Vanished

Letter

It's been four months since the wedding, and Sokka and Zuko are practically inseparable. Sokka, being the Firelord's husband, helps Zuko make important decisions (or just answer letters in the throne room). And Zuko always appreciates his husband's help.

On this particular day, the two Lords were sitting in the throne room. Zuko was up on his extravagant throne, as usual (no fire, though, because it reminds him of his father), and Sokka was on his own throne to the left of the Firelord's.

"Lords," Suki of the Kyoshi Warriors addressed. "The royal Hawk Master is here."

"Allow him in." Zuko ordered.

Suki waved to the two Kyoshi Warriors guarding the doors to the throne room. The two women opened them, allowing a scruffy-looking young man to enter.

"My Lords." The Hawk Master bowed. The Hawk Master was a young man of about twenty. He had shaggy black hair and wore baggy clothing. He must have just gotten the message and came down in a hurry because he was still wearing his hawk glove.

"You may rise." The Firelord said to the young Hawk Master.

The Hawk Master cleared his throat. "I have a message for Lord Sokka." He said. "It's from the Southern Water Tribe."

Zuko looked over at Sokka, who looked curious. "Thank you, Hawk Master." Sokka said. "You may be excused."

The Hawk Master bowed once more before handing the letter to Suki and leaving. Suki brought the letter up to Zuko and Sokka.

Sokka studied the scroll. "It has the chief's seal on it," Sokka remarked. "It must be from Katara."

"Well?" Zuko asked. "What's it say?"

Sokka broke the seal and read aloud:

Dear Lord Sokka,
I know this is an odd time to ask for help, seeing as you've just been wed not four months ago, but let me explain. Aang is away on Avatar business, and Dad is visiting the Northern Water Tribe on official business. I don't have anyone down here to help me lead, for the moment. I'll need your help down here in the South while they're away, if you're up to it. If you cannot come, I completely understand. I await your reply.
With love from your sister,
Chief Katara

"That's awesome!" Zuko remarked. "You'll get to see your sister again!"

Sokka furrowed his brows.

"What's wrong?" The Firelord asked, noticing his husband's sudden change in emotion.

"I'm not sure if I should go." Sokka muttered.

"What!?" Zuko exclaimed. "But just the other day, you were saying how much you missed Katara and the Southern Water Tribe! Now you have an excuse to visit them and you're just going to refuse!?"

"Look, Zuko," Sokka said. "I want to go! I just don't wanna leave you here alone. What if something happens? What if-"

"Nothing's going to happen, Sokka." Zuko comforted, resting his hand on Sokka's. "I have the Kyoshi Warriors here to protect me. They're the best warriors in the world. I'll be alright."

"But what if you need help-"

"Uncle is coming in three weeks, remember?" Zuko interrupted. "He can help me with any official business. All you'd have to do is enjoy your time in the Southern Water Tribe with your sister."

"Yeah, I suppose." Sokka sighed.

"But, in the end," Zuko said, resting his hand on Sokka's shoulder. "It's your decision to make, not mine. And I'll respect whatever you choose."

It's midday, and Sokka and Zuko are taking a stroll through the garden. They weave between the trees and flowers, hand in hand, and before long they arrived at the Turtle-Duck pond and sat down to have a picnic lunch.

When they were done with their lunch, Sokka sat cross-legged on the ground and Zuko was laying down with his head in Sokka's lap. They were feeding bread crumbs to the Turtle-Ducks.

Zuko looked up at Sokka. "I love you." The Firelord said.

"I love you, too, Sweetheart." Sokka replied, smiling down at his husband.

Zuko reached his hands up, grabbed Sokka's face between them, and pulled him into a kiss. When they pulled away, Sokka started humming a familiar tune.

Zuko grinned and started singing along. It was a song he knew very well. A song his Uncle taught him long ago.

"Leaves from the vine,
Falling so slow
Like fragile, tiny shells
Drifting in the foam."

Sokka chimed in for the next part.

"Little soldier boy,
Come marching home.
Brave soldier boy,
Comes marching home."

"Ive always loved that song." Sokka said after a few moments of silence.

"Yeah," Zuko agreed. "Me too."

The two men sat there in silence for a little while longer, watching the Turtle-Ducks swim in the pond.

Later that evening, Sokka and Zuko were in their room getting ready for bed.

"I've made my decision." Sokka said while helping Zuko let down his hair. Zuko has started to grow out his hair more, which Sokka adored because it meant he could help with the Firelord's hair. "I'm going to go down to the Southern Water Tribe to see my sister and help out."

"Really?" Zuko replied, excitedly. "That's great!"

"Uh-huh," Sokka agreed. "I sent a messenger hawk to my sister earlier today. I'll have to leave tomorrow morning if I want to arrive in the Southern Water Tribe by next Thursday."

"Why so soon?" Zuko asked.

"Well, Sweetheart," Sokka explained, sitting back down next Zuko, having finished with the Firelord's hair. "The Southern Water Tribe is very far away and I need to be there as soon as possible. Leaving tomorrow morning is my best option. Unless you don't want me to go see my sister?"

Zuko seemed to consider this, but then remembered how much his husband missed his tribe and sister. "Okay, just make sure you're careful."

"Well, who's the worrier now, eh?" Sokka laughed.

Zuko snickered. "Come on," He said. "Let's go to bed. We have to get up early."

hi! me again!

sorry this chapter was kinda short. It had to be that way.

dw tho! there's ~exciting~ stuff coming in the next few chapters!

okay, thanks for reading! bye!