This is from Sokka's POV and he's thinking about Zuko, so I guess it's kinda onesided Sokka/Zuko
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It's amazing how cold someone can be when they're practically made out of fire.
I don't know why I thought he'd warm up to us, or me. Even though we're on the same side now, or at least a temporary truce. We were both stationed at the same place in that Earth Kingdom base. Well, I sorta just showed up one day in the training division you were in to keep an eye on you. I never found a reason to leave it, so I stayed.
Every time we sparred each other, you'd win no problem. But at least in that moment you would face me seriously. You might have been a better fighter, but I'm smarter. In weapons craft I'd always outdo you. In strategy games I would pin you in a corner just when you thought you'd finally beaten me. Maybe our perfect balance of where one failed the other thrived was the reason we were ultimately stationed together right behind Aang when he fought your father.
I know that was hard for you.
You didn't say it outright, you didn't have to. I know you didn't want either of them hurt. You were still so cold, but I had learned to see the closed off emotions behind your amber eyes.
I was always amazed when you could make such a warm color colder than ice.
The only time you ever seemed warm to anyone was when you were burning with hatred or anger.
Sometimes, I would provoke you intentionally just to be the one at the moment to see the heat deep inside you. I've got that burn on my shoulder from the time I stepped outside the safe zone of your temper. I tested the boundaries of your emotions and felt the backlash.
Katara healed the worst of it, but left a scar as a reminder of my stupidity.
Maybe I'm not the genius I'm pegged to be.
I'm actually proud of the scar. I faced your ultimate wrath and lived. I've gotten under your skin and still stand mostly unscathed.
I know you watch me when we train (even in these new times of peace) and can feel your eyes on my scar. I want to ask you what goes through your mind when you see it, but I doubt I'll get the truth.
Are you proud of it too?
Does it make you glad to see you've marked the idiot?
Do you see me as your property?
Do you feel regret?
I want to mark you back.
How would you react?
So, how'd I do?
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Good reader!
