Distractions (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twenty

    "I can't believe I'm saying this but, thanks Zuko." Aang walked over.

    Now things were starting to somewhat align. Zuko was likely telling the truth in the palace before and just sucked at talking to people. He got his crap together now though and convinced Aang and apologized to Toph.

    "I still have to ask everyone else if it's okay," Aang stated and turned to Toph. "Toph, you're the one Zuko burned. What do you say?"

    "Eh let him join," She shrugged before a little grin spread across her face and she started punching her own hand. "It'll give me plenty of time to get back at him for burning my feet."

    "Sokka?" Aang looked up at him.

    Zuko looked pretty concerned about what his answer was going to be as well.

    "Sure." He shrugged, looking at Zuko as Aang turned to Katara.

    He smiled a little bit before looking over to Katara and Aang.

    "Katara?" 

    This answer was not so predictable. Even Sokka wasn't completely sure what she was going to say...

    "I'll go along with whatever you think is right." She grumbled to the airbender.

    "I won't let you down! I promise!" Zuko beamed.

    No one said anything back though. Aang going off with Katara and Toph waiting for Sokka to carry her off as well. Sokka looked from Toph to Zuko and then back again. Kneeling down, he scooped her up into his arms and looked back at Zuko. 

    'I'll be right back' He mouthed to him before going off with Toph.

    When he went back, Zuko hadn't moved. He just stood and waited.

    "Hey." Sokka greeted, looking over his shoulder to make sure they were alone.

    "Hey?" Zuko raised his eyebrow. "That's it?"

    "What do you mean?"

    "What do I-? You didn't say anything to them at all," Zuko huffed. "That whole time I was asking to join you guys you didn't defend me, nothing."

    "Well honestly I wasn't sure either." Sokka crossed his arms.

    "What the hell does that mean?" 

    "The invasion, secret bunker, complete and utter failure? Ring any bells?" 

    "How is that my fault?" Zuko frowned, copying Sokka and also crossing his arms.

    "You didn't tell me!"

    "I didn't know!" 

    "How could you have not known?" Sokka raised his eyebrows.

    "Well, I guess you're not the only one who doesn't completely trust me." 

    Wind whistled past them but other than that they were silent. After a moment, Zuko turned around and started walking away.

    "Where are you going?" Sokka started after him.

    "Back to my camp."

    "Why?" 

    "I have to get my stuff, and also I don't want to be here right now." Zuko grumbled, going up one of the many flights of stairs.

    Sokka stopped at the foot of the stairs and looked up after him. Then he turned the corner and he was gone. He did clearly want to be left alone now... But... 

    "Agh I have to fix this." Sokka grumbled, running up the stairs after him.

_

    Shoving his things into his bag, Zuko muttered to himself. He knew this was what he was supposed to do. Join the avatar and teach him firebending. Restore the world's peace. But he couldn't just bypass the whole... Sokka part. 

    He had a right to be mad about the assassin yes, but he really believed that Zuko would have withheld information like the bunker? He really had that little faith...

    "Zuko." He froze at the voice, his hand hovering over a pair of pants on the ground.

    "I thought I made it clear." Zuko started, turning his head slightly.

    "You did, and I'm sorry for barging in but I need to apologize." Sokka explained.

    "You just did." Zuko grabbed the pants and stuffed them in his bag.

    "About other things!" Sokka threw his hands up. "Would you please turn around?"

    Grumbling, Zuko turned. But he didn't make eye contact.

    "I was wrong," Sokka started, making his way over to the Prince. "I shouldn't have immediately thought that you betrayed me and then I should have tried to ease everyone into letting you join."

    Zuko looked up at him but his expression was still hard.

    "Look, the invasion really hit me hard," Sokka sighed, looking at the floor. "It was my big moment to prove myself and it was a really important one. It was supposed to end the war."

    He paused, scratching the back of his neck.

    "But it failed," He said softly. "I failed. And I took that anger out on you which wasn't fair."

    "No, it wasn't." Zuko agreed, crossing his arms.

    "You don't have to forgive me, I understand that I hurt you and I'll try to do my best to make it up to you." 

    Taking Sokka's hands, Zuko met his eyes and smiled softly. 

    "I was hurt," He started. "But I understand why and I know I haven't been the best person either."

    He cupped Sokka's cheek, stroking his thumb over it. Sokka leaned into his hand, smiling softly at him. 

    "I missed you." He said softly, holding Zuko's wrist and turning to press a kiss into the Prince's palm.

    "Me too."