Zuko took the last swig of his bottle of Wild Turkey. "God bless Kentucky!" he slurred. The bartender gave him a funny look. "Another," Zuko demanded. "Don't make faces at me! Get me another fucking bottle! I need my bourbon!" The bartender scampered away.
"You're gonna get kicked out."
Zuko whipped around to see a tall dark skinned young man behind him.
"You really should slow down. You're going to drink yourself to death."
"I'd be so lucky." Zuko rolled his eyes.
"Hey. It can't be that bad. And even if it is, it gets better. Trust me," the man said seriously, sitting down on the bar stool next to Zuko.
He can't be any older than me, Zuko thought. "How did you get to be so wise and all- knowing?" he asked the stranger.
"I ran away from home when I was fifteen after my little sister caught me with a .38 to my temple. Haven't been back since. I don't even know how she turned out. But, anyways, my life is much better now. I have a beautiful daughter and a wife who loves me. There's no where to go but up, my friend," the cheery man answered nonchalantly, like he told that story every day.
"I don't mean to pry farther into your psyche, but why?" Zuko questioned him.
"My dad... He beat my sister and me something awful. Everyday. He broke my sister's arm at least twice, and he broke my leg in three different places with a tire iron the Christmas before I left. I couldn't take it. So I found a way out. And I thank God every day and every night that my sister and I shared a room. Now, why do you have a death wish?"
"I'm not as open as you. I need a name before I spill my inner self hatred to a stranger in a bar." Zuko said pointedly.
The cheery stranger extended his hand. "Sokka Icewing. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr...?"
"Tatsu. Zuko Tatsu. Did you say Icewing?" Zuko asked as he shook Sokka's hand.
"Yes, but I'm nothing like Hakoda, if that's what you're worried about," Sokka assured.
"No. No. My wife was an Icewing before we got married. And she will soon be again," Zuko admitted dejectedly.
"Oh. That explains the death wish. Wait... Wife? Icewing? Is your wife named-"
"Katara," They stated simultaneously.
"You're divorcing my sister?!" Sokka accused.
"Your sister is divorcing me," Zuko corrected quietly. Sadly. He hadn't just realized the truth of those words, but it hurt to acknowledge them. If they weren't being spoken, he could pretend this binge was like every other night for the past year. Or was it two? They were all starting to blur together on him.
"Why?" Sokka asked, calming down from his temporary fit.
"I really don't want to talk about my failing marriage with my newly discovered, soon-to-be-ex, brother-in-law in a bar. No offense, but I'm not drunk enough for our relationship to even start to make sense, nor sober enough to really think about it. And in either state, at this point, I probably wouldn't care. It doesn't matter, anyway."
Sokka waved it off. "You and Katara will work it out. She used to over react all the time when we were little."
"She took our baby and left while I was asleep, Sokka. Picked up and left. I found a note on the table that said 'I'm leaving you, Zuko, and taking Ursa with me. Please don't try and find us' and 'it pains me to have to admit my marriage was a complete failure'. She's not coming back." The golden-eyed man shock his head sorrowfully.
Sokka tried to console him. "She will. You seem like a pretty nice guy. She's just in a mood."
Zuko held up his hand. "Sokka. Would you ever really want your sister to come back to the man who beats her around like a rag doll?"
A/N: Who thinks Zuko's going to get his ass handed to him in chapter six?
Also, I don't own Wild Turkey. I thought it would be Zuko's "I'm too depressed to pour this into a glass" drink. It's some pretty strong stuff.\
"God bless Kentucky", is a reference to where Wild Turkey (and all other bourbon) is made. Just a fun fact for you.
You will find out why Sokka's all happy and open. Just not right now.