More Than Friends // zukka

Return to the Fire Nation

Three days later, Sokka arrived at the Fire Nation Capital, hungry and exhausted. Yes, you could be exhausted from sitting in an air balloon for three days straight. This was new for Sokka, as well.

"Do you need a ride to the Palace, sir?" the air balloon driver asked, but the thought of having to sit even longer made Sokka want to puke. He also didn't have a lot of money. So, he shook his head and politely declined the offer.

Walking to the Palace would be good for him, he could get a snack on the way and a good look at the new era of the capital city. To his surprise, the rebuilding of the city had progressed rather fast and many of the beautiful houses and parks were radiating with life and culture. He spotted little turtle ducks splashing about in the ponds as he made his way through a huge green park towards the upper ring of the city where the Palace was. Children were playing on the new playgrounds, and parents were enjoying the sun and some drinks. Who knew the Fire Nation people could look so relaxed?

But there was still an air of darkness and chaos looming above the city that Sokka couldn't quite place. The war had inscribed itself on the faces of the people like ghostly scars upon a battlefield, and Sokka could see the conflict of the wish for peace and the fear of the unknown still within the Fire Nation people. Even though the war had ended over two years ago, he could imagine that the memory of countless battles fought and many people lost was still lingering.

However, Sokka thought it nice to see them enjoy some peace and quiet after the long war. The sun was setting as he arrived at the gates to the Palace, and he turned to look at the city beneath him, glowing in the red and orange light of the sun. It was beautiful.

"Can I help you?" a voice asked, and Sokka turned to look at the guard.

"Yes, hello. Sir. I would like to see the Fire Lord, uh-" he said, noticing how stupid he sounded. What was he thinking just knocking on the Palace's doors? As if they would let anyone just walk in here...

"Sure, and he'll welcome you to sit on his lap, right?" the guard laughed.

"Uh no! No, why would I sit on Zuko's lap?! That would be-"

"You know the Fire Lord?" the other guard asked, more serious.

Sokka nodded.

"Uhm, yeah. I'm Sokka from the Southern Watertribe, I've been traveling with the Avatar and saving the world, you know? Fire Lord Zuko knows me and I need to speak to him."

Sokka had found his confidence buried beneath the image of him sitting on the Fire Lord's lap. Ugh, as if! That was anything but manly, and Sokka was a man. Even Hakoda said so, and that meant everything to Sokka who had always been unsure about his role in the group.

"Fine, we can bring you to him. But I'll have you know, if he doesn't recognise you, there will be consequences!" the guard said, and opened the gate for Sokka to enter behind them.

The garden around the Palace was a quiet and spiritual place. Even Sokka could feel the presence of powerful spirits around the trees. He watched carefully as they passed through the entrance hall of the Palace, and waited awkwardly as one of the guards knocked on a huge door. This place was huge and scary and lonely.

"Fire Lord Zuko, you have a visitor!" the guard announced as they entered the throne room. A thin figure was sitting on the throne and now lifted his head up to see who would come visit him. Sokka found he looked quite exhausted and somehow sad.

"Who is it?" the Fire Lord asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"It's me, Fire Lord Zuko. I've come to-"