Distractions (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Four

    It didn't feel right. Something told Zuko that he hadn't seen that guard at Ba Sing Se. There was already so much in his mind and now it had to come up with something else to stress about. This one was less infuriating and less... complicated so he let himself dwell on it despite it not resulting in any epiphanies.

    Due to this, Zuko found himself seeking out the guard and going to the training room to watch him. His hypothesis had come true as he saw Sokka's progress come to a halt. He had pretty much perfected his forms and now had nowhere to go. Without an opponent, without a teacher, he was stuck. And he seemed to know it as he eventually put his sword down out of nowhere and huffed angrily into the air.

    Without warning, Sokka suddenly beelined for the door and slid it open aggressively. His eyes were immediately locked with Zuko's and the Prince just stood there, unsure of what to do.

    "Good afternoon your highness," Sokka grumbled, unfazed by his presence. "Pardon me."

    After a quick and concise bow, Sokka turned and made his way down the hallway. Zuko watched him, eyes wide. He stumbled halfway down the hallway, regained his balance and kept going. Standing up straight at this, Zuko watched him curiously. It wasn't another moment before he stumbled again and crashed into the wall. Zuko hadn't even realized that he was running over until he was already beside him.

    His body was crumpled on the floor, eyes closed. Zuko quickly checked his breathing and pulse- actions which were quickly proven unnecessary as he started to snore. Looking around and determining that there wasn't anyone nearby, Zuko scooped him up and carried him back to the practise room. He placed Sokka down and took off his own overcoat to bunch up and put under his head. Deciding that would do for now, he looked out into the hallway again before rushing towards his bedchambers. 

    Why am I doing this? 

    He grabbed a light blanket and a better pillow before heading back out. Once again checking every hallway for people. When he returned to the practise room, there was another person already there.

    "Hey, wake up!" Another guard knelt beside Sokka, nudging him. "Come on man you said you'd take my shift!"

    "Hey." Zuko frowned, suddenly very annoyed. 

    The guard looked over nonchalantly but stood up incredibly fast once he realized who was there.

    "P-Prince Zuko!" He bowed, holding it. "H-how can I help you sir?"

    "Leave him alone. That's how." 

    "Of course! Your highness." He stood back up straight.

    As the guard started to leave, Zuko turned to watch him go.

    "And tell everyone else that if they don't want to work here so badly that they should tend their resignation." He stated sternly, his frown deepening.

    "That's-!" He stopped, seeing Zuko's glare. "Yes sir!"

    Closing the door, Zuko slid the lock in place. That was a mechanism he never really understood but ended up being grateful for now. He walked over to Sokka who was still sleeping soundly and put the blanket over him. Carefully holding his head up in place, Zuko switched out the overcoat with the pillow and slid the bundle of cloth over to where Sokka's sword was laying. As Sokka slept, Zuko studied his face up close. 

    Still nothing. So he turned his attention to the sword. Looking at it up close, he made note of the intricate details and smooth finishes. The metal it was made of was strange though. He wasn't quite sure what it was exactly. It was a beautiful sword. He turned it over and a small marking just below the hilt caught his eye. 

    "Pian Dao." He mumbled to himself, brushing his thumb over the symbol.

    When did this guy train with Pian Dao? He looked at Sokka again who had turned his head away just a little but other than that he hadn't moved. He must have shown some sort of promise to train with the great swords master... 

    Zuko put the sword back and stood up. He made his way over to the door and looked back once more at Sokka. Maybe he should stick around just in case another guard came to wake him up... But he could always lock the door behind him...

    Flicking the lamp switch, they were extinguished. The only light now was from the setting sun's glow permeating the west wall. It graced the room with it's orange light and Zuko took the soothing view in before leaving the room.

_

    When Sokka woke up he was confused. It was dark but he could still see. Pale light shining from his left. He slid out from under the blanket over him, not yet questioning where it came from. The palace was still. Not a soul in sight.

    Instead of going back through the inner hall, Sokka went out the side door. He technically wasn't supposed to be in the Royal gardens but it was night time so he was probably fine. The night air was cool as it brushed his face. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation and then looked up at the moon. It was almost full, gleaming beautifully in the sky. It was circled with faint, wispy, silver clouds. He smiled faintly before sitting on the steps out to the garden.

    "Hi Yue." 

_

    Sokka wasn't really sure how long he'd slept for but he knew it was a while and it had taken up at least two of the shifts he'd promised he'd take. He also wasn't sure how he ended up back in the training room under a blanket and pillow as the last thing he remembered was walking out and away from Zuko. 

    Oh.

    Zuko.

    His eyes landed on the bundle next to his sword. It was Zuko's overcoat. Why had he taken it off? And why did he leave it? 

    That's not really what I should be concerned about. Sokka shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. Why did Zuko bring him back here to sleep? There's no one else it could have been...

    Coming to no conclusions that made sense, Sokka gathered up his things and the items left by Zuko. At least he knew one thing that was reassuring. There was no way Zuko knew who he was. Maybe his lie really had worked... 

    Hopefully it would work a little longer.