I was supposed to be sleeping but I couldn't stop thinking about them.
Zuko swayed at the doorway of Sokka's room. Even though it was the Firelord's palace, he'd never disrespect his friend by just... entering.
A quick knock on the frame of the open door and Sokka's head popped up from the pillow.
Sokka blinked, confused by Zuko's vulnerable demeanor.
"Well no need for formalities. Come on in."
Zuko stood awkwardly hesitant.
"Something on your mind?" Sokka tried not to let his worry for his friend show, "Well! Come sit, Wang Fire is always available for the Firelord!" He said, putting on his silliest voice.
"I was hoping to just talk to, maybe, just you?" Zuko blushed but looked away before it was too obvious.
Sokka's voice softened, "Of course, I'm sorry. Close the door and come sit, please." Being so sincere was making Sokka want to crack any cheesy joke he could think up, but he refrained. He could tell there was something eating at him.
Zuko sat, delicately, as if not to offend the bed. Sokka bounced himself up and scooted closer.
"Sokka have you ever had conflicted feelings? About people?"
"Are we talking 'people' in general or a person?"
"Because we all know you're not too good with People people so it's natural to be conflicted about that!"
Again, Zuko didn't say a word, just bit his lip, wondering if this was a good idea to begin with. Sokka realized the hurt he was feeling and decided this needed real attention.
"This is about Mai leaving, isn't it?"
"...nnnot exactly. I mean I love her for sure but I understand her a lot better now and I think she really is going to be happy and that makes me happy but also a little guilty because..." he looked Sokka in the eyes, confusion was all over his face. But then he thought, that wasn't much different from how Sokka usually looked, and that made him smile slightly, which did not go unnoticed. "You're stumbling over your words, hot head. Calm down, you can say anything to me." He put a hand on Zuko's shoulder.
"Guilty because?" Sokka pressed.
"Is it wrong that I feel like, now, there's an opportunity?"
"An opportunity with someone else you mean?"
"There's nothing wrong with that. A handsome Firelord like you? You could have anyone in the world! What is it they say about one door closing? I think you should go for it. All it shows, to me least, is that you have a heart ready for love and that's a great thing!"
Sokka's stupid optimistic grin made Zuko blush again, this time it was much more difficult to hide.
"So what?" Zuko mumbled, still blushing.
"So who is she?! Who's the lucky girl?"
"Yeahhh that's the other thing."
Zuko stood up, breaking Sokka's hand from his shoulder, and paced.
"Well the other question i had. It was... well I was just wondering, but it's stupid never mind." He walked quickly towards the door but Sokka jumped up from the bed and caught Zuko's hand as it reached for the handle.
"Zuko stop." His tone was calm and caring, trying to ease the situation. "I know you get frustrated when you flustered, but whatever the 'other thing' is, it's clearly what's really bothering you. So why don't you tell me why you're really here."
Zuko looked at their hands touching, Sokka's long, tan fingers grasping the edge of his, leading him tenderly back to the bed to sit again.
After a long pause, and a little bravery Zuko asked "Have you ever kissed... anyone besides Suki?"
Sokka's expression became more serious as he gazed out the window at the moonlight. "Yue." He said quietly.
"Oh, of course." Zuko suddenly felt bad for his question, almost insignificant.
"But that's not what you meant."
"I guess not. What I meant was, have you ever kissed another..."
"Yeah." Zuko sounded ashamed.
"All the boys in my tribe were older than me, they left or were captured before I even turned 12."
It was an unsatisfying answer for Zuko but he was prepared for that. He wasn't prepared for what Sokka had to say next:
"But there was one boy, Hannan. He was a few years older than me but even back then I knew he was gorgeous. I always dreamed of seeing him again, and I now realize that wasn't a wholly innocent desire." Sokka smirked and nudged Zuko a bit, which made him relax a little more. They stayed silent, enjoying the moment until Sokka broke.
"Why are you asking me this?"
"I guess I'm just now realizing... it could be a thing? I never considered it, i mean i did once, well not for a long time..."
"You're stumbling again hot head."
Zuko closed his eyes. His head hung down, Sokka wondered what could be so shameful. Suddenly he realized what needed to be said. He put his hand back on Zuko's shoulder.
"Have You ever kissed a boy?"
Zuko sniffed a little, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Will you tell me about it?"
"It was so long ago, before I was ever crowned price. I went to a noblemen's school near the palace.
There was a boy there, Kozik. We were best friends, my first real friend. Zuko and Kozik. We were inseparable! One year, during the fire flower festival, he brought me to a secluded part of the school garden. The fire flowers, you're supposed to give them to people you love. Not just like, your mom, but someone you Really Love. He took me to a cherrypeach tree behind a wall and he gave me the flower. I was so stunned, but overjoyed! Then he kissed me. We were kids, it was just a little peck, but it was my first kiss. I was so excited I told my father everything when I got home. I asked for a fire flower to give Kozik. My father was furious. He forbade me from giving him a fire flower but I didn't care. I found one and I brought it for Kozik the next day. But he wasn't there. I never saw him again, but I heard he was sent to a reform school in the west. The next year my father took me out of school to begin training with private tutors. I doubt Kozik would even remember me by now."
"So is he the one... the opportunity i mean?"
Zuko sat up straight, "What! No! I wouldn't even know where to start looking for him! Besides, we could be completely different people by now with completely different interests. I was just saying... it's not weird is it?"
Sokka tightened his grip on Zuko's shoulder, partially for comfort, partly so he wouldn't try to leave again.
"It's not weird at all. Love is amazing and meant to be shared. I really believe that. And I think I finally realized why you came here tonight."
Zuko tensed up, seeing Sokka with his hair down was enough to make anyone swoon, but in the light between the curtains he looked so sincere, it made Zuko weak.
"You said a handsome firelord like me could have anyone in the world right?" He leaned closer to Sokka.
"I did, I did say that" Sokka tilted his face closer to Zuko's.
"So what if that anyone... was you?"
Sokka smirked, gazing into both of Zuko's eyes,
"Ensnared by my own wo--"
Zuko cut him off with a gentle but passionate kiss. Sokka closed his eyes, wrapping both of his arms around him, and they melted into each other.
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