A/N: Part three of the story that started with 06/02:"Power Couple", and was continued with 08/02:"Agni Kai". This one is definitely a lot more light-hearted, and features "WTF is going on"-Sokka and super-sappy Zutara.
Disclaimer: All standard Disclaimers apply.

After the battle, Sokka found Katara in a room in the royal palace, kneeling by Zuko's bedside and tending to a sound on the front of his torso. The others went to raid the kitchens, but Sokka decided to check up on two of the most important people in his life. When Sokka entered, he was shocked to see the almost sensual way her glowy water-covered hands trailed the ex-prince's front, spreading water over a red, star-burst-shaped scar.
And touching his abs.
His very, very nice abs.
Yeah, his sister had good reason for "massaging" one of his best friend's abs. Before he could further contemplate the perfection of Zuko's abs, a glinting off the sheets distracted him.
Was that gold trim on the sheets he spotted there? Those Fire Nation royals really didn't spare any expenses, did they?
Sokka leaned forward from his position a few feet away from the bed to inspect the sheets. Regretfully, he lost balance and fell right onto Katara, who in turn, received a mouthful of water and an up-close view of Zuko's abs.
With a speed Sokka was sure even Aang couldn't beat, she bolted upright, knocking her shoulder into Sokka's chin in the process.
Sokka was sure he could see smoke rising from her ears when she whirled around, her face beet-red.

"Sokka! What are you doing?! Can't you see Zuko needs rest?" she growled.

Sokka raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"And that 'rest'", he inquired, "includes you groping his abs?"

Hah! Caught red-handed - Katara blushed even more fiercely at the query, if that was even possible.

"N-n-No!", she stammered, crossing her arms over her chest and turning away from him.

"Yeah, sure, tell that to me when you're thirty, married to each other and have five children" Sokka muttered.
"What about Aang though? He's been really into Katara from the start," he reminded himself internally.
"Tough luck. And, I mean, maybe you could hook him up with Stretchy or whatever she's called. Wait, she's probably prison. So he's single forever," the meaner part for his mind answered.

"Maybe," Katara finally relented, "now go bother Suki or someone", she ordered.. Before realising how loud she'd been and rushing to Zuko's bedside.

"Don't wake up, don't wake up, don't wake up!", the Water Tribesman heard her mutter anxiously. He decided to shut his mouth.

Zuko woke up anyways.

The firebender's eyes fluttered open, and he blinked as he attempted to raise himself up. Katara put a warning hand on his chest immediately and pushed him down gently.

"Don't do that. It'll strain the wound, and it's a delicate healing process, I already told you that," she told the firebender off. Said firebender looked around the room from his current lying position until his eyes stopped at Sokka.

"Sokka? What the fu-" Katara shot him a stern look," fudge are you doing here? Shouldn't you still be in the Earth Kingdom?"

Sokka shrugged nonchalantly.

"Eh. Suki raided an airship, we picked up Aang on the way back, and since we're here now, you can guess the rest."

Zuko tilted his head in confusion, obviously not quite awake yet.

"I can?"

Katara sat down on the corner of the bed and grabbed his hand.

"Listen Zuko, if Sokka's team raided an airship, they picked up Aang on the way, and are here now, what obviously happened?" She asked gently, talking to him like one would to a small child.
Sokka knew Zuko had understood, because he smacked his forehead and flinched on impact.

"They got here by airship. I feel so dumb right now."

Zuko groaned in frustration.
And Sokka witnessed his sister lovingly brush some of the ex-prince's dark bangs out of his face as she softly said something to the injured firebender, who smiled a wide - dare he say it? - dorky grin in response and dragged himself over the bed a little, making more space for Katara to sit on, who thanked him with a kiss.
Sokka sighed internally.
Was he even still there?
Obviously no, given that she'd just curled up next to the firebender, on his sick-bed, for La-knows what reason.
He was about to say something, when someone tapped his shoulder from behind.
He whirled around, to see-

"Suki! Thank Tui you're here! Do you see that?!"

"Yes darling, are you really surprised?" Sokka nodded, and Suki sighed, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the door.

"Now come on, your dad wants to see you."

She dragged him out of the room. In the middle of the corridor, Sokka froze. Oh dear. How was Sokka going to explain 'that' to his father?