Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Waking up so early the second day straight was even harder than in the first one. If yesterday his mind had been hazy and slow, today it didn't seem to work at all, as he moved like a zombie around the house, with eyes so tightly closed and sleepy, he had no idea how to make them stay open. As no one in the family woke up as early, he had to enjoy dinner's leftovers, and there were too few 'overs' to truly satisfy his inhuman appetite. Sokka decided to ask Azula for a lunch break also, so he could go and by himself something more filling than a couple of eggs, jerky, tea, and a piece of cake, as he barely functioned at all.

He did arrive safely again, by some miracle avoiding street lamps, buildings, and aggressive people as he slowly but surely took turn after turn. The familiar signboard made him sigh with relief, meaning that he was capable of making the trip even in the horrific state he was in. 

After thinking a bit about the talk he had with Azula, he realized that he wanted to change their relationship status from “we hate each other so much, beware of the knife” to a civil kind, maybe not all friendly – it was hard still to imagine the woman he knew being amiable with anyone – but at least the one including having some nice discussions, without wishing to kill each other in the process. Even that level mentioned was a very hard one to reach. 

Maybe it was about his dreams that he was so desperate for warmth and normalcy, or some things to occupy himself with in the end. Once again, like he did almost every night for a whole passing month, he had a dream of Suki. It was so vivid, so real, he almost let it swallow him whole. But then, strangely, his line of dreams shifted to the swords-making process, as he recalled the memory: how the two of them sat together with Azula, too distracted to think about anything but art in their arms. He also could swear he heard a distant voice of Kon calling for him. That dream wasn't at all significant, but it calmed him down nicely, distracting him from the very misery he couldn't overcome.

Absentmindedly, he knocked on the door, his thoughts a mess. Was the thing really just an abstraction, or did he want to continue to spend his time here? Was Sokka developing a hobby of sorts, maybe even Azula tolerance? It could be, but very unlikely. His mind's suffering made him chuckle until he frowned again.  Why no one ever answers the damn door?

He knocked again, this time more fierce. He could have just opened it already, but the thing was locked tightly, and it didn't bulge as he pushed harder, guessing that it had just gotten stuck. As he was about to break the damn thing or leave for good after a couple of minutes of waiting, a tiny, sheep-like scared voice came from the other side.

“W-who is here?!”.

It was the funny voice of a child, and the child he knew perfectly well.

“Kon, it's me! Is it stuck?”.

“Eh, Sokka? Is it you? Wait, what is stuck...? I don't understand”.

The man stripped his arms open, and moved a couple of steps away, ready to push.

“Don't worry, Kon, I will open it for you two. Just move as far away from the door as possible”.

The boy squeaked, horrified.

“What?! NO! I will open the door myself!”.

At that, the Water Tribesman tilted his head questioningly. He doubted that the boy would manage, but he didn't want to upset him, so Sokka agreed, going two steps back. As he expected the loud pushing, maybe even a cry of pain...the door was just unlocked, by a big pair of keys.

“You had keys all the time...?” - Sokka asked, as the boy came into view. He was still in his pajamas, hair disheveled chestnut mass. Kon's clear blue eyes were also deep in sleep. It didn't take a genius to understand that he had just woken up.

“Yes...”.

“But the lock was here, right?”.

“Yes...”.

“Why?”.

At that, Kon yawned deeply, scratching his eyes to clean them up. Then, the boy hid the pair of keys somewhere in his pants pocket.

“Well” - he started to explain, more sane as the world of dreams left him fully. “It's Tuesday, after all”.

Sokka understood no more than he did minutes ago. At that, it came to Kon that the older Tribesman was still a newbie, and could be unaware.

“Tuesday is our day off, didn't mom tell you?”.

The man's jaw dropped, astonished. So, it meant that he came for nothing?! He woke up at seven-something, barely arrived here half-asleep, and didn't even eat enough – all for nothing?  Really, why didn't she tell him anyth...?! 

...Huh?

As he thought again, Sokka did recall something, a thing he forgot to his utter displeasure. It was in the back of his mind, somewhere far. She did ask him not to come today, didn't she? He was sure it was her usual manner of speech, the way of sadistic joking. Turned out it was one time when she was serious. He would like to blame her for that, yet Azula warned him, and he didn't listen.

“I... I am sorry, I didn't take 'no coming here' seriously. I also woke you up...”.

Sokka's voice was honed with guilt. He also made such a scene, almost breaking the door without checking facts, and scared the poor boy in the process. The man wondered how great his abilities to make a fool of himself were: he could do it perfectly in any day, time, and place. He was also sure that Azula would make fun of him,  again . 

Instead of sending him away, the boy took Sokka's hands in his in reassurance. Kon didn't look angry at all and even smiled kindly at the older man.

“It's okay! If you stay, I will have someone to spend the day with. Mom's all busy today with groceries and laundry, all those tiring stuff, so can you play with me today? Please?”.

Sokka wondered when the woman rested, but didn't sound his question, nodding. After all, he already was here, what was he to do when he got back? He would likely receive an 'idiot certificate' from them, knowing how he could mess things up. Entertaining him a bit was only fair after the ruckus was caused, and it shouldn't be too hard anyway.

“Okay, no problem. I had nothing better to do anyway”.

“Great! Then, let's go!”.

The boy pushed him closer to the stairs, likely happy with the attention received, and Sokka just followed, letting him lead them. It was almost tragic how the very person felt lonely, considering that his mother did all she could to make him happy and loved. Yet he didn't complain much, that boy, and seemed to cherish the things he had at the moment.

They both arrived at the room he wished to see since day one, his favorite place in any house: the kitchen. He didn't even comment on it being as clean as new: it was the trait every little thing in the place shared, and it was admirably paranoid of her. Would someone die if there were some signs of people leaving in here, or should it always be like the day before lending it? It made the room feel a little too sterile to his liking, but there were matters much more interesting in it:  food !

The kitchen itself was pretty small: there was one table, – big enough for four, but used only for two, as there were only two old chairs placed – shelves of a darker wood, filled with some chopsticks pairs and a couple of plates, as well as a small white shelf-like thing with ice and snow in it, and he recognized the astonishingly modern machine as a 'refrigerator': the method of preserving food straight from Poles. He wondered where Azula had got it all.

Kon moved straight to his chair, inviting Sokka to join him on the other side of the table. He felt sheepish, not ready to ask for food the owner didn't propose for him to eat. The boy was adamant, though, that his mother wouldn't mind as she always makes him a double, knowing how he loved eating. The Tribesman couldn't leave the chance to share his love for food, and he confessed to having a crazy appetite. Kon answered with a chuckle, stating that he knew from the start they would get along.

As the boy insisted, Sokka was given two sandwiches with a nice salad and meat filling, and he chewed it happily, disturbed by a strangely fine taste. Though even he was able to make them, he didn't expect the Princess to be in any connection with cooking but eating it directly, or, well, being served, yet she seemed full of surprises. There was something off with them to him, and he couldn't really tell what it was. Were it earlier, he would have suspected her of poisoning him, but it was obviously not the case. It was tasty still, but there wasn't something natural present like the food was made artificially.

Kon didn't have any problem with it, however, and he ate three other sandwiches almost in one go, stomach like a black hole, asking for more. 

“Hey, young man, can I ask you something?” - Sokka mumbled with difficulty, throat tired after one especially big bite. The kid's cheeks looked ballooned, like fire ferrets'. He answered with a low nod, mouth too busy with food. “How did you two buy the store? Did you just save enough for it, or...?”.

“If naf whaf wit luk laik” - he pronounced, and the man understood nothing at all. His blank expression made the boy swallow at last, and talk properly now. “I said “It's not like it looks like”. Technically, the store is ours, but we are not all-time owners”. That made Sokka raise a curious brow. Azula called herself an owner, so could it be that she was lying to him? Or was it more complicated? He wished to know.

“Ehh, you see, I don't remember much, but Mom said recently something about us living here for three years now. Before, Mom told me she worked in another blacksmith store, and there the old man accepted her nicely”.

“The old man?” - Sokka asked, recalling the name from somewhere, never sure who he meant.

“The real owner. He took us in, and mom worked here a lo-o-ot, so he let us live here. I loved him a lot, he was like a grandpa I never had. We ate together, he taught me how to swim and gave me presents. I miss him”.

As the boy finished, he saw some sadness tingle in his blue eyes. The man could relate: he missed Gran-Gran every single day apart, and it couldn't be helped with people you truly love. You just miss them and that's it.

“Did he...?” - it was a tricky question, but Kon was so clever, he often forgot the boy was only six. He shrugged and nodded. “Yes, he moved to his sister about a year and something ago” - there was some uncertainty, as he seemed to recall the proper date. He didn't, and Kon let it stay like that. “And said that while we need it, we can use it like we please. He also said that he will likely give it to our family when he is very old, but he could go back any time now. Or, maybe, he won't? I don't know that”.

It was pretty intriguing. So the old man was alive, yet he decided to leave his dear shop to the 'almost stranger', more so – to the crazy ex-Princess? It was a bizarre choice, and it was spelling it lightly. He needed to get one thing straight, however. “So... If he almost gave you his shop, he must have loved you two a lot, didn't he?”.

Kon nodded, honestly.

“What about your mom? Did he like her also?”.

The boy answered immediately. “Yep! He was very kind to us both, and Mom liked him, though she never admitted it until the day he had to go. She even hugged him goodbye. I was laughing, because mom – a girl – didn't cry, but an old man did. Though they both were very sad to part – and I was also”.

"I see..." - he muttered in clear disbelief. So the woman had feelings, after all - that was new. Originally he suspected that she worked only with 'anger' and 'wickedness' emotions, but turned out she could be not only grateful but also sentimental to farewells. He wondered what made her like the old man. Was he also as evil as she originally was? Or was he actually the very opposite, kind and sweet, helping her change? After yesterday's conflict, he was not sure what was the case. 

 "Can I ask you something also? We can play a game of questions".

 Sokka nodded, face gentle. 

 "Yay, thanks! So... Why do you look like me?". That question made Sokka almost choke on his food, some salad leaves escaping his mouth in the process. It was unexpected, and he had no damn idea how to answer that.

 "Well, we people are all alike" - he said, not daring to look the boy in the eyes. There was likely no good answer to the question.

 "Mm" - Kon agreed, licking his fingers to get the aftertaste, not leaving anything off the sandwich but crumbles. "Yep. But we look like brothers. Are we now?".

 Sokka coughed, trying to make a pause look natural and give himself some time to think. 

 "We can't be brothers, because we had to have the same mom (and dad). But we don't".

 The explanation made the boy satisfied for a little while, but he turned to the question again.

 "I guess so? But why do we look the same?".

 "Ehh..." - Sokka mumbled, scratching the back of his head right behind the wolf's tail. "Your father must have been one of my distant relatives". At that revelation, Kon's eyes widen, giddy. He looked so happy, almost sparking with stars surrounding him.

 "So you can as well be my uncle? Or, maybe, ehh... Cousin? I don't know, but it's awesome!". 

 Sokka chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm. 

 "It could be".

 "It's just..." - he whispered, not sure that he could tell the man that or not. As a part of being friends, he didn't decide against it. "Mom never tells me anything about our family, so I wished to know if we had one. Maybe even  you  are a part of it!".

 "I-it could be? - he said, suddenly aware of who he was talking to. After all those topics of family and relation, he came to a realization that the Water Tribesman was talking with a potential future Prince of the Fire Nation. Who was also of Water Tribe origin. Who was also his little friend now.  Boy, that is twisted .

 ...And it was also a bit heartbreaking to hear him being sad about not knowing a bit of his actual family. If Azula was to be stuck on her plan of living here with him for years, he might never learn the truth. It must have been devastating, being left aside, unaware of having an uncle, grand uncle, and even a grandfather (however horrible he was, he still existed), unaware of his true status. Sokka was not the one to break promises - and even more so now, after giving 'budding with Azula' a go, knowing already how hard she could fight back if he dared to mutter a word. However, he was truly curious about the potential outcome of the revelation. How would they react to the fact that the possible future Prince is not only an unexpected illegitimate child of a runaway Princess, but also of a Water Tribe origin? He was unsure of how Iroh might react, but, knowing how wise the man was, Sokka was positive that he would love to welcome his niece's nephew in the family despite him being half Water Tribe; Ozai - no one cared - but he would likely react bitter, hating them even more than he originally did, maybe even disgracing the Princess (if she was one still). Zuko, on the other hand... His situation was more complicated.

At first, when the war was over for only a couple of weeks, Sokka was sure that Zuko wanted nothing to do with his insane evil sister. He locked her in an institution and never came to see her. The Fire lord just asked for her condition once in a while, never daring a private meeting. Even so, after Azula's bizarre escape in a year (it seemed strange, considering that she was about to be proclaimed sane, or so Zuko said), Sokka could swear that his referring to Azula turned softer, and sometimes, when looking closely, you could have seen sadness in his yellow like the Sun eyes. After years flew by, Zuko confirmed everyone's expectations: the Fire Lord sent a search group to find the Princess, but when nothing happened, when no one like his sister was found, Zuko officially ended the search and proclaimed her dead. Sokka, despite all the spite and hate he held for the Princess back then, understood the pain: losing his baby sister must have been unbearable, however terrifying she was.

No one dared to say anything about Azula after that, noticing that every small hint about her being dead - and it had been very likely at the time - made Zuko miserable. He was not a good actor, as he couldn't hide guilt and regret of never giving her a chance, of never visiting and leaving her in the place alone while she asked for his help. And now, what would happen if he revealed the truth to Zuko, his close friend, whom he was deceiving by keeping the discovery from him? Sokka didn't know. It could be anything, really: the Water Tribesman doubted Zuko locking his sister in the prison, more so after noticing how he had some warmth left for her, but maybe it wasn't going to be his choice to make. That way, with Azula in prison or another mental hospital, and Kon in Zuko's mercy, he had no idea what was right anymore. On the other hand, it could be the total opposite: the Fire Lord will be so happy, that he lifts all the punishment and accepts the Princess and her child, letting them finally reunite and live happily together in the palace.

"Sokka...?" - he heard a distant voice, disturbing the calm of his thoughts. As he looked up, he noticed the boy looking at him with unease and worry.

 "Huh?"

 "You alright? You seem distant". And he was. It must have been a while since he chewed on the thought of the royal family.

 " ...Sorry, I was spacing out a little, it happens. But now I am back". Kon smiled, relieved. 

 "So, you want to ask something else or we can go and play somewhere?".

 Sokka hummed, thinking about the possibilities. He was praying on the people's business, and he knew it perfectly well. Yet, if the boy himself suggested, was it wise to leave the chance behind? He was curious about them both, that much was evident. "Okay, one last question to both of us. It is only fair, right?"

 Kon nodded approvingly. 

 "My turn. So, why Tuesday is a day off? I don't get it". The boy giggled. People often asked that question, and the reply was long prepared.

"It's mom's logic" - that was it, the shortest answer ever. Sokka blinked, getting nothing at all. And what's the logic? "You see, customers usually come to buy something on weekends, as they have more free time. So, Mom decided to make the day off some weekday, and we ended on Tuesday. She also agreed to let me stay at home that day if I do all the lessons and homework with her later". 

 "And I came anyway" - Sokka whispered, displeased. It was not like he had any right to be angry with her, but the situation still made him bitter.  Whatever .

 "And my turn!" - he said, shiny with the opportunity. He liked asking questions and talking, and maybe he was even developing ears for gossip. "I want to ask you about... Ehhm... Eheh... I know! What are your talents? Or, no, I should have asked why you started working here. Shouldn't I have?".

 Sokka grinned broadly, amused by the confusion on the boy's face. He was adorable.

"It's okay, I can answer both. I have started working here, because I wanted to fix my weapons by myself, without asking for professional help every time. And the second one, I... Hmm... I am good at throwing boomerangs - my personal favorite and I am a decent swordsman. One of the most famous swordsmen in the world taught me for a while, so I can say for sure that I am good!". 

 Impressing (showing off to, more so) a five-year-old shouldn't be that hard, but he seemed to succeed in any case, as the boy's expression turned radiant and awed. Even his mouth came open, and he stared, still as stone, at Sokka.

"Wow! So, you can fight with those metal sticks!". The older man nodded, pleased with enthusiasm. Sokka was a good man, and other's excitement was enough to make him feel happier. "And you don't get hurt while doing so?".

"Nope. That's the point. The sword is here to protect you, not to hurt you".  But to hurt others, mind it.

 "Can you... Ehm...". He couldn't finish the sentence, suddenly turning coy. Sokka raised his brow, surprised at his antics. "Hm? I can what?".

 Kon pouted at the pushing but made himself continue, taking a breath. "I was asked not to ask favors, but can I do that anyway?". Sokka nodded, not sure if he had to disagree or not. Maybe he shouldn't go against Azula's parenting, or else he would be turned into a grill. 

"Can you show me how to fight with swords? Please, just a little bit! Pretty please!".

 The Water Tribesman laughed lightly, barely standing looking at those puppy eyes. The kid was too good, and rejecting him seemed damn cruel. But how could they train? The boy was six, after all.

 "I would like to, but it takes a lot of time to master. And it is dangerous if you don't know how to use a sword!". The boy's face fell, turning into a sad pout. Yet, before Sokka could put a word, he shined with a smile again. "But we have practice swords also! And mom doesn't use them often, so can we? She wouldn't mind! I will be so careful, not even my pinky will be cut!".

 The man was taken aback by the way his convincing reminded him of his mother's. She could persuade the toughest of politicians to do what she wants, damn, she even persuaded him to spare her! And now Kon is here, with different tactics but which was still deadly efficient. He mentally apologized to Azula and nodded. It wasn't like he would hurt the boy purposely, so why deny him the pleasure? He just had to be extra careful, and voila.

 "Alright, let's come and practice a bit?"

 The boy exclaimed the "yay" so loudly, that it felt like windows around him shudder. Then, he followed the man closely, waggy like a dog's tail, with a smile so wide it could crack.

 As such, they both went to the treasury, where Kon was the first one to rush and search for something in one of the endless shelves present. From here, he quickly drew two wooden swords, both of bright whitish color and gave one of those for Sokka to use. The man examined them before actually letting the kid do anything with it.  Stern, clean wood, without burbs or holes. Good enough .

 "Alright, do you know anything about sword fighting? Except for how to make them, of course". The boy chucked, yet confirmed that he was a total newbie. From there, their training began.

 ~ ~ ~

The time flew by so fast, that they didn't notice time passing at all. It could have been that the treasury was windowless, and, as they were closed off from the world, they didn't notice a thing, too distracted. 

 The boy couldn't be called a genius or something, and he wasn't that fast to catch up, but his determination to learn and crazy willpower paid for the lack of fluency, and let him get a good start. 

 Firstly, Sokka explained all the little details of how to hold the sword so it protects you. Secondly, he showed him the way to swing, explaining details of how he had to always pay attention to your opponent's moves, so you can prevent them efficiently. In the matter of theory, the boy was as good as a sponge.

 After some workouts, the boy was allowed to touch the sword and try things out by himself. It was easy to guess that the blade looked clumsy in the kid's small, fragile hands, but he was diligent in following the teachings anyway, ignoring the weight disturbing him. Some real sword could have easily crushed the boy with how heavy it was, but you just made it for yourself and got used to it.

 Kon did about fifteen swings, and his hands already were so tired, that Sokka dreaded them falling off. They didn't, though the boy at the end fought for breath. It wasn't easy to lift it so many times, but he managed that splendidly. 

 Giving him some time to rest, Sokka showed a couple of techniques so that he could learn what could be done with the sword, and the boy seemed thrilled again, with almost none of exhaustion left. He jumped to his feet and tried to copy the master's moves. It turned out funny, yet Sokka tried not to let a chuckle escape, and, knowing it could offend the boy, he restrained himself.

In the end, they agreed on having a practice match, as due to Sokka's knowledge, only with practicing you can learn anything for good and master it. It didn't have to be said that he took it easy with the boy, and Kon was taking the 'offense' part today, training with hitting the right points and doing angle attacks, while Sokka avoided being sliced with it. At first, his attacks were so weak, that the older Tribesman didn't even have to lift his finger. However, when he did it more and more, his attempts turned fiercer, and he did his best to repeat many of the things 'Master Sokka' showed him a little while ago. When they were about to finish, tho... There was a key-turning sound, disturbing and startling them both. After realizing that only one person has the other key set, the boy relaxed, trying to give Sokka some next punch, and almost managed to do it as the man was too scared of her reaction to their training. He promised not to hurt Kon, but, seeing how protective of him she was, he could easily imagine his future fate, never eating a thing but porridge for the rest of his life.

Instead of immediately coming to slash him, to Sokka's outmost relief, Azula went straight to another place, her steps unusually heavy and uneven. It could be that she had some bags on her, so she went right to the kitchen. The man sighed, happy to be given some more time to live.

"Don't we have to pretend that we are not studying together?" - Sokka asked the boy desperately, turning around and giving fearful gazes to the door every few passing minutes. Kon didn't share the dread.

"Why?".

Sokka turned more desperate.

"You said yourself that she asked you not to ask for favors. She won't like us fighting".

The boy still didn't get it, as he didn't rush to leave his sword on the table or even hide it somewhere. He was as high and straight as a stick, tilting his head from side to side.

"She teaches me all the time, how can that make Mom mad?".

Sokka gritted his teeth, feeling death breathing. He still didn't get it?!

"She will be mad because she worries about you, doesn't she? And I can hurt you, so she will likely kill me for agreeing".

Kon smiled strangely, and looked at him, giving the reassuring words. "Mom is too kind to do that".

This time, Sokka couldn't help but laugh at the statement nervously.  You'll see it, kid, how kind she's gonna be with me .

Like a nightmare coming, she made her way to the room quietly, one careful step after another. Staircase moaned under her feet with displeasing, but it was oddly insignificant like with everything outside screaming of life.

Hiding his head like an ostrich-horse weepy, he made himself as hard to notice as possible, turning his back in her direction and accepting Kon's attack with the face of a man who saw what death looked like. It was all too funny, ironic even: the mother hen was here to kill him for helping teach her son swordsmanship. The strange, hopeful thought then ran through his mind: 'What if she won't try to kill me, but would be grateful instead?'.

It escaped as quickly as it appeared when he felt Azula freeze on a step. Sokka's eyes were closed, as he expected pain to come, praying for mercy. His being a mighty warrior meant nothing when facing the very deadly firebender genius, revenging her son. It was stupid, but he didn't think that dying from her hand was the worst thing in the world anymore.

"...Sokka?" - she voiced instead of electrocuting him, and even without gazing at her he felt the genuine surprise in it. As he turned to look at her - he wanted to look the murderer in the eyes - there was the similar mocking smile straight from the past, but somehow softer with time. "I shouldn't be astonished to see you here, though. I told you not to come, but you must have thought I was joking?".

Relieved that she wasn't mad about her son (yet), he nodded, hating her making him feel stupid, as she retold what exactly happened perfectly. Sokka pouted, displeased, but that face was enough of a confirmation. "You are just... Never mind".

Coming closer to them both, she inspected their doing: Kon - tired of attacking, as they were all to wain, never touching a hair of Sokka's - did another blow, turning around and swinging it funnily, all hidden from the master's view as he concentrated on Azula's eyes, silent but expectant. They were distant and very tired - the first time he witnessed exhaustion eating her features, brows furrowed a little. He didn't concentrate on that all too much, forgetting almost immediately about the issue. She monitored them both, watching closely, and the Tribesman felt nude under that gaze. He didn't like it one bit, but it was excessively hard to ignore. Tired of their game, he didn't leave her face, though, but stayed with a side stare, still making all of the blows come to nothing.

He felt sweat ran through his spine and forehead, but not the one of training. He was scared enough to sweat, and when she slowly opened her lips to give a retort of sorts, his heart felt like stopping. He was steps away from a funeral material. When Sokka considered his possibilities, he decided that, if giving the last wish, he would ask to be buried in sea, by his tribe's tradition. It sounds like an honorable thing to do.

"Kon, you broke your stance. Try again with the sword right in front of you, with your right arm. Got it?" - she stated, and the boy nodded, noticing that he had changed his posture. The master was too startled, breathing with ease for the first time today and already missing the feeling of air properly traveling through his lungs. She cocked her brow, catching his gaze. He didn't redirect it somewhere else and kept staring at her in disbelief. Azula didn't avert her eyes also, likely competitive. Sokka was almost back to Earth, until...

"Ouch!" - he screamed, increasing pain flooding his head uncomfortably. The illusion was broken, and with that, he was finally here to look at Kon. The boy was so giddy, and 'winner' was halfway written on his forehead, so proud of himself he was at the moment.

"Did you just hit me on the head?!".

The boy nodded, expression blessed

"Hey! It is against the rules!" - as Kon made it look like he was an innocent pun, he glanced at his mother, demanding some support. Instead of lecturing him about it, the woman was too busy checking her nails. Sokka almost felt a vein pulsing in his temple. "Azula! Don't you have to say anything to your son's antics?".

She looked at him indifferently, eyes empty. With a poker face, she shifted attention from him to Kon, and...

"Good job, son".

Sokka's mouth and eyes widen, as Kon laughed loudly, pleased. The man was like a big kid, so expressive with every little thing. She didn't dare tell that aloud, but she thought it was entertaining to spend some time teasing him. "HEY! Don't encourage him!".

"Please, can you hit him harder next time? It can fix something in there" - she muttered with a wide grin, ignoring Sokka fully. If it was possible, his pout doubled, cheeks so round, like two shiny balloons.

"Okay, I will try".

"...You both disappointed me" - he mumbled, defeated. They spared him somehow apologetic grins.

"We just trained for hours, Mom!" - the boy exclaimed, too excited to care for Sokka's worried glares. "Sokka taught me this and that, I want to become a master once, just like him!".

 The tribesman took Azula for a cold, constantly annoyed type of parent. He expected her to roll eyes at his happiness with matters insignificant in her book. She proved him wrong once again, as she gave the boy the kindest smile. It was somehow pained, likely from exhaustion, but it was full of life and warmth he could swear he never expected her to possess in any shape or form. 

 She came closer, her steps unlikely shaky, and petted the boy's head, shagging it lovingly in the process. Kon looked at her with the same shared warmth, a grin so happy and wide like a river flowing. It was the first time Sokka felt like spending time with a family, almost living with them by that point. It was a strange feeling indeed, yet nice in a way. For a moment, his blue eyes brightened with softness, as he heard them exchange jokes and sweet words.

 "You are only steps away from defeating me" - Azula said, leaving the boy's hair alone, no smile but a gentle expression - he wondered if there was a person on Earth who received a look remotely similar to that one. 'Probably, Kon's father' - the man thought, his mind suddenly and shockingly bitter. It was so stupid and illogical. It did, on the other hand, make him feel a little shift in the middle of his being, like a breath of winter-cold wind at the wrong time.  What is the matter with me? Must have been stressful also .

 "You will be a great warrior if you are going to be confident, brave, and - most importantly - hardworking. Only regular practice sessions can truly make you a master".

"Yes, master Sokka" - he answered, bowing out of habit.

Azula stood suddenly, as if remembering something, and gave two men another look, about to turn around. There was a question in her eyes glowing, he wondered if there was shaking in her thoughts. She then turned her head, just the tiniest, inches on the left, and...concentrated on the part-timer. He didn't expect her to pay any form of attention to him anymore, and he was suddenly lost with words -something he never usually was, but now he did. The face she gave wasn't angry, even disgusted or annoyed, simply blank and unfocused. Sokka started analyzing to himself if it was her usual expression when not being agitated or triggered.

"After some cleaning and laundry, I planned to make lunch" - she stated plainly. The tribesman had no idea why she decided to share suddenly, and he couldn't even comment. 'Congratulations? What does she expect?'.

"You can just go have a break outside, or..." - he found the pause unnecessary. "...I can spare you some".

"Huh?"

Sokka's eyes widen, in a cartoon way. His brows flew above, like the balloons they traveled on (and destroyed) once, in life so distant he barely recalls it now... At moments like those, he wondered if those memories were here truly, or if he just imagined his great adventure on an especially lonely night of dreaming.

As time passed, their mission became surreal, too much 'past' to handle in the stable, peaceful now. It was dangerous back then, but once in a long while, when not a living soul sees him, he wishes to get back to that life again. 'Peace is not my thing at all, I achieved it, but didn't accept yet it has been eight long years ever since'. Instead of a relief, he felt lost and sad. He wanted to be able to live in the world he created with his own hands, and now he did nothing but cry over the horrible past. There was a list of things he had to change about himself, too much to count on his hands, even if he had six fingers on each. 'I should be thankful that for now, life is no longer boring anymore'.

"Kon", - the whisper flew in his ear, making him drift from distant lands and come back to Earth. Then, came another one, - "...I think we lost him".

The man blinked, feeding on their giddy smiles, as they both made fun of him. He should have been angry, yet that sincerity made him giggle. The giggle turned into a chuckle. And the last one turned into a full, evident laugh. He didn't care that they thought he was mad. He finally, for the tiniest bit, enjoyed being in 'today'.

...And then it came to him that someone proposed to him food, yet he was too distracted with his strange train of regrets and memories.

"YES! When it comes to food, there's never 'noes' in my book, no 'no'. Please!". He took what he could while she acted like being generous.

"... We did" - the boy muttered in disbelief. Sokka was weird sometimes, and that was the conclusion Kon eventually came to. It didn't make him look different in his eyes, however.

He connected his hands, in a pleading manner. They must have been working out and training for much longer than he expected as his stomach was too enthusiastic for the food. Katara must have felt betrayed by how easily he had chosen other chief's dishes over hers. He remembers her faking sniffing, adding 'You may eat on the side, but you always come to me for breakfast'. It made him chuckle on the inside, replaying the memory in his head.

"...I am already regretting it. What is so appealing about being nice anyway?".

Sokka chuckled soundly this time at her inner conflict.

"When you say it that way, not much. You just...enjoy looking at someone becoming happier by your doings?".

"Can't they make them happy themselves?".

"I would likely disappoint you, but rarely so".

With a down mood, she sighed. The world of communication was a rough one, more so - for her.

“You actually did disappoint me”.

The conversation died on that, leaving the stuffy training room quiet. There was nothing left to say, as both felt awkward suddenly. Did they even have something to talk about? Being the most distant of characters on Earth, them ever having a conversation was unexpected, and such a long one – even more so. Without mumbling another word, the woman turned around towards the door leading to the staircase. Her movements seemed mechanic, slowed yet determined, as she moved closer to the kitchen.

Kon, tired of playing with his sword, already forgetting the joy of received triumph, jumped soundly on a bench, sweat dripping from his forehead straight to the floor. He likely overworked himself a bit, but the expression on the young's face said that experience was likely pleasant.

“What we do next?” - he asked, changing to a lying position, face up, looking at the ceiling. Brows a bit furrowed.

The man himself found the perspective of resting quite appealing. With nothing better to do but wait for lunch, some dozing off and lazing around was the best sort of action in his eyes.

...The thing disturbing him in the middle of his thoughts, however, was the footsteps stopping. They were pretty quiet from the start, just a human weight on the stairs, nothing unusual... But she stopped suddenly.

And then...silence.

It was the kind of menacing silence, as in... It shouldn't have been so quiet, he should have heard her steps moving from one wooden staircase to the no-less wooden floor, yet nothing followed, not even a pip.

Alarmed, he gave Kon a quick look, he appeared to lazily stretch on the bench in hopes of a nap. With a quiet 'I will be right back', not catching a nod back, Sokka stood up quietly, following the path the master of the house must have taken. 

One step, another two, a couple more, and...

He saw Azula on her knees, touching the step in front of her with shaky hands, breathing heavy enough even for him to hear. At the sight, he felt himself stop in his tracks, shocked and kicked out of breath. He saw her try to stand up, almost falling backward on her way, and he rushed with all his might to catch her in the worst case of her inevitable fall. Right on time, he, however, didn't have to: she stumbled back to the embryonic position of her previous stance herself, and he placed a gentlemanly supporting hand on her back instead.

It was also the first time he had ever touched her – maybe except for the darn Day of the Black Sun, too many years ago to find it even true. The fabric of her semi-casual shirt was soft yet damp, and he could swear the warmth radiating from her was evident even through it. 

“What... are you doing?” - Azula asked him with a pained voice, trying to shake his hand away and failing.

“Trying to help you” - he said simply, not finding it in him to answer wittily in the present situation. There was something wrong with her, he could tell it. “Does something hurt?”

At last, she turned to look at him, sweat running in a narrow lane through her rosy face. Her eyebrows were furrowing, but she didn't appear angry in the slightest. Just in pain and so, so tired.

“I am not Kon, I don't have something hurting”.

He gave her a weak attempt at fighting a 2 out of the usual 20. “Yes, sure. So you have always dreamed of touching the stairs to feel them with your hands or what?” Azula tsked, but instead of saying something back she hissed, letting one hand lose the grip on the staircase to move to hug her head. “Alright, alright. Forget about it. Can you stand?”

She bit her lip unconsciously and looked down at her legs and occupied hand with a hazy gaze. She moved them once again, but they were unwilling to cooperate. There was a lost expression on her face like a whimsical child who hated the world that didn't play by its rules.“Don't, let me help you”. She fought him weakly again, shaking her head from one side to the other in a “no”.

He was annoyed by her stubbornness, but instead of screaming at her to make her see the situation not in a foggy state, he considered the factor that might make her make sense. He startled her with his angry whisper: “Azula, for the love of God. Kon is on the lower floor. The longer we stay here, the faster he is to notice that something is wrong”.

Sokka saw her being hit with a realization. He needed to push her some more. “I was surprised to see you in such a state, but the boy will be even more scared for you. Would you cooperate and let me help you, or do you want him to do so?”

Weakly, unwillingly, she gave a hot nod, looking at him down-up warily. Likely, she was thinking – if she could think at that state, that was – that he could catch her and throw her to jail without a hitch. The woman won't fight back, so one word and she forgets what the light of day looks like. Sokka himself, however, couldn't think of anything but how bad did she look, and about ways he could help her.

Slowly letting his supporting hand lift, Azula began to lose her balance. Sokka was quick enough to place it on her body again, now cursing under himself.

“Shit, sorry! ...Can you place your hand on my shoulder, maybe? I will try lifting you”.

She didn't like the possibility much, and even in this horrendous state of pained breathing and heat radiating from her like spits of lava, she gave him a distrustful look. He rolled his eyes at her wariness. “Really? You tried to stand up yourself already, how did it turn out? I am not a magician myself, I can't move you without touching you. I don't have a choice, do I?”

Her head dropped lower as if it weighed a ton, but he felt a hand snaking around his shoulder, settling a grip with sharp nails right below his dorsum, yet he was too worried to care about the roughness. Taking that as the best form of cooperation he would get, Sokka nodded, giving her a last reassuring look before twirling his other hand below her knees, gently moving her closer to his chest, trying his very damn best not to fall with an additional wait of half-conscious female in his arms. She wasn't heavy per se – quite the opposite – but standing up suddenly with her in his arms, so soft, warm, and helpless, Sokka felt determined not to drop her or them both, or else he would never forgive himself. Going faster and faster, as to let her lie down on her bed as soon as humanly possible, he finally saw the end of the tunnel, getting to the floor he was never allowed to visit before – their bedroom. If he wasn't in such a rush, he would have been much more curious about the layout and appearance of the following, but he had a hard time opening the door as it was, more so with both of his hands occupied with something precious (did he just...? No, he must have imagined it) and fragile. Managing to open it somehow, he blamed the adrenalin for this memory being erased from his mind with all the stress and nervousness alike, he jumped inside like a ninja, almost running to her bed, yet still not to the extent of throwing her on it like a potato sack.

He lowered himself, feeling her body untying from his own, letting her sense the soft bedding supporting her dead-like weight like a champion. She reacted with a groan, sinking deeper into the sheets, and relaxing immediately.

Sokka himself noticed his breathing quickening, more in distress than he was allowed to be. Her eyelids struggled to stay open, yet their blinding bright yellow lights were sharply on him, never leaving. Her lungs felt like an engine about to explode, and Sokka hadn't panicked so much in a long, long time.

“Hey, what should I do?”. Azula didn't avert her shuddering stare at all, struggling yet succeeding in opening her trembling mouth. “Lea...”

This time, Sokka frowned, displeased. Even in this situation, she asked him to leave. He knew she didn't trust him the tiniest bit, but that was too much.

“I can't leave you like that, Azula. No normal human could when you are in this state. Just stop being so stubborn and let me help”.

“Liquid... you idiot. Let me...speak”.

There was a tiny smirk on her daring, if absolutely ill, and out there face.

Sokka grinned, standing up fast as lightning.

“Water will do?”

She nodded.

“Guess it's a yes, be right back. Don't you dare leave!”

She chuckled – or coughed? - yet Sokka was too busy with coming through the door. Opening it, however, he...

“What's going on?”

Was met with the tiny figure of a sleepy boy for the second time this day. Dammit!

“Is mommy alright?”

Twice a dammit!

“She isn't feeling well” - he explained, as there was no use lying now, as Kon was two steps away from the bed to be deceived. “I was about to get her water”

“What?! Is she? Can I...?!”

“No, let's get her water first, explanation second”.

As Sokka rushed forward to the staircase, Kon silently followed him again, the two of them reaching the kitchen at record speed.