Chapter Text
Sokka bounces restlessly on the balls of his feet as he stares out over the bright blue ocean. He raises his sun-kissed hand to shade his eyes from the intense midday sunlight descending from above. If he looks hard enough, he can just barely glimpse the beginning of the Fire Nation islands, despite still being several nautical miles out. Sokka has never minded being out on the open water. It is one of the places he feels most at home, having practically grown up on a fishing boat in the South Pole. But, after a week of being at sea, and knowing what is awaiting him (or more importantly who is awaiting him) on the other side, the young Southern Water Tribe Ambassador is more than anxious to get back onto dry land.
It has been two years since the members of Team Avatar have all been together. They went their separate ways to take up both old and new duties following the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai. Peace has once again settled among the nations, although it is tenuous at best. Diplomats from across the world head to the Fire Nation to discuss next steps to help strengthen the fraying bonds of peace between the once warring nations, and to celebrate the upcoming two-year anniversary of the end of the Hundred Year War.
After traveling with Aang and Katara to help smooth over any conflicts that arose from the nations mingling together for the first time in nearly a century, Sokka made the decision to return to the South Pole. He is expected to become Chief one day, so he returned home following the one-year anniversary of the end of the war to understand what all that entails. Sokka has worked diligently side-by-side with his father, learning what it means to be a chief. He has also been instrumental in helping the South Pole develop its ever-expanding infrastructure, thanks to an influx of people coming from their sister tribe in the north.
He has loved being back home among his own people, but now he is anxious to get back out into the world. He was unanimously elected to be the Southern Water Tribe’s Ambassador for the upcoming talks that are scheduled to take place the day after he arrives in the Fire Nation. Though he is going on a diplomatic mission as the chosen representative of his tribe, the young warrior spends the week-long journey trying to convince himself he does not have ulterior motives for wanting to go. The rest of the Gaang is not expected to arrive for another month, and Sokka is eager to see them. However, there is one person from the Gaang he is most anxious to see.
Like history repeating itself, the second Sokka gazes upon Zuko, standing tall and proud in his regal robes, the light of the setting sun glinting off his crown like a beacon, and that warm, sincere smile gracing his features the moment his eyes find Sokka’s, he knew he was hooked.
It was a stuffy dinner as all the ambassadors from around the world met and conversed as amicably as possible. Sokka didn’t need to understand politics to know he was surrounded by fake smiles and tenuous lines of conversation that will no doubt lead to harsh lines of debate in the weeks and months to come. Sokka tries to stay engaged in the strained conversations happening around him, except he is hyper-aware of Zuko’s presence throughout the entire evening.
Everywhere he went, Sokka could feel Zuko, as if he could somehow sense his every movement. He knew exactly where he was always, who he spoke to, and when he walked by close enough, Sokka would catch a trace of his natural scent, with subtle hints of jasmine tea, of heat, and of skin. As he grazed by him, Sokka could feel the faintest touch of Zuko’s fingertips along his lower back in a secret subtle caress. Just the sense of it, of him, sent pleasurable chills cascading down his spine. And when their eyes would find each other, any resistance Sokka tried to build up to the other boy was instantly gone.
No, not a boy-a man. Both Zuko and Sokka are no longer children and haven’t been since long before they came of age. They had both seen and done so much since first meeting nearly three years ago, when they had been on opposite sides of the war. Looking back, Sokka reasons the intense attraction he had for the banished prince started way back then. Once they became friends, it wasn’t long before they were sneaking into the underbrush at the Western Air Temple for some “quality guy-time,” as Sokka liked to call it when the others got suspicious about what they were doing. It had been fun, Sokka told himself and Zuko multiple times back then. They had an intense physical attraction to one another, and once they were on the same side, both had allowed their feelings (and hormones) to take control. It was only when the war finally ended did they part on friendly terms, both understanding it was for the best, and that they needed to move on. It had made sense at the time, and still does.
That was two years ago. Since then, they have seen each other a few times and corresponded, but in a strictly professional sense. The only exception had been the night of the one-year anniversary of the war ending and Zuko’s coronation as Fire Lord, but that had been a one-time thing. One last dalliance, they had said, just to get it out of their systems.
But if that were true, then why is he knocking on the Fire Lord’s door, leading to his private chambers in the middle of the night? Same reason he has a long-stemmed rose cradled between his teeth. For fun.
Zuko answers the door, a small, knowing smile adorning his full lips upon seeing Sokka standing on the other side. Sokka’s eyes take a moment to gaze upon his lithe frame. Zuko is wearing a pair of sleep pants with a lightweight robe that is slightly parted, revealing his bare chest. Already Sokka's mouth is watering just at the sight of a partially unclothed Fire Lord. He is such a lost cause when it comes to this man.
Zuko huffs a quiet laugh by way of greeting before he gestures to the rose. “Is that for me this time?”
Sokka steps into the room and presents it to him with a flourish. He winks as he answers, “Always was, handsome.”
Zuko scoffs lightly and shakes his head, plucking the rose from Sokka’s outstretched fingers. “Your flirting skills haven’t improved much.”
Sokka leans forward, getting an inch from Zuko’s face. They have both grown in the year apart, with Sokka now a fraction of an inch taller than Zuko. He’s going to rub that in his face for sure.
Only later. Much later.
Sokka leans in close, making sure he has his undivided attention. He watches intently as Zuko’s eyes dilate and hears his breath hitch. Being this close, he can see his pulse hammering away on the side of his neck. In his most seductive voice, Sokka whispers, “Shall I show you some other skills of mine that have?”
The temperature of the room rises by ten degrees. The torches on the walls flare, and Sokka’s smile becomes even more lascivious. Zuko swallows as he licks his lips, and Sokka feels his own breath hitch at the sight of that pink tongue. “Now that I’d like to see.”
And that’s all it takes before Zuko grabs him by his face and pulls Sokka towards him. Their lips crash together, and it’s like they’ve never been apart. They fall back into each other like familiar lovers would. Sokka has time to think how easy and comfortable this feels, before Zuko does that thing with his tongue that drives him wild and then there’s no more time to think.
They manage to navigate themselves across the room to Zuko’s large bed before they tumble down into it. Zuko is over him a second later, his lips back against his as he climbs on top to straddle him. They kiss passionately and deeply, their hands roaming all over each other as they relearn the other’s body. But patience wears thin, and Zuko is soon trailing his lips across Sokka’s jaw and down his neck, a hint of teeth grazing his collar bone. Sokka sighs, arching his hips up into the body hovering above him.
Zuko growls, the reverberations echoing within Sokka’s own chest. He runs his large, elegant hands down the length of Sokka’s still clothed chest to the bottom of his tunic, then pulls the garment up. Sokka sits up so Zuko can pull the tunic up over his head. The action loosens his wolf tail, releasing several strands of hair that fall over his eyes. He pays them no mind as he uses his own hands to push the robe off Zuko’s shoulders, tossing it carelessly off the side of the bed.
Zuko sits up, giving Sokka a full view of his sculpted chest and stomach. Sokka cannot help but to reach out and touch, running his hands down the entire length of his chest, over his defined pecs, the lightening scar in his middle, to his sculpted abs, where he traces the outline of each one. His mouth suddenly goes dry when Zuko reaches up and undoes the clasp in his hair. His inky tresses spill around his face, falling well below his chin to brush against his shoulder blades. Sokka’s eyes drink the sight of him in, this beautiful man sitting atop him, shirtless, power radiating out of every pore as he looks down his fine nose at him, a corner of his lips upturned in a suggestive smile. Sokka feels the line of his erection against his abdomen, and he teasingly runs his hand over his length through his trousers. Zuko’s eyes flutter at the action, causing Sokka to chuckle. “Already, Zuko? You must have been waiting for me.”
Zuko leans over him again, sliding his hips down to line his cock up with Sokka’s. He grins as Sokka’s eyes flutter as their erections line up together. Zuko lightly takes his earlobe between his teeth and whispers huskily, “You have no idea.”
Sokka doesn’t get to question what he means by that before Zuko rolls his hips, the friction of their cocks and feel of their bare chests, specifically their nipples, rubbing together, causing the breath to catch in his throat. His hands instantly go to Zuko’s hips to guide his movements as he continues to languidly roll their clothed erections together to full hardness. Fuck, does it feel good to feel him again, to have him on top of him, to be surrounded by him. He buries his nose in his hair and breathes deep, drawing his enticing scent deeply into his lungs and committing it to memory.
Zuko’s own hands are on his stomach and pecs, mapping all the changes that have taken place over the past year. Sokka has grown much in the year they have been apart. He has acquired a few more scars from practicing his sword fighting skills, not to mention his body is no longer that of a gangly teenager. He has grown into his muscles and limbs, and Zuko’s mouth waters at the sight. “You’re beautiful.” Zuko says it so softly Sokka even wonders if he knows he said it.
Sokka pulls him back down to plunge his tongue between his parted lips. Zuko moans as they kiss, the motions of his hips picking up in intensity. Sokka meets him thrust for thrust, before the need for air wins out. Since he already knows Sokka has it, Zuko whispers, “Oil?”
It is all he needs to say. Zuko is up and off him so fast it leaves him feeling cold yet wanting. Sokka reaches into his pants pocket for a small glass bottle he stashed there earlier, hoping he would need it, before kicking off his boots, followed by his trousers. He looks up to see Zuko standing on the floor next to the side of the bed, his own pants already off and discarded on the floor. Both take a moment to revel in the sight of each other’s fully naked body. Sokka’s eyes travel the entire length of Zuko’s marble-sculpted body, from the top of his head, down his muscular chest, past his groin and his beautifully reddened cock, to his muscular legs and bare feet, then back up again. Sokka could spend the whole night just staring at this perfect specimen of a man, but that is not why he is here.
Sokka licks his lips in anticipation, then tosses the bottle at Zuko’s chest. He catches it automatically. “Here. You do it.”
Zuko is back on top of him a heartbeat later, kissing him with lips, tongue and teeth. Their movements take on a fever pitch as the passion ignites between them. Sokka hears Zuko remove the cork from the bottle, and a familiar, flowery scent wafts into the air. Sokka’s heart races with anticipation.
Zuko generously oils the middle three fingers of his right hand. Sokka is silently grateful for this. He hasn’t done this since they were together last. He is going to be tight, so the more oil Zuko uses the better.
Sokka spreads his legs to make room for him, bending his left knee to give him better access. Zuko slides down the bed until he is nestled comfortably between Sokka’s legs. He carefully works the tip of his middle finger between Sokka’s cheeks to find his hidden opening. He circles the rim, enjoying the ring of muscle quivering around his fingertip. That’s when he notices the other vibrations happening within Sokka’s body. Zuko sucks a wet kiss to the inside of his trembling thigh before he pauses to look up at him, concern lining his tone. “You’re shaking.”
Sokka blushes. He is unwilling to tell Zuko he has been fantasizing about this moment for months. Sokka didn’t want to get his hopes up, as they had promised this was all supposed to be behind them. However, now that this is happening, he is a bit overwhelmed by it all. Sokka tucks his hands beneath his head, trying to come off as nonchalant. “I’m just excited is all. Nothing to worry your pretty little head about.” Not an exact lie, but he is downplaying how excited he is to be here, back with Zuko and in his bed.
Not wanting to dwell on it, Sokka pushes his hips down onto Zuko’s finger, until the tip of his exploring digit barely breaches him. “Now are we doing this or not?”
Zuko doesn’t need to be asked twice. He slides his middle finger into Sokka halfway, carefully studying Sokka’s reaction, before he slides the entire digit in. Sokka bites his lip to stifle his groan.
“Don’t do that.” Sokka looks up at Zuko, whose own face has become flushed. His chest heaves with deep breaths to calm his heart that is hammering on the inside of his flushed chest. Sokka grins crookedly at his disheveled state. “I want to hear you.”
Sokka releases his lip before he nods enthusiastically. Sokka loves making noises in bed, especially when he is the one getting penetrated. He swivels his hips on Zuko’s finger, causing delicious sensations to spark pleasurably inside of him. He throws his head back and clenches his muscles around the intruding digit. “Keep going, Zuko.”
At the sound of his name, Zuko growls. Sokka feels his lust spike. Zuko carefully pulls his finger out, before he douses his fingers with some more oil. He has two fingers back at his entrance a moment later and pushes them all the way inside. The burn from the stretch is just enough, like Zuko knew exactly what he needed before he himself realized it. “Zuko, that is sooooo good. I could come from your fingers alone.”
And he has. Sokka has the flash of a sudden memory of when they were together at the Western Air Temple. Zuko had fucked him open with just two fingers for half the night, never ceasing, always watching, as Sokka writhed and begged to let him come, but Zuko never relented. Hours later, he had finally come from just Zuko’s fingers, his cock remaining completely untouched. He had nearly sobbed from the sheer force of it and the overwhelming pleasure. Zuko had come soon after, and that’s how Sokka learned Zuko finds his pleasure only after Sokka finds his. Later, Sokka had teased him relentlessly about being such a people-pleaser, but only ever in private.
This will not happen tonight. There is an urgency to Zuko’s movements, a look of unrestrained want adorning his face, his eyes so dilated as he watches Sokka take his fingers there is no sign of the gold in his eyes. But, even in this state, Zuko is still careful. He always did take Sokka’s comfort into consideration, no matter how overcome with lust and want he is.
When they first started sleeping together, they had been young and inexperienced, and neither one of them knew what they were doing. However, they learned quickly how painful this can be if they move too fast before the one being penetrated is fully prepared. They have learned much about themselves and the ways of pleasure since those early days at the Air Temple.
Zuko presses his fingers deep inside of Sokka for a generous handful of minutes before he slowly draws them back out. When only the tip of his middle finger is still inside does he slowly, slowly, reinsert both fingers all the way back into him. This time, they slide in much more easily, and Sokka moans long and low in his chest. He reaches for his cock, but Zuko bats his hand away. Sokka looks up at Zuko shaking his head. “Not yet. I want to be buried deep inside of you when you come. I want to feel you clench around me so tight as you ride out the orgasm I am going to give you.”
And fuck, if that isn’t the hottest thing he’s ever heard Zuko say. He typically does not indulge in dirty talk. Usually, that is Sokka’s job. When he does indulge this side of himself, fuck, he is so good at it. “Fuck, yeah, Zuko. I cannot wait to come on your cock. Gonna take you so deep inside, I’ll be feeling you for days.”
To make his point, he thrusts his hips onto Zuko’s fingers. He makes slow circles with his hips, lifting them carefully before lowering himself back down. He watches Zuko’s face as he fucks himself onto his fingers.
Zuko watches, transfixed, before glancing up at him. “Tell me what you need.”
An order. Sokka is not sure which he likes more, hearing Zuko talk dirty or get bossy in bed. “I need more.” And Zuko knows exactly what he means. Sokka pauses his movements so Zuko can add another finger. He slides three fingers all the way inside. Sokka hisses between his teeth as he throws his head back. When they had been sleeping together regularly, two fingers had been all he needed before he could take Zuko comfortably. Now, he forgets that it’s been a year since they’ve done this.
This is the first sign of discomfort he makes. Zuko goes to withdraw, but Sokka tenses around his fingers, locking him inside, even though it pains him to do so. “Don’t move,” he orders.
Zuko pauses as he studies him. Sokka takes deep breaths, willing his body to relax around the added stretch. “What can I do?”
Sokka takes another deep, cleansing breath. He needs a distraction as his body adjusts. “Put your mouth on me.”
Zuko doesn’t even hesitate before he's taking the head of Sokka’s cock into his mouth. It is so hot inside Zuko’s mouth it is nearly scorching, but they learned long ago how hot Sokka can take it. Sokka instinctually thrusts up, seeking that welcoming heat. Zuko gags slightly and pulls back. Sokka is about to apologize for his overzealousness, but then Zuko takes a breath, hollows his cheeks, and sucks like his life depends on it.
Stars burst behind Sokka’s eyes; his discomfort instantly forgotten. The hand not currently inside of him wraps around the base of his erection, while Zuko’s lips work the head of his cock into the back of his throat. He moans as Zuko sucks him, working more and more of his length into his mouth until his lips meet the top of the hand wrapped around the base. Zuko strokes him as he sucks him, his fingers moving expertly within him, stretching his walls to make sure he is fully prepared for what comes next.
Sokka is no longer capable of coherent thought. All he can do is feel. He feels those magical lips sucking the very marrow of his bones out through his cock, causing his toes to curl and his hands to twist into his own hair. Those wonderful, talented fingers curl and unfurl inside of him, opening him up, finding that secret spot that makes him feel like he’s coming over and over again. He can hear words, but he’s too out of sorts to understand them.
He forces his eyes open and his mouth to work. He had no idea those sounds are his own disjointed words, begging for Zuko to fuck him. “Please, Zuko, please,” he’s not sure if the moisture on his face is sweat or tears from the overwhelming pleasure. He is blindly reaching for the man at the foot of the bed. “Please, fuck me. I need your cock. I need you to fuck me.”
Zuko pulls his mouth off Sokka’s cock with a lewd pop. Sokka nearly sobs. “Yes, my love.”
Within the next breath, Zuko is lying flush along his back, both now on their sides. Zuko’s fingers are somehow still inside of him, but he draws them out slowly, and Sokka whines pitifully. He wants so badly to touch himself, but he knows if he does, it will all be over. He raises himself on his elbow and bends his knee. His body trembles with anticipation.
He listens as Zuko grabs the bottle one more time and slicks up his aching cock. Sokka hears him hiss, as this is the first time he’s touched himself. He is incredibly sensitive, and the motion of his own hand on his heated flesh is nearly enough to make him come. However, he made a promise to the man lying here with him.
Sokka takes deep, steadying breaths as he feels the head of Zuko’s cock line up at his slicked entrance. Zuko wraps an arm around his chest. “It won’t take long. I’m close. I’m so close, Sokka.”
Sokka moans unabashedly into the room. “Me, too. Gonna come so hard for you, baby. So fucking hard.”
And with that, Zuko slides all the way inside, and Sokka’s world narrows to just them. Just the two of them, rocking together on the sweat-soaked silk sheets underneath their thrusting bodies. Sokka wraps his hand around the back of Zuko’s head, his mouth open in a silent scream as Zuko drives into him over and over. Sokka meets him thrust for thrust, a lust-filled cry punctuating out of his throat each time Zuko sheathes himself fully inside of him.
Zuko has his hand on his hip, his fingertips gripping him so tightly they will leave bruises in their wake. He kisses along Sokka's glistening skin anywhere his lips can reach: his neck, behind his ear, his jaw. Sokka can’t think, he can’t speak, all he can do is revel in the feeling of being so completely full…of being so complete.
Zuko’s thrusts are hard and punctuated. His labored breaths blow into his ear, causing goosebumps to appear across Sokka’s brown skin. Zuko rolls them until Sokka is face-down on the bed. Zuko is still inside of him, getting himself some better leverage so he can fuck into the beautiful body laid out beneath him. Sokka grips the sheets tightly in his curled fists. He raises his hips and spreads his legs, taking Zuko ever deeper. Zuko moans and wraps his hands around Sokka’s hips as he pounds into him. “Sokka! Fuck, Sokka! You feel so good!” He works a hand underneath Sokka’s panting body to touch the head of his leaking cock.
Sokka has no idea he’s even talking. “Yes, yes. Zuko, yes! Harder. Harder! I’m gonna come. I’m gonna—aaaAHH!” Zuko rocks his hips directly into his prostate, sending pure electric shocks of pleasure surging throughout his body. When Zuko slams his hips forward, directly into that secret spot, and his fingers brush the underside of his cock, it’s all over for Sokka. His eyes are squeezed shut, and his entire body goes completely rigid, his muscles locking up as he comes harder than he ever has in his entire life. He comes so hard he forgets to breathe and sees spots behind his closed eyelids.
Zuko grins in triumph as he feels Sokka’s come coat his fingers. He barely has time to enjoy it before Sokka’s body is clenching so tightly around his length it nearly hurts, trapping him inside. Knowing Sokka has found his pleasure, Zuko is ready to let go. “Sokka, Sokka,” he clenches his teeth, still holding out, “on you or in you?”
Sokka, still riding the waves of his own pleasure, manages to answer. “In me. I want you to come deep inside of me, Zuko.”
That does it. Zuko sinks his teeth into the meat of Sokka’s shoulder to stifle his yell. He wraps one hand around Sokka’s throat and squeezes gently despite how tense his muscles are. Sokka grins, covering Zuko’s hand with his own as Zuko rides out his pleasure. It does not worry him to have Zuko’s hand around his throat, though it probably should. Zuko is physically strong from all the martial arts training he does, plus he is a powerful Firebender. If he were to ever lose control, he could severely burn or hurt Sokka, even without meaning to. But Sokka trusts him entirely, and he knows beyond any shadow of a doubt that Zuko would never hurt him, even in the throes of passion.
As the waves of euphoria crash over him, Zuko empties himself deeply inside of Sokka’s body. Sokka whines low and long in his throat against Zuko’s hand, as he feels the press of Zuko’s teeth, and the hot bursts of Zuko’s release filling him.
When it’s over, Zuko collapses flush on top of Sokka, panting heavily. He’s hot and heavy, and Sokka is lying directly in the wet spot, but he can’t bring himself to care. Having Zuko fully on top of him feels incredible. He can feel his softening cock twitching from the force of his orgasm. His hot breaths puff into his ear, sending delightful shivers down the length of Sokka’s spine. He chooses not to move, as the two of them bathe in the afterglow of post-orgasmic bliss.
Only when his breath is fully recovered, and he has completely softened, does Zuko pull out and roll to the side. Sokka is a bit surprised by the sound he makes when Zuko withdraws, like he is sorry to be parted from him.
He turns to face him, and Zuko is right there, drawing him into a slow, heartfelt kiss. Sokka hums at the pleasurable sensation of Zuko kissing him so sweetly. After a time, he pulls back, an easy-going, satisfied smile on his face, but it falls when he sees the look adorning Zuko’s countenance. His eyes are soft as he looks at him, but there is a vulnerability, a sadness there the Fire Lord rarely allows anyone to see. Even though they are so close they are exchanging the same air, Sokka can barely make out his softly spoken words. “I’ve missed this.” He runs his fingers through Sokka’s sweat-dampened hair, which had come completely undone without him realizing it. “I’ve missed you.”
Zuko always did get sentimental after sex, so that much has not changed. Truth be told, so does Sokka, but he hides it better. He tries to lighten the sullen mood by smiling too big and too bright. “I’ve missed you too, buddy. Very much.” Buddy, ugh. If he wasn’t lying next to Zuko in bed after the best sex of his life, he would slap himself as hard as he could in the forehead.
Sokka knows he is not just talking about missing the sex. He is referring to something deeper, something more meaningful, though they agreed their lives could not allow for anything more between them. Their relationship must remain a casual one. If their situations were different, maybe he could see himself having a more fulfilling connection with Zuko. The very thought makes his chest swell with something he does not want to name, so he tamps it down before it can take root in his mind. Things are too difficult, they have too many responsibilities to their people. Not to mention the scandal it would cause if the world knew Fire Lord Zuko had an intimate relationship with an ambassador from another nation. A male ambassador, no less. Also, such a thing would wreak havoc among his own people should they ever discover what he and the Fire Lord have been up to.
No, it’s best not to entertain such childish notions.
He needs to put distance between them if he hopes to remain strong in his conviction. He sits up and stretches languidly. “I should go,” he says as he gets to his feet, “before someone notices I’m not in my room. We don’t want anyone to see me sneaking out of your private chambers.”
Zuko sits up himself, already schooling his features back to normal. The moment they were about to have is officially gone. Sokka hates himself a little because of it. “No, I suppose not,” he agrees as he gets to his feet. He goes to the small pot of water sitting next to the bed and dips a clean washcloth into it. “Do you need me to show you the way?”
Sokka pulls on his trousers, pointedly not looking at a still nude Zuko. “Nah, I’ll find it. I know my way around, you know. I have spent a lot of time here.”
“And I hope you will again,” Zuko says before biting his tongue. Sokka stares at him, his tunic halfway on. His eyes widen, but before he can say anything, Zuko recovers. “What I mean is, you’re the official Southern Water Tribe Ambassador now. You’ll be staying here in Capital City, will you not?”
Sokka pulls his tunic over his head. “I suppose. I told my dad I’d be back in time for the Winter Solstice. It’s a tradition in my tribe to celebrate the solstice, and we haven’t had a chance to since before he left to fight in the war.”
“The solstice is months away.”
Sokka puts his hair back up in its standard ponytail. He winks at Zuko as he says, “I guess you’re stuck with me until then, aren’t ya?”
Zuko scoffs, pulling his robe back around his shoulders. “Yes, I suppose I am. Lucky me.” There is not a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he said this. Sokka would know; he is the king of sarcasm.
Feeling awkward once again, Sokka grabs his boots rather than putting them back on. He makes his way towards the door as he says, “Good night, Zuko. Thanks for the good time. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He doesn’t wait for Zuko to reply before he is out the door.
He pads lightly across the darkened corridor, careful to pass unseen by anyone who may still be up at this hour. All he sees are several of Zuko’s trusted bodyguards, many of whom he recognizes from his time here last. A couple nod in his direction, and Sokka returns them. He trusts they will not say anything to someone they should not, or else risk falling out of Zuko’s favor.
Sokka finds his room at the end of the corridor and opens the door carefully. He strips out of his clothing and wipes himself down before hopping into bed, doing his best not to think too much about what happened. It is late, and the talks with the other representatives are scheduled to start first thing in the morning. It is best if he sets everything aside and focuses on getting some sleep.
There’s just one problem. His mind is rarely willing to be turned off, much less right before falling asleep. A random, invasive thought flits across his mind, promising little rest.
Did Zuko call me his love?