Zuko hated the Poles.
He had been to both only two times, but still.
Actually, hate was a big word. He didn't like the cold, that's all.
He was used at the summer climate of the Fire Nation, where the sun was warm and blessed by Agni.
The cold wind was scratching his skin, but Zuko accepted it like a punishment.
The wooden Water Tribe ship was gently swaying through the waves of the sea, whose waters were becoming colder and colder by the time the ship was arriving at his destination.
Zuko knew a lot about ships, mostly because he spent three years living on one. But this ship was a lot different than the one he was used to. No dark, cold metal. No suffocating hallways and cabins, with a light minimum enough so he could see where he was stepping. No angry aura, that consumed him from the head to toes, pushing him to continue his hunt for the avatar. No longing feelings to return home.
This ship was a lot smaller, but also more welcome. It was made from wood, and it didn't use a noisy engine, but sails to move. It had no dark cabins, but a common room with hammocks where everyone could hear the slightest snore from another. And more people. Definitely more people. All the men from the South Pole that had left for the war three years ago, they were finally returning home to their families. The energy on the ships had a positivity.
It was very different to what Zuko was used to, but he liked it. To be honest, if he was in the Fire Nation ship, he would surely have some unwanted emotions.
Of course he could get a ship from the Fire Nation and arrive in the South Pole days earlier, but the last thing he and everyone else wanted is to have a Fire Nation ship in the icy coasts of the South Pole. It would bring out many…different outcomes.
Zuko was standing at the side of the ship watching the waves crashing their way through the body of it. As he was lost in his thoughts, he almost didn't hear some footsteps approaching. His heart skipped a beat. He really hoped it wasn't a Water Tribe warrior ready to kill him and throw him to the sea 'cause you know, Fire Nation Royalty and all.
To his relief it was Sokka, who has changed into his good old parka, and in fact, he was holding another one, together with two gloves.
"Here." He said holding it out in front of Zuko. "I know you have the fire breath thingy and all but it is still cold, even for a firebender." He smiled. Zuko returned the smile.
Okay yeah, Zuko has mastered the fire breath that saved his firebender ass on the North Pole and the freezer in the Boiling Rock, but even he had a limit on the control of his breath. So he accepted the piece of clothing Sokka offered.
"Thanks." Zuko said and took the blue parka from his hand. He wore it quickly and holy spirits it was surprisingly warm. Zuko looked at his mittens like he never seen them before in his life, meanwhile Sokka was having that stupid grin on his face.
"You actually look good on Water Tribe clothes. Blue suits you, Jerkbender." He said, crossing his hands on his waist. Zuko let out a small laugh.
"Thanks. You also looked good in Fire Nation clothes, Mr. Wang Fire." He said.
Sokka hold still for a moment to process what was said. Zuko felt slightly uncomfortable. Did he say something bad? Oh Agni maybe comparing a Water Tribesman to a Fire Nation citizen was a serious insult he didn't know about?
"Did you just make a joke?" Sokka asked in disbelief.
"Eh…I guess I did?" he said, releasing a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Sokka was ecstatic on the other hand. Then he turned around to face Bato who was just walking by, minding his own business.
"BATO! ZUKO JUST MADE A JOKE! A FUNNY ONE TOO! UNIVERSE IS THANKING ME TODAY!" Sokka yelled to the other man. Zuko was already blushing from embarrassment, hiding his face in his hood, who was too big for his liking.
"Oh La not him too…" Bato said sighing. "I can't stand a third one…" he said and left below the deck. Sokka was grinning, but then his look landed on a piece of ice floating in the sea.
"Zuko we're almost there!" Sokka almost screamed with excitement. Zuko wanted to smile, but he couldn't this time. Sokka noticed that.
"Hey what's wrong? Is this about the cold?" he asked. "I know you Firebenders don't handle it well but I think you…" he begun to rumble, but Zuko stopped his train of thought.
"It's just…last time I was here, I wasn't… the best person your people encountered that day." He said while his eyes refused to break contact with the sight of the sea. Sokka opened his mouth to argue but Zuko continued.
"Your people hate me. And most importantly, they are right! I attacked them, threatened them! I almost destroyed your village Sokka! And don't get me started about my family's past. They have more than enough reasons not to only hate me, but to kill me." Zuko said. Sokka looked him with sad eyes.
"You were different back then. You are a changed man now Zuko. Me, Katara and my Dad know that. And true, your family may did awful things to our tribe…" Sokka noticed Zuko wince. Probably because Sokka had told him that he and Katara lost their mother in a Fire Nation raid. Yea…
"But you aren't them! You are going to become Fire Lord in the near future! You are going to change the world for the better!" Sokka explained.
After the Gaang defeated Ozai and Azula 3 weeks ago, Zuko didn't want to become immediately a Firelord despite his Uncle's wishes. Zuko explained to Iroh that it was too much. Too soon for a banished Prince and traitor to Firelord. He was afraid that he wouldn't do it right. He was afraid that his Nation would hate him. And most importantly, he was afraid that he would become like his father. Zuko's view of the Fire Nation capital's palace was not a very good one. The hallways were screaming traumatic memories. It was too much.
Zuko pleaded his Uncle to become Firelord in his absence, at least for a while, a year or two, until Zuko was ready enough to step up. Iroh of course respected his nephew's request, so now the Fire Nation temporarily was ruled by the White Lotus, with Iroh as the main leader, taking the Firelord title. The Fire Nation citizen's were kinda against the idea of a group of people from different ethnicities ruling them, but still Iroh was the original heir to the throne, and so it seemed that a party of all four nations were better than Ozai or his daughter. So they kept quiet.
"Sokka I know you, Katara and your dad see me in a positive light, but…" he glanced at the Water Tribe soldiers that were nearby doing chores. "I am sure they don't. Honestly, I am surprised they didn't even attack me and feed me to the fishes by now." Zuko said.
"Look, my dad told them already that you are a good kid and under his protection. You have nothing to fear." He said. Zuko didn't seem to get any less worried.
"But I don't deserve it Sokka! As I said they should hate me!" Zuko said. Sokka had enough.
"Zuko, now that the war is over, we can start anew! My people aren't going to be mad at you Zuko. In fact, they will be happy that you stood up against your father! Stood up against your war-adoring Nation! You are a hero as the rest of us!" Zuko didn't say anything.
"And if someone gives you a hard time, I have your back."
Zuko smiled. It was nice, being protected by someone.
Then Katara came up to the deck, walking towards them.
Zuko looked at her. She was beautiful in her blue parka. She chose to keep her hair down, not bothering braiding it. Her smile was bright, as always.
"There you are!" she said. She was was ready to make a remark about Zuko in a parka but when she saw Zuko's sad face she changed her question to "What are you doing?"
"Just talking." Sokka said. "Zuko here is having a breakdown…"
"I am not!" Zuko said frustrated.
"…Yes you are, cause he thinks he doesn't deserve to set foot in our village after all that happened." And then Sokka explained it to her, while Zuko groaned from the sidelines.
"What? Zuko, are you an idiot? Of course everyone will accept you! Even if you'll have to prove it to them." Katara said. "You proved it to us." Katara said. Zuko sighed.
"I still can't believe your dad agreed to this." Zuko said crossing his arms.
"After what happened at the Western Air Temple? Zuko, you need this! You had a shitty childhood and a shitty father. The least we can give you is a chance to experience what a true family is like." Sokka said. Zuko smiled.
"Still I can't thank you enough for this." Zuko said.
"Save your gratitude after we go penguin sledding." Sokka smiled and patted Zuko's shoulder.
Zuko blinked. "What's penguin sledding again?" In reply, he got a grin from the two of them.
After some hour, the icy land was visible. The men were cheerfully making the last preps so they could anchor the ships. Zuko could see the excitement in their faces: the war took many things from each of them. He would make sure to make amends for that. He had to.
When the ships lowered their anchors, the crews literally ran to their loved one's hugs who were waiting for them outside the village to welcome them home. It was a truly touched scene. He saw women kissing their husbands, kids hugging their fathers after 2 whole years. But at the same side, it was sad because some people knew that their loved ones wouldn't be on these ships. They had left their final breath in the middle of the battlefield. Those people were just looking from the sides, letting a tear slip now and then.
Zuko was a little overwhelmed by this image in front of him. When he returned home in the Fire Nation after three years of absence, his Father didn't even hug him. He didn't say that he missed him. In fact, he probably didn't want him to be there. Zuko let a small tear fall on his cheek. He quickly swiped it because an elderly woman was coming towards him and the Water Tribe family.
Agni help him, it was the old lady Zuko grabbed and threatened when he was hunting Aang. Not his best social encounter. Zuko wanted to run inside the ship behind him and stay hidden there under the deck, between the cargo. He tried to hide behind Hakoda but the other man just touched his shoulder in a calming way. Zuko looked at him, whose eyes were reassuring him in the outmost way possible. Zuko remained silent but he trusted the man beside him.
"Gran Gran!" Sokka and Katara yelled and hugged their grandmother like children hugging their mother after a having nightmare. Kanna's smile was the brightest of all.
"Sokka my dear boy! Oh Tui look how much you've grown! You have become a whole man now!" she said while kissing him all over the face. "Katara! You have become such a wonderful woman! We heard what happened. About the young Avatar and his friends taking down the Fire Lord. I am so proud of both of you!" she said and then she moved at Hakoda.
"'Koda you too! My son! I am so glad you and Bato came back intact!" she said while giving the other man a warm hug.
"Haha good to see you healthy and well mom." Hakoda said embracing his mother's hug.
Zuko's heartrate peaked up a little. Of all the people in the village, why he grabbed Sokka's and Katara's grandmother? And the Chief's mother?!
He was so screwed.
Did the Chief know about this?
Maybe he didn't.
But he would learn now. And then…
He wanted for the ice below him to crack open and for him to fall right in, freeze and die. But it was too late for wishes, because Kanna noticed him. Her reaction could have been worse though.
"You are…" she said. Her smile disappeared. Zuko immediately looked at his feet, not wanting to face her. His fingers were grabbing the parka's fur on his side, and his mind was racing.
What should he do?
He knew forgiveness wasn't something he deserved. So what else would he say?
Zuko opened his mouth. But Sokka was ahead of him.
"Gran Gran I know that your first encounter with him was no good, but I assure you Zuko is good now! Back me up here Dad, Katara!" Sokka said looking at the others. Hakoda took on from here.
"Mom Sokka is right. The kid has proved himself to be a fine man. He helped Sokka bust me out of a prison. He fought against his Nation. He saved Katara's life. We trust him with our whole soul."
Kanna's face was confused and frightened at the same time.
Her son was in prison?
Katara almost died?
Tui and La give her strength.
The boys caught up, and they exchanged looks.
"Ok mom why don't we all go back home and rest? We will tell you everything in a minute." Hakoda said as he reassured his mother who was near having a heart attack. Then Kanna and Hakoda walked through the village, Sokka, Katara and Zuko following behind them.
It appeared Zuko had some time to live more-no don't think like that- he thought.
Zuko took a glance around the village. It was so small, nothing had changed since he was last here. He looked at Sokka. The boy was about to cry.
"Are you alright?" Zuko asked. Maybe this was too much for him?
Sokka turned his head to look at Zuko. He wasn't crying, but he was close to.
"I am fine, it's just…I don't know, maybe I am overreacting." He said brushing it off. Zuko didn't back off.
"You missed your home. I know that feeling." He said while looking forward. "When I was returning home after…Ba Sing Se…" he winced at the thought. Sokka knew that Zuko still beat up himself for all the jerk things he did in the past. "…I couldn't believe it was happening. I was coming back after three years. It was surreal." Then he looked at Sokka with a sad look. "At least you feel this place as your home. When I was there, I had everything I thought I wanted, but it never felt…home." Zuko finished. Sokka coughed a little so he could get his attention and oh look it worked.
"You know, home is your loved ones are. Where your people are. I love my village, and I love our Gaang…" he said and Zuko made sighed in response to the stupid group name Sokka was insisting on calling them. Katara let out a laugh.
"So, I kinda have two homes. One here in the South Pole, and one with you guys." Sokka said.
"…I love you guys too, but…I don't think I have a place where I can call home anymore." Zuko said, his eyes sad.
"Fire Nation isn't a home because it haunts me with memories of the war…and pain. My Father never loved me, my mom left, my sister tormented me…" Zuko said.
"Well" Sokka started. "Since you are part of the family now, you can always call this place home." Katara said. Zuko smiled at the thought.
Part of the family?
"That…would be nice." He said, as they entered the large igloo.
Zuko didn't like the Poles, but he could remedy that.