AU: Street Eden

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

People who have known Sokka since he was fifteen, sixteen, or even seventeen have often shared a common hope - that he will, eventually, calm the hell down about his work. Or at least cut down on the questions and excited babbling.

At thirty-four, Sokka is dangling from the roof of one of the two-story buildings in Eden, sitting in a sling constructed entirely of scavenged blankets, replacing a broken bulb in one of the lights they'd long installed on the street. The source of the blood they found on the walls from the beginning was known now and, honestly, they all felt better knowing there was light on the street in the middle of the night.

So.

Dangling Sokka from a roof, replacing a bulb and checking out the wires. Possibly whistling. Though it might be a yowling animal of some sort. As Zuko likes to say, Sokka couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.

Comments

[fire-frays.livejournal.com]

Except she has this big angst, and oh god, Loo feels shit for begrudging her sister angst, of all things.

"I'm a bad person for being so sulky about it, aren't I?"

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

"Hope not, 'cause that'd mean I'm the worst person ever with how I felt about my sister growing up." Shaking her a little to try and coax a smile from her, Sokka tugs her ponytail gently. "You try hard and she doesn't but she's still good at it. You've got a right to be sulky about it, but you can't blame her for having talent at it, even if you want to. Besides, you're a better Firebender, huh? Sure, she can tear you apart at close range, but it's hard to jump across a few rooftoofs when you're a human-sized fireball."

[fire-frays.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he gets a smile for that, and a nudge in the arm.

"Yeeeeah," Louise admits. "You know I just got my ass handed to me by a Firebending ten-year old?"

This time there isn't a trace of bitterness.

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

It makes it easier for Sokka to grin widely with pride when there's no bitterness. "Well, Iroh's just a genius. I've seen him train with your dad - he has an easier time of it than he did with engineering, and you've seen what he can do with that."

He kicks her leg for that nudge. "You're the best Firebender of you three, just doesnt seem like it since you're all so tied close to each other. But... you know, your dad isn't just teaching you fighting or else he wouldn't get upset when Hana ditches. He's not even teaching theory, and I know Iroh's got a memory for it. He's teaching responsibility and care which, let's face it, Hana's low on and Iroh bounces around with but you, you, my oldest and dearest niece, are rolling in it. It's a good thing."

[fire-frays.livejournal.com]

"Oh great, responsibility."

It's really hard to sulk when your favourite uncle just called you his favourite neice. Especially when he's got a harder choice of it than you have.

"I'm gonna grow up to be humourless as Dad, aren't I?"

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

"I'm trying my best but you've slowly started to succumb to his evil and think all my jokes aren't funny," Sokka replies, pouting at her. "And don't whine about responsibility - it means you'll see stuff through, take care of the people around you. Having that natural ability to get people to trust you? Good thing." Lifting a hand, Sokka looks at her sternly and points a finger at her.

"Use your powers only for good, young Louise."

[fire-frays.livejournal.com]

Louise laughs and pushes hie finger away, trying her best to pout and failing.

"'Course I will," she says, trying to sound innocent. "Trust me."

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

He smiles and there's never been anything more genuine, his arm settling around her shoulders and he knows she'll let him give her cheek a kiss without a fight.

"Always will."