She lets out a delighted squeal and shrieks as he lifts her like a potato sack, the Water tribe boy running around childishly as though there is not a care in the world. The stubborn blind earthbender thrashes and squirms playfully, as he runs her through the field shouting out half-hearted threats. Her hat had long fallen off, her black hair flowing wildly about. And for the first time since he'd joined their rag tag group, he heard her truly laugh. Mirthful and genuine, wonderfully childlike in it's innocence.
"Put me down!" Her voice is breathless with laughter, a hard grin on her face as Sokka hikes her up on his shoulder tightening his grip with a hellion grin. "I can't see!"
He snorts at the statement, his eyes traveling toward the other members of their group.
Katara and Aang are doubled up with joyful laughter that can only come with the adrenaline of play. Their exuberant howling echoing through the vast field as Katara takes up the chase, sprinting on long legs after her brother and Toph.
He gazes on, a guarded expression etched on his features, his lips a slight frown, his eyes soft.
The vision of young children running on a hill.
A warm hand on his young shoulder.
What he'd give to have a small piece of this.
What he'd already sacrificed.
For this…
This—
...Bond.
It came so easily to them.
Katara catches up with the two and tackles them, sending the three in a tangled, rolling mass of breathless laughter and half-hearted playful threats.
And now, it was right in front of his eyes.
Ringing in his ears.
Breezing through his hair and clothes.
And he just couldn't touch it.
"You know," The Avatar is in front of him, his warm hand outstretched, a hopeful, eager grin on his features, "There's always room for one more,"
Zuko looks from his hand, to the rolling mass of wrestling teens behind him.
Their laughter echoes all around him.
He looks up at the young child before him
"We should be training," He barks, harsh and defensive. Zuko stands waving his hand toward Toph, Sokka, and Katara, "Not wasting valuable time rolling in the dirt,"
Aang's hopeful grin faded into a plaintive smile, his small hand still reaching.
Zuko makes his way back to camp.
Still fighting.
Still struggling.
Because that was all he knew.