It's an unusually warm day and they - Zuko, Aang, Katara, Miko, and Kote - decide to go further out in another direction they haven't been to yet. Kote easily supports them all as she races across the tundra, blending into her snowy surroundings if it wasn't for the blue and orange and yellow atop her. Aang is practically a beacon to anyone looking for them.
They enjoy the freedom, the speed as Kote stretches her legs over the flats, leaps over small dunes and lumps, barrels around corners, and flies under arches of snow and ice. They scare a small herd of caribou yak, the animals bleating in their haste to flee. Katara points out a mink fox, poking its head over a dune to observe them as they do the same to it. And birds, a surprising amount: geese, a few snow falcons, auks, gulls, and adorable little buntings. Katara says it's a good sign of a pleasant early spring on the way.
The landscape changes drastically by the time they slow down to a more leisurely pace, rocky, the ice harder, more bends and giant hills of compact snow and ice. It's beautiful in that hidden danger kind of way. But they have a master air bender, a water bender, and a polar bear dog, so they don't worry about predators.
Miko is perched atop Zuko's shoulders, large ears perked and alert for strange noises, pupils narrowed to combat the snow glare as he darts his eyes to every nook and shadow. Between Kote's sharp nose and Miko's excellent hearing and eyesight, they'd be aware of any hostile creatures before it even makes an appearance.
Creatures, yes, but not the giant Fire Nation war ship frozen in time in its icy grave. They crest the dune and Kote doesn't even need to be told to stop, animal and human alike staring in guarded awe.
"We shouldn't be here," Katara states quietly, eyes darting back and forth as if she expects enemy soldiers to pop out of the snow in ambush.
Zuko silently agrees with her.
"What happened?" Aang is in a state of shock, staring at the metal ship so obviously out of place.
"It happened during one of the last raids, when they took the last of our water benders. Everyone but me." Katara grips the back of Zuko's parka, leaning her forehead into his back.
Zuko tenses, not lost to the irony of Katara seeking comfort from him when it was his own nation that was responsible for the Water Tribe's years of suffering. Still, he doesn't shrug her off and silently loathes himself instead for it.
"I need to check this out." That's all the warning they get before Aang hops down and skims across the ice plate on an air ball.
"Aang, wait! It's dangerous!" Katara shouts over Zuko's shoulder, causing him to wince at the volume.
Aang either doesn't hear, or he ignores them, and after a shared look of worry, Zuko spurs Kote forward in a gallop, weary of breaking through the plate. Zuko regards the ice with leery judgment, memories of tiger sharks flickering unbidden in his mind's eye. He doesn't relax until they're on the thick layers of folded ice around the ship, but even that brings a new wariness, a different past no longer his standing before him.
Aang is on a higher spear of ice, one that penetrates the hull, staring into the void of a long-dead ship. He can't seem to bring himself to enter. "This isn't... I don't remember this. The Fire Nation wouldn't..."
Katara has come up beside Aang by then. She lays a hand on his shoulder. "They did, Aang. There was a war. A terrible, awful, pointless war. Everyone was affected."
That seems to trigger something in Aang's thoughts, because he looks to her, dread in his eyes. "Everyone?"
She simply nods. Zuko watches from beside Kote, hoping they come back, not wanting to be part of this conversation, not wanting to enter that ship.
Against better reasoning, Aang enters the ship in numb determination, Katara close behind, clutching the air bender's robes in her fists. Zuko curses under his breath and follows.
"Wait, what if there's traps?" Zuko knows there's traps.
It makes Aang pause, then he gives them a reassuring smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "I'll keep track of the wind currents for anything strange."
They manage to avoid triggering any traps they come across, Aang catching most, and Zuko using Miko as an excuse to avoid others they would have otherwise walked into. The snowshoe cat is tense, scanning constantly, ears rotating, flaring nostrils taking deep breaths, tiny heart beating fast. It's not hard to convince them the cat sensed something.
In the command room, they take longer to investigate, this room one of importance. Zuko stays by the door. He can't go in further. Aang joins him, nearly leans against the wall, but thinks better of it at the last moment. There's a coldness here unlike the open tundra, the metal walls stealing the heat from their bodies, giving it a more ominous feeling, like the souls of the dead are trying to steal the heat they lost so very long ago.
The air bender glances at Katara, trailing her mittened fingers over the command panel, a hair's breadth from actually touching it. She's on the other side of the room, and when Aang speaks quietly to him, Zuko realizes that was intentional. "I had a dream. In it, I...," he stops, shifts his footing, and looks away. "I think it was a memory."
Zuko doesn't say anything, but he tilts his head, letting Aang know he has his attention.
"I was with Appa. Oversea. There was a storm, a bad one. We, uh, we went under the water. I remember it was cold, and I thought I was gonna die. Then it got really bright, and I woke up here. There's nothing in-between. You said you studied the avatar state? Do you think that was it?" Aang looks at him again, full of hope. Hope of confirmation or denial, Zuko's not sure. Maybe a mixture of both.
"It's possible," Zuko replies simply, because he can't say with certainty. It's obvious Aang is the avatar after demonstrating air and water bending, and while it's true the royal family studied the avatar, Zuko was busy prioritizing his training. The avatar was a myth at that point and not worth wasting more time into. Now that myth is a sixteen-year-old boy named Aang, standing next to Zuko.
Zuko also doesn't want to confirm to Aang that the air bender had lost everything he once knew to be true.
"The Air Nomads?" It's a loaded question.
"The Southern Temple still stands," is all Zuko says, but it's enough to see visible relief in the air bender.
Katara joins them again, calmer, but not relaxed. "Can we go?"
"Yeah, let's, uh, the wind feels different this way. I think it's a quicker way out," Aang says as he points and leads them away.
It's quicker because there was a battle. Scorch marks and broken weapons from both sides litter the hall. In dark, open doorways they can see remains of the fallen, corpses, picked over by scavengers, clothes so tattered, and shredded, and bare it's hard to tell which side they belonged to. What little flesh they see before averting their eyes is stretched thin and husk-like, weathered by time and harsh elements.
Like true horror, they can't completely keep their gazes away, sneaking quick, horrified looks as if hoping it wasn't really there, like they'd look again and all that would remain was an empty ship. Somewhere, outside, the low, mournful cry of a fox reaches them, the sad song curling around them like a physical presence.
They find the break in the hull not soon enough, and quickly slide down to the ice plate. It's tempting to call Kote over, but the dreadful thought of a whistle awakening spirits and vengeful ghosts keeps Zuko silent. No one speaks as they pick their way back to the polar bear dog, mounting and making a cautious but quick retreat, ready to put the haunting place behind them.
The memories will take longer to run from.
The trek back is slower and quiet, no longer full of chatter and excitement, their moods now low, dispirited. Kote keeps them at a brisk trot, but it's nothing like the start of their trip.
Until Aang speaks. Shouts.
"Penguins!" He points to a group of otter penguins, shuffling about as they squawk and chirp at each other.
"Uuuh, yes, Aang, those are penguins," Katara says uncertainly, not sure why he is so excited.
"Let's go sledding!" The air bender looks at them with that usual sparkle in his eyes.
Katara's own light up as well, smile forming with it. "Ok!"
They both hop off Kote and take a few steps before they realize Zuko hasn't joined them.
"Lee?" Aang tilts his head.
Zuko shifts uncomfortably from atop Kote. "I haven't been sledding."
Admitting to Aang you haven't done something is a guaranteed way to get roped into it, Zuko has come to realize. Aang can be very persuasive and just pushy enough to get his way. Zuko is also good at convincing animals to not run away, which only excites Aang further as many of the otter penguins naturally waddle over to Zuko after he made friends with the first.
So there Zuko stands, hugging an otter penguin on the top edge of a steep slope, Katara and Aang on either of his sides, ready with their own otter penguins. "Um, I don't know about this." Zuko tries again. Miko sits on the snow behind him, glaring at the penguin.
Katara and Aang share a smirk.
"Like this, Lee!" Katara shouts as she plunges forward, gripping the otter penguin as it belly slides down with her on top.
Zuko cringes and hugs his penguin tighter. It squeaks. "Doesn't that hurt them?"
Aang laughs. "Naw, they have a lot of padding. Plus, you're super light so they probably won't notice you too much."
Zuko starts to slowly turn his head to look at Aang, eyes narrowed, "What's that supposed to me-,"
Aang pushes Zuko firmly between his shoulder blades, tipping him forward and down the slope. "See you on the other side!" The air bender calls gleefully even as Zuko screams.
Zuko doesn't penguin slide anymore after the first, but he does ride on Kote. The polar bear dog races Katara and Aang as they slide, and on the steeper parts, Kote belly slides with them as well. Zuko feels more secure on the larger, firmer animal, and he can enjoy it now, even as his heart still races and his stomach flops when they slide down the steep inclines.
Katara and especially Aang are more daring, riding down natural loops and curves, aiming for arcs that launch them into the air. Aang throws in some air bending, spraying waves of loose snow for them all to burst through. He tends to take his own launches higher, using his bending for a boost. In the same manner, he gives both himself and his chosen otter penguin a safe landing, but he usually has to find a new penguin as his scurries off in a hurry after landing. Otter penguins just weren't meant to fly.
Wipe outs happen, usually to Katara, but a few times to Aang when he bites off more than he can chew with his trick moves. They laugh at each other, and after a particularly impressive dual wipe out, the two water benders decide Zuko, who cracks up at their latest mishap, hasn't been covered in enough snow. This starts a snowball fight, which the two benders have an advantage in.
Zuko hides behind Kote, sneaking potshots when he can. He's not very good at forming snowballs, though, and they tend to pitifully fall apart before reaching their mark. Katara defects and joins Zuko, forming perfect ammunition which Zuko, with his admittedly good aim, pelts Aang with until the air bender cheats and blows a wave of snow forth, swamping them and Kote. The dog bursts out of the snow like a breaching polar orca, freeing them all with a spray of fluffy powder.
Breathless from exertion and laughter, they pile back onto Kote to head home, brushing the snow off of themselves along the way.
"Hey, Aang, how come you don't get cold in your robes? Is it an avatar thing?" Katara asks.
"No, it's just an air bender trick. We can regulate the air temperature around us just enough to push back the cold. I still feel it, but not like you do. Fire benders have something similar for normal cold weather, but as their opposite element, this kind of cold would still affect them."
'Ain't that the truth,' Zuko thinks glumly.
"Oh, that's really neat. I'm kinda jealous," Katara comments. She places a mittened hand to her chin in contemplation, then blinks as a thought comes to her. "But what about frost bite?"
"Frost what?"
They later discover Aang did develop a minor case of frost bite around his ankles where he did not get all the snow out of his boots. He groaned and complained about it, but tucked in his clothes better and made sure he had no exposed skin after that.
-----
-----
Sokka has a plan. An admittedly stupid and desperate plan, but a plan. He'd already talked about it with his dad, who had agreed. Faster than Sokka thought he would, but the young alpha wasn't going to look a gift buffalo yak in the mouth.
He had screwed up. After that monumental disaster of a day when Sokka had said things he now regrets, Lee has been avoiding him. Sokka doesn't understand it. Not the avoiding him. No, no, he gets that. It's how Lee's been avoiding him.
He thought Lee was a little clumsy, transparent in his feelings no matter how he tried to hide them, and unable to be subtle or sneaky. Qualities Sokka found positively endearing in an adorably awkward kind of way. This was the person who thought he could sneak polar bear pups into his room, blushed over small compliments, couldn't hide when he was watching or listening in on a conversation. Shy, and humble, and quiet.
This current Lee was quiet, but in a closed off way. He kept his reactions neutral, and conversations clipped. He was also able to silently come and go from the igloo without Sokka noticing him slip past, sometimes right behind him. And it was just around Sokka. The young tribesman confirmed that. Even Bato received no difference in behavior!
It reminded Sokka of those beginning days so long ago, and the alpha is starting to think Lee is able to switch between different states of mind. Which feels so much worse, because that means Lee had been open and relaxed enough to be more himself, and Sokka had screwed that up. Lee had become guarded around him.
So Sokka made a plan, and now he has to wait for Lee before the omega could slip away again. And hope Lee doesn't turn him down.
Lucky for him, Lee's been on a rather predictable schedule lately, so Sokka waits by the village entrance, close enough to see everyone coming or going, and concealed enough to not be too obvious. Schedule predictable, but not the time. Unwilling to miss his chance, Sokka waits for hours, nervously fiddling with his boomerang and etching pictures in the snow, before the trio return. When they do, Sokka's chest tightens.
They're all laughing, cheeks flushed from the cold. Lee has a more toned down laugh, more of a chuckle, eyes shining with sunny warmth, the easy smile reaching them. The sight makes Sokka's brain short. Lee looks lovely like that.
Sokka waits for them to dismount, then steps into view, keeping his shoulders loose and relaxed, trying to appear as non-threatening and apologetic as he can. It fucking hurts when Lee's smile drops, expression guarded again, becoming reticent.
Before he loses the opportunity, Sokka speaks, "I realize now how wrong I was to think and say what I did. I was being a dick. I'm sorry."
Lee doesn't respond to that, but Sokka catches the nearly imperceptible change in his eyes. He's listening to Sokka.
In the background, he can see Aang lead Katara and Kote away quietly, but his main focus stays on Lee.
Sokka takes a deep breath and lays all his cards down. "We're going on a hunt tomorrow. I know hunting's not really your thing but maybe you'd like to learn how to field dress the kills, or just join and watch. It's a completely alpha thing, it could be dangerous, and I'm still probably gonna be a protective alpha dick because of that, but it's only because I care. But I'll try to tone it down!"
The first part is rushed, a near jumble of words, needing to get it out. Sokka makes sure the next part is clearer. Quieter on a more personal, honest truth level. He keeps steady eye contact. "But this is me trying. Because I know you're more than just your dynamic. You're strong, and capable. I should have been able to see that sooner."
Sokka can't yet bring himself to the idea of sparring, trading punches and kicks, hurting instead of protecting, but he wants to do something to make Lee feel like Sokka is truly seeing him. Hunting could be dangerous, but Sokka's instincts wouldn't betray him there, and he could show Lee the respect he deserves, to be seen as more than an omega.
Sokka has a feeling he is doing something right when the rosiness from the cold turns into an obvious blush, emotions flittering in those golden orbs, but it's when Lee smiles that Sokka knows he made the right choice.
"Sure, Sokka. I'd like that."
Roughly half of the warriors are geared up and ready for the hunt before the sun even rises. The tribesmen had just completed their pre-hunt dance, and there's an energy in the air, every individual eager, their hunter instincts coming out, ready to track and kill and provide for their families, for the tribe. It's not an entirely alpha thing. Sure, most of the warriors are alphas, but there are betas too. And now one omega.
Zuko realizes how hard that was for Sokka. It meant a lot to him, really. Zuko has no interest in hunting, and he's sure Sokka knows that. It was the gesture behind it that matters. The offering to be seen. Zuko wasn't going to reject that. Sokka is trying, so Zuko will give him the same courtesy.
They have no specific prey in mind as they set out, just whatever they find first. The meat supply is getting low, which is their staple. They couldn't be choosy. Originally they were going to bring both polar bear dogs, but Kote was still tired from the previous day. They only have one sled made for the dogs as it is, Sokka just wanted both. He was disappointed, but let the idea go without much fuss. He really is trying. Zuko walks with the tribe, but to return the favor of Sokka trying, he stays near Asu to reassure the young tribesman and calm any worries. Miko is perched on the dog's shoulders, keeping a lookout from the highest point. Sokka stays nearby, but just far enough away to not appear to be hovering.
The weather is fair, bright and cloudless, and they're able to walk against the mild breeze to keep their collective scent hidden. They walk for miles, the sun well risen by then, following tracks, droppings and old sleeping grounds. Miko's ears perk, and he swivels his head quickly, focused intently on one direction. Several of the warriors must have been watching the cat, because with just a few nudges and silent communication they turn that way. Soon the humans are able to hear it too: the clacking of antlers. There's a herd of something large nearby, males fighting over territory or the right to mate. The warriors become excited with anticipation. It's a good find.
Getting closer, they realize the herd - caribou yak - is at the bottom of a steep slope about twenty-five feet down on the ice shelf. It's sheltered for the herd, the rocky walls curving around them to protect them from wind. Unfortunately for the creatures, that also makes it easier on the tribesmen.
"It's an easy technique," Sokka whispers to Zuko as Hakoda gathers everyone around to go over the plan. It really is a simple one. Stealth isn't even a big issue as long as they don't kick anything over the edge or stand up too early. All the warriors will line up along the edge and on Hakoda's call, throw their spears down onto the unsuspecting herbivores. They assign areas to aim to make sure multiple targets are hit. There's a less steep, snowy slope within eyesight further down that they can use to go down and retrieve the fallen caribou yak, as well as follow any injured ones to make sure they don't suffer. Zuko is silently grateful they think of the animal's welfare, even if they are seen as a food source.
Zuko steps back to stand beside Asu again while the warriors take their positions, crouching until everyone is in place, their chosen targets sighted. Ready, with practiced synchrony, as one they rise, spears aimed and held high. Hakoda makes a bird call, and down the spears go. Zuko can't see it, doesn't want to see it, but he hears the bleats and bellows of alarm and pain, the clacking of hooves on ice as the lucky ones flee, and the cheers of the warriors signaling their success.
"That went well." Sokka had come up to him, smile on his face, to share the news. "None suffered. They were good throws."
Zuko nods. "That's good. What now?"
"Well, we have to be quick. They were on the ice shelf. There's going to be polar bears, - actual bears, not the dogs - wolves, polar leopards, and polar orcas and tiger sharks attracted to the smell of blood. So we have to dress them and get out quickly."
Zuko is having flashbacks of tiger sharks breaking through the ice again. Sokka must have seen something in his expression, because he places his hands on Zuko's shoulders and speaks with reassurance. "Hey, you don't have to go down there." Sokka looks around them, out into the bare, flat, snowy plains from whence they came, seeing no threats. "It's safer up here anyway. And you'll have Miko, and Asu can stay up here until we need to pack up. Sound good?"
Zuko blinks. Sokka trusts to leave him alone. Not entirely alone, per say, with Miko and Asu, but Sokka specifically is walking away. He looks at the alpha, who is waiting for his confirmation, giving Zuko the choice. His eyes trail down to the scarf he gifted Sokka. It's loose again. He reaches out to fix it, stunning Sokka for a moment.
"Be careful down there," is all Zuko says as he finishes tucking the scarf into place, the action familiar and telling enough on its own.
Sokka gives him a half grin before he runs to catch up with the tribe, already making their way down the slope.
There's a lot of blood, Zuko notes as he watches from the top of the slope. He figures from his higher position he can watch for predators on the ice shelf coming for an easy meal. The warriors work fast, but it looks like they got maybe six or so of the animals, the height and advantage they were at nearly guaranteed a good amount, and it takes them time. When they're nearly done, Sokka motions to send Asu down, and Zuko pats the dog into action. Asu is used to hunting with Sokka, knowing exactly what is needed of him and requires no further prompts.
Down on the ice shelf with the warriors, the sled is filling up heavily now when Miko digs his claws into Zuko's parka shoulders and tenses, letting out a low growl. Zuko turns quickly at the warning, seeing nothing in the barren expanse of tundra behind him. The stillness lasts for just a second before an artic badger erupts from the snow some forty feet away and starts to charge him with a roar. It must have had a tunnel.
The grey and white creature is massive, nearly as tall as Zuko himself, and more than three times his width, full of muscle and fury. He leaps back with a shout as it swipes at him, and Zuko hops back a few more times to put distance between them until his heel sweeps back over the edge, and he has to correct his footing before he tumbles down the rocky slope.
The badger is charging again, but Miko leaps down to block the path, all puffed up fluff, teeth and claws, not even to the badger's knees in height. Still, the defensive, spitting, yowling cat makes the badger stop. It roars, foam and spittle flying, at this tiny thing that dared get in its way.
Zuko takes a chance to glance down the ridge. He sees the warriors have all grabbed a weapon, some running to the easier slope, some scaling the rocks, dangerous and slow but more direct. Hakoda is one of them, further up than the rest, spear strapped to his back and looking determined as he climbs. Sokka is cutting Asu free of the sled, likely taking the dog, the fastest way back up.
A blood-curdling screech of a yowl pierces the air in reply to the badger's roar, and Miko throws himself forward, long, powerful legs propelling him, zipping up the body in a winding motion to the badger's head. Zuko gasps as the badger rears back on its hind feet, snapping its jaw repeatedly and swiping at its face to try and catch the cat that scurries around quickly, nipping, clawing, always moving to keep out of reach. Zuko can only watch in mute horror as the badger gets in a lucky swipe and throws Miko down in front of it. The cat bounces once, skids, and doesn't get up, unmoving between the badger and Zuko.
Face shredded and bleeding, the badger stomps back down to all four feet with a dull thud. It bares its sharp teeth in a snarl, drooling pink-tinted saliva as it intently stalks towards Miko now.
Miko, his friend and companion, loyal to a fault. The tiny kitten gifted to him, that Zuko raised and grew close to, who cuddled, and purred, and made Zuko feel needed. Brave, fierce Miko, who never stood a chance, but gave it his all anyway for Zuko.
Zuko is not going to lose Miko.
With a battle cry pulled deep from his core, Zuko takes a stance, stomps hard onto the ice, and punches out, a great swirling plume of flame sent soaring directly into the approaching badger. The creature roars again in startled pain, tumbling back, its already damaged face now on fire. It quickly turns and flees, dragging its face through the snow as it goes.
Easing out of his stance, Zuko's relief is short-lived when he realizes what he just did.
Oh, no. Nononono.
He looks back to the tribesmen. All have stopped their advance, staring at Zuko in open disbelief.
No.
Heart pounding, against all hope, Zuko scans the warriors and finds Sokka atop Asu, also stopped, halfway up the slope, open-mouthed, wide-eyed, staring straight at Zuko.
Nonono!
Zuko panics. He scoops up Miko's still form, turns on his heel, and runs away from everyone. He's not paying attention which direction he's going, just away, as fast as he can.
It doesn't matter how fast Zuko runs. Soon he hears, and even feels, the th-thud, th-thud of Asu galloping behind him, around, and skidding to a halt in a flurry of snow in front of Zuko, cutting him off with his massive form.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll leave you alone!" Zuko blurts the moment he comes to a stop, managing to do so just before crashing into Asu's side. He stumbles back a few steps. He can't make eye contact. Cowering, hunched over, clutching Miko to his chest, he keeps his eyes closed tight, face turned to the ground to his side. "I won't come back! I promise!"
"Lee," the voice is soft, firm, but Zuko is so afraid to look at Sokka, to see the hate and fear. He can't stay any longer.
Zuko holds Miko's limp body out in offering, still keeping his eyes shut, head ducked low and submissive.
"Take him back! Take everything back! I promise, I promise, I'll leave and never bother you again. I'm so thankful for everything you've done, but I can survive now, and I won't inconvenience you anymore. I can go. You'll never see me again," Zuko begs, his voice nearly leaving him as he trails off. He's shaking, heart hammering against his rib cage even as his energy drains, voice cracking and unsteady, growing desperate with his rambled pleas.
"Lee, I want to take you back to the tribe."
Zuko feels himself break, the mounting pressure within finally shattering him. Sokka is going to turn him in to the Earth Kingdom. Zuko pulls Miko back, desperately needing something to hold, and collapses to his knees. His shaking has become nearly violent, breaths in short, gulping gasps. He's numb to everything around him until a pair of arms envelop him in a hug. Zuko stills, breath caught in his throat.
"You're part of the tribe. I'm taking you home. With me," Sokka murmurs gently, close to Zuko's ear.
Though he's shattered and numb, something lurches within Zuko's chest. He starts sobbing. He still can't look at Sokka, but those words. Those words mean so much. They remind Zuko of how much he's been given, and how much can be lost. But it's Sokka, and Sokka promised Zuko he would be safe.
But Zuko doesn't deserve that from Sokka. Sokka doesn't know him. Who he is.
Zuko doesn't deserve it, but Sokka pats his back, croons, releases soothing scents, and continues to hold him in a promise disguised as a hug as Zuko sobs and wails out every emotion he's held back over months. Ugly hiccups and chokes leave him, his panic attack and crying wrecking havoc on his breathing. Zuko is sure his face is a mess. Still, Sokka holds him through it all until he calms some, sobs quieter, hiccups further apart. A pleading whine leaves his throat before another hiccup cuts it off, and Zuko wonders how many of those he let out without realizing it.
Sokka pets Zuko's hair, smoothing it down. "Shh, shh, shh. I'm here," the alpha croons tenderly. "We need to explain some things, though. The tribe needs the truth."
Zuko flinches, but nods, face pressed into Sokka's chest. The alpha shifts and picks Zuko up easily in his arms, one hand around his shoulders, the other behind his knees. Zuko doesn't fight him, wouldn't push away right now anyway, needing any kind of comforting contact.
Asu has crouched low to let Sokka mount him, the alpha unwilling to let go of Zuko to get into the saddle. It takes a little bit of finagling, but soon Asu stands again, Sokka sitting atop him, still holding Zuko close. The omega hunches up further to get as close as he can, occasional soft whines and sobs continuing to leave him. Those and Sokka's croons are the only noise to break up the silence as they wait.
Nearly an hour later, the sound of the low, crunching footsteps of many men and the heavy glide of the sled are the only indication the other warriors have caught up with them. The sled has to be pulled by the men, harness straps cut and useless. No words are spoken.
Above Zuko's head, unnoticed by him, Sokka and Hakoda both share a glance at the omega, and Sokka nods minutely in silent conversation with his dad. The hunting party begins to head back.
Zuko shifts until he can press his nose into the alpha's neck, inhaling his comforting scent while he still can.
Sokka doesn't know who Zuko is, but soon he will.
×÷×÷×÷×÷×÷×
If just last year someone had told Sokka he'd one day be comforting a crying fire bender clinging to him in his lap, Sokka would have asked them if they'd recently suffered a head injury.
Right now Sokka couldn't be arsed to care about that. He sees the person, not their nation, bender or no bender. This is Lee, and right now Lee needs him.
Sokka is where he is meant to be.
It was a surprise, that's for sure. There will definitely be a discussion later. Probably a few discussions. Looking back on behaviors and interactions, things just start making a little more sense now, and would probably continue to do so after more explanation.
When the roar of the arctic badger sounded, every warrior had jumped to action without hesitation. So did Sokka, but with the feeling of ice in his veins, everything felt like time had slowed only for him. He was so stupid, leaving Lee alone, even if it was just for a few minutes. Arctic badgers had vast tunnel systems and were ambush predators, nearly impossible to tell if one was nearby. It was probably attracted to the blood of the hunt, and alone, Lee was an easy target. Or, he would have been.
No one expected to see fire burst from Lee's fist. It didn't even seem like Lee expected that, if the panic and fear said anything. That's what cleared the shock from Sokka's mind, because more than anything else, as Lee looked at the warriors and ended frozen on Sokka, he saw fear in those eyes. Not malice, cruelty, hate, indifference, or scorn. No, this is the Lee that Sokka had saved by the ice shelf, that expected pain, had already been hurt, had ran, that wanted to keep running, that expected nothing, was scared and distrustful.
Sokka had saved Lee that day, taken him home and cared for him, and Sokka would do it again now.
Sokka didn't see a fire bender apologizing for simply being, pleading to let him leave, promising to erase himself from their lives forever. Sokka only saw the Lee he had come to know in desperate need of a hug, to let him know he didn't have to be alone. Wouldn't be alone.
Sokka would stay with him. He would make sure Lee knew he would have someone there with him. Until Lee was ready, Sokka wouldn't stop holding him.
Not that he had any worry about Lee no longer being welcome within the tribe, but if Lee did end up leaving, Sokka is sure he would follow the omega. It isn't a hard decision to make.
He is pretty sure his dad has his back on Lee staying though, if the look they shared said anything. It was one of worry, not accusation. He's pretty sure the chief had a talk with the rest of the warriors before they caught up. They don't seem distrustful, or angry. More curious, maybe a little cautious. Their image of big bad fire bender certainly doesn't fit Lee, whimpering and sobbing quietly in Sokka's arms, scenting the alpha for comfort.
Lee had climbed as close as he could into Sokka's lap, nose pressed against Sokka's scent gland, one arm holding a still Miko, the other hand fisted into Sokka's parka over his chest, as if trying to keep the alpha from going anywhere.
Lee shook the entire way home, still very upset, even if he'd become nearly silent otherwise, with only a few quiet, choked sobs or aborted whimpers spaced far apart.
Entering the village walls, Aang and Katara rush to greet them, all smiles and cheer, but stop short when they see Lee curled up in Sokka's lap. Concern visibly overtakes their earlier joy.
"Sokka, what happened?" Katara asks before covering her mouth with her mittened hands. They probably think Lee's been hurt. In a way, they're not wrong, but this kind of hurt can't be healed with rest and bandages.
Sokka keeps Asu going, but as he passes the two, he gives them advice, his tone reserved and quiet, the tone that Katara knows he uses when he's serious, "Just remember the friend you've come to know."
In his arms, Lee tenses, somehow making himself smaller, making sure his face is completely hidden, using Sokka to do so. Sokka has a slight pang of guilt in being glad Lee feels he can seek comfort and security from him. He'd rather Lee not have to feel the need at all, but Sokka will do whatever he can to help in the meantime.
He sees Katara hurry to their father, who hugs her and whispers into her ear.
Aang lingers, an aura of contemplative concern about him. He and the alpha share a stern look before the avatar turns to join Katara.
Not for the first time, and certainly not the last, Sokka is thankful they now have an alternative entrance into the igloo that doesn't involve crouching to get in.
He doesn't take Asu's saddle off, banking on someone else doing it. It was hard enough opening and closing the stable door with full hands. Not that carrying Lee is hard. No, Sokka's realized Lee is pretty light, a fact that concerns him, but he has to file that thought away to deal with later.
Right now he needs to figure out whose room to enter. Sokka figures privacy is a priority, and Lee's room is an obvious choice, but Sokka is rather filthy from field dressing the caribou yak and doesn't want to dirty Lee's room. Sokka doesn't care if he got his own bed dirty, but Lee might not like being somewhere new, even if he seemed to find comfort in Sokka's scent. About the only thing Sokka is able to do is kick his heavy boots off and slip into his indoor booties.
Standing dumbly in the central hearth room, Sokka's problem is solved by a weak mewl. Lee pulls his head away to look at Miko, to check the cat over. With the distraction and new focus in place, Sokka takes Lee to his room and deposits him on the bed. He watches as Lee gently lays Miko down on the stuffed mattress beside him to look the cat over better.
The alpha shifts, making a decision. "I'll be right back."
As soon as the door pelt shifts back into place on his exit, Sokka starts stripping while heading to his own room, already out of soiled outerwear clothes by the time he reaches his storage chest. He pulls on the first pair of regular wear pants he sees, grabs his clean parka, and heads back.
It takes less than two minutes, but it feels too long to Sokka. When he returns - dropping the clean parka by the doorway for later - Lee is petting the unmoving snowshoe cat reverently.
"Is he ok?"
Lee pauses, then nods once and continues his attention on the cat.
"Do you need anything?"
A head shake.
"Lee-,"
"Don't call me that."
The words are snapped out, but he doesn't seem angry. Anxious, Sokka places the emotion. That's it. And, oh, that was actually really heavy. Lee is not Lee.
"What should I call-,"
"Later. Later, please." Soft, desperate again, expecting rejection. Not-Lee won't look at him.
Sokka takes the first step and sits next to the omega, the entire side of Sokka's leg against him. Not-Lee's breath hitches for a second before he sighs, pressing back against the leg just enough for Sokka to notice.
"He's bruised. Some minor scratches. Nothing broken."
Sokka nods. Talking is a good sign. "He'll get a big serving of puffin seal when he wakes up."
Not-Lee's lip quirks for a second into a hint of a smile.
Sokka makes another decision.
"C'mere." Sokka leans forward slowly, making obvious motions to gently pull the omega towards him. Not-Lee is compliant, on guard, but lets Sokka maneuver them both so that he ends up resting his head against Sokka's chest, laying between the alpha's legs as Sokka reclines against the wall with a few pillows tucked behind him for support. Sokka pulls a fur blanket over the omega, tucking it around him before Sokka holds him securely in his arms. Not-Lee seems unsure what to do with his own hands before he decides to fist them into Sokka's shirt.
Settled, the omega lets out a deep, shuddering breath before he relaxes into the hold, nuzzling into Sokka's chest, listening to the alpha's steady heartbeat.
He doesn't sleep, even though Sokka knows the mental stress was draining, but the rest is nearly as good.