Chapter Seventeen
Aang and Kiyi laughed excitedly as they rode the dolphin fish. Katara watched them contentedly from aboard the ship. Sokka leaned against the railing and sharpened his boomerang. It was a beautiful morning, the sky was clear and the air was crisp and warm.
Zuko walked up onto the deck, he was back to wearing his Firelord robes, flowing gently in the wind. Ursa walked up to stand beside him, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
Sokka perked up and shot his boyfriend a smile. Zuko returned the gesture as he walked over to stand next to him.
"Where's Ikem?" Sokka asked.
"Below deck, having a conversation with one of the guards." Zuko replied, leaning against the ledge of the ship.
"Cool," He paused, glancing at Ursa who was looking up at the sky. "How are things with your mom?"
"Good, I think. There's still a lot I have to fill her in on... We're both worried about Azula. But there was no sign of her." Zuko sighed.
"She'll be ok." Sokka put a hand on Zuko's shoulder reassuringly.
Zuko smiled softly before returning his gaze to the ocean where Kiyi and Aang were still riding dolphin fish.
"Kiyi!" Ursa's voice got everyone's attention.
She ran to the side and called for her daughter to come back on deck. Her eyes were frantic.
"Mom!" Zuko called, patting her back.
"I'm so sorry!" Aang said as he landed on deck with Kiyi. "I promise they wouldn't have hurt her, dolphin fish are the kindest animals... And the friendliest."
Ursa hugged her daughter who was against the contact. She pulled herself away from Ursa and ran to hide behind Zuko.
"Don't touch me!" Kiyi shouted.
"I'm sorry Avatar, I shouldn't have reacted that way," Ursa turned to Aang, obviously hurt by her daughter's reaction to her. "I know she's safe with you..."
"It's ok mom." Zuko said softly, rubbing her back.
Ursa returned below deck and a guard escorted Kiyi down as well. Aang and Katara walked off to a different part of the ship to attend to Appa.
"Have you told them yet?" Zuko asked softly, gesturing to the duo.
"No, not yet... But I think Katara knows..." Sokka muttered.
"I figured, she was giving me weird looks." Zuko chuckled.
"Whatever, if she's allowed to be oogy with Aang," He turned to wrap his arms around Zuko. "I'm allowed to be oogy with you."
They shared a light kiss before pulling away gently, Zuko had an amused look to his expression as he looked at Sokka.
"Oogy?" He asked.
"Whenever they get all lovey dovey... It's... Oogy." Sokka explained.
"I see." Zuko smirked.
"What?"
"Nothing," Zuko shook his head and then pecked Sokka on the forehead. "You're just cute."
With that, Zuko returned to below deck, leaving behind a fairly flustered Sokka.
_
"Alright," Katara stated when Sokka joined them by Appa. "Sokka you have some explaining to do."
"He does?" Aang raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, you're right," Sokka nodded. "Zuko and I are together."
"Romantically?!" Aang's eyes widened.
"Yeah." Sokka nodded.
"Wow! I mean... I had no idea!" Aang smiled. "I'm happy for you Sokka!"
"Thanks buddy," Sokka smiled, he turned to his sister. "You don't seem all too surprised."
"You didn't hide it very well," She raised her eyebrows. "Plus I saw you kiss over there, so."
"Wait," Aang butted in. "What about Suki?"
"Oh... Well... She said that she wanted me to be happy so... We broke up." Sokka mumbled.
"But you guys are still on good terms, right?" Katara jutted in.
"Yeah! I mean, things are a little awkward, but we're still friends." Sokka responded with a nod.
"That's good... I like Suki." Katara smiled.
_
The sky was cloudy that night, Sokka stood on the deck of the ship, looking out across the dark ocean. Being in the middle of the ocean without any land in sight was something he'd grown used to. In a way, it was scary, but for him it was peaceful. Just the sound of the waves and the whisper of the salty breeze... He felt at home.
His mind flitted to memories of the South. It had been so long since he'd been home... Almost 2 years now. How had things changed? He sighed, watching the faint puff of breath dissipate into the night sky.
"It's kind of cold tonight..." A voice noted from behind him.
He turned to see Zuko walking over to stand beside him. He draped a mahogany blanket over his shoulders and wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Yeah... Thank you..." Sokka smiled, leaning into his side.
Zuko was like a human heater and Sokka hadn't realized how cold he actually was.
"So how did they take it?" Zuko asked softly.
"Aang was immediately supportive. Katara already knew..." Sokka replied, chuckling.
"Called it." Zuko smirked, rubbing Sokka's side a bit.
They stood in silence for a while, just watching the waves roll by. Sokka started to think for a minute... When would he be able to see Zuko again anyways? Was their relationship going to be like his and Suki's? What about their respective Nations?
How was the Fire Nation going to react to their Firelord being in a relationship with another guy?
"Hey you two." Katara walked over, interrupting his thoughts.
"Good evening, Katara." Zuko smiled.
"What's up?" Sokka asked.
"We're gonna get going in a few minutes." She replied, clasping her hands behind her back.
"You're leaving tonight?" Zuko looked to Sokka.
"We are?" Sokka glanced from Zuko to Katara.
"Yes, I figured we should probably let Zuko have some alone time with his mom." Katara nodded.
"It's no bother, honestly," Zuko held up a hand in defense. "I like having you guys around."
He pulled Sokka a little closer, moving his hand to rest lower on the water tribe boy's waist. Sokka shivered a little, pressing against Zuko again.
"Thank you, Zuko, but we really need to get going now." Katara smiled a little, nodding to her brother.
Sokka stood up straight and looked to Zuko who had a sad look on his face. He reached down to grab Zuko's clenched fist and gave it a reassuring squeeze. It quickly uncurled and held Sokka's hand. He looked back at Zuko again, unaware that he'd moved closer again.
With a quick movement, he was kissing him. Neither of them could ever imagine getting tired of each other. But it was almost too early for them to be separating now. At least, they really didn't want to.
Pulling apart, Sokka immediately started feeling cold again. The familiar dread of goodbye.
Giving Zuko one last hug, he kissed his cheek before turning to climb up on Appa.
"I'll visit as soon as possible." Sokka smiled, waving to him.
"Yeah... Say hi to my uncle for me." Zuko nodded, returning the gesture.
"Will do, Zuko," Aang gave him a thumbs up. "Alright, Appa! Yip Yip!"
_
Zuko watched the bison fly away, keeping his eyes on Sokka's for as long as he could see them. When the bison disappeared, he turned away to go back below deck. Feeling cold.
His mother walked out to meet him, she had a curious look on her face.
"So, what's up with you and that water tribe boy?" She asked teasingly.
"Mom!" Zuko flushed. "His name's Sokka... And... You're ok with it?"
"Of course honey," Ursa patted his shoulder. "I'll love you no matter what."
Giving her a grateful smile, they returned below deck. Zuko sighed, if only he was certain that his Nation would feel the same...