Chapter Text
Mosquitoes swarmed around their faces, but no one dared to swat them away. Instead, the three infiltrators peered into the camp from the bushes, voices hushed. Zuko never thought he'd don the Blue Spirit mask again, but he knew disguises were essential. The lingering light of dusk wasn't a safe enough cover for the three of them. Besides, the familiar smell of faded paint was comforting: a piece of his mother was always with him.
Xai Bau was officially missing. Whether he was hiding away in some corner of the nations, or perhaps he had already crossed into the Spirit World, the philosopher was finally gone from the Avatar's life. Yet like a pebble across a river, his impact rippled for other anarchists. It appeared that Xai Bau wasn't the only one in favor of tearing governments apart. As Team Avatar flew into Jasmine Island, Sokka had nudged Zuko and handed over his binoculars.
"Look down there." He pointed to the beach, where a group of people had assembled. Well, Zuko figured they were people, seeing that they were as small as ants from Appa's view. He could see smoke arise from the middle: was it a bonfire? Some festival?
"What is it?" Zuko's heart fluttered when Sokka's hand brushed against him, but he focused on adjusting the lenses. Not the time to be falling over Sokka, especially miles up in the air on a sky bison.
"Just look. But don't tell Aang. He's got enough to worry about."
Zuko's stomach churned as he focused in. He couldn't get that image out of his mind: people celebrating around a burning effigy of Aang. The eyes melting off his straw face, the blue arrow burning into a crisp.
When they met Suki on the ground, who had been scoping the group out with the rest of the Kyoshi warriors, she divulged important intel. The Autumn Leaves wanted to stop the Island elections first, kidnapping Councilwoman Meleti in their camp. Then they'd come for Aang's head next, knowing he'd fly in to bring peace to the island. It was too risky to let the benders take this one, with Katara being heavily pregnant, Toph injuring her feet from their last mission, and Aang having a target on his back. Therefore, Zuko set out with Sokka at dusk, prepared for an evening of rebel camp infiltration.
Back to the present, Zuko waited as Sokka squinted through binoculars, Suki, on the other side of him, poised to strike.
"Let's run through the plan one more time," Suki whispered, eyes glittering under her sharp makeup.
"Okay. Suki, you flank through the side there," Sokka pointed with two fingers towards the circle of makeshift tents. "Use your chi-blocking to take down the rebels. You can use the tents as cover when you sneak. I'll distract the guards, and I'll flag Zuko when it's time for backup. Councilwoman Meleti should be in the last tent, the one farthest away from the fire. I heard one of the rebels blabbing that they 'tied her up well' in there."
Suki scoffed in disgust. She pulled out the whistle and clinked it against the lens.
"Got it. Once I get her, I'll call for the horses." The ostrich horses, tethered to the trees, whinnied in agreement. She crouched, arms poised behind her back like wings. "Remember, Zuko, no bending. We don't want to give ourselves away. This group's not the biggest fan of benders."
"I figured," Zuko replied, Aang's melting effigy burned into his mind. He reached back to grasp a handle of his broad swords, reminding himself. "Be careful, Suki."
She smiled, then gave a quick peck on Sokka's cheek. Sokka melted, her lipstick mark bright against his cheek.
"Good luck, you two." She whispered, then sprang into the camp. Zuko and Sokka watched as she snuck up behind a guard, jabbed her fingers against their back, and pulled their slumped body into the shadows. She tumbled into a roll, body low behind another tent, and continued her path to the Councilwoman's holding tent. As she snuck into the camp, Sokka followed with fond eyes.
"That's my girl." He whistled under his breath. "Beauty and a toughie."
"Yeah…beauty is right," Zuko repeated, eyes fixed on Sokka.
The three of them made sure to hide their faces, understandably given their affiliation with the Avatar. Suki armored herself in her Kyoshi Warrior uniform, and Zuko slid on his weathered wooden mask. Sokka, ever the master of disguise, decided to go for a different approach. Zuko would've thought he'd wear his war paint, powerful and masking it was. Yet Zuko couldn't tear his gaze away from Sokka's eyeshadow, ink striking against his blue eyes. As horrible as his bamboo paintings were, Sokka slid on the sumi as precisely as a blade. The uniform fit his body well, and the green robes molded to his shoulders. As Sokka, the Kyoshi Warrior, trained his eyes on the disappearing guards, the plan melted away in Zuko's mind.
Fuck. How could he look so pretty on a mission like this? As masculine as Sokka was, the makeup accentuated his round eyes, lips soft like a flame lily against snow. Sure, Zuko knew that a flower would be crushed against the bitter cold, but what better way to explain how his heart sighed at Sokka's presence?
Suki's loon call sang from the back of camp, easily mistaken for the night wildlife. Three rebel men stalked out into the clearing, searching for the source. Suki was ready, and it was their time. Zuko snapped his head and mimicked Sokka, the two standing into position.
"Perfect. Just as planned." Sokka dusted the dirt off his knees and smoothed his robes. Zuko tried not to think about how perfectly cinched his waist was, and instead asked,
"So how will I know to jump in?"
"When I say, "I'm feeling on fire!""
Zuko tilted his mask up so Sokka could see his annoyed face.
"What do you have planned here?" Zuko probed. "I thought I wasn't supposed to firebend."
"You're not. Good memory." Sokka praised, and he snickered at Zuko's blush.
"But how are you going to distract them?"
"Just trust me."
"Well, don't be so vague." Zuko retorted, frustration bubbling in his chest.
"Don't be so stiff! Just follow my lead. It'll be like Boiling Rock."
"Yeah, where I was the one who got the slammer." Zuko huffed. Then again, he remembered how he fell for Sokka then, when Sokka pretended to rough him up and fought alongside Zuko. The two had fallen in step with each other then, like memory, each sword strike jabbing smoothly under flames. "Actually, you're right. I know we got this. I trust you."
Sokka smiled. He grasped a hand on Zuko's cheek, thumbing the scar. "Thanks, Zuko. I know you have my back. Just don't get too distracted by this, huh?"
Sokka wiggled his behind at Zuko, armor clinking.
"Shut up." Zuko spat, arms folded against his chest. Didn't help that his ass looked great in the billowing dress, either.
Sokka snickered, and he playfully tugged on Zuko's bangs. Zuko's annoyance faded, just barely, as Sokka joked,
"You know I'm right."
Zuko tugged his mask back on, smiling. He climbed a nearby tree and watched Sokka—his Sokka— move from bush to bush, his ponytail swishing behind him.
Sokka had a plan, and like any good partner, Zuko was poised to follow it.
Sokka had a semblance of a plan, but he figured that he should act like he knew what he was doing for the sake of Suki and Zuko. He would fold for Suki's stern eyes, a promise for a spar-turned-foreplay session, and for Zuko's smile. Sokka knew Zuko smiled under his mask, hiding his blush. Who knew the fierce oni hid a gentle face under its visage, scarred and pure?
"She's not talking." A fourth guard joined the three rebels, and Sokka stopped in his tracks. He hid in a bush outside the tents, close enough to see the four gathered around a fire. The stout woman's face was obscured with face paint: white chin, darkened eyes, stark white eyebrows. War paint. Was she Southern Watertribe, and if so, what was she doing here? She wrinkled her lip and growled, "Even crushed a bag of golden jasmine seeds under my feet, but nothing."
"Deputy Aputi." The tallest guard bowed, a red tattoo searing across his eyelids. "Isonash said we'd kill her. Slit her throat and leave her body outside the council's doors. That'll send a message. "
Isonash: a recent familiar name to Sokka. The leader of the Autumn Leaves, and a devout disciple of Xai Bau.
"What? He didn't tell me this! That's incredibly rash!" Aputi stomped her feet into the dirt. "Violence will make things worse, Dulguun. Think about what the council will do to us if they see that, hell, think what the Avatar would do! I know you sighted the air bison above us earlier." She glanced up towards the stars, teeth gritted. "I know he's here with his companions."
Sokka gulped, the poison in her voice pricking hair on his neck.
"Only justice will bring peace. That was what Kyoshi had said, and it rings true." The third guard piped up— a short man with kathakali face paint, reminiscent of a Kyoshi warrior. Despite his height, he was stocky, veins bulging from his biceps.
"But if we can just make her speak, we can stop the election. Show the island that it's the communities who run this, who make our land strong. Come on, Shiju, you gotta believe it!"
Shiju shook his head, curls shaking.
"We've tried to talk, we've tried to reason. But the world's been thrown out of balance since the Avatar's return. If we need to eliminate smaller threats to get to him, so be it. That is Xai Bau's way."
Aputi snarled, and she spat into the bonfire. "Damn it. Damn it all! Isonash can't even be here to explain himself. Where did he go?"
"The coast, deputy." The final guard spoke up, a lean, quiet rebel with princely features. They gestured to the bush near Sokka's hiding place. Sokka squatted, hoping the foliage was tall enough to hide his wolftail.
"Thanks, Cheon." Aputi wolf-whistled, and a mongoose lizard skittered into the clearing, nearly knocking over a tent with its tail. She hoisted herself on its body, then ordered her subordinates, "Keep an eye out for the Avatar or his friends. If you find any of them, don't kill them. That's my order."
The three rebels saluted, and she set off, the lizard zipping past Sokka. Sokka held his breath, chest tight, praying that the creature wouldn't find him with its razor-sharp teeth. Thankfully, he skidded past him, the pitter-patter of his steps fading into the night.
Sokka exhaled, relief washing over him. He slowly stood up, and he glanced to see where Zuko perched. Like a hogmonkey, he crept into a tree, the Blue Spirit grimacing back at him. A smart move, Sokka had thought, for his man to make sure he had a clear sight of the camp.
"Okay, game time." Sokka primped his clothes, and he hoped he didn't sweat his makeup off. He opened his hair and swished his locks out. A rustle came from Zuko's tree, and Sokka shushed towards the Blue Spirit. Game face on, Sokka mimicked the sway of feminine hips as he strutted into the clearing: the quintessential honey trap.
"Intruder!" Cheon grit their teeth, unfurling twin bronze daggers from their back. Their companions leapt into action, set in fighting stances. Sokka's instinct was to knock them out cleanly with his boomerang, but he waited. Playing along was essential.
"Oh, my!" Sokka gasped in a pitched voice. He held his hands up, batting his lashes. "I-I'm so glad I found camp, I got lost from the warriors! Please don't hurt me!"
"Cheon, Dulguun, stand down. She's a follower of Avatar Kyoshi." Shiju bowed, motioning for the others to follow. "We apologize, my lady."
Sokka beamed, strangely pleased at how easily he passed. As a teen, he "hated" being perceived as feminine, despite practicing his war paint for hours. To him, a man didn't get to be pretty. A man had to fight for his village, face severe conditions, and never show any emotions, let alone fear. After a judo flip from Suki and working through LOTS of internalization, Sokka jumped at the chance to dress up for combat. And yes, he still practiced makeup every now and then.
"It's no harm." Sokka withdrew a metal fan and waved it against his cheek. "Besides, I'm just so glad to finally find people! I feel like I've been lost for days!"
He sat on the logs, warming his gloved hands by the bonfire. The three rebels exchanged glances with each other, but they decided not to press further.
"What's your name, miss?" Shiju asked. He and Dulgunn joined Sokka by the fire, their bulky bodies surrounding Sokka on either side. Cheon stood off to the side, still wary.
"Sesi!" Sokka chirped, twirling a headband tassel around a finger. "But you can call me 'Sisi'."
"Ah, a perfect name for a cute little thing like you." Dulgunn chuckled, his hand a little too close to Sokka's thigh. Sokka nervously chuckled, surprised by how well this was working out.
"Why are you here?" Cheon interrogated, thin face scrunched up in annoyance.
"I'm a little new to this island. I just joined the Warriors to help protect the jasmine supply!" Sokka blabbed, lying through his teeth. "You know, those pesky benders are trying to mess with the island. It's, like, super bad. Totally not pro-Kyoshi."
Sokka tried a floozy smile that said, "Don't kill me, please, I'm just a little silly!"
Thankfully, Cheon nodded. "Hmm. That's fair. Though I'm not sure what you're doing out here away from your comrades."
"Yeah…" Shiju leaned in, smiled with big, bright teeth against red lips. Sokka wondered if this was how his meals felt before he took a big bite. "All by your lonesome, a pretty little thing like you."
"A warrior like you must know how to protect herself," Dulguun added, his biceps squishing into Sokka. "But it must be pretty lonely out there in the woods."
Cheon shook their head, muttered something under their breath like, "Typical men." They sulked off to the side, back turned to Sokka.
Sokka's stomach dropped, realizing how large the men were in comparison to him. If they got mad, they could certainly snap him in two. But for now, they were drinking in his curves, how delicate Sokka must have looked in his robes. Plus, Suki didn't blow the whistle. Sokka needed to keep going, and he knew he was safe. He glanced at Zuko's tree, imagined Zuko's lust-blown eyes and perfect, soft lips. Sokka could keep them distracted, pretending to put on a show truly meant for Zuko.
"You know, it was pretty lonely. The warriors seemed to have left me behind." Sokka bit into the tip of his glove and slid it off one by one in a slow, sensuous motion. "Yes, I can take care of myself out here. I am a warrior. But I am a girl, too. A lonely, lonely girl."
Sokka swore he heard an indignant huff from Zuko's tree.
"Oh, spirits." Shiju's eyes roamed over Sokka's hands. The palms would definitely give Sokka away, calloused and dressed with multiple blade injuries, but the backs were perfect. Sokka was once insecure about his smaller hands and hated how girlish and flimsy they looked holding a sword. But now, his hands were the perfect weapon.
"Wow, you got some cute hands." Dulgunn measured his meaty mitts against Sokka's fingers, chuckled at the size difference. Sokka tried not to cringe at the rebel's sweaty palms.
"And look at those eyes." Shiju grabbed Sokka's chin. He tilted Sokka's head down, gaze animalistic. "Damn. Imagine how her hands would look grabbing something else, huh?"
"Yeah? Like what?" Sokka asked, widening his eyes. Hopefully, he looked innocent, not like a crazed cat owl looking for dinner.
Dulgunn gave a knowing jeer at his companion. "Why don't we show you? Then we can help you find your group."
"Or maybe you wanna stay with us. We won't leave you behind. Could use some time to relax, replenish our energy with you." Shiju added, pressing his body into Sokka's side. Sokka felt something hard against his thigh, a reaction that made his stomach twist. Perhaps his distraction was working too well. He just wanted enough time to wrap them around his finger. However, it looks like the game they were playing was escalating into uncomfortable territory.
"Um, ah…" Sokka's mind panicked, trying to think back to the code words he told Zuko. "I-I'm not sure…maybe let's just sit by the fire? You can keep calling me pretty, and we just, um, chat? I'm a lady!" Sokka "playfully" ripped his grip away, and he giggled behind his hands. "A lady like me doesn't fold so easily. Even for two strapping men like you."
Dulgunn blushed, his cheeks reddening like his tattoo. "Oh! I'm sorry, Sisi. Um, I mean, my lady."
Shiju was not as easily convinced.
"So what, you're teasing us now?" Shiju frowned, his red face paint deepening his frown lines. He grabbed Sokka's other hand and tightened his grip on Sokka's wrist.
"Oh, aren't you bold?" Sokka tried to play it off, keep the flirtatious banter until Suki's whistles granted him reprieve. "W-Wait, what are you doing?"
Shiju leered. "It's a simple barter. We let you sit at our fire, and you give us some payment. And it doesn't look like you have money." With his other hand, he tugged at his waistband, and Sokka's blood turned cold.
Sokka's stomach knotted, genuine fear spiking his veins. Dramatics cast aside, he wriggled in the rebels' grasp, trying to tear away. Sokka was a seasoned fighter, yes, but he wasn't prepared for this. He had to turn the tables in his favor, even just for a minute.
"W-Wait!" Sokka gasped towards Zuko's tree, but he couldn't turn in Shiju's grip. He was stuck in place, like a fish caught in a net, thrashing for air. He shut his eyes, reprimanding himself for his perceived foolishness. If he hadn't dressed like this, would this have ended another way? If he didn't wear makeup, would they have left him alone? Sokka didn't want it to end this way, to have Suki come back and see him unfurled, stripped bare from these horrible, horrible wandering hands…
The hands ripped away, and Sokka was thrown into the dirt. His body stung, but Sokka was grateful for the rough, gritty dirt to remind him why he was here. He took a breath, tried to ease his shaky nerves, and sat transfixed at the man pounding fists against Shiju's bloody face. Zuko's back was alit, and for a second, he looked like an angered, demonic spirit. His hair tore from its topknot, fanning out in angry, black flames. The Blue Spirit's mask was askew enough for Sokka to read Zuko's lips,
"Get! Off! Bastard!" Zuko snarled, fists glowing with flames. He punched burns into Shiju's face, who howled in pain at each fist, "Don't fucking touch him!"
Sokka's stomach dropped, and he kicked up into a standing stance. He sprang his boomerang against Dulguun, who aimed an arrow at Zuko's back, knocking the arrow out of its path.
"Zuko, lay off him!" Sokka tackled Zuko, saving him from the impending strike. They tumbled together, a happy thought if the two of them were not being actively targeted by conspirators. Sokka jumped to his feet and unsheathed his sword, clashing against Shiju in harsh strikes. Zuko ducked under Dulguun's arrows, incinerating each head before they could burrow in his skin. Zuko and Sokka fought back to back, shifting back in sync: a mutual understanding.
"Firebender!" Cheon yelled to his allies. He screeched at the top of his lungs: a human warning siren. "Chi-blockers, there's a bender here! Ambush, ambush!"
Thankfully, Suki leapt from the top of a tent, the Councilwoman slung over her back. She unleashed a flurry of whistling blocks, and Cheon dropped to the dirt. She whistled for the horses, and she stowed the unconscious Councilwoman. She joined Sokka's side and yelled over the chaos,
"Hey! What is Zuko doing?!" Suki dodged another arrow, and she somersaulted into the air, landing on Dulguun's shoulders. She wrestled with him, obscuring his sight with her skirt before knocking him out with a punch.
"Suki, get the Councilwoman out of here, I'll catch up!" Sokka commanded, hiking up his skirt. He jumped over the burning logs to Zuko, billowing flames around him. Wakening rebels scurried into the woods, shouldering their fallen and fleeing for their lives. The crackle of flames was deafening, the heat dredging up memories of tents aflame, villagers screaming for their lives. Sokka wanted to run, too, but he spotted Zuko tumbling with Shiju's machete against his neck. The rebel sliced Zuko's arm, and he groaned, the flames dying around him.
"Gonna slice your head clean off, bender!" Shiju roared, makeup melting off, and his arm poised to strike.
Sokka's boomerang bit Shiju in the temple before whirling to its owner. Catching it in his fist, Sokka kicked Shiju off Zuko and held the reel down with a foot. He twisted his heel deeper in his chest, determined to leave an imprint. Shiju spat a jet of blood at him, flecks hitting Sokka's cheek.
"Kyoshi would be disgusted…" he snarled out, chest heaving, "Disgusted…at your allegiance…"
"You disgust me." Stomp. "Is that how you touch women, huh? You want to touch me now, yeah?" Stomp. Stomp. "What would Kyoshi say about that, huh? She'd hate creeps like you!" Sokka scowled, his voice low and measured. He raised his club against his head, sleeves hiked up, toned arms exposed. Shiju cowered under his foot, then cocked his head in confusion,
"Wait a second…you're a man?"
Sokka clubbed his head, knocking out Shiju. Panting, he pulled Shiju out of the burning camp, dropping him on Zuko's horse. As the ostrich horse headed to the coast, Sokka rushed to Zuko's side.
He gently picked Zuko up, heart aching at his blood-covered body, but thankful he was still breathing. Zuko moved his lips, attempting to speak, but Sokka shushed him. He rocked him a bit, as if to lull him to sleep, and Sokka couldn't hide a tear slipping from his eye. Oh, Zuko, brave Zuko, foolish, foolish Zuko: could this plan have gone any worse?
Sitting Zuko on top of his horse, he walked them out of camp, casting watchful glances at Zuko's unconscious form. Sokka chewed at a knuckle, worry churning his stomach as he set out back to the Avatar's camp.
Zuko's eyes flew open, staring out at the tent's slit entrance. His body felt lighter, much better than he did on Sokka's horse, but his arm still stung from getting sliced. Atleast there wasn't another scar, he thought, looking down at his shirtless body.
A hand stroked through his hair, and despite his Fire Nation propensity to jerk away, Zuko didn't want it to stop. His head rested against something warm, softer than his rolled mat, and every gentle movement rocked him ever so slightly. The touch was familiar, soothing, like it had threaded through his tresses many times before. Whoever held him shifted, and Zuko settled comfortably in their lap. He would've fallen asleep, but he caught his muffled name outside the tent.
"Zuko just went haywire," Suki explained. "He agreed not to bend. Sokka and I made sure of it.
"Okay. Hm. We'll check in on him when he wakes up. Thankfully, nothing was too bad, and he healed." Katara sighed, exhaustion palpable in her tone. How's the Councilwoman?"
"She's doing alright. The Autumn Leaves didn't physically harm her, other than the ropes. Oh, Councilwoman Meleti, how are you? You don't have to be up so late-"
"It's alright, my dear. I heard my name and had to jump in." An unfamiliar voice joined them, slow and nasal. "I cannot thank you and your compatriots enough. I believe there were talks of executing me, though I suppose the rebels fled."
"Yes," Katara sighed, exhaustion palpable in her tone. "Sokka let me know that the camp's singed to a crisp. Everyone left."
Silence fell. The guilt burrowed in Zuko's stomach. Katara sounded mournful, as if she were accustomed to the eventual outcome of the Fire Nation: scorched earth, flaming tents, continued fear. Zuko's anger led to this, a mistake he can't simply rectify with a practice speech. The hand stroked his forehead, wiping away his worries.
"Good. It's for the best. I suppose the rebels should've burned, but no mission is perfect." Councilwoman Meleti sniffed, her nose likely turned up in the air. "These rebels have been causing too much trouble on the island. With elections coming, I can't afford any more trouble. But alas! I'll discuss the matters with the Avatar tomorrow. It's rather late." Her steps faded away, huffed in her wake,
"Ugh! How could she say that? 'Rebels should've been burned?' That's awful!" She panted, all riled up. "Minus the Xai Bau debacle, I see where they're coming from. Their voices haven't mattered on this island since Kyoshi's death."
"Right. Even Zuko was apologetic, you know?" Suki added. Zuko perked up, not remembering any conscious moment between the mission and being back at camp.
"Yeah, you're right! He was mumbling under his breath, like "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" and "Sokka, Sokka. Don't know what he has with my brother, but Sokka was really quiet when they came back to camp. Is he okay?"
"Just a scary moment with some rebels. They, um…" Suki paused, perhaps searching for better words, or ensuring the nosey Councilwoman didn't overhear. "They touched him. Nothing further, but still, just really disgusting things. It shook him up."
The anger burned in Zuko's stomach again, but he breathed deep through his nose, not letting the flames flicker outside his body. Eyes shut, he counted to ten…feeling that strange, familiar hand stroke his head.
"What?! To Sokka?!" Katara gasped. The hand froze in Zuko's hair. Katara peeked the tarp open. Zuko glimpsed her concerned eyes and her swollen belly, but she closed the flap before she said anything. "He told me that 'shit went down', but he didn't tell me…oh, Sokka. Did he get hurt?"
"Sokka's better now. He told me Zuko stopped them from going further. Now that I think about it…Zuko was really pummeling the guy, just fist after fist. I think the fire just ended up coming out. Don't think he could control it. Then again, I'm not a bender, I don't know…."
"No, you're right, Suki. When Tagah hurt Aang, I couldn't even think straight. Or for my mother…I-I seriously wanted to kill Yon Rha. I was going to."
Zuko remembered that day in the rain. Every raindrop crystallized into a deadly blade, and Katara's eyes reddened with rage. Aside from pure wonder at her prowess, Zuko thanked his lucky stars he was on her side. Spirits forbade that she could have killed him, too, rightfully so.
"But I could never do it, I couldn't. And I know Zuko wouldn't try to hurt others, either. I trust him."
Suki hummed in agreement. How lovely it was, Zuko realized, to have a family that didn't banish him for a mistake. Zuko knew he had scars to heal, the weight of his nation's history on his shoulders. But for now, he could rest, could trust that his friends would heal him, love him, comb through his hair without making him flinch.
Suki stepped into the tent, makeup washed off, and Zuko feigned sleep, not wanting her to see his moist eyes. She knelt by him and stroked his face, right over his scar. Suki, gentle, sweet Suki, asked Zuko's pillow,
"Everything okay?"
The leg under Zuko's ear bounced.
"Zuko's a lot better," Sokka replied above him. "But I'll stay with him tonight and keep watch."
Zuko's heart flipped. He snuggled deeper into Sokka's lap.
"I'm thankful he's alright," Suki placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder, "but I was asking you. How are you doing after all that?"
Sokka sighed, and he idly drew patterns across Zuko's cheek. "I'm fine. Better. Just didn't expect it to all go wrong."
"It's not your fault, Sokka. And the mission didn't fail— we got Councilwoman Meleti, no one got seriously injured, we just need to stay low for a while."
"Yeah. I just hope our disguises were enough. If they tie anything back to Aang, that's not good. I heard their leader is planning to execute him if they get him. Isonash….that name mean anything to you?"
"No, but I'll tell my girls to keep an eye out. We'll figure it out tomorrow. For now, rest." Zuko heard Suki kiss Sokka, the other man humming into her lips.
"Thanks, Suki." Sokka breathed as he pulled away.
"Mm hm. Give Zuko a kiss from me, too, hm?"
"You know I will."
Zuko heard her walk away. He exhaled through his nose, opened his eyes to Sokka's adoring face. Sokka's eyes were red with exhaustion, and he didn't even bother to wash off his face paint. He still donned the Kyoshi warrior uniform, sans the headband and torso armor, the sleeves ripped from the mission. Kyoshi would approve, Zuko thought, of having a warrior with a pretty face and powerful, muscled arms.
Sokka leaned into Zuko, his open hair falling onto Zuko's face. A smile wobbled across Sokka's cheeks.
"Zuko!" Sokka exclaimed, lifting Zuko into an embrace. Zuko wrapped his arms around him, not wanting to let go, never letting go. They rolled against the mat, Sokka, on top, and Zuko buried his face in the crook of Sokka's neck. A laugh of relief bubbled out of Sokka, throat vibrating, "Oh, thank Spirits you're okay!"
He pulled away and peppered kisses across Zuko's face, leaving smudged lipstick marks.
"I-I messed up the plan, Sokka." Zuko managed out, hiding into Sokka's neck with shame. "I'm sorry."
"You saved me, don't apologize!" Sokka kissed the crown of Zuko's head.
"Well, you got us out of there. I was passed out."
"That's not your fault, man."
"And I burnt down their camp…and I let that rebel get away…"
"Zuko, we don't have to get into it now-"
"And I wish I killed that fucker."
The tent heated up, Sokka's face pulsing in orange light. Zuko didn't realize he was huffing out tiny, angry flames. But he couldn't hide the disdain in his voice. That rebel who revered Avatar Kyoshi but saw no issue with violating her warriors. Whose eyes leered over Sokka's body, tried to subjugate him under control. Zuko couldn't understand how Shiju could do that. A gorgeous warrior walks into their camp, ink-lined eyes cunning and playful, and his thought was to objectify her? When Zuko saw Sokka's hips sway, he wanted to revere him. Beg for mercy at his feet, for his heart could only take so much radiance.
Zuko would've pounced on the rebels much earlier. Sokka fell silent, loomed above Zuko with a solemn face.
"You would've killed him?" Sokka repeated. No judgment in his voice, just curiosity.
"Yes. Absolutely." Zuko flushed at how Sokka looked down with hooded eyes. The crimson eyeshadow only intensified Sokka's gaze.
"Why?"
Sokka held Zuko's face, not letting him shrink away. His thumb brushed Zuko's cheekbone, and Zuko couldn't help but notice the curves of Sokka's painted lips.
Zuko remembered the satisfying crunch of knuckles against bone, how scorching his bending could be. The memory of the camp incited his fury, Sokka's confidence morphing into terror. Zuko didn't care about code words in that moment. Sokka deserved to hear the truth, especially after all he went through.
"Because he touched you. He thought he owned you, and he tried to push you under his control." Zuko admitted.
Sokka pressed his lips into a thin red line.
"It escalated a bit, yeah. Maybe my plan was dead in the water when I took my gloves off." Sokka's shoulders slumped. "Things went okay until I took a step further-"
"Sokka, no." Zuko interrupted, "They chose to dishonor you, and that's what makes me sick. You didn't do anything wrong." Zuko raised Sokka's other knuckles to his lips, kissing the dry skin and faint scars. "Plus, we saved Councilwoman Meleti at the end of it."
Sokka hummed, a smile ghosting his lips. "True."
"You went through a lot today, Sokka. Give yourself more credit." Zuko squeezed his hand.
"Thank you. And right back at you, buddy. You're the one who got a knife to his arm."
"We're not gonna play the comparison game here."
Sokka responded by twiddling his fingers under Zuko's chin. Zuko rolled his eyes, affectionately, of course.
The two entwined on Zuko's mat, Zuko warming up his teapot and Sokka tracing his fingers along Zuko's abdominals. Zuko tried to focus on the crickets chirping outside, not on the nervous sweat trickling down his neck. It didn't help that Sokka's makeup, somehow, didn't melt off in the summer heat. His eyes remained dangerously lined, red like a sunset.
"Phew, I didn't even bother to clean myself up after we got back. I probably look ridiculous in this, right?" Sokka gestured to his ensemble. "I should go wipe this off. Can you get the hot water started, please? I wanna drink some tea and relax with you."
"Don't!" Zuko jolted up in his spot. Sokka quirked an eyebrow. "Um, not about the tea. It's, um, the dress. You don't look ridiculous. You look…"
His mind raced, unsure of how far he should admit his thoughts, how he had to suppress his heat before the mission. When Sokka transformed into a vision of femininity, fuck. He wanted to worship him, let Sokka guide Zuko where he deserved to be with those slender fingers. Sokka didn't deserve to lose control, and Zuko wanted to be his reminder.
"Beautiful. You make a pretty girl, you know." Zuko murmured, eyes going right back to his lips. "Red looks good on you. Maybe you should wear makeup more often."
Sokka snickered, playfully chewing on his lower lip."Maybe so. Especially if you're gonna stare at me like that."
Zuko thought about how striking his teeth were against his ruby lipstick. He considered how good they'd feel nibbling along his neck. Heat spread underneath his skin, pooled between his thighs. Sokka noticed, wedging a knee between Zuko's thighs.
"You're hard," Sokka said. Simple, factual, as if he were commenting on the weather.
Shame crept into Zuko's stomach. Zuko didn't want to overstep. Spirits forbid, Sokka was nearly assaulted, and Zuko's mind was already heady with lust. He couldn't even blame his demeanor on the puma goat tea.
"I'm sorry." Zuko shut his eyes tight, willing away his erection.
"I didn't say it was bad."
"But after what happened…I don't want to repeat what he did."
"But I want you, Zuko."
"I don't want to put you under any control-"
Sokka interrupted by rubbing his thigh against Zuko's bulge. Zuko whined, anxieties morphing back into need.
"I'm in control here, right?" Sokka asked, voice low. Zuko nodded, eager to please.
Sokka slid a finger under Zuko's chin, tilted it up to meet his eyes. Zuko was hypnotized, as if Avatar Kyoshi herself towered over him. "Tell me, Zuko. What's got you riled up?"
He rutted his thigh against Zuko, not daring to pause his ministrations.
"You, fuck." Zuko breathed out, eyelids low, "Y-Your dress, your face paint. Y-You're…ngh..such a pretty girl, Sokka."
"A girl, hm?" Sokka cocked his head to the side, like a hawk examining prey. A slow smile enraptured his face. "Spirits, the sound of that…fuck. More, Zuko, say more."
"Ngh…I can't think of the right words." Zuko whined, head spinning with desire.
Pretty wasn't enough for Zuko. In his makeup, under the soft firelight, Sokka was striking. Zuko knew he was a sucker for dangerous beauties— Mai briefly surfacing in his mind— and Sokka was downright deadly. Sokka gently pushed Zuko back against the mat, groaning at how easily Zuko complied. If a beautiful person told Zuko to kneel, he would. If Sokka told him to prepare himself, Zuko would strip himself bare, insecurities and all. Sokka leaned in, and Zuko closed his eyes, ready to moan into his kiss.
Just centimeters apart, Sokka smirked against him.
"You gotta tell me the right word, baby." Sokka purred, breath soft against Zuko's lips. "C'mon. I know you can do it."
Zuko exhaled hard through his nose, slow, steady.
"Beautiful, so beautiful, Sokka. S-Shaming the island lilies with your lips."
"Oh, Zuko. Didn't know my poetry's contagious," Sokka joked. His hand replaced his knee, and he gripped Zuko under his fabric, "Can I touch you here?"
Zuko nodded furiously, panting "yes, yes" as if gasping for air. Sokka worked his hand inside, wrapping his fingers around Zuko's cock.
"Fuck, Zuko. You're so needy for me." Sokka cooed, darting his tongue over his lips. He gave Zuko a slow, lingering stroke, and Zuko bucked his hips against Sokka's fingers.
"Ah, g-good. That's a good girl," Zuko praised, surprised at how easily his words came out. Sokka closed his eyes and keened, a light, airy sound so foreign to his masculinity. His strokes steadied into a rhythm, and Zuko burned for him. "Yes, yes, that's my girl, ngh. My darling, my flower…"
Sokka leaned in for a kiss, hungrily swallowing up Zuko's praise. Zuko deepened the kiss, licking over Sokka's lips, relishing the waxy, safflower lipstick. He arched up into Sokka's touch, whining into his mouth. Sokka quickened his pace, and his lips brushed against Zuko's ear,
"Glad we're on Jasmine Island again. I woke up early to hike to the mountains, got us some tea leaves. Why'd you think I asked you to set the hot water?"
"Mmph, Sokka, yes." Zuko exhaled, giddy at his proposition, "Hah, yes, that's good, that's perfect, ngh. It'll get your pussy nice and wet for me, hm?"
Zuko grinned, pleased at how involuntary Sokka shuddered, his moan reverberating in their tent. He slowed his pace, feeling the weight of Zuko's cock. Heat swelled in his lower back, pulling tight against him, ready for he release. His chest steamed, vapors swirling in the air.
"S-Sokka, I'm gonna come if you keep doing that," Zuko moaned, eyes locked onto Sokka. He fixated on Sokka's eyeliner, how the wings cut through his skin like ink on parchment. "Mmph, gonna fall apart in those hands, ugh, you're so perfect…"
"Spirits, you're gonna make me wet, that's what you do to me, Zuko." Sokka open-mouthed kissed his jaw, and Zuko's nerves combusted. He spilled into Sokka's hand, shockwaves gripping his body.
"Fuck, fuck, FUCK, SOKKA!" Zuko babbled, hips stuttering.
Sokka made a strangled noise, then licked Zuko's essence off his fingers. His lipstick smeared, like a flower opening its petals, but his makeup remained intact. As Zuko panted through the aftershocks, Sokka whispered into his hearing ear,
"Fuck my makeup off me."
A moment elapsed, the aftermath of Zuko's climax lingering in the air.
"Treat me sweet, treat me gentle." Sokka murmured, "Like one of your girls."
Zuko pounced onto Sokka, ready to make haste on his promise.