Chapter Five

After Zuko had dropped that bomb on Sokka, he disappeared. The water tribe boy figured it'd be useless to go after him so he turned around and walked back to his room. Though he felt kind of down from that whole exchange, he was looking forwards to taking off his makeup.

    Before he reached his room, a hand grabbed his arm and he turned to see Suki. She had an unreadable expression.

    "Sokka," She started before he could greet her. "What's going on with you and Zuko?"

    He gave her a questioning look and then decided to avert the question.

    "Why is everyone asking me that now?" He sighed, trying to hide his nervousness.

    "Answer the question Sokka, I see how he looks at you." Suki reasoned, still holding his arm.

    "How he looks at 'Meng' maybe," He pointed at his face with his free hand. "If I was 'Sokka' he'd treat me like how he treats you. As a friend."

    "Maybe, but what about how you look at him then?"

    "I-" He cut himself off, unsure of what to say. "He... He seems comfortable around me and I just want to make sure he's safe."

    Suki looked at Sokka's expression for a bit before letting his arm go with a sigh.

    "If you like him Sokka, and being with him would make you happy, then it's ok. I'm not going to get mad or anything, you can't help how you feel." Suki said softly, giving him a tiny smile before walking away.

    He stood in the hallway of the palace, watching the spot where she'd just stood. Pondering.

_

    The next day, they moved back to Yu Dao and stayed there for a while. Sokka was restless and anxious for the whole day. Who's side was he even on? Aang's? Or Zuko's?

    But there he stood in his Kyoshi warrior outfit the next day, waiting for the war to begin.

    But the war barely even happened. Aang entered the Avatar state and the two nations began to fight. Sokka couldn't handle it and ran down to help. But by the time he'd made it down there, Zuko was falling into a large separation in the earth.

    "Zuko!"

    The Firelord flew back out with a gust of wind, landing on the side. Aang closed the chasm and landed on the solid earth.

    "Enough!" He shouted, coming out of the avatar state.

    The battle stopped and Sokka finally reached Zuko's side, just as he struggled to his feet.

    "Meng, get out of here, it's dangerous." Zuko ordered, casting her a sideways glance.

    "I'm not leaving you!" Sokka shot back, moving to stand beside him.

    "You'll get hurt!" He turned around now to look at Sokka.

    "I can protect myself!" He replied, subconsciously reaching for his boomerang which wasn't on him.

    Zuko's expression got confused for a split second until his attention was drawn to the battle. He put his arm out in front of Sokka and pulled him behind him.

    He prepared to fight again but when he turned back to the army, the earth kingdom soldiers had backed off.

    "...We need to leave Yu Dao at peace." Aang said, looking at the Earth King who was guiltily looking down.

    "Wait...," Zuko breathed. "So I was right? This whole time... The decision I made... Was right?"

    He collapsed on the ground.

    "Zuko!" Katara, Aang and Sokka called in unison.

    The water tribe boy dropped to his knees, flipping Zuko onto his back and pulling him into his arms. The Firelord was completely knocked out, his mouth open and his head hung back. Sokka lifted his head up so that his neck wouldn't hurt when he woke up and so that he could look at his face better.

    Katara and Aang plopped down, Katara bending out some water to heal anything that Zuko might have injured. She didn't question the fact that Sokka was holding the Firelord fairly closely. She also didn't question why he was dressed as a Kyoshi warrior.

    "He needs sleep..." Katara mumbled, moving her water around his head.

    "You think?" Sokka replied, taking an angry tone.

    Katara looked taken aback by his tone. So was he.

    Aang stood guard, making sure no one started fighting again as the earth kingdom army left to return to Ba sing Se. He cast Sokka a questioning look but the water tribe boy didn't notice, his eyes never left Zuko.

    "There's gonna be a mess when you wake up...," Sokka sighed, brushing a lock of hair out of the Firelord's face. "But I'll be here for you."

    "Sokka," Katara piped up, finally drawing Sokka's attention from the passed out person in his arms. "You weren't really at Toph's, were you?"

    His eyes widened in shock but he quickly drew his thoughts together. He opened his mouth to lie but Katara gave him a look. There was no way he'd be able to lie.

    "I was helping Suki out in the Fire Nation. I was dressed as a Kyoshi warrior," He gestured to his outfit with a little smile. "And... I just want to make sure he's ok."

    "You're starting to like him." Katara said, looking to Zuko.

    "Of course I like him, he's my best friend..." Sokka trailed off, feeling unsure of the label he'd just given the guy in his arms.

    "I get it Sokka. You figure this out. We're here for you." Katara smiled, patting Sokka's shoulder.

    "Thanks Katara," Sokka smiled. Zuko stirred and a small groan escaped his throat. "But maybe not right now? He doesn't know it's me."

    She nodded and backed off a bit. Zuko opened his eyes slowly, blinking about before focusing on Sokka.

    "Meng..." He smiled weakly and put his hand on Sokka's.

    "It's ok, I'm here," Sokka whispered, smiling back. "It's over."

    "Meng?" Aang sputtered, before covering his mouth and then laughing.

    "Sweetie! Shush!" Katara hissed, failing to hide her own grin.

    "Aang," Zuko looked over and the Avatar turned around. "I'm sorry..."

    "No, it's fine," Aang reassured, straightening out his expression. "You were right. Yu Dao is fine on it's own."

    "It's over..." Zuko sighed a breath of relief and leaned into Sokka.

    He wrapped his arm around Zuko's back and held him up. The Firelord hugged him back a little.

    "I'm glad you're ok." He said quietly, holding Sokka close.

    "Of course I'm ok, I'm a Kyoshi warrior after all." Sokka chimed, giving him a supportive grin.

    "Right," Zuko pulled away, his gaze still worried or unsure, like he wanted to say something but didn't. He turned to look around the battlefield. "Hey Aang, is Sokka with you?"

    The Avatar faced Zuko, giving him a puzzled look and then glanced at Sokka who signalled for him not to say anything.

    "Uhhh, no... He wasn't feeling well." Aang replied, scratching the back of his neck.

    "Ah, I see," Zuko nodded. "Tell him I said hi and that I hope he's feeling better."

    "Will do!" Aang smiled awkwardly, giving him a thumbs up.

    With that, they returned to the airships, Zuko pulling Sokka onto his with him. They stood in the front, looking across the landscape. Zuko held Sokka's hand lightly, the contact making Sokka blush a bit.

    "When we return, are you going to get some rest?" Sokka asked softly, looking to Zuko.

    "I need to talk with someone first but... That's the plan..." Zuko sighed, keeping his eyes on the world below them.

    "Do you want me to... Stay with you?"

    Zuko flushed red and looked over to Sokka. "Um... S-sure..."

_

    They arrived at the palace about an hour later and Sokka hadn't seen Suki in a while. What she'd said before still bothered him a bit but he managed to ignore it for the time being. Why did it feel like everyone else thought they knew more about his feelings than he did?

    He looked at Zuko who was walking beside him at a leisurely pace. This guy who had been in almost every type of relationship with Sokka. The one who probably wanted to kill him at some point in time. He... Liked him?

    There was an interesting and complex aspect to Zuko's personality. He was constantly clashing between his "good" and "evil" sides. Especially whenever he was experiencing a conflict or tough decision.

    Sokka had known for sure ever since Aang had returned safe and sound from the Sun warrior ruins that Zuko was at least trustworthy. He found out that he was good at heart when he'd helped him rescue his dad and Suki. There was a strong bond between them ever since but was it more than friendship? Did he... Love him?

    Zuko looked over to Sokka who was still staring at him. He suddenly felt awkward but he still gave the Kyoshi warrior a smile.

    "What is it?" He chuckled softly.

    Sokka looked away. "I don't know really..." He mumbled under his breath.

    Despite his conflicted feelings, he still moved a little closer to the Firelord, and failed to notice that he did the same.