[There are a handful of words in that explanation that Sokka doesn't understand in this context. That helps him relax once again; it proves to him that they are talking about different countries and different wars, and that Bucky doesn't have any specific knowledge about the Avatar or Sokka's actual special mission. The nuances are all wrong, and Sokka takes comfort in that, because it means that everyone — except for him — is safe for the time being. The greater, overall problem of why he's here is still a glaring issue, but for the moment, Sokka can resume grabbing a few pancakes and pouring a hearty amount of syrup on them, though he still holds his boomerang like it's a lifeline.
There are some people who might argue that what Sokka is doing is a suicide mission. Not because of the goal itself — if anyone can take down the Fire Lord, it's Aang — but because Sokka is a 100% boring, non-bending fifteen-year-old who has been acquiring skills in a patchwork fashion, squeezing in sword training when he isn't leading failed attacks on the Fire Nation or convincing a group of children that they have to keep to a schedule. It isn't like Sokka is ignorant of that fact; every time he throws himself in front of Katara and their friends during a fight, he knows he could die. He knows that when the time comes to rescue his father from whenever he is being held, it may end up being a one-way trip. And he knows that when they do finally face the Fire Lord, he may not survive to see Aang beat him.
But Sokka is okay with those possibilities. He doesn't want to die, but he does want to protect Katara, Aang, and Toph — he wants to save his father and make up for his mistakes. And he wants to finally put an end to the war. Those goals are far bigger and more important than his own life. He still afraid of dying, and of becoming so injured that he could never throw a boomerang again, or go on a hunt, or fish with his tribe — but he won't let that fear get in the way of what he has to do.
Being a man is knowing where you're needed most, and fighting alongside his sister and their friends is where Sokka is needed. He may not be able to bend, but if can make any difference at all in the war, then he will risk everything for it.
He eats a bite of a pancake as Bucky asks his question. Of all questions he could ask, this one doesn't bother Sokka. If he had questioned him about the details of his mission, or needled him about his experiences, or tried to draw out information about the times where Sokka failed because he wasn't good enough, it would be different. But Sokka doesn't stop chewing to answer:]
If I had to.
[He wouldn't want to, and he wouldn't do it lightly, and this isn't to say that it wouldn't weigh on him — of course it would. But Sokka is a warrior, from a tribe of warriors; that means he will do whatever it takes to protect the people he loves, even at the cost of taking a life. Sokka has been shaped by a war that has existed for longer than he was alive; he was a child when his mother was killed by Fire Nation raiders, and he grew up understanding that he had to protect his tribe. It's about survival — his own, and the survival of his family and friends.
Now, the boomerang might not be the best or cleanest way to go about it, but Sokka isn't about to reveal that he could also wield a sword, dagger, or club if need be.]
And if nothing else worked.
[Like knocking him out and escaping, or convincing him to stand down. Sokka wouldn't jump to killing, but if Bucky came at him, and Sokka couldn't do anything else — then he would have no choice.
He swallows a bite of pancake and then shoves another in his mouth.]
Just like you'd kill me, if I tried.
[Because Bucky is a warrior too. Not the kind of warrior that Sokka is, if his diction is anything to go by, but that's what comes with being trained to kill. And Sokka figures that Bucky didn't lose an arm by avoiding killing.
It's the kind of understanding that can exist between two warriors.]
it has been!!! i've been enjoying their cr a ton. i hope they booby trap the house together some day
There are some people who might argue that what Sokka is doing is a suicide mission. Not because of the goal itself — if anyone can take down the Fire Lord, it's Aang — but because Sokka is a 100% boring, non-bending fifteen-year-old who has been acquiring skills in a patchwork fashion, squeezing in sword training when he isn't leading failed attacks on the Fire Nation or convincing a group of children that they have to keep to a schedule. It isn't like Sokka is ignorant of that fact; every time he throws himself in front of Katara and their friends during a fight, he knows he could die. He knows that when the time comes to rescue his father from whenever he is being held, it may end up being a one-way trip. And he knows that when they do finally face the Fire Lord, he may not survive to see Aang beat him.
But Sokka is okay with those possibilities. He doesn't want to die, but he does want to protect Katara, Aang, and Toph — he wants to save his father and make up for his mistakes. And he wants to finally put an end to the war. Those goals are far bigger and more important than his own life. He still afraid of dying, and of becoming so injured that he could never throw a boomerang again, or go on a hunt, or fish with his tribe — but he won't let that fear get in the way of what he has to do.
Being a man is knowing where you're needed most, and fighting alongside his sister and their friends is where Sokka is needed. He may not be able to bend, but if can make any difference at all in the war, then he will risk everything for it.
He eats a bite of a pancake as Bucky asks his question. Of all questions he could ask, this one doesn't bother Sokka. If he had questioned him about the details of his mission, or needled him about his experiences, or tried to draw out information about the times where Sokka failed because he wasn't good enough, it would be different. But Sokka doesn't stop chewing to answer:]
If I had to.
[He wouldn't want to, and he wouldn't do it lightly, and this isn't to say that it wouldn't weigh on him — of course it would. But Sokka is a warrior, from a tribe of warriors; that means he will do whatever it takes to protect the people he loves, even at the cost of taking a life. Sokka has been shaped by a war that has existed for longer than he was alive; he was a child when his mother was killed by Fire Nation raiders, and he grew up understanding that he had to protect his tribe. It's about survival — his own, and the survival of his family and friends.
Now, the boomerang might not be the best or cleanest way to go about it, but Sokka isn't about to reveal that he could also wield a sword, dagger, or club if need be.]
And if nothing else worked.
[Like knocking him out and escaping, or convincing him to stand down. Sokka wouldn't jump to killing, but if Bucky came at him, and Sokka couldn't do anything else — then he would have no choice.
He swallows a bite of pancake and then shoves another in his mouth.]
Just like you'd kill me, if I tried.
[Because Bucky is a warrior too. Not the kind of warrior that Sokka is, if his diction is anything to go by, but that's what comes with being trained to kill. And Sokka figures that Bucky didn't lose an arm by avoiding killing.
It's the kind of understanding that can exist between two warriors.]
I won't, as long as you don't.