ATLA Whumptober 2021

04 i'm too heavy, can't you see? i'll take us both down 04

Sokka loves shopping. No doubt about it. There's just something about the bustle, the running back and forth, the decisions and the excitement of getting something new that never fails to put a smile on his face. So when Zuko grumbles that he needs to go shopping for some spring and summer clothes, Sokka immediately offers to go with him, having been needing to do the same thing anyway.

They set a date and a time, plan which stores they're going to so Zuko knows what to anticipate, even coordinate their outfits, for Tui and La's sake. (Okay, the last one is all Sokka's idea, but there's nothing wrong with being well-dressed with your friend and Zuko humours him gladly.)

But there's something. There's always something.

This something comes under the name of midterms.

The end of March is always horrendous, and really, Sokka should have known better than to plan something smack in between all the stress. But it's fine , it's really fine. He can take a day off from the calculus study guides (spirits, why did he have to take that in the tenth grade) and the engineering workshops because this is Zuko he's meeting up with!

He likes Zuko, loves Zuko. If anything, this is the absolute best way to relieve his stress.

And so he's outside the mall at one in the afternoon, foot tapping as he waits for Zuko. Soon he sees the familiar figure strolling up, giving a little wave and a shy smile.

And it's normal to just not want to tear your eyes away from your friend that just happens to be very pretty, right?

Because Zuko is, in fact, very pretty. Straight black jeans, a red button up with - hang on, are those dragons? - left half-open over a white binder that looks like a regular tank top to anyone who doesn't know, hair up in a ponytail with loose strands falling out and framing his face.

And Sokka could keep going. Could talk about the belt chain with sun and moon charms, could talk about the matte black on Zuko's fingernails, could talk about the theatre mask necklace he's wearing. Because there's just so much and Zuko- Zuko looks so nice.

God, Sokka must be grinning like a fool by the time Zuko's finally within arms reach, and he immediately pulls the taller boy into a hug. Zuko lets out a breathy laugh, returning the embrace.

"Someone's excited to see me." Sokka shakes his head, the smile never leaving his face.

"Nope, just for the shopping," he jokes. "Race you the rest of the way, onetwothreego!" And he takes off, dashing towards the front of the mall, laughing when he hears a yell of "Sokka-a!" from behind him.

By the time he stops, Zuko is right behind him, both boys breathing hard and shoving at each other.

"You ass," Zuko grumbles. "You know I can't keep up with you."

"Sounds like a you problem," Sokka says, spinning on his heel and marching into the entrance, looking over his shoulder to make sure Zuko's following, not that he really doubted it anyway.

*****

They're only two stores into their browsing when Sokka snaps his fingers, slapping the nearest clothes rack. He hisses, having hit a sharp corner, and shakes his hand out. Zuko peers over from the other side, expression tinged with the slightest bit of worry.

"Everything okay?" he asks. Sokka nods, wincing.

"Gotta be careful where I hit, I guess." And Zuko just nods, going back to his searching.

That's the nice thing about being with Zuko. He never presses like Katara does, or answers to tics like Aang. Unless Sokka somehow manages to hurt himself or is visibly upset, he leaves things alone. It's refreshing, being around someone that doesn't pay any more attention to his tics than the laces on his shoes.