"Dad, I don't wanna be here," he announced for about the 5th time since they arrived the gates of the Fire Nation palace, "Kaijin and me could be fishing now..."
"Now don't start, Heisui" Sokka said, looking back at his son. They were going to meet with Zuko and Heisui wasn't as eager as Sokka to see the Fire Lord. It had only been a week since Sokka had seen Zuko and the Fire Lord had proposed to him. He couldn't help but be more cheerful after that night. It had been so long since they'd been able to be intimate, and it was so much more enjoyable when they weren't pressured by war. He had missed the passion and the physical element all these years, it was almost like starting over.
Heisui sighed, agitated. His father had been acting weird since coming to the palace. For one, his head seemed to be in a different place most of the time but he also seemed... Heisui wanted to say, happy. He'd never really seen his dad happy before, not since moving from the South Pole. In fact, he had never seen his father this happy at all. It had only occurred to him then that his father did always look into the distance sadly.
"Why are we here anyway?" Heisui asked. Sure the palace was large and grand, and there were so many intriguing things to explore, but it just didn't have the same sense as their home did. It was superficial and unlived in.
"We're here to visit Zuko, your other father." Sokka answered, adding the last part as an after thought. He wanted to get Heisui use to the thought of Zuko being his father. Heisui was quiet for a few strides.
"Why do I need another dad?" Heisui asked abruptly, he just couldn't get used to the thought of having two parents instead of one, "You didn't have a second dad and you turn out great, dad." Sokka wasn't flattered by the attempted compliment. Yes he had one father, but he'd had a mother also. It was strange for Heisui because he'd never had knowledge of his other parent, but it had been hard for Sokka because he had known his mother, but then lost her. He stopped and so did Heisui, then he knelt down to his son's level, confusing the young fire bender.
"Dads aren't exchangeable or replaceable, Heisui." Sokka said, a small smile upon his lips; Heisui was but a child, he didn't fully understand the value of a parent yet, "And Zuko is yours, it's just a bit late that you're getting to meet." Heisui wasn't too happy with the answer
"But dad..." he was interrupted by his father tapping his nose with a finger.
"No buts, Heisui." Sokka said and stood up. Heisui's nose wrinkled and he rubbed it with the palm of his hand and his arguing was ceased.
Sokka continued on his search for the Fire Lord by asking one of the soldiers that were posted through out the palace. Heisui waited off to the side, rocking back and forth on his heals with his arms folded. He looked up and down the halls, and only at one point did he see some familiar, though unwelcome face. Okibi.
Heisui paused and so did the other boy, their eyes both meeting in surprise. There was a moment of silence for both of them before Okibi reacted, scowling at the darker skinned fire bender. He saw that Heisui was near a soldier, who was talking to Sokka. It somehow meant that Heisui was allowed in the palace. Peasants shouldn't have been allowed in the palace.
Heisui saw the look of anger, but instead of returning the scowl, he realized what had angered the other boy. So, he smirked and gave a wave, stepping closer to the soldier and father to show that he was indeed there in the open and not sneaking around. Okibi looked mad enough to spit fire but his grandfather, who he had been following, ushered him into some doors, scolding him about lagging behind.
Heisui felt good about having one up on the snot nosed noble's son and he followed Sokka and the soldier more willingly down the hall when they traveled. They came to a familiar door which Heisui remembered from his small bust into the palace. The soldier knocked and Heisui recognized the voice of the Fire Lord.
"What is it?"
"Two water tribe natives to see you, sir." The soldier replied and Heisui's nose wrinkled. He had a name, and he was part of this nation too.
"Come in." there wasn't even a pause in the answer and the soldier opened the door, allowing both visitors to enter and the soldier stepped back to return to his post. Sokka entered and Heisui followed. They saw a few people in the room. Zuko and Iroh were among 4 other people. People, both Heisui and Sokka noticed that looked, like Honsuko. And they were indeed Zuko's other advisors. All eyes fell on them, most were more judging and criticizing. Sokka fidgeted under the looks and Heisui stepped out of the line of vision, behind his father. Zuko cleared his throat, gaining all attention back to him.
"I believe this meeting is over." He said and one of the advisors looked as if he was going to speak but Zuko annunciated his order, "Over." The old advisors huffed but didn't grumble s they left, bypassing Heisui and Sokka on their shuffle out the door; both were only too happy to let them leave.
Once the advisors left, Sokka approached the Fire Lord, where Zuko was rubbing his temples, trying to ease the stress of politics.
"Bad time?" Sokka asked and Zuko sighed.
"My advisors don't think its 'economical' to help rebuild some cities in the Earth Kingdom, that's all," Zuko said and Sokka nodded slightly. It would cost a lot of money to rebuild many of the cities that the Fire Nation had burned down, but it was a kind gesture Zuko was giving; he was sure that the Earth Kingdom would be a bit weary of fire benders helping, but it was a good way to force the people to get back on equal terms, maybe even friendly terms if all went well.
"Isn't helping the Earth Kingdom a good thing?" Heisui asked and Zuko looked up, sort of realizing that Heisui was really there. The little boy was leaning against the table across from him, his arms crossed on the table, his chin them propped on them.
"Yes, yes it is." Zuko answered a little slowly. He still wasn't used to children; he was still getting used to the fact that he had a son.
"Then why would it be a bad thing to help?" Heisui asked. He really was interested; he wanted to know what was going on outside the Fire Nation. Zuko paused, not sure if he should be answering those questions to a child; he wasn't exactly sure how much he would grasp.
"My advisors are concerned because it would cost the Fire Nation money for something that isn't part of the Fire Nation. We would need to pay people, ship them to the Earth Kingdom, and provide building materials and food." Zuko paused, glancing at Sokka, who was beside him. Sokka was only smiling softly, not really looking at either of them, but sort of between them both. Heisui only nodded, taking a minute to process the proper explanation.
"Oh, ok." Heisui nodded and Iroh stood up from the table, smiling pleasantly.
"Well, I do believe it's time for my tea break." He said and headed towards the door, but he stopped at the door, looking to Heisui, "Would you like to see the palace, Heisui?" Heisui perked up a bit from the table and looked to Sokka.
"Can I, dad?" he asked and Sokka nodded, "Ok!" and he hurried after Iroh. He wanted to see how big it was. Iroh shut the door behind them, leaving Sokka and Zuko alone. Zuko looked at Sokka, seeing that same smile.
"What are you smiling for?" he asked and Sokka leaned on the table with his elbows, propping his head up with a hand.
"Nothing," he said, "It's just that that was a good start with Heisui." Zuko shrugged and leaned back in his chair. He wasn't going to say it, but he was glad Sokka thought so. Heisui made him nervous to tell the truth. He was supposed to be this boy's father, but his own father, Ozai… he didn't want to be like Ozai at all. He didn't want to end up scaring his son and be despised by his own blood, like he had been and had done for most of his life. Ozai had never shown any care for him, he'd had an unhealthy mutual hate with his sister…
Zuko stopped in mid thought when he felt a warm kiss on his temple and Sokka's arms around his shoulders.
"Any more complaints from the advisors?" Sokka asked and Zuko relaxed, weaving his fingers with Sokka's; Sokka had an uncanny ability to make him relax when he was stressed.
"Of course. They're always complaining. They complain about money. They complain that nothing is traditional anymore. They complain about the birds singing and about the grass being green." Sokka rested his head against Zuko's and hummed comfortably; he expected that much from the old dusty advisors. Zuko smiled and gave Sokka's hand a squeeze. It was a little surreal that they could fall back into comfort after so many years apart, but then he remembered how quickly they had come to trust each other years ago, despite their early predigests.
Sokka was to the right of him, just enough that he could wrap his arm around Sokka's waist and maneuver him into his lap; gaining only a mild sound of Sokka protesting because he wasn't sure what Zuko was doing at first. Sokka blushed when he found himself in the Fire Lord's lap, Zuko's arms around his waist and his lips on his mouth in a slow and warm kiss. Sokka sunk into the kiss, arms tightening around Zuko's shoulders; Zuko didn't really express himself with words, but he always did with action. And this was definitely an "I missed you" kind of kiss. The only time they'd really been able to be purely intimate was when Zuko had asked him to marry him. There had very few times that they could just spend time together and hold each other when they had traveled. Even the night Heisui had been conceived, they couldn't spend all night in the woods to cuddle or spoon or anything like it.
At least last week they'd been able to lie in bed. He'd almost forgotten how warm Zuko could be. They had talked for a long time at leisure. Sometimes they had talked about important things, like their son and business. Other times, they talked about the past and about everyone they'd known. Then they had talked about nothing in particular and held each other close until it was late and Sokka had to go home and Zuko had to finish up some minor duties. Sokka mussed all week that he'd love to do that every night with Zuko.
"So, have you told him yet?" Zuko asked and Sokka shook his head. They'd already talked about moving in and telling Heisui, but Sokka felt they were still rushing things.
"Not yet," he replied, "He's still getting used to the idea of having another dad." Zuko gave a half grunt, signaling something was on his mind, "Something wrong?" Zuko did often become a little quiet when they talked about Heisui. Sokka didn't blame him; He hadn't been sure about the whole thing when he was pregnant, it took some getting used to.
Zuko was quiet a moment, and then asked quite seriously, "Do you think I'll be a decent father?" Sokka took a minute to blink at his lover, really wondering if he was serious, but Zuko's unwavering look told him that yes, he was serious and he was concerned about it.
"I don't see why not," Sokka said. He had full confidence that Zuko would be a good father. It never really crossed his mind that he wouldn't be, "I know you're not the most social person when you first meet someone…"
"You know what I mean," Zuko said, glancing at the basket of old war maps and plans, "My own father wasn't the most nurturing, you know." Sokka watched him for a good moment then leaned his head against the Fire Lord's shoulder; he never expected him to be insecure about being a father.
"I never really thought of your dad as, well, your father." Sokka said slowly, and it was true. Ozai and Zuko seemed to be too distant to be related in his own mind. Completely opposite from his own family experience, "I mean, Iroh's been more like a father to you and all of us," Sokka smiled lightly, "I don't think you'll have a problem since Iroh practically raised you."
Zuko was quiet a moment, still looking ff to the side, "You think so?" he asked sincerely, realizing that Iroh had indeed been more of a father than Ozai had ever been. Sokka leaned up, giving him a soft kiss and gaining the fire bender's attention back.
"I know so. So stop worrying so much about it." And Sokka settled down into Zuko's arms again, missing the soft and relieved smile Zuko had on his face; but he did get the kiss afterwards and that showed just as much.
----
"Wow, this place is big." Heisui said in awe. Sure he'd been there before, twice even; but all the crossing hallways and stairs, it was like a maze every time he came. He and Iroh were currently walking down the hall and Heisui was darting to any interesting pieces of art, window, or door that was left ajar. Iroh only chuckled; ah the young and curious.
"And over 500 years old." Iroh said as Heisui turned the corner to a door that was more like a gate, allowing fresh air into the palace. He ran over to it and peered out, seeing a lush and decorative garden. A pond was in the middle, surrounded by sakura trees, bonsai, and other exotic plants. The gate opened on him and he looked back and up, seeing Iroh had opened the gate for him.
"I think the turtle ducks have had their chicks already." Iroh said and Heisui followed him, along a slate path, where indeed there were many little turtle ducks swimming in the pond. It was a very peaceful place. He wondered if Kaijin had ever seen anything like it.
"What do you think my dad and… Zuko are talking about?" Heisui asked. He wasn't ready to call Zuko a father quite yet. Iroh sat down on a small bench in front of the lake before he answered.
"Most likely about their own relationship, and most likely you." He answered as Heisui crouched down by the pond, seeing some koi fish swimming beneath the surface.
"Mm," Heisui kind of figured that answer, but it didn't make him feel any better about it, "So I really am a prince?" he knew he'd asked before, but he had to keep confirming it to believe it.
"Yes, yes you are." Iroh confirmed, folding his hands and shutting his eyes, enjoying the tranquility. He had no problem answering his grandnephew's questions.
"… Is everything going to change?" Heisui asked quietly, watching the family of turtle ducks swim about and Iroh cracked open an eye. It was such a serious tone for a small boy.
"Everything changes, Heisui." Iroh said wisely. Heisui rested his arms on his knees, and his chin on his arms.
"It shouldn't. Its fine the way it is." The young fire bender huffed. He was fine where he and his father were. He had a friend and an easy life. Why should it change now? He didn't want another father, and it might have been selfish, but he didn't want anyone taking his father's attention away from him. Iroh hummed, pulling at his beard thoughtfully.
"Do you remember the South Pole?" Iroh asked and Heisui looked up at him, wondering why Iroh had changed the subject.
"Yeah." He replied. He remembered most of it. He remembered the endless ice and water. He remembered Gran-Gran, his grandfather and the villagers. He remembered building snowmen, igloos and fishing. He missed it and everyone.
"And you remember why you had to leave to come here?" Iroh continued.
"My fire bending." Heisui held a hand over the water and made a small fire ball, scattering the turtle ducks, but the koi came closer to see what was luminescent above them.
"And looking back, do you think you would have liked it to stay the same? You wouldn't fire bend. You would have never come here. You would have never met Kaijin or any of the others here. All the things you've learned here would just be another world away." Iroh said calmly and Heisui's fire ball went out and he got up, looking at Iroh, mouth open to answer. Then he stopped. He'd been about to say yes, he would have gladly stayed. But then he would have never met his first and best friend. He wouldn't have this power in his own breath and he wouldn't have seen so much red in the world. He wouldn't even give up his spats with Okibi.
"No…" he said slowly and Iroh nodded.
"Life is always changing, Heisui. For good or bad, it's always changing, because you are growing and learning." Iroh patted the seat next to him and Heisui sat down next to his teacher, "As I've told your father, Zuko, it is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you only take it from one place, it becomes ridged and stale. As does the refusal to accept change." Iroh smiled, "Ironically, the Water Tribes are famous for their ability to adapt. You must get it from your Fire Nation side." Heisui couldn't help but smile a little.
"I guess so." He said and watched the turtle ducks quack and scavenge for food. "So… you're my grandpa?" Iroh chuckled light heartedly.
"Well, I'm actually your granduncle." Iroh corrected and Heisui nodded.
"Can I call you grandpa?" Heisui asked, "I've never heard anyone say grand 'uncle'." Iroh smiled warmly, feeling a bit touched.
"You most certainly may." Iroh replied and Heisui felt more at ease. I guessed that he could handle the change that he felt coming. Zuko couldn't be that bad if his uncle was Iroh.
----
The End
…
For the moment
-Sweat drops- I know it's weird to just update out of nowhere like this. The only thing I have before you order me dead for keeping you in suspense is that I lost all creativity and inspiration from around January till last week.
You try getting used to a whole knew social life and try to stick with writing.
Anyway, Fire Child is indeed done. But that doesn't mean I done with the story. I have a pre-story (Focusing on Sokka's pregnancy), a wedding (Sokka and Zuko's of course), and the sequel (Heisui when he's older) in the background of my computer to work on. But if I've been thinking of some filler stories if I have time.
So, if my readers have any suggestions for fillers they'd like to see, please feel free to inspire me. I've already had a suggestion for Heisui getting lost in the palace, and many people have been asking for more of Okibi, so I might start off with that. If any one has any other suggestions, please share.
Until then, keep a look out for other fics. Bye