Hey everyone, I am so sorry for being absent for over 3 years. I was incredibly busy the last few semesters with college and am graduating soon. I also lost my passion for writing for a long time and didn't know how to add on to this or to my other stories something meaningful. I didn't want to type up a chapter that didn't do the rest of it justice. But in the past weeks I've gotten my creative spark back, as well as rewatching ATLA got my love for Tokka going again. I wrote a tokka one-shot not long ago to get back into writing them and will also update my other Tokka story, "Every Step of the Way," soon.

I hope everyone had a great New Years. One of my resolutions is to be more dedicated to my stories.

I hope some readers will still want to read this story. I'll try to update as much as I can now around my classes and work, but I'm more committed to finishing this story. I still have some ideas and plan to see this to the end.

Thank you so much to everyone who has favorited, reviewed, followed and messaged me asking to continue this story since my last update. I won't let you down.

Disclaimer: Sadly still don't own ATLA. I only own Hakoda II who is my brain child.

She smiled broader as she looked him in the eye.

"I spoke to him. You're finally going to meet your father."

Suki stepped back to gauge her son's reaction to her announcement. She hoped he would be happy. This was what he had wanted for so many years, after all.

Hakoda stared at his mother wide eyed. "You talked to-to-"

Suki smiled inwardly. That was another trait her son shared with his father- they were not able to form coherent sentences for a bit when something was too overwhelming or uncomfortable for them. She found it frustratingly adorable in both men.

"Your father. I spoke with him in person as I told you before, and just got off the phone with him. He's excited to meet you and we set up a day and time. This Saturday at 4 pm in a park downtown."

The teen stood in shock, absorbing the news wide eyed. His stillness worried his mother. Suki bit her bottom lip. Had she made a mistake? Was Hakoda having second thoughts?

"Honey, I thought you'd be happy. If you don't want to, I can tell him-"

The Kyoshi warrior was cut off when her son abandoned his towel on the floor and embraced her in a bear hug, trembling slightly. She smiled sadly and wrapped her arms around her baby.

The boy teared up a bit. "N-no. I really want to meet him. I just, never thought I'd get to, you know? And he said that? He really wants to meet me? Do you, do you think he'll like me?"

The Kyoshi warrior pulled back and placed her hands on the teen's shoulder. "Son, look at me." She waited until Hakoda looked at her, signaling she had his undivided attention, doubt and worry swimming in his blue orbs.

"Hakoda, of course he will. Honey, he will love you. You know why? First because you are amazing. You are smart, brave, strong, and kind. Anyone would like you. You are an amazing young man. Never let anyone tell you different," she said sternly. The boy nodded. Her eyes softened slightly. "And because you are his son. Sokka is a man that holds family above all else. While we were married, we," she swallowed painfully at the memories. "We wanted a child more than anything. He always wanted a child of his own. That's you. You father is a loving, kind, warm man, and he is just as nervous about meeting you as you are of meeting him. He wants to get to know you, to build a bond with you," she gently explained.

Hakoda wiped his eyes nodding, smiling slightly. "Am I really that much like him? You always say it."

"Yes, Honey. You look like him, and you have a lot of his little personality quirks,"she giggled slightly, smoothing out his hair. "You'll get along I'm sure. Now, want to go out and get dinner? And I can start showing you some of the most beautiful tourist attractions here in Republic City."

The boy perked up immediately, excited at the opportunity to explore the city. He had both his parents' adventurous spirits no doubt. "Sounds great! I'm tired of not having much to do. I'm gonna take a shower." He picked up the towel and began waking toward the bathroom. He turned to his mother. "Mom? Thank you. Really. I'm really excited to meet my dad." He flashed her a grin before walking off to the bathroom.

Suki smiled, happy to finally be able to fulfill her son's greatest wish. She turned her attention to the window and the buzzing metropolis below. The sun was just beginning to set, turning the sky a beautiful hue of orange, pink and yellow. The buildings reflected the slight sunlight and she could see the busy streets below with people walking, satomobiles, carriages and street vendors. This was the dream they had set out to achieve. This was the fruit of all their labor.

What would it be like if I hadn't left? She pondered as she watched the city with her arms crossed over her chest, her heart heavy.

"I would have helped more in the progress of the city. I could have perhaps opened my own training center and helped Katara in the planning of the health care system as we had planned years ago. Sokka and I would have probably worked things out and raised Hakoda together. He wouldn't be with Toph now. Maybe if I had-"

The Kyoshi warrior stopped that train of thought dead in its tracks, placing a hand over her heart painfully, clenching her eyes shut. She was not here to dig up the past of her love life. She came for the sole purpose of allowing her son to meet and build a relationship with his father, and perhaps finally part on good terms with Sokka to finally lay their past to rest. That had been what Yue had told her. That was all.

If that was true, than why did it pain her heart to think about him loving another woman, sleeping with another woman, even if that woman was once her good friend?

He was no longer her husband; he was now only her son's father. He was free to do as he pleased with his life since she left.

She knew this. So why did it hurt so much to think that his heart now belonged to Toph?

Sokka was on the ferry heading to Air Temple Island to pick up Lin. He was silent and deep in thought as he contemplated the call he had received from Lin's teacher earlier in the afternoon. They had been told Toph was out on duty and left a message for her about the situation and called Sokka's office as well. He felt incredibly sad for Lin. While he didn't agree with her punching the girl, he could understand why she had. Her biological father was always a painful subject for the girl, especially since her mother had told her the details of his leaving before she was born when she was old enough to understand. Sokka had wanted to soften the tale. Toph, however, had declared that the child deserved the truth and she was old enough to know. Since then, any mention of Moo Chee drove Lin off the edge.

The warrior sighed as he ran a hand down his tired face. He also didn't know how to tell Lin about his son. The girl was already feeling unstable with all of the danger her mother was in with this Triad business and with his own strange behavior these days, now coupled with this incident. How was he going to throw into the mix the fact that he now had a son he had to become responsible for and she would have to share his attention with his biological child?

He also cringed at the thought of how to break the news to Toph. She was already suspicious and he had promised to tell her by the week's end, which was also when he was to meet his son. Agni, want was he going to do?

He walked off the ferry and walked to the entrance of the Air Temple. When he arrived, the door opened before he even knocked. The concerned face of his sister greeted him as she ushered him inside. When he asked about her husband, she informed him that Aang was overseeing a function in the city about Air Nomad culture.

She lead him to the living room and had him sit on the couch, opting to sit beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. This did not look good.

"Sokka," she began, concern shining in her kind azure eyes. "Lin is very upset over what happened at school. When they came home, she wouldn't let go of Tenzin and all he told me was that this bully at school had taunted her over Moo Chee leaving and insulted Toph. I made her some tea to calm her down and she was able to tell me the whole story. I'm sure you already know since their school called you. I tried talking to her and comforting her, but she was not listening and told me it hurt. That she loved you like a father, but she wanted to know why she wasn't good enough? She was worried one day you'd leave her, too. I told her that would never happen, but she only nodded and walked off with Tenzin. They're up in his room with Kya and Bumi. Be gentle with her. What she did wasn't right, but she's hurting."

The warrior nodded at his sister, tears glistening in his eyes. His poor little girl. "I'll talk to her. Thanks, Sis. But how am I gonna tell her and Toph about, you know," he said uncomfortably. "With this now. Agni, I don't know what to do. I'm supposed to meet him this weekend. I can't just cancel." He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, taking in a shaky breath to maintain his composure.

Katara felt her heart break a little. She gave him a side hug.

"I don't know," she said honestly. "But have faith. The spirits know what they are doing. Sometimes everything comes crashing down on us, in order to prepare us for something higher. When our village was attacked and Mom was," she paused and swallowed painfully. That was a memory that would forever hurt. "Killed, it nearly broke us. Even more so when Dad left to fight. But we endured and kept going. We knew loss and sacrifice. That prepared us for our destinies when we found Aang and joined him in his journey. Now look at everything that's happened since then, everything we've built. Maybe all of these things are happening to prepare you for something. I don't know what it could be, but it will work out. Take it a step at a time. For now, go take care of your little girl, comfort her. Get Toph to help. Then meet your son, make him see he's already loved. Then from there you will figure out the rest. I would say tell Toph before you meet him, so she's aware. Now go to Lin. And remember, one thing at a time, Sokka," she said gently, rubbing his back.

Sokka nodded, kissing his sister's cheek gratefully and stood up, trudging up the stairs to the second floor of the Air Temple to the bedrooms.

In the room he was heading to, Lin was curled up in a ball on the bed, dried tear tracks running down her porcelain face as she was embraced by the Kya, Tenzin rubbing her back and Bumi cracking stupid jokes to get her to smile. He'd only managed two in the last few hours.

"Moo Chee isn't worth it, Linny. If he didn't see how awesome your mom is and what a great kid he was gonna have, he didn't deserve you guys," explained the young waterbender. "Uncle Sokka really loves you and your mom. I was really little when you were born, but I do remember the day you were born, Uncle Sokka was crying happy tears. He wasn't even with your mom yet! He became your dad."

Bumi sighed, giving up on making the girl laugh and opted to sit adjacent to them on the bed, giving his goofy smile, one he had so clearly inherited from the avatar. "Exactly! Uncle Sokka was always baby proofing Aunt Toph's place and even had me come help him bubble wrap the tables. Toph got so annoyed saying she didn't wanna live in a damn play pen!" All the kids laughed a bit, even Lin smiled a bit.

"Don't pay any mind to what that girl said," Tenzin whispered as he rubbed her back. "Lin, you are so much better than she could ever be, she's envious and only wants to get to you. Don't give her that satisfaction."

Lin nodded, soaking up the words and comfort of her best friends. She wasn't a fragile girl, but today had hit her breaking point. She disengaged from Kya's embrace and nodded, thanking her friends. "I just hope Mom and Sokka understand why I did it."

Sokka has overheard the conversation as he stood outside the open door, on the verge of tears again. He entered the room and said, "I do understand, Linny. Your mom will, too. And you know I love you as my kid."

All the kids were surprised to see the man there. He smiled sadly at them. "Yes, you shouldn't have hit her. But what she did wasn't right either. We don't want to punish you. We want to talk it out Linny, that's all. Let's head home, your mom will be back soon."

Lin nodded, hugging her friends. Sokka hugged his niece, ruffled Bumi's hair and Tenzin's pretty much bald head and thanked them for keeping his daughter company, they said good night to Katara and headed back to the city. The ride home was silent and heavy.

Once they entered the apartment, they found Toph already there, dressed only in her robe, seemingly haven gotten home earlier.

Lin froze at the sight of her mother. She looked down. "Mom, I'm sorry, I-"

She was cut off as her mother took into a tight embrace. "Don't be sorry, badgermole. I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner." She pulled back and had her girl sit down with her. Sokka sat as well. "That asshole was not your father. Yes, he was your sperm donor. But he was never going to deserve you. Dont beat yourself up over it. I love you. Sokka loves you. Katara, Twinkle Toes, Zuko, Mai, Ty Lee, Bumi, Kya, Twinkle Toes Jr., Ursa and more love you so much. You are such a beautiful, special girl who's badass like your mom," she smirked when her daughter laughed at that. "and you don't need that low life. And don't worry about hitting that little bitch-"

"Toph!" Sokka chided. "We can't encourage her to hit other kids!"

The metal bender rolled her eyes at her lover. "So you're gonna tell me the little bitch didn't deserve it?"

Her reproach was met with silence as Sokka opened then closed his mouth.

Toph chuckled. "I figured. Anyway, don't go hitting other kids too much as Sokka says. I don't want you to get in trouble. Besides, you're a Beifong! We don't need to show anything to those lily livers! You are better than that, kid!"

Lin smiled and laughed, hugging her mother again. Toph may be a bit tough on her in training and not the best at emotions, but she was able to lift anyone's spirits. "Yeah, Mama!"

"And you know I'd never leave you, Linny," the tribesman interjected. "I love both of you too damn much!" The girl threw her arms around his neck in response. He wrapped his strong arms around her as well.

For as long as Lin can remember, Sokka's arms was the safest place in the world. Nothing could harm her there. "I love you, too, Sokka."

Toph smiled at this, the two people she loved most in the world. Nothing could ruin this.

Sokka patted her back. "Now how about I go whip up some lion moose meat and noodles?"

"Yeah!"

The little family had a nice dinner, with light chatter and laughs. They informed Lin of Sokka's idea to go to a pro bending match the coming weekend and she was very excited at this prospect. They also discussed Toph's interrogation of the newest Triad brought in and how he too had pissed his pants, causing Sokka and Lin to go into hysterical laughter.

After a few hours of listening to the radio, Lin fell asleep on the couch. Sokka smiled at his little girl, remembering all of the times he'd carried her to her room when she was smaller. It seemed she still enjoyed it. Luckily he was strong enough to still carry her. He genlty scooped her up as Toph locked the door and shut off the radio.

He gently laid the girl into bed and covered her with the soft blanket, stroking her hair. "Good night, Linny,"

The girl shifted in her sleep, mumbling, "Good night, Daddy."

Sokka's eyes widened. She hadn't called him Daddy since she was seven and they had informed her that he wasn't her biological father. It pained and endeared him.

He closed the door and felt restless and anxious. He decided a hot shower before bed would help soothe his racing mind. Toph was most likely already asleep with the long week she had endured.

The councilman grabbed a towel and padded into the bathroom, quietly closing the door.

He turned on the faucet of the shower cubicle with sliding glass doors, and then smiled at how much the world has advanced from freezing dips in the community lagoon to this luxury.

As the water warmed up, the councilman stripped out of his tunic, boots, pants and underwear, undoing his pony tail in the process, sighing as he racked his fingers through his dark hair. How he wasn't accumulating gray hairs yet with all of this stress was beyond him. Good genetics, perhaps.

How do I make things right without letting everyone down? Agni, I can't do this. He sighed as he noticed a bit of steam coming from the shower, signaling the water was at his liking.

The steam of the hot water enveloped his silhouette as he entered the shower. His hair was quickly wet from the spray, his bare skin dripping with water. Sokka sighed with pleasure as the hot water fell on his chiseled back, relaxing his tense muscles a bit.

He grabbed a bit of shampoo and began massaging it into his scalp, allowing the water and the calming sound of falling water to ease his mind, even if just for a few moments. Sokka loved showers; it was one of the few places in the world where he didn't have to constantly think and worry. He could be at peace with his thoughts and his element. It didn't matter if he couldn't bend the water; he was Water Tribe to the bone, and thus, loved water as much as any other from the tribe, bender or not.

He rinsed out his hair, pushing it out of his eyes with his left hand and the right one grabbed a bar of soap. He began lathering his chest and arms, letting his mind wander, his eyes half closed soothingly.

He began to remember his recent meeting with Suki at the diner. She looked so beautiful. Age had been kind to her. Her violet eyed that were so unlike any other pair he'd seen before; he remembers their burning intensity whenever they'd spare, or when they made love. All of her emotions were so clear to him there. Her beautiful body; so petite and curvaceous yet muscled and strong from years of training. Her beautiful face and lips.

He chided himself mentally to stop that train of thought. She was still gorgeous yes, but he was with Toph now. Suki and he were only in contact for the sake of their son. Nothing more.

But it still hurt so much to see her. And Agni, all of their nights together were so passionate and full of love and dreams. He closed his eyes and leaned into the water, soaking in his memories.

The tribesman was so engrossed in his memories that he didn't hear the faint opening an closing of the bathroom door, the dropping of clothing on the floor and the opening of the sliding door.

He was suddenly startled out of his day dream when two strong arms wrapped around his waist, a small yet powerful body pressed against his bare back. He almost said Suki, but bit his tongue. He shook his head out of those thoughts and turned surprised to see Toph, now wet from the spray of the shower as well, smirking up at him, her milky eyes shining with love and a little mischief. He swallowed hard.

"Toph," he said in surprise. "I put Lin to bed, I thought you were in bed already."

The police chief chucked and turned him around, roping her arms around his neck and his landed on her waist.

"I was in bed, but you were taking forever and I heard the shower. So I figured I'd join you." She whispered sensually, her fingers tracing little patterns on his chest.

Sokka gulped, his body heating up at her touch, but his mind plagued with guilt. Not only had he still not told her the truth, but he was practically fantasizing about his ex a minute ago. Agni, went was happening to him?

"Toph, I-"

She leaned up and silenced him with a kiss. She pulled back and her features had such a tender look that he felt ashamed. He did not deserve her love.

"Thank you, Snoozles," she murmured. "That shit today at Lin's school reminded me of why having a dad is important. Even if she feels bad over Dumbass leaving, don't let it fool you. She loves you. Thank you for being there for her today and all these years."

His heart swelled with love for this woman. This stong, fearless woman who was also a loving mother. He pulled her into an embrace as the water continued to rain down on their bare forms.

"I love you both. Thank you for letting me a part of this family," he replied, sincerity coating every syllable. Even if I don't deserve it, he added in his mind.

Toph smiled and moved her mouth to his ear. "Now, why don't we relieve our stress from today? Hmm? I'm sure a good release would help us sleep better."

Guilt clenched Sokka's heart powerfully. He couldn't keep doing this without-

All coherent thoughts fled from his mind as Toph grabbed his manhood and he hissed at the sensation. His love and desire for this woman were always his weakness.

No matter how this situation with Suki confused him, one thing was for certain; he was still hopelessly in love with this powerful, sarcastic, spitfire woman in front of him.

Perhaps that made the situation all the more complex and confusing.

Abandoning all the pain and guilt, he crashed his lips against hers, losing himself in the comfort and pleasures of her love.

She ran her fingers through his wet hair as they deepened the kiss, their intimate parts meshing together. She ground her pelvis into his, causing him to groan into her mouth as he rubbed himself on her slippery folds while he fondled her ass.

"Sokka…" she whimpered, gasping for air, her voice hoarse with lust.

Agni, he was already rock hard.

He dipped his nose into the crook of her neck and ravished her skin with urgent, hungry kisses. He easily found her most tender spot and made her moan his name again. He moved one of his hands from her ass and slid it up her side, slowly, until he reached her plush breast.

Toph raised his head and claimed his lips again, hungrily, ardently, feverishly.

All the earthbender could think about was this. It was always just ridiculous how much chemistry there was between them. Every touch, every kiss, even the slightest contact between them was electrifying. Explosive. And it had taken them so many years to realize it.

The tribesman broke the kiss and gritted his teeth, his eyes tightly shut. He was getting a little too excited – this felt just way too good, and he didn't know if he could hold back much longer, especially with Toph's soft and curvy body all pressed up against his, and the smell of her arousal in the air, and her lower lips rubbing against his throbbing erection…

He needed to stop. He couldn't continue and fuck up even more.

"Toph," he groaned, "you're tired. Maybe we should stop and get some sleep." He was too tired to begin that painful conversation, but perhaps this would appease her.

She huffed in annoyance.

Her eyes narrowed. "What the hell Sokka? We're just getting started and you're already calling it quits? I'm fine. What's the matter with you? Do I not turn you on anymore?" She challenged, raising an eyebrow.

He shook his head. "It's not that. We're both tired and-" he hissed as she stroked his length slowly and deliciously, and she knew from years of experience that it drove him crazy.

She peppered butterfly kisses over his jaw and whispered In his ear, "You've never said no to me before, Pony Tail, and this won't be the first. You want me just as much as I want you."

He groaned louder, his body heating up in desire, losing the battle of wills.

"You were always easy to arouse anyway," she stated with a smirk, before tucking her hair behind her ear and catching his lips in another fiery kiss which he returned fully.

He moved his hands to knead her ass, slowly pulling her closer, until she was straddling his rock hard arousal. Toph moaned into his shoulder when it rubbed her clit and swollen folds.

Toph moved down and took his whole length into her hot folds, moaning as he entered her.

It was just so good.

The earthbender held onto him tightly as she rocked her pelvis back and forth on top of him, while Sokka thrust upwards in rhythm. One hand staying on her ass, he wrapped his other arm around her waist, pressing her soft, wet, delicious body all against him, burying his face in her neck.

"Hah… Hah… Toph… Gahhh… To… Toph..." he groaned her name, his teeth grazing her skin.

He was captivated by the way her breasts bounced up and down with his thrusts, turning him on all the more. He took a nipple into his mouth, sucking on it.

"Sokka… Snoozles… Haahh… It… It feels so… Fuckkkk...go deeper…"

He picked up the pace and thrust harder, going deeper and moaning. His primal instincts took over him completely. He pushed himself harder and deeper inside her, revelling in every cry and moan of pleasure he elicited out of his gorgeous lover.

They continued their ferocious love making, there in the hot shower for what seemed like an eternity.

His hand still on her ass, the politician hoisted her up and more firmly against the slick wall, pressing his body against hers as he kept going in and out of her at a feverish pace. The police chief threw her head to the side and brought her arm over her forehead, moaning into her fist.

Sokka pressed his forehead against her cheek, panting hard, his breath brushing her throat as he rocked his pelvis wildly, his thrusts erratic and uncontrolled.

"I'm going… crazy. Fuckkkk. I love you," he croaked out, his eyes tightly shut. He slid his hand between their bodies, down her stomach and lower, until he reached her clit and rubbed his fingers on it. Toph cried out and bucked her hips. She grabbed his tight ass and pulled him deeper inside her, her fingernails digging into his skin, leaving scratch marks.

"I love you Snoolzes…! I… Ahh…! I'm gonna… Mmmm…! I'm…!"

Her orgasm felt amazing around his cock, against his skin.

The councilman gave a few last thrusts before finally letting go and holding his hips against hers. He groaned as his cum shot out of his cock and inside of her. He rocked his hips as string after string of his cum shot deep inside her, her walls milking his seed.

Once they were both spent, he gently lowered her to her feet, pulling out and simply holding her against him.

He kissed her along her jawline, before reaching her luscious lips, sighing in pure bliss as he savored the taste of her.

"Told you that was needed," she chuckled. "That was amazing."

Guilt once again washed over the warrior. He tried to push away his guilt and shame. "Yeah, it was. Let's finish up and head to bed."

They both finished washing up, turned off the now cold water, dried off and headed to bed.

Hours later, as Sokka lay staring at the ceiling and his lover sleeping on his chest, he felt like the worst human being on the planet.

Saturday came too quickly, much to Sokka's fear. He sat in this trial with the other councilmen trying a man charged with brutally beating his wife. Domestic violence had become a rising issue in many parts of the United Republic and a few years ago Katara and Sokka had finally gotten a law passed to protect women from it.

"As we can conclude, the evidence of Ms. Yin's injures, multiple hospital visits and calls to police all support the fact that her husband here," the prosecutor gestured to the defedant. "Mr. Lee had been in fact abusing her and assaulting her."

One of the other councilmen nodded. "What say you, Councilman Sokka?"

Sokka was so wrapped up in his anxiety over meeting his son that he was only snapped out of his trance when they said his name again.

A little embarrassed, he took a sip of water and stood up, clasping his hands behind his back, taking in his councilmen demeanor. No matter what a shit show his personal life was, he still had a job to do.

"After careful consideration of the evidence, the testimony of Ms. Yin and other witnesses and the statue of the Republic, we find the defendant, Lee of the Northern Earth Kingdom, guilty of domestic violence and witness tampering. You are sentenced to ten years in prison." He grabbed the gavel and brought it down with force, to resonate the council's decision.

The defendant was taken out of the courtroom and all the council members headed out as this was their last case of the day. He looked at the clock hanging on the wall. He only had a few hours to prepare for the fated meeting.

Suki and her son reached the section of the park that was on the edge of a beautiful lake. They arrived a bit before four, opting to stare out at the lake as they waited for Sokka.

The Kyoshi warrior felt saddened by the explosive fight Sokka and her had here. Hopefully things would go better this time.

Hakoda felt nervous. Would his father like him? Would he want to be in his life?

"Sweetie," the mother comforted. "It's okay. Your dad will be here soon. You guys will get along."

Just as he was going to reply, they heard a voice approaching. They both turned in surprise.

Sokka was walking near them at a fast pace, anxiety written all over his face. His eyes landed in the boy standing beside his ex-wife and instantly emotion threatened to choke him. The boy really did look just like him.

Agni, he wasn't ready for this.

"Hey," he greeted Suki. "Sorry I'm a bit late. Trial took longer them usual."

"No problem," she answered. She turned to her son who wouldn't look up. She whispered words of reassurance to him as Sokka waited. He felt a bit saddened by the boy's reluctance, but shook it off quickly.

If he was this nervous about meeting Hakoda, how must the boy feel?

The teen nodded and stepped forward with his eyes still down. Suki moved to the side between them with tears glistening in her eyes. What she had dreamed about for years was actually coming true; her son was finally meeting his father.

"Hakoda," she spoke softly to the now calmer but still slightly anxious teen. "This is your father. Sokka, this is your son."

She sent a knowing smile in Sokka's direction.

Sokka looked down at his son. He remembered countless nights of wishing to have a child of his own. After Suki left, it seemed he would never have a family. Even after he and Toph had gotten together, she had declared one child was enough. He had respected her wish and loved Lin as his own.

However, that dream had always remained tucked away in his heart. To have his own child.

But now his dream was here. This was his son. His own flesh and blood. He didn't even know him but already felt a powerful connection to his boy.

He had no idea how to address a son he didn't raise. But when he saw the boy's worry etched on his face, he smiled gently and addresses the teen.

"Hey, Hakoda," he whispered to the young warrior. "It's great to finally meet you."

Hakoda was surprised when he heard the man's voice up close. Everyone in school said his voice was supposed to be loud and commanding, like the fierce warrior he was. But now, he knew what Suki meant. His mother had told him that his father's voice was deep and rich, but soft and soothing- like a lullaby. Now, with the gentleness he spoke with, he realized it was true.

He reluctantly met his father's eyes for the first time. They were a deep blue that were identical to his own. But these eyes had a lifetime of maturity and experience in them. They were also present with something he had never seen before; fatherly pride and tenderness.

He also saw many of his own features. His mother was right, he did take a lot after his father.

"H-hi."

"I've heard great things about you from your mom. I'm so happy to finally meet you. I know," he struggled to find the right words. "I wasn't there for a lot of years. I'm so sorry I wasn't there. But, I want you to know that I'd really like a chance to get to know you. If you'd like."

Tears welled up in the teen's eyes. He felt a piece of him return to his heart. He looked at this man in front of him- this man who expelled a powerful aura, but also kindness and protectiveness

"It's okay. Mom explained already, you didn't know about me. But I wanna get to know you. I wanna know what it's like to have a dad."

Both of them teared up and the boy lunged at his father, embracing him for the first time in his life.

Sokka immediately hugged the teen back, feeling a bond form instantly with him.

"It's great to finally meet you...Dad," the teen croaked into his father's strong chest.

Being called Dad made Sokka's heart swell with love. Tears spilled down his face as he held onto the boy tighter and ruffled his hair. "I'm happy to finally have you here, Son."

They remained in their first embrace as father and son as Suki watched happily.

This was a dream come true for Hakoda, a burden finally lifted off of Suki, and an unexpected blessing for Sokka.

However, the little family did not notice Lin hiding behind one of the greet oak trees, with tears streaming down her face.

I hope the meeting between Sokka and Hakoda was alright. Thank you everyone for all your support and I will update soon.

Thank you!

~Foreveralways