Warnings: This contains child abuse. First time writing something like this and these characters.

A/N: This is dedicated to Angel.

It was raining on Tarrlok's seventh birthday, not just light rain, but pouring rain and thunder and lightening. Of all days it just had to be his birthday, the day he had looked forward to for weeks, the day he'd be closer in age to his brother, Noatok. Noatok was only three years older than him, but already his brother was stronger, smarter, faster, and in Tarrlok's mind a hero. His brother had always been there for him, had protected him countless times from their dad's fury when their mother was off visiting relatives or out shopping. He had even stepped in the way and received a punch that had been meant for him. Tarrlok shuddered at the memory of Noatok's bruised eye and with a sigh he sat down his fork. He wasn't hungry anyway and his taste buds hadn't even registered the taste of his lunch.

His mother had made his favorite meal for him, but not even sea prunes could lift his spirit. Not when he couldn't play outside. Not when he couldn't see Noatok, who was off of a hunting trip with dad. They were supposed to be gone for a week, which was a silly amount of time to spend on killing animals. Tarrlok wished that his dad could just buy meat from the stores or just not eat meat. Noatok often went off on hunting trips with their dad, who when Tarrlok asked why he couldn't come as well, had said "You will get to come soon, when you're older. I wouldn't be too upset, they're not that fun, you'll see soon." before smiling in a sad sort of way, which confused Tarrlok. Tarrlok would have given anything if their dad treated him like he treated Noatok, like a man, like he was worth something.

Also, Tarrlok hadn't been convinced by his statement. If they weren't fun, why would their dad go off so often and come back looking positively ecstatic? He had even asked his mother, who had laughed and told him the same thing that Noatok had told him, which irritated him. He was seven, not a baby, but everyone treated him that way. His dad thought he was weak and a pathetic waterbender, and whenever he looked at him there was cool disappointment in his eyes. His mom loved him but thought of him as just a baby. Only Noatok treated him with respect and like an equal.

The sound of a knock at the door, made him snap out of his thoughts and he looked up as his mother stopped washing the dishes and walked to the door. Who was it? Probably some stupid relative coming to gossip with his mom or wish him happy birthday. Maybe even the mailman. No-one he was interested in seeing, not today. He heard his mom gasp and then her laugh. Oh man, he thought, it's probably my Aunt. Not that he hated his Aunt, but she liked to talk for hours on end and while she did so he wouldn't be allowed to play or waterbend.

However, the person who stepped in the kitchen was not his Aunt. "I convinced Dad to come home early so we wouldn't miss his birthday." Noatok said.

Was it really him? Had Noatok really managed to convince their Dad to let them come home? Not that he was excited to see his dad, but that meant that Noatok could play with him and defend him. Usually that would embarrass or shame him that he needed defending, but not today. He looked up and sure enough his brother was standing there, dad behind him his usual solemn and disappointed expression on his face, both of them dripping wet. Noatok's hair was clinging to his face and he looked tired, but he was smiling and looking at Tarrlock, a soggy wrapped package in his hands.

Tarrlock jumped out of his chair and ran to hug his brother, but Noatok pushed him back. Tarrlock looked at him, confused and slightly hurt. Noatok only smiled and handed him the package, Tarrlock grimaced at the feeling of wet paper but took it anyway.

"Oh, Noatok, how sweet, doing all this for your brother! What a good boy we have. Don't you agree, dear?" their mother said, smiling. Their dad said nothing, only nodded, and Tarrlock noticed that his dad's hand on Noatok's shoulder tightened, which made his boy grimace.

With trembling hands Tarrlock opened the gift. Inside was a book entitled "How I Helped to Save the World and Discovered Myself" written by the legendary Sokka. Tarrlock smiled as he looked at the cover. He had wanted this for ages, but his dad had refused to buy it. For some reason his father did not like to speak of Avatar Aang or his adventures and would scoff whenver he'd hear this names. He had mentioned to his brother that he wanted the book, but he had never expected his brother to give him the book. How had he brought it, he wondered. He knew his father did not buy it. Would not buy something like this. In his dad's eyes, reading was a waste, street knowledge was more important to him.

He looked up and realized that Noatok had been staring at him. "Thank you so much, Noatok, but... how did you get this?"

Noatok shrugged and said, "I used the money I earned from helping old man Pakku down the road get the water out of his cellar. Had no other use for the money."

Tarrlock knew that was a lie. He knew his brother had been saving most likely to go to Republic City so when he was older he could change the world and achieve equality like he talked about. Why had his brother wasted his money on him, of all people? He noticed that his mom and dad had gone to the bedroom and that his dad was changing as his mom talked to him.

"But, brother... you were saving that to go to Republic City one day... weren't you?"

"Yes, I was. But this was more important in the meantime."

"How will you achieve equality now? You have no other money."

Noatok smiled, "Don't worry, brother, one day we will all be equal in this world. I will make sure of it, even if I die."

And with that he hugged Tarrlock and Tarrlock smiled, still troubled by his brothers final words but he knew he could not change his brother, no more than he could change the weather. And for the first time that day, Tarrlock felt happy, at peace, like an Equal.