Chapter Text
Sokka had gone through the ice once before when he was five. His father and Bato had left with some of the men to go on a hunting trip. Sokka was left behind because he was too young. He had snuck out after them, following in their footsteps. He caught sight of a young otter penguin that he decided to follow. He chased it down the slopes of the hills, slipping down the snowbanks. He didn’t realize until it was too late that he had strayed too far from their path and had ended up on the frozen over shore. It was early spring, and the ice was slowly beginning to melt. Sokka heard the cracking sound before he knew his mistake. Sokka was plunged into the cold darkness. He could barely catch sight the moon as it began to glimmer against the snow. It was almost mesmerizing through the ice. The cold was a shock to his system, his fingers and toes quickly going numb and sluggish. He could barely control his arms and legs to tread the water. Just has he thought it was hopeless, rough hands found his arms and hauled him out of the water. His father and Bato were standing over him has the cold began to rack his body with shivers. Sokka remember seeing his father’s mouth moving but he couldn’t make out what he had said. Behind him the moon shone bright and seemed to wink down at Sokka. That was all he knew before he woke up in his home surrounded by his family in a pile of blankets. The first thing he registered was he was freezing and soaked, quickly followed by pain aching through his body.
Sokka could barely open his eyes against the bright sun. He shifted his right arm only to let out a groan when the muscles protested.
“Easy, my boy.” A familiar voice spoke next to him. He couldn’t place where he knew the sound, but it was calming. It almost reminded him of home and Gran-Gran. How long has it been now since he last seen her face?
Sokka flinched away as he felt a warm touch to his head, pushing strands of hair from his face, “D-d… don’t t-t—” Sokka’s voice was strained, his throat sore, probably from gargling sea water.
“We pulled you out of the sea,” the voice spoke again, “We thought you were dead. It was no short of a miracle that we found you, let alone that you were alive. You must have the spirits to thank.”
It was then that Sokka noticed the gentle rocking of the waves and the smell of salt in the air. The damp, rough boards under him. He was on a boat. He could tell by the movements that it was small but well crafted, like the kind the Northern Tribe would use in emergencies when larger vessels would fail.
“Uncle—” a hoarse voice spat.
A chill went down Sokka’s spine. He knew that voice without a doubt in his mind.
“—don’t encourage him. We’ve taken him as our prisoner. He’s still our enemy.”
Sokka bolted upright and forced his eyes to open against the sun. There, kneeling next to him was General Iroh and standing, not even a few paces behind him, was Prince Zuko.
“You should have left me to the sea,” Sokka spat, his voice was raw and protested speaking. The adrenaline rushing through him caused the pain to subside for the moment. Fingers tingling at the sensation. His only focus was getting to safety.
“No, I think you should be thanking us. We pulled you out before you could drown,” Zuko barked. “Now you will tell me where the Avatar is headed.”
Sokka bared his teeth, a growl rising in his throat. His hand made for the sling where his boomerang lies but he falters when he finds it empty. The sea must have swept it away. Sokka felt the panic slowly stirring. He was unarmed on a boat with two fire benders. Not to mention the state he was in before he went into the sea. He would have to check his wounds when they were sleeping. I can’t let them know. Don’t show weakness.
“I believe there are other things that should be more concerning,” General Iroh spoke, breaking the eye contact between Sokka and the fire nation prince. Sokka turned his head to look at the older man, who in turn smiled gently. “You need to get dry.”
Sokka looked down at his parka. It was practically plastered to his skin, soaked through and weighing his body down. I’m glad I was even able to find it in the chaos of the fight.
Zuko huffed and took a step towards Sokka, who in turn threw himself back into the side of the boat.
A growl escaped Zuko’s lips, a hit of flame between his teeth, “Hold still, I’m trying to help you.”
Sokka was pinned under Zuko’s stare, not to mention his uncle beside him. Sokka eyed the edge of the boat, looking between the fire benders and the waves.
“For Agni’s sake,” Zuko muttered.
He lunged towards Sokka and hauled him away from the edge by his shoulders. Zuko’s hands began to heat. Sokka let out a flinch in fear remembering his time on Zhao’s ship, before a hissing sound filled his ears. Turning his head, Sokka saw steam lifting from his parka. The warmth of Zuko’s hands spreading through him, melting straight to his bones. “Thank you,” Sokka murmured, closing his eyes as the feeling rushed over him.
Sokka was so lost in the warmth that he didn’t realize he was missing, that he didn’t notice Zuko pulling out a rope and binding his hands.
“Don’t think about jumping overboard,” Zuko rasped, “You can’t swim with your hands bound and I need you to capture the Avatar.”
“Like I’d ever help you. My friends will find me before you get the chance to capture Aang. They’ll be looking for me now. In fact, you should save yourself the trouble and release me, let me go back to the North Pole.”
An awkward silence fell through the boat. Iroh cleared his throat and looked at Sokka with a pitying glance.
Sokka felt the hairs stand on the back of his neck, “What… What did you do?”
Zuko huffed, “It was Zhao. He had a plan to stop the water tribes.”
Iroh nodded. “If it wasn’t for the Avatar joining with the ocean spirit, he would have won. Well, that and…”
He trailed off when he saw the look on Sokka’s face.
The realization sunk on him then. Sokka was lost as sea after the ocean spirit began his attack. He was on a fire nation ship when it happened. Aang as the sea monster destroying anything fire nation in its path. The wreckage of the fleet floating past them, drifting in the sea.
“My sister thinks I drowned,” he mumbled. “Aang thinks he killed me.”
Iroh nodded slightly, a grim expression on his face.
Zuko’s eyes scanned Sokka’s face. A look passed over his face before he spoke again. “Your sister loves you. That’s good. We will be able to use that to trade you for the Avatar.”
Sokka shook his head. He felt numb. He managed to stand and turned away from the benders walking closer the side of the boat. “She wouldn’t. She’s not stupid. She knows Aang is more important than me in the fate of the war. They are better off without me.”
A dark look crossed Iroh’s face, but he didn’t speak.
“Where is the Avatar headed?” Zuko snapped.
Sokka was quiet for a moment. “They left me. They think I’m dead and they left me.” Sokka felt anger rising in him. He turned to face the fire bender. “How do you think I’m supposed to know where they are going. Aang is a hyperactive twelve-year-old. He doesn’t want to be the Avatar he wants to be a kid. Why do you think it took us so long to reach the spirit forsaken Northern Water-tribe! We made stops for him to try and befriend every animal he could find. They could be heading anywhere for La’s sake!” Sokka’s chest was heaving when he had finished his outburst. I didn’t plan his far. Do they even know what they are going to do? Please let them be safe.
Sokka couldn’t imagine the agony that Aang and Katara were facing right now. They must feel so broken and hopeless. Aang must feel so guilty and Katara so alone.
“Sokka, my boy,” Iroh gentled, “step away from the edge.”
Sokka looked behind him noticing how only a step or two farther would have had him teetering over the edge of the boat. Zuko huffed and turned away, walking to the stern of the ship.
All the energy left Sokka at once, he could feel the exhaustion coming over him. Muscles tensing, headache stirring, eyes growing heavy. stumbled over to the bow. Carefully as he could he sat down and wedged himself into the pointed end of the boat. His eyes drifted closed and he left the waves of sadness wash over him. The sun remained in the sky rising higher.
Sokka was awoken by a forceful shake of his shoulder. He sat up quickly and look around. Iroh was standing before him with a panicked look on his face.
“It seems the ocean spirit is not so quick to forgive.”
A crack of thunder flashed through the sky catching Sokka’s attention. The sea churned, waves crashed, and the sky pelted Sokka with rain. He heard a loud shout from across the boat. Zuko was over pulling the ropes of the boat trying to fight the rough waves. Iroh moved over to help was quickly as he was able, stumbling over the slippery deck. Sokka balanced on his knees and drug himself over to where Zuko was. His bound hands scraping against the deck.
“Zuko, you need to pull—” Sokka stumbled and fell over as a wave crashed into the side causing the boat to rock violently. He coughed and spluttered the sea water that threatened to choke him. He was dangerously nearing the edge of the boat.
“Zuko, you need to undo my hand. If the ship capsizes, I’ll drown.” Zuko growled and continued to pull at the ropes.
Iroh looked over from his ropes with a concerned frown. Sokka slipped again, only a step away from the edge. He spluttered as he caught another wave with his face,
“Zuko,” he shouted over the storm, “Please, I can help.”
Zuko gave the ropes a hard yank and then turned, grabbing Sokka forcefully by the bindings and dragged him closer. Zuko began searching for his knife, patting down his pockets with no success. Sokka looked over as another crack of lightning streaked the sky.
“Wave!” Sokka shouted. He felt Zuko’s grip tightened as he placed his hands over the ropes. They began to heat, burning Sokka’s wrist, and then fell apart just as the large wave crashed into the boat. Sokka was wiped to the side was the water sprayed. He only managed to say aboard due to Zuko’s grip on his hand. Sokka nodded to him and thanks and then pulled himself to his feet.
“You’re still our prisoner. We will get to land eventually,” Zuko shouted over the waves.
Sokka rolled his eyes and took the ropes from the bender, “Whatever makes you happy.” He gave a quick sharp tug and then turned to Iroh. “You need to ride the waves, not fight through them. Angle the boat away from the storm’s path!” Sokka swiped the loose hairs that escaped his wolf-tail where they had plastered themselves across his face. He grunted as he was pulled forward on the slippery deck when the wind caught the sail. “Quickly!”
Iroh nodded and adjusted the sails according to Sokka’s direction. Zuko skidded over to help when his uncle nearly slipped.
They continued to pull and twist when needed to guide the boat through the storm. Sokka, who was not one for spirits and their magic was never one to beg them for help. Maybe it was because he had come closer to death more in the past few days than he had in his entire life or maybe it was something else. But Sokka felt himself begging. It will be a wonder if this boat survives a storm like this. Tui and La help us. I need to find my sister. I promised to protect her. Please. The waves continued swell, lightning streaking across the sky casting them in flashes of light in the darkness. The rain continued to rage on soaking them all to the bone. The wind lashed at the sails, tugging them here and there. It tossed waves that splashed across the deck.
Sokka’s body began to ache from the strain, the salty water burning his eyes. It must have been an act of the spirits that Sokka’s burned side even allowed him to stand. They continued to pull at the lines trying to keep the small boat from crashing into the waves. Pulling and heaving to steer the boat to safety. It felt like hours before the rain finally let up, becoming a drizzle.
Sokka let go of the ropes after securing them, nodding to Iroh when he did the same. He wiped his rope burned hands carefully down the front of his parka. Sokka yanked the tie holding his wolf-tail up out and shook out his hair. His hand moved to pull it back up, but he froze. Sokka felt his stomach plummet. He knew after what had happened on Zhao’s ship he should have died. From the burn or the drowning, he wasn’t sure, probably both. The pain Sokka had felt that night was worse than he could ever imagine. Clothes melting on flesh. The smell that had come from him. The sea had been rough and wild from the La’s revenge only adding salt to the wounds. Ha, Sokka thought bitterly, I suppose salt water really is adding salt to the wounds. He shook the thought from his head, a new problem he had to face. He knew he should have been tossed about until he was torn apart, but the fire benders had found him and pulled him to safety. Sokka felt a chill go down his spine and he knew it wasn’t from the rain. It really was an act of the spirits that had kept him standing. Part of the front clump of his hair was white. Pure white, like the light of the moon. Like Yue.
Sokka felt his breath catch and he stumbled back, slipping on the wet deck of the boat. Zuko and Iroh turned to him, alarm spreading over their faces. They both said something, but Sokka could only hear his heartbeat echoing in his ears. Sokka felt his breath coming out in short pants. His mind was racing, I should be dead, I should be dead, why am I not dead?
Iroh came over and put a hand on his shoulder. His voice was low and soothing, but Sokka couldn’t understand anything but the wild thoughts zipping through his mind. Zuko came over and placed a hand on this other shoulder. Steam rose from his parka once more and the warm seeped into his skin. It pulled Sokka slightly from his mind, grounding him a little.
“You need to breath,” Zuko muttered before pulling away. Sokka let in a gasp of air before letting it out in a shaky breath.
“W-what… h-happened,” Sokka tried to speak.
Iroh’s eyed narrowed, “It was just a storm, my boy. Without you I don’t think we would have made it through.”
Sokka shook his head, taking another shuttering breath, “N-not the s-storm. Y-y-Yue.”
Iroh’s face fell.
Zuko looked confused, “What is he talking about?”
Iroh shook his head, “Zhao had a terrible plan to take out the water tribes.”
Sokka nodded eagerly for him to continue, shaking hands grasping his parka tightly. Iroh had mentioned this before.
“He found the Spirit Oasis and in it, Tui and La.”
Sokka felt his breath catch again and Zuko squeezed his shoulder.
“He took Tui from the water and killed her, causing the moon to fade from the sky and with it the power of water bending.”
Sokka felt his blood to run cold, “Then?”
Iroh took a moment, his eyes scanning Sokka’s face before freezing on something next to his eyes. Sokka knew he was looking at the streak of white. He was reaching out to touch it the first moment Sokka woke on this spirit forsaken boat. His stomach turned.
“Yue was touched by the moon spirit. The life force was within her. She walked into the Oasis with Tui and gave the life force back.”
Sokka pulled himself away from the fire benders hands. He fell back and curled his face towards his knees grasping at his hair, pulling.
“She said something right before she faded,” Iroh’s voice was a whisper. Sokka wouldn’t have been able to hear him if it was for the silence that had overcome the boat, the rain finally stopping. “I wasn’t sure what exactly she meant in the moment. I though perhaps she was scared to give her life up.”
Sokka shook his head. Not Yue. She was the most selfless and brave person he ever met. She was the most beautiful person he laid eyes on. She didn’t deserve any of this war. She should have grown up. Why didn’t she get a chance to grow up, but Sokka did?
“But now that we have pulled you from the sea, when you should have been lost…”
Zuko looked at his uncle, eyebrows furrowed, “What did she say?”
“Help Sokka.”
Sokka felt himself crumple. His hand drifted to his left side, where the burn was hidden under his clothes. Sokka squeezed his eyes shut, willing the tears to go away. She was always so selfless. Why save me? I don’t understand.
“I thought she was begging for you to save her, but now I see she was begging the spirits to save you.” Iroh touched the white part of his hair.
Zuko’s eyes widened in shock.
Sokka nodded tightly, “Why?”
Iroh shook his head. “The spirits have a will of their own. I couldn’t be sure, but you must have a great destiny ahead of you for the moon spirit to give you new life.”
Sokka turned his head away from them. They rain clouds had cleared, leaving them in the light of the waning moon. They should have chosen someone else to save.
Sokka didn’t sleep that night. Not with the moon leering over him so bright like it was trying to consume his every thought. Almost as if it was trying to reach into him and pull something out, digging through everything that made Sokka who he was and twist it into something new. Sokka had changed. He grew out of his sexist ways and learned to respect women for what they could be. Sokka had started to really step into his role as an older brother now that he had Aang to watch over. It was something Sokka always thought he would be able to get by on, seeing as Katara could take care of herself. But Aang was a gentle person and Sokka’s best friend. He would do anything to protect him and keep him from harm. Sokka would never stop worrying about them though. He could only imagine the road that they are taking now. Feeling like they failed in the North Pole and left with nothing. Sokka had to find them, if only to easy their minds. He couldn’t believe that Tui would give him a second chance. Sokka fiddled with the white streak in his hair. He didn’t think he deserved another chance. Sokka wasn’t important, he’s a non-bender. He would be useless in the end when the final fight would come.
A loud snore cut off Sokka’s train of thought. On the other side of the ship, slept Iroh, who was snoring peacefully. And Zuko, who slept on his left side, facing Sokka. It seemed even in his sleep he was keeping watch over Sokka. Like I have anywhere to escape to, he thought bitterly, looking out over the sea. Sokka began patting down his side where the burn was hidden underneath his clothes. Somehow the burn hole in his pants had vanished. I must have the spirit magic to thank for that too. His burn was only slightly tender to the touch, like the wound was weeks old instead of just days. Sokka shook his head. He knew something was strange about this second chance. Yue had been saved in the Spirit Oasis by water bending healers. Sokka wasn’t. Is that why only part of his hair was streaked with new color? Was it because Tui was slowly regaining strength after dying, not enough power to pull Sokka back too? Sokka shook the thoughts from his head. He patted his belt where his hunting knife was hidden away under his parka. He was relieved to find it still there, even if it wasn’t his boomerang. At least he was a way to defend himself or gather food. That’s something we need to start worrying about. When is the last time I ate? Sokka would have to start forming a plan for food in the morning. He saw the sun was slowly beginning to rise in the horizon, causing the water to look like it was turning to glass. It was beautiful in its own way. Ice reflecting light in away the moon didn’t. Sokka pulled his parka closer to him and finally drifted off, saying one last thanks to Yue.
Sokka woke a few hours later to a kick to his side. He rolled over to glare at Zuko who was standing above him.
“Enough sleeping. Tell me where the Avatar is.”
“Now?” Sokka said, exasperated. Does this guy not give up?
“It’s barely morning.”
“Yes now. The sun has been up for hours. It’s not my fault you're as lazy as my uncle.”
Sokka looked over to Iroh who just shrugged. He didn’t seem offended, but then again, his nephew was a jerk. Maybe he’s use to it.
“Where is he?”
“You should learn to take breaks,” Sokka said, faking a yawn.
Zuko’s jaw twitched from how tightly his teeth were clenched.
“He’s right nephew,” Iroh interjected. “A fire that burns to brightly doesn’t burn for long.”
Sokka nodded in agreement, but Zuko only rolled his eyes.
“Answer me!” Sokka rolled his eyes.
“I told you he could be anywhere.”
“That’s not good enough. You must have had a plan for when you left the North Pole.”
Iroh sat watching the exchange while fiddling with something in front of him. It looked like a tea kettle.
Sokka raised an eyebrow, “Did it seem like we had a plan when you were chasing us before?”
Zuko opened his mouth to speak and then stopped as if he realized something. He huffed. “If you had to guess, where would they go? I’m sure you want to find them again.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” Sokka spat, turning back into the bow, hoping to get more sleep.
Zuko growled. Lunging forward he grabbed Sokka by the sleeve and yanked him out of the small space. Iroh put down his tea to say something, but Sokka pulled out his hunting knife before he could. He held it up in between them causing Zuko to drop his sleeve to raise his hands in a bending stance. His eyes were tracking every move Sokka made.
“Now, now” Iroh started, setting his makeshift cup down. “I don’t think this is the place for—”
Sokka caused him to falter when he turned his knife to the deck and scratched a line across the floor. He made sure to give the two fire benders plenty of space, leaving him the small alcove made by the point of the bow and the space in front of it.
“What is that?” Zuko snapped.
“What does it look like? It’s a divider. This is my half of the boat and that’s yours. You stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine.” Sokka sent him a smirk that caused Zuko’s face to flush in annoyance.
Iroh let out a choking sound but when Sokka looked at him he was back to sipping his drink.
“You’re my prisoner, there is not sides!” Zuko spluttered. His voice was growing louder with each shout. He looked down at the line on the deck as if personally wronged him.
“Maybe you’re my prisoner.” Sokka stated. He was having fun watching the fire bender’s wild facial expressions.
“That makes no sense! You’re outnumbered.”
“Hey, leave me out of this,” Iroh stated, while he was pouring a cup.
“You’re the prisoner! You agreed to it when I cut off your bindings,” Zuko snapped.
“Who would agree to that? That’s stupid.”
“You did! It was literally your words!”
“I’m pretty sure my words were ‘whatever makes you happy’ which isn’t really an agreement.”
“I’m never happy,” Zuko said with a serious expression.
Sokka snorted, “Hey, I’m not happy about this arrangement, believe me. But I personally want to make to land before you torch this boat because I pulled your hair. Speak of which was it up with the ponytail? You look ridc—”
Zuko cut him off with a short yell and stomped off to the other side of the boat, fist clenched tightly. Sokka smirked in victory. Zuko took a deep breath before turning back.
“Where did you get it?”
Sokka frowned, “What?”
“The knife. I searched you for weapons while you were unconscious.”
Sokka huffed out a laugh, “Well you must have missed it because it’s been strapped to my belt the entire time.”
“Give it to me,” Zuko said holding his hand out.
“No.”
“I’m not having you armed when you’re our prisoner. You’ll cut our throats in our sleep.”
Sokka rolled his eyes, “Nice to know you think I’m a savage like every other person I’ve met.”
Zuko rolled his eyes in response, “It’s not my fault you live up to the name.”
Sokka felt his shoulders tense. Now is not the time to start a fight. There’s no were to escape too. You can’t win this one. Sokka let out a breath, “I’m not giving it to you.”
“I’m not asking,” Zuko snapped.
“Look jerk face. I can’t bend. Forgive me if I am a little wary giving up my only means of defense when I’m trapped with two fire benders and one of them is desperate to kill me and my friends.” Sokka spat, sliding his knife across the desk to Zuko’s feet.
Zuko faltered looking between Sokka and the blade before finally scooping it up. “I don’t want to kill the Avatar.”
Sokka laughed, “Oh of course not. You’re just going to chain him up and bring him home for the Firelord to finish off in the most brutal way imaginable. What did you think was going to happen when you caught him? He was going to have a tea party with your dad? And is name is Aang. He’s twelve years old, he wants to pet every animal he sees, and he wants everyone to be his friend. You really started thinking about what really matters.”
Zuko fell silent and looked as if Sokka slapped him across the face. Sokka rolled his eyes and stomped off back to the corner of the bow, now defenseless.
Sokka watched Zuko silently sit down by his uncle. He couldn’t read his expression, but he almost looked lost. That’s stupid. Sokka thought. He’s the prince of the fire nation. He’s anything but lost. Zuko turned his hunting knife in his hand, inspected the craftsmanship. Sokka remembered when he made it. It was after the first hunting trip he took with his dad and Bato. They had used the bones of the buffalo yak they killed and taught Sokka how to carve his own knife. He was proud of it, despite it being small. One of his first weapons he received after his boomerang. He took great care of it. Sharpening the blade when it was dull, and oiling the leather handle when it needed it. It was strange watching Zuko turn it in his hand. It sent a sour feeling coursing through Sokka that he couldn’t name. The wrap of blue and brown leather looked odd in his hand. The white of the blade caught the sun in a way steel didn’t. Sokka bit down a cry of protest when he watched Zuko stab it into the wood of the stern before pulling out and doing it again. He was going to ruin the blade. Sokka shot him a glare, but Zuko wasn’t looking at him. His gaze was directed towards the horizon, and he seemed lost in thought. Stupid fire benders. Sokka grumbled before finally turning his attention elsewhere.
Sokka’s stomach growled. He wasn’t sure how long it had been since he last eaten. All he knew was the meal he had with Katara and Aang before he left to go on the mission with Hahn. He wished he had eaten more, or at least packed something with him when he left. Though that probably would have been lost as sea with his boomerang. Sokka sighed. Iroh had offered him some water that he and Zuko had melted into canteens out of ice. They hadn’t offered any food though. They must have run out as well. Sokka was getting bored of watching the sea vultures circling overhead. They are probably waiting for me to starve to death. Their big wings casted shadows on Sokka’s face giving him respite from the suns unforgiving light. Sokka’s gazed turn out towards the sea when he caught sight of something.
“Is… that?” Zuko looked up,
“They won’t get any closer—”
“No not them, on the water.” Sokka launched himself to his feet causing the boat to teeter to the side. “It its! Bring us closer.”
Zuko huffed. “This is my boat; I don’t take orders from you. Sit down you’re going to make us capsize.”
Sokka rolled his eyes and bite back a retort, “Forget it. I don’t have to listen to you.”
Sokka removed his parka, stuffing that along with the first few layers of his clothes into his corner, leaving him in nothing but his pants and undershirt. He climbed on to the edge.
“What are you doing?” Zuko demanded.
Sokka dived into the water instead of answering. The cold was still a shock to his system no matter how much he tried to prepare for it. He gasped as his head broke through the surface.
“You can’t escape on that. You’ll drown for real this time,” Zuko shouted.
Iroh looked over the side of the boat with concern written on his face. Zuko’s shouts must have woken him from his light dozing.
Sokka turned and swam towards the boat. It was a Northern fishing boat. The keel was cracked and swollen with water. The mast was completely torn off and missing, most likely the only reason it was still able to float. The boat must have been lost when the ocean spirit started attacking and then carried out this far from the storm. Sokka hauled himself up the side of the boat, the bottom slowly filling with water. He leaned over to fiddle with the tarp inside. It was made from tiger seal skin. Goodbye waking up wet, Sokka thought victoriously. The tarp was typically used to keep the seats dry when it snowed. His numb fingers made it difficult to undo the knots keeping it secure. His muscles were starting to go stiff from the cold. Sokka let out a silent cheer when the tarp finally came free. He turned to the box that was wrapped in similar material. He picked it up and shook it. He was rewarded with a rattle that caused him to grin. Sokka then moved to dig around for the bait traps, finding them empty. He let out a grown of frustrations. He would have to make do with his own. Sokka collected his findings and stuffed them under one arm, hoping they would stay dry. He began to sluggishly swim back to the boat were Zuko and his uncle were watching. Zuko had a baffled expression on his face, he looked like he wanted to start shouting again.
“Don’t touch my stuff,” Sokka chattered. Zuko rolled his eyes and watched as Sokka plucked his knife from where Zuko had left it in the wood. Sokka took another breath before diving back into the water.
The net of the fishing boat was beautifully crafted. He would have been able to recognize the handiwork of the man who made it if he had stayed in the North longer. Unfortunately, it had become tangled in the storm. Sokka tugged on the side trying to free as much of it as he could. Using his knife, he cut away what couldn’t be free. I’ll have to repair it later. His fingers were growing stiffer by the minutes. He needed to be quick before he froze. Sokka took another breath and swam under the hull. It was crusted with barnacle oysters. A pest really. They would attach themselves to the soft wood and cause the boats to drag in the water, making ice dodging more difficult. Sokka always spent his time dragging out every boat from the boat to free them. It was always one of his favorite ways to spend with his sister after the warriors left for war. Sokka prided as many as he could hold off. They were edible and the gills made good bait. He stuck his collection in the net and began to swim back to the surface.
“—won’t save you if you're drowning! I’ll… you… Uncle do you think he?” Sokka heard Zuko say.
Sokka broke through the water once more and Zuko lunged to grab him. Sokka didn’t complain because he felt his muscles locking up from the cold. And ache was forming in the leg that was burned on Zhao’s ship. Sokka wiped the salt water from his eyes and laid out his net, making sure to keep it secure. He looked over to his side of the boat to see the box missing.
“Hey! I told you not to touch my stuff,” he protested turning towards the fire benders. They were both looking at him with wide eyes. Sokka paused. The only sound you could he was his teeth chattering. “What?”
Zuko paled and shook his head, “I’m not letting you have a weapon. Let alone a spear.”
Sokka rolled his eyes and stuffed his knife back in its sheath with shaking hands. “It’s for fishing. I didn’t think you wanted to starve before we found land. Now unless you know how to use it, I suggest you give it back.”
Zuko huffed before sliding the box across the floor. Sokka smiled at him victoriously and then turned to spread out the tarp in the middle of the boat.
“Sokka,” Iroh approached slowly, “You need to get dry. You’re turning blue.”
Sokka stopped what he was doing and realized he had stopped shivering. Sokka hesitated before peeling off his undershirt. He had looked at the burns since he received them. He turned to Zuko, “Dry me off.”
Zuko rolled his eyes, “I don’t have to listen to you.” He repeated back Sokka’s words from earlier with a snippy tone.
“Are you going to dry me off or not?”
“No. Not until you tell me where—”
“Yes,” Iroh interrupted.
“Uncle will you stop—” he cut himself off with a shout. His hands burst into flames causing Sokka to flinch back violently. It didn’t escape the attention of the fire benders. Zuko quick closed his fist getting rid the flames before using his bending to dry off Sokka.
“Thank you,” Sokka spoke quietly. He hoped they wouldn’t bring up his reaction.
“You can thank me by sharing your catch with us.”
Sokka frowned, “You thought I wouldn’t?”
“We’re enemies, what else would I expect.”
Sokka looked at Iroh with a raised eyebrow, who in turn sent Sokka sad smile.
Sokka shook his head. “They aren’t tasty but it’s better than nothing. They are best served in fish stock or fried in tiger seal fat. We always ate them with fish back home. Poaching them works but and it helps get rid of some of the grit. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help much with the flavor. We just need something to boil them in.”
“We can use my kettle,” Iroh offered, giving Sokka a smile. It was a dented copper pot. It was clearly well loved. They had only used it so far to melt ice in it to have something to drink.
“That will work but first we need to clean them. I’ll show you how shuck them if you trust me with a knife.”
“I don’t.” Zuko deadpanned.
Sokka ignored him and sat down on the tarp with the net in front of him. He carefully scooped out a few of the barnacle oysters. Iroh came and sat down to help, shooting the prince a look that made Zuko throw himself on the ground too. “First you have to twist like this, it removes the shell,” Sokka said while demonstrating with his knife.
Iroh hummed with interest and Zuko shot him an annoyed look. They both pulled out knifes and began to follow along. Or in Zuko’s case, tried to. “Keep the gills when you’re cleaning them.” He glanced over at Zuko’s hand to see the poor barnacle oyster falling victim to his unfortunate work. “No, the gills. The gills.” Sokka said to Zuko. He pointed to the spot he was referencing and Zuko let out a huff.
“We’ll save them, don’t throw them out. They make a good bait. Pile them up here.” Sokka said placing his on the tarp. Sokka dug through the box he grabbed off the boat. He snatched up a small jar and cracked it open. It was empty but smelled of something greasy. Sokka wasn’t sure what bait it had previously held but he scraped the gills into the jar and sealed it back up. The work divided between the three of them showed to be quick. Before Sokka knew it that had in front of them a pile of shells and shucked barnacle oysters. Some of them were more noticeably neat. Iroh had more patience and skill when shucking. But only a few fell victim to Zuko’s impatient hand, oddly shaped but still usable. Gran-Gran would be proud. Sokka nodded to them to show he approved their work. Zuko seemed to brighten under his slight praise, especially since he struggled in the beginning.
“Pass the kettle over?” Sokka asked Zuko. It was technically in his reach, but he would have to cross the line dictated the fire bender’s side. He had to follow his own rules after all. Zuko rolled his eyes but passed it over, nonetheless, making sure his hand didn’t cross over the line. Sokka paused in his instructions as he realized he need one of them to fire bend. He couldn’t help but think of Zhao and the men of his ship. Sokka’s hand went to his chin, where he knew a scar would sit. Zuko and Iroh’s eyes followed his hand. Zuko turned away quickly and filled the kettle with water. Sokka tried to avoid Iroh’s questioning gaze. In between Zuko’s hands the kettle grew warmer. It was strange seeing fire bending used in such an innocent way. It almost reminded him of how Aang would use air bending to play games. Sokka shook his head. He didn’t completely trust Zuko and his impatience’s not to scorch their only food.
When the water began to bubble, Sokka turned to Iroh, “You can drop them in now. It usually takes five minutes for them to be finished.” He turned to look at Zuko, “Just don’t over boil them or the texture will be worse.”
Zuko looked like he was going to retort but he swallowed it down and nodded. Sokka noticed his eyes drifting towards his chin. Sokka turned away. After the five minutes passed, the water was carefully drained over the side of the boat. Sokka passed around the makeshift bowls that were stored in the box, giving the fire benders the ones with more food. Iroh raised his eyebrow when he noticed Sokka’s smaller portion.
He shrugged in return, “It’s a force of habit.”
“What do you mean?” Zuko questioned.
Sokka let out a small sigh, “After all the warrior’s left for war, I oversaw taking care of everyone. We were only left with women and children. Most too old or young to do any of the hunting.”
Zuko nodded, “I remember, there was hardly anyone left. I was expecting more of I fight when I arrived.”
Sokka snorted, “I was left to protect everyone alone. I promised my father I would keep them safe. I was thirteen.”
“That’s a heavy burden to place on shoulders so young,” Iroh commented, he looked at Zuko out of the corner of his eye.
Sokka shrugged again, “It had to be done. My sister and I had to grow up quickly. That’s why I take the smaller portions though. I had to make sure everyone else was fed before I ate myself. It wasn’t uncommon for me to miss a meal or two.”
Zuko shook his head as if he had something to add, but he kept it to himself. Iroh gave Sokka a weak smile. He tried offering some of his own food, but Sokka stopped him, “It’s alright. You need it more than I do. You’re benders after all.”
Zuko winced at that comment, but Sokka didn’t questioned it. He dug into his food savoring every bite. It was far from Gran-Gran’s, but it would keep him alive.
Days passed, since the lesson in shucking happened. Sokka stay up late into the night and slept far into the day, much to Zuko’s annoyance. Sokka spent a lot of this time repairing the net. Iroh often close by asking him questions about the work. When he wasn’t weaving, he was fishing. He would balance on the edge of the boat with the spear in his grasp waiting for his prey to be lured in. Iroh and Zuko always seemed to watch in fascination the way Sokka was able to dangle off the edge of the boat without falling. He had lots of practice after all, fishing for the whole tribe. Some days he was more successful than others in finding a catch. Zuko had finally given up on complaining about the smell of the bait when Sokka did manage to catch something. The benders would sit across from Sokka’s small corner and watch as he descaled the fish with ease.
In times not spent trying to gather food or sleeping, Iroh had insisted upon teaching Sokka how to play pai-sho. A game that he said Zuko failed spectacularly at. Iroh had carved symbols into the shells of the barnacle oysters and then a board onto the floor of the boat. Sokka listened to the rules with great interest finally something to occupy his busy mind when the waters weren’t right for fishing. Zuko would spend those nights grumbling about how the game was a waste of time.
“Ah nephew, it is like I once said—”
Zuko cut him off with an exasperated groan, “If this is another metaphor about tea, I’m going to jump off the boat and swim the rest of the way to land.”
Sokka snorted at the theatrics and Iroh smiled at his nephew. “I haven’t had a good cup of tea since the North Pole, nephew. Let an old man indulge himself.”
Zuko rolled his eyes, but there was a fondness in the gaze.
“What about you Sokka,” Iroh asked, “when was your last good cup of tea?”
Sokka paused in his next move of the game and glanced at the man before him. He let out a small laugh, “Well, where I come from, I’m surrounded by snow and ice. I don’t think I’ve ever had a proper cup of tea.”
Iroh’s eyes widened in horror, “That is a disgrace. We must fix this at once. Zuko, can you believe he’s never even had proper tea…”
Iroh continued to ramble on, the game between them forgotten. Zuko caught Sokka’s eyes and sent him a small, amused smile, tilting his head in his uncle’s direction. Sokka couldn’t help but return it.
As the days passed, Sokka’s strength faded. He would spend even more time sleeping, now even through the night. He was more clumsy balancing on the edge of the ship, his leg slowing aching as the hours passed. He would notice concerned glances between Zuko and his uncle. They would often try to get him to eat a bigger share at meals, but Sokka would turn them down, unable to finish the measly size of his own. He knew something was wrong, a since of something looming over him slowly waiting for the right moment to strike. Sokka just didn’t know what to expect.