It was 6am Saturday morning and Sokka lay awake, unable to sleep. He shifted slightly in his bed and checked his phone again, then rolled back over, thinking about the events of the day before.

"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. He thought dejectedly. He watched as Zuko made his way to the door and grabbed the knob, then suddenly a thought occurred to him. "Wait no, don't go."

Zuko turned around and looked at him. "Sorry Sokka I have to work."

"But…." Sokka stammered, trying desperately to think of a way to get Zuko to stay. If we don't talk about this today he's going to run off and get caught up in his own head and then we'll never talk about it. His eyes darted to the gang who were all looking curiously between the two. "You have to stay and help Aang celebrate. Besides, I'm sure Iroh wouldn't mind giving you a break from the cafe tonight. You weren't even originally supposed to work." He pointed out. "Also...I think we should talk about….about the new….developments in our...project." he said, staring at Zuko.

The other boy shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of Sokka and the gang. "Um...i think we can talk about those...developments later. I don't really think it's a good idea to -"

"Aw come on Zuko!" Katara said, suddenly grabbing his hand and dragging him away from the door. "You're part of the gang now, and that means you have to help celebrate our accomplishments! Now you're staying!"

Sokka smiled gratefully at her and she just shot him an inquisitive look. Zuko fought a little, but then decided to give in. He knew that once Katara set her mind to something there was no stopping her. Reluctantly he allowed himself to be dragged into the living room and pushed into a chair. Sokka followed him and the rest gathered around. Katara left to get some drinks out of the fridge and Suki went over to grab the remotes and turn on the TV. As they chatted, Sokka kept trying to catch Zuko's attention, but the other boy would not meet his gaze. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.

They continued watching TV and chatting into the night and soon it was almost 11pm. Katara stood up and stretched. "I think I'm going to go to bed. Don't forget we're doing secret santa tomorrow!" She said to the others.

"We won't grandma." Toph rolled her eyes.

"I should go too." Zuko said immediately, standing up.

"No wait!" Sokka said desperately, grabbing ahold of Zuko's wrist to prevent him from leaving.

"What the hell is going on between you two today?" Toph asked.

"Yeah you guys have been acting weird ever since we got home." Suki said, giving them a suspicious look.

"We just….have a lot to do on our project. Stressed and all." Sokka avoided eye contact.

"Yeah….but I think our project can wait until later Sokka. I need to go home." Zuko tugged his wrist, trying to escape his clutches.

"Zuko, I really really think we should talk about our project nooooow…" Sokka said in a sing songy voice, pulling back on his wrist.

"No." He hissed. "I want to go home."

"If you go home, you're going to get all worked up about the project and go all emo Zuko on me!" Sokka insisted.

"Must be some project." Suki said, raising an eyebrow.

"Fine!" Zuko snapped. "We can talk about the stupid project."

"Awesome! Uh...let's talk about it in my room...where our….material is." Sokka said awkwardly, all too aware of the inquisitive stares that followed him as he dragged his partner into his room.

As the door swung shut behind him, Zuko turned away and crossed his arms. "Why are you being so annoying."

"I'm always annoying, have you learned nothing?" Sokka laughed a little.

Zuko just crossed his arms tighter and refused to turn around. "Zuko…." Sokka took a step forward and tentatively placed his hands on Zuko's elbows, giving him a slight tug. "Will you look at me please."

He tugged again and this time Zuko let him turn him around, but still wouldn't look at his face. "You looked so worried all night. What's going on?"

"Nothing!"

"Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll be forced to ask it again and again each in a different accent! What's the matta sugar?" He drawled in a shitty southern accent. "Oh dear heavens me whatever could the matter be! Oy mate! Whats crackin on wif you?! What is zee matta-"

"Okay fine! If you shut up I'll talk." Zuko glared at him.

"There. See that wasn't that difficult!"

"You're difficult." Zuko grumbled under his breath. Then took a deep breath. "It's just….I don't want to mess this up like everything else I do."

"You don't mess everything up."

"Yes, I do. I messed things up with my family, I messed things up with you plenty of times, I messed things up with Mai, I messed things up with-"

"Zuko, first of all. Your family being shitty isn't your fault, also Mai was a lesbian so again...not really your fault….and yeah you're kind of an idiot sometimes but so am I!" Sokka said, pulled him closer.

"That's true. You are an idiot. Most of the time."

"Hey I said some of the time." Sokka rolled his eyes.

"And I'm correcting you." Zuko said, smiling a bit.

Sokka rolled his eyes again and slipped his hand back under his chin, forcing Zuko to meet his eyes. "You're not going to mess this up. Besides, we don't have to rush into anything if you don't want to."

"I'd appreciate that." Zuko admitted. "It's not that I don't want people to know about you its just….Im not...well….its hard…."

"I know I know. You're not out yet to most people and it's scary and also you don't want people to be jealous that you get to kiss the hottest most sexiest person at this university who -mgh" Sokka's tangent of self compliments was cut off by Zuko pressing his lips against Sokka's.

"At least now I know how to finally shut you up." Zuko laughed quietly against his lips.

"Hmm well I'll just be that much more annoying now if I get to kiss you every time." Sokka murmured back, pulling him in for another kiss.

Their lips moved softly against each other, and Zuko slowly began to uncoil from his tense position he had assumed earlier. Sokka's hands went to his waist and he slid one along his back and the other hooked in his belt loop, pulling him closer until their bodies were flush together. Zuko's hand went to the back of his neck again, and then traveled up and pulled out his wolfstail, letting his hair fall across his face. "I like your hair like this." He whispered.

Sokka smiled and just kissed him deeper. Zuko's hand tangled itself in his hair and his other one slipped around Sokka's waist as their heads moved in synchronization. After a few minutes, Zuko pulled away breathless and Sokka began trailing kisses down his neck. He kissed underneath his jaw and pushed Zuko's head back slightly with his nose to get a better angle. He could feel Zuko's breath coming more raggedly from his arms and he smirked against Zuko's skin. His left hand trailed up from his waist and slowly began working on the buttons of Zuko's black work shirt. Sokka moved down to his collarbone and began peppering it with kisses, his hands almost done with the buttons. "S-Sokka, stop...wait." Zuko breathed out, gently pushing him away.

Sokka pulled back but didn't relinquish the grip he had on Zuko's waist. "Hmmm?" He looked up at the other, biting his lip.

Zuko breathed out again, trying to stabilize his breath and collect his thoughts. "I don't think...I mean….I don't….I've never…..I don't know what I'm doing….Can we just…." He stuttered.

Sokka smiled and pulled him in and planted a kiss on his nose. "I know what you're saying. And of course. We can go as slow as you like, with everything."

Zuko smiled and leaned into him again, giving him a chaste kiss on the lips. "I should get going though, it's getting late."

He turned to leave again and once again Sokka caught his wrist. "Or you could stay here?"

Zuko looked back at him. "The roads are icy and it's really dark outside and the night bus is scary. I don't want you getting attacked by weirdos."

Zuko bit his lip and looked like he was contemplating his options. "Relax" Sokka laughed. "I just said we could take things slow! I meant like stay here so you don't get attacked, not so I could fuck you."

Zuko blushed a deep crimson. "Don't say that!"

"What...fuck?" Sokka smirked.

"Stop!"

"Hmm thats right I forgot about your aversion to all things sex talk." Sokka laughed. "Well I just meant I want you to be safe. Plus you have to come back tomorrow to hand over the beast to Aang, so you might as well stay….We don't even have to sleep in the same bed if you don't want."

"No I want to." Zuko said quickly, making Sokka raise his eyebrows and Zuko blush again.

"Alright, then we should probably get to sleep. Do you want to borrow some clothes?" Sokka looked him up and down. He was still wearing his black jeans and shirt from the cafe.

"Um...sure…."

Sokka went over and fished through his dresser, pulling out a t- shirt and a pair of athletic shorts. He tossed them over to Zuko and then made a big show of turning around and cover his eyes. "Shut up." He could feel Zuko rolling his eyes behind him and he laughed.

"This is a cool shirt, where did you get it?" Zuko asked after he had slipped the clothes on.

"Hmm? Oh I don't remember. Some aquatic nature program Katara dragged me too years ago." the shirt was a faded black shirt with a vinyl print of a turtle and a duck sitting in a pond together, reeds bent from the wind with the words "The great turtle ducks need our help!" written across the top and bottom. "They were giving them away for free because they misprinted the type. Its suppose to say the great turtles and ducks need our help."

"I like it this way. A turtleduck would be so cool."

Sokka laughed. "You're a dork."

Zuko just glared at him as they climbed into Sokka's bed. He reached over and flipped off the light beside him, plunging them into darkness. Sokka sighed and flipped on his side, trying to get comfortable. After a few minutes he sighed again and flipped back around. "Why are you staring at me." He whispered into the darkness.

"I'm not staring at you. You're just a narcissist." Zuko muttered back.

"I can feel you burning a hole in my back."

"Okay fine I was staring."

"Why? Do you want something?" Sokka asked, now turning to face Zuko.

Even through the dark he could sense Zuko's blush. "I...I just wanted….ah...nevermind."

"What is it?" Sokka laughed. "Zuko, whatever it is I'll give it to you."

After a few moments, Zuko started talking again and his voice was very, very quiet. "Will you….will….will you cuddle with me?" He whispered, barely audible.

Sokka grinned and reached out his hand, pulling the other boy close to his chest. "Of course dork."

"Don't call me a dork. You're the dork." Zuko growled, but he snuggled into Sokka all the same, resting his head in the crook between his clavicle and chin.

Sokka rolled over and checked his phone again. 6:15am. Dammit. The sun was peeking over the horizon which meant Zuko would be waking up soon. He rolled over to look at the boy beside him, pinning down his arm. He smiled and rolled back to cuddle with him, brushing the hair away from his temple. Zuko's eyes fluttered open, and he looked sleepiply up at Sokka. "Mornin" Sokka whispered.

"Morning. Why are you awake?" Zuko sighed.

"Couldn't sleep."

"Are you too cold? Its fucking freezing in your room."

"Yeah, something like that." He muttered. Definitely not excitement from having Zuko in his bed. In his arms. But he didn't want to scare him off.

"Turn around, I'll save you from the cold." Zuko whispered.

Sokka raised an eyebrow but flipped over so his back was towards Zuko. A few seconds later he felt two arms encircle him and Zuko's chest press against his back. "Better?" He whispered.

"Yeah, damn you're warm."

"Natural body heat. Runs high." Zuko grunted.

"Hmm." Sokka smiled and wiggled back into Zuko's arms, drifting off again.

He woke up a few hours later with the sun fully risen and still wrapped up in Zuko's arms. I could get used to this. He thought to himself, smiling. He rolled over and must have surprised Zuko because he jumped slightly. "Jesus I thought you were still asleep."

"Just woke up." he grumbled.

Just then he heard a banging on his bedroom door and heard Toph's voice screaming through the wood. "SPARKY SNOOZLES GET UP SANTA'S COMING TO TOWN."

Sokka groaned and buried his face in Zuko's chest. Zuko just chuckled and pushed him away. "Come on, we gotta get up. Besides, Iroh's bringing Appa soon."

"Don't wanna." Sokka pouted.

"If you get up I'll give you a kiss?" Zuko said, smiling.

"Hmmm...two kisses?"

"Fine." Zuko rolled his eyes and Sokka leapt out of bed and bounced over to him.

"You're an idiot." Zuko said, kissing him twice on the lips. "Hey listen…" He said, suddenly looking nervous. "I dont really...uh...want to tell people….about...about this...if thats okay…"

Sokka shrugged. "Sure. Doesn't matter to me."

"Okay...I mean...eventually...but right now…"

"No I get it. Its all new still, it'll give us time to figure out….what we are."

Zuko nodded and gave him a grateful look. "Ready for secret santa?" He asked, pulling away.

"Yeah! I just gotta get Toph's gift and I'll be out soon." Sokka said, walking over to his dresser.

"Okay." Zuko said, exiting his room and going into the living room.

Sokka pulled out the envelope which he had stashed the gift and checked to make sure he had the tickets. He had gotten Toph tickets to something called pro-bending. Which from what he understood was like a combination of martial arts and boxing. He had heard Toph going on about it the other day and looked it up to see there was a match near her house soon. When he walked out into the living room he saw everyone gathered around, boxes in hand. "Sokka! Late as usual." Katara smiled.

"Its alright, people! You're favorite friend has arrived! The party can begin!"

Everyone rolled their eyes. "Okay we can start with Suki's gift and go around the circle." Katara said.

"That would be me!" Toph said, handing Suki an envelope.

She smiled and slid it open. "Tickets to the Kyoshi Warriors!" She gasped.

The kyoshi warriors were a group of professional martial arts fighters based off some island near China that Suki was obsessed with. "Aww thanks Toph!"

"Yeah and you better take me! I want to see people get the shit beat out of them." Toph laughed.

At least I know she'll like my gift. Sokka smiled to himself. "Okay now Toph."

"That would be ME! You're lucky Toph, you got the greatest gift giver in the group." Sokka pulled his envelope out with a ridiculous flourish and handed it to her.

"More like the one with the biggest ego." She snorted, ripping open the tickets. "Pro Bending! I've wanted these so badly!" She exclaimed as she felt the braille letters on the ticket. "Thanks Sokka!" She said, punching his arm.

"Owwww. Save it for the match." He hissed. "My turn to get a gift!" He said excitedly.

"This is from me." Suki said, handing him a large box wrapped in red and green paper.

Sokka tore it open with the enthusiasm of a child and beamed at her when he pulled open the box. "A NEW COFFEE POT!"

"So you can stop complaining about the old one not working." She chuckled.

"YOURE THE BEST!" he shouted, bounding over to hug her. "Now I can stop drinking that gross tea! No offense Zuko."

Zuko just rolled his eyes. "Zuko's turn!" Aang said.

"This is from me." Katara smiled, handing him a small gift bag. "I don't really know much about it but Sokka said you would like it."

Zuko smiled awkwardly and carefully pulled something out of the tissue paper. It was a ceramic tea mug with a print from the japanese ukiyo-e master Hiroshige. Zuko recognized it immediately as Plum Gardens at Kamada. "Sokka said it was your mothers favorite print because it reminded her of home."

Zuko smiled and looked up at her. "I love it. Thank you."

She smiled back. "Okay Katara's turn!" Aang said, breaking the heartfelt moment.

Aang excitedly shoves a gift into her hands. She laughed and unwrapped it. "New wader boots!"

"Yeah you were so upset the old ones got a hole in them, I thought they would come in handy for taking samples next year when you're the TA for that water and the environment class."

"Its perfect, thank you." She said, leaning in and giving him a kiss.

"Ewwwwww" everyone groaned.

"Oh shut up." Katara glared at them all.

"My turn!" Aang said, looking around the circle.

"Uhh that would be me but you're present isn't-" Just then as though he could sense what was going on, there came a knock at the door.

Damn Iroh's like a freakin wizard. Sokka thought. "Oh there it is." Zuko said, getting up.

"Close your eyes Aang!" Sokka said.

Aang covered his eyes excitedly. Zuko got up and opened the door and Iroh stepped in with a struggling Appa. "Here's the delivery Nephew." He said, trying to hand the bouncing puppy to him, but Appa leaped out of his arms and ran to Aang, slobbering all over him.

"APPA! HEY BUDDY!" Aang shouted, throwing his arms around the puppy and burying his face in the fur.

"Zuko was the one who adopted Appa to give to you." Sokka explained.

"Yeah, uh, here are the papers." Zuko said, placing a stack of adoption papers next to Aang.

"I've missed you so much! Zuko I can't believe this! This is the nicest thing anyones ever given me!" Appa bounced excitedly around Aang, looking equally enthused to be reunited.

Zuko blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Uhh...no problem."

"Well, you look like you have it covered here kids." Iroh said smiling, "I'll just leave these here and go." He gestured to a large plate of muffins and cookies.

"You brought SNACKS! Bless you" Sokka said, jumping up and making a beeline for the platter.

Iroh chuckled and waved to them as he closed the door. "Where am I going to keep him?" Aang asked, looking around between everyone.

"uh...I guess...if he can't stay here...you can...keep him…..at my apartment." Zuko cringed at the thought of letting that demon puppy back in his house.

Katara smiled and shook her head. "You can keep him here Aang, if everyone else is okay with that."

"Of course!" Suki said.

Sokka just nodded and tried to mumble something through a mouthful of muffin.

"Your gift went over well." Sokka laughed as Zuko came to join him in the kitchen after a bit.

Sokka was getting a snack, and everyone else was chatting in the living room. "Yeah, thanks for helping me take care of it." Zuko said, leaning against the counter.

"Anytime." He said, taking another muffin and shoving it into his mouth.

"You know," He said, trying to talk around the food. "If you weren't already so cute, I'd seduce you just so I could have these muffins everyday."

Zuko rolled his eyes but laughed. "You're an idiot." He said, lovingly.