When Bucky starts to move, Sokka thinks that his body looks a lot like it endured a chi-blocking attack. He's experienced that before, and he had a lot of trouble doing anything after it was over; picking himself up had been basically impossible. His limbs felt like jelly and he had no command over them. But he had been able to talk, and he didn't react in slow motion the way Bucky seems to be doing, so he knows that can't be what happened to Bucky — at least not all of what had happened. It's probably pointless to relate this to anything he knows or understands, anyway; no one here has talked about chi or bending or even spirits. He's trying to make sense of this, but he'd be better off waiting until Bucky can explain in full, because most of what happens here is entirely different from anything Sokka knows.
He pulls his hand back and gives Bucky the space he needs to attempt to rise. There's no shame in being weak after enduring something that Sokka assumes was horrible, but he also knows that sometimes a warrior has to prove himself, even if it's through the simple act of sitting up. He's felt that way before — over lesser injuries and losses. Sometimes, simply being able to shrug off an injury is grounding, and he hopes that allowing Bucky to attempt to do so on his own will help.
Sokka doesn't back away, however; he stays close, ready to reach out if Bucky starts to slump or fall over. He doesn't make a big show of it and he doesn't hover around him as he had when he first discovered Bucky on the floor, but he does grab the water, thinking that a sip might make it easier for him to talk.
"The doctor," Sokka repeats, while he holds the glass out; he might have to help Bucky by holding the glass so it doesn't spill, but he's careful not to just shove it into his face. He feels like he's walking a thin line between trying to be helpful and trying to preserve Bucky's dignity, and it makes him miss Katara yet again. She'd probably just force Bucky to accept her assistance, and given that she can be very commanding, Bucky probably would. But Sokka doesn't slip so easy into that method of care. In fact, he's already thinking about coaxing Bucky to keep talking because whatever he's trying to communicate is extremely important — more important than the quiet recovery Katara would likely say he needs. Thankfully, Bucky also seems to think it's important, so Sokka doesn't have to feel too guilty about urging him on by saying, "Drink some of this, then tell me about the doctor."
no subject
He pulls his hand back and gives Bucky the space he needs to attempt to rise. There's no shame in being weak after enduring something that Sokka assumes was horrible, but he also knows that sometimes a warrior has to prove himself, even if it's through the simple act of sitting up. He's felt that way before — over lesser injuries and losses. Sometimes, simply being able to shrug off an injury is grounding, and he hopes that allowing Bucky to attempt to do so on his own will help.
Sokka doesn't back away, however; he stays close, ready to reach out if Bucky starts to slump or fall over. He doesn't make a big show of it and he doesn't hover around him as he had when he first discovered Bucky on the floor, but he does grab the water, thinking that a sip might make it easier for him to talk.
"The doctor," Sokka repeats, while he holds the glass out; he might have to help Bucky by holding the glass so it doesn't spill, but he's careful not to just shove it into his face. He feels like he's walking a thin line between trying to be helpful and trying to preserve Bucky's dignity, and it makes him miss Katara yet again. She'd probably just force Bucky to accept her assistance, and given that she can be very commanding, Bucky probably would. But Sokka doesn't slip so easy into that method of care. In fact, he's already thinking about coaxing Bucky to keep talking because whatever he's trying to communicate is extremely important — more important than the quiet recovery Katara would likely say he needs. Thankfully, Bucky also seems to think it's important, so Sokka doesn't have to feel too guilty about urging him on by saying, "Drink some of this, then tell me about the doctor."