Archive of Our Own ^beta

Water splashed onto Hakoda’s faces. “Oops sorry grandpa.” a little voice said as more was splashed around half hazily. Hakoda figured it what he got for standing too close. “ It's like I can't escape it, first Katara now my own son,” Sokka grumbled to himself as he tried to free his frozen feet. 

 Katara laughed “aww don't be such a baby, Koda is doing amazing, one more round and we will go inside to eat.” Katara flicked her wrist, and Sokka feet were unfrozen. 

Hakoda didn't mind the water not even a little, he was just so impressed to see his eldest grandchild water bending freely. Fire nation ship sat out in the harbored but streets where still full of people. There was irony somewhere in the fact that these fire nation soldiers are her to protect his daughter.  Hakoda couldn't help but smile at the sight, a small smile no one else would have noticed. He looked over to his daughter, Katara who was just as happy instructing her nephew in his water bending lessons. Life was good with the war now over and slowly the world was beginning to heal, but he couldn't help but feel a heavy weight growing his chest. However, he didn't have much time to dwell because a strange shape in the sky had appeared, Appa he realizes. The big beast landed onto the snow. Soon a very happy air bender was deboarding with and very grumpy earth bender, it was the first time Hakoda every seen Toph were shoes which explained why she was so grumpy. Hakoda was relieved to see that they had made it safely and happy to see that they have traveled together.  

“Hey guys!” Katara shouted and waved at Aang and Toph, in an instant she was drenched in water. Sokka couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably. And so was Koda, they had the same laugh Hakoda noticed. Katara scrunched up her face and flinger the water that was on her at Sokka and then she started to laugh too. 

 they returned to his home, where his daughter- in- law and son- in-law were at. Suki was preparing a meal for them all and zuko was helping. Hakoda remember the time where they freed him from prison, he loved these two kids, and he was happy to call them his. 

Here let me help with that,” Hakoda rushed over.  

“Oh,no,no.” Suki said, directing him to sit down. “We got it, it your birthday anyways, Dad.”  

Right his birthday, the day he was hoping to avoid. Just another year of getting older. Hakoda found a seat and took in the sight of his home. The house was full of laughter and chatting. He noticed how the avatar helped the blinded earth bender find a place to sit near the fire where she would be warm. Hakoda Looked up and noticed Sokka giving his wife Suki a hug from behind as she was Cooking by the fire. Their son, Koda was playing with a plush polar dog toy next to them. Hakoda continued to look around the house and he noticed his daughters sitting next to him, with her husband Zuko being extremely attentive. He could hear her constant reassures that she was fine. It made Hakoda laugh he was the same way with Kya. In this very house, it felt like yesterday. 

“Do you ever think this war will end?” Kya whispered to Hakoda. Kya hair was sticking to her face, and under her eyes dark circles forming. But Hakoda has never seen her more beautiful. In her Arms she held their first-born son, Sokka. He didn't want to be negative since his wife just had a baby. “I'm not sure.” He decided to say.  

Kya let out sleepy sigh, and cuddled closer to him, "I just hope that maybe are children will be able to live in peace, maybe even get along with other nations one day.”  

Hakkoda thought it was an empty wish; all the elements are too different they couldn't never mix. The war being over was one thing maybe it could happen but the idea of all the nations co existing was just too, impossible. The norther water tribe lives in complete isolation and all but abandoned them, their own people didn't even get along, how could the rest of world?  

Instead of telling her what he really thought he just held her closer, he could tell she was already drifting off, “me too Kya”.  

“Here dad! Hold her.” Katara said bring Hakoda out of his daydream. He put his hand and out to grab the blue blankets of furs. He didn't even realize that they left to grab the baby. He studied the small little face barrier in those furs. Katara continued “we are planning on naming her Kya.” 

The lump in his throat was forming. He held his now second grandchild in his hands, could she be a fire bender or a water bender or even a non bender like himself? in the end, it didn't matter she was loved all the same. Now he could feel tears falling down his face. Oh, how he wishes Kya was here to see this.