Work Text:
“Sokka it’s freezing” Suki whispered, huddling closer to Sokka under their blankets.
“I know Suki but I don’t control the weather” Sokka whined, holding her equally as close while they both shivered slightly.
The camping trip the gang had decided to take as a small reunion, and break from duties for Zuko, years after defeating the firelord had them all realize just how cold it could get when staying at the air temples. Something they’d forgotten after all this time away from travelling. So now they all lay around a dwindling fire that did practically nothing, shivering under blankets that hadn’t been used in years and needed an upgrade, wishing that they had brought tents to block some of the cold air out. Zuko had offered, of course, fire nation tents for all of them. But they’d wanted the ‘nostalgia’ of sleeping under the stars ‘like the good old days’. Which had all of them regretting their words as they shivered.
The only person not shivering however, was Zuko. The firelord was happily asleep under his blankets, long hair strewn across his pillow without a care in the world it seemed. Unaffected by the cold wind as he’d always ran hot. He’d often complain about it when they’d insisted he needed to be bundled up, commenting on how he was always too warm in the fur lined sleeping bags. And he was proving it now, laying under two thin sheets and not feeling the cold as he slept happily.
Sokka mused for a moment, before shimming out of his blankets much to Suki’s confusion. He quickly waved his hand to tell her to wait before sneaking his way towards Zuko with exaggerated steps. He crouched low as he got close enough to hear Zuko’s slow breathing and was thankful Zuko was asleep on his good side. The firelord trusted his friends enough to sleep with his scarred side and slightly deaf ear out, vulnerable and fully trusting his friends. It was a sign he trusted them with his safety and life; and it was perfect for Sokka to test his theory.
The water tribe man shuffled closer, hand outstretched to feel the air around Zuko. It was warm like a comforting fire with Zuko as the burning source. Sokka grinned and as he was about to turn to call Suki over, a hand suddenly shot out and grabbed his wrist. Sokka jumped, only to realize it wasn’t Zuko who had awoken to his presence but Toph who had been hidden under the covers and already doing what Sokka was planning. She’s been spooning Zuko for warmth long before Sokka had plotted to do the very same thing.
“What are you doing?” She whispered harshly, gripping Sokka’s wrist tighter as she huffed.
“I was just- checking on Zuko! What are you doing?” He huffed back accusatory, trying to keep his voice down.
“I was asleep. It got too cold and Zuko is basically a bonfire when he sleeps” Toph grinned, letting go of Sokka’s hand and crossing her arms instead as if she was declaring a claim.
Sokka rolled his eyes.
“Yeah well me and Suki are cold so- you’ve got to share”
“Nu-uh” Toph shot back, moving to lay back down and cuddle close to Zuko. “Get your own heater this one is mine”
Sokka waved his hands with noises of protest before hanging his head and sighing. Even after all these years he couldn’t argue with Toph. The walk of shame back to Suki made him grumble before he laid back down in their blankets, trying to return to sleep. But only a few minutes later Sokka heard shuffling and sat up suddenly bringing the sleepy Suki who’d been on his chest with him. He watched in shock as Katara was sneaking her way past Appa and Momo and Aang towards Zuko.
Sokka couldn’t believe his eyes as Katara, wrapped in her blanket, crawled in next to Zuko on the opposite side of Toph practically sandwiching the firebender in hopes of some heat. Zuko didn’t even react past a small shuffle and groan before staying perfectly asleep. Katara wrapped her arms around Zuko and smiled contentedly as her body warmed up, allowing her to fall asleep quickly. Suki whined sleepily and guided Sokka back down before she laid her head back on his chest to try and get more sleep despite the cold. Sokka couldn’t believe Katara would do that, despite the fact he’d planned to do the same not a moment before.
Sokka got about an hour sleep before waking to noise again, quiet shuffles of feet that made their way past Sokka and Suki sleeping and again towards Zuko. The water tribesman cracked a sleepy eyelid to watch as Aang moved quietly to lay behind Katara in the warmth of Zuko’s bodyheat. The Avatar held his girlfriend close as they continued to bathe in the warmth that coaxed them into sleep. Sokka let out a grumble of disapproval and disbelief and turned over to cuddle Suki. But she wasn’t there.
He shot up and looked around for her only to see Suki cuddling Toph who was curled around the unaware Zuko’s arm. Sokka’s mouth fell open followed by grumbling disapproval and huffs, gesturing wildly in upset as it seemed he was the only one now not invited to the cuddle pile and that his own girlfriend had abandoned him for Zuko. Stubborn and grumpy Sokka laid back in his blankets ,now without Suki, and tried to return to sleep. He ended up tossing and turning for over five minutes before giving up and groaning with annoyance.
With a deep sigh Sokka admitted defeat, stood up and grabbed his blanket. Dragging the fabric behind him he moved towards the pile of benders and settled in behind Suki who exhaled happily as Sokka’s arms wrapped around her. The water tribesman smiled and cuddled closer, thankful for the warmth finally as he drifted quickly back to sleep. With a chirp Momo, who had seen how comfortable everyone looked, joined the group and curled up next to Zuko’s head with Appa joining not long after, curling himself around the group as best as he could while they slept.
Zuko smiled softly, eye opening slightly to see all his friends with him. He quickly shut his eye and continued to pretend to sleep, and not long after he was able to drift off to sleep as he felt safer with all of them huddled together and cuddling with him.
He’d pretend to be annoyed in the morning. For now he’d just enjoy it.