Work Text:
Fire Nation
Ten days before Sozin's Comet
It was hot, not surprising since they were living in the old Fire Lord's vacation home and while it was the end of summer, it was still the Fire Nation.
Sokka sat down on the stonestairs chumming an apple as he was watching his sister and Zuko sparring, a normal routine for the two after they made peace.
He raised an eyebrow noticing quite sparks between the two, and he was not thinking about the ones that were coming from Zuko's firebending. Granted he did not really care about Katara's personal life, but considering the past between the two benders it was quite curious.
« Hey Sifu Hotman! » Aang's voice came from the house, as he ran out, a bit covered in dirt meaning that he had just finished his daily training with Toph.
Katara giggled as she heard Zuko's groan at the nickname that the young Avatar gave to him, between that, "Sparky" and "Jerkbender" it was a bit frustrating for Zuko, however she knew that he had grown fond of those inside jokes.
As she noticed that he got distracted, Katara hit with a water whip and Zuko fell flat on his face; Aang tried not to smile and gave out his hand, helping him to get up.
« Not fair ».
Katara grinned: « Oh sorry ... did not mean to hurt your feelings ». He did not reply, but a faint smile appeared on his face.
« So ... are two done? -Aang interrupted Katara's response- I think I'm a bit rusty when it comes to firebending, so maybe we can train ».
« Yes you are -Zuko crossed his arms- start with a set of hot squats ».
« Oh come on! ».
« You're the one who said wanted to train ».
Aang mumbled a bit but he did start to do what was told, as Zuko decided to take a small break while the Avatar was stretching. Suki handed him some coconut water as a refreshment.
« So -Toph was resting on the door frame of the entrance- ten days, uh? ». Eighth pairs of eyes sat on her (gratend she could not really see them), while Aang seemed to be distracted as he was finiship up his hot squats.
« What? ».
Suki raised an eyebrow and Sokka chimed in: « Can we not ... I dunno talk about it? ».
« Hey I'm only pointing out the fact Snoozle, it is not my fault that in ten days we may all die ».
« Jeez Toph thanks for the positive attitude » and the young earthbender just shrugged.
Truth to be told they all knew what was coming, it was obvious that fear was in their hearts as they did not know what the outcome would be.
Aang, as strong as he was, was still uncertain on whether he was going to kill Ozai and the Gaang knew.
As much they were aware of the fact they needed to do their best to stop the Fair Nation, or the Hundred Year War would have not ended until every person from every nation was wiped out.
At the same time, since they really had few days, they wanted to live them in the best ways, as long it was possible for them.
Preparing themselves was part of the routine as much as having a bit of fun, such as camping or when they went to see Ember Island's play--though that was terrible.
Zuko looked at Aang, who was almost done, then he turned to Sokka: « She's not wrong ».
« You too, Sparky? ».
« Look, I doubt that my father is spending these days drinking coconut water or playing around ».
« Last time I checked we are not just playing around -Sokka got up- but I'd still like to remind myself that I'm human thus I need a break ».
It was unusual for Sokka to be so open about the pressure he was under, not that his friends or sister were not aware about it but the subject was rarely brought up.
Zuko did not respond, to be fair he did not really know how to reply at the Watertribe soldier's observation. His eyes met Katara's who simply shook her head, a silent request to not add further comments.
Suki took Sokka's hand, intertwining their fingers, as she whispered something in his ear. However, much to her surprise, he broke their contact and just mumbled: « Just forget it ». Sokka did not wait for any response, as he walked into the house.
Katara gave a dirty look to Toph: « You do know you can shut up sometimes, do you? ».
« Look Sugar Queen, I'm not very thrilled about this situation, but this does not mean we cannot just ignore and ... ».
« We're not. We're trying to just live a normal life, for a bit ».
« The moment you decided to flee your tribe and follow Aang around the world, you said goodbye to normal life ».
« Hey! I did not ... ».
« Guys! -Aang interjected any possible discussion- Can we not? I need to concentrate. He was calm, but the slight quiver of his mouth twitching was enough for the two girls to shut up.
Two hours later Katara and Suki started to prepare dinner, Toph just relaxed and Sokka had returned to watch Aang and Zuko spar.
***
Campfire was lit as the sun had gone down and dinner went as usual, the six friends just chatting; by the end Zuko had made tea, as he was indeed the one who had some little knowledge.
As he sat down he looked at the liquid in his cup, thinking for a moment about his uncle, Iroh, who was still in the palaces' prison--as far he knew. The aftermath of the catacombs' events had haunted him for weeks, of course he had kept everything to himself in pure Zuko's style; however his friends, like earlier his sister when he was still at the palace, had notice that something was off.
« Zuko? -Katara's voice made him snapped- You're okay? ».
« Uhm ... yeah » he tapped the cup, nervous, a quick glance to his Earthbender friend who probably had caught his lie but Toph did not say anything.
A moment of silence fell, no one dared to say a word but to be fair none of them knew how to approach the subject (maybe Toph could have done it, but she was not known for her tact).
Aang gave a small smile: « As usual the tea is delicious, thank you Zuko ».
« You should thank my uncle, he taught me a lot. Not only about tea of course, but he definitely has passion for it. -he remembered for a moment when he was still living as "Lee" in Ba Sing Se- One time I told that tea it's just hot leaf water, he did not like that. The way he reacted I might as well have killed a puppy». He smiled, the memory embedded in his mind.
Sokka nudged him: « Once we defeat you father we must have Iroh's tea to celebrate ».
« I think ... I think he'd like that ».
« Were you and your uncle always this close? ».
Zuko nodded: « Pretty much, especially after my mother disappeared, uncle was my rock. He was a true father to me, much more to mine ».
Toph was curious now: « What do you remember about your mother? ». She felt Katara and Sokka's gaze, as they both, like Zuko lost their mother as young children, and for a moment wondered whether it was a good question or not.
« She was a good woman. My past is not very happy, but she and uncle made it bearable, and I have an amazing memory about her ». In his voice there was a hint of happiness, like he was glad he was asked about Ursa.
The Watertribe's warrior sat next to him, put his cup down: « Speaking of the past ... How come you never told us how you got that scar? ».
If the silence before was awkward, now there was quite the tension that could have been cut with a sword.
« Sokka! » Katara definitely did not approve of her brother snooping and she almost threw her tea at his face; the boy shrugged: « What? Aren't you curious? ».
Aang shook his head: « Some questions are better not to be asked in order to respect a person's feelings ».
« Hey! He is our friend, he should trust us! ».
« That's not the point, you idiot ».
As the two siblings started to bicker, Aang, Toph and Suki tried to make Sokka reason about his questionable comments.
Zuko, on the other hand, was lost in his thoughts: Sokka's words had hit him like lightning, but this time he could not redirect it.
He looked over Suki's shoulder, who sat across him, at the horizon thinking about that fatal day. He was only thirteen years old.
"You will fight for you honor"
"You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher".
« My father ».
His voice was low, perhaps a whisper, however it seemed the other five had heard him, because they suddenly shut up. All eyes were on him, and he could only hear the cackling of the fire.
« Many people believed it was a training accident, others thought I was just an idiot while I was firebing. But in reality it was my father ».
And he told them detail by details, as much he could remember.
He told them how, while he was able to participate in a war meeting, he spoke out of turn.
He revealed how his father, File Lord Ozai, saw his actions are true defiance to his power and the crown.
He talked about the Agni Kai that he was supposed to take part in, since he did dishonor his name by disrespecting his father.
He trembled as he remembered the fire that surrounded him as Lord Ozai did not hesitate to teach him a lesson.
« According to my uncle I was unconscious for a week or so ... after that Ozai told me that I could restore my honor, by capturing you » and while saying this he fixed his eyes on Aang.
Suki felt sick as she listened to Zuko's story, she looked down at her lap wondering how someone could have been so cruel.
Sokka felt guilty, and he could not look at his friend, as he knew that his curiosity brought back a painful memory.
Aang thought about his meeting with Zuko, almost a year had passed, and the revelation behind his trials was horror shock; now in his memory his first training lesson with Zuko, when he taught him to block a direct blow toward his face. Reality sinked into him.
Toph did not react, but in the back of her mind she started to think about her parents: if she was going to survive the war she promised to herself she would tell them that she loved them as much they loved her.
A single tear rolled on Katara's cheek, who was never afraid to show her emotions, and looked down at her cup of tea; she reasoned that Zuko's actions in the past were not good for sure, but there was definitely more to the surface. In the past she did learn that not everyone was completely good or evil.
Zuko felt weird.
The pain of his father' punishment was always unbearable and he could not deny that, but when he was talking to his new group of friends about the story of scar a feeling of peace started to creep in his soul.
He noticed how they were not looking at him or in their eyes there was a sadness he had never seen.
He finished his tea quickly, almost burning his tongue (which was quite the irony) then he got up: « I ... I need to stay alone for a bit ».
Zuko walked on the beach, thinking about how everything just happened so quickly, perhaps too quickly.
He'd never liked to talk about his scat, not surprising, ever with his uncle in the aftermath of his Agni Kai with his father, he'd avoided the subject.
He questioned himself whether it was a good idea or not, the last time he wanted was for his friends to pity him. He had enough of that when he was back in his ship, a year before, while he was searching for the Avatar.
« Zuko ... ».
He heard a voice whisper his name, but he could recognize her amongst many. He glanced over his shoulder, as he saw Katara standing there.
« I know you said you wanted to be alone but ... I was worried ».
« It's okay ... I do appreciate that you're checking out on me » he admitted.
One thing about Katara that she always knew what to say, at any given time, she knew how to talk to people and let them feel safe. This was a rare situation where she could not speak: she'd left the campfire only a few seconds after Zuko, but she was not able to approach him right after. She'd cry for a brief and she'd encouraged herself to talk to him
« My brother is an idiot » she simply said and Zuko chuckled: « No, he was curious. I guess it's normal, in the past weeks we all started to know each other ».
« Yes, but like Aang said some questions are better to be kept a secret ».
Zuko turned around, finally looking at her: « Truth be told, my feelings are not hurt. I thought it may have happened, but it did not. In a way I feel relaxed, also free ... ».
« But? ». She knew there was "but" there, somewhere.
He bit his lip, not knowing if it was a good idea, but her eyes were fixed on him as she was waiting: « I ... prefer if you do not pity me. I know it's natural, I guess, but the last thing I want it's for you to change your perspective about me. All of you ».
« We ... do not pity Zuko, and how we think about you has not changed ». He did not respond, maybe non fully convinced but he decided to drop it.
Katara got closer to him, enough to hear his breath: « You, my offer still stands ».
« What? ».
« To heal your scar ».
Zuko looked at his reflection in the water, thinking about it for a second, then he shook his head: « No ... I appreciate it, but I want to keep it. This scar brings pain for sure, but it gave me a purpose. I want to remember my Agni Kai with my father, as the moment I become well me, even if it took me three years to realize it ».
A faint smile appeared on Katara's face as she thought how Zuko had truly changed, and this time she knew it was real.
« Zuko! »,
Her brother's voice came across the two and as they turned they saw their friends coming toward them. Sokka seemed to have run as he was out of breath: « Look ... I wanna apologize ».
Zulo shook his head: « There is no need, I'm not upset ».
« Really? ».
« Yes. In a way I'm glad we had this talk, it made me feel closer and a bit like one of you ».
It was Aang that talked now: « Zuko, you're are one us, fully ».
« Well ... ».
« And -it was Toph- you don't need to do anything to prove it. You're just it, simple ».
Zuko smiled, a rare one but beautiful. « Thank you ... ».
« So ... you're not mad? » Sokka seemed to be a bit worried but the young Firebender shook his head: « Well then ... group hug! ».
« What?! ».
His night ended on the beach, being suffocated by his friends and their hugs, and Zuko never felt loved before that moment.