Distractions (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Three

    After covering Lin's shift, Sokka seemed to have ended up being the dumpster for everyone's unwanted shifts. He was constantly being approached and introduced to and then requested to take some sort of shift. To the point where he was only getting about 4-6 hours of sleep and maybe a half an hour of sword practise. Sure he was getting a lot of money but man was he exhausted.

    He kept telling himself that he had to stop being such a pushover but the fear of being found out overrode his self-preservation tendencies. If he said no then would they get angry? Get too close? See his eyes maybe and get suspicious? Sure he had an elaborate backstory planned out for himself but if multiple people suddenly started interrogating him then he'd likely freak out and somehow reveal himself. 

_

    Zuko had what felt like everything and nothing to do at the exact same time. Walking down the same halls he had yesterday and the day before that, he'd learned to not look at the tapestries on the walls. Firelords who's faces got more and more unrecognizable the further he walked looming over him. Turning down a different hallway that wasn't very illuminated, Zuko noticed that no one was around and sighed. Leaning against the wall, he put his face in his hands and sighed.

    Footsteps echoed down the hallway he'd just come down and he instinctively pressed himself into the drapery lining the walls of his own. 

    "Stupid assholes... take my shift! Take my shift meh meh meh!!" A voice mumbled, getting closer.

    Confused, Zuko peeked out and saw a guard coming down towards him. His posture was rigid and his steps were hard on the floor.

    "Who cares if your eyebags are so dark it looks like you let Momo do your makeup." Sokka stopped and shrugged to the air, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

    He looked over at the tapestries. His eyes landing on one of the many Firelords before Sozin. Zuko shifted around a little, unable to see his face but wanting to know what expression he was making.

    He mumbled something under his breath at the man in the painting and then spun back towards the direction he was going in before. Marching towards Zuko, this time with his head up. Focused on figuring out what the situation was with this guy, Zuko forgot that he'd made himself visible and Sokka looked directly at him. They both froze in place, not making any sound.

    "Uhm..." Sokka started first, suddenly feeling all the exhaustion leave his body and be replaced with adrenaline. "Prince Zuko?"

    Said Prince did not retort with anything. Staying perfectly still like a statue. Sokka lightly pursed his lips, unsure of what to do. Should he run? Did Zuko recognize him?

    "Well, uhm..." He took a few little steps back. "I have to get back to uh...," He bowed quickly. "Have a good rest of your day your highness."

    Just as he started to speed walk out of there, Zuko shuffled behind him and stepped out into the main hallway.

    "Wait." He called after him, solidifying Sokka in place.

    Turning slowly, Sokka forced a very nervous smile.

    "You..." The Prince walked towards him slowly. Each step making his heart race faster. "Have I seen you before somewhere?"

    "Well-" Sokka's voice cracked. "I've been here for a little while now- maybe you've seen me in the hallways?"

    "No. Before that," Zuko shook his head, squinting at Sokka's face through his helmet. "Take off your helmet."

    Shit. Shit. Shit. Fuck. Shit. SHIT.

    Slowly taking off his helmet, Sokka eyed the different escape routes he technically had in case this went the way he feared it would.

    He'd vaguely come to the realization before when watching Sokka practise but it was very clear now that he was looking up close. Sokka was really handsome. Dark, soft looking hair that was shorter around the sides but was long enough on top to put into his bun... Smooth skin that had such depth to make his strikingly blue eyes stand out. Eyes which were so infuriatingly familiar and uncommon and yet he still couldn't place them. Their only blemish being the deeper circles under them. He wasn't kidding before apparently.

    "Where were you stationed before this?" Zuko frowned.

    "I was part of the Ba Sing Se invasion forces for a bit?" Please take the lie.

    "Ah," Zuko's expression darkened but not in the way that's realized a lie. "I see. It must be that then."

    Sokka smiled, it didn't reach his eyes and looked awkward on his face but Zuko didn't seem to notice or care about that.

    "You're dismissed." He stated plainly before turning around and making his way down the hall in the other direction.

    Deciding not to say anything else, Sokka high tailed it out of there. The adrenaline made it very hard to avoid running.

_

    Sokka wasn't really sure where he was standing with Zuko. He didn't seem to have figured it out but he also didn't seem convinced. He just kind of wished that he'd stop spying on him while he trained. 

    Maybe this wasn't the best idea after all. Maybe he should just call it quits and run away. It wasn't like he found out any Fire Nation plans to help them out... But if he did leave then he wouldn't know where to go. Sure he could go to the rendezvous point but it was way too early. No one would be there for weeks. 

    At least in the palace he had other guards to talk to and something to do. If he went sitting around on his butt then he'd probably drive himself crazy.

    So he'd stay in the palace for now and just keep his head low. Hopefully Zuko would just lose interest eventually.