Too Close

offer

Katara was in her shower as she washed her long thick hair late at night, washing the day off her body to feel refreshed before bed. 

Her phone buzzed on the counter top in the kitchen as Sokka was making himself a bowl of cereal near by while Aang was on the counter chatting. Sokka noticed the phone ringing and saw it wasn't one of her contacts, it was a random number.

"Kataras phone, who's this?" Sokka answered and shoved a spoonful of Cheerios in his mouth and Aang cocked his head to the side. 

"Sokka?" Zuko rasped, like he was out of breath.

"God dammit Zuko, why are you calling my sister?" Sokka groaned holding the phone still to his ear. Aang seemed surprised Zuko was calling. 

"I-I didn't know who else to call, can-can- shit," zukos breath hitched as Sokka relaxed a little thinking the other boy wasn't okay.

"You might be better, can you come pick me up? Don't tell Katara?" Zuko asked almost like he was begging. Sokka and Aang looked at each other. 

"What happened? Why can't I go get Katara for you?" Sokka asked putting the phone on speaker for both boys to hear. 

"I'm kinda drunk, I need some help," zuko slurred with a whine.

"I knew you were a bad influence, for fucks sake man," Sokka groaned shaking his head. 

"I'm-I know, but just I need a hand, I can't be here anymore, I can't feel my face anymore and I need to leave but I ca-cant drunk and druve," Zuko groaned and it sounded like he stumbled.

"Please," he begged.

"He sounds desperate Sokka," Aang looked at him concerned. 

Sokka thought about it for a moment but sighed shaking his head. 

"Where are you Dude?" He asked annoyed as Aang jumped down.

-earlier that day-

"You look fancy, got a date?" Katara sat in the kitchen as Zuko was rolling up his sleeves of his black dress shirt and secured them above his elbows.

"I have a.. a job interview today, I wanna look nice," Zuko told her quietly straightening his shirt out.

"A job interview? I thought you were good with working for your uncle?" She sipped her tea and gave him a look.

"I love him and all, but I need a second job to be able to go to college," Zuko ran a hand through his hair with a sigh.

"Cool, where are you applying for?" She smiled leaning against the counter. 

"Its an editor I'm going to job shadow for a while and I'll see where it goes from there," he lied with ease.

"I hate getting dressed up like this," he mumbled and Katara looked at him.

"I think you look nice," Katara told him gently, Zuko blushed softly feeling his chest tighten. 

"Thanks," he looked away.

"I'll drop you off if you want, I need to get going," Zuko rubbed the back of his head and she nodded.

-

"Welcome Zuko," Ozai grinned seeing his son walked in the meeting room as it was only his father and sister in the room. 

"I'm here, now what?" Zuko asked stood at the end of the table.

  "Don't be like that son, I have an offering I know you won't refuse," Ozai smirked as he motioned to the spot next to him on his right. 

"Won't or cant?" Zuko narrowed his eyes but sat next to his father, his scarred side facing away.