Archive of Our Own ^beta

“I can’t believe he’s bringing him to Easter.”

Sokka turns towards Katara, eyeing her warily from where he was laying in bed with his Switch. She hasn’t stopped pacing since she walked into his room fuming ten minutes earlier with the news that their father’s new boyfriend would be coming to spend the upcoming holiday with them at their house.

“They’ve been together, what, seven months, and all of a sudden it’s ‘Zuko is going to be spending Easter with us’? Doesn’t even ask! Just declares it, like we have absolutely no say over anything.”

“I mean, not to burst your bubble sissy, but we kind of don’t.”

Katara glares at Sokka, “Well, as the one cooking for the entire weekend I’d say I actually do have a bit of say despite you and dad clearly forgetting that fact.”

Sokka holds his hands up innocently under his sister’s wrath; he might be the older brother but Katara still freaks him out when she gets all furious and twitchy. He turns back to his Switch for some good old fashioned Luigi’s Mansion.

“And he tells us today. Today! As if I don’t have to add another entire portion of food last minute for dad’s child bride.”

Sokka can’t help it then – he giggles.

“It’s not funny!” Katara stops in the corner of his room, hands on her hips.

“Oh, come on, Katara! His child bride? Zuko’s an adult, and yeah he’s a little, uh, younger than dad-“

“He’s 24. He’s two years older than you. And he’s dating dad. You don’t think that’s weird?”

“It’s- okay, it’s really fucking weird.” Sokka concedes.

“Exactly-“

“But!” Sokka interjects before she can really get going again, “We’ve never actually met Zuko. So we can’t be judging him this hard until we have.”

“And that time has to be Easter? Mom’s favorite holiday.”

“C’mon, he was gonna come around at some point. We’ve been avoiding meeting him for months, dad’s just pulling in the big guns. Can’t really say we’re too busy for dinner when we’re both home for the holidays.”

Katara shakes her head angrily, resuming her pacing. “This is going to be the worst. I can’t believe we’re going to have to deal with this guy the whole weekend. Make small talk with him, like it’s not awkward.”

Sokka tunes her out for a little bit, beating another boss while she rages. He hopes Aang gets here soon; his sister’s boyfriend is pretty much the only one that can talk her down when she gets like this, despite Sokka’s additional years of knowing and dealing with her.

Privately, he totally agrees. The whole situation is weird.

He doesn’t care that his dad’s dating again, in fact, he’s pumped that his dad’s getting back out there. Their mom died when Sokka and Katara were in middle school, and his dad hadn’t even looked at another person until Sokka was in his sophomore year of college.

Sokka knows that his dad totally loved his mom, he was a wreck after she passed, and he also knows his dad is a catch who deserves someone who’ll see how cool he is. He knows this, and he was prepared to watch his dad move on. Get his groove back, if you will.

He just doesn’t know if he ever would’ve been ready for Zuko.

Sokka was just beginning his senior year at university when he first heard about him. He heard from Katara first. They went to the same school (co-dependency who?) and lived in the same apartment building, frequently walking into their own living rooms to find the other already sitting down watching TV. He’d walked in from his night class to Katara and Aang on his couch, Katara practically vibrating in her impatience to tell him she’d spoken to their dad and found out he was seeing someone. (After the first year of weirdness around their dad dating wore off, Sokka was his biggest cheerleader, always trying to set their dad up with every eligible mature bachelor he deemed fit. Katara was a little more reserved, but didn’t seem to mind, especially when all his dad’s dates were few and far in between.)

Sokka was surprised finding out that someone was a man, their dad never expressed interest in anyone packing a little more in the crotch department, but he was fluid in the partner department himself and was just happy the relationship was lasting longer than his dad’s usual month long flings. He definitely didn’t have faith it’d last long.

No, the issues arose in December. It went a little something like this: Sokka asked what Zuko’s last name was on Christmas Eve. Katara looked up Zuko on Facebook. Sokka and Katara yell in horror when Zuko’s birthday read – June 10th, 1996. Their dad sheepishly tried to set his shrieking children at ease with yes, I know the age gap is large, and no, this is not a mid-life crisis, and Zuko is absolutely not a gold digger, we aren’t even rich.

When it became clear that Zuko was going to be sticking around for some time, Sokka and his sister mostly just made excuses for why they couldn’t meet up. And it had worked, for months. Until their dad waited for them to both come home for their Easter break to let them know Zuko would be spending the weekend with them.

Sokka, for the most part, has made peace with this. Sure, the whole thing weirds him out in ways he never thought he’d have to deal with. He’s meeting a guy who is his age and who’s gonna be sleeping in his dad’s bed while they’re all home playing modern family. But, like he said, it was going happen one time or another. And he does really want his dad to be happy, even if he would’ve picked that happiness to be with, like, another 43 year old.

Katara, though, is struggling.

“-he’s got to know that this something’s up, I mean, why would someone our age date dad unless there’s some ulterior motive.”

Sokka sighs and turns off his switch. He’s not going to be accomplishing much anyway if Katara keeps spiraling. He sits up and grabs his sister’s hand as she passes by.

“Katara. Trust me, I know. The whole thing suses me out too. But it’s happening. Dad is bringing his boy toy to Easter, and- I think we should give him a chance.”

“Why should we?”

“Because dad’s never dated anyone seriously since mom. He’s never suggested we meet any of his partners until now. He really likes this dude. I think we should just wait until we meet him and if he sucks then we can unleash.”

Katara hesitates like she might argue until the sound of the front door slams and they hear the quick rabbit steps of Aang skipping up the stairs.

She sighs, squeezing his hand back, “I hate it when you’re right. I just have to get it all out before dad comes home or I’ll explode.”

Aang opens the door with a quick knock. He grins at the two of them, “Why are you exploding?”

Katara lets go of his hand to turn towards Aang, “My father decided to bring home his boyfriend for the weekend.”

“Oof,” Aang laments, darting forward to kiss Katara on the cheek before plopping down next to Sokka. “Well, it’s going to be an interesting weekend.”

*

The next day is Friday, and Sokka meets up with some high school buddies while he’s in town. They all mostly keep in touch – Sokka attends the state university that’s only about 30 minutes away – but it’s still nice to catch up in person. He’s having such a good time he nearly forgets about the whole ‘dad’s boyfriend is staying with them for a few days’ thing until he parks his bike back in the driveway that evening and sees a slick, red car behind their dad’s well loved Toyota Corolla.

Dad had mentioned in the morning Zuko would be coming tonight, which fell on Sokka’s deaf ears as he excitedly got ready to see his friends. But now it was actually happening.

Sokka eyes the car in the driveway appreciatively. His dad told them Zuko was well off, after one awkward conversation where Sokka as gently as he could asked if just maybe the guy could be a gold digger.

Hakoda wiped a tear from his eye, straightening after clutching his stomach in laughter. “No. No, Sokka, I appreciate you looking out for me. But Zuko is not after my money.”

“I know it’s not, like, awesome to think about your man having some nefarious motives, but come on dad please tell me you’ve made sure this isn’t-“ Sokka cringed, “some sugar daddy thing.”

“Trust me when I say this: if one of us was using the other for money, it isn’t gonna be Zuko.”

Eyeing the sleek Audi juxtaposed on their old, beat-up driveway, Sokka relents. Okay, so he’s definitely not after his dad’s money.

Sokka takes the front steps two at a time and opens the front door. “I’m home!”

Hakoda pokes his head out from the living room. He smiles at Sokka. “How was the old crew?”

“Same as always. Had a good time. We went to the skate park by the beach. Niya and Kavvo say hi.” Sokka says, slipping out of his shoes and throwing his keys onto the entryway table.

“They were always good kids, I’m glad you’ve stayed in touch.” Hakoda smiles, walking over to pat Sokka’s shoulder. “Now, you have to come meet Zuko and save him from your sister.”

Sokka winces, “Not going good?”

“You know your sister. She’s polite and wonderful and sickeningly sweet.”

“So it’s awkward as hell and you want me to take some of the heat.”

“You’re my favorite son,” Sokka grins, ducking away from his dad’s noogie.

He walks into the living room, smiling at Aang and Katara sitting on the love seat before sliding his gaze to the new blood.

Now, Sokka knows what Zuko looks like, has for a while since he stalked all his socials after finding out his name. It still didn’t prepare him for the jarring moment he sees him sitting awkwardly in their living room.

He’s sitting straight backed, wearing black plaid pants and a black sweater tucked in. A white button up peaks up over the collar of the sweater, and Sokka can see silver chains close to his neck tucking under his shirts. His hair is pulled back into a bun, but still looks put together in a way Sokka can never manage. Sokka notices his left eye is slightly more closed than the other, a single scar going from the top of his cheekbone through his eyebrow.

He looks like his car, fashionable, untouchable, and startlingly young next to his father who comes to stand next to him.

“Sokka, this is Zuko. Zuko, my boy.”

Zuko eyes Sokka closely for a minute, “Hello.”

The curt way he says it, paired with his scrutinous gaze, which makes Sokka bristle. He’s aware he isn’t as put together as Mr. Street Fashion over here, but he was out all day and hey if he has a problem with how laid back Sokka dresses, he shouldn’t be with his dad who considers a shirt mostly optional in the summers.

Sokka puffs up a little, titling his head back, “Sup.”

His dad gives him a look so he continues, “It’s nice to finally meet you. Dad hasn’t shut up about you.”

“Oh. Um,” Zuko loses a bit of his composure then, looking a little flustered and less robotic for a minute, “Yes. Well, he’s told me a lot about you. I’m glad to- be attending your holiday.”

Sokka doesn’t really know how to respond to that, mostly because who phrases things like that? He’s about to ask what alien is sitting on their couch when his dad slaps him on the shoulder.

“Now that you’re here I’ll order some pizzas. Everyone okay with that?”

“Yes!” Aang chirps, and even Katara, who has been valiantly dedicated to looking like she sucked on a lemon, can’t even stop herself from smiling at his enthusiasm.

Hakoda looks down at Zuko, hand briefly squeezing his neck, “Pizza?”

Zuko looks up, “Whatever everyone else wants.”

Hakoda gives Zuko a look Sokka doesn’t understand before straightening, “Alright, I’ll call it in.”

He walks out of the room, leaving everyone silently looking at each other.

Sokka realizes he’s still standing and internally grimaces when the only spots left are on the same couch as Zuko, who has resumed sitting rigidly straight.

He sits.

“Zuko was just telling us about his job.” Aang says.

Sokka looks to Zuko, “Oh? Yeah man, what do you do? Tell me about yourself.”

“I work at the Spirit Oasis Theatre.”

“Oh – the old one in the Karrio? My ex Suki took me to see a musical there last year. Love Among the Dragons.” Karrio is the city closest to their little Canadian town, about thirty minutes away.

“Amongst.” Zuko says shortly, “Yes, Love Amongst the Dragons. I worked on that.”

“Cool, cool. What’d you do?”

“A lot of things. It’s a small theatre, so we don’t do just one job. I choreographed the stage fights.”

Aang perks up, “Wow! Stage fighting sounds awesome! I took a dance class last year for a humanities credit and we had to choreograph a whole routine to show the class. It was awesome.”

“It’s a little more complicated than that. People can get really hurt if you’re not serious and don’t figure the time out to a t. “

“Wow! How do you do that?”

“It’s really complicated if you don’t have experience with it-“

“And Aang wouldn’t understand?” Katara asks, coolly.

“No. I didn’t say that. I just mean it’s really complex and hard to explain. Did you want me to pull up my work PDFs?”

Sokka doesn’t like the tone this guy is getting with his sister, “Hey dude, don’t get testy, we were just asking,”

“I’m not testy!” Zuko says, testily.

They sit uneasily for a second before Sokka tries again, “Whatever, man. It sounds cool.”

Zuko shifts in his seat, “Um. Thank you.” After a beat, “What do you do?”

“Still in school right now, I’m studying sociology. Gonna apply to law school after I graduate, hopefully.”

“You want to go into law?” Sokka nods, “That’s a tough business.”

Sokka is trying not to take all this the wrong way, he is, but Spirits is Zuko making it hard.

“I have family, I mean, that works in the legal industry. I know how cutthroat it can be. Especially at a corporate level.”

“I’m hoping to do either immigration law or work on wrongful conviction cases, eventually.” Sokka wiggles his eyebrows, “Although I wouldn’t say no to an internship with a soulless corporation if you can help a brother drop his resume.”

“I can’t,” Zuko says, quickly. “We don’t really have that kind of relationship where I could drop by.”

Aang looks at him sympathetically, “You’re not close? I was wondering if you didn’t celebrate when Hakoda said you’d be spending the whole weekend with him.”

“No. We’re not. I haven’t seen my father or sister in seven years . I would never see either of them again. Sorry, I can’t be much help with your internships.”

“I was kidding, it’s- fine.” Sokka makes eye contact with Katara across the room. They both seem to be thinking the same thing. What the fuck??

“Pizza is on it’s way!” Hakoda walks back in, slipping his phone in his pocket. He sits next to Zuko and looks around. “What’d I miss?”

*

“They hate me.”

Sokka pauses in the hallway. It’s his mid-nightly pilgrimage to the bathroom to take a leak. He’s passing his dad’s bedroom when he hears Zuko’s morose voice.

“Sweetheart, they do not hate you.”

“Yes, they do. Katara said ten words to me all night, and Sokka kept making faces at her every time I spoke.”

Sokka glares at the door, trying to light Zuko on fire through it. He’s been here one night and he’s already trying to start shit between them and their dad!

“I can’t even blame them. I was awful all night.”

Sokka nods, slightly appeased by his admission.

“Don’t say that, you were a little nervous and-“

“I was awkward and defensive. I- I tried not to be… I know it’s really important I make a good impression. I don’t want to reflect poorly on you.”

“What’s really important is that you have a good weekend and enjoy Easter with your boyfriend and his hard-headed kids.”

“Was this way too soon? I came too soon, anyone would feel weird about a stranger staying with them, especially me, I’m too…”

Sokka frowns. He didn’t like Zuko, yeah, but he didn’t want the poor guy to feel unwelcome. And the way he was talking about himself makes Sokka uncomfortable.

He hears footsteps and then a sniffle. Shit.

“It was one night. Everyone is going to hang out tomorrow and cook and drink and you’ll loosen up and they’ll see how wonderful you are. C’mere.”

“Promise?” Zuko mumbles, but it’s muffled. Sokka suspects Hakoda is wrapping Zuko up in a bear hug, his medicine of choice for crying people.

Sokka waits another minute to see if he can eavesdrop on any more juicy bits, but high tails it to the bathroom when he hears the sound of kissing, because gross.

He’s gonna give Zuko another shot, he decides as he washes his hands. The guy sounded upset by the prospect of them not liking him, which Sokka supposes is proof that he’s not the cold asshole he seemed like all night.

He’ll drag Zuko along to go Easter candy shopping, an annual tradition he and Katara, and recently Aang, do every year. Hopefully the olive branch will unwind him a little.

*

Sokka wakes up ungodly early the next day. All his classes this semester are 8ams, absolute fucking torture, but necessary so he can graduate on time. He fiddles on his phone for ten minutes, and buries his head under a pillow for another ten trying in vain to chase sleep.

He gives up and begrudgingly gets out of bed. His phone tells him it’s 7:13 and the house is quiet, the rest of his family clearly taking advantage of having a weekend off. He tiptoes past his dad and sister’s room on his way down the stairs. He needs coffee and he needs it stat.

Sokka starts brewing a pot in the kitchen, leaning against the kitchen counter as he waits. He’s just about to grab a mug from the cabinet when he looks out the window and notices a figure in their backyard, sitting on the little bench under the cherry blossom tree. His first reaction is to let out a manly cry and clutch at his hammering heart. His second (after he picks himself up off the floor where he’d taken cover from the trespasser) is to peek up through the window to try and come up with his attack plan.

He quickly revises this when he determines the intruder is actually just Zuko and his dad would be really angry if Sokka beat up his boyfriend day two.

In his defense, what is Zuko doing out there by himself so early in the morning??

Coffee forgotten, Sokka goes to the kitchen door and slides it open, stepping out into the brisk spring morning.

Zuko notices immediately, jumping up from the small bench to face Sokka. Sokka holds his hands up and smiles sheepishly as Zuko visibly lets out a breath.

“Hey. Sorry to scare you. But to be fair, you did it first.”

Zuko’s brow furrows, “How did I scare you?”

“I come down to see someone lurking in my backyard! I almost killed you!”

Zuko shoots him a look that makes Sokka bristle, “Hey! I totally could! I won’t, but make no mistake. You’re very lucky.”

“Of course, thank you for that.” Zuko’s mouth quirks for a second. It’s gone as quickly as it came. “Sorry. I was just. I didn’t mean to come out here without asking.”

Zuko makes like he’s going to go back inside but stops when Sokka waves him off. He stops, but doesn’t sit back down. Just kind of… stands there awkwardly.

“What were you doing out here so early anyway?”

“Nothing.” Zuko wrings his hands before shoving them into his sweatshirt pocket, “Sorry, I just came down to get some water and saw- the tree and this bench and-“

When Zuko doesn’t continue Sokka walks over and sits on the other side of the bench. He pats the spot Zuko was sitting when it’s clear he is going to keep awkwardly standing. “C’mon, sit. Let’s talk.”

Zuko looks like he’s being marched off to his death, but sits nonetheless.

Sokka tips his head up towards the cherry blossom, eyeing the buds. It’s just beginning to bloom. “I haven’t sat out here in years.”

“Really? It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah. It is. My mom loved this tree. She used to get so mad when Katara and I climbed it. She always thought we’d snap a branch.”

Zuko looks at the tree, “That would be a tragedy.”

“Hey man, let’s start over.”

Zuko looks back sharply, “What?”

“Last night was weird. I think. For everyone. So, let’s start fresh.”

“I’d… like that.”

“Cool, it’s settled then, you’ll come with us today. Official Natak family tradition, plus Aang for last six years, and now plus you.”

Zuko opens and closes his mouth for a second, “I’d be honored. What is the tradition?”

“We drive to every Target in a twenty mile radius and buy disgusting amounts of spring oreos and chocolate bunnies.”

“You go and- buy candy? That’s the tradition.”

“Easter candy! And it’s an adventure, we fight off last minute Karen’s in the aisles, we eat our weight in oreos in the car listening to Brittney Spears. It’s awesome.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Zuko smiles in a private kind of way, “I’m surprised you get Hakoda to agree to an afternoon of shopping. He wouldn’t stop complaining when I made him get a new suit last month and that took maybe an hour?”

“Oh, dad doesn’t come. He gets a drink with his buddy Bato and watches the Three Stooges all afternoon. It’s a kids tradition.” He grins before they both realize what he just said, “Not that you’re, like, a kid! Trust me we all know you and my dad are a totally, uh, legal, fine situation.”

“Sokka,” Zuko sounds pained, “I get it. I’d be happy to come. As long as I’m not stepping on any toes.”

Before he can answer, they both turn at the sound of the door sliding open. Sokka’s dad steps out in his robe and slippers, looking exhausted and holding a cup of coffee.

“Hey! That coffee was for me!”

“Snooze ya lose, kiddo.” Hakoda smirks. He walks out and puts his hand on Zuko’s neck. Zuko looks totally relaxed for the first time all morning, craning his neck up for a kiss, which Sokka has to look away from because it’s still his dad. “What are you two doing up so early?”

“I was just telling Zuko here about the annual candy grab. He’s in the line-up this year.”

“You are?” Hakoda grins down at Zuko, and Sokka can tell he’s pleased. “That should be fun.”

“Yeah. It will be.” Zuko says.

*

“You what?”

Sokka holds up his hands to his sister, trying to communicate to his sister to be quiet because Zuko and their dad are right down the stairs. “I invited Zuko to come with us today.”

“Why would you do that!?”

“Because he’s trying, okay? So I think we should too.”

“I am trying! I’m cooking for him tomorrow, aren’t I? I’m civil.”

“Come on, it’s one afternoon. And it’ll help us get to know him! He doesn’t seem like such a bad guy.”

“I’m sorry, were you not there last night? Talking about his dad like that? I get having issues with your family but it’s your family! And to say you’re never going to speak to them again, with nothing, no emotion, no sadness. Doesn’t that freak you out?”

Aang jumps in before Sokka can, “We don’t know what that family dynamic is like. Forgiveness is beautiful, but not always deserved. I shouldn’t have asked about his family in the first place, because it is none of our business.”

He gives Katara a pointed look, which does deflate her a little bit.

“Katara, what was I supposed to do? Leave him here to listen to dad and Bato tell the same boring stories for hours when the whole point of him coming was so he could get to know us?”

“Yes! You know why, because he’s dad’s boyfriend! Not our problem.”

“I already invited him, it’s too late! Should I go up to him and say ‘hey remember when I said you can come, you actually can’t. Have fun listening to two old dudes trade war stories!’?” Sokka asks, exasperated.

“Sokka, two weeks ago you were betting they’d break up by the summer. You said you’d never want to meet Zuko because you thought it was so weird dad was dating someone your age! You literally said that!”

“I know what I said. I’m saying now that I think we should make a little effort because he’s here and dad will be on our case if we don’t.” Sokka looks at Katara meaningfully, “We don’t have to be best friends with the dude but maybe we can make a bit less fucking tense so we aren’t fighting over Easter pie.”

Katara looks ready to fight for another second. Then, she deflates. “Fine. Don’t expect me to go out of my way to be nice to him.”

She pushes past him to go down the stairs.

Sokka looks to Aang, “Do me a favor? Try to calm her down today.”

Aang laughs, “We’re talking about your sister?”

Sokka sighs, “I know.”

*

“If you look out to your right, you will see the skate park. Many scraped knees were made in that place.”

The four of them are stuffed into Katara’s Prius, Katara driving up front with Aang riding shot gun. Zuko and Sokka are in the back seats, which works perfectly for Zuko’s tour.

Zuko looks where Sokka points and nods. Like he has for the past six landmarks. Sokka would be a little more offended if he didn’t lowkey totally understand. He loves his hometown, can imagine himself settling back here one day, but it’s a sleepy little town where most of the businesses close by 10.

“And now, to our left you will see the library where Katara got her first kiss with this guy Jet.”

“Sokka!” Katara screeches from up front.

“You actually kissed that jerk?” Aang gasps.

“Wait, you didn’t know?” Sokka laughs. He can feel Katara’s glare in the rearview window.

“How long have they been dating again?” Zuko asks quietly. Katara is explaining herself to Aang, who appears to have thrown himself against the door and is moaning dramatically.

“Six years. Aang was a weirdo freshman who meditated at lunch and Katara was an equally weird sophomore protesting the girl’s dress code. A match made in heaven.”

Zuko looks at the two of them, now holding hands across the cup holder, “Seems like it.”

“And this!” Sokka points to the building on Zuko’s side when they pull up to the red light, “This place is special for a number of reasons. One, it is the only bar within walking distance from our house.”

“Very important.” Katara agrees.

“Two, it is open 364 days a year! The owner only closes on his birthday.” Sokka leans in for dramatic effect, “And finally, three, it is the only gay bar in this county.”

“Oh. Wow. I wouldn’t have seen that coming. Every gay bar I’ve been to has been… louder.” Zuko eyes the brick exterior and unassuming wooden door.

“Hey, it may look like any old dive, but I had my bisexual awakening in that bar! At the tender age of 18. It was beautiful.”

“You’re bi?” Zuko asks.

“Oh yeah, baby. Why limit myself? Frankly, it’d be cruel to everyone who wouldn’t get a piece of this.” Sokka flexes his arms. Zuko looks over at his biceps for a second before he flicks his gaze back to the bar.

“It’s cruel, alright,” Katara snickers.

“Hey!”

Sokka points out a few more places before Katara pulls into the parking lot for the shopping center. It’s packed with cars and people bustling around with bags.

“It’s super crowded.” Zuko points out, unbuckling his seatbelt.

“That’s the point!” Aang exclaims. “Trust me, Zuko, I didn’t get it at first either. You have to experience it first hand.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

The four walk into Target and beeline to the candy aisle.

“We got the eggs!” Aang yells, skidding over to grab two bags of Cadbury eggs.

“Pastel M&Ms.” Katara crouches to grab a bag.

Sokka scans the aisle, “Any eyes on spring oreos?”

“No luck yet,” she calls back from the opposite side.

Sokka spots Zuko standing to the side, looking confused. He takes pity on the poor newbie, “Hey, man. Grab some candy.”

“What should I get?”

“Anything you want really. We always try to get Cadbury eggs, M&Ms and oreos, but other than that it’s pretty much a free for all. Just get your favorites. Not too many though, we’ve got two more Targets to hit.” Sokka rips open a box of peeps and shoves two into his mouth. A mom with her young kid looks at him distastefully before turning back to the shelf. She huffs.

“Was that a Karen?” Zuko asks quietly, moving closer to Sokka.

“Big time,” Sokka confirms around a mouthful of marshmallow. “They hate us. We’re loud, slow, and we eat the candy while we’re shopping. Basically their worst nightmare.”

Zuko looks over to the woman; she’s eyeing them suspiciously. He turns back to Sokka, “Want to make her really mad?”

“Absolutely.”

Zuko smirks before leaning into Sokka, slipping his arm around the one holding the peeps. Sokka looks at him confused for a second.

“Baby, I’m hungry.” Zuko whines, and Sokka is too surprised to react. Zuko has transformed in front of him. The stiff, serious guy he’s known for the past 18 hours has been replaced with a simpering, pouting twink. “When are we going to lunch?”

Sokka’s body catches up to his brain. He grins down at Zuko, “Don’t be a brat. I’m buying sweets for my sweet and you want to complain?”

“Can I get a taste, then?”

Sokka tears off another peep and pops it in Zuko’s mouth, who obnoxiously moans.

The Karen grabs her son’s hand, practically dragging him from the aisle, “Let’s go, Lucas. Some people don’t know how to act right.”

They make it about two seconds after she’s left before they untangle and burst out laughing. Zuko spits out the peep into his hand, almost choking on it while giggling.

“Dude! That was fucking sick! Did you see her face?”

“She may never come back!” Zuko laughs.

“I didn’t think you had it in you! I was so confused for a second before I realized what you were doing.” Sokka slaps him on the back.

Zuko looks pleased, but tries not to show it, “I got my bachelors in drama.”

“Money well spent.” Sokka tosses him the box. “Now, imagine doing that again but this time with a guy who has arrow hand tattoos and a shaved head.”

They grin slowly at each other picturing the absolute horror that would instill.

“Alright, decision time. What candy do you want?” Sokka asks once they’ve gotten all the giggles out. He gestures to the shelf.

“I don’t know. I don’t eat candy that frequently.”

“What’d you eat as a kid?”

“I didn’t have candy as a kid. My parents thought it’d make my sister and I too hyper.”

Sokka shakes his head, “A real tragedy. A kid not having candy?”

Zuko grimaces, “It was a pretty strict household.”

“So, okay, then what do you think you’d like? You’ve gotta get something, it’s tradition.”

Zuko stares at Sokka. He visibly shakes himself and turns to peruse the aisle. He’s a really weird dude, Sokka thinks, watching him seriously consider two bags of candy against one another.

“Ah, Reece's eggs, a fine choice.” Sokka says approvingly as Zuko comes back with his final decision.

“I like peanut butter,” Zuko says simply.

Eventually Aang and Katara join them and they walk around, munching on candy and browsing all the aisles. Katara and Zuko don’t really speak, but they participate in the same conversation so Sokka counts that as a win? He even manages to eat a good chunk of candy, which he’d been adorably scandalized about doing before paying.

They make their way to self checkout. Usually, the three of them each pay for one entire purchase at each Target. He figures they’ll stick to that even with Zuko, besides, his dad would probably lecture him about his bad manner if he makes his new boyfriend pay for anything this weekend. He’s about to suggest this when Zuko cuts in.

“Here.” He says, stepping up to the checkout machine, “I’ll get it.”

“It’s cool, I can get it!” Aang smiles. “I wasn’t allowed to pay for any of the candy my first few years. That sentiment fades; enjoy it while it lasts.”

Zuko is insistent, “No seriously, we got a lot of stuff. It’ll be expensive and I can afford it.”

Katara immediately sharpens her gaze and Sokka knows it’s about to be a thing. Before he can stop her, “We can afford it too.”

“I know you can, but you’re all in school and I have more money than I know what to do with.”

“I’m so glad, Zuko.”

Zuko hardens his gaze at Katara and Sokka is afraid they’re about to be those people that publically fight in Target, but Zuko takes a deep breath instead. He grumbles, “Fine. I was just trying to help.”

“We appreciate it!” Aang says, a little hysterically. Sometimes, Sokka feels bad for Aang. He’s a pacifist Buddhist dating his sister, who is literally always ready to throw hands. “But seriously, your first year just take it all in and enjoy the sugar rush.

Zuko is sullen while the ring up the stuff and all the way to the car. He thaws as they drive, unable resist the hilarity of Sokka’s running monologue and their collective bad karaoke.

The rest of the trip goes pretty smoothly, Sokka thinks. Katara and Zuko don’t argue, mostly due to their mutual commitment to making sure they never stand next to one another at any point.

They return home a few hours later with armfuls of snacks and varying degrees of stomach aches. Hakoda is in the living room with Bato, beers in hands and chips sitting on the couch between them.

“Bato!” Sokka grins, throwing down his stuff to hug his uncle.

“Hey, squirt.” Bato says warmly, “How’s school treating you?”

“Like crap. I think we’re gonna break up.”

“Over my dead body,” Hakoda grumbles from the couch. “How was it? Get anything good?”

“We got you your Swedish Fish, don’t worry,” Katara throws him a bag and steps over to greet Bato next.

Hakoda delivers an absolute dad giggle with no sign of shame and tears into the bag.

“I’m going to start on dinner. Bato, you sticking around?” Katara asks after her and Aang have both hugged him.

“I never say no to a pretty lady cooking me a good meal. Sure thing.”

They leave the room. Sokka is about to introduce Zuko to Bato when Bato smiles and brings Zuko in next.

“Happy Easter. How’ve you been?” he asks when they separate.

Zuko smiles softly, “Good. Busy. Getting ready for the spring show.”

“You know each other?” Sokka asks.

“I introduced them months ago,” Hakoda interjects. He throws a couple Swedish Fish in his mouth. “We all got dinner, what, two weeks ago? We went to this little diner, we’ll have to take you sometime you’ll like it.”

The three of them keep chatting, eventually sitting on either side of Hakoda on the couch. Sokka watches their easy conversation.

He didn’t know that Zuko met Bato. None of dad’s previous girlfriends had met Bato; Sokka had only met a few girlfriends over the years in passing before he moved out. If Zuko has met his dad’s best friend enough times to get a hug and chat so casually, that must mean something, right?

Sokka doesn’t know what to make of that.

*

Eventually Katara summons everyone to the dining room. Every year, the night before Easter she makes a roast their mom used to make. She’d only perfected it a few years ago after years of adjusting ingredients to try and mimic their mom’s unwritten recipe. Sokka thinks he gets more sentimental about his mom eating the roast than he does on any other occasion.

That’s why it is even more jarring to see Zuko sitting in his mom’s seat at the table. He sort of freezes when he sees it. They rarely use their dining room, it’s pretty much reserved for the three or four holidays a year they celebrate, but every time they did the seats were always clearly assigned. His dad at the head, their mom on his right, Sokka on his left and Katara on the other end. Even when Aang and sometimes Bato joined, the seat remained empty.

Until, today, Sokka guesses. He feels Katara double take at the scene when she comes in behind him with the food.

Their dad, seemingly, oblivious to the tension and the seating arrangement, looks at them quizzically, “Come on now, don’t keep us in suspense. Let’s see it!”

Katara looks at Sokka, communicating her mutual horror, and moves to put the roast on the table.

“Smells delicious,” Zuko says. He smiles at Katara, “Did you make this by yourself?”

“Yep.”

His dad grins, “Katara makes all the food when she’s home. Takes after her mom in that way.”

Katara smiles back, a little strained, and says, “Dinner is served. Help yourself.”

Dinner is a fun affair. It’s rowdy with the addition of Bato, especially after he and his dad spent the afternoon drinking. Clearly the hours they had alone earlier in the afternoon wasn’t enough for them, because they’ve barely started in on the roast Katara makes every year the night before Easter before his dad launches into long winded stories about the two of them.

They’re just finishing up when the two can’t help themselves and start talking about the service.

“And at that time they used to call the sailors the water tribe, because we only docked, what, once every other month?”

“Not even. Some times by the time we touched land we were so stir crazy the towns had to give our commanding officers letters about their troops’ conduct. They’d get so mad we’d have to scrub the deck for hours.” Bato laughs.

“Yes! Exactly. You can’t even image what it was like to have a hundred 21-year-old boys together on one big boat. The shit we used to get up to!” Katara and Sokka smile knowingly at each other. Their dad only talks about his Navy days when he’s drunk and nostalgic. “It’s a miracle we weren't dishonorably discharged.”

Zuko grabs his napkin and dabs the side of his dad’s mouth good naturedly, “I can’t imagine you as a trouble maker.”

“You shoulda seen me, sweatheart, I was a bat out of hell. Would have swept you off your feet.” Hakoda puts his arm around Zuko’s chair. Sokka remembers being a kid and seeing his dad pull the same move on his mom.

“He would have been 2.”

Everyone looks at Katara. She is cutting her food, sickeningly serene.

“Yeah.” Hakoda says, stunned. Zuko looks like he would like to hide under the table. “Uh. Anyway, I didn’t stay that way for long. I was 22 when Sokka was born. Couldn’t raise hell with a new born.”

“You could have!” Aang exclaims, “People with babies can get away with anything. Because they’re so cute.”

“Not with Kya. She’d have kicked my ass if I tried.” Hakoda grinned, “She used to always talk about how the south used to be a matriarchy.”

“As it should be.” Zuko agrees primly, “Men don’t act right when given power.”

“Exactly! I’ve been saying that for years,” Katara says enthusiastically. She seems surprised by her reaction, even more so than Zuko is. They share a quick smile before the moment passes.

Sokka is thinking this is an important moment in the development of some kind of truce between the two hot headed people who have not had anything but tense moment when his dad decides to take the moment and smash it.

“Man, good thing you never met Kya. You’d be ganging up on me!”

Sokka can see Katara’s face shatter. She looks at her dad stunned for a second before she gets up suddenly. “Excuse me.”

Katara goes into the kitchen.

“Uh,” Aang wipes his mouth and stands after she’s left, “I’m gonna check on her. Could be a sugar crash.” He says diplomatically, like everyone isn’t incredibly aware that isn’t what just happened.

Hakoda wipes his mouth with his napkin before standing, “No, let me.”

Aang sits back down slowly as they all watch him leave.

After a moment, Bato deliberately turns to Zuko, “Why don’t we go pick up some dessert? Give the hosts a break for a change. There’s a bakery around the corner.”

Zuko flicks his gaze between Bato and the doorway to the kitchen. “Sure.”

Sokka sits up and makes eye contact with Aang, trying to silently communicated go with them, awk family conversation happening in t-minus ten.

Aang, bless his heart, is fluent in non-verbal crazy eyes. “I’ll come too! I love baked goods!”

The three of them head out, leaving Sokka to go into the kitchen to check on the situation.

“-not about mom’s seat!”

“What should I have done? Had him eat in the other room?”

“No! I’m not saying that! I’m just. You don’t understand!”

“Then explain it to me. Katara, please, I don’t mean to make you upset.”

“I’m not upset!”

Sokka steps into the room slowly, during the tense lull. Katara is holding her elbows, staring stubbornly at the floor, across from their father who is looking at her helplessly.

“Everyone okay in here?” Sokka asks carefully.

“Did I upset you?” Hakoda asks instead, “By having Zuko sit in your mother’s seat?”

“I-“ Sokka hesitates. Had it upset him? Surprised him, sure. Made him feel… odd. “I was thrown off, yeah.”

“Kids, I’m sorry if it upset you. I know it’s hard for you to see me with someone else. But Zuko is my boyfriend and that seat won’t always be empty-”

“That’s not it!” Katara exclaims, frustrated.

“It was just a surprise.” Sokka says. “You only told us he was coming a few days ago. We couldn’t- prepare.”

Hakoda looks between the two of them. He keeps opening his mouth like he’s going to say something before he scrubs a hand across his face. “We’ll talk about this. I promise. But until tomorrow can we keep it together while he’s here? Please?”

Sokka knows Katara has folded when she starts picking her nails, something she only does when she’s going to cave. Sokka understands the sentiment; their dad has pretty much never asked anything of the two of them. Having him ask for something, especially knowing it’s rubbing them the wrong way, must take a lot.

Sokka speaks for them, “Don’t worry dad-i-o, we’ll be on our best behavior.”

“Yeah, I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. Excuse me.” Katara moves past them.

Hakoda deflates as soon as she leaves. Sokka takes pity on him, “She’s gonna be fine.”

His dad smiles in a strained sort of way. “I didn’t think you kids would mind if he came. If I had I would have told you sooner.”

“We know that. Katara knows that. You know how she is, she’s a planner, it’s just thrown her for a loop. But tomorrow is going to be fine, seriously, don’t stress it, pops.”

The two of them walk back to the dining room. His dad looks confused when he sees it’s empty. “Where did everyone go?”

“Bato took Zuko and Aang to the bakery to get dessert.”

“Bless that man,” Hakoda chuckles. Then, considering: “Why don’t we eat in the living room.”

“Good thinking.”

*

When Sokka wakes up the next morning, he’s pleased to see he slept in until nine. They’d stayed up late last night and talked more comfortably than they had all weekend; Zuko was noticeably more subdued than he’d been at dinner. They played board games where Zuko smoked them at Risk and they argued endlessly over monopoly until they each gave up.

Sokka fucks around on snapchat and instagram for a half hour before he decides to get up, because, hey, he’s on vacation. He walks down the stairs, yawning and scratching his stomach.

Katara is in the kitchen when he enters. She has pots covering the table and is humming quietly while she chops a block of cheese.

“Morning.” Sokka greets, “Happy Easter.”

“Happy Easter,” She smiles. She nods to the pile of cheese cubes she’s already cut, “You can have three.”

Sokka snickers and goes to grab his share (as if he isn’t going to just take more delicious cubes when she’s not looking). “You’re getting an early start.”

“Couldn’t sleep last night.”

Sokka, who had been absolutely prepared to have this conversation with Katara today, but not so ready for it to be literally the first thing they talked about, almost chokes mid-chew.

Katara notices, “I’m on my best behavior, calm down. You and dad can stop freaking out.”

Sokka swallows. “I’m not freaking out.”

“Yes, you were. And it’s fine. Last night was weird, seeing him and dad.” Katara admits. She’s incredibly articulate about her thoughts so Sokka knows she’s been journaling her feelings and trying to be reasonable. A good sign. “Today is a new day, and I’m going to cook, like always, and not think about the rude child our father chose to introduce us to on mom’s favorite holiday.”

So maybe not such a good sign.

“Hey, sis?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re being bitter again.”

She sighs, putting the knife down, and rubbing her head with the back of her hand. “I know. I have to get it out now before everyone else wakes up.”

Sokka chuckles. He hefts himself onto the counter and gestures with his arms. “Vent away.”

Katara gets a solid thirty minutes before they hear movement from upstairs. They both quiet down.

Sokka busies himself in the fridge, sifting through its contents randomly. Five minutes pass and no one comes in the kitchen. He looks at Katara, confused, “Someone definitely came downstairs, right?”

“Definitely.”

Sokka goes to peek around the entry to the kitchen. No one is in the hallway so he sneaks down to check the living room.

His dad and Zuko are in the living room, standing by the mantle. Zuko is examining the pictures they have, Hakoda standing behind him with his arms around Zuko’s middle. Sokka has never seen his dad with anyone long term other than his mom, and he was too young to really grasp affection before his mom got sick; it’s strange to grapple with the fact that his dad is, like, a person?

Hakoda was always his dad, he was an asexual being that Sokka just happened to go fishing with. He can’t wrap his head around this, his dad tangled with someone, resting his chin on their head, caressing their sides.

Sokka supposes watching them trade flirtatious gestures, their age difference must provide some type of thrill. It’s the only thing Sokka can think of to explain why Zuko’s lasted so long when his dad has never kept anyone around longer than a few weeks. Zuko doesn’t seem like a bad guy, he’s actually kind of cool when you get past the thorny exterior, so his dad probably enjoys filling the newly-empty house with someone he can get along with and who’s objectively hot (What? Sokka has eyes.).

“It’s crazy seeing them in person.” Zuko says softly. “I’ve only known these pictures. They’re so different than I imagined.”

“Pictures and stories can only tell you so much. A person is much more-”

“Alright, old man, I get it, you’re wise. It’s too early for a parable.”

Hakoda squeezes Zuko’s sides, who squirms and slaps him away. “Respect your elders. You’re like my kids.”

“Please never compare me to your children,” Zuko turns and loops his arms around Hakoda’s neck. “Especially not after last night.”

Sokka, horrified, tiptoes backwards as to not blow his cover. He isn’t fast enough to miss his dad, “Still feel me?”

Katara looks up when he comes back into the kitchen, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s my turn to vent now. About our horny, sinful father.”

*

They have a quick breakfast all together in the living room, watching a rerun of Groundhog’s Day.

They can’t laze around too long, though, not with the mountain of food still needing to be made.

“What are we making?” Zuko asks Katara after they’ve all gotten showered and dressed and congregated in the kitchen.

If Katara doesn’t like his use of ‘we’, she doesn’t let it show. “Three courses. We’ve got Bannock bread with cheeses and meats for appetizers. Seal stew and poached cod with yams for dinner. Pie for dessert.”

“Wow. That sounds delicious.”

Katara takes the lead on the stew, which takes hours, while the rest of them finish cutting the appetizers. Aang makes the bannock bread dough, having years ago been taught the recipe, and drops it into a pan filled with oil.

Sokka is practically drooling by the time the first course is served. Everything smells hearty, comforting, the way only his culture’s food can.

Zuko takes his mom’s seat, but this time everyone’s prepared so Sokka tries not to think on it too much.

“This looks awesome!” Aang exclaims, already piling food onto his plate.

Katara smiles fondly, “You made it.”

“That’s why it’s so awesome.”

“Try some of the bread.” Hakoda tells Zuko. He puts a piece onto his plate. “Kya’s recipe. Best you’ll ever have.”

“Um. Thanks.” Zuko sits, overwhelmed. “It all smells good. I can’t remember the last time I celebrated a holiday without takeout.”

“Whoa whoa whoa,” Sokka holds his hands up, “Take-out slaps don’t get me wrong but on Christmas?”

“I don’t have family in the area. My uncle lives in Ba Sing Se with my cousin; sometimes they’ll come but none of us are great chefs.”

“Couldn’t make it this year?” Sokka asks, loading his bread up with butter.

“No. They own a tea shop, so it’s hard to get away that often.” Zuko bites into the bread. “Oh. Wow, this is so good.”

Sokka chuckles. Zuko looks like a kid, dressed up nicer than any of them, hair meticulously braided, eyes closed in bliss.

Hakoda grins, “Kya was quite the chef. If you like it so much, you should make it sometime. Katara can show you, she’s been making it since she was ten.”

“It’s a family recipe.” Katara says firmly when Zuko looks to her.

“Aang just made these,” Zuko argues.

“I’ve been dating Aang for six years. He can make these. You haven’t been around long enough.”

“Katara,” Hakoda warns sharply.

Katara clenches her jaw and exhales. She looks at Zuko, the two of them making mutinous eye contact. “I can show you next year. If you’re still here.”

Before Zuko can come back and inevitably start a fight during the first meal of the goddamn day, Sokka tosses another piece onto Zuko’s plate, “Get ‘em while they’re hot.”

“My family is still in the Asia,” Aang says after an awkward, long moment, “I was adopted when I was a baby by monks. They sent me for schooling here because the village I grew up in was so tiny, the schools weren’t too good. I try to go back as much as I can, but like you said it’s hard.”

“The Southern Air Temple?” Zuko asks.

“Yeah! How do you know the temple?”

“I recognized your tattoos. I like history, I read a lot. Do you really ride bisons?”

Sokka and his dad hold in a groan, knowing where this was going.

“Yes!!” Aang wipes his mouth and grabs his phone from his pocket. He shoves it in Zuko’s face, over the table. “Look! This is Appa. He’s an albino, super rare. I couldn’t take him with me because bison aren’t allowed on commercial transportation across country lines without a ton of paperwork and money. I miss him so much!”

“He’s cute.” Zuko smiles. “I, uh, I used to know the Secretary of Agriculture in Japan. If you want I could call him and see if he can talk to whoever runs in here. Try and work something out... if you want.”

Aang looks stunned. Everyone does, to be fair. “Whoa. Zuko, that’s so nice! I appreciate it, but I live in an apartment right now. Appa’s much happier munching on grass with the monks. Thank you so much!”

“Don’t worry about it,” Zuko mutters. He looks uncomfortable with all the attention.

Sokka decides to save Zuko, and launches into a story about him totally owning his professor who using microaggresions against him and other students of color during class. Zuko looks appreciative.

*

By the time they’ve long eaten their fills and the serving trays are mostly empty it’s nearly three in the afternoon and Katara is itching to get started on dinner.

They load up the dishwasher and she promptly clears them out of the kitchen.

“She really doesn’t need any help?” Zuko asks after the boys have settled into the living room, beers in hand.

“Nah,” Sokka says. “She’ll let us help in a little bit, but she gets overwhelmed when we’re all in there at once. Trust me, she’ll call us when we’re needed.”

“Dad,” Katara pokes her head in hours later, “Did you forget to pick up more lemon?”

“No, it should be in the fridge.”

“One was. I need three.”

“Oh.” Hakoda says. He scratches his beard. “Do you need me to pick up another one for the cod?”

Katara looks at the beer cans on the table. She shakes her head, put upon, but Sokka knows she secretly loves wearing the ‘mom of the family’ hat, “No, I’ll go. There isn’t much more to do, the pie’s ready to be put into the oven so I’ll do it when I get home.”

“I’ll come!” Aang hops up, sidling up next to Katara while she gets her keys and purse. “Keep you company. My little chef.”

Katara smiles, “You’re sweet. Come on. Dad we’re taking your car!”

Hakoda chuckles, rubbing Zuko’s thigh, “You see how they walk all over me? They used to respect me.”

“I know. They were plotting against you at Target, I tried to stop them.”

“Hey!” Sokka cries, pointing a finger at Zuko, “You dirty liar! I shared my Oreos with you and this is how you pay me back!”

“That’s how he gets you. You think he’s quiet and innocent until he switches into a ruthless brat.”

Zuko look over at Sokka. Deadpan, “I have no idea what he’s talking about.” He shoves a hand under his dad’s armpit and tickles.

“Stop! You little-“ Hakoda grabs his wrists, laughing.

“Get ‘im! Show him who’s boss!” Sokka whoops, cackling as his dad clumsily puts down his beer bottle and tries to stop Zuko’s attack.

“I give, I give!” Hakoda says from behind his hands as he cowers, “Get away from me, you little monster.”

Zuko sits back, triumphantly. He smirks at Sokka, “He’s knows who’s boss.”

“Alright, alright, let’s not get crazy,” Hakoda sits back, throwing an arm over the couch behind Zuko.

Sokka smiles, “So how’d you guys meet? Dad never told me.”

Zuko looked at Hakoda, “You never told him how we met?”

“Did I really never say?” At Sokka’s head-shake, he shrugs, “Feels like I’ve always known you. Must’ve slipped my mind.”

Zuko flushes. To Sokka, “Spirit Oasis got some work done on the main theatre last year. They hired Hakoda’s company. We ran into each other one day and started talking.”

“Dad, using your company to score dates? I’m shocked!”

“I did not use my company to score a date. I was working and he was working and we spoke.”

“Uh huh, sure.” Sokka winks exaggeratedly, “Flirting on company time.”

“If anything, it was on Zuko’s time. When I was at work I wore a hard helmet.”

Zuko turns to Hakoda, “Aw, but you look so nice with your hat and vest.”

His dad smiles softly, “A regular Casanova in rubble, huh?”

Sokka laughs and stands up. It’s getting a little flirty in here and he’s without backup. “I’m gonna take a leak.”

“Thanks for that son.” His dad shakes his head as Sokka slips out of the room.

He takes his time in the bathroom. When he comes out, the living room is empty. He thinks he hears the bathroom sink upstairs. He goes to sit down when he pauses, hearing the oven open then close. Sokka looks over quizzically. He didn’t think he heard Katara and Aang come back.

Zuko is standing by the oven when he comes in, wiping his hands on the dishtowel.

“Hey,” he greets, “I finished the pie and put it in. Figured I’d save Katara a step.”

Sokka freezes, “What do you mean you finished it?”

“It was just- like, the dough was just laying on top? So I pinched the sides and put it in. I haven’t helped all day I figured-“

“Zuko,” Sokka interrupts, and his voice surprises him too. He sounds annoyed. But he can’t help it, he is annoyed. “Why would you touch that? It wasn’t for you to do.”

Zuko looks startled. He hesitates, “I just wanted to help.”

Sokka goes past him to the oven. He opens it and looks at the pie, fine to the untrained eye, but so so wrong when this is his mom’s pie and Katara twists it every year like she did, uniquely the way her mom before her taught. “Man, I appreciate you wanting to help but you should have asked. This is Katara’s favorite part.”

“It was only putting it in the oven, I don’t-“

The front door slams.

“We’re back!”

Oh shit, Sokka thinks in the second before Katara walks in. This is not good.

“You better not be vulturing in here,” Katara scolds when she comes through the doorway. She stops when she sees their looks, Aang right behind her. “What?”

Zuko doesn’t say anything, and neither does Sokka. “Uh.”

“Why is the oven on?” She moves to shoo Sokka away. “Move, I’ve got to finish… What happened to the pie?”

Sokka makes eye contact with Zuko; he’s wide-eyed.

Katara takes the silence exactly the worst way she can, and the one way Sokka was hoping to avoid. “What the fuck? Did you do this?” She huffs angrily, ripping the dishtowel off the oven and yanking the pie out of the oven. “Why would you touch this?” She glares at Zuko.

“Katara, he didn’t know-“

“I’m asking you, Zuko. This isn’t for you to do, you just come in and do whatever you want without asking? Like you own the place?”

“I thought I was helping I didn’t know it was this big deal, Spirits, calm down.” Zuko says sullenly.

“It is a big deal!” Katara slams the oven shut. “Just because you don’t have any respect for the way we do things doesn’t mean you decide what’s a big deal. My mom made this pie special every year!”

“And I’m sorry, but I didn’t know that! You didn’t tell me!”

Katara clenches her jaw so hard Sokka swears he can hear it. “Why would you just come in here and do something no one asked you to do-“

“I said I was sorry. I was apologized, either get over it or say what you really want to say to me.” Zuko raises his chin.

“Excuse me?”

“Hey, guys, let’s calm down-“ Aang raises his hands.

You haven’t spoken to me longer than two minutes this whole weekend!” Zuko explodes, and oh no, Sokka makes desperate eye contact with Aang. “Don’t talk to me about respect, we both know that isn’t what this is about. I would never treat anyone who came to visit my family like you’ve treated me!”

“I didn’t want you here! Spirits, what don’t you get about this Zuko? You are a stranger in my house. My house!”

“Hakoda invited me here. Take it up with your father.”

Sokka tries, feeling overwhelmed, “Alright, chill, c’mon-“

Katara looks at Zuko coldly, “He may have invited you, and you might be happy to play house when we’re at school, but make no mistake. You’re his middle-aged fling. You will never be a part of this family! You can pretend all you want this weekend but you-“

“Fuck you.” Zuko hisses. “I don’t want to be part of this fucking family.”

With that he turns on his heels and stomps out of the room.

Sokka and Aang stare at Katara, mortified.

“Katara, what the fuck?” Sokka breathes. She looks to him, furious, but Sokka can see the air being let out. “Why would you say that? He didn’t do it on purpose, he wasn’t being mean. You were- you were cruel.”

“I know!” Katara exclaims, waving her hands jerkily in front of her at Sokka, “Shit. I know, I just- I saw the pie and I saw red. It was mom’s favorite part of the weekend and-“ She stops and her eyes fill, suddenly.

His dad’s voice rings in through the kitchen, because of course it does, because of course this was getting worse, “Sweetheart, ready for- Zuko? Honey, what’s wrong? Hey!” The front door slams. Hakoda walks in. “Is everything alright why did Zuko just run out? What happened?”

Sokka and Aang look to Katara, who is looking stubbornly at the ground.

“Guys?” His dad repeats, firmly, more desperately. “What’s going on?”

“Zuko left. He did the pie crust when I was out.”

“O…kay? What does that have to do with him running out of here like a bat out of hell?”

Katara looks at their dad, betrayed. Tears shine in her eyes, “I do that. I do that, every year, like I have since I was five and mom showed me! We did it every year together and Zuko went and did it!”

“Katara!” Hakoda yells, holding a hand up. Katara glares at him, teary. “What did you say to him?”

“I told him he wasn’t family, because he isn’t! And you might be okay with pretending but I’m not.”

Hakoda freezes. Sokka freezes. The kitchen is silent, no one dares to say anything, to wade through the tense fog. After a long few moments, with just Katara’s sniffling, Hakoda takes a step back.

“I didn’t raise you to treat people like this. I didn’t raise you to treat a guest like that.” He turns to the door.

Sokka watches his dad turn and leave. The front door sounds and he knows Hakoda just went to get Zuko.

“I didn’t mean to get so mad,” Katara whispers. “I didn’t mean to say that. I want mom.”

“I know.” Sokka agrees, softly. Aang comes to wrap Katara in a hug. “Me too.”

*

His dad is sitting in his office, hunched over his phone, when Sokka knocks forty five minutes later. His beer is almost empty in front of him. It’s his second since they realized they couldn’t find Zuko. He looks miserable when he glances at Sokka.

“Any luck reaching him?”

Hakoda sighs, throwing his phone onto the desk. “No. He’s not picking up his phone. If he took his car I’d probably be able to ask around and see if someone spots that, but. He must’ve walked somewhere.”

“I think I’ll bike into town and look around. Not much is open on Easter, so we’ll find him.”

“Take my car, it’ll be faster,” his dad reaches into his desk and grabs keys. Sokka catches them when he tosses.

“We’ll find him, dad.”

Hakoda doesn’t say anything for a long time, Sokka is about to leave when he says, “I met Zuko… I guess two weeks into construction on the theatre? I was going over plans with the property manager and he came in to pick up props. He spoke for maybe five minutes after he introduced himself, but I remember thinking ‘this kid is going somewhere.’ He’s so bright. He explained the work he was doing on the next show, didn’t understand a fucking thing but I would’ve listened to hours of it just to watch him.”

Sokka watches his dad flip his phone over and over on the desk. He doesn’t seem to be talking to Sokka, just… talking.

“I didn’t see him again for months. Not until we finished. The director gave us tickets to the show to thank us for the quick turnaround. Invited us to the after party. Not really my thing, but I thought ‘what the hell?’ I went and was blown away- everything Zuko was explaining I was seeing and it was- Spirits, it was incredible. I looked for him at the after party. We talked the whole night; even after it ended we got drinks because I couldn’t imagine letting him go. He was breathtaking.”

Hakoda picks up his beer and takes a long drink. He smiles, like he’s caught in a memory.

“I thought it’d be one night; what young, beautiful man like that would want an old widow who works in construction? When I asked if he wanted to see each other again he was so excited and surprised. Like he was the lucky one. It took us two months before he even let me call him my boyfriend. He was convinced he was my mid-life crisis and that I’d leave him when I discovered golf.” He laughs brokenly, “His words.”

Sokka watches as his dad leans back in his desk chair.

“Zuko has lived through more than most people twice his age have ever even imagined. I wanted this Easter to show him how easy this could be. Being with someone who loves you.”

“Love?” His dad never mentioned being in love. They’ve been together for a while, sure, but every time Sokka spoke to his dad about Zuko it’d always sounded light. Sokka kind of figured it’d just be one of those ‘we just enjoy each other’s company and probably like banging’ kind of relationships. The ones where you date for years but have separate houses and lives. Even this weekend, where he’d seen them so entangled and affectionate, he’d chalked it up to intense attraction. “You never said you loved him.”

“I was going to talk to you and your sister about it. I kept trying to introduce you so you could get to know him, your schedules were just so busy. Probably won’t matter anymore. He’s not going to want to come back after tonight. Can’t blame him for that.”

“Nope, not happening.” Sokka declares. He may have fucked up his dad’s first holiday with his boyfriend, but he’s not going to let his father ruin his happiness because of them, “Dad, we can talk about this later once we find Zuko. Which I am about to go do. Then, you are going to pull yourself together and yell at me and Katara and stop wallowing! Now, you stay here in case he comes back. Got it?”

Hakoda looks slightly less morose at the end of Sokka’s orders, maybe a little stunned by the declaration. He nods, sitting upright once more. “You’re right. Thank you. Are you sure you don’t want me to go?”

“No, I haven’t drank that much tonight, I’ll go.”

“Okay, yeah. God, I could use another drink. Maybe we’ll go to The Cabbage Stand after this, drink this awful day off.”

Sokka laughs grimly, “Everyone’d probably like that-“ He freezes, “Oh, fuck, okay I think I know where Zuko is.”

He runs into Katara outside his dad’s office. She’s red eyed and silent.

“He loves him?”

Sokka hesitates, “He does.”

Katara doesn’t say anymore, so Sokka slips past her and down the stairs out the door.

*

He walks into The Cabbage Stand ten minutes later. It really is a real dive. A jukebox in the corner is playing The Cranberries and the walls are covered in posters for tour that go back decades.

Because of the holiday, there are only a few people inside so Sokka spots Zuko almost immediately. He’s sitting at the far end of the bar looking absolutely plastered. His hair is out of its braid and it looks like he’s been running his hand through it. There’s an older guy sitting next to him, leaning in to whisper in Zuko’s ear and spirits does this guy have a dog whistle for men twice his age?

Sokka walks over purposefully. When he’s next to the stranger he taps him on the shoulder.

The guy turns to look at Sokka and raises an eyebrow, “Can I help you?”

“Yeah, just picking my buddy up. He’s got somewhere to be.”

Zuko decides this is the perfect moment to chime in, “Don’ wanna go.”

The guy smirks, “Sounds like he’s not going anywhere.”

Sokka rubs his eyes, “Alright dude, I’ll level with you here. This guy has a boyfriend.”

“You the boyfriend?”

“No. My dad.”

“Oh,” The guy straightens, looking surprised. He looks back at Zuko before turning again, “That must be awkward. Aren’t you around the same age?”

“Yes. Yes we are.”

“Wow. Uh, alright, yeah I’ll get out of your hair.” The guy pats Sokka on the shoulder as he moves to walk away, “You got enough to deal with, am I right?”

Sokka slides into the vacated seat. Zuko looks even drunker up close, eyes barely open and cheeks flushed. His ringed-fingers clutch at a tumbler filled with a clear liquid.

Sokka, who has never been great with knowing what to say when confronted with complicated emotions, says, “Fun holiday.”

Zuko hangs his head, shoulders shaking, and for one moment Sokka is horrifyingly sure he’s burst into tears.

“Oh fuck, I’m sorry. That was a bad joke, I’m sorry.”

But Zuko’s shoulders keep shaking. Sokka realizes he’s laughing.

He’s hysterical, wheezing with laughter and slapping the bar.

Sokka sees the bartender send them a look, “Hey, Zuko, buddy, you doing okay?”

“This is so awful,” Zuko gets out, in between gasps of air, “This is like- it’s like the absolute worst case scenario for how this was supposed to go. And it’s still,” he curls up in another fit of laughter, “it’s still not the worst holiday dinner I’ve had.”

Sokka doesn’t really know what to say to that. He’s still searching for the right words when Zuko turns to him, flushed from the drinking and giggling.

“One Christmas, when I was ten, I left my new wii on the floor in the living room. My dad stubbed his toe and he hit my mom over the head with it.”

“What the fuck?” Sokka is horrified, but Zuko’s not done.

Gleefully, “And, an’ and on Thanksgiving once my dad made me eat off the floor ‘cause I spilled my tea on the new table cloth. My mom and sister wouldn’t even speak to me.”

“Hey,” Sokka tries.

“Another year he wouldn’t let me eat the whole day. I could smell the food and asked for some leftovers but he fed them to the dogs!”

“Zuko!” Sokka shakes his shoulder, hard. He can’t fucking take hearing anymore. He’s teetering between raging so bad he could break something and wanting to lay down and cry for the boy in front of him.

Because that’s what he is in that moment. The person in front of him, wiping his eyes and trying so desperately to keep it together, is a frightened boy begging for a break.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’ worry about it. Was a long time ago. I haven’t seen my family in years.” Zuko waves him off. He’s still grinning like a loon when he throws back the rest of his drink. “Not before I got this going away present though!”

For a moment, Sokka doesn’t get it. Zuko is stroking his face. He’s about to ask when he sees one of Zuko’s thin fingers tracing his scar.

That couldn’t be. No, that couldn’t be real. Not from a father…

“He’s a fucking asshole.” Sokka clenches his fist, “He’s a piece of abusive shit and didn’t deserve to have a family.”

“No, that’s the thing, that’s what I’m trying to say,” Sokka raises an eyebrow, so Zuko continues, turning to face Sokka for the first time all night. His smile fades into a dark, haunted look Sokka never wants to see again. “It’s me. It’s always me, I don’t. I don’t get to have that. The family dinners, the-the- the casual jokes and the weird traditions. I’m- rotten.”

“Dude, no! That’s not true, don’t say that.”

“It is true! You guys hate me.”

“We don’t hate you-“

“Yeah, yeah you do. An’ that’s okay, I get it, I do, I just. I really wanted to make this work. I was trying so hard.” Zuko’s eyes fill, and he angrily swipes at them, “But that was fucking stupid. A stupid fucking fantasy. I’m better off alone.”

“You know what? No. That’s bullshit.” Sokka says, catching Zuko’s eyes. “Zuko, this weekend has been a shit show. Katara and I made your life hell, and I’m so fucking sorry we did, but you are not better off alone.”

Zuko scoffs, so Sokka continues, “My dad loves you, dude. I haven’t seen him this happy in years. Not since my mom died. I mean, he looks at you like the sun shines out of your ass.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m serious! He’s in love with you, you moron! So be mad at me, be mad at Katara, be mad at your dad for being a prick, but don’t punish my dad or yourself because of us.”

Zuko looks at Sokka, smiling in a tragic way that tugs on his head, “You don’t want someone coming in between you and your family. I’ve seen how close you are; a bond like that? ’S precious. I don’t have that. I won’t do that to Hakoda. Or you.”

“Zuko, I’m going to say this once. So I want you to listen. Are you listening?” Sokka grabs the sides of Zuko’s face, waiting until his eyes focus, “You could not tear my family apart. Because family sticks together, even when things get hard.”

Zuko, with his cheeks still smushed together from Sokka’s hands, lowers his eyes, “You say that now.”

“And I’ll say it tomorrow! And the day after that. Frankly, I’ll keep telling you, because you’re family now.”

Sokka lets go of Zuko’s face to grab his shoulders again, “We’re not letting you go anywhere. I’m afraid you’re stuck with my dad and his certifiable children.”

Zuko lets out a wet laugh, but this one is actually happy.

“Now let’s get you home.” Sokka pays the tab, ignoring Zuko’s insistence to pay himself. He helps Zuko out of his seat and into his jacket.

“Bye!” Zuko waves to the bartender, leaning heavily onto Sokka on the way out.

“Do you think Hakoda will be mad I ruined Easter?” he asks when Sokka deposits him into his car.

“Nah, he’s just gonna be happy you’re safe.” Sokka tries to sit Zuko upright and buckle him in.

“Okay. Good. I love him so much.”

“I know you do, bud.”

“He’s so, soo handsome.”

“Yep.”

“And his dick is so big, I love-”

“Spirits, Zuko please stop talking.”

*

Hakoda is on them the second the car is parked. He goes to the passenger door and opens it, “Oh, sweetheart.”

Sokka gets out and crosses over to help Zuko out, “He’s okay. Sobered up a little.”

“I’m so sorry, I love you.” Zuko mumbles into Hakoda’s chest when he gets out. Sokka sighs. He spent the whole ride home gassing Zuko up to walk in like a bad bitch and he’s already blowing it.

Hakoda puts his hand on the back of Zuko’s head, planting a kiss on his hair, “Don’t apologize. I’m the one who should be saying sorry. I put so much on you this weekend.”

“No,” the three of them look up to Katara, who stands in the doorway. She’s holding one arm close to her torso, and looks thoroughly ashamed. “I’m the one who’s sorry.”

Slowly, she makes her way down the front steps. She stops about five steps away. “Zuko, I-“ She sighs, “I’m embarrassed. The way I acted this weekend, the way I spoke to you tonight. It wasn’t fair. You were trying and I was punishing you for it.”

Zuko doesn’t say anything, just looks at Katara for a moment.

“I always wanted my dad to be happy, after my mom died. I just never really thought about what that meant. I didn’t think it’d feel like I was losing her.”

“Katara…” Hakoda breathes.

“I didn’t- My intentions coming here weren’t to try to replace your mom.” Zuko says.

“No, I know. I know that.” Katara nods jerkily. “I just felt so sad… and so angry. That she’s never going to be here with us like this again. I took that out of you.”

“You’re mother is always here,” Hakoda says softly, “that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more love.”

“Yeah, mom would probably be psyched right now that we’re actually getting more people to come over. It forces dad to wash dishes.” Sokka pipes in, laughing when his dad thumps the back of his head.

Katara gives them a watery smile. She looks back to Zuko, “I can’t take back how everything went the past few days, but if you can forgive me I would like to start over.”

“I’d like that too. And- I’m sorry I’ve been so defensive this weekend. I just react like that when I’m uncomfortable. I’m working on it.” Zuko tilts his head back against Hakoda’s chest, big eyes sliding up to him.

Sokka slaps his hands together, “Alright, well that’s my quota for ooey gooey speeches for the month. I suggest we move this big, happy family meeting inside and actually eat all the food we cooked.”

“I left Aang inside to watch the kitchen.”

Hakoda laughs, squeezing Zuko to his side, “Even more reason to get in fast. That boy can’t boil water.”

Sokka watches for a minute as they all shuffle inside. He lets out a sigh of relief. Today was far more exciting than he’d expected and the exhaustion of it all hits him like a truck. But looking at his family, all of them, tired and messy and loud, he’s struck by the weight of the knowledge that this isn’t guaranteed. Zuko’s family didn’t always look like this.

As if knowing what Sokka’s thinking about, Zuko turns when he reaches the top step, “You coming in?”

Sokka shakes himself. The past doesn’t matter, he’s just going to be grateful for now. “Coming!”

Aang did not, in fact, ruin dinner, although the yams are a little burned. Nobody really notices. Now that they’ve gotten everything out in the open, dinner is smooth and pleasant. They all loosen up with a bottle of wine (Zuko with water, because let’s be honest the dude had enough to drink) and joke and laugh until Aang cries. Katara and Zuko even rib on each other without a single snide comment. It’s kind of the best-case scenario.

Hours later, as Sokka clears the last dish off the table, they’re all stuffed and content. He’s pretty sure Zuko conked on the couch after valiantly trying to keep his eyes open at the table, and Aang isn’t far behind, head tipped onto Zuko’s shoulder.

His dad and Katara are in the kitchen, washing and drying dishes in relaxed silence.

“The last of the them,” Sokka places the last dishes next to the sink before leaning against the counter. “You did good Katara, I don’t need to eat for a week.”

“Yeah, well done kiddo, as always,” Hakoda agrees, handing her a rinsed glass.

“Thank you, I thought everything came out nice,” Katara smiles.

“Zuko and Aang still sleeping?” Hakoda asks Sokka.

“Out like lights,” Sokka nods, “Little guys had an eventful few days.”

“That’s for sure,” Hakoda huffs out a small laugh.

“Dad, we’re really sorry about this weekend,” Katara mumbles, playing with the glass before putting it away. “I just-“

When Katara doesn’t continue, their dad puts down the sponge and dries off his hands. He turns to lean against the sink. “Are you guys okay with this? I know I invited him last minute and I apologize for that. I should have known it’d be a lot to process. But… I don’t want my kids to suffer. And I never want to be the cause of it. So, if this is something that will hurt you guys, I’ll put an end to it.”

Sokka is quiet for a second, mostly because he’s trying to think of how to respond to his dad being so stupid, and Katara jumps in, to everyone’s surprise, “Dad, what are you actually talking about? You’re not breaking up with the best thing that’s happened to you since mom!”

“You guys were uncomfortable this whole weekend. You may be moved out and living your own lives, but this is your home. And if seeing someone else here with me, instead of your mom, brings you this much pain… I want you to be excited to come home, not dreading it because your father-“

“Nope, no, nope.” Sokka shakes his head, putting his hand over Hakoda’s mouth. “Stop right there, pops. If you think that you getting a boyfriend is enough to take our home away from us, you’re a bigger dummy than Zuko.”

“Dad, mom died 10 years ago. I never dealt with it, but I want to. And we want you to be happy. The way you are with him, I’ve never seen you like that in years.” Katara adds.

“This first meet up was a bust, we all know that. Think about it like this: we got it out of the way! It’s easy breezy from now on!” Sokka takes his hand off Hakoda’s face to pat his shoulder, “Plus, after we stopped being dicks we actually got along. Dinner went good, huh?”

“It did.” Hakoda smiles, “It went wonderfully.”

“So it’s settled.” Katara nods, turning back to drying with a sense of finality, “You will not break up with your boyfriend. Especially not after I actually started to like him.”

Hakoda laughs, big bellied and loud. He grabs Katara and Sokka, pulling them in for a hug. Sokka grins, tightening his arms back around the two of them.

“I love you kids,” Hakoda says as they pull back. “Leave the dishes, I’ll get them in the morning. Come on, let’s relax.”

They head into the living room where Zuko and Aang are softly snoring together. Sokka snaps a few photos of them, because he can’t resist. They settle around them, Katara pulling Aang off Zuko to rest his head in her lap and Hakoda tucking Zuko under his arm. Sokka takes advantage of the empty loveseat to stretch out.

He turns on the TV and flips to a random movie. He sneaks a glance at the other couch, smiling at the sight of the four of them melting into the cushions.

All in all, he thinks, not a bad weekend.