Too Close

ignorant

"Sokka I'm home!" Katara walked in her house with Zuko behind her as he carried both of their helmets, he took off his shoes once he closed the door behind him and followed his friend.

It was mostly wooden floors as the living room was the first room, to the side was the dinning room and kitchen, the stairs were on the other side with white walls.

"We're in the kitchen!" Toph yelled back.

"Are you sure They're okay with me being here?" Zuko crossed his arms as he didn't know how Sokka and Aang would treat him now after the... encounter they had the other day.

"Guys zukos with me!" Katara called and Zuko jumped a little.

"Okay?!" Toph yelled back again.

They walked into the kitchen and Zuko saw everyone was there including Suki and Aang, he waved awkwardly.

"Pizzas over there," suki motioned to the side for him as Sokka opened a soda.

Sokka and Zuko made eye contact for a moment, there was a small gesture from Sokka that almost seemed like he was asking if he was okay, Zuko looked away.

"Yo I need a hand moving the table, your helping jerk," Sokka told him as Aang seemed surprised as well as Katara. Zuko said nothing and obliged.

"How are you holding up?" Sokka mumbled as he kept his back to Zuko while they walked.

"What do you mean?" Zuko put his hands in his pockets.

"You know what I mean," Sokka scoffed.

"No. I don't." He narrowed his eyes. Challenging him to keep it up.

"Oh should I be more open about the other night? I remember-" "hey kat, I'm going out for a break!" Zuko hollered back before Sokka got any louder.

"Can I come?!" Toph whined.

"No!"

"Seriously? Thought you were cutting back," Katara popped her head out with a pout.

"Never promised it, I'll be back in a little," Zuko shrugged walking out to the front with Sokka behind him.

"Wow she'd be on my ass forever," Sokka snorted a little as they stood outside and Zuko grabbed his pack and lighter.

"What the fuck you want?" Zuko asked with a cigarette in his mouth as he lit it.

"How much to keep your mouth shut?" He inhaled the smoke and gave Sokka a look.

"I-what? Your gonna pay me to not say shit bout the other night?" Sokka asked baffled.

"Yes, I don't want this getting to anyone, I'll give the same to Aang," Zuko reached for his wallet in his pocket.

"Dont, I don't want money," Sokka stopped him quickly but noticed how tense he was.

"I don't like lying to my sister but I won't tell her anything, Aang won't either," he said calmly as Zuko didn't trust him.

"Have you talked to your dad since?" He asked curiously as Zuko handed him the cigarette.

"Yea, I took a job," Zuko nodded softly.

"What?!" Sokka cried out. "Why?!"

"Because I don't want my fucking home getting burned, and I don't want the people I care about 6 feet under," Zuko hissed keeping it down.

"It's just... telling my dad no wouldnt be safe, he doesn't like the word no," Zuko sighed as he breathed in more nicotine trying to relax.

"Upside to it though, I can go to any college I want, if he keeps his promise I'll get the hell out of that business," he tapped his foot anxiously as Sokka crossed his arms.