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“Are we there yet?” Aiko asked for the tenth time.
“Almost, sweetie,” Violet said.
Luca leaned against the airship window, staring out at the cloudy sky. “I can’t wait to show Uncle Luca my bloodbending!” He was quite good at it now.
“Just don’t scare him too much,” Alberto said. Like him, Uncle Luca had awful memories associated with bloodbending. Which was why Alberto hadn’t told him that he’d started teaching it to his son. Even if it was just for healing purposes, it might freak him out.
Aiko pointed. “I see it! I see it! We’re there!”
The North Pole stretched out before them, a maze of shimmering ice and blindingly-white snow. The airship landed outside the palace.
Aiko was the first one off the airship, as usual. The others followed her inside, where Chieftess Giulia, her father Massimo, and Uncle Luca were waiting for them.
“Uncle Luca!” The kids ran to him and threw their arms around him.
He hugged them. “Hey, kids. Wow, you’re so big now. You’re sixteen, aren’t you, Luca?”
Luca nodded.
“And I’m nine,” Aiko said proudly. “And a half.”
“Time flies,” Violet said with a smile.
“It really does,” Massimo said. He hugged Alberto, then the kids.
“Hey, Grandpa Massimo,” Luca said. He knew Massimo wasn’t really their grandfather, just like Uncle Luca wasn’t actually their uncle, but he might as well have been. Violet’s father had died long before they were born, and Alberto’s father…They’d never met him, but they’d heard enough stories to know he’d barely been a father at all. Massimo had been the closest thing Alberto had to a father, even if they only saw each other once a year or so.
They all went to the dining room. The servants had made an entire vegetarian feast for their arrival.
“Guess what, Uncle Luca,” Luca said excitedly as they sat down at the table.
“What?”
“Dad’s been teaching me bloodbending!”
Uncle Luca choked on his seaweed salad.
“Uncle Luca?” Luca said with concern.
“Do you need me to airbend it out?” Aiko asked.
“Fine. I’m fine,” Uncle Luca gasped, taking a sip of water. “That just…surprised me.” He knew how much Alberto hated bloodbending. He never thought he’d see the day his friend willingly passed it on.
“He wanted to learn it for healing,” Alberto explained. “And, well, I figured maybe it was time to stop…running from it. Turn it into something better than what Moira gave me.”
Uncle Luca nodded. “Okay. Good.”
“I saved a woman’s life last week,” Luca said. “Her heart stopped, and I pumped her blood for an hour until it restarted.”
“That’s great,” Uncle Luca said, feeling slightly emotional. He remembered the destructive ways Alberto had used his bloodbending when he was fourteen. He’d seen how long Alberto had struggled with guilt and shame afterward. He knew the things the Fire Nation elites whispered about Alberto, the slurs they threw around. Now Alberto was building a new legacy, redefining this feared power with his son.
Alberto smiled, looking misty-eyed himself. “We’re very proud of him.”
After dinner, Alberto and Violet stayed at the table to catch up with Massimo and Giulia. Luca and Aiko followed Uncle Luca outside. They sat by the water fountain. Uncle Luca trailed his fingers in the water absentmindedly, leaving a small trail of ice crystals.
“Uncle Luca? Can I ask you something?” Aiko asked.
“Sure.”
“Why is Dad so weird about bloodbending?”
Uncle Luca stopped. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I guess he’s better now, but when Luca first asked to learn, he got really mad.”
“Not mad,” Luca said. “Just…panicked.”
“It was like Luca had asked him to kill someone,” Aiko said. “And I was just wondering why.”
“He told us a little, like how his bloodbending used to come from being angry and hurt, but he never told us anything else,” Luca said.
Uncle Luca hesitated. “Well, if your father didn’t tell you everything, I don’t know if I should. Maybe ask him, or your mother.”
“Please, Uncle Luca,” Aiko said. “They’d sugarcoat it. I want to hear the real story.”
Uncle Luca took a breath. “Okay. Well, when your father was fourteen, he was…troubled. Insecure. Lonely. Because your grandpa Bruno abandoned him when he was a kid.”
The kids nodded. They’d heard what Bruno had done.
“And, well, when he and I had a fight…during the war, when we were hiding out in the Fire Nation…that broke something in him,” Uncle Luca said quietly. “I still regret that. Maybe if I hadn’t…maybe he wouldn’t have…” He shook his head. “Anyway, he ran off into the woods and met this woman named Moira. Another Southern waterbender.”
Moira was infamous in the Fire Nation. Luca knew their dad had trained under her, but he didn’t know exactly what that meant or how she’d gotten him in her grip.
“She said she’d show him real power, so he could be useful, so no one would ever leave or reject him again. She preyed on his pain like a vulture.”
Luca’s chest ached as he pictured his father as a young teenager, hurting, desperately wanting somebody, anybody, to care. Aiko balled her fists, like she wanted to punch everyone in the world who had hurt their father.
“He stayed with her for weeks. She fed him, took care of him, acted like a mother. Told him his anger was good, that he could use it. She showed him bloodbending as a form of control, not healing. She would control people’s bodies against their will like puppets. And she taught him to do it too.”
Uncle Luca’s eyes were distant, like he was a million miles away, reliving the whole thing.
“A few weeks later, I found him in the woods with her, bloodbending innocent villagers. I pleaded with him to stop, but he was like a different person. Cold. Casually cruel.”
“Dad?” Aiko said incredulously. She couldn’t picture that. Alberto was such a softie. He sang to them, and still tucked them in every night even though they were way too old for that, and cried when they complimented his cooking. “Our dad?”
Uncle Luca nodded. “I kept trying to get him to come back. Then Moira told him to bloodbend me.”
“Did he do it?” Aiko whispered.
“No. He couldn’t do it. Not to me. Not even when he was so mad at me. And that broke her control over him. Challenged the idea that this was justified. He bloodbended her to save my life. But it shook him just how far he’d fallen. How quickly he’d become someone who would hurt other people just to feel strong. That’s when he started fearing bloodbending, and himself.”
The kids were quiet.
“And your grandpa Bruno didn’t help,” Uncle Luca said with a grimace. “Did your dad ever tell you we ran into him again, when he was seventeen?”
The kids shook their heads.
“Well, we did,” Uncle Luca said. “Your father came here to the North Pole to help me with something. And then we ran into Bruno, who suddenly wanted to be in his son’s life again now that he was a powerful bloodbender.” He rolled his eyes.
“Wait, Grandpa Bruno was here? In the North Pole?” Luca and Aiko exclaimed.
Uncle Luca nodded. “He lives here. Last I knew, anyway.”
Alberto had never told them that. They’d been to the North Pole several times, and he’d never mentioned Bruno once.
Uncle Luca went back to the story. “So he was pressuring Alberto to use bloodbending again, even though Alberto had sworn that off years ago. He taught Alberto how to use bloodbending to permanently block someone’s chakras and take their bending away.”
Luca covered his mouth in horror. Aiko’s eyes went wide.
“Alberto never used it, but he came so close. Bruno made him think he was worthless again if he didn’t.” Uncle Luca shook his head in disgust. “So yes, your father sees bloodbending as a curse. A burden. Something that nearly broke him more than once. But deep down, he knows it can be good. He just needs to be reminded.”
Violet called out for Uncle Luca to help them with something. He went inside, leaving the kids sitting by the fountain, stunned by what they’d heard.
Luca couldn't speak. He’d known Bruno’s abandonment had caused their father’s anger and fear, the emotions he had channeled into his bloodbending, but he hadn’t known just how deep that wound ran. How much it had made their father crave any shred of validation or care.
“All of this was Bruno’s fault,” Aiko said, shaking with anger. “Everything that ever hurt Dad. It all came from him.” She looked at Luca. “Do you think Bruno knows what he did? How much he messed Dad up?”
“I don’t know,” Luca said.
“You think he’s still here? Think we could find him?”
Luca stared at her. “What? Why?”
“To show him his awesome grandkids, to show him what he’s missing. And to tell him how much better Dad is than him.”
Luca had to admit he was curious to know what Bruno was like in person. They’d only heard vague stories that made him seem like some kind of myth or legend. A dark shadow over their dad’s past, not a human being. “Well…okay. But we need to be back soon, or Dad’ll start freaking out.”
They started walking, asking random people if they knew where Bruno Scorfano lived. Eventually, they found themselves standing at a small house on the edge of the city.
“What a sad place,” Aiko remarked, looking around. “Fitting for a pathetic sack of crap like him.” She rubbed her hands together. “So what’s the plan? I say you hold him down with bloodbending while I go for his shins.”
“We’re not going to assault him,” Luca said. “Let’s just talk to him.” He knocked on the door.
Nobody answered at first. Then, slowly, the door creaked open.
And there he was. Bruno Scorfano. Tall, with broad shoulders, like their father. His curls were the same shade of grey that streaked Alberto’s hair these days.
He narrowed his eyes at them. “What do you kids want?”
“Uh…” Luca wasn’t sure how to start.
Aiko stepped forward. “We’re Luca and Aiko, son and daughter of Alberto Scorfano!”
Bruno froze. “You’re…”
“Your grandchildren,” Luca said. “We wanted to meet you.”
Bruno looked at them, seeming dazed. It must be strange to find out you had a teenage grandson whose life you’d never been invited to be a part of.
Bruno beckoned them inside wordlessly. They sat down at a small table. Bruno offered them some fish jerky.
“No, thank you,” Luca said. “We’re vegetarian.”
Bruno rolled his eyes. “Oh, spirits. He’s still doing that? And now he’s forcing it on you?”
“He didn’t force us into anything,” Luca said.
“And we don’t mind, ‘cause he makes really good tofu,” Aiko added.
Bruno just scoffed. He sat down. “So. Tell me about yourselves.”
“Well, I’m a waterbender,” Luca said. “Like my Uncle Luca. I was named after him.”
“So he’s still hanging out with that kid,” Bruno said. “I never liked him. Of course, he never liked me either, so maybe that had something to do with it.”
“And I’m an airbender, like our mom,” Aiko said.
“He married an airbender?” Bruno said. “Interesting. He never told me he was getting married.”
“I mean, why would he?” Aiko said. “You lost the right to that when you walked out on him.”
“So he’s told you that part, huh?” Bruno said. “Of course he did. Let me guess.” He put on a high-pitched, whiny voice. “He left me, he hurt my feelings, I’m gonna cry about it.”
“That’s not nice!” Aiko snapped.
“Last time I saw your father, he was having a little temper tantrum over not wanting to use his bloodbending. So excuse me if I don’t exactly see him as a man.”
Aiko clenched her fists. “Hey, what’s your problem?”
“You’re not even a little sorry you left him?” Luca asked. “He was a kid. Barely older than Aiko.”
“I’m sure he’s told you kids a bunch of sob stories about his childhood or whatever, but he was probably exaggerating. I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as he tries to make it sound.”
“How would you know? You weren’t even around,” Aiko snapped.
Bruno laughed drily. “Now you sound like him, kiddo.” He leaned back in his chair. “Look, I put up with a lot back then. War. Losing my wife. Trying to raise a loud child who never did what he was told. So yeah, it got too much and I left.”
“That’s not an excuse,” Luca said. “He was a child.”
“He was old enough to take care of himself,” Bruno said. “And it looks like he turned out just peachy, so—”
“That’s not the point!” Aiko cried. “Yeah, he took care of himself, but he shouldn't have had to. He was a scared kid, thinking it was his fault you left. When really you were just a selfish asshat who cared more about yourself than your own son.”
Bruno stood up. “If you’re done insulting me in my own house, you can leave.” He stretched and wandered away to another room.
Aiko kicked the table. “What a prick! I hate him!”
“Me too.”
“You should bloodbend him,” Aiko growled. “Twist his body like a pretzel. ‘Til he cries.”
“I’m not gonna do that,” Luca said. He snorted. “Even if his heart stopped, I wouldn’t bloodbend him.”
“You know, you could probably crush his heart like a tomato. Missed opportunity.”
“I know. I’m exercising great restraint here.”
Bruno returned. “Are you still here?”
“Yes,” Aiko said. “And we’re not leaving until you listen to us. We’re gonna tell you about our dad. He's the best dad in the world, and more of a man than you’ll ever be.”
“Not because he’s strong, even though he is,” Luca said. “But because he’s there. He shows up for us every day, even when he’s tired or sick or stressed.”
“He cooks for us, he hugs us, and takes care of us when we’re sick,” Aiko said. “Like, he hovers, and keeps bringing us stuff we don’t need. It’s kind of annoying. But I know why he does it. ‘Cause you never did any of that for him.”
Bruno glared at them. “Are you done?”
“No,” Luca said. “Our dad is a good person, and he never deserved how you treated him. You made him think he had to be useful to survive, and that he wasn’t worth anything just for being himself. He nearly destroyed himself trying to be strong, because of you. He deserved better. And now he has it. A family who loves him unconditionally and will never, ever let him forget it.”
“And you’re just a loser who’ll die alone in this cold little house!” Aiko added. “There. Now we’re done.” She stormed out. Luca followed, and they began walking home, the ice and snow crunching under their feet.
“I can’t believe we’re related to that piece of human garbage,” Aiko muttered.
“I can’t, either,” Luca said, his stomach twisting. He paused and looked at the setting sun. “It’s late. Dad’s gonna be worried.”
“He’s probably organizing a search and rescue,” Aiko said.
“We can’t tell him where we went, okay? He’s put this behind him, and I don’t want to open it up again,” Luca said.
It was dark when they reached the palace. As soon as the doors opened, they could hear Alberto’s voice, loud and tight with panic. And Violet’s steady voice, trying to reassure him while struggling to remain calm herself.
“I’m sure they’re fine, Alberto.”
“But what if they’re not? What if they’re lost? A blizzard could start any second. Or worse, what if they were taken, or hurt, or—or—killed?”
“Don’t say that. I’m sure they’ll be back soon. Alberto, honey, please just breathe…”
Luca and Aiko walked into the throne room. Alberto was pacing around the room. Violet was following him, trying to soothe him. Uncle Luca was just watching helplessly.
They all looked at the door when the kids walked in.
“We’re back,” Aiko said cheerfully, as if they’d just gone for a short walk. Luca waved awkwardly.
“Kids!” Alberto and Violet gasped. They ran over and hugged them tightly.
“You can’t just disappear like that! It’s been hours!” Alberto scolded. “We were so worried!” He looked them over for any injuries. “Where were you?”
“Uh…waterbending school,” Luca said.
“Grandpa Bruno’s house,” Aiko said at the same time.
Alberto froze. “What?”
“Aiko!” Luca cried. “We weren’t supposed to tell him.”
“But I want him to know.” Aiko looked at Alberto. “We talked to your dad.”
Alberto stared at them, his face going a shade paler.
“I’m sorry,” Luca said. “I know we shouldn’t have done it. But Uncle Luca told us a little about your dad, and we…we wanted to know more about him.”
Alberto looked at Uncle Luca.
“I didn’t tell them to go find him,” Uncle Luca said.
“Did he hurt you?” Alberto asked.
“No,” Luca said.
“He just whined a bit, and then we told him all the things you do for us every day that he never did for you,” Aiko said. “He knows you’re a better dad than he ever was.”
“And we told him the truth, that you deserved better than him when you were a kid,” Luca said.
Alberto swallowed down the lump in his throat. They’d really said that? To his father?
“And I told him he was going to die alone,” Aiko said proudly.
Alberto laughed. “That’s my girl.” He hugged them.
“We meant every word,” Luca said.
“I know you did,” Alberto whispered into his hair. He tightened his embrace. “Thanks, kids.”
Violet smiled at them. “Next time, tell us you’re leaving. You scared us.”
“Sorry, Mom,” Luca said.
Later that night, Alberto and Uncle Luca went out to the courtyard together. They leaned against the balcony, staring out in silence for a few minutes. Then Alberto spoke.
“What did you tell the kids? About…Bruno?”
“They asked about bloodbending, and why it scared you so much,” Uncle Luca said. “So I told them a little about Moira. And Bruno, and how he tried to force you into chakra-blocking.” He looked down. “I know I shouldn’t have told them anything without your permission, but they sort of sprung it on me, and I panicked. I'm sorry.”
Alberto exhaled. “Honestly? It was time to tell them. And I’m kind of glad I didn’t have to be the one to do it.”
“So you’re not mad?” Uncle Luca asked.
Alberto shook his head.
They stood there for a few minutes in comfortable silence.
“I can’t believe they did that,” Alberto said. “Hunting down my dad and…defending me.”
“They’re good kids,” Uncle Luca said. “And they love you.”
“Yeah,” Alberto said quietly. He looked up at the sky. “I never thought I’d have any of this. Violet. The kids. You. I didn’t think I deserved anything like this.”
Uncle Luca smiled. “Well, you do. And your family is proof of that.” He nudged Alberto playfully. “I mean, your kids wouldn’t go that far if you weren’t worth it, right?”
Alberto smiled. “Yeah, I guess not.”
They stood there in comfortable silence. As he often did, more than he’d like to admit, Alberto thought about Bruno. But this time, he didn’t feel sad or angry. He almost felt sorry for Bruno.
Alberto had so much love in his life, almost more than he knew what to do with. Bruno didn’t have that. He would never have that. Children who would defend him loudly and lovingly. A best friend who knew every ugly detail of his past and stayed. A wife who looked at him every day like he hung the moon.
Tears welled up in Alberto’s eyes, blurring his vision. He didn’t try to wipe them away.
Uncle Luca put his hand on Alberto’s arm. “Do you want to go in now?”
Alberto nodded. He had to go give his family another hug.
He followed his friend inside. He could hear voices coming from down the hallway. He went into the guest room Luca and Aiko were sharing. Violet was there, tucking Aiko in.
Luca put his arms out. “Dad.”
Alberto sat on the bed and hugged Luca. He beckoned Aiko over. She sprang out of her own bed and ran over.
“Come on, I just got her settled down,” Violet protested, but with a smile. She walked over and joined the hug, wrapping her arms around all three of them.
“I love you,” Alberto murmured. “All of you. So much.”
“Love you too, Dad,” Aiko and Luca said, leaning against his chest.
The next morning, Uncle Luca went looking for Alberto, to ask what he wanted for breakfast. When he realized Alberto and Violet weren’t in their room, he decided to check the kids’ room. He opened the door, then stopped.
The family was fast asleep on Luca’s bed. Alberto was lying on his back, his mouth open, snoring loudly. Luca had his head on his father’s right shoulder. Aiko was snuggled up against Alberto’s chest. Alberto had his arms around both of them. Violet was on her side, her arm draped over Alberto, her hand resting on his.
Uncle Luca smiled and left without disturbing them. Breakfast could wait.