Chapter Text
The biggest problem being in the South Pole with Zuko was that Zuko almost always found a way to be busy. Going over trade routes with Hakoda, visiting with Katara and Aang, even meandering about the tribe was keeping him busy.
Sokka blew the hair out of his face in irritation, pulling it back in the leather band as he pursed his lips. Well. Zuko did say this couldn't be a vacation.
But Sokka had a plan. He grabbed his knife and started working, creating what he considered to be a nice gift.
While Sokka did that, Zuko meditated outside. Just outside the tribe, it was mostly quiet. The water tribe was known for being more active at night, so Zuko was able to clear his mind and enjoy the smell of the sea in the early morning.
He found his mind drifting back to the time he was last here. Right after Aang woke up. He had been absolutely cruel. Shoving around Sokka's grandmother, docking so close to the village... When he remembered doing things like that, he knew that maybe that was why he couldn't bring himself to be honest with Sokka.
He knew, deep in his heart, Sokka would never see a man as troubled as he is, as a partner in anything but politics.
He breathed out fire, the flame strong and orange, before calming again.
In the distance, Sokka watched him. Zuko's hair had grown like weeds ever since the coronation. He knows he refuses to grow it out to the same length as his father and cuts it as soon as it reaches his shoulders, but Sokka was fine with that. As long as Sokka could continue braiding his hair when he got bored and needed tactile stimulation, he was happy.
Zuko's hair waved in the wind as Sokka watched him, finishing the final touches on Zuko's gift. His tongue stuck out as he concentrated, fiddling away little slivers of wood carefully.
He nearly threw the thing when his father smacked him on the back. "I think you need to start courting before you make a betrothal necklace, Sokka." He said, sitting with Sokka. "It isn't a betrothal necklace!" Sokka hissed, as if Zuko could hear them from the docks. He showed his father the piece of wood, making the man take it and turn it in his hands.
"Your woodworking is getting better. I can actually tell this is a turtleduck." Hakoda teased, before handing it back to Sokka. He watched as his son began making the finishing touches on the little trinket.
"Thanks dad, that's great. A gift for the Firelord and you're joking around."
"You would be doing the same to your sister if she had been dancing around Aang for two years."
Sokka felt the embarrassed flush crawl up to his ears. "Yeah, yeah..."
"You look at him like I looked at your mother. At least, that's what Bato says."
"Bato knows?!"
"The better question would be 'Who doesn't know?' " Hakoda pointed out, laughing as his son pouted.
"Is it really... that obvious?" Sokka asked quietly, gently rubbing the head of the turtleduck statue in his hands.
"To those who don't know you, they see the way Zuko looks at you. It is obvious no matter which perspective you see it from." Hakoda said, wrapping his arm around his son.
"Wait... you can tell Zuko feels the same? Why didn't you tell me?"
"...I thought it was obvious. Do you really think it's traditional to wear water tribe braids as Firelord?"
Sokka blinked, looking out towards the docks again. Zuko was blowing out a steady stream of steam through his mouth in time with his breathing. "...woah..."
Hakoda gently rubbed his son's shoulder before standing. "If he doesn't ask for my blessing before you two get married, I'm going to make him go ice dodging alone." Hakoda threatened, making Sokka laugh.
"As if he would do it first." Sokka said, standing. His father left him with another smile, before Sokka rushed down to the docks. He skidded to a stop in front of Zuko and threw himself down in a mock bow. "Oh great Firelord, forgive me for disturbing-"
"You're banished."
Sokka laughed loudly and moved to sit so that his knees were touching Zuko's. Zuko opened his eyes and grinned softly. "Yes, Sokka?"
Sokka didn't know how to talk without rambling nervously, so he wordlessly handed Zuko the carving.
Zuko took it in his hands and blinked, gently turning it over and over. "Sokka... what is this for?"
"For you." Sokka said simply, trying not to ramble. Trying, being the key word. He rubbed the back of his neck before placing his hands on Zuko's knees. "I noticed you always get gifts when ambassadors visit and I've only ever brought paperwork and tea, which I know you like but I figured you'd like something else to remember me because I'm your friend, you know? Not just a politician. And anyway you can throw it in the sea if you want its no big, I mean, it could be if you wanted it to but it-"
Sokka was silenced by a hand on his mouth. He scrunched up his face and licked Zuko's hand in response, making the Firelord pull away in disgust. "Shut up, Sokka." Zuko said quietly, now holding the turtleduck in both hands. "Thank you." He said, smiling down at the little statue.
"You like it?!" Sokka asked, bouncing a little in excitement.
"Yes, Sokka." Zuko agreed, looking up at his friend. "You know I love the turtleducks. They're my favorite part of the palace." He said, gently placing the carving in the oversized pocket of the parka he was borrowing from Sokka.
Sokka smiled dopily at Zuko, feeling proud of himself. "So... you like my carving abilities, eh? Think I'm good with my hands?"
Zuko blinked in surprise, blushing. "Well... yes... your woodworking has gotten better over the years, I'm told."
"Told by me, but I'm a reliable source."
Zuko laughed a bit louder than normal, and Sokka felt warmth bloom in his chest. Sokka moved to sit next to Zuko on the docks, both of them staring at the water.
"What if I... were to make you jewelry? Would you wear it?"
Zuko peaked at him from under his bangs. Out here, he didn't wear the top knot traditional of the Fire Nation. And Sokka was reminded of their time together before the defeat of Bitchlord Ozai. Zuko was so shy then, so jumpy. He had clearly grown into himself in the past few years. The fears of being like his father were there, but manageable.
"Sokka, I'm... not dumb. I know the necklaces your tribe women wear are typical of betrothals."
Sokka immediately went blank, before pushing ahead. He had a plan. Not really a plan. But. More like a hunch. He needed to push this.
"Yes. So what if, sometime, in the future that is... we got to the point where that was expected?"
"What?" Zuko asked, his tone unreadable.
Sokka sighed and figured plain words would be received better. "Date me you dumbass."
Zuko balked for a second at the crude language, before covering his mouth in shock at the statement. After two minutes, Sokka thought he had severely messed up. "Dammit, okay... that was just a prank, see? A prank, a joke, if you will. We're gonna laugh about this for years-"
He was cut off by a swift kiss to the lips. Zuko was off of him before he could comprehend what happened, but it happened.
"-...I swear..." Sokka stared at Zuko for a hot minute, before lunging forward and tackling him. Zuko yelled in surprise as they rolled a few feet, before Sokka settled on top of him. "If you're going to kiss me, at least do it right."
Zuko narrowed his eyes. "Is that a challenge?"
"So what if it is?" Sokka taunted, before he was swiftly thrown onto him back. Before he could retaliate, his arms were pinned above his head and Zuko was kissing him as if his life depended on it.
It was messy and a little disgusting to watch, but neither of them cared about appearances. Not right now.
The way their lips slotted together felt familiar. As if they'd been doing it all their lives. It was relatively intense, Sokka realized, as Zuko nipped at his bottom lip to get him to open up. After several moment, Zuko pulled away and looked around. Luckily, nobody had been spying on them. And if someone was, they were gone by now. (Possibly on an air glider, going to tell Katara.)
After a moment, Zuko leaned down and kissed at his jaw. "If we were to get to a point where proposing wouldn't be a surprise, what in the world makes you think you'd do it?"
Sokka laughed as his hands were released, sitting up with Zuko straddling him. "Just a hunch." He said, leaning forward and kissing Zuko again. This one was soft, like he had kissed all those girls before, but he did well not to remember them with Zuko on top of him.