Chief Hakoda, Commander Bato?"
The Earth Kingdom official called out their names in a tone Bato was deeply familiar with from growing up with Hakoda. It was the you're-in-trouble voice, and it was not an encouraging thing to hear from the bureaucrat who had the power to make the Water Tribe warriors an official affiliate of the Earth Kingdom army (subject to all the protections and support therein).
"Better see what that's about,"Hakoda said, and got up from the waiting room chair. "If they're trying to deny our request, I swear toallthe spirits —"
Bato placed his hand on Hakoda's shoulder. "Calm down,'Koda. They have no reason to deny our help. Nobody's going to say no to more fighters against the Fire Nation."
"You're right, as always."
The official gestured for them to close the door behind them, and they took seats across from his desk. Bato couldsee that he had copies of his and Hakoda's application forms in front of him.
"The Earth Kingdom welcomes the Southern Water Tribe's assistance with the war effort; however, we cannot file the appropriate paperwork until we rectify an error in Commander Bato's form," The official lowered his glasses. "The commander has listed you, Chief Hakoda, as his next-of-kin, with relationship marked as 'chief'."
"I'm aware."
"Next-of-kin must refer to a relative, either by blood or marriage."
Bato's heart sank. "Sir, I —" He looked to Hakoda.
"Surely an exception can be made,"Hakoda said. "Bato's parents have passed, and he has no siblings or children." His tone softened."The warriors are his family. List me as his brother, it is as true as any bond of blood."
To anyone else, the statement was earnest — and it wasn't untrue, either. In a small village, everyone knew each other, and close bonds were forged from familiarity. But years by Hakoda's side as he led the tribe allowed Bato to see the calculation in Hakoda's expressions of feeling, the careful appeals to emotion that swayed minds and hearts to his cause. It made him an inspiring leader.
This bureaucrat, however, seemed to be immune to Hakoda's powers. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting I lie on official government paperwork, Chief Hakoda?"
There was the you're-in-trouble tone again. Hakoda stiffened.
"Uh, no?"
The official narrowed his eyes.
"What happens if I leave it blank?" Bato asked.
"It means that if you are lost in battle, there is no person legally designated to receive your body or belongings. Seeing as you are fighting alongside your chief, I don't know if that's a concern."
Bato nodded. "I'll leave it blank, then," he said, and he reached across the desk to pick up a brush.
Hakoda's eyes went wide, and he put a firm hand on Bato's arm. "You absolutely will not, and that's an order,"Hakoda said. There was a set to his strong jaw and a hard look in his eyes that Bato rarely saw, and the sight of it chilled him."We're going to find a solution here. All my men will be taken care of."Hakoda's tone was stern, icy as the land they hailed from.
The official was wholly unaffected by it, however, and rolled his eyes almost imperceptibly. "My office is open until sunset if you need time to think."
"Thank you," Bato replied."We'll take that time." He gently extricated his arm from Hakoda'sstrong grip, and then stood to leave.
"Quick question before we go,"Hakoda said, raising a finger in the air. "You said next-of-kin includes relatives by marriage, right?"
"Yes. Is there someone — "
"We'll see," The rigidity in his jaw seemed to relax, and Bato almost sighed in relief."Thanks for the help, we'll be back before sunset."
He then grabbed Bato by the arm and whisked him out the door.
--
"I can leave the form blank," Bato insisted once they were back to the warriors' encampment and in their tent. "We need the support of the Earth Kingdom army. We can get supplies, travel permits, coordinate our efforts with their navy…the warriors can't lose this opportunity on my account."
Hakoda hadn't said anything on the walk back, which was unlike him. Now that they were inside, he was pacing, his brow furrowed thoughtfully and his hand on his chin. Bato wondered what kind of plan he was hatching that would make him soquiet.
"'Koda?" he said, waving his hand in front of his friend's face. "Stop being stubborn, let me – "
"You're going to think I'm crazy, Bato."
Bato shut his mouth. Given Hakoda, that meant his idea was either completely ridiculous or completely brilliant. Bato decided to take a seat on his bedroll, just in case.
"What's your idea?" he asked.
"Marry me."
Bato was glad he'd sat down. "What?"
"They said relatives included relatives by marriage.As in,spouses." He emphasized the word with his hand."So if we're married, I can legally be your next-of-kin."
Ah. So it wasboth ridiculousandbrilliant.
"So whatcha think, Bato?" A playful grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he dropped to his knees and slung an arm around Bato's shoulder. "Will you make me the happiest man in the world?"He batted his eyelashes, and for a moment, Bato was reminded of a younger man, wooing the girl from the village over. He could see how she fell for the crinkles around those bright blue eyes, the curve of his lips and the fondness in his gaze. Thoughts Bato had not allowed himself to have for years bubbled to the surface, and he frantically tried to squash them down.
"Youdon't have to do this,"he said, through the new lump in his throat. "I'll be fine."
The grin dropped off Hakoda's face, and his hand squeezed Bato's shoulder."Bato…" he said softly. "War is dangerous. You could be separated from us, and if you're lost…" The words seemed to catch in his throat, and he looked down. "You deserve more than being some nameless soldier," he said, his voice raspy.
Bato exhaled, and the silence hovered in the air like a moment of respect for the topic at hand. They both knew death was a possibility. It was a knowledge that hung unspoken over their entire ship, over the two of them in particular, for it had an intimate familiarity for them. But rarely did they ever push this close to it, really grapple with the reality. Bato wouldn't know what to do with himself, if Hakoda was gone too. He would crack apart.
But Hakodahadthought about losing him, because he had to as a chief leading his men to war. He had to consider the possibility that he was leading his men to their deaths, that he might create another family with these men and then have to mourn again. He had to make the hard choices, weighing the war and his people's lives in the balance. Bato did not envy him that.
And this – it might have seemed like a joke, and it might make Bato hope for something that would never come to be, but it was another calculated choice. The chief had weighed Bato's life and the war effort, and come to a solution, albeit a creative one, that allowed for the best possible outcome on both fronts.
Bato sighed. "Do we know if the Earth Kingdom allows same-sex marriages?"he said.
"You're saying yes?"
"If you'resureabout this, 'Koda. Itislegally binding."
"Absolutely,"Hakoda said. There was no trace of hesitation in his voice.
"Then, yes, I am. If it's possible for us to get legally married in the Earth Kingdom by sunset, let's do it."
Hakoda's face spread into a grin, and he let go of Bato's shoulder, getting to his feet."Well, we better hurry back to town, right, sweetheart?" He winked.
Bato groaned, but he couldn't help the way his heart jumped at the term of endearment. It was sickly-sweet, not what he would have ever wanted, but for a moment, it felt like —
"I suppose we should," he said, and he swallowed his feelings down, the way he had many times before.
--
Getting married was surprisingly easy and straightforward, given his and Hakoda's usual experiences with Earth Kingdom government. The office was in the same large government building that housed the military recruitment office, and the official seemed completely unperturbed by the speed of their marriage or their gender, stamping their form with the practiced ease of someone who'd done it many times before. The town was near several military bases, and Bato suspected they were not the only soldiers who'd gotten married out of convenience.
The official in charge of military recruitment, however, was not likely to be so forgiving.
"Okay, we've got to act like lovers for this to work,"Hakoda said in a hushed tone as they walked up the government building's stairs."That's why I waited until we got back to camp to propose. That stuffy guy would've called our bluff if we'd just walked out of there talking about getting married for legal reasons."
"What do you want me to do?"
Hakoda pouted. "Is it so hard to pretend you love me? I'mwounded."
Bato might as well have been the wounded one, what with the feeling that shot through him.Oh. Oh no.
"You look so serious. Just follow my lead, okay?"Hakoda said. He grasped Bato's hand when they reached the top of the stairs, and they walked down the hall to the office. A few people in the waiting room looked up at them when they entered, and Bato supposed they must paint a strange picture. Two tall men wearing distinct Water Tribe clothing, holding hands in an Earth Kingdom government building.
It caught the attention of the official, anyway, who, judging by the young man exiting his office, had just finished a meeting. "Chief Hakoda. Commander Bato."
Hakoda shifted into his charming-leader persona effortlessly. "I'm pleased to inform you that I have a solution to our earlier dilemma." He held up the marriage certificate proudly.
The official quirked an eyebrow. "Come in."
Once they were inside and the door was shut, Hakoda placed the marriage certificate on the official's desk. "You'll see here that this man is my husband, and therefore, I am his next of kin." He squeezed Bato's hand and gave him a soft smile, the kind of smile Bato had often seen on young couples sharing a moment in public.
It was acting, obviously, but Bato couldn't help but return the smile.
"Awfully quick," the official said dryly. "The stamp is still wet."
"Well, you mentioned marriage, and – "Hakoda trailed off.
"And that made us think about our relationship," Bato supplied. "I – we – "
" – Have been together for a while now,"Hakoda continued. "And then you mentioned marriage, and we thought, well, why wait? We're heading off to war, the future is uncertain. And there's no one I'd rather have at my side." He gave Bato another fond look.
"Nowhere else I'd rather be, Chief," Bato replied, feeling warmth rise to his cheeks.Hakoda was right — it wasn't hard for Bato to act like he loved him. It was, in fact, altogether too easy.
The official put up his hands. "I don't need to know the details of your relationship. Your marriage license is legitimate, Commander Bato simply needs to indicate it on his form."
He pushed an ink dish, a brush, and Bato's form across the desk, and Bato picked up the brush and made the correction.Husband.The fresh characters shone next to Hakoda's name, and Bato felt his stomach flip over briefly.
The official nodded, and he stamped the form. "Congratulations," he said flatly, as if he was reciting something he'd said a million times before. "Your application has been accepted. It may take 8-10 business days for your registration to reach army leadership, but after that time, you will be official members of the Earth Kingdom army, entitled to all the benefits therein. The Earth Kingdom thanks you for your support."
They locked eyes, and Bato could see the thought plain on Hakoda's face.8-10 business days? What in Tui's name does that mean?
Don't question it, Bato told him.
"We're honored to serve,"Hakoda said.
Bato nodded in agreement, and they grabbed their paperwork and made a speedy exit.
--
And that was the end of it, Bato thought.
He thought wrong.
"Hey, sweetheart!"
In retrospect, he should have predicted this. When Hakoda thought something was funny, he would not let it go. Like when they'd lassoed an arctic hippo and he'd letit drag themacross the ice because the rest of the hunting party was laughing. Bato'd had a bruised ass for a month.
"Hello, Chief," Bato grumbled, and took his seat next to Hakoda around the fire. The other warriors snickered.
Ah, of course. If an entire village didn't hear Hakoda'shilariousjoke, did he even tell it?
"Congratulations on the marriage, Bato," Taliq said from Bato's other side, clapping him on the shoulder. "I know you've had your eye on the chief for years."
For a moment, Bato froze in fear, and then he registered Taliq's teasing tone."Of – of course I have," he replied."If I let him out of my sight, he might try to wrestle a mammoth-squid!"
Taliq didn't know. He couldn't know. Only one other person had ever guessed, and she…
"That was one time!"Hakoda protested.
"Once is enough, 'Koda," Bato said.
"Aww, they're already bickering like elders," Saniraq said from the other side of the fire.
A chorus of mocking "awwws" rang through the circle and Bato groaned, to more laughter. It was familiar, being the begrudging straight man to Hakoda's comedian. It was one of their oldest and most successful acts. Sometimes Bato wondered if that was the only reason Hakoda kept him around.
"Oh, don't act like you're so above it all, Batodear," Hakoda said. "I remember your ice-dodging."
The pet name stabbed Bato in the stomach like a shard of ice. Of course, usually this act was much more fun.
He faked a reluctant laugh. "The boat and I still have the scars."
Kigut, the ship's cook, got up to stir the pot hanging over the fire, and Bato saw his opportunity to change the conversation.
"What's for dinner?"
"We're having sea prunes tonight, to celebrate our wedding," Hakoda said. "And of course, the beginning of our journey together as a crew," he added, sweeping his hand across the crowd.
So much for getting them to change the subject. Bato sighed. "Is this really necessary?" he said, lowering his voice so only Hakoda could hear. "It's not a real marriage."
Hakoda arched his eyebrow at him, and for once, Bato was unable to read what Hakoda was telling him. "Well, if you don't want your sea prunes, I'll eat them," Hakoda said, his tone light even as his eyes remained oddly serious.
Bato put his hands up in mock surrender. "There's no need for threats, 'Koda."
It unsettled him, how that simple exchange felt like just as much of a performance as their comedy routine earlier. He didn't have time to ponder the mystery, however, as Kigut called out "Dinner's ready!"
Bowls and spoons were passed out, and younger crew members went around the circle, doling out portions into everyone's bowls. When they were all seated again, Hakoda got to his feet.
Hakoda gave them a warm smile. "My fellow warriors. Today, we enlisted in the Earth Kingdom's army, offering the Southern Water Tribe's assistance in their war against the Fire Nation. I want to take a moment to thank you all for your bravery and sacrifice. We've all had to leave people we love behind. But we're fighting for them, to make sure our children grow up a world without war."
"As you all know, today I married my best friend and my second-in-command, Bato, because of some Earth Kingdom bureaucracy." He put a hand on Bato's shoulder, and the men giggled. "It is the least I would do for any of my men to make sure they were safe." More giggling. "Yes, you heard that right, I'd marry all of you if that's what it took! But in all seriousness — though we've left those we love behind, we also have people we love fighting beside us. The bonds between us make us strong." He grinned broadly. "And a wedding makes a great excuse for a party, doesn't it? So have fun, tonight, men. We leave in the morning."
It was then Bato understood, and he wondered why he hadn't before. Hakoda wielded his charm and humor as sure as his spear in battle, strategized their usage as much as he strategized their attacks on Fire Nation ships. It wasn't ungenuine — no, Hakoda did enjoy a good joke, and plenty of bad jokes as well. But over the years, Bato had watched him learn to make just enough of a fool of himself to lighten the mood, but not so much that he lost respect, to use his warm smile to stop a panic in a dire situation without sugarcoating the severity.
So he married Bato the day before going off to war, to give his men a fun joke to celebrate before the harsh realities of war reared their ugly head in the lives of Water tribesmen again.
And Bato loved him for it. For his kindness and his intelligence, for the judicious way he used them. For how he proved every day that he'd earned the mark of the wise.
And Bato would forever live up to his mark — the loyal.
"'Koda, look out!"
Bato leaps in front of him, andHakodaseesa plume of orange, and he feels the heat –
"Bato!"
And Bato is screaming and the horrible smell of charred flesh fills the air, andHakodacatches his friend before he falls to the ground.
And then he's running, fire blasts singeing his hair, Bato whimpering in pain in his arms, running, his lungs full of smoke and fire all around him and his arms burnwith stray sparks and effort andhe just needs to keep running and Bato goes limp and the abbey is just ahead so much fire so much burning it'll never end this war will never end
EverythingHakodaloves is burning,the soot fills the air of his village and Kya's body lies on the floor of his igloo and he can hear Katara andSokka'sscreams and see the hollow eyes of the war helmets and the bodies of the fallen warriors
"Why did you leave us?"echo the voices of his children,and the flames grow higher and –
Hakoda awoke with a sharp jerk, heart pounding.
The room was quiet and dark, no flames to be seen. The air smelled like burn ointment, not smoke. By the light of the moonlight in the window, he could make out Bato's outline lying on a bed across from his chair. Bandages wrapped around Bato's chest, shoulder, and arm, but his chest rose and fell with steady breathing.
Hakoda exhaled in relief. Bato was alive. The Fire Nation hadn't won the war. They were safe, at least for now.
He got to his feet stiffly, rolling his shoulders and groaning when they popped. The movement disturbed the bandages on his arms, and he winced as the burns stung. They weren't his firstburns, and they wouldn't be the last, but familiarity had never made anything hurt any less for Hakoda. Every day, he missed his children, and every day, the ache of loss felt the same.
The nuns had offered the warriors space at the abbey while they recovered from their wounds, and Hakoda contemplated going to his tent and getting some proper sleep. Buteven though Bato seemed to be sleeping peacefully, the thought of leaving his side made his gut twist. Bato was always by his side. They shared tents and ship cabins, and waking up with that warm, long-limbed figure beside him had saved him many a night when he was troubled with dreams. He'd lost Kya. He'd left his children behind. But Bato was always there.
Quietly, he removed his boots and set them by the door. He slid off his armband and bracelet, unclipped his necklace, and set them on the bedside table. Carefully – ever so carefully – he lifted the blanket and slid into the bed next to his friend.
"Good night, Bato," he whispered into the man's hair, and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.
--
No. He couldn't. Not again. No. He felt unsteady on his feet, like he was sailing on a choppy sea, at the mercy of the waves beneath him.
"You have to leave me behind."
"We can stay,"Hakoda insisted. "We're a family. We stick together.".
Bato shook his head. "You didn't sign that Earth Kingdom contract just to deny them when they request Water Tribe naval support. And I can't ask you and the warriors to put everything on hold just for me."
Hakodahad learned long ago that Bato did not speak recklessly, that when he expressed a strong stance, he meant it with every part of his being. Arguing with it was foolish, not just because you would never convince him to budge, but also because he was wiser than you, and was always suggesting the right course of action.
And yet every part of him was screamingnoI can't do it...
"I'm not leaving you behind, Bato! I can't! I have my duties to the war, but I also have a duty to the people I care about, to be there for them!"
Hakoda remembered Sokka's big blue eyes and the warpaint on his son's round face as he begged to come to war, the fear and pain in his voice at losing his father, too. It wasn't right to expect a child to be the man of the village, but Hakoda hoped that having a purpose would make Sokka feel better about staying.Hakoda thought of Kya, how maybe if he'd gotten back to the tent in time, maybe he could have saved her, or at least he could have saved Katara from being so close to the slaughter, from seeing things that no child should ever have seen. He thought of both of his small children, huddled together to lead their village, scared and too young.
Bato fixed Hakoda with a piercing look. "This isn't just about me, is it?" he said quietly.
Hakoda exhaled and slumped into the chair next to Bato's bed. "I almost lost you, Bato," he said. The memories of the fire flashed in front of his eyes. "I just don't want to lose anyone else I love."
Love.
The moment the words left his mouth, Hakoda felt like he was burning. A blazing beacon of emotion laid bare.He opened his mouth to say something, anything, to put out the fire. A joke about their marriage, an assurance that he loved all his warriors. A clarification that it was familial love, brotherly love. Something that would restore his role as the cool, collected leader.
But he couldn't. Not to Bato, who'd seen his emotions laid bare before. Bato, who had seen him break apart, had been there while he'd put himself back together, who had helped pick up the pieces despite their jagged edges.
Ofcoursehe loved Bato. Now that he said it, it was the most obvious thing he'd ever heard. And Bato was looking at him with open shock on his usually stoic face, his mouth slightly ajar and his eyes wide.
"I love you too, 'Koda," Bato said, and there was a weight behind it that spoke of years with those words unsaid.
"Bato…" Hakoda breathed. He reached down to cradleBato's cheek in his hand, hesitantly, reverently. Bato leaned into the touch and pressed a kiss to Hakoda's palm, and something in Hakoda broke, years of longing he didn't know existed until that very moment. He grabbed Bato's face in his hands and pulled him into a passionate kiss, warm and soft andright, awash in the smell of sea and sweat and burn ointment. Bato reached up with his good arm to put a hand on the back of Hakoda's neck, and Hakoda sighed into Bato's mouth. Bato's large hand stroked his hair.
When they broke apart,Hakoda buried his face in Bato's shoulder. "We'll send a rendezvous location as soon as we can. We won't abandon you,"Hakoda said.
"I know," Bato replied.
The moment Bato stepped onto land, Hakoda's arms were around him, squeezing him in a tight hug.
He yelped. "Ow! Careful — my arm—"
"Sorry,"Hakoda said sheepishly into the shoulder of his tunic, and pulled away from Bato's left side, setting his hand at Bato's waist. His other arm stayed wrapped tight around the uninjured shoulder. "I missed you," he breathed.
Bato put his uninjured hand on Hakoda's back. "I missed you too."
They stood like that for some time, breathing in each other. the touch gentle and familiar but also newly intimate. Until Bato remembered everything that had happened, and pulled away. "'Koda, I have a lot to tell you. You're probably going to want to sit down."
--
Hakoda took it suprisingly well, all things considered.
"The Avatar is a twelve-year-old boy who hates sea prunes," he said.
Bato raised his eyebrows. "That'swhat you're focusing on?"
Hakoda sighed. "I had my suspicions about the kids. We knew the Avatar was moving north, and I heard a rumor that a waterbender was traveling with him. It really couldn't be anyone but Katara, could it? And Sokka would never let Katara go alone."
"He's a brave boy."
"Of course,"Hakoda said. The fondness in Hakoda's voice when he talked about his children was a palpable thing, that filled the tent with warmth as much as the fire did. "I'm glad you took him ice-dodging."
There was another emotion Hakoda had that was palpable, that hung in the air around him, unspoken — the guilt at leaving his kids behind. Bato could see it in his eyes.
"I'm glad you approve. I was worried you'd think I was overstepping."
Hakoda shook his head fiercely. "Bato, you're as much their father as I am." He put a hand on Bato's arm. "You've always been there for them. For us, and I can't thank you enough. Besides — " Hakoda's eyes twinkled. "Youaremy husband."
Bato let out a soft snort, but he felt a twist in his stomach at the familiar joke. He remembered their kiss at the abbey, Hakoda's warm, calloused hand on his chin, the scent of the sea in his hair.
"What's wrong?"Hakoda asked, and he moved closer to put an arm around Bato's uninjured side. His other hand caressed the side of Bato's face, brushing aside his hair.
Bato sucked in a breath at the softness of the touch, but a warm glow of relief filled his chest. He hadn't imagined it, hadn't dreamed somehow that Hakoda returned his feelings. He was here. They were here, together. It was real.
He smiled. "Nothing's wrong," he said. He brought his hand up to his cheek, placing it on top of Hakoda's.
Hakoda smiled back and leaned closer. "Good."
And then his lips were on Bato's again, his hand rubbed circles on Bato's back, and Bato wrapped his arm around Hakoda's waist and pulled him closer. The war wasn't over. The future was uncertain. But whatever hardships they would face, Bato knew they would face them together.
