What A Man Does

The trouble with Aang is that he doesn't seem to comprehend that men don't weave and wear flower crowns. What was once sort of quirky and cute when he was a twelve year old has now become just plain embarrassing to watch in a twenty year old fully-fledged Avatar.

So Sokka decides it's time to hang out just the boys and show Aang how it's done.

(And, yeah, he included Toph in that invitation. If his prominent limp is any indication, that was a mistake.

He didn't invite Haru, and has since been treated to the silent treatment with a side of wounded, limpid eyes.

He doesn't think he can be blamed considering their respective reactions.)

Zuko, oddly, is the only one who says he'll show up and does show up. Sokka had fully expected him to be caught up in, you know, being the Firelord. Zuko shrugs his shoulders in response and says "slow week". This is almost in-comprehensible to Sokka who remembers how busy his father was in looking after their tribe and comparing their home to the Fire Nation...

There is no comparison.

Thanks to the Fire Nation.

But, you know, bygones.

Unfortunately, now that Sokka has the two here he's not actually sure what to do. The only thing he can come up with fishing, which Zuko says a man should only do when absolutely forced to or die of hungry and Aang protests that fishing (and hunting) defeats the purpose of not eating meat.

Seriously, though, since when is fish meat?

Anyway.

Talking about girls is out since Aang would be talking about his sister and... no. Just no. He's still processing that they're together and it's been almost eight years. No.

Besides, man time should be about men.

If, you know, they could figure out what men do.

It's Aang that out right asks what exactly makes any one thing "manly".

"When a man is doing it, I guess," Zuko muses.

This prompts Aang to turn to Sokka and say, "Well, if I'm a man, and I'm weaving a flower crown or baking a pie or sewing the rips in my shirt, then how is it not manly?"

"It just isn't, okay?"

Aang eyes him for a moment before slowly replying, "Whatever you say, Sokka."

He can he see Zuko smirking out of the corner of his eye.

Traitor.

(He forgets what Katara explained about "tactlessly saying sensitive trigger words" and calls Zuko just that.

And loses some mobility in his arm for about two weeks.)

Sokka is man enough to admit that for all intents and purposes this plan had been a complete failure.

He comforts himself with Aang's delicious pie. The guy has a talent, okay?

Author's Note: I prefer cake, myself.