Zuko was the first to stir, but his movements soon woke Sokka up to. His eyes blinked open as he felt a weight on his chest and he lifted his head. It was Zuko. He looked around blearily, searching for the time and realized it was already light. Crap we must have slept all night. He looked back at Zuko, who looked just as disoriented as him. His hair was all messy and his eyes tiredly blinking open. As the two slowly came back to consciousness, they stared at each other. "I uh...I uh….didn't mean to fall asleep…" Zuko said awkwardly.

However, he didn't move from his position against Sokka's chest. Sokka smiled. "It's okay." He whispered. "You're warm, this house is freezing. You were doing me a service." He chuckled.

Zuko looked at him for a second, then smiled slightly. He opened his mouth, as if to say something else but was interrupted quickly by a voice behind them. "Good morning boys!"

Zuko suddenly pushed away and leaped to the other end of the couch, face turning bright red. "Ah, morning uncle." He said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Sokka shook his head, trying to comprehend what had just happened, then pushed himself up and looked over at Iroh. "Mornin!" He said cheerfully.

"If I had known your boyfriend was coming over Nephew I would have stayed out longer." He said with an amused expression.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Zuko snapped. "We're not….I don't like him like that! We're just friends."

Sokka's heart plummeted and he tried to hide his hurt expression. Of course you're just friends. Idiot. He mentally chastised himself. He knew Zuko didn't see him like that, but part of him had hoped that the comforting, all the late night cuddles, and subtle smiles had been a manifestation of Zuko's romantic affections. But he had let his hopes get carried away into fantasy. Zuko didn't see him like that. He would never see him like that, he's just touch starved from growing up in a shitty family. "Yeah...what he said." Sokka said weakly.

Iroh raised his eyebrows at Sokka. "Ahh, my mistake. Would you like some tea Sokka?"

"Umm…"Sokka looked between Zuko, who was beet red and refusing to meet Sokka's eye, to Iroh who's gaze looked like he was very much scrutinizing Sokka's expression right now. "I'm okay….I have a paper that was due last night I need to finish." He stood up from the couch awkwardly and took a few steps forward. "Where's Appa?" He asked, turning around. He knew something was missing.

"Jin took him for a walk this morning!" Iroh explained.

"Ah...well….I guess….I'll see you later." Sokka said, looking at Zuko who was still not meeting his eye.

He turned and slipped out the door, trying to ignore the feeling of immense sadness that was filling his chest.

The next day Sokka was still mentally cursing himself for being so stupid to believe Zuko was interested in him. You just have to move on. He said to himself in the mirror. Yeah that's what he needed to do. Move on and accept he and Zuko would never be more than partners. Well….project partners. He was done with this infernal pining. No more cuddles, no more expectant glances. He had to once and for all accept that they were just friends.

Glumily, Sokka shuffled back to his room and plopped down at his desk, checking his calendar. It was nearing the end of the semester and Sokka had so much shit to do. This is going to require caffeine. He began piling his books and laptop into his bag and went to get his shoes, then grabbed his phone to check the time. Friday afternoon. Zuko would be in class right now, and then he knew he had some literature reading thing for one of his other classes that went until 8 tonight. That meant he wouldn't be at the Jasmine Dragon at all and Sokka was safe to go work there without having to endure the awkwardness and pain of being close to Zuko right now.

He trudged through the snow to the cafe and to his dismay when he swung the door open he was met with a packed room. Every single table and booth were filled, even the one Sokka and the gang usually sat at. He huffed and walked more towards the middle of the room, maybe there was a secret booth hiding in the corners. He crossed his arms and let out a slightly annoyed sound. Stupid idiots. He mentally cursed all the people here right now. "Need a place to sit?" A deep voice came from behind him, startling Sokka.

He whirled around and was met with a grin from a very attractive man who was sitting in the booth behind him, laptop open and a mug of tea to his side. "Uh….yeah, but I guess they're all full."

The man shrugged and gestured to the space across from him. "This one's not. You can sit, if you'd like."

Sokka hesitated for a second. He could easily just go to another cafe, but other cafe's didn't have Iroh's muffins. And Sokka really, really wanted a muffin.

"Okie dokie." He said after a moment's hesitation, then plopped down in the seat the man had pointed too.

"I'm Ryan, by the way." The man said, smiling at him.

"Sokka!"

"Well nice to meet you Sokka." He smiled again.

Sokka smiled back, eyes taking in the other's appearance. He was classically handsome for sure. Broad shoulders, curly brown hair, and a strong jaw. "So what brings you here Sokka?" Ryan asked, taking a sip of his tea.

"Homework. I go to the university."

"Oh cool, I used to go there. Graduated last year. What year are you?"

"Ah, third year." Sokka said, trying his best not to sound uncomfortable.

"Almost the senior year. What's your major?"

"Engineering. Uh...what was yours?" He asked.

"Business." The guy responded.

Figures. He looks like the business type. Sokka thought. "Anything else I can get yo- oh hey Sokka! How are you?" Jin had emerged next to their table, notepad in hand.

"Hey Jin! Good, just trying to get through finals. How about you?"

"Pretty good, what can I get ya?"

"Umm….I'll have a chamomile tea."

"Huh. I thought you usually preferred jasmine tea." She said, jotting it down.

"Um….well I do but...I'm just trying something different today." He said, awkwardly.

"Ah. I can see that." Her eyes flitted for a split second the man across the table from him and Sokka blushed slightly. Why did he feel guilty? "Alright I'll have someone bring that to you soon."

"Come here often?" Ryan asked as she left.

"Uh yeah My friend...I mean... I know the owner." He said, stumbling over his words. For some reason he didn't want to bring up Zuko.

The guy nodded, and they continued chatting. They talked about Sokka's classes and university life for the most part. "Yeah they are almost all so stuck up. I guess you can say all the people in the geology department think they rock." Sokka snickered at his pun.

Ryan laughed too. "You're so cute." He said, taking another sip of his tea.

Sokka blushed and tried to fight back his urge to shut this conversation down. Gotta move on somehow. He thought bitterly. "Thanks...you too."

"Hey listen I never do this, but would you want to have dinner sometime?"

"Like...a date?"

"Yeah." The other man laughed. "A date."

"Um….sure." Sokka said.

"Awesome! Can I get your number?" Ryan pulled out his phone and Sokka began to type his number in when suddenly a crash came and a large silver tray descended aggressively onto the table.

"Here's your tea." A familiar voice sneered from above.

Sokka's stomach twisted and he looked up. Zuko was standing above the two, eyes full of rage and Sokka could tell his jaw was clenched extremely tight. "Uh...thanks…."

Zuko just glared at him and whirled around to face Ryan. "What are you doing." He snapped.

Ryan raised his eyebrows. "Uh….sitting?"

"No soliciting customers allowed." Zuko spat, crossing his arms aggressively.

The other man chuckled awkwardly, glancing between Sokka and Zuko. "Uhh...I wasn't soliciting. I was just asking him out on a date…"

Zuko's eyes narrowed and his hands clenched into fists. "That's the same thing."

"Zuko-" Sokka began.

"What?" He snapped, whirling back around. "Sorry to interrupt your hook up but I'm just trying to do my job."

"What the hell is your problem man?" Ryan asked, starting to look annoyed.

"My problem? My problem is that you can't just go around asking out other peoples...other peoples…."

"Other people, what exactly?" Sokka asked, he was starting to get mad.

"I don't know! You just can't!" Zuko said, raising his voice.

People were starting to stare now. "I'd like to speak to your supervisor." Ryan said now, crossing his arms.

"Zuko! Take your break." Iroh called from the counter, suddenly aware of what was happening.

Zuko glared at Ryan, then at Sokka, and whirled around storming out of the cafe. "Man that dude's crazy." Ryan shook his head.

"He's not crazy." Sokka snapped, grabbing his bag and racing out after Zuko.

"Hey!" he called as he fled through the door.

He could see the outline of Zuko's body shoving its way through the crowd ahead of him. "Zuko!" He ran faster, trying to catch up.

"Hey what's your problem man!" He shouted, finally catching up to him.

"What's my problem? What's my problem?" he seethed. "I-" his voice faltered, then he stopped and took a deep breath.

"Sorry. I guess I'm just stressed out. Holidays around the corner." He said half heartedly.

Sokka could see the rage still boiling beneath his skin, but realized Zuko was fighting to control it, so he decided to back off for now. "Yeah. Stressful. Anyways I thought that you were at the reading thing tonight?"

Zuko shrugged. "Rescheduled to tomorrow night."

"Oh. Actually that's a good thing, I have a book to give back to you that I think you needed for that. A Brave New World? I think you accidentally loaned me your annotated copy."

"Oh. Yeah I need that back."

"Um...do you want to come back with me and I can give it to you? I assume you need tomorrow?"

Zuko took a second, then nodded. The two of them made their way to the bus stop in silence. In fact, their entire ride to campus was in silence. Awkward silence at that. Sokka could sense Zuko was trying to calm his anger still, and Sokka didn't particularly want to discuss anything anyways. He was still a little ticked off as well. The bus grinded to a halt a few blocks away from Sokka's apartment and the two hopped off and began walking. Suddenly Sokka's phone began to ring and he pulled it out and answered. "Hello?"

"Hey! Uh..this is Ryan...from the cafe."

"Oh! Hi R….uh…..you." He felt Zuko tense beside him and his glare intensified.

"Hey, I usually don't call so quickly, but you left your notebook here. Thought you might want it, gotta study hard to beat those geology majors right?"

Sokka chuckled slightly which just caused Zuko to clench his fists tighter. "Um...actually you can leave it at the counter, I'll swing by and get it later."

"Oh...okay. I could give it back on our date too….if you're still down for that?"

Sokka glanced at Zuko, who was looking like he would very much like to punch something or at least set it on fire. "Umm...can I call you back actually?"

"Uh...sure."

Sokka clicked the phone off and slid it back in his pocket. "That your boyfriend?" Zuko sneered.

Sokka glared at him. "Why are you being such an ass today?"

"Me? At least I'm not throwing myself at random men in the cafe."

Sokka's glare intensified. "Shut the fuck up Zuko. You made it very clear that you and I are nothing more than friends. You have no right to act like this!" They had made it to the lobby of his apartment, and frankly Sokka couldn't wait to get up to his room.

"I'm not acting like anything!" He protested.

"Yes. You're acting like I'm doing something wrong by going on a date with this guy." Sokka snapped back as they began to climb the stairs.

"I didn't say that. I just think….I just think it's a bad idea. Going out with someone you literally just met!"

Sokka rolled his eyes. "That's how dating works. Besides, I do that all the time."

"You haven't since I've known you."

"Well...that's because….because…"

"Because what." Zuko snapped. They had reached Sokka's floor.

"Because you're taking up all my time now!"

"Oh sorry. I didn't realize my presence was interfering with your sex life." Zuko hissed as Sokka pushed open his door.

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what exactly did you mean."

"I meant- Why am I explaining myself to you! You're the one who's being a colossal dick!" Sokka swung the door shut behind them.

"Well sorry I don't want to see you flirting with random men!" Zuko said, his voice beginning to raise.

"Why does it even matter?" Sokka shouted, his voice becoming more aggressive. "You and I are not together. Nor will we ever. You made that abundantly clear!"

"I didn't mean that! I just….I just freaked out!"

"Freaked out? That's what you call being so disgusted that anyone would think we're together?" Sokka yelled, he could feel his face getting red. He rarely ever got mad, but when he did he felt like his brain was full of boiling water and he could never think straight.

"I didn't freak out because I was disgusted!" Zuko shouted, glaring at him.

"Then why Zuko? What else could it possibly have been?!"

"It's because I like you!"

"Well that's an odd way of treating a friend!" Sokka said, crossing his arms.

"No not like that!"

"Not like what? So you don't think I'm your friend now?" Sokka hissed.

"No..no I mean I do! I just didn't mean….I like you! Like….like like you….."

Sokka snorted sarcastically. "What is this the second grade?"

"Shut up! God you're so infuriating!" He yelled.

"I'm infuriating! You're the one who started all this! You and your stubborn - wait….did you just say you like me?" Sokka suddenly stopped shouting. His brain had finally caught up to his blind anger.

Zuko flushed deeper red than Sokka had ever seen him. "Yes. I….thats….I just….I...I " Zuko began to stutter.

Sokka laughed and shook his head. "Stop laughing at me!" Zuko glared.

"I'm not laughing at you idiot. I like like you too." He stepped closer.

Zuko bit his lip and looked at him. "You do?"

"Yes idiot. Why do you think I've been so persistent about us hanging out? And tolerant of your royal grumpiness. And why do you think I stayed all night and helped you take care of that monster puppy?"

"Because...I gave you food?"

Sokka shook his head, taking another step closer. "No. Although that was a plus. I would have stayed even if you had asked me to lick the floor clean myself and eat wood."

"Why."

"Because I like you, and I can't ever say no to you." They were now standing very, very close together.

Zuko looked away, breaking their gaze. "I…."

"What took you so long to tell me?"

"I….Sokka I can't…."

"Can't what?"

"I can't even be a good fake boyfriend, how am I supposed to be a real boyfriend. You deserve someone….not….like me. Someone better."

Zuko's rage had been replaced with a more subdued emotion, sadness, maybe. His eyes looked like they were watering slightly and his face was still turned away, refusing to look at Sokka.

Sokka smiled and slipped his hand under Zuko's chin, pulling his face to look at him. "Now it's my turn to tell you you're an idiot."

Zuko gave him a curious look. "There is no one better." He whispered. He leaned forward until their foreheads were pressed together, Zuko's nose brushed against the end of Sokka's, and he could feel their breath mingling together. "I have spent the entire semester with you, thinking about you, wanting to be with you. Trust me….there is no one better."

He felt Zuko exhale and he slid his hand around his waist, pulling him closer. "Can I kiss you now?" Sokka whispered.

Zuko nodded slightly, and Sokka pulled his face in. Their lips brushed against each other, lightly at first. Sokka felt like a bolt of lighting struck his body and his heart started pumping faster. The kiss was tentative at first, gentle. Then Zuko's hand went to the back of Sokka's neck and the other went around his waist. Their bodies pressed together as the kiss deepened. Sokka couldn't even form thoughts as Zuko's lips moved against his and he could feel the warmth of the others body in his arms. Suddenly he heard the jangle of keys outside the door and the two sprang apart as the door swung open.

"PEOPLE OF THIS APARTMENT! YOU ARE NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF A CERTIFIED ANIMAL HANDLER!" Aang shouted as he leapt into the room, Katara, Toph, and Suki behind him.

He turned to face Sokka and Zuko, completely oblivious to the tension between them. "Zuko! What are you doing here?"

"Yeah...what are you doing here. And you are your guys hearts beating like you just ran a marathon." Toph asked slyly.

"Um...we just….uh-" Sokka stammered.

"Nevermind!" Aang said, coming to their rescue. "Are you going to stay and celebrate?"

"Celebrate?" Zuko asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I just finished my certification course at work! I can now start working one on one with the animals!"

"Oh...ah...that's awesome buddy!" Zuko said, trying to fight the awkwardness in his voice.

HIs eyes darted to Sokka and then back at the others. "But um….I should go."

Sokka looked at him as he turned to walk out the door. I finally kiss him and he's running out the door 10 seconds later.