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Sokka vividly remembers his first heat, the week of his fifteenth birthday. It was cold, lonely, and confusing with memories of vomit-inducing cramps and his skin itching from touch starvation. He was the first omega of his tribe since the attack from the fire nation. He could feel the heavy weight of disappointment in the air. He was the chief’s son, training to be the next head of the tribe. But that was an Alpha’s role, not an Omega’s. How would his father react when he returned from the war?
The people of his tribe weren’t focused on the ordeal he was going through. He was offered a tent at the edge of camp so his scent wouldn’t be too strong. All he wanted was to build a nest and cuddle with his family. Well, what was left of it. He highly doubted that Katara wanted to spend a week trapped with her brother who would do nothing but sleep, cuddle, and throw up.
After that first heat, he worked on suppressing his Omegan instincts and purchased herbs that blocked his scent and suppressed his heats from a nearby market only an island away. The old woman who sold them to him warily eyed him with a deep sadness in her gaze. “These are too strong, pup. You shouldn’t be taking herbs this potent for another five years. They could damage your health long term.”
Sokka had refused to hear a word. His second gender was his last priority. She accepted his gold coin with a heavy hand and shook her head slowly. “You must have your heat once a year,” she cautioned.
He left her with half-hearted assurances. He kept the herbs in a small sack that was carried on him at all times. He took both herbs religiously around the clock. Sokka’s duty was to train the next set of warriors and lead the tribe until his father returned. He didn’t have time to give into his instincts and roll over on his belly while begging to be pampered.
But everything went to hell when Aang arrived.
Sokka accepted that he would never catch a break again. It was one life-threatening event after another as the trio journeyed from town to town. Sokka could barely keep track of when he was taking his herbs. He could barely even close his eyes. How long had it been since his heat? Seven months? Eight? All he knew was that he had enough blockers and suppressants to last him a year – whenever that was.
Sokka was doing everything in his power to keep Katara and Aang alive. They were still pups. He had to take care of them or they would be too distracted to rest. Sure, Katara loved to mother him and Aang, but she was truly the worst at looking out for herself. And poor Aang, the little pup didn’t have anyone to coddle him and raise him to be a man.
Sokka wanted to swaddle them both in blankets and keep them safely on Appa high in the sky where no one could harm them. Wait, was that right? He never felt like that before. Usually he enjoyed playing around with Aang and huffing at Katara when she reminded them to eat. With the two of them he was able to act like a kid again. And now he wanted to baby them? Build a nest and protect them? These urges weren’t normal. They were too…Omegan.
Sokka felt a cold sweat drip down his head. Wait. He couldn’t be out. He frantically threw everything in the air as he ransacked Appa’s saddle and raided through their belongings in search of his sack. Katara spluttered angrily when she was hit with a satchel of clothes.
“Sokka! What are you doing?” She yelled in annoyance.
He kept muttering to himself. “No, no, no, no–”
A small hand settled calmingly on his shoulder. The gentle scent of milky pup soothed his nerves and Sokka slowed his movements. Aang was standing behind him in concern. “Sokka, what’s going on? Please? You seem scared.”
Sokka lowered his head defeatedly and looked up at the pair in front of him. “I – I need my herbs. In the small sack I keep.”
Katara’s face brightened in understanding. “Oh! This?” She pulled the familiar bundle out from the pocket of her robes. “You dropped it when you went for a walk this morning. I forgot to tell you I had it.”
Sokka exhaled with relief and thanked her quickly. Aang was watching in confusion as Sokka quickly clutched the sack to his chest.
“What’s the big deal? What are those herbs for?”
Sensing that Sokka needed a moment to collect himself, Katara spoke on his behalf. She hoped her brother wouldn’t mind. “Sokka’s an omega, Aang. He takes blockers and suppressants to help with his scent and regulate his heat cycles.”
The avatar’s eyes glistened with awe and he stared at Sokka in surprise. “Really? I’ve never met one. No one at my temple was anything but a Beta. We heard talk – what’s it like?”
Sokka’s nose scrunched with confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I don’t know. Everything, I guess.” Aang’s cheeks flushed with color. “I mean, you don’t have to share everything –”
Sokka grinned and gave an unconcerned shrug. “Nothing much to tell. I smell different. I get these weird urges to nest and the heats are…depressing.” He noticed Katara’s frown while he spoke.
“Why? You never told me that.”
Sokka huffed at her worried glare, but that only caused her to cross her arms. “Look,” he said, “it really doesn’t matter. It’s not a fun time but we don’t get to choose our second genders, do we?”
Katara still didn’t seem pleased. She twisted to talk to Aang. “It’s not supposed to be like that,” she explained. “I’ve always been told that heats are supposed to be calming and blissful.”
“Yeah, well, you’re still a pup, aren’t you?” Sokka growled. “You’ve no idea how it feels.”
He ignored how Katara and Aang exchanged glances while he frantically opened his sack. His heart dropped when he saw that he only had two herbs left. One of each kind. He could take one tomorrow but that meant…
Sokka breathed shakily to slow his thudding heart. “Well, um, bad news.”
Katara noticed his shaking hands and gently settled her gloved fingers over his. “Are you out? We can get some more.”
Sokka nodded, unable to say a word. Aang dropped down to sit against his side as a steady pressure. “There’s no need to worry. We’ll stop at the next village in the morning. They’ll have what you need.”
Sokka nodded slowly. He would get more herbs. Everything would work out.
Just before the sun was flooding light through their campsite, Katara found herself already waking. Her eyes opened to rest on the familiar sight of Aang and Sokka curled comfortably in their bedrolls beside the waning fire. The three of them formed a small circle around it every night, heads next to feet. Katara briefly assessed her sleeping brother. He had dark circles under his eyes and a new gauntness to his face that sharpened his cheekbones. A faint blush to his cheeks warned of a weak fever. Undoubtedly he would be entering pre-heat soon if he didn’t get his herbs soon.
She felt her heart pang to reflect on how hard this journey had been for all three of them so far. Restless nights while remaining half-awake in fear of Zuko catching them. Scarce opportunities for food with their pitiful money left over. The never-ending hunger was taking a toll on them all. Her hand dropped to a small pocket in her robe where three gold coins remained. She had no idea how much money it would cost to purchase Sokka’s herbs. Her heart ached in sympathy as she glanced at him once again. The poor omega must’ve been having a harder time than they realized.
She made the decision that she would make the quick stop to this village before they awoke. It was evident that Sokka and Aang needed as much rest as possible and Katara was already awake with nothing else to do. They would be pleased that she saved them a trip. She stretched tiredly and adjusted her boots on her feet. Katara silently climbed on Appa’s back and guided him in the air. With any luck, she’d be back before they woke to her absence.
It didn’t take but a few minutes for Katara to spot the small Earth village down below. It was closer than she realized. Appa’s found a clearing to land in the forest right outside the village market. Katara was able to hide him well enough between the trees and bushes. She entered a small market with scarce signs of any people.
The shop workers would just be starting their day and preparing their stands. Katara strolled curiously through the cobblestone street and did her best to read the shop signs in the dawn lighting. There, towards the end, she spotted a small green tent. In front was a wooden sign with a recognizable medicine symbol. Surely that was what she needed! Katara approached the open tent and found herself in front of a kind-looking young girl about her age. Her face widened in a smile and she gestured warmly for Katara to enter.
“I’m Tera, what can I do for you this early?” The girl greeted teasingly.
“Well, I’m looking for these herbs for Omegas. I believe one is a scent blocker and the other is a heat suppressant. Do you have anything like that?”
Tera nodded slowly, then turned around to sort through a shelf behind her. She seemed to be muttering herself while rifling through the various jars and sacks. After a minute, she made a small noise of triumph and whirled around with a familiar green sack. It was identical to Sokka’s.
“That’s it!” Katara exclaimed in relief. Tera’s eyes softened in sympathy when they settled on Katara again. “First heat?” She asked. Katara’s eyebrows raised and she quickly shook her head. “No, no. They’re for my brother. He just ran out.”
Tera hummed in understanding, but her face pinched slightly. “He…when did he start taking these?”
“Oh…um…after his first heat I suppose.”
“And how long ago was that?”
“I guess a year? Why does it matter?” Katara narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the meddlesome seller.
Tera lifted her hands in mock surrender. “I’m not prying, I promise! But these herbs are very dangerous. Only meant to be used in extreme circumstances, really. Omega’s are supposed to have four heats a year, but at minimum it’s not healthy to have any less than one. These herbs are enough to last a year, and you’re supposed to have a heat between each pack if you choose to continue them. I can’t sell them to just anyone.”
Katara felt ice flood through her veins. Dangerous? Just how dangerous? Did Sokka know the risks? It seemed like he had no plan to take a break for a heat. Understandably, it wasn’t ideal to pause their journey but it was necessary for his health.
“I see,” Katara said slowly. “Thank you for informing me. I’ll see to it that he’s taken care of.” Tera seemed to be pleased with her answer and handed the sack of herbs to her. “Good. That’ll be one gold coin.”
Sokka wished that he had stirred into consciousness at the feeling of the sun’s warmth on his face. Instead, he was violently forced into consciousness at the feeling of his shoulder roughly being grabbed.
“Sokka! Sokka, wake up! Wake up!”
Sokka weakly lifted his arms to shove away his attacker.
“Come on, Sokka! I need your help!” The voice was panicked. Sokka fully managed to sit up and reached for his boomerang. He willed his eyes open and saw Aang hovering over him with a distressed expression.
“What? What’s happening?” Sokka’s grip tightened around his boomerang and he quickly scanned for any sign of threat. Aang clenched both of his shoulders in a painful grip.
“It’s Katara and Appa! They’re missing!”
It felt like ice water had been dumped down Sokka’s back. He jumped to his feet and whipped around to see his sister’s alarmingly empty bedroll. Was she taken? Did she leave? His eyes scanned for any sign of a struggle. This would be worse if she was taken. Aang was holding on anxiously to Sokka’s arm, the pup was releasing heavy scents of fear and worry.
“What do we do?” Aang whimpered. The Avatar was looking over at his glider staff. “Should I see if I can spot her from above?”
Sokka nodded mutely. He had never felt so helpless before. Just as Aang stretched out the wings on his glider, a sudden shadow blocked the sun above them. Both Aang and Sokka lifted their heads on instinct. At the sight of his sister flying down to them on Appa, Sokka felt his legs give out in a sudden rush of relief.
“Katara!” Aang cried out. Just as she dismounted, Aang raced over and flung himself into her arms. She caught him steadily with a warm laugh. “I’m okay!” She giggled. Aang finally let her go to pet Appa and she spotted her brother kneeling on the ground, a second away from tears. She quickly raced over and skidded to her knees in front him. “Sokka? Sokka, what’s wrong?”
He laughed deliriously. “What’s wrong? I woke up to find you gone, Katara!” He was gasping for air now. “Aang and I were panicked! I thought you had been kidnapped! You can’t just–”
“Shh, shh,” She hushed him. She wrapped her arms around his head, dragging him to her chest. He was shaking weakly while listening for the sound of her heartbeat and letting her familiar scent flood his lungs. “I’m alright, Sokka. I’m safe.”
He could finally breathe. Aang came over to wrap himself around Sokka’s back. The combined weight of the pups was enough to soothe Sokka’s instincts. His pack was together. Everyone was here. Finally, Katara and Aang were able to let go once his breathing steadied.
“So,” Aang finally interrupted the moment of calm. “Where on earth did you go, Katara?”
She reached into her robe and pulled out a sack that looked exactly like Sokka’s, but much fuller. “I woke up early and decided to grab Sokka’s herbs.”
Sokka shook his head furiously. “That was a stupid risk. Anything could’ve happened to you while you were alone. Next time, wait for us.”
She bowed her head sheepishly and avoided his gaze. Sokka reached for the sack in her hands, but she quickly moved it behind her back. “Wait.”
He fixed her with an unimpressed glare. She knew his patience was waning thinner by the second. “Listen, Sokka. The lady who sold me this… she told me it’s effects. How harmful it can be.”
Sokka rolled his eyes with his arms crossed against his chest. “Spare me the lecture.”
Katara shook her head. “No. You’re going to listen to me. You need to have a heat before you start these again. Even then… it’d be better if you didn’t take them at all. But —”
“No, Katara,” Sokka was standing now. His expression was downright murderous. Aang desperately wanted to step in between them and beg them to stop. They were entering treacherous territory. “I will not go through another heat. That’s final. Hand over the herbs.”
Katara growled threateningly. “You’re not touching them yet.” Without preamble, she held out the herbs in one hand and moved the other in a circle over the sack. A thick ball of iced formed around the sack, encasing it completely. Sokka was trembling in anger, resisting every urge to strangle his sister.
“Damn it, Katara! Do you have any idea what you’re about to put me through?”
She felt a slight twinge of guilt at his crestfallen face. But this was his health at stake, and she wouldn’t compromise that for anything. “No,” She answered softly, “I don’t. But we’re here for all of it. Aang and I. We’ll take care of you. I promise.”
Aang nodded quickly in support of her words and went to nudge Sokka gently in the side. “It’ll be alright. Come on, let’s eat.”
The group had decided that there was no point in travelling in Sokka’s condition. The omega would be entering the early stages of his pre-heat by tomorrow. The peninsula they were camped on was secluded and private, surrounded by thick groves of trees. The water was calming and allowed Aang and Katara to practice their waterbending. They would also be able to see any enemy ships approaching from miles away. There was little to no chance of Zuko finding them here.
Sokka didn’t say a word the rest of the day. It was clear that the emotional turmoil he was experiencing was wearing down on him. Aang and Katara kept swapping looks at each other, neither knowing what to say to make Sokka feel better. The omega seemed to be getting worse the longer he thought about the situation. As dusk was approaching, Sokka went to his bedroll before the sun had set. Once he was settled and seemed comfortable, Katara and Aang ventured to the beach to practice more bending before complete nightfall. They began with a simple exercise of passing a small orb of water in a circle.
“Katara, can I ask you something?”
She hummed absently while she focused on the water.
Aang hesitated. How could he word this? “Sokka’s…well, how does he handle his heats without a mate? The monks wouldn’t really talk about…that with me. But other kids said that heats were when Alphas and Omegas…”
“Whoa!” Katara laughed. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Why? What did I get wrong?”
Being a pup herself, Katara wasn’t exactly sure how to explain. She wished Sokka would talk about it more with them. She vaguely tried to recall what some of the older teenagers in their tribe discussed.
“I mean, from what I know, basically Sokka’s still considered a pup for another few years. He’s got a while before he’s fully mature enough for that. Omegas don’t get any sexual urges until they’re mated and bonded.”
Aang’s shoulders seemed to slump with solace. “Thats good.”
Katara snorted in agreement. “Is there anything else you’re concerned about?”
Aang dropped the orb of water back into the ocean and scratched the top of his head. “Well, I guess I want to know how to help him. I mean how bad will he feel? Is there anything we can do to help?”
Katara frowned as she considered how distressed her brother had been all day. He had always been her rock growing up, and to see him in such a state – well, that meant that this was severe. Sokka was never scared like this. She wished that she had cared more for him during his first heat so that she knew what to expect.
“I don’t know, Aang. I really don’t. We just have to listen to him and give him whatever he wants. If he gets too distressed during his heat then he can drop. And that’s…that’s really dangerous. We have to make sure he stays happy and comfortable.”
Aang nodded severely as if she had just tasked him with a grave mission.
It was still the middle of the night when Sokka was abruptly woken to a sharp pang of emptiness in his chest. The area around his heart was aching — he was so alone — his pack, where was his pack? He struggled to sit up slowly, searching for his pack anywhere. He could barely smell them over the fire and smoke. Did they abandon him? Was it because he wasn’t good enough? A piercing keen escaped his throat. A call for help.
“Sokka?” In a second, Aang was shuffling out of his bedroll to get to the Omega. Sokka’s instincts eased up at the sight of the pup coming towards him. Aang didn’t hesitate as Sokka lifted the side of his own bedroll to make room for the Avatar to slide in. Aang, still wrapped in a fur blanket, sprawled out against the Omega with a happy hum. Finally, warmth flooded through Sokka’s chest and the pain eased. Aang nestled the crown of his head under Sokka’s chin and the Omega was pleased to scent the pup all over. Once Sokka was content that Aang was asleep once again and wouldn’t leave, he allowed the pull of exhaustion to drag him back under.
The next morning when Katara woke, there was just enough sunlight to see that Aang’s bedroll was empty. Weird. She rolled over and turned to check Sokka’s bedroll. She couldn't fight down her grin when she spotted Aang curled up tightly against her brother’s chest, looking somehow imprisoned yet in heaven at the same time. Omegas tended to have that effect. The pre-heat must have begun. Aang startled awake when she stood but Sokka remained stone still aside from the occasional snore.
“Katara!” Aang whispered. She smirked at the desperation in his voice.
“What happened?” She chuckled.
“He – I –”
“Are you comfortable?” Katara asked consideringly. Aang nodded. “It looks like he is too. Do you need anything?”
“Water, please!”
She nodded and returned with his waterskin. Just as Aang reached up to accept it, Sokka grumbled unhappily and finally opened his eyes.
“Good morning, Sokka,” Katara teased. He groaned in response and covered his eyes with his free arm that wasn’t squeezing Aang.
“How are you feeling?” She asked.
Sokka considered for a moment. “Cold. I want to nest.”
Katara nodded in sympathy. “I’ll start collecting furs. Let Aang up for a moment so he can help me?”
Reluctantly, Sokka acquiesced to her request and Aang stretched out his legs and back. Sokka yawned widely and watched in approval as Katara and Aang brought various fur blankets and thick coats to lay in front of him. Luckily, they had a small tent that was just big enough to fit the three of them. Aang made quick work of setting it up so that Sokka could begin building his next. Once Katara was sure that she had collected warm fuzzy items from everyone in the group, she began searching their bags for food and stashes of water to hold them over for the next few days. She fit everything into one bag and made her way back to the tent where Sokka was now halfway done with his project. He was a good Omega, Katara mused warmly, watching as he carefully rolled the softest items for the inner ring. The bottom was meticulously laid with the thickest blankets.
Finally, Sokka seemed pleased with his next and stared at Katara and Aang for approval. Quickly taking the hint, Katara stepped in. “So good, Omega. Looks so comfy. Made it perfect for us. Can we come in?” Sokka analyzed them briefly, scanning their faces for any hint of disapproval. Katara silently prayed that Aang was copying her face and making sure that his scent rolled in waves of content. Seeming satisfied, Sokka finally scooted in the middle of the nest and left a spot for each of them on his sides. He made a low crooning sound from the back of his throat. A call for pack. Both pups raced to cuddle into his arms and laid their heads on his chest. Sokka nuzzled the top of Katara’s head. Apparently he deemed that she didn’t smell strongly enough of him.
“Sokka, do you think the heat is starting soon?” She lifted a hand to feel his forehead and check for any fever. There was a slight warmth but nothing unusual yet.
“No,” he whispered. “Just feeling… clingy? I guess? That’s weird to say.”
She made a noise of acknowledgement. “That’s okay. We’re not going anywhere.”
In fact, Aang already seemed to be asleep once again. It wasn’t surprising, the week before had pushed them all beyond their limits. Katara was feeling more and more relaxed by the minute, melting into her brother’s embrace. Sokka remained on high alert though, his eyes not once leaving the flaps of the tent entrance. Katara opened her mouth to plead with him to sleep but her eyes were closed before she could say a word.
After that first nap, time was impossible to keep track of. The tent always remained dark, and night and day were indiscernible. After what felt like another two nap periods, Sokka began to shiver. Well, it was more like full on shaking. His teeth chattered when he tried to speak but his low grade fever was rising higher and higher. Katara worked steadily to keep a cool washcloth on his face. Aang divested both Sokka and himself of their shirts to exchange more body heat.
Omegas also required copious amounts of skin contact, otherwise they would develop symptoms of severe touch deprivation. Based on how quickly Sokka melted when they touched him, it was blatantly obvious that he was deprived. They finally found a position that worked best for all three of them. Aang remained on the left with Sokka curled tightly around him on his side. Katara would curl around Sokka’s back, pulling him to her chest and resting her forehead on the back of his neck to check his temperature. Sokka seemed wholefully unaware of his surroundings or time passing. He was only concerned that both of his pups were within reach.
After what felt like another day had passed, Sokka’s condition only depleted. The cramps finally kickstarted in his abdomen, and he was paralyzed in fear of making them worse. The only thing that seemed to help. Katara eventually discovered, was massaging his stomach with deep pressure. She kept her arms wound around his ribs and moved them against his skin whenever he became restless and his jaw clenched in pain. Whenever he slept, she left her hands to rest there in lieu of a heating pad to ease the muscles.
At the best of times, they were mild enough for Sokka to sleep. The worst was when it got so bad that Aang and Katara were jerked awake as Sokka shoved them aside to make it outside of the tent in time to vomit. Most times he made it straight for the beach so it washed away in the water. Aang’s heart bled for the small omega each time he emptied himself to the point of dry-heaving. All that the pups could do was stroke his back and keep his hair pulled up. Aang was always sure to catch Sokka before his knees gave out beneath him. They remained there in the sand until Sokka completely slumped into Aang’s shoulder and then the Avatar would gently drag him back to the nest.
Katara was still coming to terms with seeing her brother in such a helpless state. The Omega could barely stand, he couldn’t move without whining in pain. It was a battle every day to force food and water down his throat in between naps.
“Sokka, I know you don’t think you’re hungry, but I need you to try. Please?”
Her hands were extended with a variety of tree nuts and seal jerky. Sokka turned his head away in annoyance and hid his face in Aang’s neck. Katara growled and shoved the ration back into her bag. Sokka had refused to eat anything yesterday as well. She reflected on how much scrawnier her brother had become in just the past month. Even while cuddling, she could tell that his ribs were more prominent beneath his skin. Why couldn’t he cooperate?
“I know, Omega,” Aang purred. “Such a sweet boy for us. Could you at least take a few sips of water for me?”
He persuasively lifted his waterskin to Sokka’s lips. The omega went along with the request but decided he was done after a couple mouthfuls. Katara felt her heart sink at his worsening condition. Aang gave her a look of concern that told her he shared the same thoughts.
“Thank you, Sokka,” Aang cooed encouragingly. So far, praise seemed to yield the best results. Sokka returned to nuzzling into Aang’s neck and drifted off with shallow breaths. Katara curled tighter around him and tried to ease her worry.
“What are we going to do?” Aang whispered. “He can’t keep going like this. His body is going to give out soon.”
“I know,” sighed Katara. “I wish I could make it better.”
She lifted her hands and ran her fingers through Sokka’s hair. She scratched around his head and was rewarded when he replied with a quiet purr. Aang smiled brightly and burrowed further into Sokka’s chest to enjoy the feeling of the vibrations. Omega purrs were known for quickly putting pups to sleep and calming restlessness.
Aang was rudely woken up to the feeling of Sokka sitting up without warning. His hands were covering his mouth.
“Bucket-” the Omega gasped, “I need a–”
Immediately, Katara shoved a small bowl underneath his nose. Sokka moved his hands and leaned forward to puke. Nothing came out, and his body was racked violently with more dry heaves. His throat was so raw that he no longer made any noise. Aang rearranged himself to move so that he was bracketing Sokka’s body from behind. He wrapped his arms tightly around Sokka’s waist and rubbed his hands soothingly up and down against the trembling abdominal muscles.
After several more minutes, Sokka handed the bucket back to Katara empty. Katara pressed her hands to his face and stroked her thumbs along his cheeks like their mother used to do. Sokka leaned into the touch. She then brushed aside the hair that had fallen in the way, tucking it behind his ear.
“That’s it, Omega. You’re alright. Feels good to be done, huh?”
Sokka whined weakly. It was pitiful how quiet he had become. Katara startled as he reached forward and dragged her into his lap. She smiled softly when he searched her face. She nestled her head against his chest and he lifted his hands to play with her long strands of hair. Every so often he would start to braid before giving up. Katara just wished she could stay here forever.
Four long days. That was how long Sokka was trapped in the overwhelming agony and vulnerability. He slowly came back to himself as he woke up from another restless nap. His heat was finally broken. Looking around the tent, trapped in between two slumbering pups, he still couldn’t swallow the sting of betrayal. He was forced into this. His sister gave him no options and let him become a slave to his second gender.
The bottom pit of his stomach curdled weakly with nausea but he knew that it was an empty threat. How was he supposed to trust Katara anymore? What if she prevented him from taking suppressants ever again? It felt like a cruel form of mockery. Was he a toy for their amusement? For four days he laid in here unable to barely move as they did whatever they pleased. Why did it matter what his Omega wanted? When would it matter what Sokka wanted? He couldn’t prevent the tears that escaped. Silent sobs racked his body, begging to be released. He raised a hand to muffle his mouth. He couldn’t bear it if –
“Sokka?”
Damn.
Katara rubbed her eyes and slowly tilted her face to look at him. She quickly sat up when she noticed that he was crying. Sokka wished the ground would open and swallow him whole. Why couldn’t he disappear and escape this mortification? He’d never be the same. Absently, he was aware of small hand rubbing up and down his back.
“Shhh, let it out,” Katara comforted.
“I – I can’t.”
“It’s okay. Come on, breathe.”
Aang was up too, now. He grabbed Sokka’s hand and pressed it to his chest. “You can do it. Like this.”
Finally, Sokka was able to steadily inhale and exhale deep enough.
“Are you back, Omega?” Aang asked. Sokka nodded mutely. He couldn’t trust himself to speak without spitting vitriol.
“Good,” Katara tried to smile, “How about we get some food in you?”
Sokka shrugged indifferently. Katara and Aang both stood to stretch and then looked at him expectantly. He raised his arms to let them know he would need help. Sokka couldn’t trust his legs yet. Aang seemed to understand first and grasped Sokka’s arms.
“Are you okay?” Katara questioned. She was having a hard time reading her brother.
“Okay?” Sokka replied in a deathly quiet tone. “Okay? What part of me says okay, Katara? I’ve been nothing but – but weak and defenseless for the two of you to take advantage of!”
“Shhhh, easy,” Aang consoled.
“NO! I won’t –”
“Sokka!” Katara hissed. Her patience was gone. “That’s enough! We helped you, whether you can accept that or not. You were well on your way to dying if you hadn’t given your body a break. Those herbs were dangerous and you knew it. I won’t let you play with your life like that again, do you understand?”
“I – yes, I–”
“Good. You have the right to be mad. It’ll take time to heal from this. I know the heat was rough. You’re better off for enduring it. Now, you’re going to sit down and let Aang and I cook for you. We're going to stuff you full until you can’t move. Then, if you feel well enough, we’ll get on Appa and continue to the Earth kingdom.”
Sokka let his head hang in defeat. Katara sighed at his lack of response and brushed past him to start the fire. Aang guided (well, carried) Sokka to a soft spot in front of the fire to stay warm. Sokka’s entire body felt numb from constant overstimulation. But he was finally himself again. He didn’t feel possessed anymore. He had his autonomy back. He felt the wary gazes of Katara and Aang on him at all times. Let them fret, he scoffed inwardly.
But he couldn’t deny the small ache of gratitude he felt for his pack. Deep down he knew that he went through his heat in the best of circumstances. Both pups attended to his every need and went above the line of duty in their care for him. Sokka couldn’t be more grateful that he wasn’t stuck alone again. Or even worse, with an Alpha. Begrudgingly, he shifted himself closer to Aang and Katara.
“Thank you, pups,” Sokka choked out past the whirlpool of emotions that snared his throat. In less than a second, both kids had tackled him in a tight embrace.
“Anytime, Sokka.”