Burn a little brighter (Zukka - Soulmate AU)

Chapter 11

[I had writer's block and had to majorly change the direction of this fic so that it would be more fun for me to write. Things are going to be diverting from canon pretty heavily.]

"Sokka."

There's a push against his shoulder, one he wants to fight against. He rouses, tilting his head up to meet his sister's face. She's partially hidden in shadows, but he can still see how the normally calm line of her mouth is now tight and grave. Pushing himself up instinctively, he listens for outside movement, his teenage years trained that into him. But it's quiet.

"What is it?" he asks.

Her mouth twists. "They've captured rogue firebenders. They made their way up here and started causing havoc in the city. Did you really not hear the commotion?"

"I was asleep. Where are the firebenders now?"

She turns her head to the door. "In that cave. The one you told us about. The one where you..."

He trails mitted fingers over the railing. Snow crunches softly under his shoes, and the stars watch him like a million tiny observers. It's easy to be restless when he can still smell the soot from the battle. The ice bridge he stands on lets him clearly view another one that's collapsed farther away, a large hole in its center.

He's closer to Agna Qel'a's walls than he realized. If it were day, he'd be hidden under their shadow. They're massive, and he stares up at them in both awe and growing apathy. The city isn't as rose tinted as when they first arrived here. He leans back further, taking a secret glance at the moon, before lowering his head down in shame. Maybe it's Inuk. It's probably Inuk. The Chief has stuck the two of them together, so now he gets to watch Inuk's heart-shaped eyes as he prattles on about his soulmate. Katara and Aang have asked him why the Chief is so intent on the two spending time near each other, but Sokka's just waved it off. He doesn't want to put the idea in their minds that a soulmate is something he can harness. He barely knows what he's doing. Correction- doesn't know what he's doing. He doesn't need the extra pressure or eyes on his nape. 

But they'll be leaving soon; what a relief. Sokka has his, admittedly small, bag to pack and departure date set. Then he'll be free of pretending to meditate while actually going through a mental list of best to worst Water Tribe meals. His conclusion? All are best. He's not picky.

He's not a cave guy either. Sure, he has no particular aversion to them, they've never said anything rude to him, but he'd probably always pick the open air if he had to. That's a thought he discards from his mind now as he stands in front of a cavern in the solid wall. There's no telling how deep it goes. It looks like a natural occurrence, almost, except his investigator senses are tingling. He's a good detective, the case of the missing seal jerky didn't solve itself. The edges of the cave look pristine, and that's a word he never uses. He takes a hand out of his glove and drags a finger along the ice, feeling the sharp edges. This cave's been "opened" and "closed" recently- waterbender-wise, that is. What's weird is that someone swept the ground of footprints.

He steps inside; come on now, he's got to check this out. He can already picture Inuk's annoyed face telling him not to go in there, and that's truly what keeps his feet stepping forward. He doesn't plan to move far, bored at the lack of anything but ice and snow inside, but there's a warm glow ahead that's too tempting. He's deep in, yet the cave isn't growing darker. He finds the torches stuck to the walls. Anyone looking in wouldn't notice them. They melt the ice walls slightly, rivulets trickling down to the floor, and Sokka spots the first hint of color among the crystal blues.

His body breaks out in goosebumps. Small drops of red are under his shoes. He puffs out a warbled, "Shit" as he jolts back. "Oh Spirits, what is this."