Distractions (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twenty-Seven

    In a flash, Azula and Ty Lee were upon them. Zuko, Sokka and Suki quickly climbed to the top of the gondola and prepared to face them. Ty Lee got there first, going for Suki as she was closest. Neither Zuko nor Sokka had any time to concern themselves with that however as a blue fireball barely missed them both as Azula landed in front of them.

    They both fought against Azula, Zuko thwarted her firebending attacks while Sokka closed in with his sword whenever he needed a break or if Azula could possibly be caught off guard (which she unfortunately never was). The gondola jerked to a stop and all eyes turned to the platform where a crowd of guards were trying to get it to come back. Sokka blocked another attack from Azula, barely catching it as he was preoccupied.

    "Cut the line!" The warden's voice shouted from below them.

    The shortly resumed battle was once again paused as Azula looked to Ty Lee and then back behind them. The guards had brought out a hefty saw and had begun working away at the lines.

    "They're cutting the line!" Ty Lee exclaimed, looking to Azula for guidance.

    "Then it's time to leave." Azula smirked at Zuko before shooting off to land on the opposing gondola that was making it's way down. "So long, brother."

    Sokka looked to Zuko, his eyes wide. "What the hell do we do now?!" He looked around frantically.

    "I-" Zuko tried to speak but he had no idea what to say. 

    He wracked his brain for any ideas on what to do but couldn't come up with anything. The gondola lurched again and they met eyes again.

    "Are we..." Sokka didn't want to finish the sentence.

     Then the gondola was moving again. And they both turned back to look. On the platform, Mai was kicking the shit out of all the guards.

    "Who is that?" 

    "It's Mai..." Zuko responded, equally confused.

    They exchanged a confused look but nothing could be said as the gondola reached the top. The trio swung back down into the gondola and followed Chit Seng off, Hakoda tossed the warden to the floor and mocked him about his record before following them.

    "Okay now what?" Hakoda asked.

    "My sister was there." Zuko said curiously.

    "Yeah, and she's probably right behind us so let's go!" Sokka exclaimed, beckoning them to follow him.

    "No, I mean- she must have gotten there somehow," Zuko clarified and then looked around. "There."

     The group followed his point to a big airship settled at the port. Sokka gave him a pat on the shoulder and they all raced down to reach it.

_

    After teaching his dad how to fly the airship, Sokka went to take some rest. Taking a hot bath and relaxing his muscles before changing out of the old guard uniform and into some other clothes on the ship. He picked out a random room with a bed and then settled down. Feeling relaxed for the first time in a week.

    A little while later- after a short nap- he made his way back to the piloting deck. 

    "Sokka." Zuko called after him, popping out of nowhere.

    Jumping a little, Sokka relaxed at seeing the Prince and gave him a smile.

    "You disappeared there for a bit." Zuko commented.

    "All that planning and fighting and living in a prison made me kinda tired." Sokka grinned.

    "Right." 

    "I see you took advantage of the amenities." Sokka gestured to Zuko's outfit.

    "Yeah, the prison bathrooms are uh..." Zuko grimaced.

     "I can imagine."

    Sokka glanced casually about them before slinking an arm around Zuko's waist. The Prince was quick to hug him back, burying his face in Sokka's shoulder.

    "I was really worried," Sokka sighed after a while. "They didn't hurt you or anything- did they?"

    "No... Just the regular roughing up that a prisoner usually gets..." Zuko sighed, keeping his face pressed into Sokka's shoulder.

    "You're okay though?" 

    "I'm fine," Zuko assured him. "I've been through worse."

    "Okay." Sokka squeezed him tighter, breathing in the smell of his soap.

    It was strange. They smelled the same but somehow the scent off of Zuko's skin was sweeter. 

    "Can I ask you something?" Sokka asked softly.

    He wasn't really sure why he'd come to the conclusion just then... but it was better then in the silence of the brig than out in their little camp where anyone could overhear them.

    "Sure?" Zuko pulled back a bit to look at him.

    "Do you... want to be my boyfriend?"

    A smile broke across Zuko's face.

    "Took you long enough." 

    "What!" Sokka grinned. "You could have asked!"

    "Yeah but you could have earlier." Zuko teased.

    "Oh shut it." Sokka rolled his eyes. "Is that a yes or what?"

    "It's a yes." 

    Smiling, Sokka leaned in. But Zuko just pecked his nose and then tore out of his arms to race down the hallway.

    "Hey!" He called after him. "Give me a real kiss!"

    All he got in response was an echo of laughter from up the hallway. Huffing out in amusement, Sokka took off after his boyfriend and felt a huge grin spread across his face.

    His boyfriend.

___

    The prison cell was darker now that she was trapped in it. The cobwebs in the corners of the room were old and dusty. Blowing every now and then with another hot and dry gust of wind from outside.

    Mai hugged her knees to her chest and stared at the floor. Her mind played out what had happened over and over again. Her betraying Azula... Ty Lee betraying Azula... She clenched the fabric of her dress in her fist. Was Ty Lee okay? She hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her after everything that happened. She had no assurance that Ty Lee would have sided with her. She was just so terrified of Azula... But then again- Mai had been as well.

    But what was she supposed to do? Let Zuko be recaptured? He was the only hope for a better future for the Fire Nation. For her and Ty Lee. For people like them. For everyone.

    Tomorrow she'd be moved to another prison- one where her uncle had no jurisdiction and neither did her father... Hopefully she wouldn't be locked up forever.

    Hopefully the avatar would defeat the Firelord.