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Zuko had this really bad, annoying, habit of jumping into fights, and Sokka always has to plan ahead. You can only assume how much they would bump heads when on missions.
Zuko and Sokka were supposed to be a team, they were supposed to be working together.
So, whenever Zuko went rushing into battle leaving Sokka behind, to rush after him... Well, it frustrated him to no end.
Recently, they seemed to be getting into a lot of back and fourths, not fights though! They'd never fight, they're best buds.
They don't fight.
But.
It was almost impossible for him not to fuss over Zukos recklessness.
"What?" Zuko was shouting, "What do you want me to do, sit there and waste time?"
They were in the middle of, not a fight, but a... "Disagreement" is how Sokka would put it.
"Would it kill you to just take one moment and think things through? It's not that difficult to just go, 'Huh, maybe this isn't a good idea.'"
"It won't kill me, but it'll kill someone, "
That someone could be him.
He goes on, "There's people whose lives we could be saving in the time that you're spending just laying around."
"Dont you think I know that?" Sokkas voice got louder.
"Seems like you don't."
Sokka stares at him, a blank expression plastered on his face, one that Zuko was not too familiar with. "You think I don't take this seriously?"
Silence.
"Well, for the record, I do, I know you think I'm some clown but at least have the decency to believe I care about the safety of others."
"That's not what I,"
"Not what you meant, huh? Then what is it?"
Zuko couldn't find the words.
Sokka scuffs, "What is it Zuko?" His voice, it was laced with so much hostility. And when he said the Lords name, it sent a shiver down his spine.
After a long moment where Zuko said nothing Sokka took that as his answer and left the room.
A few days of the silent treatment and Zuko couldn't take it anymore. He dragged his feet all the way over to Sokkas chambers.
He was going to make things up.
A knock.
No response came from the other side. Zuko waits. Then knocks again. "Sokka, its me, open up."
He didn't.
The Lord huffs, "Seriously, you can't be that mad a me." Still after nothing from the other Zuko let's out one final, "Please, Sokka."
Nothing.
He defeatedly walks down the hallway to his room. Sokka was upset with him, like really upset with him. He never got this pressed about anything, ever.
And somehow Zuko was able do it.
What did he even do?
Fight? In a battle? What else was he supposed to?
Over the next few days Zuko tried his best to get back in Sokkas good graces. He sent gifts of his favorite snacks, stuffed animals, flowers all up to his room with little notes attached expressing his apologies.
The issue was, the notes were simple and vague.
Which is why he believes Sokka hasn't came around to forgiving him just yet. But how was he supposed to make it up to him if he didn't know what he's done so incredibly wrong?
Finally, Zuko sucks it up, and goes straight to Sokkas room with a large bouquet in his hand, determined to sort thing out that night.
After knocking for well over and hour, the door opens.
He looked irritated. "What is it-"
Zuko shoved the bouquet into his hands then starts apologizing profusely, "I'm sorry," he said, over and over and over. If Sokka didn't stop him he's sure that he would've got on all fours, begging for forgiveness.
Not what you want to see from the Firelord.
Sokka dragged Zuko into the room. He placed the large bouquet onto his bed.
"I'm sorry Sokka," He said one more time, "I didn't mean to,"
"What?" Sokka asked, his tone harsh.
Huh?"
"What didn't you mean?" He clarified.
"You know what-"
"Say it."
Zuko paused. "I didn't mean to rush into battle?"
"That's all?" Sokka walked over to him causing Zuko to back up into the doorway.
He nodded.
"Okay, you can leave." He reached for the handle.
"Wait-" He put his hand on the door. "Please Sokka, I want to work this out with you."
He huff, "Work what out?"
"I don't know," He shrugged, "I dont even know what you're mad about anymore."
The Lord continues, "You expect me to magically fix things when I don't even know what I did to get you upset, you won't even tell me," He steps back in the room, "Yet you choose to stay mad. You're not being fair, Sokka."
"I'm not dealing with this right now, please, just go."
Zuko reaches out, "That's not fair," he took his hand in his own,"Just talk to me," and plead, "Please."
Sokka stood there, not knowing what to do. A tear fell from his eye. He was crying.
"Oh," Zuko said as he took a step closer, "why are you crying?" He frantically tried to wipe away the ever flowing stream of tears. "What's wrong? Did I make you cry?"
"Sorry," Sokkas breath hitched, he turns away trying to hide his face.
"What are you sorry about, I messed up,"
Sokka didn't say anything back, he just stood there shaking his head.
The Lord placed both his hand onto the others face, using his thumbs to gently wipe away the tears. "Look at me," Sokka only put his head down lower, "Sokka," he tilted the boys head up. "What's wrong?"
For a moment he didn't say a word, he just choked on his breath as he cried.
"I'm," he started but he kept getting cut off by his sobs whenever he tried to continue, "I'm not mad at you," he said finally.
Zuko looked at him, "You're not?"
He shook his head.
"It really seems like you are."
"No," Sokka said, "I'm not, I'm, I'm-" he hitched his breath, eyes clenched closed, tears running down his face.
"Sh," Zuko moved his hand from his face to around the others middle, "It's okay, breath." he pulled him closer.
Gently he swayed Sokka back and forth, trying his best to sooth him. His arms wrapped around his waist and back, rubbing up and down, comfortingly, as the other sobbed into his chest.
He didn't know what was wrong, or why exactly Sokka was crying, he's never felt more clueless in his life.
But still he wanted nothing more than to make Sokka feel better. So quietly he pet him whispering to the other that everything was alright, and to let it all out. And he waited until he was ready to talk.
"I'm, not mad," He finally spoke, "I'm," taking a moment, he continues, "Scared." unsure of his words.
"Scared? What would you be scared for?"
"I don't want to lose you."
Zuko stiffened. His arms around the other loosened ever so slightly. So that's what this is about.
He chuckled softly and calmly stated, "You're not going to lose me, Sokka." though, Zuko wasn't entirely confident of that statement himself, he tried to be, for Sokka's sake.
"You don't know that." Sokka cried, "Any minute now you would be gone," the stream of tears came back stronger than ever, "gone, to somewhere I can't reach."
"Don't think about that,"
"You know I'm right." Sokka said.
Zuko pulls back, holding a firm grip on Sokka. "I'm not going anywhere," In the corner of his eyes tears were beginning to well up. Still he tried to be strong.
"I'm staying right here, Sokka, no matter what."
His hands found its way back to the other face, cupping it. They met eyes.
"I'm not going anywhere." He repeated.
There was silence among the two, neither daring to say another word, neither breaking eye contact. One can only assume that Sokka was finally starting to believe him.
He leaned forward. The other didn't stop him. He broke eye contact, gaze trailing to his lips. And, before he could stop himself he placed a kiss.
Zukos hands stayed it place, cupping Sokkas face while the others hand gently grazed his hips moving upward toward his middle.
They both pressed into each other, leaning into their embrace. It was as if they're were trying to murge, becoming one.
Unsuccessful, they broke away.
They were both a breathless mess.
Zuko huffs, "Next time I'll be sure not to rush into battle." He placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.
"No, don't, I was being dramatic," Sokka chuckled.
Zuko placed another kiss not too far off, "No," he shook his head, "If this is going to work, I need to trust you," He kissed him again, "and you need to trust me." he adds.
Sokka only nodded, letting the other place more and more kisses on his tear stained face. He leaned into it. Enjoying the intimacy.
When the other placed a kiss along his neck it was the moment he pulled back, laughing, "Okay that's enough."
The Lord wrapped his hands around the others waist, pulling him back in, and pouted. "Please, let me make it up to you,"
Sokka huffs, "You already did." He placed his hand onto Zukos face slapping it gently, "And I forgive you." He pulls him closer, placing one last kiss on his lips.
Zuko leaned right back into his embrace, he was exactly where he wanted to be. Sokkas hand shifts and combs through the Lord hair, tugging on it ever so slightly, causing the other to squirm.
It was a long, and sloppy and messy kiss. But, neither of them wanted it to end.
Zuko pulled back, sprinkling kisses along Sokkas face as he softly chants his love for him.
"I love you too," Sokka quietly says back.