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His children, Hakoda realizes incredibly quickly, are incredibly lucky.
The more he hears about their adventures, about everything that happened to them while he was away, the more terrified he becomes when he thinks about how many times they were close to death—and how sometimes they don't even realize it.
It was bad enough to hear about what they did between leaving the South Pole and meeting up at the Chameleon Bay. It was bad enough to see them heading off toward the Fire Nation to find Aang, who had run away from the ship.
Later, when they met before the Invasion, there was simply no time to tell him about everything that had happened between the ship and the eclipse. They just all prepared for the most important mission of their lives—a mission they failed. Even later, when Hakoda met Sokka at the Boiling Rock, they still didn't have time to talk about what had happened while they were apart.
But now the situation is completely different.
Now they are at the Western Air Temple, now they are safe, sitting by the fire and sharing different stories.
There are exactly seven of them. Chit Sang is exploring the temple grounds – or maybe practicing firebending, who knows what he's really doing. Haru, The Duke, and Teo left them a while ago because Teo wanted to show them something.
And that's how Hakoda ended up surrounded by the “original GAang” – Sokka, Katara, and Aang, as well as their new addition, Toph (not entirely new, as she's been part of the team for months, but still new compared to the other members). There is also Suki, who has been sticking close to Sokka since Boiling Rock (Tui and La, please keep their relationship at a moderate level, Hakoda does not want to have The Talk. He knows his son is an adult, Bato confirmed that when he took him ice dodging, but that doesn't mean Hakoda is ready for grandchildren).
Finally, there is also the Fire Prince, sitting slightly apart. Prince Zuko originally did not intend to be part of this conversation, especially when he realized that the topic was turning to past events—when he was still their enemy—but Sokka decided that he would not allow Zuko to alienate himself from the group any longer. He put his hand on his shoulder, encouraging him to come over.
Hakoda... well, he doesn't mind. After Boiling Rock, he gained quite a bit of respect for the kid — but even so, he prefers to keep an eye on him. After all, this is the Fire Prince, the man who chased his children halfway across the world (Hakoda really wishes that were an exaggeration. Unfortunately, it is not).
And so here they are, the seven of them, sitting by the fire, and with every passing second, Hakoda finds himself thanking all the Spirits that exist that his children are still alive.
Because, really? Bloodbending? The assassin who hunted them across the Fire Nation? An erupting volcano, and then another one. Hakoda had heard about the first one, Makapu, but why hadn't either of them mentioned Crescent Island before? Then, throwing an illegal party while pretending to be a student at school—Aang, are you aware of how stupid that was? Sokka, Katara, why did you pretend to be his parents, for crying out loud? You have different skin tones! And you're not old enough to have children!
Not to mention that his daughter is apparently starting to play terrorist and blow up weapons factories. Or that his son decided to break into the most secure prison in the Fire Nation — not that Hakoda is complaining, thanks to that he is free, but he would have spent years in prison just to keep Sokka and Katara safe. He would give his life for them if he had to.
Hakoda shakes his head in disbelief, thinking about everything he has heard – about their adventures, about everything that has happened since they left the South Pole.
“That's a lot,” he finally says. He smiles for a moment, proudly, then becomes serious: “You've done many things, many good things, and also things that most people would never be able to do. Sokka, Katara, I'm proud of you.”
His children smile at him.
“However, that doesn't change the fact that you must be careful,” adds Hakoda, his smile fading. “No wonder the Fire Nation considers you their greatest enemies. The Fire Lord probably wants to get rid of you, and he'll try to do it, regardless of whether he gets you alive or dead.”
His words seem to have an effect on the group. Aang begins to fidget with his fingers uncertainly. Suki presses her lips together.
“We'll be fine,” Sokka says confidently. “It wouldn't be the first time the Fire Lord has tried to kill us. We all have experience with that.”
“Not all of us,” Katara interjects, glancing at Zuko. “Some are lucky enough to be the child of said Fire Lord.”
“Katara...” Sokka says.
“Don't Katara me!” the girl objects. “What? It's what we're all thinking, right? Even if there's a bounty on our heads, he won't care! Because ultimately, the Fire Lord is his father, so even if he gets caught, nothing bad will happen to him! What will he do to him, at worst? Send him to his room without dinner?”
“Katara...” Sokka tries to speak again.
“Don't try to defend him, because you went to prison together and suddenly became best friends!”
“I'm not trying to defend him, I'm just asking if we really need to have this conversation right now?” Sokka asks.
“Yes!”
Hakoda feels like sighing in irritation. He has already realized that Katara does not like the Fire Prince—and no wonder, she has no reason to trust him, not after Ba Sing Se. Part of Hakoda is almost grateful to her for this—because Zuko may have helped them, but since he betrayed her once, who knows if he won't do the same again?
Another, even smaller part of him wonders if it can be called betrayal, since they were never allies and Zuko never accepted her offer to heal his scar.
That same part understands why he chose his sister that day – and at the same time wonders why he has now decided to abandon his family.
Hakoda watches his children pensively. His gaze turns to the Fire Prince, who stubbornly refuses to look at any of them.
Hakoda remembers everything he has heard. His eyes wander toward the scar on the boy's face, making him wonder...
“How many times did Ozai try to kill you, Zuko?”
He realizes too late that he has spoken these words aloud. Suddenly, it becomes quiet around him.
And Zuko begins to count silently.
“Uh,” he says after a moment, realizing that everyone is looking at him. “I've never thought about it, but... twice? Maybe three times?”
He furrows his brow thoughtfully. His voice is calm, as if what he just said—that he admitted his own father tried to kill him—is nothing new, nothing strange.
“Wait, wait,” Sokka says. “What do you mean... you never thought about it?”
Aang turns pale, looking as if he is about to either vomit or run away. Toph presses her lips together in displeasure. Suki blinks her eyes in surprise. Even Katara is unable to find the right words, her anger turning to shock and horror.
“Um, it just kind of happened,” Zuko replies. “It's not like I counted, but... Wait. Give me a moment, I'll count. Once when I was born...”
“Wait, what?” Sokka interrupts him again.
“How?” Aang doesn't understand.
“Most Firebenders are born with a spark in their eyes,” Zuko explains. “I was born without one, so the Fire Sages decided I was a non-bender. I can't confirm this, but I once overheard the servants talking about how my father was going to kill me before my grandfather found out, to get rid of the problem.”
Aside from the fact that this story is crazy—cruel and incredibly twisted—how strange it is to hear someone talk about the monsters Hakoda fights in this way. Father. Grandfather. As if they were normal people, as if they had families, emotions, hearts.
“My mother begged him to let me live, even as a spare. Every noble family has an heir and a spare, so I was probably just supposed to be Azula's replacement, especially after she started bending. Well, it didn't work out for him, but... Anyway, it would have been the first time, I think.”
“The first time?” Toph repeats, her voice filled with fury. “Was there a second time?” And the third?
“Um... I'm not sure about the second situation because it was a strange time,” Zuko looks like he wants to back out, but finally, under everyone's expectant gaze, he adds, “It happened the day before my grandfather died, right after Lu Ten died. My cousin.”
“I didn't know you had a cousin,” Katara frowns.
“I used to,” Zuko's face clouds with sadness. “He died at Ba Sing Se. Uncle ended the siege, saying he was tired of war. And Father demanded the crown. Grandfather laughed at him and said something like, if he couldn't understand Uncle Iroh's grief over the death of his son, then Ozai should experience the same. Azula claimed that Fire Lord Azulon then ordered my father to kill me and that Ozai agreed. Father confirmed this to me some time ago, but it wouldn't make sense, would it?”
“Of course it wouldn't, he's your grandfather, he definitely didn't want to kill you!” Aang objects.
“That's not why, Aang,” Zuko suddenly sounds tired. “We were in the middle of a succession crisis. Uncle Iroh was the Crown Prince at the time and had just lost his heir. Why would Grandfather order my father to kill me?”
“You think Fire Lord Azulon wanted you to be Iroh's successor,” Sokka says.
“Perhaps,” Zuko says uncertainly. “Either way, it doesn't matter, because the next night Grandfather was dead, and his will stated that my father would be his heir.”
“Fire Lord Ozai is ruling illegally?!” Toph exclaims angrily.
“Perhaps,” Zuko repeats. “The problem is that Uncle Iroh didn't try to reclaim his title and even signed documents stating that he renounced his right to the throne, so now it's legal. Not to mention that both Uncle and I are currently considered traitors, so... Well, I don't think either of us is very popular at– in– in the Fire Nation right now.”
He hesitates, making Hakoda wonder what he was going to say earlier. The palace? Home?
“If I were you, I wouldn't want to go back there... wait,” Sokka raises his hand. “You said earlier that you weren't sure if it could have been two or three times... Was it more than that?”
“Well, I have two confirmed cases, one of which I have already told you about," Zuko winks, still completely calm, as if he were not sharing with them something that most people would consider traumatic. “One could argue about, you know,” he points at his face, confirming all the rumors Hakoda has heard about the Fire Prince, “but since I'm still alive, I think–”
“Your father gave you that scar?!” Sokka interrupts him in disbelief.
Hakoda begins to wonder if this is a good time to take the younger children away. Aang still looks like he's about to vomit. Toph crawls over to Zuko and clings to his arm.
“I heard about it, but I didn't think it was true,” she says quietly. “The whole Earth Kingdom was gossiping about it.”
“But...” Sokka looks at him in disbelief. “How?”
“I thought it was just a training accident,” Katara says.
Zuko glances at her, awkwardly running his hand through Toph’s hair. In response, Toph clings to him even tighter.
“Firebenders don't burn easily,” he replies simply. “To hurt one of us with flames, you need intent. My father had plenty of that.”
“I don't think that man deserves to be called Father,” Hakoda remarks, struggling to control his anger.
He had heard about it, of course he had. But those were rumors, and besides, they changed every minute. Some said that the Fire Prince was an adult. Others said that it was the Dragon of the West who had burned him. Others said that the Fire Prince deserved it, that he was arrogant and insolent. Others said he had injured himself. And others said he had received the scar after challenging the Master to a duel, even though he was far from mastering his skills.
“He is the Fire Lord,” Zuko says, lowering his gaze to the floor. “You don't defy the Fire Lord. It was punishment.”
“Punishment?” Katara repeats incredulously. “For what?”
“Well...” Zuko hesitates for a moment. “I spoke when I shouldn't have. And I didn't fight when I should have.”
“That's...” Katara doesn't know what to say.
“Sick,” Suki finishes for her. “I heard about it. The whole Earth Kingdom heard about it. They said he banished you...”
“Yes,” Zuko confirms. “I was not allowed to enter Fire Nation territory until I found the Avatar.”
“That was a death sentence,” Sokka's voice breaks slightly.
Zuko blinks.
“What?”
“That was a death sentence,” Sokka says, swallowing loudly. “At least in our Tribe, it would have been a death sentence. But knowing the Fire Lord's intentions, what the Fire Nation wanted to do to the world... Ozai wanted to conquer the rest of the world. And what would have happened to you then? Left to drift on that ship until you died?”
“Or his crew rebelling,” Hakoda interjects. “If only it had been just Prince Zuko who was exiled, there would probably have been a rebellion after a while to get rid of him.”
“That... makes some sense,” Zuko says slowly. “I had mutinies on ship at the very beginning, but Uncle was with me, and that probably helped somehow, but... But it makes sense that if my mission had lasted any longer, then... Well, I suppose it's a good thing Aang woke up.”
“Wait,” Aang interjects. “But... When I woke up, you were already at the South Pole.”
Zuko blinks.
“Well, yeah” he says. “I've been looking for you for three years.”
Sokka clenches his hand around his tea cup so tightly that he breaks it in his hands.
“Sorry,” he says. “I got annoyed and wanted to kill someone.”
Everyone nearby has a similar expression, even Katara, who’s usually the most hostile toward towards the Fire Prince. Her anger quickly disappears as she focuses on Sokka's hands and makes sure there is no glass in them.
“Anyway,” Zuko looks away from them, ignoring Aang, who decides to join Toph and grabs his other arm. “It doesn't really matter right now. If Ozai really wanted to kill me back then, he would have sent someone after me. For example, after the North Pole, he sent Azula after me–”
“Why?” Katara frowns. “You were fighting against us at the time.”
“Ozai needed someone to blame,” Zuko replies. “And the exiled prince was a good scapegoat. He chose me and Uncle, then sent Azula after us to capture us and take us to the Fire Nation as prisoners... But I don't think he intended to kill us then. There are rules regarding members of the royal family, at least when they are in the Fire Nation and there is no confirmed evidence of treason... Not that it stopped him from putting up wanting posters for our heads, whether they were attached to the rest of our bodies or not.”
Sokka curses under his breath. Hakoda should probably remind him that there are children present and he shouldn't swear.
“If that was the case, why did you decide to return to the Fire Nation?” he asks, looking the Fire Prince straight in the eye.
It's an unpleasant color. Gold, a color so typical of the Fire Nation. Hakoda used to hate that color.
“Because I was stupid and desperate,” Zuko replies. “I didn't want to betray my country and... well, I guess I just wanted to go home. Azula said Father wanted me back. I wanted to believe that he cared about me, that... that he regretted what he had done. That he loved me.”
“You should have known better,” Katara says.
Her voice still betrays her anger, which shows no sign of abating; anger that is entirely justified. Hakoda knows how much time she spent healing Aang, trying to bring him back to life. He knows that Katara had, and still has, reasons to hate the Fire Prince.
But now, although there is still anger in her voice, her gaze is somewhat uncertain, as if she is beginning to realize that perhaps Prince Zuko's position is not as simple as she thought.
“I know,” Zuko lowers his gaze to the floor, something he has been doing quite often lately. “I'm aware of that now. It would be hard not to realize it, after the circumstances under which we parted ways.”
“What do you mean?” Suki asks.
“Uh,” the boy still doesn't look up from the floor, as if he realizes he's said a little more than he intended. Aang and Toph cling to him tighter, as if they never intend to let him go.
Considering that just a few weeks ago they were mortal enemies, this is a really big change.
How much has happened while Hakody was away?
“Before I came here, I confronted my father,” explains the Fire Prince with slight uncertainty, as if he's not sure he wants to share all this. “During the eclipse. I knew firebending wouldn't work, so I wanted to... well, I just told him everything I thought about him. That our actions are wrong and that I won't listen to him anymore.”
“Rebellion at its finest, Sparky,” Toph states.
A slight smile appears on Zuko's face.
“I was going to leave, but... well, I stayed a little too long. And as soon as the eclipse ended, Ozai shot lightning at me.”
Silence.
“You mean, the same way Azula killed Aang?” Sokka asks.
Zuko flinches, as if he doesn't like being reminded of it.
“Clearly not,” Katara says. “If he's alive, then the Fire Lord must have missed.”
The Fire Prince again does not respond immediately. His eyes are still fixed on the ground, but something in his posture makes Hakoda begin to form an incredibly unpleasant conviction about what really happened that day.
“He didn't miss, did he?” he asks.
These words cause everyone's attention to shift to him. And then back to Zuko.
“Uh...” the boy says uncertainly. “Uncle taught me how to redirect lightning. I sent it back, and then I ran away, knowing I had to get to the prison where Uncle was before the invasion was over. But in the end, it turned out that Uncle freed himself, and my help wasn't needed at all, so... I just came here.”
After a moment's hesitation, Zuko glances at Aang.
“I'll teach you that,” he promises. “I think if you stand against my father, you'll definitely need it. But I'll teach you later, when you've fully mastered the basics of firebending and we move on to advanced forms. I don't want to teach you another technique too quickly. We'll have time to master it, I promise.”
“I'd rather not have to use it ever,” Aang confesses quietly.
“I know,” Zuko makes a small gesture, as if he wants to hug him, but can’t with both hands occupied by two twelve-year-olds clinging to his arms. “But it's better to be prepared anyway.”
Aang nods, still not letting go of his firebending teacher.
Hakoda feels like sighing heavily. It's not fair, what these kids are facing and will be able to face.
That doesn't explain the Fire Prince. It doesn't mean that he suddenly becomes a victim, that everything he did against Hakoda's children will be forgiven. But it does shed a slightly different light on him — someone who for a long time was simply unable to stand up to his own family, until he finally found the courage to do the right thing.
“I don't like this,” Sokka says grimly. “If the Fire Lord tried to kill his own son... how many times, five? Ten? Either way, if the Fire Lord has no problem killing Zuko, what will he do to the rest of the world?”
“He didn't try to do it that many times, Sokka,” Zuko rolls his eyes. “Maybe two or three.”
“No?” Sokka raises an eyebrow, then begins to list: “When you were born, when you were eleven, when he gave you that scar, when he banished you, when he sent Azula after you, and then when he shot you with lightning? That’s six times.”
“He could have killed me during the Agni Kai, but he didn't,” Zuko replies simply. “When he banished me, he allowed Uncle to come with me and gave me a budget, a crew, and a ship. When he sent Azula after me, he ordered her to capture me, not kill me. And when I was eleven, it could just as well have been a misunderstanding and a lie. So I'd say we're dealing with two cases, one of which I don't remember, and the other I basically asked for because I came to him with swords in the middle of an Eclipse, so... Either way, it wasn't a surprise to me. I expected that reaction.”
“Just because you expected it doesn't make it okay,” Toph snuggles closer to him. “It's not okay, Sparky.”
Zuko doesn't answer right away, as if he's thinking about his response.
“It's not,” he agrees after a moment. “But if Ozai had been a better father, I would never have been here. So in the end, everything turned out okay, right?”
He tries to smile. After a moment, Sokka also gives him a slightly uncertain smile. Katara presses her lips together, pretending not to hear the conversation going on here. Suki looks as if she is wondering whether everything the Fire Prince has shared is enough to forget who he is and the circumstances under which they met.
Hakoda doesn't think that justifies it. The boy still has a lot to atone for. It doesn't make his crazy hunt for Sokka, Katara, and Aang okay.
It doesn't justify it, but at the same time, it explains his behavior.
And it explains why he's here.
“Well,” Hakoda finally says. “The important thing is that you've found a place for yourself, Prince Zuko. And I can promise you that none of us will try to kill you here.”
Everyone's eyes - except Toph’s - turn to Katara.
“Hey,” she objects. “I may not like him, but that doesn't mean I want to kill him, does it?”
“Compared to Azula, it's nothing,” Zuko shrugs.
Something about this gesture makes Hakoda freeze.
“Zuko,” Suki says slowly. “Tell me I'm wrong, but has Azula ever tried to kill you?”
Instead of denying it outright, Zuko makes a face as if he's about to start counting.
“Zuko, don't,” Sokka pleads. “We've had enough trauma for one night. Please. Zuko, don't start counting.”