Archive of Our Own

This was the most ridiculous situation Sokka had ever managed to get himself into, and that also made it such a typical Sokka situation because weird things happen to him. Yes, sometimes of his own doing. But usually, the strangeness is thrust upon him. Like the time his proposal to Suki was interrupted by a seagull sweeping down, stealing his ring and smacking him in the face with its wing, causing him to fall in the river. Thankfully Suki had said yes at the time, well until they broke up a month later.

  So really, who could blame him for the lies he told? Considering the last few years of his love life being more grim than a disaster novel, anybody would have lied in the situation he was in, so really, this could have happened to anyone. It wasn’t happening to just anyone, though; it was happening to Sokka.

It all started three months ago when Sokka and Katara were having a phone call, the first phone call in who knows how long, and he was enjoying it. He missed her, you spend twenty three years with your sister always a stones throw away, things are going to be weird when speaking to her requires negotiating time zones and setting aside time in their  Katara’s busy schedule.

“And then Aang didn’t fasten his roller skates properly and as he was going down the hill, Sokka my heart was going to fall out of my chest.” Sokka laughed at her inflection, wiping a stray tear.

“Katara. I think I’m more disappointed in you for letting him roller skate after the iceskating incident.”

“That was your fault not mine and we both know it,” she said, and Sokka couldn’t see her face, but he could just imagine her furrowing her brows, lips pressed tight.

Sokka let out a loud laugh, recalling teenage Aang nearly busting a tooth in the aforementioned iceskating incident which resulted in Katara and Aang meeting for the first time. He and Katara spent a few more minutes recalling and joking about the fond memory.

Things started going to shit, however, when she asked him for a favour.

“Sokka, would you mind doing something for me?” she asked, her voice overly sweet, so he knew something was up.

“What do you want Kitty ? You need me to give Aang a shovel talk or something? Need someone beaten up and taken out or -”

“Sokka!” she interrupted. And there was that motherly scolding tone Katara perfected at the tender age of 12.

“Hey now, what’s wrong you think I can’t take whoever is giving you grief because I’ll have you know Katara my little friends Dan and Ger are very able and capable of taking someone.”

“And Dan and Ger are?”

Oh, Katara walked herself into that one. “My fists of course sweet Katara.” Sokka lifted each to his mouth and placed a loud sloppy kiss, just to extend the torment of Katara. Something he would never ever tire of.

She groaned down the phone. He knew he was annoying her, but ever since they were kids, he enjoyed getting a rise out of his sister. It was one of life’s greatest pleasure.  He balanced his phone on his shoulder picking up a rubix cube from the table that he was making steady progress on. It had only been a week, he had to be performing above the average rubix cube practitioner.

“So, my darling Katara, what is this favour you ask of me?” Sokka said, figuring he should probably end her grief sooner rather than later.

“Thanks, Sokka,” she said and yes it warmed Sokka’s heart that he knew she must have been smiling. “You see, it’s Aang’s friend Meng. She and her friend went on a trip to the city, but he’s fallen ill, and she doesn’t know anybody . I was thinking maybe you could take her to see the sites, maybe go for something to eat tonight.”

Now, maybe on another day, Sokka might have considered this. But he had hair oil in his hair, he was wearing sweats thanks to neglecting laundry for way too long. Laundry which he really needed to do and that didn’t even bring the rubix cube he was adamant at solving into the question.

He did not want to tell Katara that, though.

He had street cred to consider, he was Katara’s big brother who always had his shit together. Her older brother who always had a bustling social life. Not this shell of a man trudging through his master’s degree and dedicating his little free time to him, himself and he. One more year, he kept telling himself. That was probably why the lie felt so easy to tell; he didn’t even remember thinking it. He just really didn’t want to tell Katara the truth.

He knew Katara would call his laundry excuse bullshit and call him an old lady and would probably still try to make him go. She might even have called in the big guns and gotten Suki and Yue to come over to make sure he got ready. So, he gave an excuse he knew she would accept.

“I’m so sorry, Katara. I can’t take Meng out. You see, I have plans tonight with my boyfriend.”

He heard Katara take a sharp intake of breath, and he hoped she believed him. Maybe he should nickname his rubix cube "boyfriend," as they were going to be spending some time together. He tightened his head against his shoulder, gave a twist in hopes of lining up the yellow side but he only seemed to make it worse.

“A boyfriend! Sokka, you never told me you had a new boyfriend?” she said suspiciously.

He twirled the phone charger cord around his finger, the way he used to do with the landline phone when he was a kid. “Oh yeah, well, he’s sort of a new boyfriend.”

“Hmm,” she said, a dubious tone still in her voice. “He must be a brand-new boyfriend, then, if this is the first I’m hearing of him, seriously Sokka. We’ve been on the phone,” she paused, probably to check her screen. “We’ve been on the phone fifty five minutes and you only bring this up now?”

By this stage, Sokka was skittish. “Well, you know how it is. We have been so busy in the bedroom and out and about that I forget to mention him. Are you sure I didn’t text you about him.”

Katara let out a snort. “You definitely didn’t tell me."

"My bad kitty!"

"Well, good for you, Sokka. I must admit, Meng’s friend never fell ill, and this was supposed to be a setup, but I’m so glad to hear you've found someone.”

Sokka smiled. He knew Katara was bullshitting him about the friend being sick. He just knew Katara better than she knew herself and was the king of calling her bullshit. If anything, he was proud of himself for how fast he had been able to think on his feet and avert an awkward blind date.

“So,” Katara said her voice was now glowing with mischief. “Tell me who this mysterious boyfriend is. What’s his name?” she playfully exclaimed.

Fuck.

Sokka hadn’t thought that far and all he had in his head was that he was going to shit a brick. Brick? He looked down at his rubix cube. The scratched manufacturers logo in the middle, under his thumb the entire time.

Zoo co.

“Oh, his name.” Fuck, Sokka wasn’t going to think of anything better.  "His name is Zuko.”

His heart was pounding, and he could feel sweat starting to form on his forehead. The name barely left his lips before he started doubting himself. What if she asked for more details? What if she saw through his lie?

“Oh, Zuko,”  said Katara, “That’s a lovely name. Tell me about him.”

Panic surged through Sokka. His mind raced, desperately trying to piece together a coherent story. “Oh, he’s great,” he stammered, feeling a pit form in his stomach. Ugh, was he being vague enough? “He’s mysterious and strong and he, ugh, he’s really good at sword fighting and um, barbeque.”

He winced internally, hoping his voice didn't betray his anxiety. His pulse quickened as he realized how absurd it all sounded. Sword fighting and barbeque? Could he not have said something normal like reading and music.  He could almost feel his face turning red with the strain of maintaining the lie.

She must have once again bought his lie though, because he heard her agreement through the phone. “Well, he certainly sounds great. Listen, I have to go now, Aang got tickets to this painting thing. But really, I’m so happy for you, Sokka.”

“Thanks baby sister.”

“Not a baby,” she corrected but he knew from her tone she wasn’t actually asking him to stop. “I love you, take care!”

“Love ya too.” Sokka said with a smile and then he hung up the phone.

And Sokka breathed out a massive sigh of relief, grinning at his cunningness. He turned up the volume on the television.  Fixing his gaze down at his boyfriend. “Well babe,” he said to the cube, “looks like it’s time for us to spend a ravenous night together.”

🔥🍃💧🗻

Sokka should have let his imaginary boyfriend Zuko be a one time thing. He should have told Katara that they had broken up on their next phone call and just prayed nobody else asked about him. It would have been the smart thing to do, it would have been the honest and calculated thing to do. But for Sokka he just couldn’t see the practical and logical decision when the lying brought him so much convenience. It turned out that anytime his friends wanted him to do an activity he had zero interest in, he could just tell them he had plans with Zuko and presto, they bought it, and he was free to do whatever he wanted.

 Yue wanted him to go see a psychic speaker. “Sorry Yue, Zuko and I are going on a sword fighting retreat that weekend. It’s non-refundable, but you know I would have loved to go.”

Haru wanted him to go to a miming class. “Oops, sorry, Haru. Poor Zuko has laryngitis. It’s really contagious, and I don’t want to leave him alone.” That lie worked wonders because Haru could also be a bit of a germophobe.

Suki wanted him to go to a fancy book signing, which he knew he would need to dress up for, when he still had laundry to do. “Sorry Suki, I’m helping Zuko’s mother with dinner that evening, but you know I would have loved to go.”

The Zuko lie seriously was amazing, and he managed to keep it up for three months, always having an excuse as to why nobody had met him yet.

“Oh, he travels a lot. I’m so sorry.”

“He likes to try spending the evenings with his mom whenever he can.”

“He has to babysit his little sister. Really, it was the two of us who agreed to babysit, so you should be glad I cancelled on him to spend time with you tonight,” he deadpanned at Toph from the other side of the booth in The Jasmine Dragon. He would never ever say no to The Jasmine Dragon.

Toph munched happily on her third éclair, using her finger to swipe off the chocolate first, getting so much stuck under her nails before sticking the finger in her mouth. “You know, Sokka, we really are all so happy for you that you found Zuko. I thought after the Suki seagull situation last year that you were fucked in love.”

“We didn’t break up because of the seagull Toph and you know that.” he groaned, why was nobody ever able to let go of the seagull. It wasn’t even his fault.

Toph nodded. “Yeah, I know sweet cheeks. You’re just a lesbian magnet.”

“Well, I’m hanging out with you aren’t I,” he said and yes he should have seen the éclair smacking him in the face coming.

They both laughed and then yes, he knew he was gross but Sokka swiped some of the chocolate from his cheek and licked it off his finger.

“I mean it though,” Toph said chewing with her mouth open. “We all really want to meet him; he isn’t like a serial killer or something is he.”

“Toph,” Sokka whined. “No, my boyfriend is not a serial killer. He’s just shy and it’s only been three months.”

“That’s like a year in Sokka time.” Toph added causing Sokka to roll his eyes. 

“I’m rolling my eyes by the way,” he added. She kicked him under the table.

🔥🍃💧🗻

Everything was going great for Sokka. With the Zuko excuse he was finally able to get on top of his domestic death list, he was also able to put some solid hours into his assignments and didn’t have to worry about the dread of falling behind again. He even had found time to go the gym with Toph. See the beauty of the lie is the guilt was gone and he could just do the activities he wanted to do with his friend, and he no longer had to worry about having a range of excuses that work for some activities and not others.

It was going so well though that Sokka should have known it couldn’t last. That his lies were building and building only destined to come crumbling down around him.

After returning home from the gym, and like a good human putting his dirty clothes directly into the machine and not in the corner of the room, he was slouching on the couch. He really should be spending time with Zuko rubix cube. He had finally managed to solve the green and yellow side, but he was tired, and all he wanted to do was watch crappy television. Then the phone rang.

It was Katara, now she did sporadically call him outside of their scheduled phone calls, but it still caused him to panic that something was wrong.

“Are you okay?” he said instead of hello.

“Sokka, calm down, I’m fine, Aang’s fine, we’re all fine.”

Sokka let out a sigh of relief. Fuck. He was always going to worry his baby sister was okay.

“Dammit scooter, don’t scare me like that.”

He could hear her eyeroll. “How many years have to pass before you stop calling me scooter?”

“Enough for me to forget how funny you tripping Hahn with one was.”

“Oh haha,” she said and then, “listen, I have a surprise.”

Sokka was intrigued. He half thought Katara was engaged. She and Aang had been dating forever, so he prepared himself to be told he was going to be a brother again.

“Aang and I are coming home on an earlier flight,” she happily declared.

And while that wasn’t what he was expecting, he was still thrilled to hear he could spend some time with Katara sooner than he had expected. “That’s great to hear, Kitty baby. When are you getting in?” He sat up from his slouched position, choosing instead to sit cross-legged as he dedicated himself further to the conversation. He looked at his nails, which were chipped. He really did need to stop biting them; maybe Katara could put clear polish on them for him.

“Tomorrow,” she happily declared. Aang was making excited whoop whoop noises in the background. “Hang on,” Katara said. “It was Aang’s idea, so I’ll let him explain.”

There was a shuffle and then Sokka heard a happy voice, “Hey Sokka! Good to talk to you.”

“Hey kid,” Sokka replied.

Aang unlike Katara didn’t scoff or argue about the nickname. “So Katara and I were thinking that  yourself and Zuko could have dinner with us in The Peony tomorrow night. I have been craving it so bad since we left the city, and we’re so excited to meet Zuko.”

Fuck. Okay lying to Katara was something he didn’t like but he had told Katara lies all the time as a kid and the two of them knew they could always move on from it. But Aang sounded so sweet and earnestly excited and Sokka felt like shit.

He chocked down his feelings. “That would be great, Aang, but I think Zuko is busy. I can definitely make it, though,” he said.

“Oh,” Aang said followed by “that sucks.”

Then he heard Katara grumbling in the background and suddenly the line became muffled as someone covered the speaker and the two of them spoke.

And then it was Katara back on the phone. “Nonsense Sokka! We won’t go without Zuko. We always said how good a double date in The Peony would be. Surely you two are free another night.”

Sokka really felt like shit at that, and he tried to interject but Katara just kept going. “ I get that you two are one of those activity couples, but come on, you gotta make time for your favourite sister.” She sounded so happy, and Sokka knew his lie had gone too far.

He had lied to his sister and friends to the extent  that they were all so proud of him for meeting Zuko. More so, they were all so excited to meet him. And Sokka really didn’t know how to dig himself out of this hole.

He really should have told Katara the truth there and then. It was better to pull off the band-aid, but he also didn’t want to lose all the amazing encouragement. If his friends found out he lied about something like this, they were going to think he was pathetic, like seriously how dumb was oh I let myself fall behind with my college work and laundry, so I made up a boyfriend to get myself more time. Sokka felt himself rolling his own eyes, how had he been such an idiot.

So, he bit his lip. “You know what, dear sister, you’re right. I’m going to tell Zuko, screw his plans, you guys need to meet.” He anxiously laughed out, hoping to whatever deity was looking down on him, that she would not hear the panic in his voice.

“Excellent! I’ll make a reservation for 8 o’clock, and we can all meet at the restaurant. I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow, then, I better go the flight is pretty early our time” she chimed before hanging up. Not without telling him she loved him and also Aang making kissing noises down the phone.

Shit, shit, fuck was all Sokka could think. He looked at his watch. It was just after 10 o’clock. He had twenty-two hours to somehow find a Zuko who was this dreamboat captain. He combed a hand through his hair, pulling his hair tie out and then launching it at the wall. “I’m totally fucked,” he laughed out. Then he shot a death glare at his rubix cube. “You know, if you want to manifest into a person right now, I would really appreciate it.” When rubix cube Zuko remained inanimate, he gave it the finger. “Well, fuck you, Zuko. I thought what we had was special.”

He decided the most logical thing to do was to find a Zuko, so as he crawled into bed that night, he downloaded Tinder.

After forty minutes of swiping, he finally found a Zuko, and he was excited. The guy had no pictures of his face, only his shirtless chest. But he was a Zuko, nonetheless. So, Sokka swiped right, and fuck, it matched. He was excited. This could maybe work, so he needed to be fast, so he sent his first message. Hi and a smiley face. That was a good first message, right?

Turns out talking was not on Zuko’s mind, though, because he responded to Sokka’s polite message with, “Send nudes or no chat, sweet ass.” Sokka groaned. God dammit, why was this guy a horny bastard? He decided not to reply and instead went back to the swipe screen.

After thirty more minutes of swiping left, he did manage to find another Zuko, and it didn’t match.

Rude.

How could this Zuko not swipe right on Sokka? Sokka was sex on legs, as he liked to think.

Sokka stressfully ran a hand through his hair again. He did this a lot when he was younger, and he craved for when Katara used to spot him and would let him put his head in her lap and she massaged his temples for him. So, online searching for Zuko was a bust. He decided to go to sleep, and maybe a good idea would come to him in the morning, and maybe the Zuko who didn’t match him would somehow match overnight.

He turned, pulling his pillow over his head. Why was he like this?

The next morning, when he woke up, he was angered to learn that New Tinder Zuko had not matched him overnight, and Send Nudes Zuko had unmatched, having not received the nudes he so politely asked for.

It was a little past eight as Sokka trudged into the kitchen, cursing himself and his lies. He needed coffee, and a croissant and an electric shock. Something to punish him, a knock over the head with a shovel, fuck that was what he needed. He pulled his dressing gown tighter around him, a poor substitute for the reassuring arms of Katara, fuck he needed a hug but if he didn’t figure out what he was going to do about dinner she was more likely to smack the back of his head than to hug him. He  put the kettle on, and then when he opened his cupboard, he angrily groaned because of course, of fucking course, he was out of coffee. Staring into the empty jar, he stomped his feet. “Why am I like this?” he yelped, shaking a fist towards the ceiling. He checked the back of the cupboard just to see if he even had any of the sachets of coffee, he swiped from the student lounge but alas he was even out of those.

Sokka was pissed and the weather agreed because despite it being spring the sky had opened, and rain pelted down onto the street below his apartment. At least it was Saturday, and he didn’t have classes to worry about. He hated leaving the house without coffee, and sure yes, he had turned into a soccer mom with the don’t talk to me without coffee attitude but he had earned it. He threw on some sweats and a hoodie, matched with his best boots because there was no way he was dealing with wet sock misery when he was already fucked.

At least the walk to the Jasmine Dragon wasn’t long. The rain pelted hard and fast and he pulled the strings of his hoodie under his chin, he really should have worn his parka but he already put it in a vacseal bag, because you know it was spring. The worst thing about spring rain was how it soaked you from the inside and out. He was sweaty, he could feel how musky he must smell and then he was getting wet and damp and just overall, ew!

He could definitely go for something warm and comforting to get him out of his slump. He wondered if he should just text one of the girls, get them to meet him and then he could come clean and try figure out a plan. Suki and Yue would probably be a safer bet than Toph, they would give him sympathy eyes but they would also try to help. Then if he didn't fancy pity there was Toph, who would just laugh and bully him, she also would probably never let it go. Options, options.  Maybe if he didn’t think of anything better it’s what he would need to do.

He pushed the door open, the familiar bell ringing as he made his way in. For so early, the cafe actually had a good number of customers with tables of people sitting alone and typing away on laptops, couples having breakfast together and a few mothers with babies in buggies.  The smooth acoustic music as well as the crackling fireplace in the corner welcomed him like a warm hug. And then he remembered something, the take away cups. He and Katara taking selfies with their names on their cups happily posing outside the Jasmine Dragon, the day they left for the airport and they didn't have time to sit in like they usually did. They write people’s names on cups here. Fuck, maybe he wasn’t out of luck, maybe he could just sit at the counter and wait for someone named Zuko to give his name. He saw two people named Zuko on tinder, so it clearly wasn’t that uncommon of a name. This was going to work; this was going to be okay. Sokka- One, Universe- Zero. He gleefully sauntered up to the counter. The happy barista with the braid was working today.

He flashed her a cheeky grin. “Good morning, could I get a mint chocolate mocha with extra cream?”

She smiled back at him. “Sure thing. That’ll be $3.50. If you want to take a seat, I’ll drop it down when it’s done,” she said as she turned towards the coffee machine.

He started pouring change onto the table before his face went blank and frozen. “Hang on, do you not want to take my name for the cup?”

She peeked out from the machine. “Oh, Uncle isn’t doing disposable cups with names anymore. He’s really into environmental awareness and everything. We just do sit-ins, and if you want to transfer to a keep cup, you can do it yourself, do you have a keep cup? We sell them too” She happily rattled and then she was reaching under the counter and pulling up different cups. A glass one with a cork lid, a pink one with flowers and a green one with leaves on it.

Fucking environment, He didn’t really mean it because, yes, it is great that all those cups would not be going to a landfill, he was very grateful of that. And Aang was going to have a field day when he found out the Jasmine Dragon was going eco friendly, but that really didn’t suit him at that moment. And he really really super really did not want to take the bus to Starbucks where he was certain the same eco consciousness would not be taking place.

"No, a cup for here is fine." He turned around, grumbling to himself. At least he could have a coffee before he started thinking again. He looked out in search of a table, and of course, there were no free tables.

Then he had one last idea, his most desperate yet. He scanned the café, and there were a good few men sitting alone, which was statistically in his favour at least.

“Zuko?” he yelped out as he watched the patrons.

“Yes?” came a voice from a man in the corner, sitting all close and cozy beside the fireplace.

And Sokka’s heart did somersaults. Tucked in the corner of the café was an insanely hot guy, an insanely hot guy named Zuko, an insanely hot guy named Zuko who looked a little bit familiar. With his hand on his heart, Sokka sauntered over to him. He actually couldn’t believe his luck. He could cry, he wanted to smile, he wanted to thank whoever was looking down on him that his idiotic idea worked.

“Oh my God, hi, hello,” he held up his hand as an extra form of greeting. “Zuko, you have no idea how glad I am to see you.”

Zuko’s lips at first formed a tight line confused and careful, but then he gave the smallest hint of a smile. It was so insanely cute. Sokka also realised how crazy he must seem to poor Zuko. It’s also when Sokka noticed the work shirt he was wearing, the uniform of the Jasmine Dragon. This poor guy was on his lunch break and Sokka  sailed in guns blazing with chaos.

Zuko put a mark in his book, which Sokka couldn’t  fully make out. “I’m sorry, do I know you? You come in here a lot right.”

“Yeah.” Sokka added. “I usually come in at least once a week with my friend Toph. Her guide dog is called Appa.”

Just then, the barista reappeared with Sokka’s mocha, which she happily handed to Sokka, who was still awkwardly standing against the extra seat at Zuko’s table. She exchanged a quick glance to Zuko, probably to make sure Sokka isn’t some crazy dude that’s going to kill him.

She and Zuko exchanged something, all in the eyes, no words necessary. The girl making an O shape with her lips and then grinning manically. And then Zuko nodded and his attention turned back to Sokka. “Please sit,” he said.

“Thank you,” Sokka replied as he tucked into the seat. His hands shook with nerves, and he hadn’t realised until he felt scalding mocha hitting his hand. “Fuck, that’s hot!” he yelped as the liquid burned his skin.

“Crap, are you okay?” Zuko  quickly scrambled, taking the mocha from Sokka and putting it down on the table. He also made quick work of lifting his napkin to wipe any of the chocolate from Sokka’s hand.

Sokka laughed nervously. “Ah, me? I’m fine. Just handy dandy peachy perfect.” Fuck he was rambling again. Why do pretty people always make him ramble like an ass.

Zuko gave him a look that Sokka hoped meant he found the chaos charming rather than off putting. He didn’t seem disgusted with Sokka yet and if he was, he had the power to kick Sokka out and bar him.

Sokka fidgeted in his seat for a moment. Zuko was being patient with him, and he sighed. “Seriously, I’m good, but to answer your question, no, we don’t know each other. I mean apart from you have made me coffee a handful of times.”

“Yeah, sounds about right.” Zuko laughed, but then he looked confused again. “But wait, if we don’t know each other, how did you know my name was Zuko?”

Sokka let out a nervous laugh. He tried to play with his wolf tail when he realised, he had forgotten to tie up his hair completely.  “Yeah, about that.” He lifted his coffee to his lips, thankfully a better temperature but sadly not something stronger to give him the courage to hang himself out to dry to this pretty stranger. “ I wasn’t exactly talking to you when I said it. I was just yelling Zuko and hoping one would reply.”

The response did not seem to quench Zuko’s confusion. He took a sip of his tea, his eyebrow raising slightly as he looked Sokka over. Sokka felt pathetic, Zuko’s golden eyes looking at him and Sokka at a loss for words.

 “And what was your thought process behind that?” Zuko said, he  didn’t seem annoyed at Sokka, again the poor fucker just seemed confused, and who could blame the guy? He was probably just trying to enjoy some peace with his tea and a book, and then Sokka sauntered in shouting his name.

Sokka ran his hand through his hair and let out a nervous laugh again. “Um, how much time do you have?”

Zuko then looks down at his watch. “Lucky for you I’m only 15 minutes into my break,” He then perched his elbows on the table, his face slotting into his hands as he leaned in closer to Sokka. “And If your story is good enough, Ty Lee probably won’t mind me taking an extra few minute. ”

Sokka smiled at his light-heartedness.  For the first time all morning he finally felt at ease, the knot that was causing tension in his shoulders, finally loosening and Sokka could breathe again. He copied Zuko’s posture, a lopsided smile finding its way onto his lips, and he exhaled slowly. “Okay.” Zuko leaned in further, Sokka had intrigued him.

“ A couple of months ago, I lied to my sister that I had a boyfriend named Zuko to get out of a blind date. But then I just kept using Zuko as an excuse to get out of plans with my friends. But now my sister and her boyfriend have made a reservation at The Peony tonight at eight, so she can finally meet Zuko and, well,” Sokka gestured to himself, “here I am.”

A massive grin took over Zuko’s face, and then he laughed.  His eyes crinkling as the joy takes over his face. Sokka did not think he had ever heard such a heavenly laugh in his entire life.

Zuko ended up having to wipe a rogue tear. “So let me get this straight, you just walked in here and yelled Zuko in hopes of finding somebody to take you to dinner?”

Sokka felt a blush creeping up his cheeks. “Well, when you put it like that, you really do make me sound crazy. And I didn’t come to this café with that in mind. I ran out of coffee at home and then got spontaneous.”

Zuko only continued laughing at him, and he raised his cup to his lips. “That’s pretty funny. But sure, I’m up for it.”

Sokka, so caught up in his attraction almost didn’t process the words. Had his mouth been full he might have spit the coffee right back out. Thankfully for them both it wasn’t. “Hang on, what?”

Zuko leaned back in his chair, a confident glint in his eyes. He cracked his neck with a casual tilt and then rolled his shoulder, as if preparing for action. With a cheeky smile, he said, “I’ll go with you tonight. I mean, it’s Saturday, and I have no evening plans. Plus, The Peony has amazing duck rolls.”

Sokka couldn't actually believe his dumb idea worked. Fucking hell Zuko, with his tousled hair and sweet eyes. “Oh my God, you, Zuko, are amazing. I could be a serial killer, and you agreed to dinner with me,” he laughed out.

Zuko smiled back at him. “Hey, I could be an axe murderer, and you are taking me to dinner. This is really a gamble on both our parts.”

And the two of them shared a laugh, and it just felt so easy, but then Zuko stopped laughing. “Hang on, what’s your name?”

“Oh, shit, yeah, that’s usually important, isn’t it,” he put out his hand. “I’m Sokka.”

“Sweet name. I haven’t heard it before.”

“Thanks, I got it from my mom.”

Zuko took Sokka’s hand in his, and holy shit,  Sokka felt the air escaping his lungs. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Sokka.” Zuko’s handshake was firm but tender at the same time, his fingers calloused almost in the way they would be if……. Holy shit.

“Zuko.” Sokka said not letting go. “By any chance do you ever use swords?”

🔥🍃💧🗻

Talking with Zuko was so pleasant and so easy, that it was simple for Sokka to forget that he and Zuko had just met, and that they weren’t lifelong friends.  A lot of Sokka’s guesses about Zuko had been true, Zuko has a kid sister, and he doesn’t babysit her often but he has on occasion. He likes barbeque but Sokka wasn’t too surprised because most people like barbeque and most of all, Zuko as it turns out does use swords, he’s even on the college kendo team. Which opens the revelation that they actually go to the same college, Sokka couldn’t believe that they were only meeting. And at some stage while Zuko was showing Sokka pictures of his swords, Sokka had moved his chair from sitting in front of the other man, to directly beside him, their shoulders brushing against each other.

“Do you do any sports?” Zuko asked turning his head and in the close proximity their noses nearly touch.

“I kayak. I used to do it with Katara when we were kids. It sucked when we had to get split by gender. We were a proper tag team. We’ll still go out together for fun though.”

Zuko snorted a laugh, “Azula probably would have tried to murder me with the paddle if we ever kayaked together.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong Katara and I did used to fight. She pushed me in a few times, she was really bad for splashing me. And we used to break my Dad’s heart about wanting to be in front.” Sokka raised his cold mocha to his lips. Fuck when did that happen. “One time, when Katara was especially pissed at me she whacked me in the dick with the paddle. Fucking hurt.”

And then Zuko was laughing again. And Sokka got ballsy and lost in his own laughter he grabbed Zuko’s bicep. “Hey stop laughing dude. Penial pain is no laughing matter she could've knocked little Sokka clean off.”

“Little Sokka?” Zuko raised an eyebrow again.

“Not little. Little at the time! I was ten!”

They were both lost in laughing, when the barista came back to the table. Two cups in her hand, a tall glass of boba and something that looked identical to the mint mocha she had made Sokka earlier.

“Oh damn,” said Zuko, looking up at her. “I overtook my break, didn’t I?”

“Only by fifteen minutes,” the girl replied looking way to happy for someone whose break got delayed. “You looked so happy; I just couldn’t bring myself to interrupt you. And I sent your picture to uncle he said your date looked fun.”

Date huh. Sokka hadn’t gone into this thinking of it as a date but it kind of was, well if you ignored all the lying and conspiring.

“Ty Lee!” Zuko whined. “Why are you conspiring with my uncle. He’s going to be getting out the fine china and insisting Sokka come over for pai sho, now.”

Ty Lee was then laughing, and she wrapped an arm around Zuko’s neck and then extended it that Sokka was now in her grasp, his hair rubbing against Zuko’s. And the girls drink dangerously close to his face. “C’mon Zuko as if that’s a bad thing, now get up it’s my turn with the cute boy.”

She placed the hot drink in front of Sokka and then she winked. Oh, this was going to be an interrogation. Fuck, hopefully she would be as understanding as Zuko was in this whole debacle.

Zuko shared a sympathetic look with Sokka, sending whatever well wishes he could Sokka’s way and then he smiled again. “I won’t be far, talk to me before you go about dinner tonight,” and then he flashed that lopsided grin again that Sokka knew he was becoming a sucker for.

At a little past 10 in the morning Sokka found himself face to face with his second stranger of the day. He decided to get the most awkward part out of the way immediately and  put out his hand. “I’m Sokka.”

Ty Lee took his hand and pulled him forward with a mighty yank that he had not expected from a girl her size. And yes, he shouldn’t make assumptions Suki was strong enough to fireman lift him up the stairs and all but he was entitled to be shocked when a simple handshake had been done with such vigour. Clearly sensing his surprise Ty Lee grinned. “And I’m Ty Lee,” and without missing a beat. “So, you need Zuko to be your fake boyfriend?”

“Oh, you were listening in on all that.”

“Yep!” she said popping the p and then she grinned at him again. She took a long sip of her boba, “to be honest I’ve been listening in on your conversations with Toph for weeks. I figured you were dating scummy Zuko.”

“Scummy Zuko?” Sokka said, taking a sip and this mocha was the perfect temperature. Maybe she had seen his mishap earlier with the one that was too hot. It was good, he would need to make sure he remembered to put money in the tip jar for her for this. And wait did he need to pay for this one or was it a peace token to warrant Ty Lee’s investigation and admission of eavesdropping .

“Scummy Zuko,” Ty Lee confirmed with a nod. “Works down at the docks. His online profiles are all topless pics.” She lowered her voice a bit, “he asks everyone for nudes.”

“Holy shit!” said Sokka. “I matched with him on tinder last night while looking for a Zuko. Good thing I found yours.”

“Haha, yeah” Ty Lee added, “Our Zuko is a huge improvement. Stay away from scummy Zuko. He has crabs, one of the girls found that out the hard way. But I guess if all goes well tonight you won’t have to worry about any other Zuko.” And then she was jabbing Sokka with her elbow.

Sokka found himself blushing because he hadn’t thought that far ahead. Sure, he came into his meeting with Zuko this morning, only thinking about getting through dinner. He hadn’t thought that far ahead and as he looked over his shoulder to where Zuko was making tea for customer, he let out a dreamy sigh.

“Yeah, he’s cute isn’t he.” Ty Lee added from his side.

And Sokka didn’t even have the wit to argue with her. “Yeah, he is. I don’t know what I’m going to do now though, because he agreed to dinner tonight but now am I going to have to try get him to stage breaking up with me?” Surely that was pushing it, and much more than what Sokka should expect from the generosity of a kind stranger.

“Not if you ask him out and make tonight a date,” said Ty Lee.

Wow wouldn’t that be nice. Maybe on the other side of this mess Sokka could do that. He’d certainly like to.

🔥🍃💧🗻

With both Jasmine Dragon employees back on the clock, and Sokka feeling energized from two amazing mint mochas. He figured it was a good time to go home and make himself look like he didn’t roll out of the wrong side of the bed. Before leaving though he made sure to try grab Zuko to organise a battle plan. Zuko however had other ideas and thrust his phone number on coupon and into Sokka’s hand. “Text me later, I get off at three and we can figure it out without Ty-Lee listening in.” And then the mother fucker had the audacity to wink at him and yep Sokka was screwed.

“Sounds good,” Sokka said and then he fished out his wallet and dumped all his change into the tip jar, making sure to extend his smile to Ty Lee who was getting Zuko to knot the back of her apron. She blew a kiss at him.  It wasn’t much but he hoped the sentiment came across.

He then held up his bank card, “Can you charge me for the second mocha?”

“Nuh uh,” Ty Lee said  shaking her finger at them. “Consider that as a token of the beginning of a beautiful relationship, right Zuko.” She pinched Zuko’s cheek, and he whined, turning his head away to hide what Sokka suspected were rosy cheeks. Rosy cheeks to perhaps match Sokka’s own. He smiled at the two one final time, moving out of the way to allow them to serve the customer standing behind them. And with that he made his exist, back into the gloomy and wet city streets that could no longer kill his vibe.

Nope. Sokka was smiling as he past the overflowing gutters. Sokka was grinning even as a car almost splashed him. Sokka just couldn’t feel down, the rain from the short walk was soaking through his hoodie again and he was definitely going to need to wash it. No, he just felt so light and airy and that didn’t even bring in to question that his baby sister was coming home. After six long months apart, he would finally have his Katara cub in his arms again. And he wasn’t even embarrassed to admit how much he missed her.

Fuck, Sokka was happy enough that he was willing to swing around a street pole and yell his joy to the dogs in the street. Thankfully he did still have a bit of self-control and he settled for petting the old hound instead. And when he finally got back into his apartment and leaned against his front door, taking in his still open cupboards all he could think was thank the spirits he ran out of coffee this morning.

He needed a shower. He needed to sort out his apartment but before that, there was a bigger issue

Sokka

11.19 AM

Hey  Zuko. This is Sokka

hope the rest of your shift

goes well 😊

Sokka spent the rest of the morning and afternoon putting more effort into his appearance than a girl on prom night. He used the bath bomb, Aang had bought him for his birthday. The one he had scoffed at the time but as he lay in the bath in the salty kelpy water, he had to admit that Aang was onto something, it was relaxing as well. Not to mention he was using his good deep conditioner. And yes, it probably wasn’t the most therapeutic that the washing machine was rattling in the bathroom with him but that just meant he had to turn the music up.

He reached down for his phone, and only when his fingers brushed the screen, he noticed his phone silently light up. Katara was calling, knowing what a klutz he was, he answered and immediately put her on speaker, leaving the phone on its pride of place on the toilet seat.

“You’ll have to speak up I’m naked.” Sokka answered with a grin.

"Sokka, just when I thought you couldn't get any weirder," came his sister’s snarky reply.

“So dear sister, to what do I owe the pleasure.”

“I just wanted to let you know Aang and I are about to board the flight. The flight was delayed so we should be landing about six.”

“And you still want to have dinner at eight. Katara you crazy bastard. Could you not wait until tomorrow.”

He could hear the pout from her lips. “I missed you; I didn’t want to have to wait to see you.”

And okay, Sokka put his hand on his heart because he had to admit himself that he wanted to see her as soon as possible too.

“Plus, Aang and I have presents for you and Zuko. Hopefully you like what we got.”

Sokka felt the pang of guilt again that the Zuko, Katara had bought presents for was one Sokka concocted but Sokka hadn’t done a bad job and he felt so much better now that he knew there would be a living and breathing Zuko meeting them in The Peony.

The hum of airport noises interrupted Sokka’s train of thoughts. “I have to go now Sokka, but I’ll see you later.”

“See you later,” Sokka replied followed by “love you.” Katara echoed it and then the line went and Sokka’s music resumed playing. Leaving him alone with his thoughts and cooling bath water. See you later, it had been six months since he had been able to say that to his sister and one of his best friends. Tonight was certainly going to be something.

🔥🍃💧🗻

Sokka was stirring a pot of instant ramen when the text message came through.  He usually cooked a more balanced lunch, but he figured since he was going to be eating his weight at The Peony later he could afford to cheap out on lunch. And he wasn’t being that bad, he was frying an egg and had some cheese  and spring onion. Call him culinary king Sokka.

Zuko

3:02 PM

Shift wasn’t too bad

Ty Lee spent a lot of

it teasing me though

and uncle was disappointed

he didn’t get to meet you.

Sokka had to grin at not only the message but also the time. Zuko had wasted no time in texting Sokka back, hell those two minutes were probably the amount of time it took him to take off his apron and get his phone. And yes, Sokka was probably getting ahead of himself again. But then there was the body of the text and the fact that Zuko’s uncle wanted to meet him. Just like Ty Lee had said could happen. Sokka turned down the heat on the stove, allowing the noodles to simmer and typed out a reply.

Sokka

3:04 PM

Woah. Meeting

family already. Things are getting

serious babe!

The nickname came so naturally, that Sokka hadn’t even thought about it before pressing send. Zuko was just babe like.

Zuko

3:05 PM

I’m literally meeting

your sister and her

boyfriend tonight babe?  

I think we were beyond

things getting serious

when we met.

Sokka snorted, okay maybe Zuko did have a point. Also, Zuko had called him babe with a question mark, why was that so adorable. He hadn’t put the simmer down enough and the water started boiling over and he quickly shoved the pot off the heat and onto the cold back hob, before lifting the pot and draining the water out and into the sink, stirring in the grated mozzarella before moving to one of his nicer bowls and topping it with the egg and spring onion. The legit definition of a comfort meal to compliment the warm and fuzzy feeling in his chest. He allowed himself a few bites of his lunch, before he couldn’t resist texting back anymore.

Sokka

3:09 PM

Haha. You got me

there. Do you have any

plans for after work btw?

Zuko

3:10 PM

Not much. I mean

I need to get out of

my uniform and I’ll need

to get ready at some stage

but nothing else. Do you

drive?

Sokka

3:11 PM

Is me not being able

to drive a deal breaker

for you tea boy?

Zuko

3:12 PM

No, not a deal breaker

I wanted to know

If you wanted me to

drive us to the peony.

Its on the other side of town.

Sokka

3:13 PM

Babe! You’d do that

Yeah that would be great.

Definitely better than me taking

you out on the bus.

Zuko

3:12 PM

No problem. Let me know

Where you live and what time

You want to leave. Dinner is at

8 right?

Okay Sokka’s noodles were definitely going to go cold if he couldn’t keep himself in line. He twisted his chopsticks to gather the biggest lump of noodle possible, shoving them into his mouth without much regard for his health, safety or wellbeing. But like who could blame him, he had a smoking date tonight and okay maybe he did need to clear up with Zuko at some stage if this was a date. Screw Ty Lee and her putting ideas in his head, because in reality Zuko was just a kind stranger, who had himself admitted that he was doing this because he had nothing better to do and enjoyed The Peony. Hell, he probably expected Sokka to pay tonight, Zuko very well could be doing this just for scheming and free dinner. And yet Sokka couldn’t help the way his heart fluttered.

Sokka

3:21 PM

Yeah 8. About that

I was wondering if

you wanted to meet before then

we didn’t get enough of a chance to talk

earlier.

Zuko

3:22 PM

I’d like that. Talking

With you was fun.

Sokka

3:23 PM

Talking with you

Was amazing. I’ve never

Met someone who knows

So much about tea.

Zuko

3:24 PM

You should talk to my uncle.

Sokka slurped his noodles, despite being ambidextrous, eating and texting at the same time was also something he found more difficult than other tasks.

Sokka

3:23 PM

Are you suggesting I take

Your uncle out for some fine

d

Fuck!! He pressed send to early. HE WANTED TO SAY DINING ! Sokka had been joking early when he said his slurping noodles was going to make him choke. And isn’t that a way to die, choking on noodles because he was distracted by a pretty boy and just offered his uncle dick. Sokka was going to die and not get into the afterlife. When he finished his coughing fit, topped off by having to run the kitchen and down a glass of water. He finally managed to get his breathing in check and retrieve his phone. Zuko had been pretty swift in his responses, but Sokka prayed to the spirits that just this once Zuko had gone for a piss or something and hadn’t seen Sokka’s offer.

Zuko

3:24 PM

Wow. I haven’t heard

that one before.

Ah so the spirits were not on Sokka’s side, and then heck in for a penny in for a pound, and Sokka picked his phone up and pressed call before he had a chance to think if he was being too forward.

Zuko answered on the second ring.

“I wanted to say fine dining and you know it.” Sokka said before Zuko even got a grimy slither of a chance to object or make fun of him.

Instead, all Sokka heard was a raspy laugh, followed by “It’s okay Sokka. I know you weren’t making advancements on my uncle.”

“You don’t understand. I was eating noodles, and my thumbs were betraying me.”

“Ugh huh.” He said and there was a playfulness to it. “So, where and when do you want to meet.”

Sokka pursed his lips. “You can come to mine if you want. Or somewhere public if you don’t feel okay with.”

“No, yours is okay. You haven’t tried to kill me yet,” Zuko replied.

“Well, I’m in the Red Brick on Szeto Terrace, it’s just down the street from the jasmine dragon. Though I don’t know how far that is from your house.”

“Sokka,” Zuko interrupted. “I live in the Jasmine Dragon. My uncle and I are in the apartment upstairs.”

“Well, that’s convenient.” Sokka said with a whistle. Followed by “ Well, I can be ready in the next hour so if you want to call over any time after then.”

Sokka hadn’t even considered that it wasn’t even 4 o clock, and not only was he asking Zuko on a fake double date but now he was asking him if he wanted to arrive to said date three hours early. Fuck, Zuko could probably smell the desperation through the phone. But he didn’t get a hint of that, only Zuko letting out a happy sigh, followed by, “yeah sounds good. I’ll aim for an hour. See you then.”

“See you then.” Sokka said and when he hung up the phone he put his hand on his heart. Well damn, he better get his shit together.

🔥🍃💧🗻

Zuko

4:58 PM

 I’m here now which

apartment are you?

Sokka

4:59 PM

Fourth Floor.

Apartment 21 😊

Sokka sent the text so fast, he wondered if Zuko would know he had pretty much been doing nothing and waiting for Zuko to text. Okay wait no that was a lie. He had cleaned up the apartment. All his dirty dishes cleaned and put away, and his textbooks and everyday clutter shoved into the closet. The place looked pretty swank if he did say so himself. He even lit one of the fancy candles that Toph had regifted him when she found out she was allergic. The candle was apparently worth more than the clothes he was wearing.

Which yes were his best clothes. His shirt was short sleeved, navy with a subtle blue stripe and well fitted. He toyed with wearing it open, over a white vest but The Peony was a fancy place, so he figured buttons were probably best. He could always adjust it later. His trousers were also well fitted, so well fitted he doubted he’d fit his phone in his pocket. And to top it all off he had replaced his horseshoe septum ring with a much more decorative crescent shape clicker. It’s silver colour matching the few hoops in his ears. Yeah, it had to be said, Sokka looked good. Looking over himself in the mirror a final time, and a final spritz of cologne he tightened his wolf tail just in time to feel a buzz in his pocket.

Zuko

5:04 PM

 I just want to

apologize.

What the hell was that supposed to mean. Was Zuko cancelling on him, had he waited until the last minute to get the fear and cancel. Sokka should have known this was too good to be true. Sokka deserved this for his scheming and lies and this is exactly what he had coming, the false lull of everything being okay, only for it all to be ripped out from under him. Could Zuko have at least let him know before he got dressed, now Sokka was going to either sit around in his best clothes for the next three hours, or he was going to need to change back into his sweats and admit how pathetic he was. Neither seemed pleasant.

Then there was a knock on the door.

Oh, for crying out loud, was Zuko coming to the door to tell Sokka he was cancelling on him to his face. Sokka felt a wave of anxiety crash over him. He had to take three deep breaths before he could will himself to answer. He had to tell himself that this was going to be okay. Like ripping off a plaster, he could do this. Muting the TV, he went to the door, opened it up and then his face twisted because at the door his eyes immediately looked with those of a girl.

The first thing he noticed was her gaze, it looked both bored and threatening at the same time and was not a look Sokka had ever seen before. Once he made sense of her, he was confronted with another revelation. She was not alone, at his door stood two girls and behind the trio a mop of hair and oh, there was Zuko. Zuko locked eyes with Sokka and then mouthed an apology.

 So, this was what he was sorry about.

The sight of Zuko standing there, surrounded by the trio, left Sokka feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. The moment stretched between them, full of unspoken tension. Zuko was thankfully the one to break it, offering a simple wave. “Hi Sokka.”

And then Sokka finally let out a sigh of relief. Zuko didn’t look mad at him, he looked awkward yes, but Sokka didn’t think that had anything to do with him.

“Hi Zuko,” he replied.

The middle scary girl coughed and Sokka realised he had been ignoring them, too busy playing heart eyes with Zuko.

“Sokka,” said Zuko. “This is my sister Azula, our friend Mai and you know Ty Lee.”

“Hi Sokka,” she replied with a grin and damn was Sokka bad that in his shock he hadn’t  even noticed it was her. To be honest, he still wasn’t sure why she was here, but he didn’t want to give a bad impression and he stepped aside. “Um do you all want to come in?”

Azula marched ahead without a word. Mai looked like she didn’t care either way and Ty Lee, well Ty Lee wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in for a hug. “Good to see you again so soon, oh damn you smell great. Zuko get over here a smell him!” she said.

And if Sokka wasn’t blushing before, he certainly was when Ty Lee moved aside and Zuko came forward, a gift bag in hand. “It’s coffee from uncle,” he said, “you said you didn’t have any and I didn’t know if you had gotten a chance to buy some.” Sokka smiled at him and stepped forward, should they hug? He and Ty Lee had hugged but he expected she hugged everyone. So instead, he tested the waters, opening up his arms and awkwardly Zuko slotted in until it wasn’t awkward anymore and Sokka tightened his arms around him. Close to his ear Zuko lifted his head and whispered, “I really am sorry, they insisted.”

“It’s okay, it’s only fair for you to spring your sister on me. It’s the theme of the night after all.”

Finally smiling, Zuko nodded and Sokka kept his hand on his back and walked the two of them inside. Latching the door behind them.

Zuko was taking a moment to unlace his vans at the door, a curtesy his sister had not done and Sokka finally spotted her. Azula was standing in the living room, Zuko Rubix Cube in her hand and what the hell, he was fully solved. What Sokka had spent three months in a half attempt at, this girl had walked into his apartment and solved it in a matter of seconds. Okay that wasn’t fair.

“What kind of wine do you have?” she said.

Oh, Sokka hadn’t realised the girls planned on staying. He actually wasn’t sure what was going on at all. One minute he’s expecting Zuko, the next he isn’t and then Zuko’s angels are standing around his apartment.

“Um I have red, and I think I have a half bottle of white?”

Azula lifted an eyebrow and rolled her eyes. “Seriously Zuzu, this one?”

“Azula!” said Ty Lee. “Don’t be mean, Sokka is really nice.”

“Seriously Ty Lee, you expect me to just trust some pathological liar who involved my brother in his fictious relationship without his consent. Doesn’t exactly scream trustworthy." She picked at one of her long red acrylics.

“I didn’t lie that I was dating this Zuko.” Sokka justified.

“Yeah,” Zuko chimed in he just said he was dating a Zuko. I agreed to get involved on my own.”

Good to know Zuko had his back in this.

Sokka returned to the group. “ So can I offer anyone a drink, I have the red and white and I have,” he lifted his fingers to start listing out his beverages. “Milk,” - the baby finger. “Lemonade,”- the ring finger. “I have beer”- the middle finger.

“That’ll be enough.” Azula supplied. “We’ll have whatever piss water you consider wine, and Zuzu will have a lemonade. He’s driving.”

Okay, Sokka was doing this. Zuko ended up following him to the kitchen and when the door shut beside them Sokka finally got to lock eyes with Zuko. “What’s going on?”

Zuko groaned. “I seriously am so sorry. Ty Lee told her and she’s I don’t know if its protective, I think she actually just wants to scare the shit out of you. Ty Lee did promise me that they won’t stay more than an hour.”

Oh fuck, an hour with Zuko’s scary sister. It had hardly been five minutes and Sokka had enough of her. Sokka put his hand in his hair, and just his fucking luck he had decided to use gel to keep it back. How he wished he could just take it down and run his hands through it.

“Do you want to help me with the drinks?” Sokka said.

“It’s the least I can do.” Zuko replied earnestly.

With a nod Sokka opened the top cabinet. He wasn’t really a wine drinker, he only had the white because Yue left it here, almost a month ago, and he only had the red because he won it in a raffle. The thing had been under the sink gathering dust for who knows how long and now Zuko’s prissy sister is going to be here judging it. He didn’t even have three wine glasses, he had one wine glass, which again Yue brought for herself to use when she was here. He had a champagne glass; he stole from the bar at New Years, and he had a mason jar which he figured Ty Lee wouldn’t mind using. Ty Lee at least seemed chill.

Grabbing the wine bottles, he handed both to Zuko to inspect. He figured he would know more about his girls’ preferences. Zuko inspected the red first, “room temperature and a pretty good merlot. Azula might actually be impressed.”

“Is that good wine?” I actually wouldn’t even know; I don’t like it.”

“Have you ever given it a try?” Zuko asked. “This is a good one, probably cost a nice amount of money, blackberry and chocolate notes, smooth to drink.”

“So, the tea connoisseur is also a wine snob.” Sokka said with a grin.

“Knowing notes and flavours is pretty universal.” Zuko said with a shrug. “Give the red to Mai and Azula, you should try it yourself too, trust me.”

Well, tonight was shaping into a strange night from all angles. The least Sokka could do was take Zuko’s recommendation. He pulled himself down a mug, reserving the nice glasses for the girls, pouring until it was a third of the way full.

“And for Ty Lee, the white I’m guessing?”

“Yeah,” said Zuko. “Though mix in some lemonade, she likes her drinks on the sweet side, even if Azula gives her crap for it.”

“Your sister is certainly charming.”

“That’s definitely a way to put it.” Zuko said bashfully.

Sokka stepped out of the kitchen first, carrying the two wine glasses. Mai and Azula had sat on the couch, one of them had made the decision to unmute the TV. Thankfully cutting the awkward silence. Ty Lee meanwhile was inspecting Sokka’s bookshelf and the various pictures and trinkets.

“Ladies,” Sokka said fixing the glasses down. “Sorry about the glass,” Sokka said to Mai who didn’t seem to care either way.

Zuko came through a minute later, managing the three final drinks. His and Sokka’s in mugs and Ty Lee’s looking intentional in the mason jar, a few frozen berries and some ice cubes thrown in for good measure.

“Wow,” she said. “How rustic!”

“Um thanks?” Sokka added. He assumed it was a compliment, but the atmosphere was so weird he honestly didn’t know what to think. His couch was a three seater if you were friends and he really didn’t fancy squeezing in between Mai and Azula, who had gotten comfortable on either side of the couch. So, he sat on the ground, Zuko sheepishly sitting down beside him.

And on his spot on the ground, he spotted his salvation, something he didn’t see on his tirade of cleaning up the apartment. A black box of forgiveness and the cure to end his suffering. He pulled it out slowly. “Zuko, ladies, can I offer you a game of cards against humanity?”

Sokka was later shocked to find Mai had never even heard of CAH. Had she been living under a rock. Who hadn’t heard of it. What she lacked in previous knowledge however she made up for in skill because Mai was well on her way to sweeping the floor. Mai was quiet, looked kind of constipated sure but she was cunning. She knew what cards to play on which dealer, to play the dictatorship cards on Azula, the sex jokes on Sokka and the strangest of all that Zuko would completely lose his shit laughing at the card ‘ a small horse?’

And not even giggling Zuko actually couldn’t breathe from laughing when he read Let Me Be Clear --- A Small Horse. He was wheezing he was working himself a six pack from laughter and god Sokka was so crushing on him right now.

Zuko was next to draw the black card, picking it up and reading aloud before processing it in his head. “Why doesn’t Daddy love me?” his laughter died then and Azula acted swiftly, grabbing the card from his hand, tearing it in half and chucking it behind the TV, probably landing beside last nights discarded hair tie.

“What a stupid card,” she said. “I’ll take Zuzu’s turn.” She then read the card; how did I lose my virginity.

And the tension of the last card was quickly moved on from. Sokka figured there was a story there, the same way he figured there was a story to go with his scar. But none of that was his business. Not unless Zuko wanted it to be.

For the second time that night. Sokka’s phone ringing quickly pulled him from his thoughts. It was buzzing beside him on the carpet and once again Katara’s name lit up the screen.

“Gimme a second?” he announced to the room, answering his phone on the way out.

“Hey sweet sister,” he said with a smile .

“Hey. We just landed, I wanted to know if you and Zuko were still good to meet us at the restaurant.”

“Yeah it’s all good.” Sokka said.

“What are you up to now?”

“Well Zuko’s friend is handing me my ass in cards against humanity. I have one black card Katara! One! These girls just don’t understand comedy!”

“Zuko’s with you now?” Katara said.

“He is yeah, brought over his crazy sister and their two friends. Don’t worry they aren’t coming to dinner.”

“Oh wow,” said Katara and Sokka honestly didn’t know what to make of the tone of her voice. “I’ve never spoken to you while Zuko was there before.”

“Well we are both meeting you in” Sokka looked at the time on his phone, 6:23. “ Less than two hours for dinner.” Sokka added, “doesn’t it make sense for him to be here now.”

“I guess,” she replied, “listen I can see Dad pulling in with the jeep. Love you Sokka, I’ll see you later.”

“Sounds good, love you bye.”

When Sokka came back from hanging up the phone, Zuko’s angels were standing by the door. “Zuzu’s fancy man,” Azula said looking him up and down. “I trust you not to have ill intentions with my brother, but if you do anything to fuck with him, I’ll fuck you up. Understand.” She said it so calmly, there was no menace and rage, all she did was state facts.

Sokka gulped. “Understood.” And then Ty Lee’s arms were around him again. And Mai was giving Zuko a nod and Sokka a bored  wave, and Azula was once again flashing her pointy acrylics. “Zuzu, take care.” She said and with that the angels were gone leaving Sokka and Zuko completely alone for the first time since? Well for the first time ever.

“Um Hi?” Zuko said again.

And Sokka chocked a laugh. “Hi Zuko,” he beamed.

🔥🍃💧🗻

The two of them slotted onto the couch. Sokka didn’t know about Zuko, but his knees and butt were killing him, he shouldn’t have gone so hard at the gym to compliment it by over an hour on the floor. He tucked his feet in under himself, Zuko sat a bit more rigid, facing outwards and his feet flat on the floor.

“So that’s one meeting the sister down,” said Sokka.

“Yeah. Please tell me the hard part's over and your sister won’t be scary.” Zuko stressed and then Sokka wasn’t too sure what to say because Katara’s surprise to Zuko being in the apartment was still ringing in his ears. She had sounded like she didn’t expect a mention of Zuko almost like she expected Sokka to say he wasn’t coming. Had Katara known he was lying this whole time, no surely not.

“Listen. I’d love to give you full clarity that it will be completely fine, but Katara can be scary sometimes.” He watched for Zuko’s body language. His shoulders slumped slightly and then Sokka gulped, “listen you can back out at any time. You don’t need to do this for me.”

“You’d actually be okay with that?” Zuko said and he finally twisted his body closer to Sokka’s. Their eyes locking. “You would be fine with me bringing my sister to interrogate you and scope you out and then back out.”

Sure, Sokka would be sad about not having dinner with Zuko tonight, but he didn’t want to do anything that would make the other man uncomfortable. He really did enjoy Zuko’s company, he felt relaxed around him but if Zuko didn’t feel the same Sokka had to accept that.

Sokka nodded. “Of course I would be fine with it Zuko, you don’t owe me anything. And maybe if tonight isn't the night, we could still maybe go for dinner sometime?”

Zuko pursed his lips. “I still want to go. And I would like to get dinner with you another time too.” And then he looked into Sokka’s eyes or maybe his soul. “I like you Sokka.”

“I like you too.” Sokka said and it came out as a whisper, he didn’t even register them leaving his mouth. Because things like this didn’t happen, finding someone and clicking in a way that just felt natural, meeting each other’s families in less than 12 hours. And this might have started as a lie but looking into Zuko’s eyes, this felt real.

“We ugh.” Sokka scratched the stubble of his undercut. “We should still iron out details, stuff we should know about each other.”

“Oh yeah,” Zuko said. “Well, I’m Zuko, but I guess you already knew that.”

“I knew that” Sokka said with a grin and then on a leap of faith he put his hand on Zuko’s thigh and gave a little squeeze, resulting in Zuko’s letting out a calming sigh and then nodding.

“Sorry, that was probably kind of stupid.”

“Not stupid,” Sokka said. “It was actually kind of endearing. Listen I’ll go first. I’m Sokka um brother of Katara. My Dad’s called Hakoda, Mom was Kya, but she died when I was 10.”

“Oh,” Zuko said, and he locked eyes with Sokka. “My mom she disappeared when I was 11."

Oh, Zuko had mentioned his mother earlier, his mother and his little sister, had he meant his step mother?

Zuko then must have seen the gears of Sokka's head turning and continued. "My father said she was dead, but Azula and I found her when I was 18. Sorry I probably shouldn’t have said that.” He looked off to the side again, Sokka squeezed his thigh again.

“Zuko it’s okay. I’m glad you were able to find your Mom and Lily?”

“Kiyi.” Zuko said with a smile.

“See we’re learning!” Sokka said.

“Yeah,” replied Zuko with a smile. “So, what else should I know about the great Sokka?”

“Great? Try the incredible Sokka. I’m pretty good with a boomerang. It’s my favourite weapon and um I’m studying a masters in mechatronics. I got a scholarship for it. I guess that’s an important thing.”

“Yeah, its important.” Zuko was smiling again. “Sokka that’s incredible, are you some genius or something.”

Sokka shrugged, he was used to people being impressed with his degree but to him it was just another fact about him, like how he was ambidextrous and liked reality dating programmes way more than a twenty five year old man probably should.

“Oh, I’m twenty five, that’s probably important. I don’t know why it would come up but yeah, I’m twenty five, Katara’s twenty four and Aang’s twenty two. Oh, and they’ve been together since she was sixteen.”

“Long time,” Zuko said. “I’m twenty six, and Azula’s twenty four too. So same age sisters.”

“Huh,” said Sokka fun coincidence.

“Yeah… quirky.” Zuko had that bashful smile again. “I don’t have a master’s but I’m doing a bachelor’s in history and politics. It’s only part time though.  And I work with my uncle in the jasmine dragon, do you work?”

“Not at the moment. I got really lucky and had a pretty well paid internship last summer and this apartment belongs to GranGran’s husband, so I’ve been able to hold off working this semester at least. Next semester will probably be a different story.

“Well,” said Zuko, “If you’re looking, I’m sure we can find space in The Jasmine Dragon for you.”

The two of them fell into amicable conversation after that, each anecdote and each story bringing them closer together as their laughter blended together. Zuko had seriously tried to sneak a flock of ducklings home from the park.

“You don’t understand,” Zuko said. “I tried to hide them in my satchel. And there was a hole so one of them bit me in the ass.”

Sokka snorted a laugh again. “Please tell me no ducklings were harmed in this abduction.”

“Not unless I count.” Zuko countered and then he blocked his mouth as if that could take the words away.

“Aw Zuko,” Sokka said cooing at him. “My sweet little duckling.”

“Shut up Sokka,” he whined. “Ah I regret ever talking to you this morning. Is it too late to leave?”

“Leave if you want.” Sokka said with a grin because he knew Zuko didn’t mean it. “But you already told me you like me and that’s your problem.”

“Yeah,” replied Zuko "that’s my problem."

🔥🍃💧🗻

They hadn’t talked much longer after the duckling slip. Sokka went to the bathroom and Zuko had thankfully used the opportunity to check the time and they were just shy of being late. They had genuine just been enjoying each other’s company so much that time had become an illusion. Everything about the day had been a blur for Sokka to be honest. It really was hard to believe he hadn’t even been awake for twelve hours and he felt like his life had been transformed.

The feeling of easy comradery continued on the drive. The low hum of the radio, the reassuring presence of Zuko beside him and the rain which Sokka had forgotten about.

"You’re really good at this," Sokka remarked, when they stopped at a red light. "Driving, I mean." And like an idiot he made an imaginary steering wheel with his hands that he pretended to drive. Not a lot of his friends could drive. Yue could, and Haru had a licence but never had a car. So Sokka wasn’t totally used to being driven by someone who wasn’t his Dad or on the rare occasion a taxi.

The traffic was still at a standstill. Zuko turned to him and smiled, that cute earnest smile creeping up his cheeks again. "Thanks. I guess I just like knowing I’m in control, keeping things safe. Keeping people safe."

"It shows," Sokka said, his voice soft with appreciation. "I feel...safe with you."

Zuko’s cheeks flushed slightly just in time for the light to turn green and his eyes to go back to the road, "I’m glad," he replied simply. And then he took the left turn taking them directly to the parking garage near The Peony.

Sokka offered to pay for the parking since Zuko had driven, but Zuko was hearing none of it and tapped his card before Sokka gave him an opportunity to argue.

“Jerk.” Sokka muttered and that only caused Zuko to smile even more. Putting his card back into his wallet and slotting it into his back pocket, where he had also taken care of Sokka’s phone. He stretched out his arms behind him. “So, um?” he offered Sokka his turned over hand, “Since it’s been um three months do you want?”

“Zuko!” Sokka interrupted with a grin.

“Are you asking little old me to hold your hand?”

“Um yeah,” said Zuko, his hand still offered, like how one offers to a cat. This only caused Sokka to smile even wider and take it in his. I would only be delighted to hold your hand.”

And as they walked the half block to The Peony. Sokka felt safe, and above all else he just felt happy. The city lights seemed brighter to express his heightened emotions and Sokka squeezed Zuko’s hand.

They were the first to arrive, arriving too close to 8 for it be considered early at 7:57 so they found their way to the table, sitting beside each other.

Okay, here it goes. After six months apart Sokka was going to see his little sister again. He was going to lie to her but just tonight. Tomorrow after he knew where he and Zuko stood he was going to come clean. He had to. It would be hard, and it would suck but hopefully she would understand and beyond that, he could explain how without a fake Zuko he wouldn’t have met his real Zuko, so really was this that big of a crime.

By ten past eight it was clear Katara and Aang were running late but knowing them Aang probably stopped to pet a dog or something. A waiter came over to take drinks orders.

“Zuko,” Sokka said, “could you order a bottle of that wine we had at the house. That was good I need Katara and Aang to try.”

Zuko smiled, “I told you; you would like it!”

“Oh, har har,” Sokka drawled,  as if the poor waiter wasn’t still standing there, “I’m Zuko and I’m a wine and tea snob and-“

“Sokka!” came a voice over his shoulder and Sokka was suddenly turning around to his favourite person in the word. A massive grin taking over his face. He got up from his seat and stepped out. Finally, here she was, Katara quickly wrapped him in a hug and Sokka didn’t want to say he’d forgotten what her hugs felt like because that wasn’t true but there’s a difference between a memory and the real thing and the real thing was always going to surpass.

She pulled out of the hug and smiled at him, and then Aang stepped out from behind her giving his own hug. “Good to see you, kid.” Sokka said resulting in Katara whining.

“Stop calling him kid, Sokka. He’s twenty two.”

“Aang’s always gonna be a kid to me.” Sokka said with a shrug and then fuck he remembered what they were doing here. “Babe!” he said and Zuko spun his head around before getting up himself. “Meet Katara and Aang.”

“Um hello, Zuko here.” He said offering them both a handshake which Sokka busted out laughing because of it. It was so endearingly sweet.

“Zuko!” Aang said and he was the first to launch forward and smile at the other man. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Only good things I hope.” Zuko added.

“Oh, great things.” Aang said and he pulled out Katara’s chair for her, pushing her into the table before sitting down himself. “Sokka told us all about your sword fighting.”

“I mean it’s kendo and it’s only the college team,” he said with a shrug. He turned to Katara, “Sokka told me how skilled you are at kayaking.”

“He did, did he?” said Katara with a raised eyebrow.

“I did,” said Sokka "and I told him all about you nearly sterilising me with a paddle."

“He did mention that attempted castration of little Sokka.”

Zuko chuckled, and wow did that conversation feel so long ago now. It was hard to believe it had been a matter of hours ago.

“Lay off it Sokka, you’re just upset because I hurt your little willy.”

Aang snorted his water at that and Sokka lifted an eyebrow. “Katara, your boyfriend still scoffs at the word willy, understand why he’s always going to be kid.”

Just then the waiter arrived with the bottle of wine and four glasses. “None for me sorry,” Zuko said. Followed by addressing Katara and Sokka with a shrug. “I’m driving.”

“Oh sweet,” Aang said. “Sokka never told us you drive.”

“Yeah,” Zuko added. “Do the two of you need a ride home, I have the car with me.”

“That’s okay Zuko,” said Katara. “We already reserved a taxi for ten o clock and Dad’s place is so out of the way. Sweet of you to offer though.”

“Are you sure?” Zuko said. “If it’s out of the way it could be annoying for the two of you.”

“Katara’s too nice to cancel.” Sokka said taking a sip of his water, Zuko been a total babe and poured it for him. “She’d feel guilty cancelling.” He then picked up his glass of wine, waiting for the others to do the same, they needed to have a toast to celebrate Katara and Aang’s return from vagabonding.

Katara looked the glass up and down. “Since when do you drink wine?” 

And Sokka smiled before wrapping an arm around Zuko and grinning. “Since this one taught me about, what was its chocolate and blackberry aroma?”

“Notes.” Zuko corrected with a smile.

And Sokka let out a dreamy sigh, “yeah notes.”

“Um Sokka?” Katara said breaking him out of his dreamy trance.

“Oh sorry!” Sokka picked up his glass, his much fancier than what was at home. “To Katara and Aang and their safe return from their travels,” he said.

“Hey hey, that’s not all,” said Aang. “Also to meeting Zuko.”

“Yeah,” Sokka replied, locking eyes with his handsome beau again. “To meeting Zuko.”

They clinked their glasses, Sokka making sure Zuko put in his wine glass filled with water too and because they were all still twelve years old of course they clinked the rim ( tits) and the stem ( ass) of the glasses all the while maintaining eye contact, all for the noble cause of protecting themselves from seven years of bad sex.

And then dinner happened in somewhat of a blur. Zuko got his duck rolls, like he had desired that morning, and to make Sokka's heart sing he was okay with going family style with Sokka and Katara. The grand tradition of eating off each other's plates. Zuko even tried some of Aang's vegetarian dishes.

"Have you ever thought about going vegetarian, Zuko?" Aang asked. "Katara eats vegetarian with me sometimes, I think Sokka would die if he had to eat a meal without meat."

"Hey!" Sokka teased with a mouth full of pork gyoza. "I will have you know this is the first meat I've had all day. I ate vegetarian lunch today."

"Is that the ramen you nearly choked on?" Zuko asked.

"Sokka!" said Katara, "how many times do I have to tell you to chew your food." She rolled her eyes and turned to Zuko. "I'm so sorry you have to put up with my brother's horrendous table manners."

"I wasn't there when it happened. We were texting and Sokka made a romantic advancement on my uncle."

"Sokka!" Aang laughed "how could you do that to Uncle Iroh!"

"Wait you know my uncle?" Zuko asked.

"Everyone knows your uncle, I figured it was Iroh when you said Jasmine Dragon." Aang paused to take another few bites, "I haven't seen him in awhile but when my father used to bring me into The Jasmine Dragon as a kid, Iroh used to sit with us sometimes. Does he still give crayons and colouring pictures to kids?"

"He does." Zuko said.

"Maybe he should give some to Sokka." said Katara.

To which Sokka rolled his eyes, "look I would be offended but I actually wouldn't mind some crayons. Zuko if Kiyi ever calls in we should colour with her."

"She'd like that." said Zuko. "Though she'll probably decide your her boyfriend and then you'll be stuck getting roses and love cards for her."

And Sokka just smiled because would that be so bad. He had this cute little fantasy in his head now, he and Zuko and the ambience of jasmine dragon, surrounded by friends and family.

Sokka truly had been so scared of tonight, first of Katara being mad at him for lying without a Zuko, then worried about her being mad at him for bringing a fake Zuko. But this truly didn’t feel like that. It wasn’t a fake double date, Sokka had feelings for sure and he hoped Zuko had feelings too. He had said he liked Sokka after all. Could he have meant he liked Sokka as friend? No surely, the look he gave Sokka meant something, the way he allowed Sokka to rest his hand on his thigh and eat from his plate. This had to be a real date, all that was fake was the timeline.

Just as the plates were cleared away. Aang lifted out a bag that had been hidden under the table. Sokka wasn’t sure how he hadn’t seen.

“This isn’t all your presents,” Katara said. "We have more back at Dad’s, but these just some small things from Kangaroo island."

That had been the last leg of their trip as far as Sokka knew. She handed the bag over to Zuko first. “It’s some small gifts but I hope you like them. You’ll know what’s for who.”

He smiled. “You really didn’t have to get me something.” And Sokka felt conflicted about the gifts because yes while it was always a gift intended for Zuko, it had been bought with Sokka’s mostly fake Zuko in mind. So, he watched as Zuko opened the bag, and holy shit Zuko pulled out a teddy of a duck.

“How did you know?” Zuko asked and then he looked to Sokka. “Sokka! It’s a duck, are you and your sister telepathic or something!”

Katara had an interested expression at that. “Aang just thought it looked cute.”

“Yeah,” said Aang. "I saw him and figured I couldn’t leave him there so why not bring him home for Zuko. Do you like ducks, I mean apart from eating them?"

"Aang!" Katara quickly hissed and she jabbed him.

“I love it, thank you.” Zuko said. "I have lots of good memories of going to the duck pond with my mother."

“There's some other gifts in there too.” Katara said. Zuko looked in and then with another smile, pulled out a small wooden decorative dao sword. It fit in the palm of his hand, and was beautifully hand crafted. “I really do think you two can read minds. Are you sure Aang doesn’t have spirit powers.”

“You know,” said Katara. “It would certainly explain a lot.”

Passing the bag over to Sokka, Sokka smiled at his gift, a small hand crafted model of a kayak, in the same style and Zuko’s dao.

Maybe spirit powers were involved, or someone was looking out for him because he really had willed Zuko into his life. And for that he was eternally grateful. He also pulled the last gift, a bottle of authentic kangaroo island barbeque sauce.

"That's for both of you to use for me." Katara said with a wink. He should have known this gift came with a caveat. 

 They ordered dessert while Katara told them all about the bungee jump she did on kyoshi island to which Sokka whistled. “Damn, when did my little sister become a rebel without a cause.”

“Have you never met Katara?” said Aang. “Katara would have extreme sported herself out of the womb if given the opportunity.” Sokka hadn’t forgotten how in love with Katara Aang was, no forgetting that was beyond impossible. What he had forgotten was how cute it was experiencing someone new seeing it for this first time.

It made Sokka wonder what he looked like when he looked at Zuko. Did Katara see it?

"Show them your new tattoo." Aang said with a smile and Katara happily rolled up her sleeve to show the delicate marking below her elbow. Sokka had seen pictures but it was nothing compared to the real thing. He reached out and held her arm. "It looks great!"

"Yeah," Zuko echoed, "it's so delicate. It's beautiful."

Sokka didn't know what is what about it but seeing Zuko be nice to his sister, it only made him like him more. He experimentally slotted his head onto Zuko’s shoulder. Zuko put an arm around him.

And then suddenly Katara’s phone was ringing. “Oh shit,”  she said, “the taxi’s outside we better get going.” She started fishing in her purse for bills and then Zuko put his hand down on the table. “Don’t worry, Sokka and I have it.”

“You do?” Katara said. Fuck does Zuko think Sokka has enough money for this because like he does but he would need to start working way sooner than he planned, and Zuko knew that. Wait was Zuko trying to say he could take care of this.

“We do.” Zuko said with a smile. “If you and Aang want to meet us for ice-cream or something at some stage you can make it up, but we have it tonight.”

This time both Katara and Aang looked at each other and back to Sokka and with Katara’s phone still ringing, she put it in Aang’s hand. “Do you mind running out. I just want to say goodbye.”

“Sure thing.” Aang said, flashing both Sokka and Zuko a smile. “I’ll see you soon. Zuko honestly was a pleasure to finally meet, you are better than Sokka’s stories.”

Katara hugged Zuko first, and while Sokka feared it would be awkward, he fully leaned in and accepted the hug. “Thanks for planning this evening, Katara,” he said, “you have no idea how much tonight meant to me.”

“It’s only dinner,” she said with a laugh.

“It’s the company,” Zuko replied, letting her out of the hug.

And then her arms wrapped around Sokka. The hug wasn’t as tight and urgent as it had been earlier, but it was just as special. She kissed Sokka on the cheek, “I like him,” she said.

“I do too,” Sokka whispered back to her.

And with a laugh Katara scuffed his hair and then made her way out of the restaraunt, leaving Sokka and Zuko alone with 4 spoons and a lot of custard tarts.

Sokka would like to say he put up a fight against Zuko paying the bill. He hadn’t paid for his second mocha in The Jasmine Dragon, or any of the driving but Zuko was adamant that he had the money, and this was how he wanted to spend it. He did compromise and Sokka threw down the bills for the tip.

They made their way out of The Peony with their hands once again laced together. Out into the night where the rain had still not stopped.

Sokka would have said before that he didn’t like the rain that it was just wet and cold and annoying. But he paused outside the restaurant and just let the rain wash over him because despite everything, the rain had been a constant today, falling down on him and into the presence of Zuko.

“Zuko,” Sokka said as he watched the cars in the street drive by, turning back around.

“Yes,” Zuko replied from where he was leaning against a wall, his hands boldly opening wide and searching for Sokka’s.

Sokka slotted himself in. Taking Zuko’s hands and falling into a hug, Zuko bringing their joined fingers out and wide, playing with Sokka’s. There wasn’t much of a height difference between them, Sokka had maybe an inch if any on him. But hugging him still felt like they were made for hugging each other.

He inched his mouth closer to Zuko’s ear. “I’d like to kiss you now, Zuko.”

Teasingly, Zuko turned to Sokka one of his hands breaking loose and finding it’s place on Sokka’s cheek, his thumb running along Sokka’s lip before he leaned forward and kissed Sokka on the cheek. “Then do it.” Zuko replied.

So, like a love struck teenager and harbouring the intense attraction Sokka had been holding since that morning, Sokka pulled Zuko in by the shirt, pulled him in as close as he could get him. And he kissed him.

He kissed him under the warm glow of the streetlights.

He kissed him unbothered by the misty late rain.

He kissed him with everything he could and more.

And most of all, he kissed him and Zuko kissed him back.

Sokka would fix all this tomorrow. Tomorrow he would come clean and fix this mess and he knew they would all forgive him.

But for tonight, Sokka and Zuko’s first date just so happened to be three months into their relationship. And Sokka was okay with that.