~promises~ (zukka AU)

chapter 8

●*12 years ago*●

sokka's POV

my parents had a fight again. i don't get it. they argue because of the most insignificant things, so much that i'm scared to take any wrong steps that might upset them. it's not like they ever hit me, or katara. daddy never layed a hand on mom either, like zuko's dad used to.

they just scream and shout, until the sound becomes so unbearable that it makes me want to cut my ears off. i just want to make it stop. all the yelling, all the crying, all the arguments.

when they fight, i always bring katara, my little sister, to my room and cover her ears. she's two years younger than me, so i feel the constant need to protect her no matter what, even if that leaves me exposed to everything.

i sometimes even sing to her whatever song first comes to my mind. anything to shelter her from the unsettling feeling that overwhelms me every time i listen to mom and dad contradicting eachother.

the only time i feel like i'm taking a break from everything is when i'm at school, or with zuko. especially when i'm with zuko. he makes me feel like i have the permission to breathe again without having the impression of stepping on glass.

"sokka, why are you upset?" zuko sits down next to me at the playground.

i never told him about my situation at home. i didn't want to add to his worries, so i always avoided it. but i don't think i can hold it in for another second.

"my parents-" i begin saying. "they argue, and they argue, then they argue again. every. single. day. i just can't take it anymore"

zuko looks at me with his enormous golden eyes, but he doesn't say anything. instead, he wraps his arms around me. he never talks much, but he best expresses his feelings through his gestures of affection. and that's enough for me.

"if this is how married people act, then i don't ever want to get married, it seems awful!" i exclaim after some moments of silence.

zuko glares up at me, then looks down at his hands while fidgeting with his fingers.

"why are you pouting?" i ask him, but he doesn't look me in the eyes.

"because..." he starts explaining, but then just scoffs. "forget it, it's stupid"

"no, tell me"

now he's looking up at me, and if i didn't know any better, i might say his eyes are a little teary.

"i- i was hoping i could marry you one day" zuko states. "but if you don't want to get married..."

marrying zuko? hm, i never actually thought of that, but...

"actually... marriage doesn't sound that bad if it's with you" i point out and he glances at me. "but i don't want anyone else. i'll only do it if it's you"

"i don't want to marry anyone else either" he informs me with the brightest smile i've ever seen on his face.

"then, let's promise we will get married when we grow up..." i put out my pinkie finger. "... promise?"

he interwines his little finger with mine and smiles even harder, while looking exactly into my eyes.

"promise"

--

●*present*●

zuko's POV