Vanished

Departure

    Sokka was studying himself in the mirror when he felt something wrap around his waist.

    "Already miss me, do ya?" Sokka asked his husband.

    "Do you have to go?" Zuko groaned, resting his head on Sokka's shoulder.

    "That's funny. Yesterday, you were encouraging me to go on this trip!" Sokka teased. "Now, my dear, I kindly ask you to please stop hugging me so I can get ready."

    Zuko reluctantly let go of his husband and went to his own wardrobe to get ready. He dressed in his usual Firelord attire: a loose red shirt with golden accents, wine-red pants tucked into black boots with golden accents, and a black and gold shoulder piece. As always, Zuko wore his blue, white, and navy betrothal necklace.

    Sokka was dressed in traditional Water Tribe clothing, much like the outfit he wore when he was adventuring with Aang. He tied his hair up into his Warriors Wolftail and fastened his red, gold, and orange betrothal necklace around his neck. Then, Sokka went to help Zuko with his hair, which had grown down to the Firelord's chin.

    "Who's gonna do my hair while you're away?" Zuko asked.

    "Why don't you ask the servants?" Sokka asked back.

    "The servants are always so rough with it." Zuko answered. "Also, I like feeling your hands running through my hair."

    "I'm sure you'll figure something out." Sokka said, placing the Firelord headpiece into Zuko's topknot. "Now, come on! We need to get some breakfast and then head down to the docks."

    As the two Lords walked down the hallways towards the dining hall, someone small came running toward them.

    "Zuko! Sokka!" A little girl shouted, jumping into Zuko's arms.

    "Hello, Kiyi!" Zuko smiled, lifting up his little sister. "You're up early, aren't you?"

    "She wanted to see Sokka's departure." A woman said.

    "Good morning, Ursa." Sokka gave his mother-in-law a hug.

"Good morning, Sokka." Ursa said, hugging Sokka back.

"Where's Ikem?" Zuko asked, still holding Kiyi.

"He's already down in the dining hall." Ursa answered. "Come along! We need to get there fast! Sokka's boat leaves in an hour!"

They all walked the rest of the way to the dining hall together, and arrived to a breakfast of traditional Southern Water Tribe food.

"This was your idea, wasn't it?" Sokka accused his husband.

Zuko held his hands up in surrender and Sokka gave him a kiss on the cheek.

On the table, there were bowls of sea prunes and eel noodles, platters of fish, and even seal jerky. It wasn't the typical breakfast you'd see in the Fire Nation, but Zuko wanted to make this special for Sokka.

When everyone was done stuffing their faces with Water Tribe food, it was time to head down to the docks.

    They all walked out the big palace doors (Kiyi in Zuko's arms again) and got onto the carriage that would take them down to the docks. Kiyi sat in Zuko's lap and pointed at random things out the window. Sokka smiled at them. He'd miss Kiyi. He'd miss Ursa, who'd been kind to him from the beginning. He'd miss Ikem, who was also very kind to him. He'd miss Suki, who was currently down at the docks, waiting for them. Most of all, he'd miss Zuko. His husband. His best friend. Sokka had been by Zuko's side for so long. He was going to miss him a lot. Sokka knew he'd only be gone for a few months, but he'd still miss Zuko.