Hey guys, sorry for the delay but I just finished exams and I've had so much work you wouldn't believe. But I'm finished for the semester and college admissions are all done (finally) so I should have more time to update the next few weeks!
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender, Legend of Korra and these amazing characters are not mine, they belong to the awesome duo that is Bryke and to Nickelodeon.
The world was unbearably still and grim. Everything was silent despite all of the noise surrounding him. The loud tavern was buzzing with new arrivals of people who had just gotten off work and were eager for a drink after a long day.
Councilman Sokka resided in a dark corner at a booth alone, drowning his sorrows in a bottle of Sake. He wiped at the tears that poured out of his eyes and took a large drink from the bottle.
He rested his head against his arms on the cool wood of the table, shutting his eyes, as if his inner turmoil would disappear along with his soberness.
He'd paid for a dark corner specifically so no one would recognize him. The press would have a field day if they knew that the most influential member of the council was crying and sucking on a bottle of sake like a baby sucking on its mother's breast. He could already imagine the headlines when the shit hit the fan. "COUNCIL CHAIRMAN A DRUNK? EX-WIFE REVEALS UNKNOWN CHILD?"
He even paid the bar tender a little extra to keep quiet and keep any wanderers away from him. So far, no one had even glanced in his direction. To the rest of the drinkers, he was just a sad drunk sitting alone in the dark.
It was enough of a shock seeing Suki again after so many years, and finding out she has a son. And better yet, that Sokka had fathered the boy.
His entire being ached with confusion and pain. How could she not tell him before? Didn't he have a right to know? Why now?
Sokka had stayed in that fetal position in the park for up to a painful hour, taking in the news. As it had begun to get dark, he decided to forget the pain for a little while. No one would miss him anyway, Toph would be at police headquarters for hours, still cleaning up the mess from the riot and Lin was probably on Air Temple Island for the night.
The warrior placed his head in his hands, leaning his elbows on the table. He couldn't process this.
His mind raced a mile a minute with unpleasant thoughts.
All these years I've bashed Moo Chee for abandoning Lin before she was even born. I always vowed to not be that kind of man. I'm raising Lin and I pride myself in being a good father figure to her. The kind of man my dad raised me to be. But how the fuck can I call myself a good father if I don't even know the child who carries my blood? How could I, if I'm raising a child that isn't actually mine, but I was absent from the life of my own son?
This was just too much for the man. He was emotionally fatigued and mentally drained. Dried tracks of tears ran down his cheeks and his vision was vaguely blurred by his excessive consumption of alcohol. It had certainly been a few years since he'd drank this much.
Last time I saw her, we had the worst fight we'd ever had. If I'd known she was carrying my child, I never would've let her leave. I would've done something.
He zoned out all other noises surrounding him as a particularly painful old memory flashed through his mind's eye.
The council had concluded their final meeting on the matter of the Ozai Loyalists. The last of the group's leaders were arrested and now the reconstruction of the Republic's economy was underway. Paying defenses to protect the infant nation had been detrimental to the financial stability of the council.
Sokka was under so much pressure. The council wanted him to be the one to fix all of their political problems along with Aang and Zuko. They could only do so much, and many citizens were threatening to leave the new nation, back to their homelands if the issues with taxes and job stability were not rectified soon.
The councilman arrived home late as usual, at three in the morning after a draining evening of crunching numbers and dealing with the city's other political leaders. His eyes were blood shot and he was worn out. All he wanted was to sleep. But here he and his wife were fighting again. Months of pent up stress and frustrations were finally erupting in one last explosive argument.
"You drink every other night just to keep a level head! This isn't healthy. And you keep coming home at this ungodly hour!" she blew up in his face, furious tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks.
"What do you want from me?!" he yelled back into her face, his hands balled into fists at his sides. "I work day and night to keep this city going. Building a country takes shitloads of work, Suki! The Loyalists tried destroying everything we're working so hard to build. The council and the city are relying on me to-"
"Right," she interrupted. "The council. You're letting them run you into the ground. I understand it's your job, and I know how badly you want that position. But you're ignoring your own health. You had assassination attempts on your life! Three in the last two months!"
"I have a duty I can't ignore! I'm out there every day, with Aang and Toph trying to protect the rights of everyone, benders and non-benders, while all you do is bitch and whine-"
"Don't you dare!" she screamed at her husband. "I work as hard as any of you do. I'm here because I care about the United Republic. I joined you all on this project, because I helped end the war. I know how bad the inequality in the four nations is. I've detained three assassination attempts on more than a few of the council members. I help Katara oversee construction projects and health clinics for the people in this city. But you're letting your work blind you, Sokka. All you do is work, the council members have you do everything. Have you ever asked yourself why?"
"I set up this government," he said, trying to rein in his temper. "It's my job to see that things run properly-"
"Open your eyes!" she exploded, raising her hands. "You care so much that you do more than anyone. They give you false hopes that you'll be head of the Council, when in reality you're letting them make you their little bitch."
The swordsman starred at the woman in front of him. Did she really think that little of him? That little of his importance to the United Republic Council?
"NEVER, NEVER SAY THAT TO ME AGAIN!" he screamed. "I NEVER let ANYONE treat me that way! I've worked my ass off to contribute to this vision we all have. I don't do all I do just to get a fucking raise! I thought you knew me better than that!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she replied softly. "I don't know who you are anymore. My husband was a loving man who knew how to make time for work, and his wife and family. Now all I see is a short tempered asshole who only cares about work, a man who drinks to relieve pains he doesn't even tell me about, and a man who doesn't even try. A shadow of the man I married."
"Want to know what I see?" he retorted angrily. "I see a woman who doesn't support me. A woman who's claimed to love and accept me all these years, yet only picks out every flaw. You can't even see how much this is breaking me. Instead of trying to help, you just scream at me. Maybe you're just a selfish bitch-"
Suki slapped him hard across the face with all her strength, glaring daggers at him. If looks could truly kill, he'd be dead a thousand times over at the moment.
The warrior clutched his throbbing cheek, looking at the woman he married with wide eyes. Even throughout their worst arguments, she'd never laid a finger on him. Just as he would never dare to do to her. It was a sort of unspoken rule between them. Now it seemed even that was broken.
"Never call me that," she whispered with venom thick in her voice. "I've done so much to make your dreams come to life. Maybe our love isn't as strong as we hoped." She silently walked to their bedroom and shut the door.
Sokka snapped back into the present as a final tear came out of his eye. He swallowed the rest of the sake in one, large gulp.
That night was one of the worst of his life. He spent the rest of that evening at the island, confiding in Aang what he should do. The next day he'd gone to speak with Suki, and while the argument had been intense and scornful, they managed to patch things up a bit. Things went well for the next few days, they spoke normally and he tried to come home earlier. But she remained distant and pensive. There was always a strange look in her eyes he couldn't decipher.
He thought it was alright. They even made love for the first time in months and it was a blissful night. Two days later, however, the councilman arrived home with flowers in hand, wanting to really get their marriage back on track. But when he called out for her, she was gone. All he found were papers for the annulment of their marriage, and a goodbye note.
"I think I need to sleep this off," he said to himself. After leaving the waitress a generous tip and slipping out when no one was looking, the tribesman stumbled into the cold, unforgiving night.
Katara walked silently to Toph and Sokka's apartment building with Lin in toe. She glanced down at the girl walking alongside her. Normally, Lin would be chatting away about anything and walking with a bounce in her step. This time, however, the girl was unusually quiet and looked deeply lost in thought.
The waterbender sighed. She knew Lin was worried for her parents. Toph had called and was only able to talk for a few minutes before she was summoned to interrogate the leader of the riot again. Her mother was under so much stress and in constant danger. And Sokka was nowhere to be found. He'd been acting strange the past few days, and he hadn't come by today to see Lin, or ask about Toph. He had been rather distant the last two days. This had the Water Tribe woman immensely worried about her brother. The Beifong women were Sokka's whole world. There was never a moment since Lin's birth where he wasn't always present or checking up on them.
"Aunt Katara," the preteen whispered. "Will my mom be okay?"
Katara detained her pace and wrapped her arm around the girl she loved like one of her own. "Of course she will be sweetie. Your mother is just taking care of protocol and things she has to get done with her officers. She's the toughest woman alive. You know that."
"That's true," replied the girl with a small smile. "I just hope Sokka's okay, too. I know he's probably worried about any bad guys coming to attack her while they're still cleaning up that mess."
"I'm sure he's probably busy at the office, the council has to meet when these kinds of things happen," she reassured with a motherly embrace to the little girl. "Let's go get your things and you'll spend the night with me and Uncle Aang. Tell you what, I'll make you your favorite Earth Kingdom dish tonight, you can hang out with the kids, and tomorrow we can head to the police station so you can see your mother. We'll call Sokka when we get to the island. Okay?"
"Okay," she said a little brighter. She kept walking.
Katara wrapped an arm around Lin's shoulders as they walked the last few blocks to Toph's apartment. The Avatar's wife was beginning to feel slight anger. Her brother could at least call if there was a problem. Surely he knows the girl is worried sick for her mother. Where was her father when she needed him?
"Alright, motherfucker," Toph barked at the Triad who was slightly trembling from fear of the police cheif's deadly tone. "What exactly were you hoping to accomplish with this shit storm you caused? Huh? You haven't given me a direct answer the last two days. What was it? Blackmail me into letting you go, maybe dropping charges?"
"I-I just wanna stay alive, Beifong," he replied. "If the bosses find out I talked, or that I'm going through with your little set up, thy won't hesitate to kill me. I just want-"
He was cut off as Toph bended his metal chair around him and moved him forward to face her with a stomp of her foot. He starred into legendary, steely green white irises, where he could see fiery rage dancing in them. He swallowed and mentally prayed to Agni for mercy. Boy did he underestimate this woman's reputation.
"You were just planning to injure my officers and get your triad friends to rescue you, maybe even give them my head on a silver platter so they'd welcome you with open arms. Is that it?"
He gulped. There was no point in lying to a human lie detecter. "Yes. I'm sorry Chief-"
Beifong threw him on the ground and looked to the accompanying officers on the other side of the room.
"The meet up with Yongo is scheduled for two days from now. You will play your part accordingly, and in no way hinder this plan. You will cooperate, and perhaps we can talk with the council about you being placed into protective custody. But mark my words, Kauz, if any of my officers are hurt again because of you, I will hunt you down and teach you what real pain is. Do you understand?"
"Crystal clear, Chief," he said. He was on the verge of pissing his pants again.
"Lee," she addressed one of her high ranking officers. "Get this piece of shit out of my sight. Take him back to his solitary cell. He is not to interact with the other suspects, no privileges or phone calls, and you are to make rounds and check on him at all times."
The officer saluted her and roughly grabbed the Triad by the arm, hauling him out of the interrogation room.
Toph sighed and walked through the precinct, checking up on the damages done. As she did so, however, her mind wandered back to her conversation with Lin over an hour ago.
"Mom!" The girl exclaimed on the other line. "Are you okay? I've heard stuff on the radio about possible attacks on your squad."
Toph sighed sadly, wishing her daughter had not heard those damn rumors on those gossip radio stations. "It's okay, badgermole," she reassured her child. "The riot ended a few days ago, now it's just investigating. It's the easy part. Everyone's fine, the rookies who were hurt will recover in no time."
"Are you sure?" Lin pressed on. "I don't want anything to happen to you."
The earthbender deflated a bit at the tone of voice her daughter was using.
This was what I was afraid of when I had a kid and leading this life, she thought. I don't want her to constantly worry if I'll come home alive or not.
"Shh," she soothed. "I'm perfectly fine, love. I'm tired and pissed off, but I'm not hurt. No one has threatened to attack us. Those responsible are locked up nice and tight, and can't hurt anyone. I know I've been pretty absent lately, but I promise you, this is almost over."
The younger Beifong was still worried, but relaxed a bit. Her mother was the greatest earthbender in the world, she could protect herself and the city. "Okay."
"Sweetie," the mother said. "Listen, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna be here probably through a lot of the night, I don't want to, Lin, but I have no choice. I have to clear things up so nothing like this ever happens again on my watch. I need to interrogate the leader of the breakout again, and if I wanna speed the next few days with you as much as possible, I need to finish as much as I can tonight."
"Oh." The slight disappointment in the preteen's voice caused a tiny ache in Toph's heart. "I understand, Mama. I know you need to finish up. Please just be careful?"
"I swear it, kid," she vowed fiercely. "I'll take the afternoon off tomorrow, paper work or not. And we will do anything you want. I'll make this up to you. Sound good?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay," the woman smiled. "Have you heard from Sokka?"
"No, I've been with Aunt Katara and Tenzin most of the day."
Toph frowned slightly. It wasn't like Sokka to not at least check in with Lin. She dismissed the thought, however, thinking he was probably working on the transfer for the Triads, and in some meeting with the rest of the council about security measures.
"He's probably in a meeting. Honey, I-"
A light knock on her door interrupted. "Chief, I'm sorry to bother you, but you're needed to interrogate that Kauz guy again, Justice Hall's orders," called her second in command.
Toph sighed. "I gotta go, Baby Girl. Sleep well, and behave for Katara, Twinkle Toes, and Twinkle Toes Junior. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay Mom. Please try to sleep tonight. I love you."
"I love you, too. Badgermole. So much." Then the line cut.
As she reached her office, a hand on her shoulder snapped her out of her swirling thoughts. She jumped slightly and turned, ready to bend whoever snuck up on her to the ceiling. She relaxed when she recognized that fierce heartbeat and long, heavy steps.
"Whoa," Zuko said as he held up his hands. "It's just me. You must've been really distracted if you didn't sense me a mile away."
The metalbender sighed. "Just a lot on my mind." She motioned for him to follow her as she entered her office. "To what do I owe the visit, Sparky? It's getting late. I figured a pregnant Mai and a teenage fire princess would keep you pretty occupied."
Zuko sat down in one of the chairs in front of her desk as Toph sat at her seat, resting her arms on the desk.
"Mai and Ursa were both passed out when I left. They were worn out from shopping for the baby all day. I came to see how you were doing. I came to see if I could make your life a little easier with the press. They're going crazy. A multitude of them were stalking the Fire Embassy, wanting me to make a statement. Only reason they didn't crowd the council building or the precinct was because of the court order saying they couldn't during the ongoing investigation."
Toph winced. "That bad?"
She sensed the monarch nod. "A lot of things have them riled up lately. My arrival, for one, with my family is always their gossip. The recent conviction of that serial rapist done by the council is another. And they all want some kind of statement about the riot. So far the only information given to them was your and Aang's short statements about the rapist being the leader of the riot. They want details though, of how, why, they want a longer statement from you, and some remarks from me and Sokka."
The police chief sighed as she ran her hand through her dark bangs. "Just what I need. I've been stuck here all afternoon, I haven't spoken to them since the day of the break out. Why the fuck can't they just be satisfied with what I told them? I haven't heard from Sokka today, but I don't think he's given any statements at all."
"I evaded their questions, and told them to wait tomorrow for the press conference on the full matter," he informed her. "Aang was at City Hall and flew home on his glider, so no reporters could corner him. And Katara hasn't been asked anything, as far as I know."
"I'll need your help, Zuko," she told him. "The Triad, Kauz, he was supposed to meet up with a superior this week. It's the perfect opportunity to grab him and start getting answered about the Triad's power chain. If word gets out he's in custody, that'll put the gang on sort, and months of investigating will go to hell."
"And that's why you and Aang told them this was caused by that rapist?" The Fire Lord questioned.
"I spoke with my superiors, and Aang is in on it. The council is, too. But we need you involved to really make it work. We told them this Feng guy tried escaping, but he's not even being held here. He's already at the correctional facility. We need to come up with a good cover for this."
"Alright, I'll pull some of my resources together to make a believable story, and we'll say that at the final conference tomorrow. I don't like lying to the public, but this is a delicate matter."
The blind woman smiled at her friend. He was always willing to help her, like the big brother she never had. "Thanks, Sparky. I appreciate that. And thanks for keeping me updated on the outside world. Now, I gotta finish some work. Maybe you should get home to Mrs. Sparky."
Zuko chuckled slightly. Same old Toph. He rounded the desk and gave here a short, yet affectionate hug.
"Call me if you need anything else, okay? I'll be up late myself getting together what I'll say tomorrow and looking into other matters."
"Poor fire lord has to work overtime while his royal wife and kid sleep blissfully. Boo hoo," she joked with a grin.
The fire master crossed his arms over his chest and mock pouted. "Right? I work hard to provide a lavish lifestyle for them and run a country, and yet they sleep peacefully while I slave all night." They shared a light laugh. Zuko had certainly learned to loosen up a bit over the years as he grew more confident as Fire Lord and completely broke free of his father's dark, looming shadow.
As he left, he turned and glanced in Toph's direction. "Toph," he addressed his friend. "By chance, has Sokka spoken with you?"
"About what?" Toph asked curiously. "We went out to lunch the day of this shit storm, and he was telling me something, but that's when my lieutenant came running about the riot. I had to run out. Why?"
Zuko narrowed his golden eyes. Hm. Was he going to propose to her at that moment? Most likely. So why hasn't he tried to again since then? Maybe not to stress her out?
"Just wondering," he muttered before calling out good night over his shoulder and striding out of her work space.
The chief raised an eye brow. What was that about? And come to think of it, Sokka had been acting strange for the past few days. He'd been distant and distracted. What was going on with him? Once she was done with this Triad bullshit, she intended to get some answers.
Katara and Lin entered the quiet apartment as the woman switched on the light. There on the couch, was Sokka, sitting with his face buried in his hands, slouched forward on his heels.
"Sokka!" Lin cried as she ran over to him.
The man looked up and gave the girl a forced smile. There was no reason to drag the child into his turmoil. No matter what Suki had told him, Lin was still Sokka's little girl. And nothing in the world would ever change that.
"Hey Linny," he said softly, opening his arms to her. The girl engulfed her stand in father in a big hug, soaking up his comfort. She needed at least one of her parents to physically sooth away her worry, and Sokka's hugs were the best remedy.
"Where were you?" she breathed into his shoulder. "Mom is still at the station. I haven't seen you all day."
Guilt clutched his heart as he hugged the girl tighter. Wow, what a selfish asshole. I went out drinking and pitying myself instead of checking up on her. I really am a failure as a father.
"I'm sorry, Linny, I wasn't trying to make you worry. I just got caught up with some things."
The girl released him and looked into his face. Her eyes narrowed as she studied his features.
"Sokka, you look like you were crying, or really angry. And you smell like alcohol. What's wrong?" she questioned feverently.
The councilman sighed. "I'm just worried about many things, Linny. It's nothing you need to worry about. And I went to drink a bit with a friend from the council, we were discussing how to solve this riot situation with the press. Go get your stuff, we can both go to the island. Mom'll be back by tomorrow. I'm sure she'll get some sleep at the infirmary at the station, so don't worry. Go on." He kissed the girl's temple and watched as she shot him an unconvinced look, but left for her room to pack.
He sighed and raised his gaze towards his angry sister, who was glaring at him with a hand on her hip. She was clearly not pleased. And he was not in the mood for one of her famous rants. At all.
Once they heard Lin enter her bedroom and start rummaging around for her things, Katara fixed her brother a glare.
"Sokka," she began. "I understand you were busy with dealing all of this, and worried about Toph as well. But it is completely irresponsible, and selfish. You fail to come check up on that poor child, who has been worried sick for her parents for days. She's been with me almost all week when she could be with the man who raised her. And you go out and drink when you could've come to take care of her?! You smell like sake, what a nice way for your daughter to find you! What's the matter with you? You've been really cold these days. You've always vowed to be the father in her life. That girl is your responsibility as much as Toph's. This only shows me how much-"
"I know," he lamented quietly.
The sister stopped in mid rant, puzzled by the response from her normally stubborn sibling. "Excuse me?"
The warrior didn't raise his head as he starred down at his Water Tribe boots. "I said I know. You're right, I was selfish and irresponsible, and I'm a terrible father. I've come to realize that now."
The waterbendering master analyzed the man before her. His normally cheery and confident posture was slumped down, as if in defeat. He wouldn't look her in the eye and he simply allowed her to lecture him. What's worse, he agreed with her and even put himself down, something he'd never done during their fights in the forty years they've been siblings. Her eyes softened as she realized her big brother was hurting. She gently raised his chin with her fingers and gasped. His eyes were red rimmed, and his normally ocean blue eyes were tinted darkly with pain.
The last time she'd seen Sokka this worn down was years ago. What brought this on? Was it worry for Toph? No, he knows she can handle herself. And he'd try to help, not cry.
Katara silently took a seat at his side and put a hand on his back, rubbing soothingly. "Sokka," she spoke to him softly, as she did to her own children whenever they were upset. It was something their mother did to them as well when were were small. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't assume if I didn't know what happened. Please tell me why you're like this. You never drink like this unless it's really bad."
The councilman tried to maintain composure as he took in a shaky breath. He leaned a bit more into his sister's touch as she continued her ministrations on his back. After a few moments of silence, he unexpectedly wrapped her in a tight hug and held onto her like a life line.
Katara gasped at the sudden embrace, but felt her brother tremble slightly. Growing extremely concerned, she put her arms around him and tried to offer any comfort she could.
"What happened?"
A minute later he pulled away, wiping his eyes. "Something, came up. I need someone right now, sis. But not here. I don't want to drag Lin into this mess. I'll tell you on the island. Is it okay if I stay over with her? I just-"
The bender placed her hand in his and squeezed tightly, offering a small smile. "Of course. You're my brother, and Aang's. I want to help you, Sokka. Let's get home and I'll make you some jasmine tea to calm your nerves. We can talk while Lin and the kids get ready for bed. It's getting late."
Lin walked into the room with a small bag slung over her shoulder. She noticed the way her aunt and father were sitting silently, as if something was terribly wrong. She let it slide for the moment, however, when Katara announced they were both staying over. Sokka grabbed some sleeping pants and walked with the women to catch the last ferry heading out for the evening.
After Lin was sent to another part of the Temple to be with the cloud babies and was told to go to bed soon, Katara brought her brother to the kitchen. As she boiled tea on the stove, she glanced worriedly at him. He was still unmoving, his stunning blues fixed on the open space in from of him.
"This probably isn't as good as Iroh's tea," she conversed as she poured the steaming tea into two cups. "But he's taught me a few things about good tea over the years. It's edible at least. The only one who's even close to mastering Iroh's tea making prowess is probably Zuko, and he still has a lot to learn."
Sokka grunted in response as he received the cup from his sister. He watched for a few moments silently, as the steam rose above the liquid before taking a few sips.
The waterbender watched her brother closely, hoping he'd open up to her. He was never one too keen on sharing his feelings with anyone, but he knew she loved him and wanted to cure any pains he felt, just as he's always done for her.
They finished their cups and he sighed. "Thanks, Katara," he said with a feigned smile. "I still feel like utter shit, but the tea helped me clear my head a little. And I think I'm sobering up."
"Okay." She placed the cups in the sink and lead him to the living room. She sat him down on the sofa where they'd had the reunion the weekend before and placed her hand on his shoulder gently. "Please tell me, what's wrong, Sokka. Does it have to do with Suki?"
Sokka starred at her in surprise. "You know she's back?"
The bender nodded. "Aang told me. I just figured now it must have to do with her, since he'd told me she was gonna come looking for you. I just hadn't thought it'd be so soon. Did your seeing her again leave you this shaken up?"
He breathed sharply and dropped his head. "Our uh, reunion was explosive, and hurtful. But it's what she told me at the end that has me like this. It's the reason she came looking for me."
"What happened?" A deep voice asked from the doorway. The Water Tribe siblings turned to see the exhausted Avatar standing in the doorway. He made his way to the sofa, kissed his wife, and sat on the other side of Sokka. Worry danced in his gray eyes as he placed a supportive hand on Sokka's shoulder. He'd known seeing Suki again would shake Sokka, but not to this extent. But in all honesty, Aang had no idea what her purpose was. Nor how their reunion would go.
Sokka closed his eyes for a brief moment. He then launched into the story of the emotional roller coaster that was his day. He told them of how she came into his office that afternoon, their explosive argument in the Central Plaza, her revelation of how he had a son he'd known nothing about, and that she was in the city with the boy, all the way up to how bad he felt, about how he'd gone to drink away some of the heartache and how Katara and Lin found him sitting in the dark of his home.
By the end of his shocking tale, husband and wife were left dumbfounded by the news. They were having a hard time processing it all at once. They could only imagine how much harder it was on the councilman before them.
He trembled as tears sprang from his blue orbs once again, and spoke with pain evident in his voice. "What kind of a father am I? I've always promised to be the man Dad raised me to be. A man dedicated to his family, a man who is always there for his children. That's why I'm so passionate about being Lin's father, that's one of the reasons why I despise Moo Chee. That's why I take it upon myself to train Bumi whenever he feels down about being a non-bender. That's why I treat all of the kids as if they were my own. But what kind of a father doesn't know he has a child of his own? How could I miss out on his life? My own flesh and blood? I don't even know his name!" He yelled.
Katara had tears glistening in her eyes. She couldn't bear to see her brother in so much pain. He was a wonderful father to Lin, and a great uncle to all of their kids. It wasn't his fault.
Katara hugged his trembling shoulders. "Sokka," she said gently. "I know this is hard for you. But it's not your fault. You didn't know. You can't blame yourself for something that isn't your fault. Suki should've told you years ago about your son. You're a wonderful father. Lin adores you, and so do Bumi, Kya, Tenzin, and Ursa. Don't be so hard on yourself."
The airbender squeezed his brother-in-law's shoulder firmly. "I'm sorry, Sokka. If I'd known this was her reason for coming, I would've tried to help more. I know there isn't much I can say. But we're here for you. And after you get some sleep, maybe it wouldn't be had to start thinking of this in another light."
The warrior looked up with blood shot eyes. "What are your talking about?" He questioned as he wiped his eyes, trying to regain control over himself.
"You used to often confide in me at you wanted a child of your own. Even after Suki left, you wanted a child of your blood, to love. I know you adore Lin and she is your daughter. But I also know you've wanted a child you help create. One to be a part of you."
"Especially after Toph was told she shouldn't have anymore children," Katara added gently. "Lin's birth was rough on her and it would be risky if she got pregnant again. And you know Toph doesn't want anymore anyway, you both agreed Lin was enough. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Maybe you should meet your son."
"What am I supposed to say?! Hey I'm your dad, sorry I wasn't around the first thirteen years you were alive, your mom and I split before we even knew about you, oh and by the way, I'm raising a kid that isn't mine, but I consider mine, and you actually are mine, but I don't know you. Welcome to the family!" He shouted furiously.
"Take it one step at a time," Aang told him. "Try to process this, try to take it easy. You need a little time, and by the way you told us things went in the park, Suki needs some time, too. Just relax. We'll figure it out. I promise."
The councilman lowered his head into his hands again. "What am I supposed to tell Toph? And Agni, I don't know how to tell Lin. I don't know what to do," he whispered.
The waterbender rubbed the warrior's back and spoke words of comfort to ease some of his tension while the avatar attempted to reassure it would all work out. They would help him through this.
Okay. I finished it. Thank God, I never thought I'd get this chapter out. Sokka's got a lot of emotional baggage here. Anyway please review! I'll try updating sooner next time.
~Foreveralways