THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Seriously, for everyone who has made it to the last chapter, I hope you enjoy this story. I'm some of you may have notices that I turned this into a series and plan to update little one-shots or what-if stories as they come to me. Posted one today as a celebration for finally finishing this story. For those of you who read the original that was abandoned a decade ago, I appreciate you. Sorry. Hope this makes up for it.
Also, any new work from me will only be on AO3 moving forward. I'm glad I was able to finish this story here.
Story Note: I am not familiar with the comics or anything beyond the first season of Legend of Korra, so this officially strays from canon. Hope that's okay!
Enjoy the last chapter!
…
Chapter 20: Together
…
The first assassination attempt against Zuko had been the week after his coronation. There had been an enemy who mixed in the crowd around the palace. He had been a guard that had been loyal to Azula, even after she had banished everyone from the palace in her madness and when night came he had made a move to frame it on an earthbender by collapsing the Firelord's chambers into rubble.
It would have worked, if the Kiyoshi Warriors hadn't been hired by Zuko to be his personal bodyguards.
"Ty Lee, do you have him?" Suki glared at the man who had tried to firebend his way out of the palace once his scheme had been figured out but it was clear he wasn't going to be able to move.
"Yes!" Ty Lee laughed as she flipped the man over so that he was on his stomach and the other warriors jumped in to tie him up. "We'll take him to the dungeon!"
Suki sighed. "Ty Lee…"
"Oh right! Firelord Zuko didn't want it called that anymore, we'll take the prisoner to the conversation room." Ty Lee winked as she and the other girls laughed. The prisoner couldn't talk with his gag and that was probably for the best. Suki already had a headache coming on from the shouting that she could hear on the other side of the door.
Still, it was her job to check on the Firelord.
"You are acting insane." Sokka's voice sounded tired and aggravated and Suki decided to take a deep breath as she opened the door.
"Kohaku was in the room. What if-" Zuko paused as he saw Suki and settled for scowling at Sokka.
"Is everything all right?" Suki made sure to give both boys a look as she leaned back against the door. "The culprit is being taken to the conversation room…"
"See, wasn't my name for it better?" Sokka smiled but it fell quickly as Zuko glared at the teen. It Suki a second to realize that the firelord was the one holding a sleeping Kohaku as Sokka started pacing. She decided to make this fast.
"We'll hand him to the imperial guards and you can have a report in the morning. Are you all okay?"
"I would be fine if Jerklord over here wasn't trying to-" Sokka waved a hand at Zuko, clearly deciding that they should continue the argument with Suki there. She wished this was the first time but honestly, they had seemed to be pulling each other's hair all week.
"Why shouldn't I send you away? If you're not going to think about your own safety then think about Kohaku's-" Zuko growled and Kohaku started to stir in the firelord's arms.
"I can take care of myself and I can take care of my son!" Sokka marched over to Zuko and it seemed like he was going to take the kid away from the firelord but teen stopped just short. "You can't want me here and then send me away, we've talked about this."
"I just need more time to make this place safer." Zuko's voice dropped as he resettled Kohaku against his chest. The firelord turned to Suki, as if realizing she was just there with a sigh. "We're fine, you can go back."
Suki eyed both of them before she smiled. "Maybe I should take Kohaku?"
"Maybe-"
"No!" Sokka groaned. "We talked about this too. Everytime we fight we end up having sex and while the sex has been particularly good with a bed and everything, it just means that we don't ever actually resolve anything. We need to actually talk."
Sokka and Zuko's faces flushed immediately after that, as if Sokka's words finally caught up to the water tribe teen and Suki just groaned.
What a show off.
"I'm taking the baby." Suki gently pulled Kohaku out of the firelord's arms before she glared at Sokka. "You can argue or have amazing sex, whatever you want to do. I'm taking Kohaku back to my room and we're going to get a good night's sleep."
Both teens remained silent as she made it to the door and Suki felt a small mean streak rise up in her as she turned back to Zuko. "Did Sokka ever tell you about the kiss on the airship?"
She only heard sputtering as she made it out the door and back to her rooms. They weren't that far but they were far enough that she no longer heard them yelling at each other. Kohaku started drooling on her uniform and Suki couldn't help but laugh at that.
How did those two idiots have such a cute kid?
…
…
…
The next morning, Sokka sat smugly at the breakfast with a love bite on his next that was so big his necklace couldn't cover it. "I'm staying for the next two weeks, like planned."
Suki just rolled her eyes at him as she handed him his son back.
…
…
…
"Why am I here?" Mai sighed as she glanced at her green wardrobe.
"Because you wanted to be closer to your girlfriend but you also wanted a job." Zuko put down a cup of tea in front of her with a smirk. "You're only in Ba Sing Se long enough to get approval from the Earth King and then you'll be stationed in Omashu to help assist King Bumi in bettering relationships with the Fire Nation."
"But why do I have to be an ambassador?" Mai sneered at her clothes. "And why do I have to wear green?"
"Because you look great in it!" Ty Lee cartwheeled through Iroh's tea shop and Mai couldn't help but give a small smile as Ty Lee sat next to her with a wink. It was still weird seeing Ty Lee in the Kyoshi uniform but Mai was beginning to warm up to it.
Mai had to admit that it wasn't the worst thing to happen to her, being stuck in the Earth Kingdom. It beat being stuck in the Fire Nation with her parents who were constantly sucking up to Zuko whenever they had a chance because they were afraid of their standing with him. She would have told them that he didn't think anything of them at all and could live their lives just as they normally did but Mai figured that making sure they were on their best behavior was probably going to be better for them in the long run.
Zuko brought Ty Lee out some tea as well and Mai was happy to see the firelord and her girlfriend could be friendly. She had always thought Ty Lee rubbed Zuko the wrong way but seeing them together now, maybe she just hadn't seen the potential for their friendship at the time.
There was a loud laugh in the distance and Mai glanced over to see Iroh and Sokka playing Pai Sho. The Avatar was sitting with them, clearly trying to better understand the game, but it actually looked like Sokka had done something that had surprised the old war General.
She turned her attention back to the firelord who was currently taking tea orders from an elderly couple that just walked in and Mai couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Everything was just so peaceful.
"I'm bored." She sighed.
"Well…" Ty Lee leaned up against Mai's side as if she was about to share a secret. "Either, we can make fun of Zuko by making him serve us some more, which I know you enjoy."
"I do like him serving me." Mai admitted with a huff.
"Or…" And Ty Lee smiled big at this. "We can go back to the hotel and take advantage of some alone time before you're back on the clock."
Mai just grabbed Ty Lee's hand as they got to their feet. Ty Lee always had the best of ideas.
…
…
…
"Stay a little longer." Zuko groaned as he pressed further into Sokka. They were both panting, Sokka's legs wrapped Zuko's waist as the Firelord continued to push further in the water tribe teen. "I take it back, don't go home."
"Spirits." Sokka swore as he threw his head back and Zuko couldn't help but agree. Sokka opened his eyes to give Zuko a blissed out look before the teen tried to concentrate. "I have to go home, you know this...why...now?"
Zuko knew he was in as far as he could go but he wished he could be deeper. Wished he could somehow always be instead of Sokka, as ridiculous as it sounded.
"Come here." Sokka grabbed the back of the firelord's neck and pulled Zuko to him. They didn't kiss, just breathed each other's air for a moment before Sokka smiled brightly at him and kissed the tip of Zuko's nose. "You'll be there in a month to meet the tribe formally, remember?"
Zuko groaned as he started thrusting into the teen beneath him and had some satisfaction as the noises Sokka started to make. Sokka wrapped his arms around Zuko's neck but it wasn't enough. The firelord sat back so that he could grab Sokka's legs and pulled the teen up so that Sokka had to hold onto him for support but the firelord kept their rhythm going.
"Wait-no-" Sokka's leg tightened around Zuko. "Too deep."
"I want you to feel me every day that you're gone." Zuko breathed in Sokka's ear and the firelord knew that he wasn't bending right now but his body felt like it was burning. "I can't wait to see the home you build."
"Zuko, wait-" Sokka's nails were in Zuko's back but the firelord wasn't going to stop.
"I can't wait to put braids in your hair."
Sokka swore and suddenly Zuko was falling back on the mattress. The water tribe teen pushed himself up with his hands on Zuko's chest but his hips never stopped moving as they continued to move together. Zuko could feel himself nearing and grabbed Sokka's hips to pull him down hard making them both gasp as Sokka kept fucking himself on Zuko's cock.
"You're close, right?" Sokka was nearly breathless as the teen grabbed his own cock and started stroking it. "Inside, come inside me."
Zuko could never deny that request and found himself cumming as Sokka clenched against him. Zuko tenses, his feet trying to find a grip on the sheets so that he could keep thrusting but it wasn't enough. Sokka's own cum splattered against his chest and both teens groaned as they tried to focus on each other.
"You're a mess." Sokka looked proud at that fact as he stared down at Zuko and the firelord couldn't help but smirk.
"Maybe this should be my royal portrait?" Zuko ran his hand against his chest and smeared Sokka's cum on him and hissed when he felt Sokka clench against him again. "Wait, let me pull out."
"No." Sokka's voice was breathy as he stared down at the firelord. The water tribe teen smirked as he started small movements with his hips that had Zuko's cock getting interested again and the firelord groaned.
Sokka had to go back home to the Southern Water Tribe, Zuko knew this but the firelord wished they could stay together longer but Sokka needed to do his coming of age ceremony and Zuko needed to go back to the Fire Nation. It was only supposed to be a month of separation but Zuko felt like he didn't want to think about all the moments he would miss.
He was excited for Sokka. Happy that his boyfriend was finally going to be able to introduce Kohaku to the tribe but Zuko couldn't fight the doubts in the back of his head.
What if Sokka realized what he was giving up and decided to stay?
What if Sokka realized Zuko was too much work?
What if-
"Hey, it's okay." Sokka's hand was against Zuko's face and it made the firelord realize that tears had formed in his eyes. Sokka's hips had stopped moving as the water tribe teen was kissing the side of Zuko's face. "Sorry, too intense right? We can rest, we totally should rest."
Zuko let out a shuddering breath as he pulled Sokka into a kiss. The water tribe teen tried to pull back but Zuko kept them together until Sokka opened up for him. Until he could feel Sokka's teen on his lip before Zuko pressed his tongue against his.
"I love you." Zuko hoped the words said everything that he could say right now.
"Zuko…" Sokka pressed another kiss to Zuko's lips before he started kissing the teen's face all over. It was silly and desperate and it made Zuko laugh as the kisses kept coming.
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" The firelord tried to push Sokka off him but Sokka kept trying to kiss him. "I'm fine!"
"Stop acting like I'm about to die on you...especially when you're dick is inside me. The sex is good but not that good, you won't kill me." Sokka seemed confused but his words made Zuko laugh more.
He really did love this idiot.
Sokka hissed as he pulled Zuko out of him before he collapsed next to the laughing firelord. Zuko just took a deep breath and pulled Sokka in for another kiss.
"You've completely ruined the mood." Sokka huffed but clearly he didn't mean it because he kept kissing any part of Zuko he could touch. "When I'm sexually frustrated after a month without you, your body better be ready."
"Make sure the home you build with Bato is hard to melt, I would hate to melt all your hard work if I accidentally firebend." Zuko tried to catch his breath as he smiled at Sokka. "Make sure it has enough rooms."
"Anything else you want, my lord?" Sokka mocked but Zuko didn't mind. "Want me to build a whole ice palace? Maybe some rooms for all your clothes."
"It would be appreciated." Zuko nodded seriously before grinning again as Sokka poked him in the side. "Sorry, just, got in my head."
Sokka nodded as he placed another kiss against Zuko's shoulder before the water tribe teen shrugged. "I can probably delay Aang another week if you want me to stay longer. I know he wants to see Katara since she went back home before we did but-"
Zuko rolled over so that he was on top of Sokka, letting his hands run through Sokka's hair before he kissed Sokka's forehead. "No, I'll be fine."
"You sure?" Sokka ran his hands down Zuko's arms and bit his lip as he eyed the firelord. Sokka was a tough personality most of the time but Zuko was grateful that he got to see these softer moments. That he could see how much Sokka actually cared for him.
"I think if I keep you from home for much longer that your dad might actually try to invade the Fire Nation." Zuko brushed his thumb against Sokka's lips with a smile. "And as much as I love you, I might actually be more afraid of him right now."
Sokka just laughed. "Smart."
…
…
…
It took Zuko three months to settle a dispute in the FIre Nation before he could finally make his trip down to the Southern Water Tribe. He had to get Iroh to stand in for him, which his uncle was happy to do, but it still made the firelord feel like he hadn't been working hard enough.
Sokka had taken to sending Hawky to Zuko every week that the firelord was late with a rather graphic letter about how frustrated he was.
Zuko kept the letters.
…
…
...
Zuko was so cold.
He stared at the now sinking ship and couldn't believe he had managed to fail so spectacularly at ice dodging. It also didn't help that Sokka was currently laughing so hard he was crying as they all watched the ship sink further and further to its icy death.
"I can't believe it actually sank." Katara, the only person who wasn't wet because she had just been a spectator just stared in awe. "What are we going to tell dad?"
"Tell him I sank with it." Zuko shuddered and Sokka just laughed harder. The Firelord managed to kick the water tribe teen away from him before he started to focus on his fire breath. "I'll sneak back to the Fire Nation and never return."
"At least you made it most of the way." Aang, the optimist, piped up even though the avatar was currently firebending to try and heat up.
"Stop pouting." Sokka, the traitor, sat next to Zuko as he wiped a tear from his face. Zuko honestly wanted to punch the teen but he had come all this way to try and win favor from Sokka's family so the Firelord thought it wouldn't be worth it. Instead he settled for pulling Sokka into a quick kiss as he let steam leave his mouth. Sokka shivered against him and Zuko pulled away before the water tribe teen could cling to him.
It was nice to know that Sokka was freezing too.
Katara just sighed as he looked at the still soaking wet boys and rolled her eyes before he motioned towards Appa. "I can give you a lift back or do you want to do the walk of shame?"
"I hate all of you." Zuko got to his feet and trudged through the snow. "I'm just glad that no one else was here to see this."
"Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. You'll be back here in three months, right? We can try again." Sokka smiled at the Firelord and Zuko knew he was making a 'why do I have to do this' face because Sokka took pity on him. "Or you don't, you honestly have enough on your plate. You don't need to-"
"I said I would do your customs and I plan to." Zuko made sure to pat Appa a few times before he climbed up the air bison. "Next time I might bring my own ship though."
Zuko liked the idea as soon as he said it. The fire nation ships were metal and they would have broken through the ice no problem.
Katara and Aang just laughed before they started talking animatedly while Katara got Appa in the air. The Firelord found himself sitting back against Sokka who just hugged him back and Zuko figured even if it was humiliating he would still do it again and again in order so see Sokka happy like this.
It had been four months since Zuko's coronation and while the Firelord was constantly busy, time felt like it had been dragging since Sokka had left his side after Ba Sing Se. There had been a lot of work to get done in the Fire Nation, and a lot of work was still being done, but Zuko had managed to to finally get down to the Southern Water Tribe to see Sokka and Kohaku again and they had only managed to have one day together before Zuko had been dragged in front of Hakoda for a discussion about Water Tribe traditions.
It was clear that Hakoda was just going over them so that Zuko would have a better understanding of what would be expected of Kohaku when the baby was finally old enough but Zuko had taken it as a challenge.
And now he was freezing on top of Appa as they made their way back to the tribe.
"When we get back, you're going to warm me up." Zuko glared at Sokka and the water tribe teen blushed as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Kohaku is with dad, so we'll have the igloo to ourselves." Sokka made sure to scoot a little closer to Zuko as he blushed some more and honestly, Zuko was struggling with his willpower to not just jump the teen on top of Appa. "We'll probably have a few hours…"
When Zuko had first docked, he had been surprised to have Sokka literally dragging him away before the firelord had been able to greet anybody but it seemed the tribe had been expecting it so they had let the teens be. Sokka had dragged the firelord through the village until they made it to a nice small house and Zuko finally realized what Sokka had been excited about.
It had been a nice home and Zuko had been embarrassed when Sokka had lifted him up and carried him through the door like a bride. The sex afterwards had been worth the wait.
"Whatever you are planning, stop it!" Katara shouted back at them with an evil grin and Zuko wanted to curse her as he heard her next words. "Remember, the Firelord is supposed to be meeting with the chief and the council soon. It's the whole reason Firelord Zuko is actually here."
"I'm actually here to try and take your brother back with me." Zuko made sure to throw back with no shame even as Sokka spluttered next to him. The firelord just smiled as he glanced at Sokka's hair. The sides were shaved again and he was growing a long wolf tail but what really stood out was the braid that went down the side of his face that ended with a red bead.
Zuko didn't listen to whatever Katara said next as he finally pulled Sokka into another kiss.
He could be late to his next meeting.
It would be fine.
…
…
…
The first assassination attempt against Sokka had happened shortly after the teen had returned to the Fire Nation. He had brought Piandao and Fatmir to the palace with him and had left Kohaku with Fatmir to do some more training before there had been a glint of light.
Sokka had thought it had been something Fatmir had thrown at him to test his concentration, something the older man liked to do every now and then, so he had swung his new sword toward it only to hit an arrow off tract.
An arrow.
"Sokka, get down." Piandao was shoving Sokka to the side as suddenly more arrows came into the courtyard but both of them managed to find a safe place behind some marble steps. There was shouting in the distance and Sokka knew that the guards had seen the attack and were going to be here soon but he still wasn't sure what had happened.
Him?
Someone had wanted to kill him?
"Are you okay?" Piandao's hand on Sokka's shoulder brought him to reality and the teen suddenly found himself blinking wildly.
"Kohaku, where's Kohaku? Is he safe?" Sokka ran out from behind the marble as fire nation guards filled the courtyard. They were all shouting but Sokka just motioned to Piandao, knowing the older man could give them the information they needed while he went to check on his son.
"Sokka!" Sokka paused as Fatmir called him and he ran into the small conference room that Fatmir had been letting Kohaku crawl around in. "Are you okay, I heard-"
"I'm fine." Sokka scooped his kid up, Kohaku laughing delightfully at the attention, and Sokka finally felt like he could breathe again. "I'm fine."
Sokka had known things wouldn't be easy. He had talked to Iroh about life in the Fire Nation, had even talked to Mai and Ty Lee, and they had all warned him. Even if the majority of the Fire Nation was thrilled about Zuko being the new firelord, even if the Fire Nation was happy the war was over...there would always be people who wanted something. People who were used to the old way of doing things and would rather send an assassin instead of set up a meeting.
Kohaku squealed joyfully in Sokka's arms and the teen let out a deep breath.
"Sokka!" Zuko was suddenly in the room and before the water tribe teen could say anything, he was being wrapped in the firelord's arms. Zuko's robes were almost like a blanket around Sokka and Kohaku. "Are you okay?"
Sokka nodded as he let Zuko hold him.
It was fine.
They were all fine.
The work that they were doing was worth it. After everything the world had suffered, Sokka wasn't going to sit back and let a small group of people try to scare him away.
"You need to go back to whatever meeting you ran out of." Sokka placed a small kiss on Zuko's jaw as he finally pulled away.
"They can wait." Zuko started but Sokka just gave him another kiss to silence him.
"I'm pretty sure you were meeting about prison reform, so no, they can't." Sokka sighed before he smiled at Kohaku and gently put his son on the ground. Kohaku made noises at them before he crawled back over to Fatmir who was doing his best to give them privacy. Sokka turned back to Zuko and smoothed out the firelord's robes. "I'm going to talk with Piandao and the guard, we'll figure out who it is."
Zuko looked like he had something we wanted to say but the firelord finally just shook his head and pulled Sokka into another kiss. "Be careful."
"I'm always careful!" Sokka whined, even if everyone in that room knew it was a blatant lie.
…
…
…
Kohaku's first word was 'dada' which would have been great except he had been 'talking' to Toph at the time. The earthbender smiled proudly at her new title.
Sokka and Zuko did not pout in a corner, no matter what she would later tell people.
Toph and Suki never happened. Not because Toph didn't try but because Suki had said that Toph was too young. Which was fair, the earthbender was now only thirteen but still, she was allowed to be a little sad about it.
The earthbender decided to focus her attention elsewhere and continued to travel to new places with Haru and Teo of all people. She liked their company, enjoyed Teo's sense of humor and Haru was great to practice earth bending with even if he never was able to beat her.
And if Toph made sure to avoid her parent's home for a little longer, then she was fine with it.
…
…
...
The celebration of the first year of Zuko's reign as the firelord had been spectacular. Sokka had never seen so many fireworks in his life and he had been delighted that Kohaku had stayed awake long enough to enjoy them.
The one-year old was now sleeping with Fatmir in one of the guest rooms in the Palace. Sokka loved the fact that his son had adopted Fatmir as his best friend and now, if the older man was around, Kohaku wanted to stay by his side. It was cute and while it took Zuko a while to catch on, it also meant that they had a few more nights to themselves.
Sokka caught sight of himself in the mirror, the red tunic startling him for a bit before he rolled his eyes. He had meant to wear his water tribe clothing but had ended up getting convinced by Suki to try on some new clothes to impress Zuko with. Sokka really couldn't complain, he had to admit that he looked good in red but he still preferred his blue garb over anything else.
The festivities were going to last through the night and Sokka had only come back to the palace to make sure Kohaku went to sleep but now that he was here could probably change into something lighter. The air was hot outside and if he was planning to go out there to find his exhausted boyfriend then the least Sokka could do was change into something more comfortable first.
The teen turned, unwinding his belt as he let the red cloth slide down his back. It had gotten caught in his elbows as Sokka tried to undo another strap when suddenly there was a warm hand against his back.
"That better be the Firelord touching me or someone is about to lose their hand." Sokka smirked as he felt Zuko's hand trace down his spine.
"Are you telling me that other people have tried to touch you like this?" Zuko's voice was raspy in a way that it got when he had been talking too much and it made Sokka shiver and the water tribe teen turned around so that they could bring the Firelord into a kiss. Zuko bit at Sokka's lip and it made the teen laugh as he pulled away to see Zuko's glare.
"I'm not cheating on you!" Sokka grabbed Zuko's belt to pull the teen to him. "I honestly don't have the time."
"Is that the only reason?" Zuko hummed as he started helping Sokka out of the tunic and Sokka started untying the Firelord's robes as he smiled at Zuko.
"I just haven't found anyone yet, so you'll do for now." Sokka let out a put upon sigh and and enjoyed how he was suddenly lifted over Zuko's shoulder as the Firelord carried him to their bed. "Zuko, watch it! I'm delicate."
"Yeah, like a komodo rhino." The Firelord tossed Sokka on the bed and Sokka continued working on undoing Zuko's robes as the teen crawled over him. "The advisors want us to set a date, preferably for a summer wedding next year."
Sokka hummed as he finally undid all of Zuko's ties and started to push the fabric off the Firelord. Zuko worked with him, letting the heavy fabric fall off the bed until they were just in their pants and Sokka's hands traced down Sokka's chest until they stopped at the scar in the middle of Zuko's abdomen. The scar he had gotten saving Sokka's sister.
The water tribe teen pushed himself forward so that he could kiss the scar and he enjoyed how Zuko's hands played his hair before he let his mouth start to travel lower as he glanced up at the Firelord who was staring at him with a glassy look on his face. Sokka made a wet popping sound against Zuko's abs before he pulled away with a grin. "What if we get married tomorrow?"
"Oh, so now you're willing to give up your trips to the other nations and finally settle into your seat on my council?" Zuko knew the answer to that so Sokka didn't bother with a response as he started to undo Zuko's pants.
Sokka had taken to traveling to all the places they had been on the Avatar's journey to thank the people who helped them along the way. Sometimes other members of team Aang would join but usually it was just Sokka, Kohaku, and Aang. The avatar had been feeling antsy and Sokka figured it was good practice before Aang actually had to start doing yearly tours as the Avatar.
Aang also had gotten really good at changing diapers.
Zuko's hand lifted Sokka's jaw so that they were staring at each other again and Zuko pressed his thumb against Sokka's lips making the water tribe teen open his mouth so he could suck on it. Sokka let his teeth scrape the skin before he licked it. Sokka let his hands feel up Zuko's thighs and enjoyed how the Firelord started to tremble as Sokka started pushing Zuko's limits.
Sokka sat back and let the wet thumb pop out of his mouth before he kissed Zuko's hand, Sokka's own hands grabbing Zuko's butt as he smirked at the Firelord. "I'm fine with a summer wedding but we're doing it at night, under a full moon."
Zuko shoved Sokka down into the bed and smiled before Zuko was kissing him.
Things had actually been pretty easy for them this trip. Sokka had only been able to make it to the Fire Nation capital a week before the festival since he had been working out new trade negotiations with the Northern Water Tribe with Pakku and Chief Arnook which had caused more headaches than Sokka had originally thought there would be. But, there was a lot of pride between both Water Tribes and the Southern Tribe had felt abandoned by the Northern Tribe for a long time.
Pakku had brought a lot of good will with him but marrying Gran-Gran only got him so much trust.
"Are you distracted?" Zuko bit Sokka's thigh and it made the water tribe teen realize that the Firelord had already taken both their pants. Zuko eyed him but it was clear the older teen was more fond of Sokka than annoyed.
Things really were great between them.
It was kind of weird.
"Sorry, I was just wondering if my dad and chief Arnook were getting along." Sokka groaned as Zuko bit his thigh again, this time a little closer to the knee. "I know, I know, I promised not the be distracted but-"
"You dad and chief Arnook were fine when I left them." Zuko kissed Sokka's knee, clearly not going to let the business talk stop him from continuing. "I made sure Iroh knew I was leaving so he could intermediate if needed but honestly, Bato was a little drunk so I think your dad has his hands full."
Sokka laughed at that, Bato was not very shy when he was sober and that meant he definitely wasn't shy when he was drunk. "If Chief Arnook realizes that all he has to do to get on my dad's good side is soften Bato up, all my hard work is going to be for nothing."
Zuko just hummed and Sokka heard the cork pop on the bottle of oil and couldn't help but laugh. So Zuko was definitely not going to let business talk stop him and the firelord was just going to have his way with Sokka anyway?
So romantic.
"Maybe I should stay here a little longer." Sokka hissed as Zuko started out with two fingers but he made sure to keep himself relaxed. "I could probably keep my dad and chief Arnook here and finish the negotiations in an unbiased nation. Might make it easier for them to relax too."
"That sounds like a good plan. You should definitely stay longer." Zuko was kissing his way down Sokka's thighs and it had the teen squirming as the firelord continued to stretch him open. "Maybe I can even convince you to stay in bed tomorrow?"
Sokka was about to say something about that but then Zuko was sucking him down as the firelord pushed another finger in and instead the teen keened. His hands wrapped around Zuko's hair and he tried to hold on as the sucked him in deeper.
Zuko had gotten so good at this.
Too good.
"You're not cheating on me right?" Sokka choked out as he felt Zuko's tongue. "Like, not planning to steal Kohaku and run away with Chit Sang are you?"
Chit Sang had just finished training and was now on rotation as a guard for the firelord. Sokka would have found it hilarious except he had seen the man in action after the latest assassination attempt and had since kept a healthy distance.
Zuko's mouth popped off Sokka's hard cock. "Chit Sang? Are you drunk right now?"
"No! Now hurry." Sokka whined but thankfully he didn't have to wait too long because Zuko was pressing into him. It was so good. So good.
They were so good together.
"Will it be weird getting married under a full moon." Zuko started a small rocking motion that wasn't nearly enough and Sokka groaned as he tried to pay attention to what the firelord was saying. Zuko huffed. "Isn't it weird bringing your ex to our wedding?"
Oh, Zuko thought he was being funny.
Sokka would have responded but the firelord had picked up the pace as instead Sokka decided to hang on as he planned his revenge. It would be swift but until then, Sokka wanted Zuko to keep doing what he was doing.
So good.
…
…
…
Later that night, while Sokka was blissed out in their bed, Zuko went to apologize to the moon. It wasn't that the firelord was worried but more that his uncle had always taught him to have a healthy respect of the spirit world.
Sokka still laughed at him when he got back to the bed.
…
…
...
Toph finally got her Zuko fieldtrip.
It was long overdue but the firelord had shown up one day in his air balloon with a joke about needing some muscle to take care of some things and Toph was on board. It had been a trip to Kiyoshi village but Toph had been excited for a change of pace.
"Have you had a chance to talk with your family?" Zuko kept his voice soft while they were up in the air and Toph didn't mind. She could still hear him.
"I've been able to talk with my mom. We've written a few letters and I think she understands that I need space right now." Toph sighed, keeping her feet against the metal as she leaned back and folded her arms. "My dad is different. Still wants me to come home and be his helpless little girl again."
Zuko hummed and Toph appreciated the support. She let a moment pass before she took a breath. "How's your family?"
"Kohaku is great, I think he's been picking up more words but I'm afraid of what Sokka's been teaching him. Sokka is back at the Southern Water Tribe, but I plan to pick them up after this trip if you don't mind an extra stop. And of course, Iroh's tea shop is booming." Zuko seemed happy as he spoke but Toph realized he missed the point of her question.
Well, she was never one to beat around the bush.
"I meant your father and your sister." Toph made sure her voice was clear but she also understood if the firelord didn't want to talk about it.
Zuko was silent for a few moments before he groaned. "Sorry, I think Sokka is the only one who asks about them now so I just usually avoid the subject."
"No worries. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." Toph let herself slide to the floor to get more comfortable on the metal.
"No, it's just…" Zuko paused for a moment before he sighed. "Azula is still hospitalized and I'm not sure we'll ever let her out. I try to visit her once a month but…"
"Yeah, I imagine that is a hard reunion." Toph huffed.
"You have no idea." Zuko let out a bitter laugh before the firelord continued. "My dad told me where to find my mom."
Toph paused, unsure if she had heard him right. She must have had an expression on her face because suddenly the firelord was talking again.
"I have a friend looking into the information he gave me." Which Toph took to translate as he had asked his uncle about it. "I don't trust him, my father, but if he's telling the truth then I'll have to look for her. I have to know."
Toph couldn't imagine what her life would have been like if her mother had suddenly disappeared one day. She got to her feet and made her way over the firelord before sitting next to him with a huff.
"Just keep in mind, that when you're ready to look for her, team Aang will be here for you." She placed her hand on his arm before she gave him a good punch that caused him to curse at her. "Now are we done talking about emotional stuff?"
They both laughed and settled on talking about how hopeless Aang was when it came to Katara.
All in all, it ended up being a good field trip.
…
…
…
Zuko smiled as he made it off the air balloon before he paused at the sight of the teen in front of him. It had been a few months since he had seen Sokka, not by choice on either of their parts but because work was getting in the way but something was different.
Something Zuko wasn't sure he liked.
"Are you taller than me?" Zuko marched over so that he was standing toe to toe with Sokka and the water tribe teen just smiled brightly.
"Hit a growth spurt!" Sokka smiled before he pulled Zuko into a kiss. "I think it'll be okay for you to look up to me every now and then."
"You-" Zuko didn't have words for how he felt right now so he settled for throwing Sokka over his shoulder and marching towards their home in the Southern Water Tribe. Zuko could hear Toph laughing with Katara in the background so he figured it was fine to leave her.
He had some catching up to do with his now taller boyfriend.
…
…
…
The wedding had been extravagant. A unification of Nations.
Sokka's dad had made it through the first half of the ceremony but when Sokka had glanced over to Hakoda towards the end, he had seen his father crying into Bato's shoulder. They really were a family of criers.
Kohaku had looked adorable, and had even waddled down the aisle with Sokka before Sokka had to pass him off to Katara to walk up the steps where Zuko was already waiting for him.
The moon had shown brightly over the whole ceremony and Sokka couldn't believe it was finally happening. After everything that they had been through.
Married.
He was marrying Zuko.
"I'm too tired for sex." Sokka groaned as he tried to strip out of his formal robes. The party was still going on outside but Sokka had officially been done. "I hope you don't mind if we don't consummate our union tonight."
"Considering that we've been practicing our wedding for the past week, I think I'm good." Zuko wasn't much better as the firelord groaned. He actually managed to strip out of even more layers before he collapsed on the bed next to Sokka. Sokka managed to turn over so that he could stare at his husband, both of them now wearing two sets of braids in their hair and it made Sokka smile.
"I think I'm really in love with you." Sokka mumbled as he leaned towards the firelord.
Zuko tensed and Sokka pressed himself closer to the firelord as he felt Zuko's hand in his hair. The gold band on Zuko's hand felt cool on Sokka's scalp but Sokka couldn't help but smirk when he thought about how it matched the one on his hand.
Married.
"Do you mean it?" Zuko's voice was soft and Sokka blinked his eyes open to see the firelord starting at him.
After all this time. Everything that they had been through, the pain, the loss, the laughter, all the miles they traveled together and Zuko still seemed surprised to wake up next to Sokka every day. The water tribe teen didn't know how to fix it, to make Zuko realize that Sokka was just as lucky as he was. That Sokka was in this till the end, but he could do one thing.
"Zuko, I love you." Sokka brushed his nose against Zuko's cheek and let his head rest on Zuko's shoulder. "I will love you for the rest of my life."
And if Zuko said anything after that, Sokka was already too asleep to hear it. But if Sokka noticed that the Firelord stared at him a little longer in the mornings, Sokka wasn't going to complain.
They had finally made it.
…
…
...
The end.