Distractions (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Seventeen

    When Sokka reached the rendezvous spot, he was not expecting to be completely squashed by multiple people and creatures. Aang was the first to reach him, shouting a very loud "SOKKA!" and promptly crashing him into the ground. Katara was next, her face soft with relief as she followed Aang's lead and jumped on top of her brother. Momo was next and then finally, and most crushingly, Appa.

    Toph stood a few feet away, a smile gracing her otherwise blank face. Once Sokka had inspected himself and made sure he was all in one piece, the earthbender gave him a hard punch in the arm.

    "Glad to see you alive and kicking." She said, placing her hands on her hips.

    "You guys too," Sokka smiled at her and then looked back at the others who were still super close to him. "What?"

    "So?" Katara started but was interrupted by Aang.

    "Did you find anything ground breaking out about the fire nation?"

    "Ah," Sokka deflated slightly, smiling sheepishly. "Well..."

_

    Zuko was nervous. He knew he was making the right decision. Nothing had felt more right since the things he said in that war meeting all those years ago when he'd been banished. He was deciding on what he'd need in order to survive with his Uncle. But he couldn't really decide on what to bring and what to leave behind.

    Then there was his Uncle. He hadn't spoken to him since he learned about Avatar Roku being his great grandfather... He still hadn't apologized. He still hadn't faced whatever punishment Iroh would deem necessary for his redemption. But that could wait until the eclipse.

    He decided that maybe he should write a letter for Mai... After all, she had to know about the arranged marriage too, right? Nonetheless, he'd leave her some form of closure since they hadn't talked to one another since the beach. 

    Taking out a scroll of paper and a brush, Zuko took a deep breath.

Dear Mai,

    I know you might have mixed feelings about receiving a letter from me after what happened on Ember Island. But I figured I should clear things up.

    You and I have been friends for a long time, and I think we probably should have stayed that way. Things were so strange between us as a couple and I now know why. Reasons I can't really disclose here- sorry. But I respect you as a person so I figured this would be enough.

    I have to make things right. Hopefully by then we can be friends again. But if not, I hope you'll be happy. I'll see you when it's over.

Zuko

_

    After spending many months sleeping in a bag on the ground, Sokka figured that it wouldn't be too hard getting used to again. But dammit, those Fire Nation beds were comfortable. The beds weren't the only thing he missed and he just hoped he was hiding it well enough. The group wasn't to perceptive of it as they were up to their usual shenanigans. But he sensed Toph was off and he knew she could probably feel something with her seismic sense but wasn't saying anything. Which he was extremely grateful for.

Thankfully they weren't too disappointed about his "lack of information" and the general consensus was that they were just glad that Sokka was okay and that he tried. If only they knew. Every time he'd look at Katara he felt like he'd betrayed her. And every time he looked at Aang he felt the same. So he mostly looked at Toph who eventually pulled him aside when Aang and Katara went to do their yoga in the hot springs room.

"What's going on?" She demanded once they had settled behind a tree.

"What do you mean?" Sokka smiled sheepishly, he knew he wouldn't get out of this but there was no shame in trying, right?

"You're acting weird. Ever since you came back from the palace," Toph stated firmly, crossing her arms. "What aren't you telling us?"

Sokka sighed, looking around again to make sure Aang and Katara were still gone.

"When... when I was at the palace," He scratched the back of his neck. Was she going to chuck a rock at him when he told her? "I um... I saw Zuko..."

"Well, yeah. He's the Prince?" Toph frowned. "Why wouldn't he be there?"

"That's not all," He sighed, looking at the ground. "Just... This is hard to say so give me a second please."

Toph nodded.

"In the palace, I met Zuko and we um... We got to know each other pretty well and," Sokka fiddled with his hands, watching Toph's expression, wondering what sentence would set her off. "We kind of... ended up... I kind of... like, like like him now? And... he... he like likes me back..."

"So what you're telling me is that you started dating our enemy?" Toph's eyes were wide, her emotions still unclear.

"Well we never really made it official...?"

Suddenly Toph broke out laughing. She bent over her knees, laughing so hard that she almost fell over.

"Oh my gosh," She managed out between breaths and then she took a moment to catch it. "Only you Sokka, only you."

"You're not angry?" He frowned, still expecting a rock to the gut at any moment.

"Well first off, that would be hypocritical since I'm friends with his Uncle," Toph shrugged. "I can't really say anything about befriending the enemy, and if what his Uncle says is true then Zuko isn't a bad person. Just confused."

"When the heck did you have such a long detailed conversation with Zuko's Uncle?"

"Eh, long story," She shrugged. "But don't worry, I'll keep your secret. I'm sure you know this as well as I do, but be careful telling Katara."

"Yeah, I'm already thinking about what I'll be putting on my will."

"Can I have your boomerang?"