Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve
Before they went to forgotten valley, the gang settled down to camp. Katara lay on Appa's saddle, wrapped in a blanket with Momo, Aang lay on Appa's legs, taking the first watch over Azula who was lying against a tree root again.
Sokka lay by the fire for a bit, unable to sleep right away. He looked at the sleeping figure of Zuko across the camp. Something was bothering him, that was for sure. Whatever it was didn't seem to bother him as much as when he was in the palace though which was good. He sighed at the memories of the palace, returning his gaze to the fire.
It seemed like they were friends again. Zuko was talking to him and he was talking to Zuko. But he wanted more, it was obvious to him now. He wanted to hug and kiss him, hold his hand, mumble sweet nothings into his ear. He even wanted to-
No. No. Not allowed. He shook his head, failing to rid his mind of the thoughts. Staring at Zuko, he bit his lip, trying to distract himself with pain.
"I should just sleep..." Sokka mumbled to himself, making his way over to Appa to get his blanket.
Aang nodded at him as he pulled the blanket down. He returned the gesture and then glanced at his sister. She looked comfy.
He lay down, wrapping himself in his blanket he stared across at Zuko still. He hadn't moved. God, why couldn't he sleep?! Normally it would come so easily. The thoughts came back and now he was just uncomfortable. He turned around and squeezed his eyes shut. Please sleep.
_
Zuko woke up in the middle of the night. He sat up groggily, looking around. He noticed Sokka bundled in blankets and Katara watching Azula. Sleep didn't seem like it was coming back, so he walked over to Katara who was nodding off despite being on watch. She looked up at him as he approached. He gave her a soft smile and she returned it with a grateful one, moving to go back to her sleeping position on Appa.
He took his seat where Katara had been, keeping his focus on his sister. She seemed to be in a deep sleep so he let his mind wander. His thoughts mostly revolved around his mother, but every now and then he would start to ponder the situation with Sokka. Subconsciously, he glanced over at the water tribe boy.
His mind wandered into a daydream. He walked along the turtle duck pond, admiring the fluffy little creatures swimming about in the water. A noise from across the garden drew his attention. He looked over to see Sokka, watering some flowers and calling over to him. He walked over to the water tribe boy and pulled him in by the waist, hugging his figure to his side. Sokka laughed softly, then gave him a little kiss on his cheek, whispering something into his ear.
"Zuko."
"Zuko!"
"Hey, Zuko!"
His mind was ripped out of the daydream, his eyes searching the dark atmosphere for the source of the voice. It was Sokka. He noticed that the Firelord had come out of his trance and laughed quietly, taking a seat beside him.
"Daydreaming... Sorry." Zuko muttered, his cheeks flushing.
"More like night dreaming but, you know... You're not asleep." Sokka chuckled.
"Did I wake you up?" Zuko asked softly, looking over at the water tribe boy.
"Nah, I wasn't really sleeping in the first place."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I was too busy thinking of... Stuff."
"Stuff?" Zuko smirked.
Sokka laughed again, glancing at Zuko's face and then looking away to hide a blush. Damn, him smirking was hot.
He wanted to ask him about what happened back at the palace, he wanted to make sure that Zuko really only wanted to be friends. But when he looked at him, he saw the troubled thoughts through his gold eyes. Spinning around in his head. Wishing for simpler times, he held back a sigh.
"So, are you excited to see your mom?" Sokka asked.
"Yeah... I hope I find her." Zuko mumbled.
"I hope so too..." Sokka added, looking up at the moon.
"So...," Zuko finally started after a long silence. "How are things with Suki now?"
The water tribe boy looked over at Zuko, his eyebrows shooting up to give him a look.
"We're friends at best." Sokka stated, quickly composing a different, more slack expression.
"I see..." Zuko muttered to himself.
They sat in a silence that was a little more awkward now, but neither bothered to change it. Sokka soon grew impatient with the quiet and turned to Zuko.
"I'm going to go for a little walk... I'll be back later..." He said before sliding off Appa and walking into the dark woods.
"Ok..." Was all the other could mutter.
_
A hour later Zuko had grown tired again. He had one more hour of watch until he could wake up Aang to take his place.
Sokka hadn't come back yet and he was starting to get worried. He told himself to wait at least another 15 minutes.
15 minutes later and there was still no sign of Sokka. He took another look at Azula, then turned to Aang who was sleeping soundly on Appa's head. He reached over to wake him up.
Aang mumbled, opening his eyes slowly he was obviously exhausted. Zuko winced, although he knew Aang wouldn't get mad at him for walking him up early, he still felt bad.
"Is it my turn?" Aang asked groggily.
"Not exactly, but can you watch Azula? I'm going to look for Sokka." Zuko responded, gesturing to the woods around them.
"Mmm... Where'd he go?" Aang asked, still waking up.
"For a walk, but he's been a while and I'm worried." Zuko bounced in impatience, he just wanted to find Sokka.
"Ok." Aang nodded, sitting up to stare at Azula.
Zuko immediately slid down Appa and bounded off into the woods in the direction he'd seen Sokka go. He raced past the trees, keeping his eye out for any movement.
He stopped by a small pond, his breath catching in his throat. Sokka stood in the water, up to his knees, looking up at the moon. He seemed to be mumbling something to himself. Zuko stared in awe, the light of the moon illuminating his features and reflecting off the water.
The Firelord finally decided to move, he stepped out onto the beach, his eyes still glued to Sokka. He slid off his shoes and rolled up his pants, stepping into the cool water. Before he could really comprehend what he was doing, he was standing next to Sokka, who had noticed his presence and kept his gaze on the moon.
"It's a beautiful night..." Zuko muttered awkwardly.
"Yeah." Sokka breathed, a tiny smile edging his lips.
"What are you doing?" Zuko asked softly, watching Sokka's expression, admiring how the moonlight made his eyes shine.
"I sometimes stare at the moon when I want to clear my mind..." Sokka replied thoughtfully.
"I see..." Zuko nodded.
"It's Yue ip there... And she's very soothing," Sokka continued wistfully. "I miss her."
"Your... Girlfriend?" Zuko verified, remembering the conversation they had in the air balloon almost a year ago.
"Yeah." Sokka laughed.
They stood in silence, Zuko felt his toes go numb. He looked down at them and closed his eyes. Focusing the heat in his chest, he pushed the warmth down to his feet. They regained feeling, he let out a bothered chuckle at the pins and needles which earned a little look from Sokka. He looked at the stones in the bottom of the pond, they were white and smooth. He picked one up with his toes and transferred it up to his hand, pulling it out of the water.
"These look pretty good for skipping..." He murmured to himself.
"What?" Sokka arched a brow.
"You know, skipping stones across the water." Zuko shrugged, throwing the rock up and catching it again.
Sokka frowned, still confused.
"Oh, like this..." Zuko said, throwing the rock across the water, it skipped three times before plunging back into the water.
"Woah, cool!" Sokka chirped, mesmerized by the ripples.
"Want to try?" Zuko offered, handing him a rock.
He threw it, directly across the pond, not even skimming the water. He grumbled.
"No, no," Zuko chuckled, getting another rock and handing it to Sokka. "You throw it at the water but at an angle."
Sokka nodded, preparing to throw. Zuko moved to stand behind him, touching his arm to move it. Sokka flushed, the places where Zuko touched raising goosebumps.
"Now throw." Zuko said lowly, causing Sokka to shiver.
He threw it, the rock skipping twice and landing in the water.
"There you go!" Zuko beamed. "Now if you throw it with a little more force, it'll skip more."
"Ok..." Sokka nodded reaching down to grab a rock.
Before he could pull one up, he lost balance and fell into the water.
"Sokka!" Zuko uttered, immediately reaching over to pull him up.
The water tribe boy sat up, laughing. He was drenched, the water only going up to his shoulders. Zuko laughed as well, realizing that he'd also dropped down into the water. Sokka laughed at him and then continued to laugh at himself. Soon both of them were grabbing at their sides in pain.
Zuko gasped for air after chuckling it all out of his lungs. He calmed down while Sokka's laughter still echoed off the water. He smiled, looking at Sokka. The water tribe boy eventually stopped laughing, noticing that Zuko was looking at him.
"What?" He asked playfully, giggles edging his tone.
Zuko shook his head, still looking into his eyes. He felt himself lean over, the water rippling softly around him. Reaching up, he cupped Sokka's cheek, unknowingly asking for consent. Sokka breathed softly, his eyelids slowly closed as Zuko moved closer.
Kissing Sokka again was something he'd unknowingly longed for ever since the first time he'd done it. He felt his own lips warm Sokka's. Pulling him in he felt the water tribe boy's hand on his back, move up to run through his hair and pull him closer.
They pulled away for a fragment of a second, taking in a breath before closing the gap again. Zuko pulled Sokka onto his lap, pressing his body to his, feeling Sokka's legs wrap around his waist and his arms pull him closer.
With every movement against his lips, Zuko felt himself wanting more. Sokka pressed against him, earning a little groan from deep in the Firelord's throat.
Pulling away, Sokka looked into Zuko's eyes, he looked heated and his eyes were lustful. But he looked somewhat afraid at the same time.
Zuko moved towards him again, pulling his head down to kiss his neck. It tasted like water which wasn't surprising, and it was cold. He kissed it again, Sokka humming and holding him closer still. He started to suck at the spot, Sokka let out a startled noise which sunk into a low hum.
The sounds just gave Zuko more confidence and he smirked against Sokka's dark skin.
He felt the water around them heat up and he realized it was because of him.
"Sokka," He breathed, his lips by the base of his throat. "If we stay in the water I'm going to boil us alive."
Sokka laughed shortly before pulling away to look at Zuko. He flushed at the Firelord's expression. His eyes were dark, seemingly almost possessed by something other than his usual awkward personality.
It sent thrilling chills down his spine. Despite the hot water around them, his skin raked over with goosebumps.
"Should we move somewhere else then?" Sokka asked huskily, his voice was laced with anxiety, afraid that what had happened last time would happen again.
Zuko didn't reply, he just scooped the water tribe boy up into his arms, intentionally grabbing his butt to carry him.
They kissed loosely before Zuko pressed Sokka against a tree, his hand trailing up the water tribe boy's wet shirt. The light around them dimly lit the dark mark on Sokka's neck, Zuko glanced at it and grinned, eager to make more.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone