Zuko was going mad. They had been on Ember Island for 2 weeks now, and he was going absolutely mad. He was getting bigger and heavier every day and he was cleaning everything. It was taking everything he had not to reorganise the entire house. They were just waiting. For the baby to come, for the comet to come, for the Fire Nation to attack them. Which ever came first. And Zuko was not enjoying it.
It didn't help that he hurt.
His belly was strangely tight, and his hips and lower back were aching fiercely. He was too tired to do anything except just lie across one of the sofas with a blanket draped across his legs. Ugh.
Sokka leaned over the back of the sofa. "You okay?"
Zuko nodded. He was too tired for talking.
Sokka moved around the sofa to kneel by Zuko's head and brushed a few stray strands of hair from his face. "You sure? You were tossing and turning all night."
"I'm fine. Being pregnant means being uncomfortable all the time."
"Okay. Well, tell me if you feel any worse."
Zuko nodded.
"Do you want me to stay or would you rather have some alone time?"
"Can you read to me?" Zuko gestured to the play scroll on the table next to the sofa. "I've been trying to read but I can't focus."
Sokka smiled. "Sure."
Zuko lifted his head and Sokka obediently slid under. Zuko let his head fall into Sokka's lap and tried his best to relax, letting Sokka's voice wash over him.
The others started trickling into the room and settled down to listen. Zuko couldn't be bothered to care. He was tired. He was hoping Sokka's voice would lull him to sleep, but his belly was hurting too much. A low groaned escaped his lips.
Sokka's voice faltered. "Zuko, are you okay?"
"'M fine. Just… sore."
Katara made her way over, her hands hovering. "May I?"
Zuko gestured weakly to his belly. Katara palpitated gently, her face calm and impassive. Then she smiled. "I think you're starting labour."
Zuko opened his eyes and stared at her. So was everyone else. "Really?"
Katara nodded. "Yep. How long have you been feeling bad for?"
Zuko shrugged. "All night I guess."
"This is your first baby. I'm not surprised it's taking a while."
Zuko groaned in frustration. "How long are we talking?"
Katara shrugged. "It could be up to a day. It depends how long the first stage lasts."
"Great. Can you keep reading?"
Sokka started. He nodded and smiled, but the unease was written all over his face. He started reading again and seemed to calm down. Zuko tried to follow his lead. Unfortunately it was incredibly difficult to sleep when you were absolutely terrified, and your body was out of your control. He pictured Uncle's voice in his head talking him through breathing exercises.
"That's the end of the story. Zuko?"
"Find another," Zuko mumbled, "Please. I don't want to think about this for any longer than I have to."
Sokka smiled and stroked Zuko's hair. "Sure thing. Any requests?"
"No. Just need a distraction."
"Here," Aang said as he held a scroll to Sokka, "How about this one?"
"Good enough for me." Sokka shrugged and started reading.
Zuko managed to focus on Sokka's words this time. He listened intently to the story and laughed at Aang's comedic interruptions. The pains were still coming, but he found himself managing to breathe through them. They ebbed and flowed. Zuko let himself flow with them. The baby was still squirming away inside of him. He allowed himself to smile.
He was going to meet his baby soon.
Aang was telling stories of his adventures as a young Airbender. He wasn't a great storyteller; he stopped and started and reversed and added things, but Zuko enjoyed seeing him so lively. The burden resting on the young boy's shoulders was crushing- seeing him smile gave Zuko hope that they'd still have Aang when this was all over. He breathed out as the tension in his belly loosened.
He could do this. He was going to be fine.
"What time is it?" Zuko asked groggily.
"Lunch time." Sokka said. "Are you hungry?"
Zuko looked to Katara. "Can I eat?"
"If you feel hungry."
"A little. Just something light."
Katara nodded and squeezed Zuko's shoulder before walking away to the kitchen. Zuko heaved himself slowly into a sitting position. "Can someone help me up?"
"Are you okay?" Sokka as he eased Zuko to his feet.
"Just need to walk around a little." Zuko shrugged as he started pacing around the room. His body buzzed with a bizarre, restless energy. Walking eased it somewhat. His head felt strange to. Like he needed to find something, but he didn't know what. His steps faltered as a contraction came over him. He breathed out slowly.
Toph flinched.
Katara came back into the room with a plate of bread, which she held out to Zuko. "Here. Is this enough?"
"Thank you." Zuko the plate and lowered himself back down onto the sofa. He nibbled slowly at the bread.
"Not very hungry?" Sokka asked.
Zuko shrugged. "A little. I don't know. I'm tired. I just hope a little food will keep me going."
Sokka just put his arm around Zuko's shoulder. Zuko leaned into him wearily.
After a while, he discarded what was left of the bread and stretched out across the sofa to try and sleep. Sokka draped a blanket over him and then shooed everyone away. Zuko sighed in relief at the peace and quiet. His eyelids were heavy, and his limbs were sagging. Maybe he could get some sleep now.
Zuko awoke groggily. He turned his head slowly to look out of the window. It was dusk. He'd managed a few hours after all. He swallowed and grimaced. He needed a drink. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the long, arduous process of standing up. Unreasonably difficult, in his opinion. It may have taken more than a minute longer than he would have like, but he was up. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he waddled into the kitchen. Suki was there. She frowned as he came in.
"Zuko, what are you doing? You should be resting."
Zuko rolled his eyes. "I'm in labour, I'm not dying. I can get my own glass of water." He did so smugly- until a sharp pain rippled through his stomach. He doubled over with a cry. The glass shattered at his feet.
Suki rushed to his side. "Katara! Sokka!"
Zuko tried to push her away. "I'm fine, I'm fine!"
The two Water Tribe siblings skidded into the room.
"What's wrong?" Katara demanded.
"Contraction," Zuko grunted sharply, "I'm fine."
"Alright. Let us know when it's passed."
Zuko waited a few more seconds before breathing out. "It's over."
Sokka rushed to his side and swept Zuko into his arms, away from the broken glass.
"Sokka, stop fussing. I'm fine."
"You've said that about three times already." Sokka said.
"Because it's true!" Zuko snapped.
Katara held her hands up peacefully. "We know. Now let's get you back to your room so you can get comfortable."
Zuko nodded. He let Sokka help him as the three of them made their way back to their room. Zuko flopped wearily onto the bed. Then frowned. Something wasn't right. He staggered upright and plucked at the blankets. Distantly he heard Sokka say something but Katara shushed him. He shoved them off the bed and started arranging the pillows around the edge of the mattress. He placed Sokka's pillow in the centre of the headboard. Then he started running his hands over the small blankets he'd collected in his nest building quest: one that Toph had scented, one from Aang and one from Katara. Sure it was weird for an Omega to have so many scents in their nests, but Zuko liked it. He draped each blanket over the pillow mounds and nodded in satisfaction.
"Better." He said.
Just in time too. He groaned in pain, slumping forward onto the mattress. Katara stepped forward and rubbed his back.
"Just breathe, Zuko. You're alright."
"Sokka…" Zuko moaned.
"Yeah? What do you need?"
Zuko just slumped into his arms, nuzzling into Sokka's chest. "This is fine."
"How about we get you up on the bed, huh?" Sokka asked.
"Fine." Zuko held his hands out and let Katara and Sokka heft him up and onto the bed.
"Zuko, are you okay for me to check your dilation?" Katara asked.
Zuko blushed furiously but nodded. He reached out his hand and Sokka gripped it tightly. Katara draped a sheet over Zuko's waist and slowly slipped of his trousers. She watched him carefully for any sign of discomfort. Zuko tried his best to keep his face impassive. That wasn't exactly easy with his face lighting up so furiously.
"Two centimetres," Katara announced with a smile, "You're doing really well."
"Great. Can I get dressed now?" Zuko grumbled.
Katara laughed. "Yes."
Zuko did so and looked over to Katara. "What now?"
"Whatever you want. You're in control here."
"I am?"
"You're the one having the baby. We're going to do this how you want, okay."
"Okay." Zuko echoed weakly.
Zuko paced around the room, slowly, restlessly. Katara and Sokka hovered at his side but he'd growled at them until they gave him some space. He was not expecting how much of his body hurt. His belly was in an vice and his back had a knife in it. And Katara was trying to tell him the contractions hadn't even really kicked off yet. Zuko and Sokka gave her identical looks of terror. She just rolled her eyes.
"I hate this." He whined. He grabbed a hold of Sokka's shoulder and groaned into him as another contraction came over him.
"Easy, easy. Just breathe." Sokka murmured, rubbing Zuko's back.
"I am breathing." Zuko groaned.
"Work with the pain, Zuko." Katara said.
Zuko glared at her. He stepped out of Sokka's hold and continued his waddled pacing. He cradled the weight of his belly as he moved. It felt heavier than ever.
"The baby's dropping." Katara said.
Oh. He said that out loud. Whatever.
Someone knocked on the door. Katara glanced at Zuko before opening it. Suki poked her head in.
"Hi guys. How's it going?"
"Fine." Zuko growled irritably.
"Sorry about him," Sokka said, "He's a little on edge right now."
Zuko glared.
Suki just smiled. "I can't blame you. Katara, why don't you let me take over for a while? You need to rest."
Katara turned to Zuko.
Before she could say anything, he waved her to the door. "Go. We'll be fine."
"Alright. Call for me if you need me."
Then she was gone and Zuko was left with Sokka and Suki. "Sokka, don't you dare leave me." He growled.
Sokka rushed over to his side and clasped his hand. "Hey, where am I going to go?"
Zuko put his arms around Sokka's neck and pressed his head into Sokka's chest. "I hate this."
"I know." Sokka murmured.
"So, am I allowed to ask how this all came about?" Suki asked, "Cause no offense, but you really don't seem the nurturing type."
"No. You're not." Zuko said.
"Right. Sorry."
"'S fine." Zuko detached himself from Sokka and resumed his pacing, this time holding Sokka's hand.
"So is this how Fire Nation births usually go?" Suki asked.
Zuko stuttered for a moment. "Uh. I mean I don't really know how it works for most people, but for the royal family, not really. It's a lot busier. There's a whole team of healers in the room and no family or mates. I think nobles do something similar, but there's more flexibility and, um, everyone else can have family or whoever and probably only the one healer."
"Huh. Interesting."
"How does it go in the Earth Kingdom?" Zuko asked.
"It varies place to place, but on Kiyoshi Island, mothers are taken to the special birthing rooms. Babies are delivered by a midwife and a Kiyoshi Warrior with training assists." She turned to Sokka. "What about the Water Tribe?"
Sokka shrugged slightly. "I never really paid much attention to all that, but babies are delivered in their own home by a village elder. That's my Gran- Gran. She started taking Katara with her to help and pass on the know- how."
"Sokka, Sokka, Sokka-" Zuko whimpered, desperately grabbing at the Alpha.
Sokka gathered him up quickly. Zuko moaned loudly.
"Hey, you're okay." Sokka murmured. "I've got you."
Zuko just shuddered. If this was what the first few contractions were like, how was he going to manage the ones that were coming?
"Zuko," Suki said, "You need to breath. Slowly. Like you do when you're mediating."
Zuko did as she said, his uncle's instructions running through his head.
"That's it. Breathe with the pain instead of fighting it."
"I'm fine." He sighed. "Have you delivered babies before? Besides that one with Katara."
Suki nodded. "Not every Kiyoshi Warrior is trained in midwifery, but the leader always has to be."
"Well, that's really good for us." Sokka chirruped.
Zuko tugged him forward, resuming his slow pacing. "How long is this going to take?" he asked.
"Definitely a few more hours. Sorry."
Zuko groaned frustratedly.
After a while Katara stepped into the room, with Aang on her heels. Zuko was leaning on the end of the bed, Sokka and Suki at his sides. Suki patted Zuko's shoulder gently and left the room. Zuko nodded to her and then to Katara and Aang. "Hey." He croaked. He glanced around the room. How long had those candles been burning? He hadn't noticed anyone light them. It was dark outside. When had that happened?
"How're you doing?" Katara asked.
"I'm… managing."
"How far apart are the contractions?"
Zuko shrugged.
"About 10 minutes. They're not lasting very long." Sokka replied.
Katara nodded. "Can I check you over?"
Zuko blushed again but nodded. He laid down on the bed. Sokka took one of his hand. Aang copied and held his other hand. Katara placed the sheet over him and slid of his trousers.
"4 centimetres."
"Seriously? That's it?" Zuko yelped.
She rubbed his knee gently. "You're doing really well Zuko."
Zuko started crying. He buried his head in his hands to try and hide his sobs. Sokka pulled him into a hug. "Oh, Zuko. You're doing great."
"I want this to be over!" Zuko cried. "I can't do this."
Sokka tilted Zuko's head up and kissed his forehead. "Yes you can. You're the strongest person I know."
"Yeah," Aang cheered, "If you can hunt me all over the world, you can have a baby."
Zuko laughed through his tears. "Thanks, Aang."
Katara helped him get dressed again. She hugged him tightly. "You're not alone. We're going to help you through this."
Zuko nodded into her shoulder.
"Yeah, we're all taking shifts to sit with you." Aang said.
"Are you sure about that?" Zuko asked.
Aang nodded. "We all agreed on it. That way Katara and Suki can be well rested when the baby's born. We're switching over every three hours."
Zuko smiled and pulled Aang into a hug. "That's really sweet of you."
Katara smiled and turned to the door. "I'll be back to check on you later."
"So what do we do now?" Aang asked.
Zuko shrugged. "You can do whatever. I'm just going to lie here for a little bit."
"Are you feeling okay?" Sokka asked.
Zuko pinned him with a hard look. "I'm tired. I'll move in a bit."
"Whatever you want." Sokka said.
"It's kinda boring in here, isn't it?" Aang said after a moment of silence.
Zuko's body cramped viciously and a shrill whine escaped his throat. He curled up, trying to get on his knees.
"Zuko?" Aang yelped.
Zuko ignored him. Sokka deftly helped him to kneel on the mattress and ride out the rest of the contraction. He panted heavily, wiping sweat from his brow. "That- that was rough," he wheezed, "I need to get up."
He leaned on Sokka and struggled to his feet. He took a long breath, already fed up with this whole birthing business.
Aang was staring nervously. "Oh…"
"You don't have to stay here if you don't want too, Aang." Zuko said.
"No. You're my friend and I want to be here with you."
"Okay. Now just help me move."
Aang slipped under his arm and the three of them started another slow trek around the room. Zuko leaned his head on Sokka's shoulder. Holding it up was more effort than he was willing to give at that moment. Aang launched into as many old Airbender stories as he could remember to keep Zuko entertained. Zuko appreciated the thought, even if his focus was gradually slipping.
His body tensed. He braced himself for another contractions. He groaned into Sokka's shoulder. His legs were shaking. Why was this taking so long? "Time is it?" he slurred.
Aang glanced out the window. "Late."
"Great."
"Hey, why don't we try meditating? Doesn't breathing help when you're having a baby?"
"There is another human literally pushing its way out of me. Do I look like I have the patience for meditation?"
Sokka nuzzled the top of his head to try and soothe him. "Hey, what have you got to lose? It might help."
Zuko huffed. "Fine. But you're going to have to hold me up."
Aang grinned brightly and folded into the standing meditation position in the middle of the room. Zuko followed as best he could. Sokka kneeled beside him, dutifully holding his shoulders. Aang and Sokka were right. Zuko couldn't believe he hadn't tried this earlier. It was easier to clear his mind and focus on his breathing instead of the increasing pressure inside him. Now he just had to wait and see if it would get him through the next contraction. His breathing picked up as the next contraction descended.
"Breathe in through the nose," Aang instructed sagely, "Out through the mouth. In through the nose. Out through the mouth."
Zuko fought to follow, giving a low moan. Sokka rubbed slow, gentle circles on his back. "You're doing well. You're doing so well."
Zuko just nodded along. He wrangled his breathing, forcing his body to cooperate.
"Very good." Aang said.
There was a tentative knock at the door. It opened to reveal an uncharacteristically unsure Toph. "You're relieved, Twinkle Toes." She said. Through his muddled mind Zuko could sense the false bravado.
"Oh, okay." Aang said, standing up. He gave Zuko's shoulder an encouraging squeeze. "Good luck, Zuko. You're going to be fine."
Then he was gone.
Zuko slumped forward onto his knees. He panted for a moment. "I'm fine, Sokka. Just tired. Let me sit for a while."
He crawled on his hands and knees over to the bed. He didn't try and get on it, just leaned against the frame. "Hey, Toph."
"Hey." She said sullenly and she and Sokka joined him on the floor.
"Is everything okay, Toph?" Zuko asked.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" she snarked. It was weak.
"Toph." Zuko didn't have the patience for deflections.
"I can feel it. The contractions. And you're in pain. And it's scaring me a little bit." She admitted.
Zuko sighed, gently pulling her into a hug. "It's okay. I know it's scary, but I'm okay. It's just the baby showing us that it's strong and it wants to come into the world and meet us."
"Katara did tell us the baby was a little earlier than she was expecting."
Zuko laughed. "It's an impatient little thing, isn't it?"
"Kind of like you then?" Sokka joked.
Zuko snorted. "I'm patient."
"Sure, Sparky. You keep telling yourself that."
"I hate you both."
When Katara next checked him, he was at 5 centimetres. Not enough. Zuko moaned his way through yet another contraction, still kneeling on the floor. He was practically crushing Toph's hands, but she showed no sign of it. Sokka kneaded his back and he pushed back into the touch. He groaned loudly. The contraction was longer than all the others had been. The panic started creeping back into his mind.
"Breathe, Sparky. You got this."
The contraction lasted a few more minutes. He gasped. He was shaking.
"Easy. You're doing great." Sokka murmured.
"I'm tired. I'm so tired."
"I know. Just a little while longer. You can do this."
Zuko slumped sideways. He laid across the floor, pillowing his head into Sokka's lap.
"Uh, Zuko? Are you okay?"
Zuko nodded.
"Do you want to get on the bed?"
Zuko shook his head.
"Okay then." Sokka shrugged. He stroked Zuko's hair as Zuko's eyes slipped closed. "Are you going to sleep?"
"No." Zuko scoffed. "There is no way I can sleep through this."
Zuko wailed in pain. The contraction roared through his body. It twisted inside him. Tears started budding in his eyes. He grabbed hold of Sokka's hands and squeezed. A startled groan escaped his lips as he felt a rush of liquid soaking his thighs.
"Katara!" Sokka yelled.
Toph jumped to her feet and froze.
There was a flurry of noise downstairs and Katara rushed into the room. Suki and Aang were hot on his heels. She hurried to Zuko's side and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Zuko, that was your waters breaking. Things are going to pick up now."
Zuko nodded. He wasn't exactly sure what was going. He just clutched Sokka to ground him. He needed a lifeline to hang on to reality- Sokka was the only thing that could break through the fog.
"Zuko, can we move you to the bed? I think you'll be more comfortable."
Was that Katara? He was pretty sure it was Katara. He mumbled out a response. Two pairs of arms reached around his torso and helped heave him up. He groaned as he moved and just let himself drop onto the bed. He breathed in the familiar, comforting scents of his nest.
"Sokka…"
A warm weight found it's way into his hand and a hand settled in his hair. "Right here, Zuko. I'm right here. Can Katara check you over?"
Zuko nodded. He took a long gulp of Sokka's calming scent.
"7 centimetres."
"Did you hear that, Zuko?" Sokka murmured, "It's nearly over. You're nearly through."
It wasn't over. It was only just beginning.
Zuko lurched upright, hand clasped to his mouth. "I'm going to be sick-"
Aang pressed a bowl into his hands. Zuko retched weakly, coughing into the bowl. Someone was rubbing his back. He panted for a moment and spat the taste of bile from his mouth.
Suki smiled and took the bowl from him. "I'll go wash this out."
Zuko groaned and sank back against the pillows. Sokka dabbed at his forehead with a wet cloth. "Thanks." He mumbled.
"No problem."
"Is it nearly here?" Zuko asked wearily.
Katara smiled encouragingly. "You're at 8 centimetres now. It won't be long."
Zuko nodded. He howled with the next contraction. He curled in on himself. He reached for Sokka. "I want Uncle!" he wailed. His voice was thin and trembling.
Sokka pushed his hair back from his forehead. "I know you do."
Zuko sobbed. "I need him here. Why isn't he here?"
"You're not alone, Zuko. I've got you."
"It hurts."
"I know but-"
"If you- hggnn- try to tell me I'm nearly there, I'm going to strangle you."
"Sorry." Sokka meeped.
Zuko laughed deliriously. "I am exhausted. I am hurting. I am half naked. And the worst part? I don't even care anymore."
Toph rubbed her hand over his clenched, bloodless knuckles. "Easy, Sparky. I know yelling at Snoozles is fun but don't waste your energy on it."
Zuko groaned, gritting his teeth against another wave of pain.
"Well done. That's it. You're doing so well."
Was he?
Pressure. There was so much pressure inside him. He was going to explode. He was dying, wasn't he? He had to be dying. There was no way he could survive this kind of all consuming agony. He sobbed miserably. He bore down against the pain with a shrill shriek.
"That's it, Zuko! Keep pushing!"
Voices. So many voices. He couldn't keep track of them all. There was the steady presence at his side, warm and cool and soothing and grounding. He leaned into it.
"Come on. Another big push."
"That's it. Keep it going."
"You're doing it, Zuko. You're doing it."
"I can see the baby's head!"
"Big push now!"
What? They wanted more from him? He couldn't. He was so tired. Tired like he'd never thought possible. He had nothing left to give.
"Don't give up now, Zuko."
"You're so close.
The tiny hand clutching his let go. Another hand guided his wrist down between his legs. A warm weight settled at his back to help him sit forward. His focus honed in on the fuzziness beneath his fingertips. It was round and domelike. It rested just inside him, poking out ever so slightly.
Wait. Was that-
"That's your baby, Zuko. It's right there, ready to meet you. Just push one more time for me."
"You've got this. I believe in you."
Zuko pushed.
And screamed.
He burned.
It was gone.
He felt empty.
A cry.
A baby's cry.
"You did it, Zuko! You have a son."
He held his shaking arms out. "Give him to me."
The tiny, squealing little thing was pressed into his arms. He still had blood on him, making his dark hair sticky, but Zuko didn't care. Golden eyes met his. He had a son. He loved him. He loved him so much even though he didn't know him. The baby wriggled and squirmed in his arms. Zuko pulled his sweat soaked shirt back and pressed the baby to his bare skin. "Hello, baby. Hello, my little sun dragon."
"Does he have a name?"
Zuko turned to see Sokka grinning delightedly next to him. "Lee. His name is Lee."
"Really?" Toph asked from his other side. "Lee? That's so boring."
"I think he's adorable." Aang chimed in.
"I know. There are a million Lees. I want him to get to be a child. I don't want him to be pressure by expectations or a grand destiny. I just want him to be Lee."
Sokka put a hand on his shoulder. Zuko leaned into him. "It's perfect."
Zuko just stared down in awe at his son.
"Leaves from the vine, falling so slow, like fragile, tiny shells drifting in the foam, little soldier boy come marching home, brave soldier comes marching home." Zuko sang softly. He swayed gently, rocking Lee in his arms. His body pulsed with aches, but the sun was high in the sky. He was too full of restless energy to lie down.
"Where'd you learn to sing like that?"
Zuko turned to the doorway. Sokka stood there, a smile on his face.
"My uncle. He sings it a lot. It's only right that I sing it to Lee too."
Sokka stepped into the room and gently wrapped his arms around Zuko. He ran his little finger down Lee's sleeping cheek.
"Hey there Sunflower. It's great to finally meet you."
Lee gurgled in his sleep.
Zuko chuckled.
"He's beautiful, isn't he?" Sokka said.
"Yeah, he is. I don't know if I can put him down."
"Why don't you let me watch him for a little while. You worked pretty hard to get him out. You need to sleep."
Zuko sighed. A wave of tiredness washed over him as the last dregs of adrenaline faded away. "Promise you'll stay with him?"
"We'll be right here when you wake up."
Zuko pressed Lee into Sokka's arms. He shuffled over to the bed and carefully collapsed onto it. His eyes fell closed and sleep over took him immediately. The last thing he was aware of was Sokka draping a blanket over him.
