[Sokka barely has time to blink before Zuko’s already leaping over the saddle. Tch. Firejetting all cool with his feet. Show-off. What was he thinking? There was hardly anything to sightsee. He glances back at Momo, only to find the lemur staring back up at him, chittering expectantly like -

supremely back on my shit thank you!! #atla #sokka #katara

I like the way you think, Sokka. [Obvious and very exaggerated wink.]

Is this you telling me in advance that we can coin the term for profit because it 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 sell?

Proving my point exactly, Katara.

Ranking the gAang from least to most uptight: 1. Aang (goes to #2 especially when he panics) 2. Toph (terrifying) 3. Sokka (I’m the coolest guy there is) 4. Zuko 5. Katara (need I say more?)

[Looking back at his Zuko in the background, squinting.] …Maaaaybe you’re right.

What kinda surprise? 🤩

(Uptight and no sense of humour and creativity, tsk tsk!)

Was that impression formed because- [A long montage plays. Zuko on the fire nation trips. Zuko kidnapping Aang. Zuko terrorizing the water tribes. Zuko in Ba Sing Se.] ...because of...you know...

…I just realised. Why aren’t we calling it the gAang?

*the gang.

[SNORTS.]

Huh. So, he doesn't get any less dramatic in the future. Ooookay.

Hey, future me. What’s Zuko like in the future, huh? Still uptight?

Phewww! I knew ending a war would pay off eventually!

Future me, do we end up with a baddie?

WE GREW OUR HAIR! Look at that pony!

Is that… ME?

[Sharing a look with his sister, before following after @dragonsfirelord.bsky.social.] Hey, let me help.

Okay, great! Great. See, we’re doing alright. [He breathes out a sigh of relief, using Zuko’s grip to steady himself back on his feet.] Phew! See how quickly the gang gets to solve things? [A beaming smile as he pats down Zuko’s royal shoulders.] Honestly, you guys would fall apart without me.

LET’S ALL BE CALM. I MEAN, CALM! [He balls his hands over Zuko’s fists in an attempt to appeal with him.] We’re sorry, Zuko, how about we get you all drycleaned and start with KATARA BENDING THE WATER OUT HIS CLOTHES? HMM?

[BEING SHAKEN IN FEAR.] CAREFUL! I THINK YOU’RE STEAMING, REMEMBER YOUR GOOD ROBES—

OOoOOoooOoOoOhhh, is THAT how you end fights, Katara? Real mature.

YOU STARTED IT!

[Wiping away the water from his face. …And flicking it back at Katara. (If drops land on Zuko, he can’t help it if he was in the line of fire!)]

[LOUD GURGLING YELP AS HE TOPPLES BACK.]

I-I’m kidding, little sis! You know me! Big brother! I’m just goofing around! It’s late, isn’t it? Why don’t I just—

[Freezes.]

[Sticking his pinky in his ear and wiggling it.] What are you, our mom?

Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. [He grunts, pushing himself upright on his palms, sleep already a lost cause. …And he hates how part of that reaaaally was his own doing.] I’m getting attacked in my sleep, and you’re laughing. What would Uncle Iroh say about that? [A heaving exhale as he rolls his head -

Me when I call him twin, but he's lowkey tryna fuck his dad, so I gotta go nvm. #truestory.

He’s a 10, but he’s trying to keep it in the family or whatever.

ME? I didn’t do anything! [He sputters, equal parts offended— because Zuko was a little 𝘵𝘰𝘰 quick to assume he was part to blame, when clearly he wasn’t this time! He was the victim here!— and panicked from being abruptly woken up by taste of fur. -

[A flash of white darts through the dark, followed by a curious chitter. Momo’s large ears perking up as it climbs its way up Sokka’s sleeping bag to peer owlishly over him. Silence. Pure silence. He tilts his head. Then, Momo sticks his paw into Sokka’s open mouth, and he SCREAMS—]

[SCREAMS OUT OF THE BLUE, thrashing out of his sleeping bag into a seated position. Breathing heavily, a wild look in his eyes.] …Oh, good. It was just a drea— [Yaaaaawns, his head hitting back against the ground with a thud and a snore.]

[Staring fondly into the night sky.] I wonder if Appa’s ever been there.

Depends on the smell and if we can afford to stay a little longer wherever we land. [And after a few days of travel across the ocean, they’d finally settled in a clearing a good walk away from a small nearby town. They’d gotten to know it was another one of the Fire Nation colonies after a brief -

Depends on the big guy’s mood. [As if on cue, Appa snorts, a loud gusty cloud blowing from his nose that nudges Sokka forward a step. He catches himself thankfully this time, directing an exasperated look to the bison that almost said, ‘𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩, 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘩, 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸!’] -

[A beaming smile lights up his face.] That's the spirit! Look at you, adjusting so well! [Was this actually a requirement for everyone in the team? Not exactly. Sokka and Katara got into the rhythm of helping Aang out because: 1) the smell got unbearable if they didn't, and -

[Even when he resists rolling his eyes, the downward turn of his mouth makes his thoughts all too apparent on his face.] Yeah, was this before or after Aang told you he heard Appa speak human the last time he lost a week’s worth of sleep? Nuh-uh, you’re not taking the easy route, Princelord. -

Heeeey, Zuko. [He slings an arm around the latter’s neck.] Since you’re all part of the gang now, I think it’s about time you help Appa look like the biiiig happy sky bison he’s meant to be!

Sounds like the big guy’s due for a bath. [Appa huffs beside him, slowly shifting his eyes away.]

No thanks to you. I think I can still tell there’s a terrible taste of bison fur in my mouth.

[His mouth opens into an obnoxiously loud yawn just as the ground beneath him shifts with a guttural groan. It’s almost as if Appa seems to forget Sokka lying on top of him. Or his yawn must’ve been contagious, because suddenly, the large bison’s turning to his side with a contented yawn, -

Southern Water Tribe represent!