grandfather, we wanted to borrow the sled to take Koda down the hills a little later,” Tenzin requests before adding, “before the evening activities start of course. We want Koda to experience the Southern Lights too.”
“Of course,” Hakoda nods.
“But first I need a picture of the two of you for his first South Pole trip/ Southern Lights trip,” Tenzin adds.
“Already ahead of you Tenny,” Kya holds up the camera.
…
Present
“Will you tell me more stories another time?” Jingyi asks.
“Of course,” Hakoda smiles, “it's always an honour to share stories about my namesake.”
“And take us to the Southern Lights?” Jingyi checks.
“We’ll see what can happen for next year’s festival,” Hakoda promises.