Distractions (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Six

    Zuko was really good with swords. Sokka had come to that realization as soon as he'd seen Zuko holding one. He'd seemed relatively awkward around him but all of that disappeared when he held his sword. As they started to spar together, Sokka began wondering why the Prince even bothered firebending. He was already so good at fighting, and he was incredibly strong. But to be fair, bending was really cool so there wasn't any point in asking why people would do it.

    He'd mostly gotten over his inferiority complex when it came to bending. Katara and Aang and Toph were amazing of course but they didn't know how to wield a sword or club. But now he was faced with a man his age who was incredible at both. After being knocked to the floor for the fourth time in one day, Sokka had to start reminding himself that he was still better at one thing.

     Boomerang.

     "Let's take a break." Sokka huffed, not moving to get up after being knocked down again. 

    Zuko tried to hand him back his sword but Sokka waved him away. Feeling a little awkward, Zuko sat down next to him.

    "You're pretty good." Zuko mumbled awkwardly.

    "Don't patronize me." Sokka huffed, leaning back on his elbows.

     "No you really are," Zuko insisted, looking at him. "You pick things up really quickly, it's amazing."

    "Sure." Sokka pursed his lips, his cheeks getting a little warmer.

    "No one is perfect at things immediately," Zuko continued, shifting so he was facing Sokka fully. "When I started training with the sword I was terrible at it."

    Sokka looked over, eyebrow arched. He looked Zuko up and down quickly before turning away again. He really looked different in Fire Nation regalia. Sure he'd always been wearing Fire Nation clothing, but the royal robes suited him astoundingly well.

    "Even firebending," He mumbled, looking down at his hands. "I've never had anything come easy to me."

    This time Sokka actually kept his eyes on the Prince. Somehow his tone made him curious. What had his life been like to give him that expression? 

    "So I'm... kind of jealous of you actually..." The confession was so soft and the smile Zuko gave Sokka looked so sad.

    "Me?" Sokka echoed. "That's insane! You're incredibly good at this and you're really- I mean- I bet you're a really skilled firebender too!"

    "Not as good as my sister..." Zuko scoffed.

    Sympathy filled Sokka's body and he felt an urge to comfort the guy in front of him. Who would have thought they were so similar?

    "I get it," He said softly, sighing a bit. "I can't bend myself but I've been surrounded by some amazing benders, my sister being one of them. And it's just... I want to be useful..."

    Zuko was looking at him now. His eyes understanding.

    "Yeah." Was all he could say.

_

    When Sokka invited him to practise, Zuko hadn't really known what to expect. He seemed to get more and more tense and upset as their spars continued. To the point where Zuko considered throwing a match to make him feel a bit better. But he knew if the roles were reversed then he'd only feel insulted. So he hadn't.

    Instead he'd had a conversation he never really had with anyone. Not even with Iroh. Sure his feelings towards Azula were known but he'd never actually had a talk with Iroh about them in depth. Some part of him didn't want to in a way. It was weird talking about family with family in a negative light. And it was a weakness to be vulnerable. But something about Sokka made him feel like he could be.

    It made practise something he looked forward to. He'd finish up whatever royal duties he had before running off to the training hall. Not really noticing how his actions were being watched by those he'd been neglecting.

_

    "So where did you train?" Sokka asked suddenly during one of their spars.

    "Pian Dao," Zuko responded promptly, deflecting a swing. "I started when I was 9."

    "You were pretty young," Sokka raised his eyebrows. "I didn't really learn how to fight properly until just last year..."

    "How so?" Zuko cocked his head to the side in confusion.

    "With a sword I mean," Sokka covered up quickly. "I was mostly prominent in hand to hand combat and spears and such."

    "I see." Zuko nodded, buying it.

    "But you learned from Pian Dao? So did I," Sokka smiled at the memory of his master. "How long did you train for?"

    "Up until my banishment." 

    Pursing his lips, Sokka wasn't sure how to respond to that so he just continued to parry the Prince's attacks after a small nod. Before he was very vocal and abrasive so this calmer... meeker Zuko wasn't one he was used to. Funny what regaining one's honor could do. A little smile graced his lips at the thought.

    "You're getting better." Zuko said after knocking him to the ground again.

    "You say that every day." 

    "Sorry." Zuko looked away.

    "It's okay, I guess it's better than you telling me I suck." Sokka stood up, brushing himself off.

    Unexpectedly, Zuko started laughing at that. He covered his mouth and turned away but he was definitely laughing. Somehow the sound was nice. Sokka kind of felt honored having been the one to make him laugh. 

    "I appreciate it," Zuko said once he'd stopped laughing, a smile still on his face. "Should we call it a day?"

    "You got places to be?" 

    "I have a meeting in an hour."

    "I could go one more time." Sokka shrugged, lifting up his sword.

    The gesture was returned with a competitive smile and Zuko's sword being held up to his.