Two nights at sea, and by early afternoon on the third day, they crest around to the correct side of the island, because of course the temple is on the opposite side.
Appa lowers down swiftly beside the cutter ship, Aang practically vibrating with excitement. "Anchor here! I can fly us the rest of the way! Hurry, hurry!" He says with quick furor.
Katara just rolls her eyes fondly, a smile curving her lips, likely having to listen to Aang the entire trip going on about his home.
"Ok, yeesh, hold your sky bisons," Sokka jokes before he heaves the anchor onto the gunwale. They've been following the shore since they came across the island, taking in the green scenery with awe.
"But I only have Appa."
The bison lows in question.
"Yeah, I know, buddy. You're the only bison I need." Aang pats the bison's head. Appa lows again.
"No, I mean- It's a form of expression," Sokka tries to clarify as he kicks the anchor over.
"Well, it's a dumb one," Aang retorts, patting Appa again.
Sokka groans even as Zuko chuckles lightly over their antics, patting Asu and Kote and instructing them to behave while they're gone.
They only grab a rucksack of clothes each, just in case they need it. Zuko had finally taken off his parka that morning, the nights no longer so cold and the day anything but.
Seated on the sky bison, no sooner had Appa launched up and away do Asu and Kote leap into the ocean to swim and catch a meal. Not that Zuko noticed, lurching forward and bracing himself against the saddle, trying not to look over the edge. Oh, Agni, his stomach did not like that.
Sokka seems to be in the same situation, looking startled and snapping out a hand to grab the saddle side tightly as well. "By Tui's grace, would you slow down!" The alpha shouts over the wind rushing past.
Aang looks back, too happy to even try and look guilty. "Sorry! It takes some getting used to flying, so I'm told."
Zuko and Sokka both think that someone was Katara, if the teasing look she's giving them both says anything.
Sublime mountain pillars surround them, decorated with the vibrant greens of flora, and laced with blues from ever-trickling deep springs high up near their tops. Flocks of colorful birds and a few unknown critters dot the skies, traveling from mountain to mountain, tree to tree. There are a few creatures beneath the flora canopy, peeking out but staying under the natural shelters. Ghostly mist swirls through the landscape, even though it is already past noon, fed by the high humidity of the region, giving the area an other-worldly feel.
The Water Tribe siblings are beside themselves in wonder, taking in the fresh sight, so unlike what they had grown up with. Even though he'd grown up on a tropical island, Zuko can also appreciate the unique landscape, more humid that what he is used to, but the greenery and warmth kissing his skin is bliss. He almost wishes he had crashed into the Air Nomad island instead of the South Pole. Almost.
"Aang," Katara says in a breathless whisper, "this is beautiful."
The air bender grins back at her. "Wait till you see the temple!" He turns back and gives the reins a light snap. "C'mon, Appa! Almost home! Yip yip!"
The sky bison bellows, snaps his tail, and picks up speed, matching Aang's excitement.
The Air Temple, when it comes into view, is indeed beautiful. It sits squat on one of the wider mountain pillars, building up its architecture to mimic the natural spears, topped with a tall tower. Blue roofs of the many different white homes and buildings blend in with the natural greens that appear to be taking over the temple, in a way that seems intentional and harmonious. There's a winding path leading all around the temple grounds, weaving and crossing over itself in its own beauty, like a decorative knot, but it does not lead down from the settlement itself. The only way to the temple is to fly. As luck would have it, they have a sky bison.
Flying closer reveals more detail: Individual gardens, plants, meditation and outdoor relaxation spots speckled all around, colorfully trimmed windows and doors. Even smells from the flowers and greens waft up to them. It also reveals the cracks and disrepair of much of the temple, and exactly how few residents mill about.
Aang looks slightly worried as he takes them down, but he keeps to himself. He's the first one down, jumping off Appa before even the bison fully lands. There's an ancient monk waiting for them.
"Hello, young ones. What brings you to our temple? So good to see a visitor from the North Temple, too, though you do not look familiar," the weathered man greets them.
Confusion mixes with worry as Aang listens to the monk. "I live here. It's you that doesn't look familiar. I'm Aang. What happened? The temple was in perfect condition when I left," Aang says, a touch gruff, as he gestures all around him. It's apparent some repairs were done over time, but much of it remains damaged, becoming part of the temple's history. This is old damage, sharp edges dulled over time.
The monk squints at Aang, sizing him up, then those same eyes turn comically wide. "Avatar Aang?" He gapes at the sixteen-year-old before him as if seeing a spirit for the first time.
"Well, yeah, who else?" Aang looks to Katara, who had come up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. She doesn't say anything, but her glistening eyes show her sadness.
"Avatar Aang," the old monk looks at the avatar, serious, but also with a touch of sympathy as he speaks, "my name is Yangzom, I am the last student of Master Gyatso, your former master. You disappeared one hundred years ago."
To say Aang is upset is a bit of an understatement. After Yangzom's heavy revelation, Aang took it upon himself to see with his own eyes. He left his friends to stand awkwardly by Appa as he darts around the temple, checking his old usuals, looking for familiar faces, verifying the passage of time that he refused to acknowledge back at the South Pole.
When he returns, he actually walks the rest of the way to them, dejected and listless. Unlike how they've ever seen him. Katara meets Aang halfway to wrap him in a hug and after a minute, they rejoin the others.
"I need to know what happened," Aang says, resolute. He can no longer deny the time lapse, visions of his dream coming back as he sped through his home, no longer as familiar as it had once been. He suspected, but now he knows they were actually memories.
Yangzom nods. "It was shortly after you left, that the Fire Nation attacked, looking for you. They attacked the East and West Temples first, striking their closest targets before they could truly defend. None survived." The monk closes his eyes for a moment of respectful silence. Aang gasps. He was on his way to the East Temple when he got lost in the storm. It doesn't seem so long ago in his mind. The other three stay silent, supporting their friend with their presence to stand by him. The story isn't new to them, but it's a sad history, and it cuts Aang, their friend, fresh and deep.
"After, they moved on to the South and North Temples. Aware of the earlier attack, we were able to prepare, only just. Our defensive location alone saved us, but we suffered heavy casualties." Yangzom sweeps an arm to the temple in demonstration. The damage seems to stand out more now, every crack and broken pillar telling its own story.
"The North Temple had little to no casualties, tucked high and surrounded by Earth Kingdom territories. They are inaccessible by water, and high in the mountains. Traveling through the Earth Kingdom from the south put the earth benders on the defensive, and the North Temple benefited from it," the elderly monk finishes his story.
"I should have been here. As the avatar, I could have helped." Aang clenches his shaking fists in a rare display of anger and hurt.
"Actually, you not being here made the Fire Nation eventually withdraw from the Air Nomad territories. They figured if the avatar hadn't attacked back yet, then they must already be dead. Master Gyatso was saddened by your departure, but he believed you were meant to be wherever you ended up." Yangzom pats Aang's arm in support, smiling, as he says, "The spirits work in mysterious ways."
"Aang, I- I'm sorry for what my nation did," Zuko says quietly, feeling uncomfortable, but needing to say this. "I know it won't fix anything now, but I want you to know I condemn what my ancestors did, what my family has done. It wasn't right, and there is no excuse."
Zuko fully turns towards the Water Tribe siblings next, though he still faces the ground, unable to make eye contact. "You too. After the Air Nomads, the Fire Nation focused on the Water Tribes, more so the Southern Tribe. I'm- I'm really sorry."
Thoughts of a Fire Nation ship, frozen in time, come to Aang's mind, images flickering like paging through a picture book. Scavenged bodies, broken hulls, warped metal, weapons and pointed ice telling of a bloody battle.
Katara sniffs, and Sokka places a hand on the male omega's shoulder. He looks stoic, the face of a leader, but his eyes shine a little more than usual. "Hey, you're Water Tribe, too."
Zuko manages to look up just enough to give his silent thanks for the forgiveness and acceptance, and Katara lets out a humorless chuckle.
"Yeah, and besides, you're kinda in the same position we are, now," she adds, a hard truth of their world that hits them all.
Something in Aang seems to shift at those words, his hurt turning into something determined, strong. "Maybe it's not too late," he says out loud, giving his thoughts strength as he hears them.
"I don't want any more nations to suffer, no matter what they've done in the past or present. Maybe this is where I'm meant to be. As the avatar, I need to stop this pointless genocide of people. I'm going to save every nation, so no one has to live in fear anymore." His eyes are hard, showing a resolve and strength beyond his years, the look of an avatar.
"You'll save my people?" Zuko asks, unsure, wanting to hope, but questioning, "After everything we did to you?"
Aang smiles, actually smiles at Zuko. Not his usual grin, but the smile of someone who understands. "Zuko, everyone deserves life. I can forgive the Fire Nation. I hope one day you can forgive the Earth Kingdom."
Zuko doesn't know what to say to that, or what to think. Aang forgives him. Aang is going to help his people. He swallows thickly, then returns Aang's smile. "I'll try," he promises.
"And maybe teach me some sweet fire bender moves," Aang tacks on, cheeky grin returning.
Zuko scoffs, looking away, but his smile broadens. "Work on your meditation more."
"Aw, man!"
Aang and Yangzom provide a tour of the temple. The elder monk gives Aang the lead, accompanying mainly as a formality as the highest ranking monk there, and to occasionally point out new or modified parts of the temple. Not much has changed, besides the low population. This gives Aang some hope it can become more than just a shadow of the greatness his home once was. It can bounce back.
"Oo! Air ball!" The avatar zips over to a courtyard filled with posts of varying heights where two young air benders are already playing. "I used to play this for hours!" Aang's eyes practically sparkle as he watches the two play.
Noticing the group's attention, the boys put more effort into their plays, obviously showing off. The ball whistles back and forth as the air benders make impressive leaps and kicks until finally one scores. The loser makes a show of good-natured disappointment, but ultimately they smile at each other and shake hands at the good game.
"Can I play?" Aang asks innocently, his words practically dripping with hope. "Please? You both could play against me!" He bats his polar puppy eyes.
No one can resist the polar puppy eyes, and soon the two boys are facing off against Aang. It's also not long before Aang has them defeated, quickly scoring two points in their agreement of best out of three. The boys don't seem to be upset, though, saying it was nice to have a real challenge and a new goal. Aang seems thrilled to hear that, an expression of elation gracing him.
Walking down an open-air hallway walled with vine-covered columns and trellises, Aang hasn't stopped talking about air ball since leaving the courtyard.
"I'm telling you, you'd all really enjoy it!" He touts, waving his arms dramatically, constantly changing his steps from walking regularly, to turning in circles, or even just taking wide steps in random directions. His energy is through the non-existent roof right now.
"And I'm telling you, I don't intend to slip off one of those posts and get brained," quips Sokka.
Aang gasps. "I would never let that happen!"
"Yeah, your skull's too thick for that anyway, Sokka," his sister teases with a snicker.
"Hey!" The alpha snaps without heat.
Zuko hides his smirk. "You would need a different ball anyway, Aang," he suggests. "The hollow wicker ball is made for air benders. It would just shatter with a normal kick, or hold no strength, giving anyone who isn't an air bender a disadvantage."
"Huh, I guess you're right, Zuko. I'll have to figure that part out first," Aang says thoughtfully while watching the clouds overhead. He grins. "Then you'll have to play against me!"
"Sure, Aang, then I will," Zuko promises. Aang grins brighter, chuckling softly with joy and the thoughts of future games.
A spot of a shadow passes over them just before a cream bundle of fur drops directly in their path a few paces ahead. It stares up at them, blinking its large emerald eyes, button nose twitching. A tail curls cutely behind it, and the tail, along with the overly large ears, quirk in curiosity. Zuko's hands itch to pet it, but before anyone can say or do anything, Miko jumps down from his shoulders to square off against the new critter.
They're alike and different in curiously adorable ways. Both are long-limbed, but while Miko is lean with toned muscle and full of thick fluff, the new critter is scrawny and its fur short. They're both pale, Miko pure white for camouflage. The other is more cream white, with dark chocolate markings along its sides and the insides of its ears. The tail is solid chocolate with a few rings of cream on the end, and a large patch covers the face, making those large green eyes really stand out. Miko's eyes are also large, but colored blue and with a sharp, intelligent glint to them while this tiny critter, while also seeming to hold its own intelligence, is more inviting.
Most notable between them is their ears. As the two face off against one another, their long ears swivel and twist in a mirror of each other. They lower and perk one ear or the other, sometimes both, so identically synchronized together, like they had planned it. It's almost comical. After a few seconds of silently sizing each other up, they pause to blink at each other. Then Miko hisses.
The little critter back flips into a flying swoop forward and high over Miko to land on Aang's shoulder. Miko, startled by the action, hides it by leaping onto Zuko's shoulder in a huff. The two eye each other from their safe spots, Miko with open disdain, the flying critter with that ever-present curiosity.
"What is it?" Asks Katara, looking like she wants to pet the creature as much as Zuko does. She stares doe-eyed at it, the creature oblivious to her.
Aang places a hand on its side. It twitches, then leans into his hand, still watching Miko. "It's a flying lemur! These guys are great fun. Curious and friendly." Aang seems really happy with the little guy, scritching it under its jawline.
"It's so cute!" Katara squeals before she takes the lemur to cuddle it. It readily lets itself be held, but doesn't look at the water bender.
Miko, seeing the new animal be handled and therefore no longer a concern, calms and turns his back on it to groom his ruffled fur. The flying lemur takes that moment to wiggle out of Katara's grip and leap, gliding soundlessly onto Zuko's head.
"Uh," the omega starts, and stays very still, unsure where this is going.
Miko doesn't notice as the lemur slowly reaches down before it starts sifting its fingers into the dense fur on Miko's head. It's trying to groom Miko. With a start, Miko whips his head around to hiss again and gracelessly flails a paw at the lemur, who is now ducking, falling back onto Zuko's other shoulder.
"Hold on there, little emergency snack," Sokka warns as he grabs the lemur before an actual fight breaks out around Zuko's head. He passes it off to Aang again. The alpha gives the lemur a stern look and Aang holds the lemur against his chest to keep it from flying back, which it still wants to do.
Miko glares at the lemur, tail slashing the air angrily, and Zuko, looking more relieved now that the danger to his face is gone, reaches up to place a hand against the side of Miko's own head. The cat leans into his palm, rubbing and purring, claws releasing from their tense hold in his clothing. They'd learned long ago to give the shoulders of Zuko's clothes a little more padding, thicker leather on the outside.
"Huh, I wonder why-," Aang lifts the lemur above his head for a second to check before bringing it back to his chest, "-he is so interested in Miko," Aang wonders aloud.
"Maybe he thinks Miko is just a flightless lemur and is trying to make friends?" Katara speculates, a finger to her chin. Her head is tilted to the side as she looks between the two critters, taking into account their similarities.
"That is probably an accurate assumption," Yangzom agrees. "We only have a few bison here, and even less flying lemurs. The few we have tend to look out for each other, and this one just lost his only remaining litter mates in the last storm we had, just a ten-day before your arrival." The monk looks mournfully at the lemur. He'd found it the following morning, trying to coax one of its cold, wet siblings to move. The survivor himself was wet and shivering, but still alive. It was a heart wrenching time. Yangzom had to hand the lemur off to another monk while he returned the bodies to the earth. The lemur was still looking for the brothers and sisters it lost.
"Oh!" Katara gasps, hands coming up to cover her mouth. "The poor thing. He's all alone now." Her eyes mist over. They're all looking at the little lemur in a new light, hearts going out to it.
"Well, we can take him with. So he's not alone anymore. And he seems to like Miko, even if Miko doesn't like him," Aang suggests. He brings the lemur higher to smoosh their cheeks together and nuzzles into the fur. The lemur blinks. "Do you think that would be a problem with Miko?"
The question is directed to Zuko, who tilts his head to try and get a better look at his disgruntled snowshoe cat. The omega rubs Miko's ears until the cat starts purring again, which doesn't take long. The cat closes his eyes in contentment and leans into the touch so hard Zuko can't take his hand away, otherwise he'd risk the cat falling off and end up with scratches down his back.
"I think he's just jealous, but will adjust," Zuko decides, slowly easing his hand away to give Miko time to balance. The cat does and settles, but not before swiping his tongue a few times along Zuko's hair, giving the omega a cow lick.
The others don't comment on it, snickering to themselves to enjoy the sight at their friend's oblivious expense.
The evening meal - jeonyeog, to the Air Nomads - is interesting. Not for the food, which is a wonderful change in diet and variety, or the cushioned seating at low tables. Nor is it because of the high walls with large open windows which offer a view of the skies, or the drapes of warm colors decorating the walls and windows, not symmetrical in how they were placed, but still pleasing to look at.
It isn't because everyone eats in the same room all at once, tables spaced around the room and occupied with groups, long-time friends who make easy and lively conversation with each other. No, it is because of the two furry creatures that still can't get along with each other. Or, really, Miko can't.
The flying lemur is named Momo, inspiration hitting Aang when the little lemur snatches a moon peach from his hand and scarfs half of it in seconds. The other half is placed next to Miko, after Momo had circled around the table from human to human until he was able to get close enough to stretch his arm out far enough to set it down stealthily. Only after the sticky peach half had rolled into Miko does the cat notice, gracelessly throwing his back end and now equally sticky hip away from the offending fruit. By then, Momo had hopped back onto a protective shoulder, this time Sokka.
"I know the feeling, buddy," Sokka pets the lemur in shared camaraderie, experienced with trying to bribe the cat with food.
Zuko smirks and offers the lemur a nut. It's taken with eager little paws, but after a few test nibbles and more aerial swoops, it ends up near Miko. The cat stares at the nut that suddenly appeared beside him, looks around for the unseen culprit, hisses at nothing, then stalks around to Zuko's other side to resume grooming the peach nectar away. The cat grimaces and gacks with every few swipes of its tongue, not liking the taste.
Momo, movements unseen by everyone, is now on Katara's head, taking a lychee from her offering hand. She seems delighted. This also ends up by Miko, a bite taken out of it. The cat looks at the lychee, then turns to stare resolutely ahead. His ears lay folded back, perturbed, unused to being snuck up on.
Miko continues his thousand-yard stare as more fruit and nuts pile up around him through the meal. Zuko pats the cat's head in reassurance. Sokka takes advantage of the cat being off his game to get a few free pets in as well. Sokka gives a cheesy grin and Zuko rolls his eyes fondly.
"Avatar Aang, if you wish to pursue your role as avatar, perhaps you should meditate in the Hall of Avatars tonight and see if you can gain some insight from your past selves' wisdom?" Yangzom offers as they near the end of their meal.
Aang tilts his head in thought, petting Momo's full belly with one finger while the lemur sleeps in his lap. "Yeah, sure, I should-," he swallows, "that's probably a good step in the right direction," Aang says with a touch of nervousness. Sure, he's been learning water bending, something only the avatar could do, learning an additional element, but that is fun, and this suggestion just makes it seem like a duty. Exactly what he had ran from before.
But he'd made up his mind. Aang has friends and a world worth fighting for. Friends who believe in him. Friends who need him.
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Aang receives a message to speak to Avatar Roku during his evening meditation while everyone else sleeps. At Roku's Island Temple, located in the Fire Nation. He also has a time limit of the winter solstice, which is within days.
He tells the group in the morning, and they decide to split up. The boat is slower than Appa, and keeping Zuko away from the Fire Nation is probably for the best at this time.
So Sokka and Zuko would continue to travel straight to their rendezvous point by sea while Aang and Katara make a detour to the island temple by air.
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When they meet back up later, the air and water bender will not mention the destruction and desecration to the island and temple. They will not mention the bodies, left to rot where they lay broken and crumbled. They will not mention Roku's guilt and self-blame of the massacre and near annihilation of three nations for not stopping Sozin when he had the chance. They will not mention the volcano erupting around them, as if the very island itself was trying to wipe its shame and sorrow from the planet.
The two will merely hold each other as they fly away on Appa, mourning and releasing their emotions into the other's shoulder.
By the time they meet back up, they will have put the horrors behind them, and not trouble the other two boys.
Behind, but not forgotten.
The stars are familiar again. This realization hits Zuko late one night as he and Sokka lay on the deck, too late for activity but not yet tired enough for sleep. Zuko has never had a problem staying up later with the Water Tribe's night activities. He didn't sleep much before, so there was no reason for it to change now. The stars are familiar again, and Zuko knows exactly where he is.
Sokka has an arm outstretched to the skies, tracing patterns in the stars when Zuko starts laughing. It startles the alpha, who looks to Zuko on his right side, but Zuko doesn't look like he's enjoying himself. No, Zuko holds his face in his hands, laughing, but it holds no joy. It almost sounds... sad.
"Zuko?" He cautiously asks, voice quiet, like he's afraid to break the omega further.
"This, this was my original path," Zuko says, voice hoarse, when his laughter dies down. His eyes are still covered with his own hands, but he's shifted enough for Sokka to see those soft lips strained with emotion, fighting against himself to not express them. "When I was trying to return to the Fire Nation. How did I end up so far off course?" His words soften with hidden emotion at the end, possibly meant to be more for himself.
Sokka turns onto his side, propping his head up on the hand of his bent arm to give Zuko better attention. "Maybe the spirits guided your sails," he offers. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you ended up where you did. With us." 'With me.'
Zuko scoffs, but one side of his lip twitches up for a half second of a smile. "Uncle always did say to trust the spirits."
Sokka nods as best he can on his side. "He's right. The Water Tribes have a lot of respect for the spirits. We listen to them, and they guide us." Sokka leans up further, resting his palm flat on the deck to brace him. "Zuko, I don't think you coming to the South Pole was entirely coincidence. I don't even normally hunt where you were, but that day I felt like I had to," Sokka shares his thoughts in all seriousness.
Zuko removes his hands from his face then. He's not crying, but his eyes are red, glossy, and he looks on the verge of letting his contained emotions take over as he looks up into the celestial body of stars. "Then why did Uncle have to die?"
Sokka sucks in a silent breath and holds it, his face softening as he looks down at Zuko, vulnerable and pleading to Sokka with his liquid gold eyes for an answer, to make sense of the pain of losing a loved one.
"Oh, Zuko, I don't have an answer for that," he says apologetically. The omega's breath hitches, and Sokka pushes on before the edges fray more, reaching out to carefully brush aside a few strands of hair with his free hand from the right side of Zuko's face, "but if it was to protect you, which I think it was, then I can say with certainty that he didn't regret it."
Zuko's face screws up further and Sokka lowers himself again and pulls the omega to him just in time to hear a sniff from the crook of his neck where Zuko now buries his face. Sokka feels a nod of confirmation against his skin. Sokka rubs Zuko's back soothingly. There are no further noises, no movement, but Sokka can feel the tense muscles, scent the sadness in the air.
"Why don't you tell me about him? Is this the same uncle that studied other nation's bending arts, and owned a tea shop?"
Another small nod. "Uncle loved tea," Zuko croaks, voice thick.
Zuko starts with small details, no more than thoughts, tiny facts used to paint a portrait of a man Sokka never knew. Like how Iroh loved afternoon naps on sunny days. Or how he always made time for tea and insisted Zuko join him. He served jasmine often, but his favorite tea was ginseng, which Zuko hated, so he had a separate pot of a fruit-based tea for Zuko alongside his pot of ginseng. His favorite game was pai sho, one of the few things they made room for on their travels, and even managed to convince Zuko to join in a few games, which he always lost. Iroh was really good at pai sho.
Iroh preferred sandals and used the excuse of sore feet for regular breaks, often suspiciously wherever there were good shops, or women to charm, or delicious food nearby, or areas that were simply pleasant to be. Iroh smiled and laughed easily, and had more patience than anyone else, multiplied by at least ten. But he was also fierce in his beliefs and stood up for those in need.
Zuko called his uncle a lazy fool who often embarrassed himself and Zuko both in the very same sentence that he said Uncle was the strongest, bravest and wisest man he'd ever known. Iroh wasn't afraid to live how he wanted to, but he did so humbly, and with great respect to the spirits, the land, and those around him. Iroh often used proverbs, much to Zuko's irritation, not understanding them. He also had a great sense of humor, but Zuko couldn't remember any of his jokes. The man had a silver tongue and could charm their way through life, often resulting in free meals and nights under a roof during their coinless travels.
Iroh taught Zuko many things, like how to read the stars, and sail properly. Iroh was the only one to leave the Fire Nation with Zuko. They used a boat similar to the one Zuko and Sokka sail now, not the iron ships typical of the Fire Nation. It was more appropriate for a two man crew. He showed Zuko the difference in what he learned in textbooks versus the real world, the customs, traditions and culture. He instructed Zuko how to blend in, to keep attention off of himself.
Iroh encouraged everyone to believe in themselves, believed in the good of others and that everyone deserves happiness. Zuko didn't say if any of that last part was directed towards himself, but Sokka suspects Zuko was told those words often.
Zuko had slowly pulled away to lay on his back again as he spoke, gaze drawn to the stars smiling down on them. Sokka listens to everything Zuko says, watching the omega's expressions. His previous hurt is gone. Instead, Zuko speaks passionately, a full spectrum of emotions showing as he regales stories and antics, days traveling under a hot sun, or racing to find a cave to escape a sudden downpour. Warm campfires at night, shared meals of simple stale biscuits.
Sokka finds he's thankful to this man that impacted Zuko's life so thoroughly. Iroh will live on within Zuko, even if Zuko doesn't realize it.
"He sounds like a great man," Sokka says when there's a lull in the one-sided conversation. Sokka doesn't know if Zuko's ever spoken this much on any subject, a testament to how much Zuko loves his uncle.
Zuko tilts his head to Sokka and smiles gratefully, the acknowledgement of his uncle's greatness meaning so much to him. He can tell Sokka means it, that he's not just saying the words Zuko wants to hear.
Sokka grabs a pelt they had brought up earlier and had yet to use. He uses it now, spreading it over themselves to finally go to sleep. They may be stiff in the morning, sleeping on the upper deck instead of the hammocks below on the berth deck, but the night is pleasant and warm, and Sokka doesn't want to break the magic that has settled over them.
They fall asleep easily, dreams peaceful, full of stars and campfires and smiles.
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Sokka feels a nudge on his shoulder. A gentle but insistent nudge. There's a voice, too, speaking to him. Muffled by sleep, he can't make out the words, but he knows that voice. The alpha rolls in his hammock and still manages to send a charming, if somewhat sleepy smile at the face that peers down at him. "Well, good morning, Sunshine," Sokka rumbles, voice sleep-thick.
Zuko cocks his head curiously at the name. "Why did you call me that?" He can't remember Sokka ever calling him that before. He wonders if it's a reference to his bending, or being Fire Nation.
"Because normally the first thing you see in the morning is sunshine. So you must be my sunshine," the words slip so easily from the alpha's mouth, and he actually winks at Zuko.
Zuko sputters, flushing hard. "Dagmal is set up!" The omega turns quickly to avoid further embarrassment, even though he knows Sokka already saw him blushing.
Climbing on deck, a warm fluttering building in his chest, Zuko realizes he doesn't not like the name.
Which is great, because Sokka decides, watching the omega retreat, he likes the name as well, and he really likes seeing Zuko turn that pretty shade because of something he said.
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"That's Tianlong, the celestial dragon. He flies among the stars and keeps them where they're supposed to be each season," Zuko recounts as he traces the star pattern. It's long and serpentine, the main body being some of the brightest stars in the sky.
It's another late night, and the sky is clear, stars bright and calling for attention. Sokka and Zuko lay on the deck, star gazing, as has become their habit lately, weather permitting. Though even the cloudy days - as long as it's not raining - often find them laying on the deck, a pelt already around them or available and ready nearby. The overcast nights are quieter, but no less enjoyable. They lay close enough to comfortably share the pelt, and so they can see which stars the other traces. Sokka is unfamiliar with these patterns, so he lets Zuko explain them. He's perfectly content listening to Zuko go on about the very stars that sparkle like diamond dust among gold back in his eyes. Sokka has to remind himself to turn back to the stars often whenever Zuko points out a new one.
"And that one's Toyotama-hime, she's the dragon daughter of Agni, and supposedly had a child with the first of my bloodline. That's why we're considered royalty; we're descendants of Agni."
"Wait, so your ancestor had the balls to mate a dragon? I'm kinda impressed but, like, how?"
Zuko flushes. "Supposedly. But I guess she had a human form? She could transform, the story says." He shifts, feeling a little weird with the implications of his family history.
"Huh. Neat." Sokka has his hands laced together casually over his stomach.
"I guess."
"GranGran says when a wolf dies, it's reborn as a member of our tribe. Then when we die, our souls run as a pack again with the spirit lights."
"So you're a wolf and I'm a dragon."
"Seems so."
"Weird."
"Kinda."
A pause.
"So that one's Orochi, the eight-headed dragon. He brought destruction and ruin to the land until Susanoo," Zuko points just askew of Orochi, a massive cluster of branching stars, to a new set of stars that look like waves, "the sea warrior slew him."
Sokka laughs aloud, earning an inquiring eyebrow quirk from Zuko. "Well, I'm glad to finally learn you have constellations that aren't dragons," Sokka manages to explain around a playfully teasing grin once he's done laughing.
"There are more than dragons!" Zuko looks affronted, but there's color creeping across the bridge of his nose when he mutters, "Those are just the coolest ones."
Sokka smirks, and his eyes soften as he looks at Zuko. "Keep going," he urges fondly, voice gentle, because he loves moments like this, and wants it to continue.
Zuko studies the stars some more, then, still laying down, tilts his head back to look further the direction they're going. He points far ahead. "That's Genbu, the tortoise of the north, like Seiryu to the east, Byakko to the west, and Suzaku to the south," Zuko points to the first two, but doesn't point out any star groups for the other pair. "We're too far northeast to see the others."
The omega looks around again. "Oh! That's Bakeneko. They're a cat spirit that can take the shape of any cat." Zuko pulls Miko from his side to on top of him and holds the cat up under its arms. Miko is pliant and willing under Zuko's administrations and merely looks back with half-closed eyes. "Supposedly if a cat is watching you unnaturally, it's probably Bakeneko spying on you." Zuko lets Miko down, the cat simply oozing into whatever position gravity takes him, which happens to be laying half across Zuko's stomach.
"Yeah, I'm sure Bakeneko watches me through Miko pretty often, then," the alpha jokes.
"Only because you still bribe him with treats. He's just waiting."
"And one day he will happily jump into my lap without treat prompts." Sokka trails a finger down one of the snowshoe cat's ears. Miko, in his sleep, flicks that ear in response.
"And Katara thought I was going to make Miko fat...," Zuko laments and Sokka laughs at that.
Zuko looks around then, turning and knocking Miko off without realizing it. The cat huffs and sulks over to sleep with the polar bear dogs, wedging himself between and on top of them.
"That one," Zuko is on his hands and knees now, pointing at a star cluster low on the western horizon. It's a small group with a few bright dots of stars trailing out from the body in curvy arcs. Sokka has to turn and sit up to see it. It reminds him of a lotus flower. "That's Tenko, the nine-tailed kitsune, the highest rank of spiritual foxes. That's the star sign I was born under."
The hand lowers, and Zuko frowns. "It's considered bad luck. Kitsune are tricksters and steal crops. They use their fox fire to lure people into the forests where they get lost." He lowers himself to sitting on his heels, hands in his lap. Admitting his unlucky star sign is hard. Zuko bites his lip as he considers the next part. "But Uncle says kitsune are misunderstood. If you're worthy in Tenko's eyes, and lead an honest life, Tenko is a guardian spirit who will protect you."
Sokka turns his piercing blue eyes on Zuko. "What do you believe?"
"Haven't had the best of luck my entire life," Zuko replies with a nonchalant half shrug.
"And yet you always seem to overcome the odds, no matter how they stack against you."
Zuko grimaces. "You don't know everything."
"I know enough. I've seen enough. I think maybe Tenko really is looking out for you. I mean, if your uncle said it, it's gotta be true, right?" Sokka shoulder bumps Zuko, causing the omega to laugh.
"Agni, I never understood half of what he was trying to tell me. That half of it and more was probably just made up to make him sound wise." Zuko smiles, then his face turns neutral again in thought. "But he did trust the spirits."
Sokka nods sagely.
That night, before they enter the berth deck to sleep, Zuko lays on the gunwale, next to the sternpost, some bannock. He doesn't say anything, but he bows and offers a Fire Nation salute.
In the morning, when the bannock is gone, he figures the wind knocked it off or one of the animals ate it.