Hayley Williams- Watch Me While I Bloom // Ocean Vuong- Thanksgiving 2006 // Richard Siken- Saying Your Names //Phoebe Brigers- Funeral // Marya Hornbacher- Madness: A Bipolar Life // Clarice Lispector ― A Breath of Life
sokka really said “murder is ok” and the narrative just let him be. i wonder why that is (it’s because he was right.) despite aang’s decision not to kill ozai and katara’s decision not to kill yon rha being framed as good choices (and they are — narratively and thematically speaking) sokka is never put in a wrong light for being down with murder, except maybe when he was actively pressuring aang to kill ozai, but literally nothing else happened to sokka because of it other than aang yelling at him. sokka also kills two men three episodes later, and there is no shocked gasp from toph or regretful look from sokka. in fact, when one is watching, these killings are both covered with explosions and overshadowed by sokka losing his sword and boomerang, and the bodies are almost immediately covered by other soldiers. so the killings themselves are almost discreet – very few people notice sokka just killed two people when they first watch (and with good reason, this is a kid’s show!). there’s no lesson for sokka about how murder is bad or murder hurts you, and that is because sokka is down with murder only when the situation calls for it. his morals are shaped by war, his choice to kill is a survival strategy, and the narrative knows this is a valid point of view to have, and someone in the group having this instinct was necessary in order for them to survive. the same way aang’s morals persist through the horrors of war and that is what defines his character his role as the avatar and his duty to bring justice and peace to the world, these little moments and pieces of dialogue that are so definitive to sokka’s character, who does not have the weight of an almost extinct culture or of saving the world. but he does wear the weight of the war, just like any other person would.
this is a really wonderful parallel between these two.
Sokka is trying to survive to keep his culture alive.
Aang is trying to preserve his culture that is all but dead.
aang: the tackler. he will trap ur arms in a squeeze so tight that you physically cannot hug him back no matter how much you may want too. very enthusiastic. will likely make you fall over from the sheer force of his tackle hug.
katara: the rocker. a typical good hug. solid squeeze. nice level of warmth and comfort. but the thing that makes kataras hugs so good is that she likes to sway when she hugs and its so relaxing and soothing.
sokka: the dad hug. no matter who you are or how tall you are, your arms go under his. he takes pride im comforting other people. the best part about a sokka hug is that he always always adds a soothing back rub as well. just like a good dad would. you never want this hug to end because its safe. (if sokka wants to be the recieving end of the dad hug every now and then LET HIM BE ON THE OTHER END. maybe he wants to feel safe too motherfuckers…)
toph: the patter. toph doesnt do hugs. but when she does its a firm squeeze and a pat on the back to let you know its done. sometimes she’ll linger after patting because she thinks you need a little extra time to stay hugged. sometimes the pats are like sokkas back rubs: sometimes they arent to end it, but to provide comfort and affection. but they always fuckin hurt.
zuko: the rag doll. the hug starts out stiff as fuck. he doesnt know what to do. as time goes on it gets better. a solid hug, reminicent of sokkas almost, tho sometimes he puts his arms under. a standard run of the mill hug if you will. but zuko gradually relaxes into the hug the longer it goes on. by then end you are fully supporting his weight as he refuses to support himself or let you go. its annoying but also kinda adorable and if you ever make fun of him for it he will burn off your eyebrow (dont say i didnt warn you)
suki: the mom hug. epitome of comfort. always includes hair strokes and forehead kisses. you lean into her shoulder and she holds you there for as long as you needs. just like a good mom hug should be. it doesnt matter if its aang and hes two whole feet taller than her like the giant he inevitably becomes, or toph who needs to stand on her tippy toes to reach: your head in her shoulder and you feel like a goddamn kid again.
It’s supposed to be a one night stand. Pick up some guy at a bar, barely remember his name and never learn anything real about him, send him packing in the morning with a thanks for the ride and a cup of coffee to-go. That’s how it’s supposed to go.
But then it’s the best sex Sokka has ever had, and he thinks he’ll hate himself if he never gets to have it again.
or: My Cat Likes My Fuckbuddy And I’m Falling In Love With Him Over It
chapter 1 available now!!
i just want u to know i just read all of this and i remembered why i dont read fics: they are just too good and make me feel too many things
