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The sweetest human being alive
Sokka sat with his arm around you, a bittersweet smile on his face as the golden sun sank below the horizon, the salty ocean air blew through your hair, longer and untamed and away from the confines of the Fire Nation Palace. You rested your head on his shoulder, listening to the waves crash against the wooden hull of the Southern Water Tribe ship you’d boarded only hours ago. You found it hard to believe that the random teenage boy that Azula had you running around the world for would have gotten you to switch sides just because he had pretty eyes and a good point…
Run. Run. Run faster! Your heart was beating out of your chest as you sprinted down the metal walkway of the drill. The Avatar had just royally fucked up Azula’s plan and you were pretty worried about the fact that you had helped him. Why? Azula was insane! You had been against the whole “we should conquer Ba Sing Se” plan since its inception but who were you to go against the Fire Lord's favorite child? You were but a daughter of a General, nothing more and nothing less. So you just kind of went along with it, much like Mai and Ty Lee, who seemed equally unsure of the success rate. The only difference between you and them was that you were already planning on getting away from her, and you saw your out. If this whole thing blew up you’d be able to convince Azula it wasn’t worth it, to just go home. In hindsight that was probably wishful thinking.
You were slinking around “looking for the Avatar” when you had actually found him. Honestly, you had been a little irked because you’d actually have to put in some sort of effort and you hadn’t been trying to do that. Fuck. He and his water bender friend, Latara? Kalara? Whatever her name was, she was helping him cut the metal support beams in hopes of shutting the drill down properly. The kid with the boomerang was there too, and you internally groaned. The last thing you wanted was to get hit with that thing. Honestly, if you weren’t so concerned about getting your face burned off by Azula you would have ignored them and continued on but you couldn’t be sure she wasn’t somewhere watching and waiting for you to intervene. Again, she was insane. You noticed they hadn’t gotten through many of said support beams. They seemed to only be trying to weaken them. Good idea, slow execution, you thought.
“Uh, you guys are gonna be doing that for a while,” you said in a tone that could only be described as amused. The trio’s eyes all grew as wide as the dinner plates back in the Palace as they heard your disembodied voice. “Kiyoshi?” The Avatar looked around in wonder and you caught a glimpse of the girl as she side eyed him. Her face screamed “are you serious right now?” You had to refrain from giggling, he seemed so innocent. Immediately the boomerang boy assumed a fighting stance, eyes searching for whoever was interrupting their scheme. Your arms were crossed as you sashayed out from the corner you had been hiding behind. You had an eyebrow raised as you looked at them.
When Sokka saw you his stomach dropped. Great! Out of the four girls that could’ve found them it had to be one of the Fire Benders. Why not the one with the throwing stars? At least she would run out of ammo at some point. He swallowed hard as his hand fell to his boomerang. Your piercing gaze fell on him, and he could suddenly see just how tired you looked. You had dark bags under your eyes, all he could see was the sadness you’d been carrying since you’d joined Azula, hell since you’d felt the burden of war. But he didn’t know that part, he just knew the look. He saw it in the eyes of prisoners on that Fire Nation ship he had helped liberate. He saw it on the refugees that were making their way to Ba Sing Se. He saw it on the countless guards, warriors, and fighters he’d encountered since he’d set out to help Aang.
The first thing you noticed about him was his eyes. They were deep blue like the ocean. You’d never seen eyes like his and you didn’t really want to look away. He just stared back at you, almost like he was just in wonder of you. You hadn’t realized your expression mirrored his. Aang’s face turned to one of confusion as he glanced at Katara as if making sure she was seeing what he was. You forced yourself to look away after a moment, clenching your jaw and looking at the younger boy who you were kind of supposed to take out. You felt a little bad. “You won’t make any meaningful progress just trying to saw through the beams like that.” He looked like a deer caught in the carriage lights, the water he’d been bending falling to a pool at his feet once you addressed him. He sputtered out a small “huh?”
“What? You’re not going to attack us or try to stop us?” Katana or something… it was on the tip of your tongue… Well whatever her name was, she was glaring at you with suspicion. You couldn’t exactly blame her, you almost burned her identity off trying to capture them last time you’d seen them. You’d be mad too. You looked her up and down as if appraising her. She swallowed, trying not to be intimidated.
“If I’m being honest, I don’t even have to try.” You shrugged, sauntering closer to them. “All I really have to do is start screaming bloody murder and the cavalry will come.” The girl didn’t like how confident you sounded. But as you strode down the walkway like an animal on the prowl she didn’t falter.
“But you’re not going to.” Boomerang Boy looked at you, hand still on his trusty weapon. It wasn’t a question and you knew it. You gave him a nod of confirmation. He didn’t relax at all. You assumed the girl was his sister, and Spirits was she annoying. She piped up again, too much attitude in her voice for your liking. “So what? You think we’re just going to give up?” Your gaze snapped to her, narrowing.
“Well, that’s a stupid question, honey.” You replied, clasping your hands together in front of you. “I don’t expect the Avatar and his friends to give up on anything.” Your eyes swept over them, a small smile growing on your face. Sokka felt a wave of panic. But before he could act on it you spoke again. “After all, you can’t give up fighting the good fight.” At that, the tone of the room changed.
“The good fight?” The Avatar frowned a little like he didn’t believe what he’d heard. “You’re on our side?” You licked your lips uncomfortably.
“No.” Your reply was quick, forced even. You swallowed, suddenly it was very hot in that metal hell hole. The kid was hanging onto your every word. When you spoke again your voice sounded strained. “I’m not on your side, per se… But I’m not some puppet either.”
“So what’s going to happen?” The older boy was now letting his hand fall away from his weapon, now sounding doubtful.
“I’m going to help you three stop this mess. Then I’m going home.” You said it with such finality that they had no choice but to believe you. And true to your word, you did help. Greatly. While the water bender and the avatar sawed at the metal, you melted it. The time it took to weaken all the metal frames was cut in half. Once enough supports had been tampered with you were ready to run off down the ramp and off into the metaphorical sunset when you heard footsteps coming from somewhere. Damn that echo chamber effect.
“Fuck,” you mumbled under your breath as your eyes scanned your surroundings.
“Hey, uh,” the older boy with those pretty blue eyes had grabbed your arm, a little awkwardly, and pulled you further down the ramp because for some reason you’d stopped. You looked up at him, brows furrowing as his gaze met yours. It sent a shiver down your spine. His voice was strained. “I think you should run. It’s gonna be pretty obvious who helped ruin this thing once they investigate.” He looked a little worried and you had no idea why. You’d only helped him and his friends, it wasn’t like you’d saved his life or something. He had every reason to throw you under the train or drill in that situation. But no, he seemed concerned.
“I’ll be long gone by the time they figure that out,” you argued, pulling away from him with a frown. Maybe he was being foolish or maybe it was because of how worn down you seemed, or even because you didn’t agree with the war, but he so badly believed you’d just follow him. Away from Azula and from the oppressive regime that you clearly had no respect for. After all you’d kind of just risked your life to help them. To him that was all the proof he needed to know that you were different. “Will you?” He challenged, eyes searching yours, hoping you’d see to reason. “If you’re not, Azula won’t let you get away with-“
“I know.” You cut him off, giving him a breathless nod. “But if she’s busy with me or looking for me, she won’t be on your asses. And you’ll have time. And that’s what you guys need most, right?”
He had to admit, you had a point. They were in desperate need of time. But in his heart, it felt wrong to throw her to the wolves. “We need allies more,” he challenged. “And trust me, you don’t want to be tracked down by them. You guys are… scary.”
“Well, what do you propose?” You put your hands on your hips. The footsteps were growing louder. You pursed your lips at him. The others were staring at you two with wide, panicked eyes. Time was kinda of the essence.
“Instead of ending the world, maybe help save it?” He looked a little hopeful, maybe you would actually consider it?
“Yes, (y/n), why don’t you use your last moments of freedom to help “save the world” with these idiots?” Azula’s voice suddenly echoed through the hall and you swallowed hard. “She’s behind me? Is she?” You blinked at him and he gave her a terrified nod. At that moment you decided that the only option you had was his. Well, you thought, it was time to save the world after all.
You took a deep breath of the salty air, your smile growing as you came back to the present moment. “What are you thinking?” Sokka had moved to look down at you, the sweetest human being he’d ever met. You looked up at him, peering into him through those blue eyes you had grown captivated by.
“Just about how I ended up here,” you said softly. “Ya know, I think it took me another few days to remember Katara’s name,” you giggled a little and shook your head, looking out at the water again. “I just… I never thought I’d be out of Azula’s clutches and away from, well, my life.” Sokka shifted you into his lap, arms now enveloping you in his warmth.
“And now?” He pressed his lips to your temple and you closed your eyes, savoring his touch.
“Now I’m content to sail off into forever with you, at least for a while. Without the burden of war and the weight of saving the world on our shoulders. I want to live, with you beside me.” You leaned against him, all he felt was this overwhelming flurry of emotion. Love, adoration, and longing. He’d always dreamt of finding his girl. Finding the girl who’d love him for him and only him.
-
You had been helping Sokka and his father in ways he wasn’t sure you would ever know. It’d been six months since you set sail with them and in that time you’d secured deals with a lumber company in Cape Binamon City, arraigned for larger cargo ships to be built, and even got a head start on infrastructural plans. You were sent by some divine being, he was sure of it. He was sitting at his table in his tent reading over said infrastructural plans when his father walked in. They were staying at Kyoshi Island on their last big stop on the way home and he’d stayed in while you’d decided to go out and look around. He’d been reading your thoughts on building up homes in place of their huts, but you’d placed emphasis on straying away from the condensed nature of their northern counterpart. He’d been smiling, only to get teased by Hakoda.
“Reading your love letters, son?” He had a smirk on his face.
“Huh? What?! No!” Sokka had wide, startled eyes as he smacked the papers onto the table. The sound echoed through the room and Hakoda keened his eyes at him, not looking convinced. “Just plans that (y/n) wrote down,” he managed to shrug.
“About?”
“How she wants us to build the south…” he let out a long sigh and passed the papers to his dad. “I mean, I think she realizes the cons of having a huge city packed inside a wall.” He shrugged a little, smiling at how totally right she was. Hakoda’s eyes scanned over the paper and his brows raised.
“She’s incredibly… considerate of how much she expects our population to grow.” He said it slowly.
Sokka cleared his throat. “Well, she believes that if we make the south somewhere that people want to live, they’ll come down from the north. I guess someone told her about Paku and she got inspired.” Hakoda could only nod, maybe she was right… He just didn’t see how someone who hadn’t even grown up in their culture would know so much.
“So where is she?”
“Huh?”
“Where’s our resident Fire Bender?” Hakoda raised a brow.
“Oh,” Sokka scratched the back of his head. “I’m not sure. She said she was gonna go explore, but I must’ve lost track of time.” He looked at his dad sheepishly but he only laughed at him.
“We’ll go find her, it’s a nice night outside. Don’t stay cooped up in here.” He stood up with a sigh, sliding the papers back to Sokka. After a hug goodbye and good nights were exchanged Hakoda took his leave and Sokka set off to find you. Luckily the island wasn’t that big and he’d found you pretty quickly. You were sitting outside at a small table laughing and talking with some girl, a cup of tea in your hand. He couldn’t help but overhear what you were laughing at.
“- and as soon as Zuko realized that I was watching he fell off the desk!”
“Oh- no you’re lying!” You put your hands over your mouth to suppress a cackle. “All in a robe?”
“Only a robe.”
Sokka couldn’t believe it. Suki was back! Again! For some reason…? He moved a little faster and swung around your chair and behind you with a smile before you could notice him. When Suki saw him her face lit up. She looked so happy to see him that he suddenly felt awkward. He had wrapped his arms around you, chin resting on your head as he looked at her. You lit up too, grabbing his arms and smiling.
“Hello, love,” you greeted warmly, squeezing his arm with your hands lovingly. “Am I running so late you had to find me?” You raised a teasing brow as you looked up at him like he was the only one there. Before he could answer you puckered your lips up and he instantly obliged, dipping his head down to give you a few quick pecks. Suki’s smile had dropped, not that you had noticed. When you two of you parted ways she cleared her throat. You both looked at her, your cheeks were red and he was biting his cheek.
“It seems I’ve missed a lot while being at the palace,” she raised a brow, trying to hide her disappointment. You had never told her that you were leaving with Sokka and his dad, and it seemed that Sokka hadn’t wanted to tell her. If she’d known, she probably wouldn’t have stayed at her home for an extra night, waiting on the ship she’d heard would be pulling in the day before she was set to go back to go back to the Fire Nation. She’d hoped that whatever she and Sokka had might have been rekindled at one point, she guessed. But clearly, that was in the past.
“Uh, yea…” you said softly. Honestly, you’d never thought about how Suki would feel about it, Sokka had said that whatever they’d had was in the past, he’d stressed that. Especially in the months leading up to your departure from the Imperial City. Perhaps the past wasn’t as long ago as he’d been telling you.
“Yea,” Sokka agreed, looking down at you. You truly were the only girl in the world that he noticed. Hell, that he bothered to give a second glance nowadays. “I really did meet the sweetest human being alive.” He looked down at you, and you just gazed back up at him with all the love in the world. Suki kinda felt like she was third-wheeling now.
—
The waves lapped against the bow of the ship, the constant white noise of your life for almost a year. You knew it wasn’t long before it’d be gone altogether. You let your chin rest against your arms as you leaned against the wooden railing, savoring the loneliness and welcoming it like an old friend you’d missed. It wasn’t often you were truly alone anymore. The ship was packed in like a tin can of sardines, everyone was in everyone’s business, and honestly, you weren’t sure if you’d make it. You wanted to jump ship sometimes, all the man drama was too much. It seemed like the longer they were in such tight quarters the rowdier and pissier they got. Sometimes when two men had a fight it reminded you of Katara and Toph.
You heard footsteps approaching but you didn’t bother to see who it was, figuring it was Sokka looking for you, wanting you to come to bed and stop risking falling into the deep blue below. Instead, you were met with silence. It took a moment to gather the courage to look up, honestly wondering if you were about to get in trouble for being out so late. The moon was shining brightly above you and when you looked over at the person who’d moved to stand next to you you found that it was the last person you’d expected to see. Hakoda was looking down at the water with an unreadable expression and you gave him a hum of acknowledgement.
For a while, the two of you stood in silence and you couldn’t help the curiosity bubbling within you that desperately wanted to know why he was out there with you. After an exceptionally rough wave, Hakoda cleared his throat, moving to look up at the moon. Its pale white light twinkled in his eyes and you wondered if Sokka would age the same. Or maybe, you hoped, he wouldn’t gain the same troubled creases that his father had, deep from years of suffering and pain that you prayed Sokka wouldn’t endure. Suddenly he seemed age, he didn’t have that air of confidence he usually had in front of his men and you frowned. “Is everything ok?” Your voice was soft as you said it, soft enough that the question would’ve been swept away in the waves if he hadn’t been paying attention.
“You’ve done so much for us, the village,” he said, still gazing at the moon. “I guess I’m just curious. When Sokka told me that you’d agreed to join us I didn’t believe him. You’re what? A Fire Nation Noble?”
You furrowed your brows, confused at the question. “My father was a general, so I suppose so.” You looked up at the moon yourself, a twinge of grief slipping into your heart. “I was more of a lap dog. Or plaything for the princess. Really I was just kept around to be her friend.”
“So why didn’t you stay at the palace? Last my son said she was locked away to get help.” It didn’t seem like he sounded suspicious, just curious and you realized you’d never really spoken to Hakoda. Well, not beyond the usual business talk. You weren’t sure how to respond at first, you’d been on go mode since you’d been offered to join them. It had been an automatic yes. You never really had thought that out. Perhaps it was time too. It was a heavy question, you found. Why had you left your only home? For a boy?
Truthfully he just wanted to know who his son had fallen in love with. The sudden urge for conversation stemmed from a talk he’d had with Sokka nights ago. He’s been asked how long he should wait before proposing to you and he didn’t even know what to tell him. He hadn’t thought about that, his son’s future in that way, in a long time. Of course, he’d always had hopes for him! But during his days as a soldier, he was more focused on surviving. The intricacies of parenting hadn’t been heavy on his mind and now they were. Part of him thought that it was quite bad that he didn’t even know you. At your silence, he worried he’d overstepped. Maybe too personal of a question.
Your answer was soft, and a little sad. “I didn’t feel at home, maybe? I mean, it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever stayed but it’s so… hollow.”
“I think there’s a saying for that,” he replied just as softly, his eyes hadn’t moved from the moon and you wondered if it was just that captivating. “It’s a house, not a home.”
“Yes,” you agreed quickly. “And I’d much rather have a home. I’d rather be loved, and respected, but for me and not what I can do for someone, you know? I guess that after all the stories Sokka told me over the past few months made me think I could find that in the south.” You let your gaze fall back to the water, watching the foam gather at the wood before being washed away into nothing. “I want to be part of a community, not just live in the same place as a bunch of people. I’ve always admired how close the smaller towns and villages are. They love each other. And I think that’s the most important thing now.” You couldn’t see it but he had a small smile on his face, a comforting feeling enveloping him. He knew he probably shouldn’t worry about his son, he’d probably found the sweetest human being alive.