Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar or any of the characters except for the ones I created. Enjoy!!

The day that Sokka dreaded most in his later years was his daughter's fourteenth birthday. It was the date that he and Suki had said she could start dating. And that day came almost just as soon as the words "When you're fourteen" left Sokka's mouth.

Because, not just two weeks later, he was staring into the wild eye boy known only as "Sheng, a guy from my class". Sokka hadn't breathed or blinked in a matter of minutes. When he let out a sigh, he heard Sheng sigh also.

He was a handsome boy. He had shorter, brown hair that was ruffled. He had two gray eyes that were locked onto Sokka's. He had a strong jaw and a perfect nose, Sokka observed. He wore a simple pair of dark brown pants and a tight green shirt.

"So," Sokka said, starting a conversion that hopefully and intentionally scared the living daylights out of this boy, "where did you meet my daughter?"

"School, sir," was all he answered.

"Hmm," Sokka replied. Moving on, "Do you think girls can fight just as well as boys?" He studied him harder this time. If this boy had any sense at all he would answer yes. Because if he didn't…Sokka didn't want to think about the conversation they would have afterwards.

"Yes, sir."

"Good answer," Sokka said, leaning back on the chair that he was sitting on. They sat awhile in silence. "So do you know any bending?"

"No, sir."

"Good warrior?"

"Not really…"

"Academics?"

"Yes, sir, I usually study more than practice fighting."

"How do you wish to support a family?" Sokka asked noting that this boy was the exact opposite of him. He would have to talk to Ling, his daughter, about that later.

"Well," Sheng replied, "I wish to study about the ancient history of the world. The hundred-year war with the Fire Nation and how it got started and stuff like that…I want to be able to move to Ba Sing Se and become a professor."

"That war isn't so ancient," Sokka mumbled just loud enough so that punk could hear.

"Oh no, sir," Sheng saved, "the war isn't ancient, at all. It's just old. I'm sorry if I disrespected you in any way, I wish I could be a great warrior like you."

I like this kid, Sokka thought, smiling slightly.

This only made Sheng tense up again.

…

"What do you think they're talking about down there?" Ling asked for the billionth time, peeking out the door. "Did you remember to tell dad not to embarrass me or you'd kill him?"

Suki smiled and replied, "I did several times." She waved her daughter back over to the stool she had just jumped up from. "Now sit back down so I finish your make up?"

Ling walked away slowly from the door and back to the chair. She sat down, and shut her eyes so her mom could apply the green powder that was to match her dress.

"Are you sure you told him?" Ling asked again, opening her eyes. She felt a cool liquid being pressed up against her lips as her mother applied some kind of gloss.

"Yes, Ling."

…

When Sokka and Sheng had heard the stairs creak as the girls came down the stairs, they both jumped up quickly.

They started heading toward the door when Sokka grabbed the boy's arm roughly. He pulled him close and whispered, "My daughter is delicate. If she comes home crying, I'm going to put you on my to-kill list. Got it?"

Sheng gulped, his eyes wide with fear.

"Yes, sir."

Sokka smiled again and patted the boy's arm. "Good."

"You ready to go, Sheng?" Ling asked, walking up beside the fourteen year old. He nodded his reply, his eyes still locked onto Sokka's.

Suki walked to Sokka and took his arm. "You two have fun now," she said.

"We will," Ling replied, "Bye mom," she said giving Suki a hug. "Bye dad," she gave Sokka a hug next.

The warrior and the boy's eyes never left each other.

"Okay let's go," Ling said taking Sheng's hand.

They walked toward the door. "Don't forget," he called after them. Sheng glanced back at him. "To be home by ten o candle."

"Okay dad!" The slammed shut.

Silence.

"You made sure to tell him about the to-kill list, right?" Suki asked as they turned to go back into the living area.

Sokka smiled to his wife and replied, "Oh, I told him."

"Good," Suki said and they sat down on the living room couch, making sure to keep an eye on the door until the daughter came back home.

…

Okay that's it. Scary huh? I thought of this as I watched that My Circle commercial, with the boy and the dad, yet again...And I thought it would be cool to back the "o candle" thing….Also his daughter "Ling", her name means delicate. Okay so you read it, now review! They're always appreciated!