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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

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Reflecting on Harry Potter and how Fanfic made it better

When I was a kid I was reluctant to read HP because I had seen some of the first movie when I was around 8. I wept and refused to watch anymore of the movie when Draco stole Nevilles Remembrall and bullied Harry and his friends. This was scary to a young and very empathetic kid ( who hadn’t yet learned that the worlds plights weren’t my fault yet). So when I did get around to reading all of the books in 7th grade as a 13 year old who was being bullied and felt very isolated and alone at home, I clung to these books. These books about a boy who even though he had some friends he felt he had no support system and was proved that he could not depend on the adults in his life to help or protect him even when he asked. The world building was simple and left a lot to the imagination, the story focused on the power that friendship gave and the work it took to make a deep connection happen. The golden trio were not perfect, in fact they disagreed on a lot and Herminione barely had anything in common with the boys. But at the end of the day they fought together, depended on one another and loved each other. The books meant a lot to a young me who felt similar to these kids who felt unseen and confused about what the world wanted from them. But then I grew up, and I learned a lot about being a whole person, and making binderies for myself for my own happiness. I also learned about being an adult and then an adult responsible for kids. And now thinking about the Canon life Harry had makes me sick to my stomach. He told people what was happening at home, he asked to stay at Hogwarts, people mentioned that he was too thin, his glasses were broken, and his clothes were in worse shape than the Wesleys hand me downs. This was an abused child, and no adult ever did anything, or even offered any kind of real help to this 11 year old boy. I know Joanne probably didn’t think about it too hard, she probably didn’t think about a lot of things, but we sure did didn't we? Let’s move on from Canon then shall we? After my Woflstar obsession reading fics about two boys from broken homes protecting each other and verily fighting to love and protect their friends, I hesitantly began some Drarry fics. I was expecting many enemies to lovers, hate sex, banter, and “I loved you the whole time and so a bullied you” (and then also accepting that as an okay answer, hint bullying is not a way a relationship should start) And yes, there is lot’s of those fics, but I also found a trove of stories looking at Harry and Draco as adults after Canon and this is what I want to discuss. Harry and Draco’s paths were paved by the adults in their world, and yes all parents and mentors influence their kids but Harry and Draco were both in the position that they probably felt like they had no other choice than to follow the script. Draco was indoctrinated by his father and the influence of the pureblood culture, and then in later books we saw that he and his mother were threatened into compliance. And then during the war I be t he felt that he couldn’t flee because no one on the other side would protect him, so he played his part, and at the end of the day he couldn’t do what was expected of him. Harry had it so much worse, as Snape rightly said in his memories, he was like a pig raised for slaughter. Again I am not putting much weight into what Joanne meant to show with her writing but looking at the whole picture of Harry’s life I can only see what is often pointed out in fanfics. Dumbledore needed Harry to be beaten down, and self sacrificing and at the end of the day alone. Other wise he would never do what needed to be done to finish the story that Dumbledore and Voldemort set him on. So the interoperation that Dumbledore put a stop to other adults trying to help Harry and lying to them about his well being is a nice comfort, but my preferred interpretation is that Dumbledore did not care about Harry in fact he didn’t care at all about much, it was a matter of ego and control, that he solved Riddle, that he set Harry down the path to beat him. Harry was repeatedly rewarded for doing dangerous things to help others, he was bullied by his “family” and the other adults ignored his repeated attempts to ask for help until he eventually stoped asking. So Fics that show that as an adult Harry has reflected on the way he was manipulated and let down as a child and is properly mad about it means a lot to Harry and to us as readers, who probably felt like him at some point in our youth and now as adult can see the mistakes we and others made and learn from it, and in some cases feel those emotions in a safe place to heal our inner child. And then stories about Draco leaving pureblood culture behind to do his own thinking for once, and building his own life and future and not the “Malfoy Name and legacy” is really meaningful and brave. Especially because he would not have the rest of the wizarding world support his attempts to succeed. The Fics that detail Draco as being brave and paving his own path, and Harry being cunning and seeing his past for what it is and choosing to focus his future on what makes him happy is a lovely example of how everyone has more than their houses virtues in them. Of course Harry would try to be an auroror at first, and maybe even succeed at it for a while, but I can’t see him continuing forever chasing down the evils of the world, Ron would be great at figuring out those kind of puzzles and probably even enjoy being the hero, no longer in Harry’s shadow. But Harry would most likely be tired, and need time to heal his soul for all it had been hurt. He would invest a lot of time on racing Teddy, learning everything about the boy and his family to make sure that Teddy always feels safe, support and knows about his mum and dad, and knows who loved they were and how much they loved him. He would spend time with George in the joke shop, mourning the loss of a brother and helping people by making them smile instead of being their shield, he would find a more quiet life, one away from the press like he always wanted, maybe eventually teaching defence at Hogwarts or teaching primary wizarding/muggleborn education. But only after he has traveled and healed and cemented a place in the world that he picked for himself and loved a family he has chosen for himself. (Also discovered his bisexuality, because duh - Cedric) I love Draco becoming a public servant in some way, a healer, or teacher, or working in policy for magical creatures with Hermione etc. Spending time in the muggle world by choice or by probation and legit manly taking the time to learn the lesson of why his racism was wrong and bad. Sending letters of apologies to those he hurt, not to make himself feel better or clean up his reputation, private sincere letters of, taking responsibility for his actions and understanding that they hurt them and they were wrong, and if he could help in always in the future to let him know. These head canon versions of Draco and Harry make so much sense to come together as adults, friends or more. They understand what it means to be a child solider handed a mission no teenager should have. They understand the importance of making their own decisions. Harry desperately wants to build his own family and love his friends, Draco has to reflect and accept the faults in those he considered family and friends, and learn that even though he was loved there are more ways parents can fail you than abusing you. They would understand each other more than any stranger they would meet in their life, but not because they are the same, they are the two sides of the same coin. The same tale told from separate sides and now as an adult they can reconcile the faults of their childhood and celebrate their growth as adults. Fics rooted in reconciliation, reflection, forgiveness, and growth are better than anything Joanne ever penned. The world of fanfiction is so powerful and I for one am grateful for all of the authors writing to heal the world of HP.

#harry potter #fanfic #harry potter fanfic #drarry #draco fanfiction #fuck jkr #healing #reflection #fanfic prompt #more harry potter head-canons

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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

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Teen Dad Sokka - Zukka - Hockey - university AU

Teen Dad Sokka - Zukka - hockey - university AU

This is my prompt and notes (but edited)

Feel free to finish or take this as inspiration for your own story 💜

Happy pride month folks!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/31699826

#avatar fanfic #avatar #fanfiction prompt #zukka #sokka #Zuko #kid fic #prompt #fanfic #avatar au

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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

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Teen Dad Sokka - Zukka - hockey - university AU

This is my prompt and notes (but edited)

Feel free to finish or take this as inspiration for your own story 💜

Happy pride month

https://archiveofourown.org/works/31699826

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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

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Writing modern teen Dad Sokka (zukka uni)

I wrote this a few months ago, but I ran out of steam and inspiration, so anyone is welcome to take this on and finish it as their own or take it as a prompt and try there own story.

Summer of grade 11, Sokka and Yue spend the whole summer as lifeguards, soaking up the sun, making each other laugh and dreaming of the future.

One night it’s just the two of them in the pool after it’s closed, you can see the full moon through the windows above, Sokka and Yue lay on floaties driving around the pool.

“Hey Sokka?”

“Hmm?”

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Sokka laughs “Haven’t heard that since I was a kid and I wanted to be and otter penguin - and no I have no idea where that came from.”

Yue turns over so she can look Sokka in the eyes. “Seriously though, what do you want to do when you can leave this small town and its small ideas.

Sokka could tell that there was more behind the question but tired answering it honestly “I dunno exactly “What” I want to be, but I think I would like to build things, useful things too. And I’m not really a car guy or a building guy.”

Yue snorts “Ya not a car guy, says the guy who failed to get his license twice!”

“Hey!” Sokka splashes yue playfully. “Okay okay, I have been looking the some of the research into mixing prosthetics with robotics and focusing more on make prosthetics one with the body, I don’t know much about it yet. But I guess I started reading all about them and I kinda became obsessed.”

“what about hockey?”

“I love hockey, and the coaches at school think I’m good enough to get scholarships, so if hockey helps support an actual career for me I’m all for it, but I know I want to do more than catch pucks my whole life, I want to really use my brain and solve puzzles.”

“hmm” Yue turned over and looked back at the moon thoughtful.

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Well as you so gracefully put it, what do you want to do when you can leave this place that’s too small for you and your big ideas and dreams?”

“Well when you put it like that… I want to travel, see places, important places. I want to fall in love, out of love, I want to have enough friends that my house is always filled with good food and loud laughter. I want to be a Mom someday, I think maybe I want to go to school and study philosophy, not sure what kind of job that leads to but I want to ask questions, the big questions like why are we here, what is a life well spent?”

“Whoa”

“Ya… Whoa”

“and have you talked to your dad about that?

“Sort of, and it sort of didn’t go well.”

“he’s still set on you making the Canadian swim team? Duty to country and family stuff?”

“YeP” she said as she popped the P

“That sucks”

“indeed it does”

They floated around in silence for a bit longer.

“Hey Sokka?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you want to have sex?”

Sokka promptly fell into the water, Yue’s laugh echoing around the empty pool.

They did indeed tumble into bed together that night, an awkward interaction for both of them that ended with the laughing covered in sweat. That morning when Sokka woke up Yue was already sitting on his bed looking at his doodles on the walls.

“Sokka I love you, I do, and I honestly thought maybe I loved you like a girl loves a guy, but I think I just love you because you're my best friend.”

“Ookaaay. I think I should add in you’re my best friend too? Because you’re being weird”

Yue looked to her hands in her lap and a tear fell to her hand. “Sokka, think I might like girls.”

She said it so quietly that it took a second for Sokka to understand what she had just told him.

“Whoa, no I mean, Cool! That’s fine. I support you, wait was I really bad last night?”

Yue’s tears quickly turn into laughs “No you idiot! You ere great, it just wasn’t right”

“Okay well cool then…..”

“Cool then”

“promise you won’t tell?”

“Yue, I promise I won’t tell! I can even pretend to be your boyfriend so your dad can’t freak out, and we can totally go to the girls soccer games this year if you want?”

“Sokka I love you, you big dummy”

“Well I love you to, to the moon and back dreamer”

___________________________________

So Sokka and Yue were still best friends and they spent the fall attached at the hip, and when Yue found out she was expecting a baby and her parents kicked her out, Sokka just grabbed her hand and her backpack and walked into his house stating that Yue lived here now.

Hakoda and Bato nodded and welcomed her home, Katara squealed and fawned over becoming an auntie.

And for a while things were good, they were complicated as they prepared to become teen parents, co parenting as best friends, both of them aiming for scholarships and working part-time gigs whenever they could to save up. But life was happy, they were going to have a baby.

But then things went wrong, Yue went into labour 6 weeks early, her pressure dropped, the baby’s dropped, there was blood, there were doctors everywhere, then there was a small shrill cry, more moving and running and yelling. Then there was a lot of quiet.

Yue died in labour, their baby was in the NICU for three weeks to improve her lungs and even then doctors were worried about how premature she was. Finally after weeks camped out in a hospital next to his baby in a box or in his bed in the dark or the shower staring at the wall, he could bring his daughter home. She was going to be okay.

Her name was Juno Kya Last name, and she was perfect, wide hazel eyes like her Mom, and the sharp cupids bow like Kya, it looked like she would have Sokka’s dark hair and complexion. She watched everything with curious eyes, and didn’t cry unless she was hungry or tired which was often the first few months. But Bato and Hakkoda loved their granddaughter to bits and helped with everything. The diapers, the late feedings, the tummy time, the grieving.

The grieving was the hardest. Mostly because he was to busy trying to be there as a Dad and as a student and as a team player. He spent so long being there for everyone else that one night once hockey season was over and Katara took Juno to a girls sleepover he was all alone, for the first time since he was a little boy after his Mom died.

The dam burst and he sat on the floor and cried, he cried until his Dads came home and they wrapped him up in a hug and he cried some more. Then they made hot chocolate and sat on the couch in thick chewy blankets. They talked and talked, Hakkoda speaking about loosing the love of his life with two young children, being a dad by himself, Bato spoke about loosing his best friend Kya so unfairly and traumatically. The spoke about the unfairness of life and the peace in death, and how he will never move on but he will move forward, with one hand holding his daughter and the other pointing him forward to his own future.

When Katara came home the next day, Sokka was already awake and making blueberry pancakes poorly singing ice ice baby. When he saw his sister holding Juno he scooped her up and gave her a million kisses.

They were going to be okay, because they were loved, because Sokka was smart, because Sokka was going to be driven just like his best friend was, he was going to ask the big questions whenever he could, and love and laugh, so much his home was filled with it.

For Juno and for Yue, and for himself too.

_________________________

So Sokka worked his ass off, he won a full ride scholarship to university for hockey to study bio engineering, he was even able to work on family residence on campus, which took a load off his shoulders of trying to figure out travel to and from school with a baby, now he skates, lives and attends school on campus (which even had a daycare)

During the summer leading up leaving for school Bato revealed that ever since Sokka got into school he has been trying to transfer his job to the same city so they could be closer and he had not only done that but he had gotten a promotion out of it too. So Katara was starting at a new high school for senior year and Bato and Hakkoda were moving to be 20 minutes away from Sokka’s school.

He knew he would have to get used to being more independent, as he knew his dads thought he would be annoyed by them following him, or his sister would be upset about changing schools. But no, katara had high hopes for her new adventure and sokka was just relived to not be alone, and that Juno had more than one badly an adult person in her life.

_________________

Little hands grabbed at Sokka’s hair as he hoisted 9 month old Juno up on his hip. “Well June-Bug this is it our home for the next four or so years”

Juno looked up at her dad with wide hazel eyes and replied in noisy baby babble.

From behind Sokka Bato came up and rested a hand on on his shoulder “Deep breaths kid, you’re going to be great.”

Sokka smiled ruefully at Bato as Katara ran up with a stroller full of baby things and his dad struggled with his hockey bags as he tried to lock the car with one hand.

Sokka looked at Juno again and whispered to her and himself “Deep breaths kid”

Later after they had gotten the crib set up in the attached office to Sokka’s room Bato and Katara took Juno for a walk in her stroller to grab some food. While Sokka and his dad finished unpacking.

“Son are you sure you want to stay on campus, are you sure you want Juno to stay with you? We could take her for the weeks mostly and you could come stay with us at the new place on weekends. I know you expected to do this more by yourself, but Bato would move oceans for you kid and got the new position in town, so we’re here, we can help.”

“Dad… Ya I’m going to need help, so thank you, I will take you up on looking after Juno when I need it, but you and Bato are going to be looking after her as her grandparents and not as her guardians. I promised Yue - Juno and I are family, and I’m not going to pass her off whenever I feel like not being a Dad anymore, she’s my kid and I want to be here for all the stuff, the walking the talking everything, and that’s not going to happen if she’s only my kid on weekends.

“Sokka you’re doing just fine son, more than fine really. Okay okay well when Juno wants to see her Great Papa and GB (Grand Bato) you give us a call, or if you need to pull an all nighter for an assignment you call, anything you call and we can be here. And when you get your game schedule, email us so we can make sure one of us can take her to the games, Bato is very excited about the baby headphones he bought her.”

“Okay Dad Okay, Now get out of here ya old man, and Dad Thanks for being here.”

“Of course Sokka”

________________________

Sokka was pretty pleased with his new place, sure it was small, but it was clean and had more room than he expected to get so he was grateful. The suite was in the family/accessible living accommodations which was a small building with elevators to every floor. This suite had two rooms on opposite sides of the small common area which had a worn in couch and a coffee table. There was also a small kitchen and an even smaller dinner table. Sokka’s room had a small attached office space that he turned into Juno’s room, even though she still co-slept with him most nights, it was good to have a crib for naps and a place to put her never ending supply of diapers, blankets and clothes.

Sokka's roommate was a paraplegic kid named Teo who happened to have basically the same schedule as Sokka so they quickly bonded over advancements in the medical and mechanical fields. Teo also seemed pretty chill and took a liking to Juno right away. Which made Sokka endlessly happy because, well they were now living together and babies cry and poop so he was worried about tiptoeing around his new home.

Day care still didn’t open for the next two weeks while sokka would be attending training camp so his Dad would be taking most of the days with Juno, but it happened to shake out where the first day of meet and greet and skate Hakkoda was attending a support group meeting for retired field medics in a new city and Sokka didn’t want his Dad to miss it, plus it gave Sokka an opportunity to introduce everyone to his best girl.

Katara came to hold Juno while he was on the ice excited to get a sneak peek at university life before her high school year started.

“Da da da” Juno babbled as she mushed her fist into Sokka’s mouth, sokka smiled and pretended to gobble up her hand, the baby shrieked and laughed and Sokka adjusted her baby sweater around her neck.

“Sokka she’s fine, I have diapers, formula, and the big blanket you packet in the stroller, if she gets fussy I can take her for a walk to see the birds, and she won’t get cold because you packed a million layers and she will be held by every limbo there so again, she will be fine.”

Sokka checked the stroller again nodding to what his sister was saying. She was right, he was prepared, he had already emailed with the coaches so they knew what was up and he had coffee with the captain yesterday, who looked like a giant holding his baby, but overall seemed like a good guy. Eric “Wooly Mammoth/ Wooly” Woolner seemed like a solid guy, like physically solid and also like the type of guy Sokka could lean on as a leader while figuring out classes, fatherhood and being on a university level hockey team.

Everyone met in a blank sort of room with lots of chairs facing a projector, Sokka thought it was probably to review game footage and make new plays. He settled in with Juno on his lap as the other guys in the room took notice that there was a baby in their midst.

“Sokka you brilliant man!” Shouted a familiar face from across the room as he stood up and ran over.

Haru was taller and broader than Sokka, much bigger at least than when they last saw each other when they played on the same club team when they were 15.

“Haru, dude! You’re here! Awesome!”

Haru took a look at Juno and sized her up, then he stuck out his tongue and did a silly dance, Juno hid her face in Sokka’s shoulder and Haru ran around so she could see him and did it again. This time he managed to get a small smile before she hid her face again, grabbing Sokka’s collar with her hands.

“She’s cute Socks, she yours?”

“Yep, this is Juno.”

“Nice, is she gonna be at the games and shit?”

“Easy up on the potty mouth there dude, and ya I hope so, my dads moved into town so they hope to be there and bring her to them and stuff.”

“Wicked, is the uh - mom in the picture?”

“Nah, she passed when Juno was born so it’s just us.”

“Sorry bro”

“Thanks, anyways we should totally catch up properly later. Let’s introduce the team to our new good luck charm shall we?”

Katara was right, Juno has passed from bro to dude to himbo, once she realized that everyone one here was as big and cuddly as her dad she seemed to warm up and enjoy the attention. Then it was time for everyone to get on the ice to pass around the puck and do some laps getting a feel for the other players on the ice.

Juno sat with Katara smearing her messy hands all over the glass looking at the people on the rink until she fell asleep in her stroller tucked under a whole blanket.

Sokka enjoyed the team, Haru was a great comfort of home, Wooly was a level headed captain that set a tone for the rest of the guys, then there was Lucas “Longshot” Cho, Dennis “The Duke” Cunningham, Sam “Rooke” Chesterfield, Finn “Pipsqueak” Biggs, and the team manager Suki and the assistant captain Zuko.

All of the guys were loud and boisterous, including Suki, but Zuko seemed reserved and maybe a little prickly.

Then there were coaches Piandao and Bumi. Piandao seemed more serious, the man with a plan. He had coached a lot of different teams and was sought after for his reputation of the coach who turns coal into diamonds, Bumi on the other hand had coached here forever it seemed. He gave Sokka Manic genius vibes that had him thinking that maybe he should let Piandao hold Juno for the occasional practise instead of the ripped crazy old guy who ran around the ice in uggs.

——————

Later when Sokka was packing up and talking to the coaches about potentially bringing Juno with him in case he couldn’t find a sitter last minute working out how that would work, Katara pulled up with a fussy Juno in her stroller.

“Sorry Sokka I have to run, Dad is outside waiting for me and I have to finish unpacking my room tonight”

“All good Kat, thanks again for coming tonight!”

Katara leaned down and kissed her fingers and pressed them to Juno’s head “Love you little bug”

The coaches bid their farewells shortly after and Sokka packed his stuff into the stroller before taking Juno out to settle her and give her a bottle.

Just as he tucked her into his arms and pulled the bottle from the bag someone walked briskly into the locker room where he was sitting.

Zuko and Assistant Captain huffed in and sat down hanging up his phone and tossing it on the bench.

“Uh hi?”

Zuko whirled around looking ready for a fight before spotting Sokka and said baby sucking on a bottle. “Hi Baby.” Zuko said shyly.

Sokka laughed “ Take me on a date before you call me that.” And winked at Zuko.

Zuko looked like a startled deer so Sokka took pity on him.

“Just kidding dude, I mean sort of I am Bi - what a discovery that was and anyways - sorry I wasn’t coming on to you - I don’t know you - I just thought I should make it clear that I COULD come on to you because I like guys, and girls…. Whelp I would start running away in shame now for oversharing but I’m currently a food spruce for this nugget sooo, yep just going to sit here and wish I could time travel to punch myself in the face.”

Throughout the vomit of words coming out of sokka’s mouth Zuko seemed to relax and then smirk at the other man.

“You do know I was talking to your kid right?”

“Yep, yes I did”

“Well see you around Sokka.”

And Zuko grabbed his bag and left the locker room. First impressions for today might be bit all over the place Sokka thought to himself.

____________________________________

Sokka talked to Juno all of the time. What can he say, he is a guy with a lot of words and they can’t all stay in his head.

So Juno has an interesting and advanced vocal for a 9 month old baby.

Of course she can address the people in her life, Dada, Kat, Great Papa, and GB (Great Bato)

She can also ask for milk, to go up, and uh oh.

She loves to say no but can infect say yes (sokka swears he’s heard that one)

But it also means she tries to say things that Sokka often says to varying degrees of baby success

“Stupid gravity!”

"Monkey balls”

“Shoot”

“I love you to the moon and back”

“hockey time.

And her favourite word of all time

Puck

It stopped making Sokka freeze after the first 2o times he thought he heard his baby say fuck. Now its just a cute funny thing his kid has figured out, Dada has to find the puck, and it is her job to hide them.

She hides pucks everywhere, he swears sometimes she is multiplying them on her own because he always finds at least two in the diaper bag and one hidden in her crib.

So very quickly into the season the team dubs the hockey baby with her very own nickname

“Little puck”

Sokka quietly thinks that Yue would have liked that one because her favourite Shakespeare play was midsummer night's dream.

________________________

The team gets Juno and Sokka a fancy running stroller for her birthday/christmas

It was Zuko’s idea

Zuko sometimes comes by to offer to take her for a run when Sokka has exams.

_______________________

Zuko seemed to always be the last to leave the locker rooms, Sokka would usually rush out to pick up Juno from whoever had her unless she had stayed with Couch Dao during practise which she had today.

On days like today Sokka takes his time, cleans and folds his gear, re-tapes his stick for next practise and actually has a real shower. So today he was tucking Juno back in her stroller after changing her as Zuko put the tape away. They were casually talking about the hilarious origins of Pipsqueaks nickname when sokka realized Zuko had a funny look on his face.

“What? Do I have poop on me or something?”

Now Zuko looked even more confused as Sokka looked at his shirt, twisting around to make sure he was free of baby droppings.

“No, you just never look at it, is all. I was trying to figure out what was so -weird about you other than being a crazy goalie, and you don’t look at it.”

“I don’t look at what?”

Zuko gestures to the scared half of his face glumly. “You don’t look at it, you look me in the eyes, always have. It’s weird I guess. You pretending it’s not there.”

“Oh”

“Forget it, sorry.”

“No! It’s just of course I know it’s ther, I’m not pretending its not there, it just seems like whatever happen was probably truamitic, ya know? And - well - okay so tragic backstory time. My Mom was killed in a targeted home invasion by some racists, super fucked up... “

“Holy shit.”

“Yep, anyways everyone knew about it, in the town we lived in, in the next town we lived in, So it was like everyone could see my big truma all the time, it wasn’t up to me to trust people enough to share something that was hard for me and that hurt. It was out of my hands and everyone knew including people I didn’t feel safe with or I didn’t know at all. So I get it, in a way. I see your scar I do, but I get that it maybe comes with a pretty sucky story that’s not mine to make assumptions and judgments on. If I’m worthy of knowing then I will, but I will always look you in the eyes, I’m not going to look at your trauma first because you’re Zuko first.”

Zuko stared at Sokka with his mouth open. Sokka looked away and finished strapping Juno into her stoller before looking back up at the other player. When he did Zuko was looking at the wall, his shoulders turned away from the young father.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry about your Mom… I promise I won’t tell anyone, that scar can stay between us for however long you need.”

And before Sokka could stay anything Zuko turned on his heel and walked quickly from the room.

________________________-

Sokka wasn’t sure what was up with this Zuko guy, everyone else on the team except Haru and Sokka had played with Zuko last year, so they all seemed to have an unspoken understanding of the reserve alt captain. But Sokka couldn’t even get him to smile. Sokka knew he was funny, he was full of 100% organic grass fed dad jokes for goodness sakes! But no, Zuko would not smile, he would not laugh, actually most of the time he seemed to be trying to not talk to Sokka in general. Which was hard considering Zuko was one of the defensemen and it was his job to protect Sokka, you’d think there would be an effort to become friends.

“Maybe he’s uncomfortable with the whole baby thing?” Suggested Teo from the table where he was copying data to a new chart.

“Nahh, I don’t think so, he even said hi to Juno at the first prac - ohhhhhhh” Sokka fell to the floor from where he was sitting with Juno, she took the opportunity of her opponent on the ground and began to climb on her dad.

“What ohhhhhh?”

“I totally flirted with him after that and told him I was queer and he like panic walked out of the locker room.”

“Ugh so do you think he’s homophobic or something?”

“Maybe or something? I don’t get bully vibes from him more like “I act scary so people won’t pretend to like me and then stab me in the back” vibes from this guy. So maybe it’s just a little internalized stuff and he’s not going to beat me up just might not want to talk about it.”

“Well it sucks either way!”

Juno continued to climb around her Dad trying to stuff toys down his shirt and then take them out again. Sokka kept a hand two inches from her back whenever she got close to standing just incase she decided that gravity no longer applied to her and she tumbled over.

“Hey Sokka, do you think he told anyone? Would your spot be in danger if you were outed?”

A cold feeling settled in his stomach “oh shit, I uh, I didn’t think about that… I don’t think I would be kicked off the team. There are policies like that for the school, but I don’t know about how safe I would be from the boys.”

“Oh,” Teo finally looked up from his laptop and set down his highlighter. “You know if you need someone to back you up, I know I can’t take them in a fight but I am friends with some freelance hackers and I could make their lives living hell.”

“Teo, you my man are one scary dude, and the wheels only add intimidation with that tricked out chair. You’re also a really great friend.”

Teo blushed and shrugged “Eh it’s whatever, us queers in engineering trying to change the way people use bionic tech gotta stick together right?”

“Totally, isn’t Uncle Teo awesome June-Bug?” Sokka picked up his daughter and flew her over his head as she wiggled her legs.

“Too too!”

“Uncle Teo?” teo said quietly from the table.

“Oh, well ya, if you want? Juno needs a village right? And one day you and I are going to start a bionics company together, so ya you’re going to be around for a while right?”

“Right.” Teo smiled.

“Toto!” Juno screamed again.

Both of the boys laughed and the night went on.

_______________________________________

Juno was still asleep and Teo was in the house studying so Sokka took the opportunity to go for a run around his building with the baby monitor clipped on his waist band.

It was rare nowadays that Sokka could get a good run in outside, his feet pounding the pavement, a chance to clear his mind.

He was surprised to see that Zuko apparently had the same idea because soon they were matching each other stride for stride around the complex. It was surprising even after weeks of Zuko evading Sokka at any chance they seemed to be in sync.

They were still going strong when Sokka heard Juno fuss from the monitor and slowed to a stop. Zuko halted a few paces ahead and looked confused.

“Are you tired? We can stop-” Zuko started but Sokka quickly waved him off.

“No it’s Juno, I just want to see if she’s going to go back to sleep herself or whether I have to call Teo to pick her up, or if I should go get her. Come on J-Bug settle down,”

Zuko looking curious came to hover over Sokka’s shoulder looking down at the tiny screen which showed Juno in her crib tossing and turning.

“Come on J look your penguin is right there- YES!” Sokka pumped his fist and did a little dance. “My baby went back to sleep, ah I love you!” He continued speaking to the machine and the sky and skipped around before remembering he had an audience.

It looked like Zuko was thinking about smiling and Sokka thought that that might be worth celebrating too.

“Hehe whoops, sorry man. I just haven't been able to run in forever, it's like she knows when I grab my runners and demands to see me.”

“No worries, Sokka.”

So the two hockey players started up a soft pace again around the building. It came to Sokka's mind that he shouldn’t poke the bear but he also had poor impulse control so as he thought it the words came tumbling out of his mouth.

“So have you outed me to all the guys and should I watch my back?”

Now it was Zuko’s turn to stop, he looked like Sokka slapped him.

“What.”

“Ugh! You know, like I can not talk about it and we can just play the game but - should I be making sure that Juno is safe? If she comes to a practise and I’m leaving will I get roughed up by the guys? Because I can take a hit, but my daughter is off limits. Nothing has happened yet so, my guess is you haven't told anyone, but are you going to?”

“No!” Zuko still looked scared “ Never - do I come off as someone who would do that?” He followed up quietly.

“I don’t know what to say dude, you looked scared out of your mind when I flirted with you and practically ran out when I told you I was Bi and ever since you have avoided me, I just assumed you were uncomfortable.”

Zuko looked around as if to check for monsters around them, then he looked at Sokka. “I won’t tell anyone, I haven't, I swear to you that I have your back if you ever want to say anything about it. Juno is safe, I swear it.”

“Whoa that’s a serious tone shift, Um thank you then.”

There was an awkward pause as the two men regarded each other for a moment.

“Just out of curiosity why did you avoid me after? Was it the baby thing?”

“No, it wasn't the baby thing.” zuko mumbled and toed the dirt with his shoe.

“Okay… but were good now right?”

“Ya”

Sokka turned and started to jog again, and soon enough Zuko caught up and they continued for a few more laps. As they were cooling down Zuko still looked amped up, Sokka was surprised, running usually calmed him down but Zuko seemed jumpy.

“Well this was fun! If I can ever join again it would be nice to have company, even company as quiet as you along.”

“Why don’t you bring Juno in her stroller or something?”

Sokka rubbed a hand behind his neck “ Well her stroller is a second hand one we got when she was born, it’s not the kind I can take running without it falling apart or bouncing my babies brains out. And her Mom and I both had much to offer in genetic smarts so I would like my babies brain to be perfect so she can run the world or something.”

“Oh and I guess running strollers are expensive?”

“Ya a bit, and I already spend so much on her clothes, she just won’t stop growing!”

“Too bad, it was also nice running with you.”

“Wow a real Zuko compliment, be still my beating heart!”

Sokka grabbed his chest and fell back and rolled in the grass. Zuko’s lips tilted up just a fraction and butterflies fluttered in sokka’s stomach.

Just then Juno started to cry in earnest and Teo’s voice came over the monitor. “Uh Sokka is her bottle the one in the door of the fridge or do I make a new one?”

Sokka sighed a little then pressed the intercom button on the monitor “Don’t worry about it Teo I will be up in two. Just start telling her the periodic table or something.”

“See you later Zuko”

“Bye Sokka.”

_____________

Sokka’s head was pounding and his vision was blurry, as he stumbled in the dark to the toilet and heaved.

“Fuck.”

At some piont after the sweating and throwing up he dragged himself back to his room to fetch his phone. Juno was fast asleep in her crib because he had a headache last night and homework took forever, so he had put her down early.

Back in the bathroom he rested his head on the cool tile and dialed up his dad with shaky fingers.

After three rings Hakkoda picked up in a panic “Sokka, are you okay? Is Juno okay? Where are you?”

Sokka squinted his eyes at the loud voice of his Dad ringing around his skull. “Dad? I think I have the flu.”

“Oh bud, okay. What’s going on, how can I help?”

“I had a headache last night so I put J down for bed early then I woke up with a fever, I keep throwing up, Dad I -” Sokka felt a lump in his throat and tears sting his eyes. “Dad I don’t want to her her, she was just so small, and I don’t want her to get sick. I know I have to do this, but i love her so much and I dont want to fuck up - “

The tears fall down his cheeks to the floor.

“Oh son, okay. One you love that kid more than anything you would die before hurting her this I know. Two people get sick, people also get better with rest and the I think I can help with that.”

“Dad I know I’m grown up ish, but can you tell me what to do?”

Hakkoda chuckled on the other end of the line. “Sokka, Bato and I will come pick up Juno in 30 minutes, we will drop off some crackers and gatorade too.”

“Dad- “

“Nope Sokka, you asked so I am telling you what we are going to do. We will come and get our baby girl and take her for a few days, You will email your profs and get your homework sent to you, you can only go to class when you don’t have a fever and if you do you’re going to wear a mask, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good you will email your coaches tell them whats what, when you feel better you can go watch practise, the cool might even be good for the fever, but you will not push yourself. This week will not make or break the rest of your life. So you will sleep, rest, do your work form home, and Juno will play at GB and great Papa’s house. And everything will be okay.”

“Okay. Thank you dad”

“We will be there soon buddy”

So Juno went with his Dad’s and he sent his emails and face planted in his bed and passed out for 6 hours.

Later an hour before practise Sokka’s phone pinged, he groaned and grasped around for his phone.

A text from Fire Prince Zuko

Coaches just said you won’t be at practise tonight. Is everything okay? Is Puck good?

Flu bug, don’t want to mess up that pretty ice with my vomit. Juno seems fine she’s at my Dads house until I’m not dying of the plague

A few minutes went by after that and sokka’s eyes started to fall again. “Ping”

I can drop off soup and tea on my way to practise, which suite is yours in family huas?

Dude its fine I can feed myself

Dude. I’m helping at my uncle’s tea shop today. They have soup and tea, it’s no problem. In fact my uncle insists.

14a second floor

And thank you Z

What are Alt Capts for?

Hakkoda was right, everything was indeed okay in the end. Juno had a blast at her grandparents house and sokka managed to get all of his homework done and even managed to watch a few lectures online courtesy of Teo. Zuko was the anomaly he could’t account for but was grateful for none the less. Whenever he could he stopped by with snacks, soup, tea and even weirder sent cute cat and baby videos at random points during the days.

Within 4 days Sokka felt good enough to go to classes and do some dryland training uring practise and after one more day he was back catching pucks on the rink with his daughter sleeping in the bed next to him one hand fisted on his shirt to make sure her dad didn’t leave.

After that week sometimes Zuko would still stop by with a tea, which Sokka had begun to like even when he wasn’t dying. Except now he would occasionally stay and drink his own tea while they watched juno play on the floor.

Sokka was starting to think he might have a new friend after all…

_____________________

#zukka modern au #fanfiction prompt #sokka #zuko #team avatar #modern au

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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

Text

11 New Drarry fic Recommendations

howdy hoy my peoples it is time for another mass drarry fic recommendation because I have been reading a lot of fanficton when I should be, you know, sleeping.

survival is a talent by @shanastoryteller

In the middle of their second year, Draco and Harry discover they’re soulmates and do their best to keep it a secret from everyone.

Their best isn’t perfect.

okay so this one isn’t finished yet, but oh my god its so amazing and its going to be worth the wait.

Right Hand Red by Iq_traintracks (lumosed_quill)

Harry felt Malfoy’s breath on his lips as they came together over the bottle, hands firmly planted on the floor as though they each needed their familiar soil, refusing to cross into enemy territory.

Except that Malfoy no longer felt like his enemy.

Malfoy felt inevitable.

An Issue of Consequence by Faith Wood (faithwood)

Draco has woken up in an alternate universe. Or he has woken up utterly insane. Nothing else can possibly explain why Harry Potter suddenly seems to think he’s Draco’s boyfriend.

Live It Out by SunseticMonster

Draco is home for Easter during his 7th year at Hogwarts when he notices strange noises coming from the dungeons in the basement.

Only For The Lucky by SunseticMonster

Things seem to be going well for Draco Malfoy after the war. He’s working as a professor at Hogwarts and makes the papers all the time for his charitable contribution to Muggle causes.

But when Malfoy is rushed into St Mungos hospital for a psychotic break, Healer Harry Potter realizes that Malfoy’s success is not all what it seems and sometimes luck can have more than one meaning.

Earthbound Spook by cest_what

Two months after Draco Malfoy was reported dead, Harry and Ron found him tangled in Strangler Ivy on the grounds of Hogwarts.

Progressive Displacement by GatewayGirl

Harry didn’t mean the wish that way. From his point of view, it hadn’t even worked.

Never Feel the Burning Light by carpemermaid

When it falls to Draco to restore his family name to its former glory the road ahead of him is long, but with Harry Potter’s help and a plan that is just this side of ridiculous he just might succeed at accomplishing his goals and getting what he wants. What neither of them plan on is falling in love along the way.

My Little Berserker by Aelys_Althea

Eighth year was supposed to be calm. Moderated. Peaceful, even. Draco returned to escape the chaos wrought upon his shambles of a life and Harry to flee the responsibility of a world that sees him as something greater than was truly possible. Hogwarts was a safe haven, right?

At least it was until Hagrid comes up with the wonderful idea to introduce some additional members to the student body of the fluffier variety. Hagrid doesn’t do moderated - where’s the fun in that?

Stately Homes of Wiltshire by waspabi

Malfoy Manor has mould, dry rot and an infestation of unusually historical poltergeists. Harry Potter is on the case.

Things Worth Knowing by Femme (femmequixotic), noeon (noe)

After the Battle, Harry thinks he’s left Hogwarts for good, but Minerva insists that all students return for an Eighth Year if they wish to sit for NEWTs in the spring, and Harry needs those NEWTs to go into the Aurors. Draco’s just grateful not to be in Azkaban. Or the Manor. He’s hoping he can steer clear of Potter this year and grapple with his own problems. Unfortunately for him, Potter appears to be one of those problems. And that’s not even addressing the fact that Potter’s got serious issues of his own, which Draco realises as he’s forced to share an Eighth Year dormitory room and several classes with the Gryffindor Git. If only they can make it through the year without killing each other, it should be all right, shouldn’t it?

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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

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Drarry Fanfiction Master List

Just Drarry Me fic master list

It actually hurts - parkkate AO3

Had To Be You - lettersbyelise AO3

Starting Again - tamerofdarkstars AO3

My Hero - badluckvixen13, Inkzy AO3

Draco Malfoy, Refuse Remover - alienlover13 AO3

Six Bloody Months - JET_Playin AO3

My Hands Never Knew The Time - ea-stofnar (SinsofYouth) AO3

Breathe Again - kcstories AO3

Nine Circle Journey (The Story of the White Door) - GoldenEmpire AO3

Captive Magic - elle_wolfe AO3

Courtship - april_zephyr (April_Zephyr) AO3

Delicate - bangyababy AO3

The Proximity Problem - standalone AO3

The Best Way to Start the Day - JET_Playin AO3

Changing Tides - carpemermaid AO3

Maybe This Time - Hatsonhamburgers AO3

Consequences of Redemption - bobbirose AO3

Mark Me Yours - digthewriter AO3

One Night at the Leaky - birdsofshore AO3

You Set My Soul Alight - Anonymous AO3

Life’s Melody - lyonessheart AO3

The Sleeping Beauty Curse - who_la_hoop AO3

Telling You Why (Better Watch Out!) - milkandhoney AO3

What’s a Little Hate Sex Between Enemies? - chickenlivesinpumpkin AO3

The Healer and the Auror - lumos2503 AO3

The Generation Who Lived - Anonymous AO3

Quidditch Practice - Boromir AO3

The Lost Bet - Selly87 AO3

The Lives We Lost - MarigoldWritesThings AO3

Love, Harry - Anonymous AO3

Harry Potter and the Draco Malfoy Experiment - teamstarkidfanfic AO3

Skating at Midnight - loganaa AO3

Rebel Red - DisasterSoundtrack AO3

This is Never Happening Again - hpleems AO3

Per il bene di Pansy - milly_n_a AO3

Perderai la voce - Acardia17 AO3

Friend Like Me - LadyVader, fangtasia AO3

Saving Grace - milly_n_a AO3

Moonlight and Snowflakes - gnarf AO3

Mutually Beneficial Arrangement - mothermalfoy (slytherinxravenclaw) AO3

A Convenient Impracticality - firethesound AO3

Helix - Saras_Girl AO3

Unknown Pleasures - birdsofshore AO3

Hand to Hold - wendellgee AO3

Chocolate and Pastry - agentmoppet, anemonen, hdbang_mod AO3

Excellent Elixers - hazel_lannister AO3

Say it Again - bottseveryflavorbeans_jrayoh23 AO3

Tuesday Heartbreak - come_slyther AO3

Promises - MarchnoGirl AO3

Destination SPA - Selly87 AO3

Strange Bedfellows - orphan_account, ravenclawsquill AO3

Balance, Imperfect - bixgirl1 AO3

Nero su bianco - zuzallove AO3

19 Years - shilo1364 AO3

The Power of Three - Queenie_Mab AO3

Draco’s Journal - Hippiebuckydrarry AO3

The last enemy - Whiterabbit11 AO3

Pokerface - Andithiel AO3

Too Good To Be Good For Me - fortunate_cookie AO3

How to Handle a Matzo Ball Soup Emergency - Blowfish_Diaries AO3

Corrupted bloodlines - SurroundedByMuggles AO3

Say My Name - Thunderbird587 AO3

papa says harry potter helps people - jilliancares AO3

I Don’t Want This to Be a Mistake - maraudersaffair AO3

A Sword Laid Aside - korlaena AO3

Have yourself a kinky little Christmas - keyflight790, tsundanire AO3

All the wrong choices - Gcgraywriter AO3

Taking Chances - gracerene AO3

The Godric’s Hollow Wizarding Parents Association - AhaMarimbas AO3

Pictures of You - allwaswell16 AO3

A Strong Cock-nection - MarchnoGirl AO3

Seven Minutes (in Hell) - CapricornBookworm AO3

Two Ghosts (Trying To Remember How It Feels To Have A Heartbeat) - hermione18802 AO3

Looking Like That - cottonpadenthusiast AO3

The Difference Between Dust And Soup (Is You) - gnarf AO3

Silenced by the Night - parkkate AO3

In The Leaves - the_never_was AO3

Predictable Little Curses - brightowl AO3

The Date - digthewriter AO3

Teach Me - XxTheDarkLordxX AO3

Take My Hand - gracie137 AO3

Pride (and very little prejudice actually) [HP/DM] - cassblack AO3

Carpe Diem: A Drarry Fanfic - Smashleighxoxo AO3

Light Years Away - lettersbyelise AO3

Testing the Waters - FleetofShippyShips AO3

Yule Ball - soleil_slytherin AO3

Nobody Tells You How - Anonymous AO3

Potions Tutor - slaahtrix AO3

Eternally Consistent - kitsunealyc AO3

Not Mine, Never Yours - CapricornBookworm AO3

Find Your Way Back - unadulteratedstorycollector AO3

Feelings We Can’t Let Go - Sleepygallavich, marauders_wand AO3

Hope - leontina (Leontina) AO3

Little Prince, Kneel - Selly87 AO3

Ou não - LadyDragonsbane AO3

Next Time I Fall - sassy_cissa AO3

Blank Slate - sesheta_66 AO3

Cruciatus - gxldensnitched AO3

Vulnera Sanentur - dreaminginfiction AO3

Into the Pensieve - onlykatelyn AO3

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things - MarchnoGirl AO3

If My Heart Can Take It - HeyYousGuys AO3

Let the Good Lord Do his Job and Just Pray for Him - cathcer1984 AO3

Poetry In the Raw - cathcer1984 AO3

Falling for a Golden Boy - Anonymous AO3

Believe the very best - Anonymous AO3

Life Lessons - bixgirl1 AO3

Take Him to the Stars (Cut to the Feeling) - Writcraft AO3

The Honey Trap - abstractconcept AO3

Operation Dating Dads - Bbllaanncchhee2110 AO3

Burn The Witch - lettersbyelise AO3

Rainfall Reggae - gnarf AO3

Seven Minute Seduction | FanFiction

Two Sides of the Same Coin | FanFiction

Checkmate | FanFiction

Bond | FanFiction

Like a Muggle Needs Electricity | FanFiction

Into the Closet | FanFiction

Astronomy Tower - All Bets Are Off (fictionalley)

Kill Me, Kiss Me - knees_of_bees [Archive of Our Own]

How to get what you want (even if you don’t know what it is) - Craftswoman [Archive of Our Own]

The Date - EerieBarbarian [Archive of Our Own]

Animagus (working title) - EerieBarbarian [Archive of Our Own]

An Unexpected Invitation - MalenkayaCherepakha [Archive of Our Own]

A Fiancé for Christmas - shadowofrazia [Archive of Our Own]

Veritaserum - orphan_account [Archive of Our Own]

Drarropoly: A Drarry Game/Fest | Archive of Our Own (2018)

VCCV’s Fiction

A Drarry Library - Rec: All Time Favourite Drarry Fic’s

capitu’s Harry/Draco recs

Selly87 | Archive of Our Own

***

Kill, Fuck, Marry - lettersbyelise

How To Make Harry Potter Fall In Love With You: A Guide By Ginny Weasley - Yesimawriter

Date Blindness - dysonrules

Sew Me Back Together Again - xenadragon_xoxo

The Ties That Bind Us - Faith Wood (faithwood)

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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

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I have some prompts for some of these and everyone is welcome to use them however they like! Much love writers 💜

ZUKKA WEEK PROMPTS 2021

Thank you so much to everyone who voted in our prompt poll!! The winning prompts are below. There are two prompts per day, you can choose between them and post the work on that day (or combine them if you are feeling particularly adventurous!).

DAY ONE, MARCH 14th

Swords /// Fake Dating

DAY TWO, MARCH 15th

Tattoos /// Soulmates

DAY THREE, MARCH 16th

Tea or Coffee Shop /// Friends to Lovers

DAY FOUR, MARCH 17th

Southern Water Tribe /// Secretly Dating

DAY FIVE, MARCH 18th

College AU /// 5+1

DAY SIX, MARCH 19th

Disability or Chronic Pain- Centric /// Hurt/Comfort

DAY SEVEN, MARCH 20th

Free Space /// The Prince and the Fool

Once again, all forms of fan content - fanfic, fanart, drabbles, edits, etc - are encouraged for this event! We can’t wait to see what you create!!

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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

Note

I can never seem to find good long wolfstar fics set while they’re at Hogwarts. What are some of the best in your opinion?

Wow, it’s hard to pick the best fics when still working through so many of these amazing epic tales! Below are the ones that that are read and loved, and the Librarian sincerely hopes that this helps you find those stories that you’re looking for.

Nox by bliiinding

The Marauders are starting their fifth year at Hogwarts; Remus is starting with a massive scar across his face - a byproduct of the increasing severity of his furry little problem, which is a definite cause for concern despite his insistence that it it's fine.

All the Young Dudes by @atyd-wolfstar

LONG fic charting the marauders' time at Hogwarts (and beyond) from Remus' PoV - diversion from canon in that Remus's father died and he was raised in a children's home, and is a bit rough around the edges. Otherwise canon-compliant.

*The following fics are works in progress, though they’re incredibly lovely and get updates from the authors as they are able.

Casting Moonshadows by Moonsign

Lonely and outcast by his classmates, Remus wishes on a moonshadow for a friend who understands him. To his amazement his wish is answered not once, but three times, by his former enemies, the Marauders.

the lost generation by @jennbob-writes

The Marauders era at Hogwarts, Voldemort's rise to power and the subsequent war, family loyalties and dishonour, and the struggles of friendship in a difficult time.

The Marauders, Mapped by timeturners

Remus Lupin has never had a friend before. And he hopes to keep it that way. An account of the Marauders' journey through Hogwarts and the trials and tribulations they have to face, full of adventure, mystery, love, friendship, dragons, rabbits, and incomplete homework. Remus-centric.

If you’re looking for a fic, ask the Librarian!

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storytime-with-moth · 3 years

Note

Ok ok, what if Sokka is there for one of zukos assassination attempts and it’s not a bad injury but for Sokka he just feels awful because his leg stopped him from really helping out in fighting against the attacker, he feels like it’s all his fault and he can’t do anything so he just hides away until zukos like, nu-Uh

anon i adore this prompt so much you do not understand. pure gold. anyway this ficlet got a little more intense and angsty than i was intending but i think i like how it turned out so i hope you enjoy it! 💕

Don’t Blame Yourself

“Get down!”

Sokka couldn’t help him. The assassin was apprehended hours ago and Zuko got away with what looked like minimal injuries, but the words kept ringing in Sokka’s head. The screams, the warnings, and his stupid fucking inability to move. He dragged his right leg in closer to himself, pressing his forehead against his knee. He wanted to make himself smaller, but he couldn’t move his other leg. Not without inflicting a pain too sharp for how old his injury was at that point.

“He’s trying to kill the Fire Lord.”

It was a bad day. There was no good reason for it. There never was. Sometimes, Sokka’s leg just hurt worse than other times and there didn’t seem to be any explainable pattern for it. He barely wanted to get out of bed that day, but Zuko begged him to come to the nobles’ dinner and practically carried him the whole way there. But Sokka could still hardly walk, even with his cane. It hurt too much for that. It hurt too much to fight.

“Fire Lord Zuko’s been hurt!”

The blood scared him more than anything else and started the guilt churning in his stomach. Zuko was hurt and it was his fault. Zuko could be dying and it was his fault. He had his boomerang on him and he managed to knock the guy out but not until it was already too late. Not until Zuko was already on the floor bleeding and clutching his side in a way that made Sokka want to walk right over and finish the job. But he couldn’t because he couldn’t fucking move.

“We need to get him to the infirmary.”

More than anything else in the world, Sokka wanted to carry him there. He wanted to rise to his feet and pick up his husband and carry him to the healer himself, but he couldn’t because his leg could barely take his own weight, let alone a hundred and eighty pounds of Zuko. So, he was forced to sit by and do nothing. To watch and slowly follow behind with his cane while someone else carried Zuko to the infirmary. All because Sokka wasn’t strong enough to save him.

“You should have been there for him!”

Nobody said those words but somehow, it felt like they were screaming them. Staring at him as he all but hobbled down the hall, wanting nothing more than to hold his husband’s hand. Zuko seemed to be somewhat conscious but he was clearly losing blood and watching him bleed out, being rescued in another man’s arms, hurt. Sokka wasn’t jealous, he was just upset. He was so fucking disappointed in himself for not being able to help. For letting Zuko get hurt because he couldn’t get over his stupid chronic pain.

“Hey. Sokka. Babe. I need you to look at me, okay?”

Those words weren’t in his head. In all honesty, Sokka was so deep into his thoughts at that point, he hadn’t even realized that he’d been crying until Zuko was knelt in front of him; one hand stroking his cheek and the other reaching out to squeeze his arm. Sokka lifted his head for just long enough to shift it off his knee and lean against Zuko’s shoulder, his breaths shaking and his chest rising and falling heavily as his loose, light brown hair tickled his husband’s neck.

“Are you okay?” Sokka’s words were thick with sobs but he couldn’t explain where they were coming from.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” He said that, but he wore only a loose-fitting robe and the bandages around his waist and his hip were all too noticeable. Sokka squeezed him a little tighter. “They said it looked like a lot more blood than it was.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up.”

“It’s okay. It was just a couple of stitches. It’s not that bad.” Zuko pressed a kiss to Sokka’s temple, rubbing his back reassuringly. Words could not express how stupid he felt for crying when it was Zuko who was in pain. “I was just worried about you because they said they didn’t know where you went. Sokka. Hey. I’m okay. They arrested the assassin and they said I’m going to be fine. We’re all right.”

Of course, they couldn’t find him. Sokka was hiding away in one of the places only Zuko knew to look. The very back of the palace library, surrounded by books and shrouded in the darkness. There were few places he truly felt comfortable in the Fire Nation, even after years of regular visits, but that little spot with his books and the pillow beside Zuko on their bed were better than anywhere else. He sniffed, shifting his arms to make sure he wasn’t hurting his husband’s wound.

“But I couldn’t help you.” He was pathetic. Choking on his words and clinging to Zuko’s back as he soaked his poor husband’s shirt with his tears. “You were— you were bleeding and I thought you were going to die, and I couldn’t help you. I couldn’t— my leg wouldn’t take the weight, and what if— what if something happens again and no one else is there to save you and I can’t do anything because I’m fucking useless and you—”

“No.” Zuko’s tone was firm and solid as he moved his hands from around Sokka’s shoulders to his cheeks, gently urging him to look up and brushing away his tears with his thumbs. “Don’t say that. Don’t you ever, ever say that. I know how hard this is for you sometimes, but you are not useless, and you do not say that you are. You are amazing and important and so, so smart and I don’t know what I would ever do without you. And I know it doesn’t make anything better, but you got that injury doing something so incredibly brave and you should never, ever feel ashamed of that, okay? I love you.”

“I love you too.” It was hard to believe. It was so, so fucking hard to convince himself that what Zuko was saying was true but if there was one thing he did know it was that they loved each other. They loved each other and Zuko wouldn’t lie. “Promise you’re not going to get hurt anymore.”

He hesitated, wetting his lips, and dragging his thumbs back over Sokka’s fresh tears before he spoke. “Listen, Sokka, I don’t know what’s going happen in the future so I don’t know if I can promise you that, but I want you to know that I’m never going to leave you, okay? I know that’s a really real fear for you, but you mean the whole entire world to me and I don’t care if you’re hurting or you’re sad, I’m going to be here for you. I’m always going to be here for you. Just talk to me. I promise I won’t think you’re weak.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I just felt so stupid watching everyone else take care of you and I couldn’t— I couldn’t do anything. You’re my husband and I couldn’t do anything.”

“I understand that, and it’s okay to feel that way, but you know what? Hey.” Zuko nudged Sokka to lift his chin, and only then did Sokka realize his husband’s eyes were getting teary too. “The healer said I should stay in bed for a few days while these stitches heal, and you know who gets to hang out with me?”

“Druk?”

Zuko laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure he’s going be sneaking himself in there at some point, but I was talking about you, Sokka. We can just say to hell with the work for a week and stay in bed and cuddle, and read, and play Pai Sho, and you can tell me all about the stuff you’ve been working on. And then we can both feel like idiots for sitting around all day because we’re barely twenty-five and we’re laying around like we’re eighty. Does that sound okay?”

“Depends on the eighty-year-old, some of them are pretty active.” Finally, he was able to smile through his tears, shaking his head at Zuko’s goofy comments. “But yeah. Yeah, that sounds a lot more than just okay.”

“Okay, come on.” Zuko slid a hand around Sokka’s waist, pulling his left arm over his shoulder for support. Almost immediately, Sokka started to pull away, his gaze shifting down to Zuko’s side, but his husband spoke before he could voice his concern. “It’s okay. It hurts less with a beautiful genius holding my hand.”

In response, all Sokka could do was smile. He didn’t know what he did to deserve Zuko, but he didn’t think he would ever be able to top it.

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