Written for the server's Winter Solstice Gift Exchange! @bearsandbeansart
Sokka can see the shoreline of the Fire Nation slowly come into view from the deck of the ship he is on. He would deny it if anyone asks, but he had been out here with his arms crossed over his chest for close to thirty minutes waiting for land to be sighted and now that it's here, his nerves are jumping all over the place.
The last time he was in the Fire Nation, he began to notice things about his best friend, things that normal best friends don't typically notice. Like the freckles that are scattered across his nose and you'll only notice them in the sun or how he absent mindedly traces patterns onto the table whenever he is thinking hard. A part of him realizes what this means but Sokka still refuses to acknowledge that part of his brain speaking until he can fully confirm these things, these... observations. The fact that he is standing on the deck of a ship waiting for land to come into sight should also speak volumes but Sokka is also ignoring that part as well.
He senses more than sees people beginning to move around the deck to get prepared to dock the ship, but he still hasn't taken his eyes off the shore. He wonders if Zuko is waiting on the deck to welcome them in like he normally does or if this is the trip when he finally listens to Sokka about not having to be at the port every time he comes to the Fire Nation. He knows that he said Zuko doesn't have to be there, but every time he sees Zuko standing in his comfortable black pants and loose tunic on the dock, it sends excitement through him. The sight of Zuko dressed that way has always made Sokka feel a certain way but now that he's been able to name the feelings he's been having, the anticipation of seeing him in those clothes is making him excited for a completely different reason.
Sokka's nerves don't waver as they get closer to land but rather grow in intensity until he is chewing on his lip. He's so used to traveling by boat that the speed to him is basically a normal pace, but right now, it seems to be going at a snailturtle's pace. His fingers start drumming on his arm and he stares down the ever growing shoreline as if he can make it's approach go faster just by glaring.
The moment his eyes are able to see the small black dot that is standing on the dock, Sokka's eyes don't move away from it for a second. As they get closer, the black dot slowly takes shape into a male figure wearing black clothing and eventually, black clothing with red accents and soon, Sokka will be able to make out facial details. The sight of Zuko standing there, just like every other time, makes Sokka take in a deep breath.
Fighting down a smile, he raises a hand in greeting once they're close enough to shore for Zuko to also make out that it is him standing on the deck rather than another Water Tribe member. His heart tumbles just a little when Zuko smiles and raises his hand back to him.
Once the ship is within reach, Sokka is jumping up onto the deck and standing in front of Zuko. It's only been three months, but he swears something has changed about Zuko. His hair is longer, or he's gotten taller, or some other third thing. But Zuko's hair remains halfway down his back and he's still just under two inches shorter than him so nothing that can be immediately identifiable has changed.
"You look good," Zuko says. "New piercing, I see," he eyes the new silver hoop that is hanging on Sokka's ear.
A broad smile takes over Sokka's face. Of course this man would notice something as small as a new silver hoop among the several that are already in there. "Yeah. I was thinking about getting a tattoo next time." Sokka swallows hard when he notices Zuko's eyes darken just the slightest bit and rake down his body.
"You'll have to be sure to show me when you do get it," Zuko says, his eyes meeting Sokka's once more. The look has dissipated by the time their eyes meet and it makes Sokka question what he saw. "Come on, I'm sure you're hungry. I had the chefs cook up a late lunch for you." Clapping Sokka on the shoulder, he pushes on his shoulder just slightly to turn him towards the palace and together, they walk down the long dock together.
~~~
Every time Sokka comes to visit, Zuko always makes sure that the chef prepares a Water Tribe dish the first and last night he is visiting. This little detail never fails to make his stomach flip. The small attention to detail while he is so incredibly busy running a country doesn't go unnoticed by him.
"How's being the ruler of a whole ass country going?" Sokka asks around a mouthful of his favorite Five Flavored Soup. It doesn't quite taste like how his Gran Gran makes it but it tastes like home with a mix of Fire Nation which makes him feel all sorts of feelings that he doesn't think he should feel regarding soup.
A small smile plays on Zuko's lips as he looks down, "It's good actually. Really good. We were able to restore factual history in the educational curriculum in all the schools pretty easily. The new Minister of Education was really enthusiastic about creating it and had it ready within a week. And I finally managed to overturn that law that legalized children over the age of 12 to be drafted into the army should the need arise, wouldn't believe the pushback I got on that. Oh, and-" Zuko's rambling continues about all the progress he's made within the last few months since Sokka was last here. Sokka just stares at him with a fond smile, watching as he gets more and more into the story of how he had gone off on General Li-Tuong because of his views on continuing to move soldiers from the other countries.
Sokka doesn't even realize that he has rested his cheek on his fist and watching Zuko with a dopy smile until Zuko looks up at him and pauses in his story. "What?" Zuko asks, wiping at his face, "Was there something on my face? Did I get it?"
Sokka immediately straightens up, "Uh, no. No, sorry. I just- I was just watching you. You're really starting to speed things up with the removal of the propaganda and setting things straight."
Zuko lets out a snort and picks up his glass of rice wine, "Yeah, only took 6 years, but whatever. Better late than never, I suppose." Sokka smiles and looks down at his plate as it's being cleared away by a servant.
"Thank you, Minh," Zuko murmurs to the man who took his plate and replaced it with the desert. Sokka watches as the servants just smile and give them a small bow before returning to the kitchen.
Gesturing with his spoon towards the kitchen, "Still blows my mind they aren't tripping over themselves whenever you call them by name or thank them. I remember the first few months you were doing that, all the wide eyed stares and freaking out," Sokka laughs a little.
Zuko cracks a big grin, "Spirits, that one time Jin spilled water on me and immediately dropped to the floor in a dogeza and repeatedly apologized. I still give her grief over that." They laugh together as they slowly eat their dessert. Minh comes out a little later and starts to clear away more things from the table when Zuko asks for a bottle of hot sake to be brought to his receiving chambers.
"Oh, it's going to be that kind of night, huh?" Sokka laughs as he stands up from the table and arranges his plate and silverware to make it easier for the servants to pick it up.
"I don't see why not. I cleared my schedule for tomorrow so you've got me all to yourself," Zuko says to the floor as they walk out of the dining room. A blush spreads across Sokka's face and he turns his head a little bit away from Zuko to try and hide it.
Whenever they step into Zuko's receiving chambers of his suite, they immediately plop down onto the couch, spreading out across the cushions. Minh comes in a few moments later with two glasses and pours them both a shot of sake. He bows once more and asks if there is anything else he can do.
"No, thank you, Minh. You may retire for the night. If we need anything else, we can get it ourselves."
"Yes, sir. Goodnight, My Lord. Lord Sokka," he gives Sokka a nod as well before sweeping out of the room.
Sokka leans forward and grabs his and Zuko's cup, handing Zuko his before clinking their glasses together and throwing back the shot. He watches as Zuko does the same and he immediately leans forward to pour another.
They do four shots back to back with Zuko pouring them each time. Sokka isn't one to complain of course, he is all for getting trashed with his best friend the night before they have the day off.
"So," Sokka starts, sitting back in to his side of the couch and props his feet up on the antique tea table that is probably older than his Gran Gran. "what's new with you? Like, you personally?"
Zuko's smile falters a little but it's back in place so fast that Sokka questions if it ever actually did slip. "Uh, yeah. Well, I've started the process of marital court." The words come so easily from Zuko, that it takes a moment for Sokka to fully register what he said.
"The what?" Sokka nearly falls out of his seat he sits up so fast. He's looking hard at Zuko's face, looking for the joke.
Zuko furrows his brow and looks Sokka in the eye. "Marital court? You know... the ministers begin the process of finding me a suitable bride and then-"
"I know what the fuck marital court is, Zuko. Why would you fucking do that?" Sokka looks at him with a shocked and slightly hurt look on his face.
Confusion comes over Zuko. "It's something I have to do, something all nobles have to do. I mean, what else am I supposed to do? I have to marry and produce an heir." Sokka shakes his head, the feeling of dejection blooming bright in his chest despite Zuko never actually turning him down. But him joining the marital court feels all the same.
Sokka stands up and moves to the other side of the sitting area, next to the fireplace; he just needs some space to think. Fucking marital court? Like to get married? Zuko?
Zuko stands slowly and moves around the tea table as if he is going to approach Sokka but thinks better of it at the last second. "Because I'm 22? I was supposed to be married two years ago but I managed to push it off because I thought-" he cuts himself off. "Why are you so upset? You knew this was a thing I had to do. Toph was going to have to do this but-"
"This isn't about Toph! Her ending up with Aang was a fucking coincidence," Sokka rakes his hands through his hair, feeling the elastic that holds his wolftail back loosen. This is about you because you're-" Sokka turns to Zuko and sees the confused look on his face. "Because you're you! You deserve to be with someone who makes you happy and that you love and all that sappy bullshit that Toph and Aang don't ever seem to shut up about." Sokka is practically yelling now, surely the guards or someone is going to come see what is going on, but fucking hell.
Zuko still looks confused at Sokka's anger. "And just who was I supposed to find that with, Sokka? I haven't been on a date since Mai and I broke up all those years ago and it's not like you-" he stops himself, his eyes going wide.
Sokka mentally shakes his head, did he hear that right? "What about me?" he whispers, his eyes searching Zuko's. They stare at each other for a moment before Zuko shakes his head, murmuring something Sokka can't hear and turns away, moving back towards the couch they occupied a moment ago. He pours himself a shot and takes it quickly.
"Zuko," he says, trying to get his attention. "What about me?" his voice becomes hard, trying to get Zuko to say something, but again, he just shakes his head.
"Fucking hell," Sokka mutters and turns away, looking at the empty fire place. He came back from his trip early to see if his own feelings were real, if maybe they were reciprocated, but if Zuko is moving forward with marital court... Sokka drops his head into his hands trying to slow his breathing. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. Zuko dropping this bomb has just reaffirmed what Sokka knew he felt towards Zuko, but it's already being taken away from him before he is even able to reach out for it.
"How long?" Sokka manages to say, his voice coming through unshaken which really is a feat in itself.
"How long what?"
"How long do you have until you have to pick a bride?" Sokka asks, turning around to look at Zuko who just stares back at him.
"Six months," he whispers. Those two words hit Sokka in the stomach, making all the air whoosh out of him. He stumbles back around the tea table and collapses back down onto the sofa, his hands holding his head. The room seems to be spinning, but he knows he hasn't had that much to drink so it must be something else.
Zuko closes the distance between them. "Sokka, why does this upset you so much? It's not like it's going to change anything."
“It’s going to change everything, Zuko! Suddenly, you’re going to have some random woman on your arm that is going to hold all of your attention and then how long until she pops out some kids? Fucking hell, man.” He’s shouting again, but he can’t seem to make himself stop. He wants to push at Zuko until he is just as angry as he is so that this would at least make this a little bit easier.
“What was I supposed to do, Sokka? There isn’t anyone else that wants me or that I would subject to this life.”
Sokka hears it then, that self-deprecating bullshit that Zuko always seems to sneak in without realizing it. But hearing it this time, it makes his heart clench. He turns his head towards Zuko and just looks at him, traces his features with his eyes, maps out the contour of his scar, the way his nose slopes down.
“But what about me?” Sokka whispers. The words slip out without him meaning to. He wanted to do this a different way, but time seemed to be cut short suddenly. “Earlier you said that I wasn’t going to do something. So what was it?” Sokka knows the answer, or at least he hopes he knows the answer.
Zuko doesn’t say anything but shakes his head a little, his eyes searching Sokka’s for something. He presses his lips together and looks away. Sokka can feel his heart crumbling at Zuko’s reaction, but he already started, might as well finish it out, right? His heart can’t break any further than it already has.
“I have to produce heirs from the bloodline of Agni,” is all Zuko says in reply, but what Sokka hears is Zuko not denying that he has thought about it. But Zuko’s voice is hard and devoid of emotion which doesn’t give Sokka much hope for where this conversation could lead. “And you know it’s illegal in the Fire Nation for two men-,” he cuts himself off.
He sees Zuko shake his head from the corner of his eye, “It took six years just to turn over the law of child soldiers, Sokka. Same-sex marriage has been outlawed in the Fire Nation for far longer, there’s no way I would be able to have it overturned. No one would go for it.”
Sokka still doesn’t hear a ‘no’ and hope is starting to bloom in his chest even though he knows it shouldn’t. He turns to face him, attempting to hold eye contact but Zuko absolutely refuses to look at him directly. “You don’t know that no one would go for it, Zuko. Have you asked the people if they would want that? You know we aren’t the only ones who want someone of the same sex, we can’t be.” Sokka intentionally says ‘we’, allowing Zuko another chance to deny that he doesn’t feel the same, that it is Sokka alone who is harboring these feelings and that he should just stop.
But Zuko’s eyes flit back and forth between Sokka’s but he still doesn’t say anything, just drops his head further in defeat. “We don’t even know if we would work, Sokka, and I don’t have the luxury of time to find out,” His voice sounds wet, like he is holding back strong emotions that could overtake the both of them if he let it.
“You don’t even want to try?” Sokka reaches out and gently lifts Zuko’s chin so that they are looking eye to eye. They lock eyes for a moment, and his eyes darken considerably.
“Of course I want to try,” Sokka’s heart soars at hearing those words, “But it doesn’t matter what I want because I could never subject you to the life of royalty. You have your own life to live, your own tribe that you’re going to be Chief of one day, someone that you’re going to meet and fall in love with and marry and have a bunch of your own little babies with and grow old and be safe, completely safe. It can’t be with me, I can’t offer you that. I can’t promise that we’ll even live that long.”
They stare at each other for a long moment, their eyes never leaving each other. Sokka opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. Closing it, he takes in what Zuko is saying to him, how he wouldn’t be safe, wouldn’t be able to have his own kids, and more. Leaning in closer until their lips are just barely grazing each other, Sokka says, “What about what I want, Zuko? Have you asked me what I want?”
This time, it’s Zuko’s turn to be quiet, a million thoughts running through his mind before he asks, “What is it that you want then?”
“I want whatever you can give me,” Sokka closes the distance between them and presses his lips against Zuko’s. The beginning of the kiss is something of innocence, of feeling each other out, of testing waters. But when Zuko tilts his head just slightly and lets his tongue brush the crease of Sokka’s lips, the kiss turns into something so much more.
Sokka’s fingers find the folds of Zuko’s tunic and quickly untie the laces that hold it closed. Pushing the fabric off of Zuko’s shoulders and helping him pull it off altogether. He presses himself closer to Zuko, sliding his hand over smooth and warm skin that is quickly growing hotter.
Moving his lips down the skin of Zuko’s neck, he can feel the way Zuko grips onto the back of his shirt, as if holding on for dear life. His breathing has grown ragged and labored and when his hips slightly grind into Zuko’s, he can feel Zuko’s length hardening. The thought of him getting hard because of what Sokka is doing is slightly thrilling. He fights to hold back a smile as he sucks a small mark into the base of Zuko’s throat.
“The bed,” Zuko says, completely breathless. Sokka pulls back to look at him and sees his eyes are slightly unfocused and a high blush colors his cheekbones. Sokka bends a little and hooks his arms around the back of Zuko’s thighs, picking them up. Zuko seems to get the hint at the right moment because he wraps his legs around Sokka’s waist so he doesn't fall. They move towards the bed, Zuko peppering Sokka's face with kisses the entire way.
Sokka lays him gently on the bed so that his head is nestled in the pillows at the top of the bed. Kneeling above him, Sokka pulls his shirt over his head and discards it onto the floor somewhere. Leaning down, Sokka submits to the hunger that is consuming him and lowers his mouth onto Zuko’s. “Fuck, Zuko. I’ve never wanted someone to fuck me as much as I want you to.”
A small gasp leaves Zuko’s lips and Sokka is immediately closing his mouth over his in an attempt to taste it. Parting his lips slowly over Zuko’s, Sokka sucks on his lower, kissing him gently until Zuko is panting harder than he was earlier.
Using his core strength, Zuko flips them over so that he’s on top and a very shocked looking Sokka beneath him. Giving a small smirk, his confidence slowly starting to come out, Zuko leans down and captures Sokka’s lips on his own. Every move Zuko makes, Sokka is right there with him, stride for stride. When Sokka’s lips open wider, Zuko glides his tongue inside to touch his, drawing a strangled groan from Sokka.
Sokka’s hands are on Zuko’s face and in his hair, holding him in place as the kissing grows hotter into a cardinal chase. Soon, they’re both panting and the wet smack of lips is filling the air around them. Sokka traces his hand down Zuko’s taunt stomach, caressing the smooth skin that covers hard muscle before slipping into the waistband of his pants.
“W-wait, Sokka,” Zuko says, pulling back ever so slightly from Sokka who immediately stops.
“What, why are we waiting?” Sokka’s hand stops at the waistband, his middle finger just barely dipping inside.
Zuko’s eyes flit back and forth between Sokka’s, “We really shouldn’t be…” his words die off as his eyes lock onto Sokka’s lips.
“Do you really want me to stop?” Sokka breathes out. Of course they’ll stop if Zuko says so but fuck, he wants more than anything to continue. Zuko swallows hard and his chest bumps his as Zuko breaths heavily, biting his lip.
It takes him a second, but he finally whispers, “No, I don’t want to stop.”
Sokka grins at him and continues pushing at Zuko’s clothes, pulling his pants down, taking his under garments down his hips. Zuko sits up and works on Sokka’s pants himself which he kicks away and suddenly, the both of them are completely naked, Zuko in between Sokka’s legs.
“Fuck, Sokka. You’re so gorgeous,” Zuko moans out.
“Yeah?” Zuko nods and then buries his face in between Sokka’s shoulder and neck, peppering kisses to any part of skin that he can reach.
A shiver runs through Sokka at his words, and with a satisfied smile, he drops more biting kisses to his mouth. “Where’s your stuff?”
Zuko paws at the nightstand next to his bed and Sokka takes one for the team and pulls away from him, letting the cooler air come between them and rummages through the nightstand until he finds a small blue vial of oil. “This thing is half empty,” Sokka shoots a mock accusatory glare at him. “Were you using this on someone?” Zuko snatches it from him and pops the cork, pouring a generous amount onto his fingers.
“Ha,” Zuko laughs under his breath, “Would that make you jealous if I was?”
“Psh, no,” Sokka replies, and he’s not lying. What Zuko had done before him wasn’t any of his business nor did he have any control over what happened in the past. “Although I do want to know who it was so we can determine how I measure up against him.”
Zuko laughs and leans down to give Sokka a searing kiss. “I’ve only used it on myself, no one else.”
The smile drops from Sokka’s face at the thought of Zuko in here alone with his own fingers shoved up his ass is almost too much to handle. He closes his eyes for a second and takes a steadying breath. “Fuck, Zuko. You can’t just say shit like that-” he grips Zuko shoulders and he can feel himself digging his blunt nails into his skin.
Zuko situates himself in between Sokka’s legs, holding onto Sokka’s thigh as he moves his oil slicked fingers until they are brushing against his hole. With the hand that is gripping Sokka’s thigh, he pushes his legs up a little so that he can see what he’s doing. Swirling his finger around his hole a few times, Zuko groans internally. Slowly, he inserts a digit, feeling the resistance give way to warm pressure.
He continues to finger him, drawing little breathy moans every so often when his finger brushes against that spot inside of him. Soon, he’s able to add a second and eventually, a third finger. The sight of his fingers disappearing inside Sokka mixed with the sounds he is making is literally killing him.
“I’m good, I’m good,” Sokka chants and reaches for Zuko’s wrist where he is still fingering him.
“Thank fuck. I need to get inside of you before I die.” Zuko moves and presses himself in between Sokka’s legs even further, holding the base of his dick. Flicking his eyes up to meet Sokka’s, he gently presses forward. Gently, he presses the tip of his cock into his ass as easily as he can possibly manage when all he wants to do is sink into the warm heat that is Sokka.
“Fuck, Zuko,” Sokka grips Zuko’s forearm where it’s resting beside his head. “Fuck, you feel so good.” When Zuko’s hips press flush against him, he has to pause and take a deep breath. He stares down in between them at where they are connected and it is literally the most incredible sight he has ever seen.
Drawing his hips back, Zuko pushes back in and sets a slow and steady pace. Moving himself so that he is hovering over Sokka, he drops his forehead down to Sokka’s and just stares into his eyes. He’s a little cross-eyed but fuck, he just needs to see.
Zuko shifts again, trying to get his knees into a better position to help hold his body weight and when he presses into Sokka again, he gasps loudly and attempts to curl into himself except that Zuko is in the way.
“Was that it?” Zuko gasps out as Sokka clenches down around his dick. Sokka doesn’t answer, just nods his head fervently. Giving his own nod of acknowledgement, Zuko breathes out a puff of air and aims his hips in the same direction he had just gone and manages to hit that spot over and over again.
“Yes! Yes, fuck. Spirits, Zuko, don’t stop!” Sokka calls out. Zuko pistons his hips even faster and can feel his own orgasm quickly approaching. Not wanting it to end just yet, Zuko pulls out, making Sokka hiss at the sudden emptiness.
Grabbing Sokka’s thighs, Zuko guides him onto his belly and then pulls his hips up so that Sokka is on all fours. Without warning, Zuko immediately slides back in and Sokka lets out a groan from the back of his throat.
He continues to push into Sokka, his hips bouncing off of his ass in what can only be discribed as truly erotic. Zuko knows he is leaving marks where he is gripping Sokka’s hips, btu he just can’t make himself there. His orgasm is building back up and he is blissfully riding that wave.
“I’m there! I’m there,” Sokka yells out and Zuko feels Sokka’s hole clamp down onto him, making it hard to continue to pump into him. Zuko is just about to wrap his hand around to jerk Sokka off, but before he can, Sokka’s front half slumps to the bed. “Keep going, baby. Keep going,” he encourages.
Zuko continues to push into Sokka and the more slams his dick into him, the further his legs sink down to the bed until he is lying flat. Zuko braces his hands on Sokka’s lower back and pushes in once, twice more before he is moaning deep as he fills Sokka. Zuko stuffs his dick in as far as it will go into Sokka until he has fed his ass every single drop.
Rolling off to the side, Zuko falls to the bed beside Sokka and together, they lay there breathing hard. Turning his face to look at Sokka, he sees him already staring back, a large smile on his face.
“I might have ruined your very expensive silk sheets, Your Majesty.”
Zuko laughs and leans in, his hand cupping the back of Sokka’s neck as he seals their lips together. It’s more of laughing and smiling than actually kissing, but fuck, it’s perfect.
When they finally pull apart, Zuko drops his head down to rest against the pillows and stares up at the canopy of the bed. “You really think we could do this together?”
“I think it’ll be hard, but honestly? What can they really do to us, I mean it’s the Firelord and a lowly peasant from the Southern Water Tribe.” Zuko smiles at him and thinks that yeah, maybe they can do this.
There is no war, but tensión between all the nations. Zuko and Sokka grow up together, as nephew of the Fire lord and son of the Southern Water Tribe Chief. They compete between each other since day one: Who is Best swordman (Zuko), Best an politics (Sokka), etc. But When they get older, the tension stars to change, maybe for the better... Or not.
@zukkaweek
I hope you liked it!!!
[ID: light blue and green brackground, little clouds and grass. The first version of the draw show us Zuko (with a formal red fire nation royal clothes, hair up, very handsome) and Sokka (wearing blue Water Tribe clothes. Also, very handsome) holding each other hands politely, but actuallh percive the passive agressive in the part of the dialogue (song lyrics) : "So Happy you could come/So Happy to be here/ This is not my/ This isn't my idea of fun", from the movie "Swan Princess". Red vains show how much they want to... Punch each other, and the hate they have. Or not.
The second one, it's the same, but as the way they see each other. With a murder desire...or Just desire, Who knows. END ID]
Soft Zukka. Inspired by an AU fic I'm writing about a Hallmark-esque Christmas tale. I love the gentle touch of fingers and little happy smile on Sokka #zukka #zukkafanart #zuko #sokkaxzuko #sokka #avatarthelastairbender #atla #zukofanart #sokkafanart #gaycuddles #digitalartist #followｍe #comissionsopen #gentletouch #hands https://www.instagram.com/p/CigCbNVIymL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
