Is it just a coincidence? (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twenty one

    Panicking, Sokka frantically ran through the school calling Zuko's phone and not getting any answer. When he got to Zuko's classroom, his phone was ringing idly on a desk. Other than that, and his other assorted things, the room was empty.

    "Shit." He cursed, rushing over to grab Zuko's phone.

    It was at 60% and there were texts from back to just after lunch. From his Uncle, someone called "The Devil", and one from Mai. That last name rung a bell, but he was too worried to think more about it.

    He opened Zuko's phone (he'd seen him do the passcode a few times now) and opened his messages. Pressing on his Uncle's name, Sokka read over the messages.

U: "Zuko, please leave the school right now and call me. You cannot come back to the tea shop and I can't put you in a hotel."
U: "Did you get out?"
U: "Zuko? Please answer me"

    Sokka took a breath and called Iroh. It barely rang before-

    "Zuko? Zuko?" The frantic voice of Iroh echoed through the line.

    "Hey, sorry it's me, Sokka..."

    "Sokka? Where's Zuko?"

    "He's... I don't know where he is..."

    "What?!"

    "I was waiting for him outside, he didn't show up so I went to look for him but I found his phone on his desk and there's missed messages from over two hours ago." Sokka stuttered out.

    "Two hours?!" Iroh echoed. "This is not good. His father has been trying to find him, so I feel as though he might have something to do with it."

    "His Dad?!" Now it was Sokka's turn to freak.

    "Yes, He's been fighting with me over custody of my nephew, which is why I told Zuko not to come home the other day," Iroh explained. "Apparently they found a loophole in the agreement and Ozai has been trying to exploit it in order to get Zuko back."

    "But why does he want him back didn't he cut him off or something?" Sokka uttered.

    "I'm not sure but it can't be good whatever it is."

    "I'll try and find him but I have no idea where he could be."

    "I'm afraid he might be with his father. There's nothing you can do now. I will try to handle it so just go home and get some rest and try not to worry too much."

    "But, Iroh I can't just not worry he's my soulmate... I... I love him."

    "I'm sorry, Sokka. There's just nothing you can do... he would want you to relax and keep your emotions under control, that way he'll be able to be calm as well- wherever he is. If you start panicking, he'll start panicking," Iroh ushered. "Now, I need to get to work. I'm going to hang up now. I will let you know when I find out something."

    "Okay... Bye." Sokka sighed and put the phone down.

    Looking around the room, he took in a breath in an attempt to calm down. As much as he wanted to do everything he could, Iroh was right. He wasn't sure where Zuko's father lived or if Zuko was even with him.

    A load of dread crept over him in that moment. What if Zuko just ran away? What if he'd changed his mind and didn't want to be with Sokka after all? A sliver of his mind which was still being rational protested the idea but his insecurities piled up and weighed him down to fall on the floor in a sob.

_

    Hot tears spilled down Zuko's face and he desperately tried not to sob. Thankfully hanging his head low could hide his face behind a curtain of bangs, but if his father knew that he was crying there was no tell how he'd react.

    Currently, he'd been standing in the lobby, with his hands held behind his back by a guard. His father had left the room a while ago but there was no telling when he'd be back.

    And he knew why he was crying. He'd gotten accustomed to when he was feeling Sokka's strong emotions and right now all he wanted was to go to him. But he probably thought that he'd run away. He didn't trust him anymore.

    So Zuko made the tears his own. Using the guard's hold on him to help him stand.

    A few minutes later, a person entered the room and stopped in front of him. Looking up, he met eyes with none other than Mai.

    "Mai..." He breathed, stifling another sob.

    "Zuko, why are you crying?"

    "I was just pulled out of school by force, shoved into a car and driven to a place where the last memory I have of it is getting half my face burned off. So... Want to ask that again?"

    She sighed, glancing away before returning her gaze to him.

    "You're not one to cry."

    "You don't know me like that, Mai."

    "I-?" She looked at the guard and waved him off, turning back to Zuko again once he'd left. "I don't know you like that? We've known each other since we were kids, Zuko."

    He sighed, feeling the tears sink away but the sadness lingered. Biting his lip, he glanced at the ground, rolling his wrists behind his back.

    "So tell me again, why are you crying?"

    "Why do you care? You've never cared about anything. Ever."

    "That's not true! I care about you, Zuko." She immediately retorted.

    "Sure. When you thought I was going to be your soulmate. But guess what?! I'm not!"

    Mai choked back whatever words she was going to say again.

    "So you found them then?" She mumbled.

    Zuko looked away.

    "Who is it?"

    "Like I'd tell you. I don't know who's side your on. I'm not putting them in danger."

    "Fine."

    There was a deathly silence for what felt like an hour. Mai stared at him and he kept his eyes locked on the black couch against the wall to his left.

    "So what do you want anyways." He finally asked her, breaking the silence.

    "You're not going to like it," She replied softly. "We're getting married."