Distractions (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Nine

    "You're going away?" Sokka put his sword down, leaving their match at a draw.

    "Yeah, my father doesn't want me or my sister around for this big meeting he's going to have." Zuko sighed, putting his down as well.

    "But you're the crown prince, shouldn't you be included?" Sokka frowned.

    "Yeah try telling that to him," Zuko huffed. "But yeah, I'll be gone for the next two days."

    Sokka nodded, thinking. 

    "You know I've never actually seen the war room." 

_

    It was a lot more grand than other rooms in the palace but it wasn't as astounding as Sokka thought it would be. The giant map in the center of the table was pretty impressive but the rest of it was just kind of a room. 

    There were three entrances, the main one which they had gone through- and the other two which stood on opposing sides behind the Firelord's chair. So if Sokka were to sneak in, he'd either have to figure out where those went or he'd need to sneak in and hide before the meeting started. But he had no idea what time the meeting was at and the risk of possibly running into the Firelord through those doors was not one he was willing to entertain.

    A few minutes in, he realized that Zuko hadn't spoken in a while. That wouldn't have been odd if they'd been here a week ago but with time, Zuko had gotten more talkative with him. Looking over at the Prince, he immediately noticed how pale Zuko had gotten. His eyes shifted around the room and he had his arms crossed tightly across his chest.

    "Hey are you okay?" Sokka walked over, putting a hand up to hover over his shoulder.

    He still wasn't sure where Zuko stood with physical contact.

    "I'm..." Zuko looked away. "I don't like..."

    "Okay, let's go." Sokka lightly ushered him out, hesitantly placing his hand on the Prince's shoulder.

    Once they were out of the room and a few hallways away, Zuko started to relax.

    "Do you want to go spar? Or maybe get something to eat?" Sokka offered, his hands still placed on the Prince's shoulders.

    "We... Can we just go sit outside for a bit?" 

    "Sure." Sokka nodded and let Zuko leave his grasp to lead them away. 

    They walked out into the gardens and Zuko settled by the pond. Almost immediately, little turtle-ducks swam up to him. His face softened and he leaned forwards just a bit to watch them.

    "Aw! They're so cute!" Sokka cooed, plopping down next to Zuko.

    He looked over, smiling at the expression Sokka was making. Sokka's eyes never left the ducks and they swam around in a little circle, clucking and quacking.

    The tension in his muscles slowly relaxed and he felt himself sink into his weight. 

    "Have you ever been to Ember Island?" Zuko asked after they'd been sitting for a while.

    "Nope!" Sokka chirped, reaching over to give a duck a little pat.

    "Really?" Zuko watched the exchange, eyeing the turtle-duckling's mother as Sokka pet her baby.

    "I'm not really sure where it is honestly..." Sokka looked over, ceasing his petting.

    Before Zuko could respond, the turtle-duck's mom has swam over and bit Sokka's finger.

    "Ah!" He yanked his hand back, looking at the mother. "What was that for?"

    His betrayal was forgotten though as the exchange had made Zuko laugh again. He was grateful for that. Things had felt off since the war room and now they felt a bit better.

    "I've been bit before," Zuko chuckled, reaching out and getting the injured hand from Sokka placed in his. " It looks okay, she didn't break skin."

    "Still hurts though..." 

    "Well that's a given," Zuko's smile broadened. "But you'll live."

    "Wow, is that all the consolation you'll give me?" Sokka raised his eyebrows, emphasizing his joking tone.

     Despite that, Zuko stared at him for a second before looking back at his hand. He pulled it close to his face and when Sokka didn't pull it away, he gave the wound a little peck. Looking up again, his expression dropped at the sight of Sokka's.

    "Sorry!" He uttered, pulling his hands away.

    Processing what had just happened, Sokka blinked blankly for a second before flushing red and laughing. Zuko relaxed at the reaction's development.

    "It's fine I just..." He took a breath, still laughing. "I wasn't expecting that."

    "It was  instinct! My mom used to do it for me so- I thought that's-!" Zuko insisted, trying to get Sokka to look at him but he was too busy laughing. "Stop laughing!"

    "I can't!" Sokka clenched his stomach, leaning back.

    Giving up, Zuko just sighed and let the other boy tucker himself out. A little smile breaking across his face. For once he didn't feel the gnarled mess of negativity within him. For once he felt warm and content. Was this what... Having a friend felt like?

    Whatever it was, it was nice.