#chronic pain sokka

[elfantasmadejanis]

No Spoon Day / Bad Leg Day Zukka

He loves to listen to the Fire Lord bitching about his ministers while delicately painting little turtleducks on his nails (his favourite), after a wonderful heat massage

This is a quick-ish one, haven't done this in a while and trying to get back into it. It's not my best ever but I wanted to put something new up here.

As a spoonie myself I think a lot about Zukka taking care of each other, I think it took them both a while to give themselves permission to be taken care of and it makes it all the more beautiful now that they know how to do it <3

#zukka #sokka #zuko #fanart #my art #digital art #spoonie #chronic pain sokka #caregiver zuko #also grumpy zuko #and also pretty pretty sokka #atla #avatar the last airbender

[zukoisgayforsokka]

Current petition @ atla community

If you write Sokka using a cane in your fanfic please tag it

Chronic pain Sokka has so much AO3 content! I love it! How about some love for mobility aids too?

#cane user sokka #chronic pain sokka #mobility aid #sokka has a cane #sokka #chronic pain #mobility aids #atla #aleck writes #fanfic #sokka fanfic #atla fanfic

[yeeiguess]

@zukkaweek : Soulmate + Chronic Pain/Disability (and also they’re trans :) )

[ID : a digital drawing of Zuko and Sokka sitting on a bed. Sokka, on the left, as one leg up and his hand on his knees. He’s wearing blue socks, a blue tank top and brown shorts. He has a white choker, and his hair is braided into a wolftail, with the underside cut short. He’s looking at Zuko and smiling. He has a scar on his knee and there’s a cane next to him. On his right arm, he has red swirls that signify a soul mark.

Zuko is sitting crossed legged. He’s turned towards Sokka and smiling. He has a beige binder and black skinny jeans as well as black socks on. His hair is halfway up and the rest goes down to his shoulder. He has an hearing aid on the side with the scar. He has blue swirls on his left arm, signifying a soul mark. End ID]

#Sokka has chronic pain in his knee from when he broke it #and Zuko is almost deaf and blind on his left side #10/10 hands lol #soulmate #Zukka #zukkaweek2022 #Sokka #Zuko #Chronic pain’ #disability #deaf zuko #chronic pain Sokka #cane

[sulkybender]

here’s a lil T-rated story about Zuko taking care of Sokka, after the war <3

“Hey sweetheart,” he says, kissing Sokka’s shoulder. “Bad hip day?”

Sokka makes a muffled groan under the pillow he’s thrown over his face.

“Magic hands?” he pleads.

“Magic hands,” Zuko agrees, smiling. He settles next to Sokka on the bed, pressing a kiss to his collarbone, warm hands settling at the socket of his hip.

“Ah, fuck, Zu.”

“Too much?”

“Fuck,” he says. “Yeah, but don’t stop.”

“You sure?” Zuko bends down to kiss his chest again and Sokka chokes a little, feeling the shape of Zuko’s mouth through his shirt.

“I’m sure,” he says. “A little more heat?”

Zuko grins.

“Oh, you want more heat?”

He slides his leg over Sokka’s, hands massaging deeper into his cartilage, and Sokka could weep from the release of it. “Baby,” Zuko murmurs, pushing heat into Sokka’s hip.

“It’s not that bad,” Sokka lies.

Zuko doesn’t argue with him; he’d do the same if he were in Sokka’s shoes now, and has. When neuropathy makes his face ache and sting, he rubs at it silently while he works, until he feels Sokka’s fingers settle around his, pulling his hand away. And Sokka doesn’t try to get the truth out of him either.

Bad day? he’ll ask.

It was fine, Zuko will say, one eye winced shut.

“I’m gonna take you to the hot springs one day,” Zuko says now, kneading. “We’ll take the week off and spend the whole time in the water.” He leans down to kiss Sokka’s chest again, lingering. Sokka lets out a little moan. “And I’ll hold you in my arms the whole time, sweetheart.”

“Zu,” Sokka says weakly.

“What?” he says. “I will.”

He wants to sit in the water with Sokka in his lap, arms around his waist. He wants to hold Sokka safe there while the hot salt takes his pain away. It feels monumentally unfair, looking at someone he loves so much suffer so much. Sokka’s the best person he’s ever known.

Zuko would take it for him if he could. He would take the pain for himself. It seems like he’s always suffered, and as long as he’s meant to suffer, why can’t he do it for Sokka? Why couldn’t he—?

“Baby?” Sokka mumbles sleepily, and Zuko realizes he’s gone still. He hums and starts massaging again, kneading warmth into Sokka’s hip. I love you, he thinks, watching Sokka’s sleepy, trusting face. I’d take it for you. And at the same time, in the way Sokka gives under his touch, in the way he smiles at Zuko in the mornings and nuzzles kisses against his neck, he’s started to think he doesn’t have to suffer at all.

After a while he can feel everything loosen under his hands, enough to back off. He kisses Sokka’s hip and lays down next to him, holding him.

“Never wanna move again,” Sokka mumbles.

“I’d carry you there,” he says, slotting his face against Sokka’s neck.

“It’s an island.”

“I’d get wet,” Zuko says stubbornly, and Sokka snorts.

“I love you, Zu.”

Zuko squeezes him tightly for one moment, two.

“I love you too,” he says. “More than anything.”

#zuko #sokka #zukka #atla #chronic pain #disability #acts of care #zukka fanfic #fire lord zuko

[firelords-honour]

Okay while I love Sukka in regard to canon and I love the fandom-culture of Zukka…

This is genius

#atla #Sokka #Teo #Teokka #? #found this in the Sokka + chronic pain tag and I think that’s beautiful #shipping #avatar the last airbender #zukka #sukka

[fanfic-gremlin-ft-trauma]

OK get this... masseuse zuko massaging sokka and then he goes to his leg and somehow knows sokka has an issue with it and goes extra gentle and sokka just falls in love on the table.

Oh my lord??? I can’t draw rn and I’m so mad but this can’t stay in my ask box any longer??? I need literally. everyone to see this.

#zukka #atla #asks #no bc this is so him #like the caring??? the effort??? the vibe??? #he would #also chronic pain Sokka yes please #I’m just. #hshbejeiaihsyiehiu

[julchenawesome]

Zukka week 2022

Day 5: soulmates and chronic pain

In a world where everyone, after their 18th birthday, you start to share something with your soulmate. Something your other half needs to complete you.

Katara had dreams of a wonderful world, with no war, and the view from ocean or the sky. She had that faith in a better world only for these dreams.

(Hakoda and Kya were worried, because if she had dreams, a little bit of gray in her eyes, that mean her soulmate had 18 before she was born.)

(Then Kya died. Hakoda left. Sokka had no time for soulmates)

After the war, Sokka start to had memories from the day he comes to 18th. No, not memories. Nightmares. Pain. It's never gone, the feeling of not being enough, loneliness, being helpless, with no voice to scream.

Sokka knew his soulmate is Zuko.

But, why did Zuko never told him about their bond?

Why did he left him appart?

What is he truly hiding?

Zuko...

(Zuko always had five minutes to contemplate the blue in his eyes...always...)

@zukkaweek

[ID: background with blue, purple (cold), red and yellow (warm) colours mixed. Sokka and Zuko, divided in the middle, for lightnings/glass crashed. In the left side, in the back with red lines (from the top) is Kya with no clear face, Yue smiling, Hakoda giving his back, and a little view of the southern water tribe ships leaving the south in the middle of the night.

In the other side, warm colours, blue lines (from the top) is Ursa leaving Zuko, Azula laughing maniacally going mad, and Zuko in the Agni Kai where he got the scar, crying.

Zuko and Sokka, both with scared expressions, but Sokka is the one who can show more. Zuko is crying from his eye with the scar. Sokka had his hand buried in his loose, disheveled hair, desperately. Zuko had his hair almost loose, part of his chest with scars.

Sokka express where Zuko can't. Zuko just deal with the pain. END ID]

#zukka week 2022 #day 5 #soulmates #chronic pain #zukka fanart #firelord zuko #sokka #zuko x sokka #sokka x zuko #atla fanart #fanart #my art #zukka #zukka week #day 5 soulmates or chronic pain #atla #avatar: the last airbender #avatar #avatar the last airbender #au #canon compliant #soulmates au #soul bond #zuko needs a hug #sokka wants to give him a hug #zukka needs to talk

[witchering10123]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Hakoda & Sokka (Avatar), Minor Bato/Hakoda (Avatar) - Relationship, minor Sokka/Zuko (Avatar) - Relationship Characters: Hakoda (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar) Additional Tags: Violence, beatings, Chronic Pain, Hakoda has Chronic Pain (Avatar), Sokka Has Chronic Pain (Avatar), Hurt Hakoda (Avatar), Hurt/Comfort, Hurt Sokka (Avatar), Protective Sokka (Avatar), Protective Hakoda (Avatar), they're both hopeless your honour, Whumptober 2023, Day Sixteen: Chronic Pain (Whumptober 2023) Series: Part 16 of a witchering's whumptober 2023 Summary:

The plan cuts in and out, the pain digs its claws in deeper with every step he takes, and so do his lover’s fingers on his arms as his balance falters. His injury flares, hot to the touch, then he gasps, wrenching himself out of Bato’s arms as something cold brushes - no, is held - against his burn and spirits what is that -

“Dad!” Hakoda gasps, the light of the cell searing into his eyes, the feeling of Bato’s hands in his gone in a blink. Sokka sits before him, eyes laced with concern.

-----

A seemingly routine beating hits a rather sore spot for Hakoda.

Day Sixteen: Chronic Pain - can be read as a standalone

#hakoda and sokka #chronic pain #my loves they are both suffering #how amazing is that #in one fic #pain for each of them #really outdoing myself ty ty #atla #whumptober 2023 #day sixteen: chronic pain (whumptober 2023) #enjoy :) #it's a happier one today i promise

[adriancatrin]

me: zuko has rls

me, in agony at 2am: but he can cope right

no one:

me: …right?

#right now #pure pain #i cannot fathom not being in pain #all y’all without rls #or without chronic pain in general #oh my lord u better be grateful ahhahaha #anyways #my point is #no one can cope with rls #especially zuko #ever since i saw someone post about sokka star fishing and zuko having rls it’s my 100% true headcanon #so Yea i did write it into my current wip #sue me #people should know how much it Really Fucking Sucks #god i mso mad #why does it hurt so much #thoughts

[nadunacreates]

i had planned on writing a college AU fic in which to combine all the @zukkaweek prompts that i hadn’t gotten to yet... i procrastinated instead, so hard that i totally forgot about this. but i think today is actually the last day for late submissions, plus there's a summer thunderstorm outside right now, so have this very rushed snippet from the middle of said AU. it's supposed part of a 5+1 thing featuring people knocking on the wrong door of sokka and zuko’s rooms in the college dorms, and then the one time they get it right… but somehow this snippet isn't about that at all ^^ 

it’s set one night when zuko accidentally locked himself out of his own room, and features bedsharing, some chronic pain and a college AU where everyone has magic in addition to the bending... hope you like it, and please tell me if i should actually write this! <3

The sound of the rain would be so soothing, today, if the rain hadn’t also meant that there was a thunderstorm on the way, rolling across the countryside and steadily coming closer.

The sound of the rain would be so soothing, if his scar didn’t hurt because of it, the tissue stiff and aching dully in a way that boded very ill for the next few hours.

The sound of the rain would be soothing, if it didn’t mean that Sokka sighed and got up and opened the window; looked out at the dark clouds on the horizon and said “I love summer storms,” because of course he did.

Zuko rubbed a finger down his forehead, pressed it to the base of his nose, and sighed, too. “Of course you do,” he said.

That made Sokka whip his head around, glare at him in what was probably supposed to be outraged offense, but fell a little to the wayside of fond. “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”

Zuko chuckled weakly, because that fondness was dangerous. His tired brain misread it so easily. “Nothing! Just…” He waved his hand around in the air in front of him, let himself fall back down into the (many) cushions of Sokka’s bed. “I hate them, so I guess it makes sense that you love them.”

Zuko could practically hear Sokka frowning, but he didn’t bother to look up again. He wasn’t quite sure why he just said that, but… well, if he was going to stay here tonight it would probably be good that Sokka knew. Then at least he wouldn’t have to worry about (inevitable) Zuko’s nightmares.

The sound of the rain dampened again as Sokka closed the window.

The bed dipped as he sat down at its foot.

They didn’t say anything, for a while.

Zuko didn’t even startle when Sokka eventually lay a hand on his ankle, splayed his fingers when he noticed the cold skin there.

He tapped his thumb against Zuko’s achilles heel, as if he was subconsciously aware of some deeper meaning, as if he saw the irony in it, protecting the very part he made vulnerable (on a metaphorical level), or maybe it was just his magic kicking in. But when Zuko opened his eyes to check, Sokka looked normal — no glowing eyes or tattoos, and when he spoke his voice didn’t have that hollow quality to it that it usually took when he had a vision. Just a coincidence, then, Zuko thought to himself, and scoffed at the very idea of it, right when Sokka asked, “Do you want to talk about it?” and then he promptly choked on his next breath.

It was with much regret that he removed his ankle from under Sokka’s hand, but breathing was kind of the bigger necessity right now, and to breathe he had to sit up, so— at least he got a few pats on his back, until the coughing fit was finally over.

“Sorry,” he said, voice rough, and cleared his throat.

Sokka sat up against the headboard next to him, bumped his shoulder with his own, threw him a smile. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

Yeah, he was absolutely going to ignore the way this made his stomach clench in something like pain. He was going to ignore how he still felt astonished at the concept of having friends; how he still (so very selfishly) wished for more.

“… right,” he said, and ignored how his voice caught all over again.

A flash of lightning illuminated the room, day-bright, for the fraction of a second. Zuko flinched, and stayed tense as he counted down the seconds until thunder followed with a roar. Fuck.

When Sokka pulled at him, he just went with him, and let his friend rearrange them on the bed until both their heads were on the pillow, and Sokka was able to cling to him like a koalaotter.

“So,” Sokka said. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Zuko took a few moments to think about it. He’d known Sokka for long enough now to know that he was always allowed to think, to take his time, and even to answer in the negative should he wish to do so, and Sokka would not be mad. It was one of the things that had made it so easy to fall for him.

The next flash of lightning made the answer rather easy, surprisingly. The thunder did not take long to follow, and Zuko swallowed hard, then said, “yeah.”

Zuko spoke, and Sokka listened, and when the storm had finally moved on, Zuko was out of words, and Sokka was still right there.

Zuko did not go back to his own dorm room that night.

He did not have any (bad) nightmares either.

And when he woke up the next morning, he found himself wrapped around Sokka in turn.

(And when he let himself drift back to sleep, he felt Sokka stir, felt his fingers ghost over a burn scar on his arm, heard him whisper, “love you, too,” and promptly ignored that so hard, because surely that was already the next dream taking him and pulling him under, making him wish for things that could never be true.)

#zukkaweek2022 #zukka week #zukka #college au #atla #zuko #sokka #magical college au #sokka got a spirit connection after being kidnapped by hei bai thus the mentioned visions #it's a whole thing #but sadly didn't fit in this #because i wrote this in the last two hours although i really should go to bed #wrote this instead of sleeping #bedsharing #unrequired feelings #not actually #they're very requited but i wanted to write some angst #i set out writing about zuko's scar and chronic pain and ended up with this mess instead #oh well #fanfiction #my writing #naduna writes #avatar the last airbender #oh and yue will feature in this as well ofc #and toph!! #the little bending prodigy got to go to college early #or was forced to do it rather #so she can write (get someone else to write) many many papers on how exactly she invented metalbending #people are Fascinated #this is set in the canon world

[elfantasmadejanis]

here's a little design of sokka's 'canesword' based on this post by @comradekatara

as a cane user this really spoke to me and i decided to sketch it here, based on a combination of inuit carvings on walrus ivory, fantasy sword designs and modern supportive cane design.

(a friend once promised to make me one of these so it might someday happen for me i'm just not sure i'm cool enough to pull it off)

#sokka #disabled sokka #chronic pain sokka #cane #disability #chronic illness #chronic pain #atla #fanart #my art #also i'm not used to drawing sokka i'm open to concrit if you think something feels off #i'm getting back into this style of drawing after doing very different stuff for a while and anatomy is hard

[backhurtyy]

talk about be still my foolish heart?

i will talk about this fic all day everyday nonstop if you want me too i love it very much. so. this is a zukka fic and basically sokka sees a sign to go to the fair and be invited the whole gang but everyone conspires to leave him with zuko which is awesome because zukos never been to the fair so sokka can show him the best of the best. but also this is very bad because sokka is soooooo in love with zuko and they’re basically on a date now!! anyways they get together at the fair and it’s super sweet and romantic mwah mwah

They walked away and he turned to Zuko, heart racing slightly as he realized they were, in fact, alone. Suddenly, he felt the itch of awkwardness under his veins, the distinct prickle of uneasiness, the warm rush of nervousness…

He didn’t even know why he was so uncomfortable. He lived with Zuko, for Tui’s sake; they’d been alone together before, and it had never been such a problem. So why was he so panicked now, being left alone at the fair while all of their friends went off with their partners—

“It’s like herding cats with this group sometimes,” he blurted out, desperate for his discomfort to go away.

#also featuring chronic pain sokka!!! #i’ve been working on this fic for almost a year no one touch me #ellen.wip #answered #anonymous asks

[zukoisgayforsokka]

For @atla-polyam-week, inspired by prompts:

Day 2: Living together Day 4: Chronic pain/disability Day 6: Kid fic/modern au

Ships: Jet/Sokka, Jet/Sokka/Suki/Zuko

Words: 2.7k

Summary: [Sokka’s skin itches with a simmering anger. He knows it's misplaced, knows he's being irrational, but something has been building inside him towards Jet and if it isn’t rage, he doesn’t know how to consider the alternative.]  The sudden appearance of a child in their lives forces Sokka and Jet to spend some time together without the buffer of their shared partners

Thanks to the wonderful @unacaritafeliz for writing the first jetsuzukka fic on AO3 that gave me brainrot about these guys, and to both her and the lovely @moth-time for beta reading

#aleck writes #my first polyam fic #had jet brainrot recently #been thinking about jet and sokka's dynamic #jetkka #jet/sokka #sokka/jet #trans sokka #cane user sokka #izumi #jet/sokka/suki/zuko #atla polyam week #fanfic #jet #sokka #suki #zuko #sokka has chronic pain #sokka has adhd #jet has adhd #sokka centric #sokka avatar #jet avatar #sokka atla #jet atla #kid fic #modern au #living together #disability #enemies to lovers

[zukkaweek]

Day 1 - August 11th

Ba Sing Se or Jasmine Dragon | Fake Dating 

Day 2 - August 12th

Accidental Kid Acquisition | Zukka As Dads

Day 3 - August 13th

Kyoshi Warrior Sokka | Blue Spirit

Day 4 - August 14th

Culture Sharing | Arranged Marriage

Day 5 - August 15th

Zuko Joins the Gaang Early | Gay/Bi Awakening

Day 6 - August 16th

Cave of Two Lovers | Disability/Chronic Pain/Chronic Illness

Day 7 - August 17th

Boiling Rock | Touch or Touch-starved | Free Day

#zukka week #zukkaweek #zukkaweek2024 #zukkaweek24 #zukka week 2024 #zukka week 24 #zuko #sokka #atla zukka #zukka

[ticklishfiend]

A Toy Smile (ATLA)

(lee!zuko , ler!sokka and ler!aang)

A/N : AAAHHH!!!! fixating hard y’all. it's impossible for me to be normal about anything ever. this one's got more story than the last one but i hope u enjoy anyway lolll

Summary : a day off at the abandoned vacation home and zuko has a lot to think about. though, it’s kinda hard to think about your place in the world when your friends are being annoying (and u still love them for that)

Word Count : 5106

hope u enjoy!!

-

Being back at his family’s old beach house was remarkably strange. Zuko kept getting flashes of bittersweet nostalgia, images of his mother building castles out of sand with him, just for Azula to knock them all down. Running through the halls in shrieks of laughter, getting chased by the tickle monster (his mother always had the perfect balance between her calm and nurturing nature, and her more silly and playful side. Feeling okay with play was something that ended almost immediately after she left his life), always before being interrupted by a stark glare from his father.

Zuko’s father was usually absent in these beach house memories, but that’s because even when he was there during their vacations (which honestly wasn’t often, he was usually off tending to the business of being an up-and-coming Firelord), he always stood with a glare that Zuko could still see in his head clear as day. Looking back on it, he was glad that Ozai was usually preoccupied during those old vacations so he at least has a few good memories left of this place.

Zuko pondered on it alone in the house.

The rest of the group were off at the beach, doing their own things. If he had to guess, Toph was probably practicing her sandbending right now. Maybe she’s teaching Aang, or maybe Aang was practicing some moves Zuko taught him earlier in the week. Zuko felt weirdly proud at the idea. He imagined Katara was probably soaking in the ocean, bending and feeling one with the water. And Sokka…Agni knows what Sokka’s up to right now. Maybe he’s fishing. 

All he knows is that they’re probably keeping themselves preoccupied right now, taking the day off to do whatever they pleased. The group needed to keep their minds sharp, but not overworked. 

Zuko could sort of relate to that, trying to keep occupied. It was at a much lower scale, sure, but when he wasn’t training Aang, he took to wandering the grounds of this place that felt distantly familiar to him. 

Zuko still feels a little uncomfortable with the thought of hanging near everyone during an off day like this. He knows they don’t hate him anymore, but guilt and shame have become chronic pains he hasn’t learned to aid yet. He’s happy to help them, but hanging out on a casual level is something he’s still getting used to.

As he walked through the abandoned home, he couldn’t help but gaze at old photos, taking some out of the frame to burn in his hand. For some reason, watching the memory physically char and fall to ashes from his fire felt like a medicinal release in his system. He sat on beds that had been dressed by old maids years ago, untouched for so long and yet the sheets still had a smell that burned into his sinuses like a forgotten memory. 

It was so quiet in the house. Every footstep seemed to echo. It was dark, too. Each flame he set gave light to the entire room and the hall with it. It felt right that this place had been abandoned for so long. Justified. It deserved to lay dormant with the rest of any happy memories his childhood had to offer. That part of his life was laid to rest some time ago, but revisiting it lit something in him he hadn’t expected.

When he suggested they settle here for a while, Zuko hadn’t thought too hard on what it would be like to revisit this place. It was obvious this house, these grounds, the beach itself, would bring back memories he used to try hard not to think about. That was only logical.

What Zuko hadn’t anticipated was the way it would make him feel about the new people he’s surrounded himself with. The last time he was on a beach with people he thought were his friend group, it was a disaster. Fights and arguments, insecurities thrown around like weapons of war. That used to be normal to him. That was just what a vacation was.

But everyone here was having a good time. Yes, stress was definitely high and in the air, everyone was still keeping their guard up for what they knew was to come after they left. But that didn’t mean good times came to an end altogether. Zuko saw how they still played and teased each other, telling stories at dinner and laughing when they trained. Stress was high, but spirits might’ve been even higher.

Walking through this empty house, he realized that’s what this place was actually for. It wasn’t just a house you stayed in away from your home. It was a place built for bringing people closer together.

And here he was standing in it, alone in the dark.

Zuko sighed, dragging a hand down his face. He knew he should probably go out there. They trusted him now, what was he waiting on? He’s allowed…fun. That sounds so gross. But it also sounds like something Uncle would be telling him right now. If Zuko was any good at impressions, he’d give himself a famous Iroh Special about the balance of work and life, the importance of close friends in times like these. But Zuko sorta sucks at impressions, so he’ll just have to imagine how good some advice like that would sound and suck it up.

He should probably go join them on the beach now. Ugh. 

As Zuko walked out of the dimly lit house, the sun felt really good on his skin, warm and filling for his soul. He took a deep breath, in and out, as he made his way toward the beach. The sounds of splashing water and shrieking laughter filled his ears as he got closer, his bare feet now warming in the sand.

“Zuko’s back,” he heard Toph announce from her self-made throne of sand, a little umbrella over the top for shade and flavor. 

Zuko made his way next to Toph, watching the other three play in the ocean. Sokka had Aang in some kind of hold with his arms behind his back, while Katara stood in front, doing something with the water that seemed to have Aang in stitches. Zuko was utterly confused.

“What are they doing?” he puzzled, sitting down criss-crossed next to Toph.

“Why, do you want in?” Toph teased with a grin, making Zuko blush and nearly start defending himself (for what, he wasn’t sure) before she interrupted his clear stammering, “Katara figured out how to tickle with her water. She can be a little ruthless sometimes, and I really like that side of her.”

Zuko just nodded, really not sure what to say right now. He felt so awkward, maybe this was a bad idea after all. He’d be better off alone back in the house, it was probably good for him to think about his past the way he was before. Maybe he should just turn back, Toph will notice but none of the others have even acknowledged he came back yet so it’s not like–

“Hey!” Sokka called out, “My arms are getting tired! One of you come hold him for me!”

“Nohoho! Just lemme gohoho!” Aang cackled, kicking the water but not doing anything to actually stop them. 

Zuko sighed, regretting saying anything before the words even left his mouth. “Aang, just bend the water!” he yelled their way, “Did you forget you’re the Avatar?!”

Aang just kept laughing for a moment like he hadn’t heard a thing, and Zuko nearly smiled at the boy’s blatant silliness. But in a blink, Katara was suddenly lifted and thrown about ten feet away by a small but powerful wave, Sokka getting launched not long after in the opposite direction. 

Aang shot a thumbs up Zuko’s way, so Zuko gave him a quick nod back. Real smooth. 

“Wooo, that’s right Twinkle Toes! Show ‘em who’s boss!” Toph cheered like she was watching a wrestling match, throwing an excited punch to Zuko’s shoulder. He winced and shot a hand up to comfort the ache, but otherwise said nothing about it.

He watched as Aang launched a tickle attack of his own against the siblings, Katara squealing and using her own water to try and counter or block any of the water she could. Sokka threw his head back in loud laughter, having no way to defend himself and pretty much succumbing to his fate, screaming with his head above water.

Zuko felt weird just spectating like this, so he started fidgeting with the sand in front of him. He thought for a moment on building a castle like he had with his mother so many years ago, but that was so far from who he was now that he chose to keep it to himself. That can just stay a happy memory for the time being.

He looked up to Toph, who seemed content on bending miscellaneous sand shapes in her hand while she listened to them play.

“Why aren’t you out there with them?” he couldn’t help but ask. Zuko didn’t feel as weird around Toph as he did the others. He still felt awkward at times, but not weird. She was the first person here to really trust him, vouch for him even. She was strong and resilient and damn was she stubborn. Zuko really liked that about her, and even though she loved to tease, he felt comfortable having a conversation with her. That was just who she was.

“Eh, water’s not really my thing. I can’t see jack when I’m in the water. Well, I kind of can, if my feet are still touching the ground. But it’s sorta foggy that way and it freaks me out. I like knowing where I am, and in there I just feel all over the place,” she cringed, forming a little sand sea lion in her palm. “Why aren’t you in there with them? Is it a firebender thing to hate the water?”

Of course she’d turn the question onto him, why didn’t he think of that? Ugh, this was not something he felt like getting into right now. “Yeah, sure. Something like that.”

“You are such a bad liar,” she chuckled, chucking her sea lion at his head playfully. He grunted at the impact and dusted the sand from his hair while she grabbed another chunk to fidget with. “I don’t even need my feet to figure that out.”

Zuko sighed, bringing his knees to his chest to lay his arms down and make a makeshift headrest. “I don’t know how to just…play, like that. That’s not natural for me, it would just be weird. It’s better if I just stay up here,” he said, suddenly feeling very weirdly insecure and unsure of his words, “If, like, y’know–if that’s okay with you.”

She laughed openly at his hesitance. “Sparky, it would mean the world. I like your company! You’re funny to talk to,” she said, and her choice of words made him squint.

“‘Funny to talk to?’” Zuko questioned.

“Yeah, you’re always so uptight. And awkward. It’s really funny,” she chuckled, making him deflate a little. He knew she probably meant the best by it, but her bluntness will always take a little blow to his already fragile ego.

“Is that really the only reason you talk to me?” Zuko huffed, not even looking for an answer if not to just air out his insecurities a little. 

“No, you dingbat. You’re really different from the others, it’s a nice change of pace. You’re stiff, and your heart rate might be faster than anyone I've ever met which can get pretty annoying. But you’re very real, and I like that in a person. If you have something you need to say, then you say it,” she paused. “Well, most of the time.”

Zuko sat in that for a moment. He’s pretty sure she was…complimenting him? Maybe? It’s hard to tell with Toph, it’s rare she ever gets sweet with her words. But he’s pretty sure that whatever she meant by that, it was supposed to be a good thing. So he’ll take it.

“Thanks…I think.”

“I know it’s hard but…they can be fun if you try,” she shrugged, forming a little sand-Zuko in her palm and handing it to him. He took it gently, worried it would crumble in his hand. But it didn’t. It stayed sturdy and solid, like a real doll. Zuko turned it in his hand, getting a good look at his mini-me.

“How do you…”

“Know what you look like?” she finished for him. “The others described you to me a while back. It’s probably not perfect, but–”

“No, no. It’s…” Zuko stared at the thing in his hand. It was small, pretty much the size of his palm. His scar was there, but that’s not what he was looking at. Zuko couldn’t stop looking at the smile on its face. On his face. How natural and meant to be there it looked. “It’s really good. You captured my essence,” he remarked playfully, sliding the doll into his pocket. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it, Sparky,” she smiled. “Seriously. Don’t.” Zuko couldn’t help but chuckle at that, looking up to see Sokka dragging himself out of the water towards them.

“Teaching Aang waterbending was a mistake,” Sokka groaned, leaving puddles of water in his wake as he plopped in the sand next to Zuko. Zuko flinched, some water from Sokka’s clothes splashing on him when he sat down with so much force.

“Watch it, you’re getting water all over me,” Zuko complained, wiping droplets from his face with the back of his hand.

“Oh I’m sorry, were you the one that just got nearly tickled to death by the ocean?! No, I didn’t think so!” Sokka exclaimed, every big movement he made just splashing more water on a frowning Zuko. “I could’ve drowned!”

“Well that wasn’t my fault, so keep the water to yourself,” Zuko rolled his eyes at Sokka’s dramatics. 

“You’re such a baby, Sokka,” Toph chuckled. “Aang took it like a champ. You don’t hear him complaining about a couple of tickles,” Toph cooed in a mocking baby voice, making Sokka squint in contempt. 

Sokka pointed a finger toward Toph over Zuko, “I don’t wanna hear it from you. You don’t get attacked like I do!”

“Yeah, cause I set boundaries,” Toph grinned, tossing a foot over her knee. “You guys don’t tickle me cause you know if you even try it you’ll never have use of your fingers again.”

Zuko’s brow shot up at that, and he nearly smiled, but made no comment.

Sokka had no smart comeback to give, instead bringing his hand back in to cross his arms over his chest, pouting. They sat in silence for a moment before it seemed like a light went off over Sokka’s head, the boy perking up quickly and whipping his head toward–

“Zuko,” Sokka started with a grin. “You should help me get back at Aang.”

Zuko’s brow really shot up at that, “What?!”

“Yeah, he’d never expect it from you!” Sokka said, his smile wide and excited. 

Zuko stared incredulously, “Did that water hit you over the head or something? I am not doing that,” he scoffed, refusing to look at Sokka right now. He is so stupid, what makes him think Zuko would ever do something so childish? 

“Oh c’mooon, you said you were here to help us, right? Well…this would be helping me,” Sokka smiled a toothy grin, really hoping to win him over.

“Just ask Toph, don’t involve me in this. I’m sure she can do some…earthbendy thing and help way better than I could,” Zuko said, looking toward Toph for help.

Toph shook her head, “Nope. This is all you, Sparky,” Zuko could see her smile beneath the shade. He growled in frustration, peeking over toward Sokka.

“You can do it yourself then. Figure it out,” Zuko said, staring back off into the ocean. Aang and Katara were bending and splashing water at each other, their laughs and happy voices blending with the sounds of the ocean waves pushing and pulling against itself.

Sokka grumbled, falling onto his back in the sand. “Was just trying to see if you wanted to have some fun before we get serious again tomorrow,” he mumbled, picking at the sand with his fingers. 

Zuko tried to ignore him, but felt a poke to his shoulder on his left. He looked to Toph and saw her just staring at him with this look, like she was disappointed. Or, maybe not disappointed. More like she was saying with her eyes, “Didn’t we just have a heart-to-heart about this two seconds ago?” He felt the doll in his pocket jab into his thigh. 

Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose like he often did when utterly frustrated. “If I help you, you have to do something for me in return.”

Sokka shot up, his eyes wide like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Yeah! Anything!” he paused, “Or, I mean, almost anything.”

Zuko clicked his tongue, he cannot believe he is doing this. “There’s some spices left over in the kitchen cabinet. They haven’t gone bad, I checked,” he peeked over to Sokka. “For dinner tonight, we are using those spices. No offense, but I’m tired of eating bland stew every night. If you grab those from the house…” he sighed, saying the words like they crawled from the pit of his stomach, “I will help you get back at Aang.”

“Say no more!” Sokka shot up from the sand and strut toward the house with his head held high. He was obviously very proud of himself for convincing Zuko to do something silly for once, and honestly, Zuko couldn’t blame him. He was surprised himself.

Toph dropped her throne back to the ground, the force of it shaking the ground under them as she stuck her toes in the sand. “You really gonna do it, Sparky?”

Zuko dropped his face into his hands. “I think I just dug myself into a hole.”

That made Toph cackle, and Zuko couldn’t help smiling into his palms.

–

The fish stew Katara was cooking smelled amazing. Zuko had forgotten just how much he missed the smell of real, seasoned food until he found those spices in the cabinet earlier today. At least he was getting something good out of this mess he’s got himself into.

In the living room of the beach house, Toph was proudly showing off all the sand dolls she made today. It was mainly weird shapes or animals she was familiar with, but everyone got a kick out of it.

“Oh, oh, can you do me?!” Aang practically bounced on his heels, clutching the Appa doll to his chest. 

“Remind me when we go back to the beach, Twinkletoes,” Toph smiled, tossing a solid ball of sand to the ceiling, up, then down. “I made Sparky one, since he didn’t abandon me on the beach like some people.”

Aang deflated in guilt, “I thought you said you didn’t care…”

“I didn’t care, I’m just messing with you,” she grinned, throwing the ball at a quiet Zuko’s head. 

“Ow! Hey, watch it–!”

“Show ‘em your doll, Sparks!” Toph said, the ball launching itself back into her palm. Zuko frowned, feeling weirdly embarrassed by it. He just sat there for a second with everyone staring at him, waiting.

“I thought you said not to mention it?” 

“Well if Aang’s making commissions, he should probably see what he’s buying,” Toph said, clearly just proud the others were liking her art so much.

A little shy, Zuko reached into his pocket and pulled out the doll, holding it up for everyone to see. Aang immediately rushed over, not taking it from his hand but still looking at it really close.

“Woah, little Sifu Hotman! Toph, this is so cool!” Aang poked at the doll’s face, “Aww, she even made him smile!”

Katara barked a laugh from the kitchen close by, “Really taking some artistic liberties with that one, Toph.”

Everyone snickered at that, and Zuko couldn’t help but frown (unfortunately proving their case). “I can smile,” he said, shoving the doll back in his pocket. “Maybe I just don’t find you guys that funny.”

Sokka gasped, “What, do we not amuse you enough, Your Highness?” He said in a mockingly fancy tone.

Zuko knows he’s just teasing, but Sokka can really be annoying sometimes. 

“That’s not it,” Zuko glared. “I don’t know, maybe we just have different senses of humor. But I can smile.”

He saw Aang glance over his shoulder to Sokka, who was lying comfortably on a pile of pillows. There was a weird, silent exchange happening between them that Zuko couldn’t pinpoint, but he was smart enough to know something was up. 

Sokka sat up and looked at Zuko, trying a little too hard to look casual. “So…what does make you smile, then?”

Zuko raised a brow. Kind of a loaded question, if you ask him. “I mean, I don’t know. That’s sorta vague.”

“On purpose,” Sokka corrected. “I can think of a ton of things that make me smile off the top of my head. Like, uh…shopping!”

“Cartwheels,” Aang butt in.

“Sea prunes!” Katara called from the kitchen.

“Feeling the enemy crumble to the ground,” Toph said, way too casually.

Zuko felt a little cornered. This was hard for him, okay? Thinking of something like this off the top of his head was difficult when he’s spent the last three years with a resting frowny face. “Um…” he started, really digging into his brain for an answer. “My…Uncle was really good at telling jokes? They got annoying sometimes, but some of them made me laugh. If that counts.”

Aang really smiled at that, moving to sit next to Zuko on the ground. “That definitely counts,” he said, before shooting another look toward Sokka. Hm…

Sokka got up and sat next to Zuko on his other side, throwing an arm over his shoulder way too casually, “I think that’s a wonderful answer. But there’s just one problem…”

Zuko shot him a confused side-eye, almost shrinking away from Sokka’s touch. “Uh, okay?”

“I don’t think we’ve ever made you smile,” said Sokka, giving a small jostle to Zuko’s shoulder.

Toph snorted across the room, getting everyone’s attention. “You can be real smart sometimes, Sparky. I don’t know how you haven’t figured out what they’re up to.”

Zuko shook Sokka’s arm off his shoulder with a furrowed brow, “What are you talking about?”

She grinned, feeling through the floor how both Aang and Sokka were slowly inching closer to Zuko on either side. “I think they’re gonna tickle you.”

Without a second more to think about escaping, Sokka shoved his hands under Zuko’s arms, followed by Aang throwing himself over Zuko’s lap to wrap his waist in a ticklish hug. 

Zuko shrieked, the sensation throwing him off guard so hard he nearly toppled over onto the ground. He would have toppled over, if Aang didn’t have such a strong grip on his waist, not to mention those fingers digging into his sides with a terrible, gentle accuracy. He was a cackling, giggling mess immediately.

“Nohoho-! Wahahait! Waitwaitwaitwaitwahahait-!” Zuko cackled, his eyes scrunched up and his smile wider than it had been in some time. He had forgotten just how ticklish he was until those fingers wouldn’t leave him alone, the digging into his armpits and the scribbling at his sides, it was all so…ugh, it was so ticklish.

“Tried to warn you!” Toph smiled, hearing Katara enter the room to watch while the stew finished cooking.

“Woowww, didn’t know you guys had it in you,” Katara remarked as she leaned against the door frame, watching with a grin. She pointed at the scuffle with her spoon, “I really expected you two to wuss out!”

Aang scoffed with a grin, having to use a lot of his strength to hold the very squirmy Zuko in his arms. “He’s not scary anymore, Katara. I mean, just watch this,” he said, before pinching at Zuko’s hips and making the boy squeal.

“Guhuhuys! Ahaha–wahahait! Hold ohohon!” Zuko twisted in his laughter, his arms sealed at his sides to no avail. If Sokka didn’t get his stupid fingers out of his armpits right now he was pretty sure he was gonna keel over and die any second now. From laughter or embarrassment, he wasn’t really sure which.

“Wait, wuss out?” Toph questioned. “Did you guys plan this?” 

Sokka snickered, switching to just using one finger under each arm at a time, and somehow that was even worse. “Yeeeeah, I might’ve pulled a fast one at the beach. Sorry buddy!” he said, before, “Well, not too sorry. This is pretty funny.”

Zuko’s face felt so hot he was almost worried it was gonna catch on fire. Quite literally. “I’m gonna kihihill you twohohoo!” he cackled, finally gathering enough strength to push Aang off him, kicking his feet to make sure Aang kept his distance. But Sokka was unrelenting. “Sokka! Cuhut it out!”

“Ohhhh fine,” Sokka pulled his hands out, bringing one up to scruff Zuko’s hair for good measure. “Before you get mad, we only did it cause you looked a little left out on the beach today.”

Zuko wished so badly that Toph would let the floor swallow him up whole right now. “So your solution was to—do that!?”

“Well, yeah,” Aang smiled a little shyly, “It looked like you felt left out when we were playing earlier. I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong…sorry if that was too much.”

Katara had slipped back to the kitchen for just a moment during their conversation, coming back now with a tray of bowls. She handed Zuko his bowl first, which he took while still glaring at Sokka and Aang. (Well, mainly Sokka. He could tell Aang felt bad, and Zuko’s not like, actually mad. Just so utterly embarrassed and shy that he doesn’t know how to express himself right now.) 

Katara gave him a sympathetic smile. “They really like you. They just don’t know how to…express it with you, sometimes.”

“Don’t put this on me, it was Aang’s idea!” Sokka looked a little embarrassed himself, like he’d been caught saying something he didn’t want Zuko to hear. He took his bowl from Katara but wouldn’t look her in the eye.

Aang took what Katara said with stride. She always had a way of putting exactly how he felt into words. “Yeah, it was my idea. You’re really cool, Sifu Hotman! But, I don’t know…I never wanna make you mad, but I still want you to feel included, yknow?”

With a mouthful of stew, Sokka chimed in, “Wha’ he said.”

Zuko wasn’t sure what to say right now. He still felt warm up his neck, and all the eyes on him right now weren't helping. But…he also felt really appreciated? These people certainly had a weird way of showing their affection, but they were trying. For him.

Ugh. They’re so sweet it’s almost sickening.

“We won’t ever do it again. Just…know we meant well,” Aang gave a sad little smile before taking a bite of his stew. Well now Zuko had to say something.

“No, it’s okay,” he stared into his bowl. “Affection, and I guess play, are…sorta new to me. I don’t hate it. I don’t…mind,” Zuko cringed at his own phrasing. Telling them that he actually sorta kinda had a little bit of fun just now felt impossible. He sighed, “What I’m saying is, I won’t get mad if you ever do it again. I know you’re not being mean. And it doesn’t bother me. So. Y’know…yeah.”

Sokka squinted toward Zuko over his spoon. “So, you didn’t hate it…” he shot a grin, “...which, in Zuko Speak, means you had fun right?”

Zuko sincerely wanted to singe the brows right off Sokka's face. Because, unfortunately, he was right. Zuko bit the inside of his cheek, “If I say yes will you drop it?”

“Actually, if you say yes you’re just giving me permission to turn that frown upside-down whenever I want,” Sokka wiggled his eyebrows, making Aang laugh beside him.

Zuko could only roll his eyes and take another spoonful in response, which they all knew in Zuko Speak was a definite yes.

“Ahem,” Toph turned the attention back toward her from across the room. “Now that that’s over, can we please go back to talking about how awesome my new sandbending tricks are? I’ll be generous and take free commissions for the next five minutes, but after that you suckers are gonna have to start paying up.”

Aang shot his hand up immediately, “I call a tiny hat for Momo!”

“Ok, but how about a tiny sword for Momo?” said Sokka.

Katara giggled, “We could give him little sand boots.”

Toph hummed with a nod, drawing up plans in her head before pointing toward Zuko. “Sparky? Any suggestions?”

Zuko looked around the room, everyone’s eyes on him once again. It wasn’t a bad feeling, though. They liked hearing what he had to say, even if it was just for a silly game. Zuko was allowed in on the conversation; actually, more than allowed. Encouraged.

“Um…he could use some sand shades. Really bright outside, y’know.” 

There was a small beat of silence, and for a second Zuko almost regretted joining in, before everyone burst into giggles.

“Momo’s gotta be beach ready!” Aang laughed, poking the lemur in the belly. “Toph, he needs sandals. He needs them!”

Zuko couldn’t help but smile along as they kept throwing insane suggestions Toph’s way, his cheeks almost hurting by the end of it. Every once in a while, he’d catch himself glancing around the room, taking in how different it looks full of good company. It was somehow brighter, obviously louder, and the air didn’t feel as tight. Even when they circled back to Zuko’s newfound ticklishness later in the conversation, he felt comfortable to tease back about how weak they all were against the spices he had Katara throw in their stew.

Sokka’s threat of future tickles his way kept creeping its way to the forefront of his mind every once and a while. And he wasn’t…not excited about it. It’s not the tickling he’s looking forward to, exactly. Although, every time he pictures that future attack, he feels the ghost of fingers digging into him again and feels a weird smile pulling at his lips. Zuko puts it back to normal immediately when he catches himself, but it was there, and he knows that. But no, no it’s definitely not the tickling. It’s not just the tickling. 

Zuko’s glad they’re not scared of him. They aren’t scared to touch him the way they do the others. It’s different for him, and he knows he’ll have to get used to all this newfound affection. But that’s something he’s willing (happy) to do.

When the night was finished and he found himself in that old familiar smelling bed, Zuko pulled the doll out of his pocket. He traced its details with his thumb under the light of fire he lit in his other palm. Sand took another shape with his friend’s help, and made him smile.

At that moment he decided, that’s what he’ll do with this house. It doesn’t have to feel so dark and alone. Zuko can reshape it. 

-

pls consider reblogging if u enjoyed!! love yall, smooches

#tickle community #tickling #tickle fic #atla tickling #lee!zuko #ticklish!zuko #lee!aang #ticklish!aang

[comradekatara]

Hi! Not sure if you've posted about this before, I had a quick look and couldn't find anything, but what are your thoughts on the fanon idea of Sokka having chronic pain from his injury during sozin's comet? Sorry if you've talked about this before and I couldn't find it, I'm interested in what you think about this 'cause your posts about Sokka are incredible and I love your insights on the character 💙

well i love it as both a chronic pain haver and a sokka tormentor. one thing about me is that i DONT want sokka to heal i want to keep putting him in miserable situations until he dies <3 (except for him reuniting with yue in the spirit world which i do recognize is totally self-indulgent fluff. anyway)

i definitely think that sokka would not only fuck up his leg from falling on it wrong on the airships but also fuck up his shoulder from the angle at which he was holding toph (it was like?? entirely twisted back??? the fact that he managed to kill two people while in that much pain and at that angle is insane btw. whatever) and then exacerbate the injuries by refusing to get any help for it (he doesn’t have TIME for PT!!!!) or tell anyone about it at all. like obviously katara would heal his leg, and we see it in a cast in the finale, but he still wouldn’t actually bother taking good care of it, he’d just walk on it all the time and pretend he’s not in pain. same goes for his arm. since he’s ambidextrous, he’d just use his good arm for everything without bothering to do exercises to retain the strength and mobility in his bad arm until it gradually gets worse and worse.

and he wouldn’t actually communicate this pain to anyone, obviously. i think toph would be the only one who actually knows, both because she was there when it happened and because she can tell via her seismic sense. but toph isn’t in the business of airing out people’s secrets (especially not sokka’s) so as much as she confronts him privately about it she’s not gonna push it, even though maybe she should. and sokka is very grateful for that because the thought of katara yelling at him for not telling her about his pain is something he absolutely cannot bear to think about. also, in a kind of perverse way, he does kind of enjoy the pain. it’s like a punishment. serves him right for nearly letting toph die. serves him right for still being alive.

toph would be the only one who could ever potentially get through to him just by being like “you shouldn’t be ashamed of your disability” to which sokka is like “im not ASHAMED and im NOT DISABLED!!!!!!” and then she just kinda stares flatly at him until he concedes. at which point he decides that he will try doing physical therapy and sometimes use a cane. which is still not much, but hey. it’s progress.

#elfantasmadejanis #asks #sokka #toph #sokka&toph #postwargaang #ish #i love the idea of sokka using a cane that has a sword inside. just in case yknow #anyway ​toph and sokka’s relationship is so beautiful 😭😭 if you even care. #i think their dynamic is what got me to like sokka in the first place as a kid #which is so real of me