Thanks as always to AvocadoLove for being our lovely beta!

After dinner, rather exhausted after a very active day, the gang collapsed in the luxurious living room, provided with a big wide screen TV and a database of movies. The particular chosen film (a period drama that Sokka insisted upon) bored the younger kids quickly and they decided as soon as their food had settled, to go to the pool instead.

Sokka smirked askance, catching Zuko's eye across the couch. "My plan worked."

Zuko grinned, reaching out with a toe to poke Sokka playfully in the ribs. "You schemer, you," he chided, before he withdrew his foot to tuck it under himself. "So. What was the rest of your plan then?"

"To watch the rest of this in peace," Sokka replied plainly and sidled up to the other boy, tugging Zuko's arm around his shoulder demandingly. He smiled with satisfaction and settled against Zuko's side as an epic clashing of broadswords began on screen.

"Perfect." Zuko sighed and tucked his arm tighter around the younger boy. "You always do have the best ideas," he murmured, turning to press a chaste kiss to Sokka's cheek.

His satisfied grin only widened as they settled in, Sokka resting his head comfortably in the curve of Zuko's shoulder so that his hair tickled the other boy's ear occasionally. With the corner of the couch supporting them, he could think of nothing more pleasant in that moment.

For quite a while they were silent, relaxed and soaking in the rare, complete and utter privacy. When a break came in the movie's quiet, dramatic dialog came and gave way to a thrilling horse-chase, Sokka spoke up again. "Will you go on a real date with me on Monday?" His voice was soft, giving away his shyness but he didn't shift or even look away from the television. Though it'd been nearly two weeks since Sokka had 'officially asked him out', not much had really changed between them aside from the increase in physical affection and a few afternoons of making out before Iroh came home.

Zuko blinked and looked away from the TV to meet Sokka's eyes, only to find him staring steadfastly straight forward. It still managed to surprise him on occasion how uncertain and bashful the usually-outgoing and exuberant boy could be. Still, Zuko couldn't help smiling, a fond warmth springing to his chest as he reached over to take Sokka's hand and gently tug it into his own lap. "Sounds like fun," he murmured back, lifting Sokka's fingers to his lips in imitation of the gestures he'd offered the night before. "Let's do it."

Sokka glanced then, a victorious glint in his eye and lips pressed together to keep his face from beaming -- he was supposed to be cool about all this, right? Even when he wanted to tackle the other boy and smother him with excited kisses. So to save face, he just trained his expression into a cocky smirk and snuggled a little closer, agreeing with, "Yeah." He did squirm a little though when they turned their attention back to the film and when Zuko stole a glance at him, he was wearing the grin he'd been trying so hard to conceal.

Both boys startled when the electronic click of the lock reached their ears and the front door opened. They were out of the line of sight of the main entrance but still had to hurry to achieve the appropriate distance for two teenage boys. When no riotous noise followed the sound, only slow footsteps, they shared a frown, but then Toph's father appeared in the French doors that separated the large living room from the front sitting area and dining room.

"Oh -- hi Mr. Bei Fong," Sokka said with relief.

"Boys," the older man greeted with a nod and a glance around the suite. It was late but he still had a briefcase in hand, expensive suit crisp. "I just wanted to check in on you all before bed. Are Toph and the others already asleep...?"

"Oh." Zuko stood politely out of reflex, years of being raised to respect his superiors ingrained in his instincts. "Actually, Katara took them to the pool. Um, the... the one on this floor?" he added, in case it might be important. He glanced quickly toward Sokka, who was already scrambling to his own feet, taking Zuko's example.

Toph's father hummed his understanding as Sokka picked up the remote to pause the movie, cutting off the sound abruptly. Mr. Bei Fong set his brief case down and sank into one of the chairs on either side of the couch. "I trust everything is going well?" he questioned, nodding for the boys to sit down. "You all have everything you need, the staff is treating you well?"

"Yes, sir," Sokka nodded quickly. "Everything's really great!"

Zuko sat, swallowing the odd nervousness that came over him in the man's presence. "We're very grateful for your accommodations, Mr. Bei Fong," he added, bowing his head politely. "Everyone has been very helpful and the hotel itself is beautiful." Glancing up at Sokka, who still hovered rather awkwardly, Zuko caught lightly his elbow, tugging pointedly to guide him back to sitting. "It seems your daughter wasn't exaggerating when she told us how fantastic the place is." He tried for a smile.

A tiny glance was sent from the corner of his eye, Sokka impressed with how politely articulate Zuko could be in certain situations. It was a strange, glaring contrast to the ornery boy he and Aang had originally met and Sokka caught himself grinning before schooling his expression into something more serious.

"Of course," Mr. Bei Fong replied graciously. "It's very important to us that Toph have a safe, controlled environment in which to spend time with her friends." There was a long-established understanding that though the young, blind girl's parents were wary of who Toph chose as her friends, they had come to trust the group that she spent most of her time with. They were also fully aware that their daughter's reckless and aggressive personality could have easily ended her up in a far more dangerous crowd and were somewhat appreciative of this fact. "Toph informed me that your plans for the day were the zoo. What are you doing tomorrow?"

"We were planning a few museums," Sokka put in, sitting up a little straighter, finding Zuko's politeness influencing him. "In the park – and maybe some shopping."

Toph's father nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, I must say, I'm pleased to hear that you will be spending a portion of your break on educational activities. That decision displays reassuring responsibility."

Zuko too, was nodding, confirming Sokka's information, and sighed with relief at the older man's words of approval. "And of course we'll make sure that Toph is always in the company of one of us or Katara."

This earned another approving nod. "Make sure that you keep the driver informed of your plans so that you aren't left waiting anywhere unnecessarily," he warned. "And I'd rather if you return to the vicinity of the hotel by dark. If you want to eat out, that's fine but there's plenty of restaurants in the area. The driver can help you decide." More nodding from the oldest members of their little entourage. Mr. Bei Fong cleared his throat and when he spoke again, a measure of the formality in his voice melted. "I did want to speak to you boys -- just briefly," he said, coughed a little. "Toph did inform my wife about... well, about you two." Sokka blinked. Then his eyes widened, face blanched. "Now -- don't worry, we have no problem with it. We're a more open-minded family than you might think. And I think it's good that you kids are in a generation where you can express yourselves and explore your feelings without the sort of consequences that people in my generation had to face." Mr. Bei Fong continued in spite of the mortified expressions before him. "Now though, that said, I do want to make sure that you understand the need to exercise discretion around younger, more impressionable minds. It's very fine and healthy that you boys have... discovered yourselves at your age but it's important to keep in mind the influence that you may have on your younger friends."

For a long, painful moment, no one spoke. For his part, Zuko could only stare, open-mouthed and be grateful he'd been sitting down. He supposed he oughtn't to have been surprised that Toph would have told her parents about them. In fact, it made sense, given that she'd already reassured her mother that Zuko had no interest in taking advantage of the younger girl for just that reason. This logic did not, however, make the moment any less humiliating. "Ah-- I can.... assure you. Sir. That we... Sokka and I would never... behave in... any way that might be thought of as... inappropriate." Zuko let out a huff of breath, suddenly dizzy.

Sokka wanted to shrink back and disappear between the couch cushions. His face had gone from paling to impossibly hot, his ears probably glowing. He stared at the coffee table and nodded vigorously to agree with Zuko. It was the first time that anyone officially knew about them, even if it was only by confirming what Toph had assumed had happened -- why was it Toph's father of all people?!

"I'm glad to hear you say that," Mr. Bei Fong said, rather kindly given his formal personality. "You understand my concern, as a parent, of course. I remember what it was like to be your age." He offered a faint smile which only seemed to make the moment that much more awkward. He wasn't, however, done yet. "I don't know if you've yet ah -- told – your families..." Sokka shook his head violently, screwing his eyes shut. "Don't worry, we won't interfere... that's your business. But I know these sort of things can be difficult to talk about with your family -- Sokka, I know it's only your grandmother at home... well, what I'm trying to say is if you boys ever need -- advice or --" Suddenly the composed business man was almost as awkward as the boys themselves. "--not that I have any first hand experience -- but there are resources and if you need help getting to them, my wife and I want to support our daughter's friends. That's what I mean."

Sokka's shoulders were hunching as though he were going to curl in on himself and disappear. Zuko glanced between Sokka and Toph's father, coughed lightly, rubbed at his brow and realized that Sokka was in no current condition to breathe normally, let alone speak, let alone answer Mr. Bei Fong's gracious, if uncomfortable, offer. Which left him to do it. He cleared his throat again. "Th-thank you, Sir," he managed, somehow, to find his own voice, never mind the way it cracked with embarrassment. "Um. I'm--- we're grateful for your... offer. It's very... kind of you." The truth was, this whole conversation could have gone much worse. At least the man wasn't telling them to stay away from his daughter or threatening to tell their families. They had to, at least, be thankful for that. "A-and... we-- we'll let you know! Um, right?" He nudged Sokka, whose eyes seemed somewhat glazed over.

"R-right..." Sokka managed, nodded, forced himself to swallow. "Thank you... Mr. Bei Fong... sir."

The older man just nodded and rose to his feet again to smooth his slacks. "Well, I'm going to go check in on Toph and the others. If you kids need anything, I'll be staying in the suite across the hall tonight. Good-night, boys."

The door clicked shut. Sokka fell backward, shoved a couch pillow over his face and screamed into it.

Zuko let out a shaky breath, and laughed, reaching over to pat Sokka's knee. It wasn't that he was any less mortified by the conversation they'd just had with Toph's father of all people, it was just that-- well, he knew it could have gone a whole lot worse. "He seemed... nice," Zuko finally managed, prying the pillow away from Sokka's face before he could smother himself with it -- which he seemed to be trying to do. "You okay?"

"That was the most embarrassing moment of my life," Sokka groaned back, rubbing at his temples. "I mean... TOPH'S DAD? Jeeze!"

"At least it wasn't your grandmother?" Zuko tried. He shrugged, placating when Sokka shot him a look. "It was pretty... awkward," he admitted, rubbing lightly at Sokka's knee, at attempt at comfort. "Still, it's sorta nice to know that not all parents are gonna freak out about stuff like that. Right?" He tried to catch Sokka's eye, to smile reassuringly.

Sokka hesitated, a pang of guilt seizing him that reflected in his face when he glanced at the other boy. There were moments when he wasn't the most sensitive guy on the planet. "Sorry," he said quietly. "I know it could have been -- could be a lot worse. I guess I just... hadn't really thought about stuff like this yet."

"'Coming out' you mean?" Zuko asked after waving off Sokka's apology. "It's stupid, huh?" he added, a mumble half under his breath as he pulled a pillow into his lap to cross his arms over.

Sokka inched a little bit closer, the movie forgotten and remaining paused on King Henry's face. He grimaced faintly, sagging against the cushions. "Yeah," he finally said, just above a mumble. "I mean... just because I like you doesn't mean... But, I mean..." He laughed faintly at himself, a rueful sound. "I'm used to it at school anyway. Just... not for serious." He frowned at the coffee table, displeased with his own inability to convey what he felt.

"I--" Zuko began, fell silent, opened his mouth, tried again. His own thoughts weren't coming much easier than Sokka's but it felt important. To talk about it. "I think I understand. How you feel?" he finally managed. "And it's... well, I guess the thing is, I sort of don't care anymore? Whether people think I'm... you know... gay or not." He took a breath, and rubbed faintly at his reddened cheeks. "I mean, the worst that could happen already did, right? Hah... but not... you know, for you, so... I understand that you don't want... people talking, I guess?"

A faint scowl and Sokka moved a little closer again, shoulder brushing briefly with Zuko's. "I just... I wish that's not what it meant. Cause I want to tell everybody," he said, gaining somewhat more confidence as he spoke. "I wanna tell everybody how awesome it is and that -- that you said yes and I wanna brag about you to everyone I know. I wanna tell my dad and my sister and my grandma how happy I am -- but I can't because then it's not about that. I don't want it to be about what I am or I'm not -- I just wanna share the good stuff."

Zuko said nothing for a beat, but he leaned close, head resting on Sokka's shoulder and the hand at his knee gave a little squeeze. "I'm... sorry," he mumbled. "That it's so complicated. It's... stupid that it has to be. It's stupid that... that if one of us just had... breasts, then no one would care. Then you wouldn't have to worry about... telling your family."

Sokka let his cheek rest against Zuko's hair, nuzzling faintly. "I... I know it won't be horrible," he said quietly. "Except maybe Katara. But it's still... scary, I guess. I... I'm really afraid of what my dad will think." He felt extremely guilty for the words -- he knew his father would never act like Zuko's father had but it was intimidating nonetheless. "I guess I just... for now, I feel like I just want to enjoy it and not worry about any of that. Is that selfish of me?"

But Zuko shook his head no, snuggling in a little closer. "It's not selfish," he said. "And well... even if it is, I want to be a little selfish too." He chuckled quietly, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm kind of afraid of the third degree interrogation your grandmother'll give me if she finds out... not to mention your sister..."

"Yeah..." Sokka sighed wistfully, settling back in to a position similar to when they'd been peacefully watching the movie. "So when I introduce you to my dad, are you gonna wear a dress?"

"Ha!" Zuko barked, giving Sokka's thigh a smart pinch. "Nice try! But he'd be more likely to fall for you in a dress than me."

Sokka laughed and squirmed, though he didn't move away. "That doesn't make any sense!" he protested. "I'm his son! C'mon think about it... a nice little yellow sun dress? Maybe a bonnet?" He wasn't even trying to hold back his giggles.

"Rrr!" Zuko growled, half a laugh as he turned to tackle the other other boy back across the couch. "If you wanna see me in a dress so badly, you're gonna have to wear one first!" he teased, climbing over Sokka to dig tickling fingers in at his ribs.

Sokka writhed under him, the laughter partly from the tickling but also partly from the mental image of Zuko in a sun dress. "I didn't say I wanted to see you in a dress!" Sokka shot back, wrestling with Zuko's hands and shrieking with laughter as pillows tumbled off the couch. "I just want to see you humiliated!"

"Is that how it is, huh?" Zuko scoffed, mock-protest coloring his voice. "Well if it's a war you want..." And with no further warning, Zuko ducked down, lifted Sokka's shirt and proceeded to blow the biggest, wettest raspberry he could managed, smack in the middle of Sokka's stomach.

The complete and utter surprise of the action made Sokka positively scream through his laughter, scrabbling for Zuko's shoulders with tears pouring from his eyes. "Stop! Oh my GOD that's so GROSS!" he shrieked though the lilt of hysterical laughter betrayed his disgust.

"What's that?" Zuko wondered, grabbing for Sokka's wrists to pin him down. "Keep going? Well, okay!" And just a little slower than necessary, he took a deep breath and lowered pursed lips once more toward Sokka's stomach.

"Noooo!" Sokka protested, his bared stomach sucking in a vain attempt to escape. Then with a squirm and a jerk and a thrash of his legs, he threw Zuko off balance, using the hold on his wrists to pull him up, forward, down. And smiling lips captured that mouth with surprising skill and sureness before it could reach his skin.

"Mm!" Zuko startled, but didn't pull away, not when Sokka's mouth was warm and persuasive and all the hyperactive energy just melted away under the touch of his lips. "Mm..." he decided, kissed back until his breath ran out and with a happy sigh, he collapsed onto Sokka's chest, head tucking under his chin. "This is... really nice," he hummed. "I could stay like this all night..."

Sokka grinned softly, his arms folding lightly across Zuko's shoulders as they relaxed into the soft hold of the plush couch. "Yeah," he agreed happily, breathed a sigh that made flow from his body all the residual tension from the heavy topic that they'd left behind. Right at that moment, nothing mattered but the warm weight of the taller boy blanketing him. The smell of his hair and the breath that tickled Sokka's arm. "It's probably a good thing we decided to take the spring break trip with everyone," he remarked, brows quirking with charm that Zuko couldn't see from his position. "Otherwise we might never leave the hotel room."

Zuko chuckled quietly. "Yeah, that's true. Especially with the TV and the jacuzzi tub," he added with a grin.

They stayed like that for a while, quiet hanging comfortably between them, the faint buzz of the television the only sound in the room. They both knew the others could be back from the pool at any time, and Zuko wanted to make the most of their time alone. At the moment, there seemed no better way than this. "Hey Sokka?"

"Hm?" the younger of the pair answered, sounding just a little bit sleepy. His arms squeezed faintly at Zuko's shoulders.

"What's your dad like, anyway?"

Sokka blinked, and glanced down at the pale profile obscured by Zuko's dark hair. He frowned faintly, guilt again tugging at him. He always felt a little bad when talking about his own family considering the way that Zuko's had treated him. Even Katara, at her absolute worst was nothing compared to the way Zuko described his dragon of a sister. But... he wanted to share, especially if Zuko wanted to know. And he hoped to be able to someday introduce Zuko to his father as what he was... as his... "My dad's awesome," Sokka finally replied earnestly. "He's the smartest, coolest person I know. It sucks that we only get to see him a few times a year -- but he writes letters and calls every week. I know he feels lousy about being gone all the time but I... I dunno. It bothers me but it doesn't make me mad. I just hope I can ever be as brave as he is."

"That's... really cool," Zuko murmured, fingers playing idly in the hem of Sokka's t-shirt. "I hope I can meet him some time... you said he's got his own fishing boat?"

"A ship," Sokka corrected. "He's the captain -- he doesn't own it, but... you know. They work in the Bering Sea, mostly. When he comes home he brings lots of fish and crab, sometimes he ships stuff to us too. Once he sent us a picture of the biggest crab they ever caught -- it looked like it seriously could have snapped somebody's head off."

Zuko grinned. "You'll have to show me that photo sometime." It was nice, he reflected, talking like this. Something occurred to him then and he sat up a little, finding Sokka's face in the dim light of the TV screen. "So, that fish your grandma made the first time I came over... was that your dad's?"

"Yep," Sokka confirmed with a proud smirk. "It's the best – sometimes when they dock, he goes river fishing inland and catches salmon... I like fishing, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I think he's crazy. He works for a month fishing, then he takes a break and what does he do? He goes fishing. And then sometimes when he visits, he takes me fishing. Maybe that's why I like red meat so much."

It was late by the time the others returned from the pool, the click of their key in the lock was more than enough time for Zuko to slide to the other end of the couch, ankles still tangled with Sokka's --an innocent enough contact-- across the cushions. He raised a hand in greeting to Aang and Katara, following it up with a 'welcome back' for Toph's benefit.

Katara raised a brow at the still-paused television. "Wasn't as good as you expected?" she asked in her 'I told you so' voice.

Sokka shrugged. "It got boring," he replied with a glance at Zuko which translated it to, I had better things to do.

Zuko couldn't quite quell the little smirk that sprang to his lips, but he did managed to cough and reassemble his expression to something more neutral when he looked back at Katara and nodded his confirmation. "Yeah, plus Toph's dad stopped by to check in on everyone and make sure we had everything we need."

"Did you tell him to have them fill the jacuzzi with ice cream for dinner tomorrow?" Toph piped up, busily drying her hair until it floofed in a huge, messy halo. "They'd do it if I told them to."

"Ew, Toph. That's disgusting." Katara wrinkled her nose in distaste, and by the look on her brother's face, his sentiments were similar.

Zuko only laughed. "I was thinking pudding, personally."

"Ooh! How about tapioca!" Aang piped up with a grin. "I always thought it would feel neat to stick my feat in a big tub of tapioca."

"Tapioca looks like frog eggs," Sokka announced with scientific poise, and on that note, continued, "We should get some sleep or we're never going to wake up for shopping tomorrow. I will beat all of you out of bed if I have to."

Katara scoffed. "Like you'll ever be the first one awake for anything. Even shopping."

"SLEEP. NOW," Sokka countered in an indignant shriek, pointing to the girl's bedroom.

Maybe he had ulterior motives for getting everyone asleep and the lights out -- but Sokka definitely didn't feel any sense of guilt as he settled under the covers for a second night of sharing a bed with Zuko. And this time, he had no hesitation or awkwardness when he snuggled close, let Zuko's arm curl around his shoulders and soaked in the sweet warmth of that body against his.