A/N/: Guys. I don't know what happened. This chapter was originally a filler one I had thought up because I realized I didn't have any Zuko/Gaang interactions. The ending was unplanned. I, uh, really don't know what happened. I was not expecting 7.8k of goodness out of this chapter.

The end of the day couldn't have come sooner. After his adventure at Phoenix Enterprises and several hours of briefing and planning with his team, Sokka was drained. And he still had the rest of his work week ahead of him. It was hump day. Fucking Wednesday. Why couldn't he have an easy Wednesday? Or just an easy shift in general? He felt that as soon as he'd gotten tangled up in the web that was Phoenix Enterprises that he hadn't had one decent shift. The crime rate in the Middle Ring seemed to skyrocket overnight. There were petty crimes left and right, and his precinct just couldn't keep up. They had to bring in officers from the Upper Ring to help them on the particularly grueling days, which Sokka didn't like having to do. It made their precinct look as though it couldn't handle itself.

He'd been relieved once he swiped his badge to clock out for the evening. His body felt heavy. His limbs were sore from a late afternoon foot chase with a convenient store robber. The arrest had left him with a pretty sizable scrape on his cheek. It wasn't anything their med team couldn't handle, but still. Why did they have to go for the face? He liked to keep his face pristine for certain people. Well, a certain person .

Speaking of that person, Sokka had somehow ended up outside of his tattoo parlor. He hadn't been paying attention to where he was walking. His brain was zapped for the evening. He'd been on autopilot. He assumed that autopilot meant home , but his brain had been sorely mistaken. Once he was there, however, he couldn't bring himself to turn away. Nothing sounded better after a long day than Zuko. Sokka wanted to drown himself in his smokey scent. He wanted to taste the warmth that was hidden in one of his kisses.

The shop was open for at least another hour, and if Zuko didn't have any prior appointments, Sokka wanted to snatch a bit of his time. So, he opened the door. The bell tinkled above him in that soft, familiar way. Mai sat behind the counter as she always did, although this time she was totally sharpening an intimidating looking knife.

"Welcome to Spirits of Ink. If-"

"Mai! It's just me!" he interjected before she could get onto her welcome speech.

Those steely, grey eyes looked up at him, narrowed slightly. "Are you drunk?"

Sokka rolled his eyes. "No, I'm not."

"Are you sure? You look pretty plastered."

He rolled his eyes again. "Nope. Just tired, Mai."

She contemplated him for a second before jamming her thumb in the direction of Zuko's tattoo booth. "He's in back. No gross shit."

"Got it."

He nodded and made his way to the back. When he got there, Zuko was sitting at his desk, his eyes glued to the computer. His thick-framed glasses sat on the tip of his nose as he used Photoshop to sketch out a tattoo design. A headphone sat in his good ear while the other dangled in front of him. He seemed so concentrated on the design he was working on that he didn't even notice Sokka's approach.

Sokka smiled to himself. He looked cute when he was concentrating like that. Cute enough to hug. He stepped closer, weaved his arms around his shoulders in an embrace, and peered at the computer screen.

"Looks good," he said.

Zuko startled beneath his grasp. " Fuck. I thought you were Mai trying to strangle me," he said as he rested a hand on the lower portion of his face. He let out a deep breath. "You scared the spirits out of me."

Sokka squeezed him gently before sheepishly stepping back. "Sorry."

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?" Zuko asked, turning to face him completely. "You look like you just came from work."

Sokka shot finger guns at him wearily. "Bingo," he said. "And honestly. I'm not sure. My feet sorta just brought me here. You're not busy, are you?"

Zuko shook his head. "No. I finished my last appointment about an hour ago," he said. "I was just drawing."

Sokka's eyes drifted to the painting that Zuko was working on. At first glance, he found that it was beautiful. But then on the second, he noticed something else. In the middle of the drawing, there was a thick, dark line. It likely happened when Zuko jumped. Sokka winced. Yeah. That was his fault.

"Shit. Sorry about your drawing. I fucked it up," Sokka said as he pointed with one hand and rubbed the back of his neck with the other.

"No worries," Zuko replied, and with a few taps of the keys and a couple of clicks, the line disappeared. "Beauty of digital drawing."

Sokka nodded and took a closer look at the drawing. It was a beautiful line art rendition of a lotus. Above and below the flower was a delicate, geometric design. "It really does look good, though. Whose it for?"

"Me."

"You?"

"Yeah. Uncle loves lotuses, and I wanted to have something done for him. Mai is going to do it," he said.

Sokka smiled down at him. "That sounds nice. I think he'd like it," he said, picturing the kindly tea shop owner. Iroh loved the white lotus tile in Pai Sho; he'd gone on this massive spiel just to tell Sokka about it. If there was anything that would suit him, it would be a lotus. "It's perfect."

"Thanks."

"Where are you gonna put it?"

"I was thinking my forearm. Possibly in white ink," he said. "Not too sure."

"For some reason, though, I can't picture you with tattoos," Sokka said as an afterthought.

A brow - the only brow available - was raised in his direction.

"Like, it makes sense you being a tattoo artist and all!" he said placatingly. "I guess I just can't picture it. You've never shown me any of them."

"You never asked."

"Touché," Sokka said. "Will you show me, then?"

"Why don't we head upstairs. I'll make some tea," Zuko replied. "Then I can show you."

The thought of tea was instantly warming. With as long of a day he had, tea sounded phenomenal. On top of that, secret Zuko tattoos? Was he in heaven?

"Please," Sokka said.

Zuko saved and closed out of Photoshop before placing his glasses on the counter. He led Sokka deeper into the parlor, where he was surprised to find a set of stairs that led up. He often forgot that Zuko lived right above the shop, and the connection evaded him now due to his exhaustion-addled brain.

The door at the top of the stairs opened up into a neat living room. Sokka had only been in Zuko's living space once prior to this, all of those years ago, but it was nothing compared to this . This living room actually looked lived in . There were photographs of Zuko and Mai's families and paintings on the walls. There were half-burnt candles resting on the coffee table, and even a discarded throw blanket over the back of the couch. Before, Zuko's apartment had felt cold and empty, but his new place gave Sokka a slightly warm and fuzzy feeling.

Zuko didn't say anything to him as he led him through the apartment to the small kitchen. This, too, seemed so much more used than his old place. He didn't mind the mail haphazardly thrown onto the counter or the dirty teacup by the sink. They were signs of life. It was just such a stark contrast from how he'd seen Zuko live before. He'd take it any day.

"Sit down. I'll get the tea started," Zuko said as he moved throughout his kitchen with ease.

Sokka obliged and settled himself onto a tall bar stool that sat around an island in the center of the kitchen. Sokka watched him move around, collecting the teapot and jar of leaves. There was a slight sway to his hips that Sokka found entirely tantalizing. Everything about Zuko was. He was slightly shorter than Sokka by maybe an inch or so. He was toned, but Sokka hadn't seen much more of him beyond the photo he'd sent that morning at work. Tui and La, he wanted more of him, but he wasn't going to overstep any boundaries. They were dating. It wasn't a relationship. There were no titles attached.

Yet.

"It probably won't be as good as Uncles," Zuko said with a wistful smile. "But hopefully you like it."

"I think it'll be good," Sokka said.

"Thanks."

Sokka attempted to relax as Zuko busied himself with cleaning, but he found that he was just too uncomfortable. He hadn't changed into civilian clothing before he walked home. He often didn't. Unfortunately, that meant he still had his tool belt, his kevlar vest, his gun, the whole shebang. Ordinarily, he'd already have shucked it off of his person and onto his couch at home.

"Hey Zuko?" Sokka asked.

"Hmm?"

"Do you mind if I take all of this off?" he asked.

Zuko turned to face him, his brows furrowed. Understanding seemed to dawn on him though, as soon as got a good look at Sokka. "Your work stuff? Yeah, that's fine. Don't worry about it."

Sokka nodded and began to peel off the layers of police gear that he had on. It felt nice to get it all off. It was as if he was shedding a second skin that was just too tight. He draped it over the back of the barstool. He also set his tool belt, gun included over the back of the chair even though the island would have been a much nicer option. He'd seen their mother and Katara scold their dad too many times as kids for that.

Once the layers were gone, Sokka made a move to sit back down. But a glance at Zuko persuaded him to do otherwise. The raven-haired artist stood at the counter, humming some unknown song to himself as he readied the tea leaves. He swayed his hips to that song innocently. It wasn't even something he could call dancing, but it was cute. Zuko was cute, and oh-so huggable. That urge to wrap his arms around him again resurfaced. Who was Sokka to deny himself that exhaustion-based whim?

He crossed the kitchen and stepped behind Zuko. He wrapped his arms around Zuko's waist and pressed his cheek into his shoulder. He inhaled deeply, taking in Zuko's scent. Zuko always smelt warm . Like spices and warmth. Sokka couldn't exactly place what it reminded him of. He was torn between cinnamon roasted nuts from a festival on a warm, summer's day and crackling fire in the dead of winter. Either way, his scent was something that Sokka would never be able to get enough of. He could easily melt into him.

And from what it seemed, Zuko could do the same. He felt the other relax beneath his embrace. He leaned back against Sokka's chest and leaned his head against Sokka's gently.

"You're not making it easy to make tea, you know," Zuko said after a few moments.

"Who cares about tea?" Sokka asked. "Hugs are better."

"Don't let Uncle catch you saying that," Zuko said with that lilting chuckle of his.

They fell into a relaxed silence, and in that silence, Sokka very nearly fell asleep. The gentle beat of Zuko's heart. His scent. The comfort he gave him. It nearly lulled him into his dreams. But Zuko's smoke textured voice pulled him right back out.

"I have to finish the tea. Go sit, okay?" he suggested.

Sokka shook his head. "You're so much more comfortable than the bar stool," he whined.

"I need to move the kettle. I don't want you to get burned," he insisted.

And for some reason, after the words were said, Zuko cringed. Sokka couldn't place it until- Oh. Right . Zuko had experience with burns, one that didn't always come to the forefront of Sokka's mind. To him, Zuko was more than his history with burns.

But he stepped away from the man anyway in order to respect his decisions. He walked back over to the island and plopped himself down. And for good measure, when Zuko looked back at him, Sokka stuck out his tongue. That drew a smile from Zuko, which was enough to allow Sokka to relax into his spot.

He watched Zuko work in the quiet kitchen. But he found himself struggling to stay awake. His head had gotten heavy at some point, and he'd gone from resting it on his hand to laying it down on the countertop. His eyelids had drifted closed, too, despite his best efforts to force them open.

Before he knew it, his eyes were cracking open. He looked around blearily, attempting to place where he was. It only took him a second or two. Zuko's kitchen. But it was dark now, and there was no sign of the tea on the stovetop. But Sokka felt comfortable and warm . And something was running through his hair. No. It wasn't something; it was someone . Sokka's eyes opened a bit more to see Zuko in the seat beside him. His arm was stretched out and his hand was running through the loose strands of his hair. His wolf's tail must have fallen out at some point. Or maybe Zuko took it out. It didn't matter either which way. All he cared about was that gentle touch, that hand stroking through his hair.

"Hi," he hummed when golden eyes finally met his own blue ones.

Zuko smiled at him. "Hi."

"Did I fall asleep?" he asked.

"Yeah, you did," he said. "C'mon. Why don't we head to bed, babe?"

Zuko stood and offered his hand out to Sokka. Sokka took it gratefully. He was too tired to think about all of the implications of what was happening. The effect that it would have on them both the next day. The way he would probably overthink it all the next morning, especially that monosyllabic word that Zuko had called him. Right now, he was too tired to comprehend it all. He allowed himself to be led to Zuko's bedroom.

"I'll get you a t-shirt," Zuko said once they'd made it into the room. "You can put your work stuff on that chair."

Sokka nodded and rubbed at his eyes. He began to strip off his uniform and draped it over the chair that Zuko had pointed out.

"When's the last time you put any ointment on that?" Zuko asked all of a sudden.

"On what?"

"Your tattoo."

"Oh. That. Uh. A couple of hours ago," he mumbled. He really wanted to go to bed.

In the darkness of the bedroom, Zuko rolled his eyes. "I'm pretty sure I gave you some detailed instructions on how to take care of this, Sokka," he said with a shake of his head. But his bemused smile revealed that there was no irritation behind his words. Zuko sat himself down on the bed and dug through his drawer, coming out with a tube of tattoo ointment. "C'mere."

Sokka plopped himself down beside Zuko after he shucked off his tanktop and tossed it on top of his work button down. As soon as he was seated, Zuko opened the bottle of ointment, squeezed a dollop into his hand, and began to spread it across Sokka's skin. At first, the ointment made him shiver. It was cold, and the exact opposite of what he wanted, but it quickly warmed up to his skin beneath Zuko's fingertips. The ravenette's touch was gentle as he rubbed in the ointment. He started with Sokka's bicep and slowly made his way across his pectoral. He tried not to make eye contact because in all honesty, this touch was too intimate. This whole situation was too intimate, but Sokka couldn't bring himself to stop Zuko. He was right in front of him, touching his skin with those burning hot fingertips of his. If Sokka were ice, he would have surely melted. So rather than melt, he stared into those golden eyes that had found his. And when staring became too intense, he closed his eyes and leaned in.

The kiss was just as good as the last. If Zuko was a drug, then Sokka was addicted. Cinnamon and honey were infused together to make the ultimate concoction. Sokka could get drunk off of it. Zuko's lips were soft as they pressed against his own. But as always, the kiss was too short. Zuko pulled away, his hand still resting on his pectoral. It felt like molten lava against Sokka's skin.

"You need to get some sleep," Zuko said softly.

He pouted. Despite the dead weight of his body, sleep was the farthest thing from Sokka's mind. He could do with another kiss. "Do we have to?"

Zuko raised a brow at him skeptically, and Sokka immediately recalled how he'd been passed out on Zuko's kitchen counter no less than five minutes before.

"Fine, fine," he conceded.

Zuko offered him the t-shirt he had dug out, and Sokka slipped it over his head wearily. He really was exhausted, and Zuko was offering to let him stay the night. Of course, Zuko had said that in far fewer words, but Sokka wasn't going to question the syntax. Taking it at its face value seemed to be the most rewarding option.

He let Zuko get himself settled on one side of the bed before he took the other. He left plenty of space between them, and stared at the ceiling. Now that he was laying down, he couldn't shut off his stupid brain. Sure they had just shared a hella hot kiss, but he wasn't going to make any assumptions. Even though he really would love to feel Zuko's body pressed against his. In a totally safe and non-sexual sort of way, please and thank you. It was too soon.

This is the 'going on dates' phase, Sokka, he thought to himself. Just because you kissed before you laid down doesn't mean he wants to-

"Do you want to snuggle?" Sokka asked before he could stop himself.

There was a beat, and then a soft, practically inaudible, "yeah."

Sokka smiled to himself. He was about to turn to bring Zuko to his chest as his little spoon when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his own waist. He was pulled against the other's chest, Zuko's chin tucked in against his shoulder. At first, Sokka wanted to protest it, but the longer he sat there, the warmer he felt. It had been a long time since he'd felt this warm going to bed, this protected and safe. Usually, Sokka was the big spoon, the one protecting whomever he was with from the darkness of the night. But maybe it would be okay if he wasn't the one doing the protecting that night. Maybe he could let someone else take over, even if it was just for a little while.

That was the first time Sokka had come to such a conclusion, and he felt at peace with that decision.

He melted into Zuko's hold. As he found himself drifting off, he couldn't help but think of how happy and comfortable he was around Zuko. It had only been a month, but he hadn't felt like this about anyone in a long time. Not since Yue.

So, when Zuko's heartbeat steadied and his breathing slowed, Sokka spoke out those dangerous, hopeful words that his heart roared at him to say.

"Zuko... I maybe think that I might be sorta falling for you."

"And she gets another strike!" Toph roared, her fists raised high in the air as she walked out of the approach area of their bowling lane.

Sokka looked at her dumbfounded. It was her sixth strike in a row. Her first two throws had been spares. "How is it possible? How does she just do that? She has to be cheating."

Beside him, Aang groaned. "I don't think she's cheating, Sokka. She doesn't even have the guard rails on."

"That just makes it even more humiliating, Twinkle Toes," Toph said as she plopped down into her spot at their table. "I'm beating all of you."

"I swear. You thrive off of our misery," Sokka moaned.

"Maybe so," she said with a shrug. "That, and I like to prove that even being blind I'm better at everything."

"Not driving a car," he quickly said.

"Hand me the keys," she demanded, palm shoved out before him.

Sokka reached for his keys on his hip, but his sister snatched up his wrist.

"Don't you dare, " Katara hissed, shooting a glare at the both of them. "We're here to bowl . Not to make stupid bets that will get someone killed."

"Awh! C'mon, sweet cheeks. I'll be fine ," Toph protested.

"I have to agree with her, Toph," Aang said hesitantly. "It does sound pretty dangerous."

"You're only saying that because she's your girlfriend ," Toph said.

But Sokka moved his hand away from his keys and instead made a placating motion. "Fine, fine. We'll start smaller, Toph. How about a snowmobile?"

"Hell yeah!"

Katara rolled her eyes and stepped onto the approach area to make her shot. Sokka stuck his tongue out at her for good measure before relaxing in his seat.

"I'm glad that isn't reserved for only me," an all too familiar voice said behind him.

Sokka immediately turned around in his seat to face Zuko. He came. He actually came. Sokka had been afraid that he wouldn't show. They hadn't seen each other since their cuddly sleepover three days before. They'd texted on and off, but Sokka had been so busy with work that he was having a hard time keeping up with the thread of conversation. So, when he'd invited him out, he'd been sure that Zuko would say no. But instead, he said that as soon as his last appointment left, he'd be there. And he hadn't gone back on his word. There he was in all of his Zuko-y glory. Yep. Beautiful, handsome Zuko.

"So, are you just gonna stare at him, Snoozles, or are you going to introduce us?" Toph said after what was probably way too long of a pause.

"Right. Shit. Toph, Aang, this is Zuko. Zuko, these are my best friends Aang and Toph," he said. And then he looked over to Katara, who was walking up from throwing a spare. "And this is my favorite sister, Katara. Katara, Zuko."

"I'm his only sister," she said with a smile. She offered him her hand, which Zuko took. But Katara was sneaky, and pulled him into a tight, familial hug. "It's nice to finally meet you. My brother has said a lot about you."

Sokka watched Zuko's facial expression as Katara hugged him. He looked surprised at first, but it only took a second or two for him to melt into the hug. It was just one of those skills that Katara had. She could make anyone feel at ease with that hug of hers.

"What has he said about me?" Zuko finally asked when he and Katara separated.

Sokka felt the nervousness creep over him. "All good things, I promise."

"He said you were hot!" Toph stated triumphantly.

" Toph! " Sokka exclaimed while he basked in the horror of her statement.

"Well, is he or is he not?" she asked.

"I mean, yeah, but you weren't supposed to tell him I said that!"

Toph simply shrugged, and Sokka offered Zuko an apologetic smile. The artist looked a step beyond flustered. His cheeks were red and his golden eyes were trying not to focus on Sokka. Cute. He was an embarrassed, little turtle duck. But it was also not cute because it was his friends who had caused it.

"Aang, change the subject!"

"So, Zuko!" Aang chirped. "Tell us about yourself!"

He smacked his palm to his forehead. That was the exact opposite of what he wanted. Why was it now of all times that Aang decided he was not going to be an adequate wingwan. You see your pilot's date getting flustered, and you deflect the attention elsewhere. Not solely on him. Thankfully, Katara was with the status quo. Sokka watched as his sister sent her boyfriend a peeved look.

"Aang, don't interrogate him."

He sent Katara a grateful look, one that he was sure Zuko was sending her way as well. But his gratefulness quickly turned to horror as soon as Toph opened her mouth.

"We could tell you all of the dark and dirty secrets about Sokka," she said.

" Toph! " he said over the murmured agreements from Aang and Katara. "Why are you doing this to me?"

She shrugged noncommittally. "It's not every day that you bring someone around, Snoozles."

"Especially not someone you're interested in," Katara added.

Sokka groaned. Not his sister, too!

"So, we have to be good friends and let them know all of the good, the bad, and the ugly of our dear friend," Toph continued. "We can't let the poor guy walk into the situation blind , can we?"

" Hey! No blind jokes at the expense of my confidence for the night!" Sokka shot.

"Why no blind jokes?" Zuko asked. "Are you the master of puns over there?"

"Yeah, but Toph is the only one who can make them," Sokka said glumly.

"Why?"

"She's blind," Aang said.

"Oh," Zuko responded. Sokka watched as he flushed again, probably embarrassed to have asked at all.

"Don't sweat it, Sparky. I'm proud to be blind. They don't call me the Blind Bandit for nothing."

"You're the Blind Bandit?"

"The one and only!" she said. "But that's enough about me. Back to Snoozles over there. Who wants to kick it off?"

"Or we could not, and get back to bowling? Ya know, the game we paid for and haven't continued?" Sokka offered.

He actually had slim hopes that this would actually work. Toph and Katara were ruthless, and Aang, his wingman, had crash landed. He wasn't gonna be any help at all .

"You really don't want to hear all of this, do you Zuko?" Sokka asked. This gorgeous man. This beautiful, handsome, sane man was his last hope. "Honestly?"

But Zuko was taking his seat beside Sokka, a tiny, mischievous smile caressing his lips. The last of Sokka's hopes for reprieve from this torture were crushed. Zuko had turned against him. He was on his own, flying solo.

"Let me hear them," Zuko said as he relaxed back into his seat.

"Well, first off," Toph said. "He loves dad jokes. He's full of them. You need a dad joke, Sokka has them."

"Are you trying to sell him to the guy or scare him off, Toph?" Katara asked.

She shrugged. "Maybe a bit of both."

Sokka shot her an irritated look. "Thanks guys. So great. Giving off all of my best sides."

"Oh! You remember when we met?" Aang asked, bumping Katara with his elbow. "And he tried to have your dad banish me from the tribe because I asked you to go penguin sledding with me, sweetie?"

Aang really wasn't going to be any help. He was doing the opposite of helping!

"You tried to banish him?" Zuko asked.

"I was sixteen!" Sokka said miserably. "How else was I supposed to protect my baby sister?"

"Banishing him was overkill, Sokka. You have to admit it," Katara said.

"Fine, fine! It was overkill," he said. "Are you guys done now?"

"Hell no, Snoozles! Twinkle Toes and I are just getting started!" Toph said, her fists raised dramatically.

Sokka groaned. "Spare me?" he asked. "Better yet, dig my grave and bury me in it?"

He felt an arm slide around his shoulder. It was a warm one that gave him a reassuring squeeze. "C'mon. I wanna know more about you," a voice of smoke whispered beside his ear. "If it's too brutal, we can always step outside."

Sokka couldn't help but melt into that touch. It was the same warm embrace that had snuggled him Wednesday night. How could he say no to it?

"Fine," Sokka mumbled. "Only for you."

"Could you two be any grosser?" Toph asked.

"You're lucky you can't see it," Katara said as she stuck out her tongue.

Sokka rolled his eyes. "Sorry Zuko," he said. "Welcome to the gaang."

"Oh! That's a good story!" Katara said. "Why we call our friend group the gaang ."

"There's something special to it?" Zuko asked.

"Yeah. We added an extra 'a' to it for Aang's name," Sokka said.

"G-A-A-N-G?"

"Yeah, exactly."

"When Sokka and I met Aang, he had just run away from home. He wanted to see the world, and we decided to go with him," Katara said.

"I have no idea what Gran Gran and Dad let us go. It was my first year as a beat cop. I was eighteen and fresh out of the academy. You were, what, sixteen? And Aang was fourteen? Who just lets a bunch of kids go?"

Katara smiled. "That's Dad for you."

"When we met Toph, we figured we needed a name for the group," Aang said. "Guess what Sokka wanted to call it?"

" The boomerang squad! " Toph said with a laugh.

"The boomerang squad?" Zuko asked. "What's the context?"

Sokka groaned. Of course this was where this story was going. He'd hoped that they'd somehow transitioned from his mistakes in life, but of course not. They still intended to dig him a six foot grave.

"Do we really need to tell this story?" he asked.

"So, Sokka had bought this boomerang while we were backpacking, and we were walking to a field so he could throw it for the first time," Katara said.

Yep. They really did have to tell the story, then.

"And he kept going on and on about his new boomerang skills," Toph said. "Said that he was going to master it, and we would forever be known as the boomerang squad."

Sokka buried his face into Zuko's shoulders. He couldn't let himself look at his friends faces or the bemused smile that had formed on Zuko's lips. That would surely put him in his grave.

"So, we get to the clearing. Sokka throws the boomerang, and then guess what?" Aang asked.

"What? It came back?" Zuko asked.

"It didn't come back," Katara said with a snorting laugh. "Apparently there was a cliff on the far end of the clearing. He threw it off of the cliff!"

Sokka groaned. It really hadn't been that funny, but everyone else at the time had found it hilarious. Fuck. They still found it hilarious. And Sokka was the butt of their joke. And he never did find it. He missed that boomerang.

The rest of the night passed in that same way. Katara, Aang, and Toph telling stories about their past adventures while he tried his best not to let his sheer embarrassment show. Zuko chimed in on occasion, but for the most part, he seemed content with his arm draped around Sokka. They eventually finished the round of bowling, but Sokka was doing so badly that he let Zuko take over for him. With Zuko's surprising skill in bowling, Sokka managed to at least come in third place, right before Aang.

Sokka and Zuko ended up departing together. Sokka had ridden his motorcycle to the bowling alley, and with Zuko having taken the train, he offered to take him home. He only lived three blocks from his apartment anyhow.

They were walking through the parking lot after having said their goodbyes to the gaang when Zuko huffed out a breath.

"That was interesting," he said.

Sokka smiled wanly. "Yeah. They can be a bit much, but they're amazing people. I promise."

"They seem like it," he said. "Just a little overwhelmed for one night."

"I get that," Sokka said wistfully.

He could fill an entire book with all of the stories that he had about the gaang. They were a group of wild, rambunctious, and insane people, but he loved every last one of them with all of his heart. He'd do anything to protect them, and honestly, he could say the same about Zuko.

"Hey, I was wondering..." Zuko started.

"Hmm?"

"Did you want to spend the night again tonight?" he asked.

Sokka blanked. He had honestly been worried that that night had been a mistake - well, that Zuko had thought it to be one. They hadn't mentioned it since that night, and even with the distractions of work, it wore down on his psyche. But if Zuko was suggesting it...

"Are you going to show me your tattoos this time?"

"Hey, you fell asleep. Not me," Zuko contradicted.

"Touché," he replied. "Does that mean you're not going to show me?"

"I will, but only if you come over."

"You know it's illegal to bribe a cop, right?" Sokka said with a smirk.

Zuko raised his brow at Sokka. Suddenly, Sokka' collar was snatched up. He was pulled toward Zuko until their lips met. He was stiff at first, having had this happen way too many times whilst he was on shift, but he quickly softened under the touch of Zuko. This was nice. Kissing was always nice. He'd never get enough of the taste of Zuko. He'd never get sick of the heat of his mouth and the tender touch of his tongue as he asked for admittance to Sokka's mouth. And he let him in. He let him in just so he could taste everything that was Zuko. Spirits, did he taste like heaven. When their lips finally parted, they stared at each other with glazed eyes and flushed cheeks.

"Are you sure you don't want this bribe, officer?" Zuko asked, breathless.

"I think I might be able to accept that one."

The ride back to Zuko's apartment was exhilarating. Sokka loved the feel of the wind through his hair. He loved the way the night surrounded them like a blanket. He could sleep under those stars, under that bright, brilliant moon any night. But for now, he'd suffice with riding beneath them with the arms of the man his affections had grown for around his waist.

He parked his bike in the small fenced in yard out the backdoor of the shop. Zuko had opened the gate for him and let him in. He had said that without a proper parking garage, someone was bound to steal it. Crime in their area had skyrocketed recently, he had said, but Zuko didn't even know the half of it.

And as soon as the bike was parked and Zuko's borrowed helmet was stowed however, the tattoo artist pounced on him. Sokka was pinned against the wall of the building. Zuko's lips were on his, and he melted into yet another one of those sweet-tasting, heated kisses. He couldn't resist them - not that he wanted to anyhow. His hands roamed Zuko's body, falling to his hips and then sliding down to his ass. He pulled him closer, until there was no space left between them.

" Fuck, " Sokka whispered in between kisses. "Fuck, Zuko... "

The contact left little to the imagination. He could feel Zuko's hardon pressed against his own growing erection. Fuck. He wanted him. He really wanted Zuko. Shit. This was not what he had been planning when he intended on coming over here. Honestly, it had been pure intentions on his end. He was going to look at Zuko's tattoo and go right the fuck to bed. But this. This was way fucking better.

"I want you," Zuko replied. "Fuck. I want you. I haven't wanted anyone like I want you in so fucking long."

Sokka moaned against his lips. Yes . He wanted Zuko just as badly. Fuck the casual dating part. Fuck those rules. Who said that they couldn't have a little bit of sex, too? Sokka's lips slid away from Zuko's and gradually pecked their way down to his neck. He bit the artist there gently, which elicited the most delicious moan from him.

"I want you, too. Not here," Sokka said against his skin. "Inside. Now. Please. "

Zuko obliged. They hardly separated as the back door was unlocked. Their lips were pressed together, seeking more of one another as they stumbled up the stairs. And as they made it into the living room, Sokka's shirt was pulled over his head and discarded on the floor. By the time they made it to the bedroom, he'd lost his shoes and jeans too. Zuko was down to his plain black t-shirt and boxers. They were tangled in one another, and Sokka was in heaven.

That is, until they finally made it to Zuko's bed. Zuko lay across the bed, his arms spread out to either side of him. Sokka straddled him from above, his hand resting on either side of Zuko's head. It was here that Sokka realized he had no fucking clue what he was doing. He'd never fucked a man before. Hell, he had never given a man oral, either. All of his past sexual encounters had been with women. He was way out of his comfort zone.

But he was gonna give it his best shot.

He stood on his knees and slipped his fingertips beneath the waistband of Zuko's boxers. Slowly, he slid the fabric down the milky expanse of Zuko's legs. Fuck , he had amazing legs. Toned, muscular. Sokka could imagine those legs straddling him easily. He could imagine running his hands up and down them, feeling every inch of them. Fuck , he wanted him.

But he found himself freezing again as soon as he caught sight of Zuko's erection. It had popped free of his boxers, and now stood erect between them. Fuck. What was he supposed to do? Sokka licked his lips and leaned in. Tentatively, he wrapped his lips around Zuko's dick and began to bob his head up and down. He wrapped his hand loosely around Zuko's base. He really had no idea what the fuck he was doing, so he couldn't help but be relieved when Zuko stopped him.

"Sokka..." Zuko breathed. "I know you're trying. I can tell. I promise. But I can literally feel your teeth. It's not, ah, the most comfortable thing. You've never done this before, have you?"

Sokka averted his eyes, focusing instead on the painting on Zuko's wall. "That bad?"

"Not bad, per se... Just inexperienced," he admitted. "Here. Let me show you."

Suddenly, Sokka's world was being flipped. Zuko had risen up from the bed and pushed Sokka down against the fabric. The roles had been switched. He looked up at the Fire Nation native above him. Zuko's golden eyes were full of lust and wanton desire.

A hand reached up and pulled the band from Sokka's hair, releasing the wolf's tail that had already fallen halfway out.

"I like it when you leave your hair down," Zuko said, and Sokka nodded in return.

His lips were slick with saliva from all of their shared kisses. Those lips found the pulsepoint on Sokka's neck and nipped gently before nipping and kissing their way down his body. Sokka writhed beneath him, tiny gasps escaping his lips.

And when Zuko dipped his fingers beneath the waistband of his boxers, Sokka shuddered with pleasure. He'd been on the receiving end of oral before, but he'd never been this excited to receive. Fuck.

Zuko pulled off his boxers in one quick, fluid motion. He hissed out a breath as the cool air of Zuko's bedroom met his hot skin, but the cold was quickly replaced by something better. The hot wetness of Zuko's mouth surrounded him. Fiery lips encircled his dick, gliding their way down his skin.

" A-Ahh! Zuko!" he moaned into the darkness, his hands grasping for purchase on the sheets. " Fuuuck! "

Sokka sucked in a breath as Zuko's hand worked his base and his tongue glossed over his vein. Sokka didn't know what to do with himself. He was in utter euphoria. He'd never felt anything as amazing as this. Fuck. If Zuko kept going like this, he'd last an embarrassingly short amount of time.

But Zuko was merciful. He slipped his lips away from Sokka's dick. He whined slightly when he felt Zuko leave the bed. Sokka opened his eyes and watched as Zuko dug into the drawer of his bedside table. Sokka knew exactly what he kept in his drawer at home, so he had some semblance of an idea of what Zuko had in his own drawer. And it scared him a little. He'd been so clouded by lust before. He hadn't thought about the actual work that went into having sex.

"Zuko, I don't think we're ready for all of that," he whispered into the darkness.

Sokka felt the bed dip beside him as Zuko settled himself down. "For what specifically?"

"The, uh, sex part," Sokka said sheepishly. "Don't we, uh, have to prepare and stuff?"

Zuko smiled down at him. His hand met Sokka's cheek and caressed it gently. "That's what I'm doing, babe," Zuko said softly. "We're not going to do anything crazy tonight. Just test and see how you like it. We'll go slow, okay?"

Sokka nodded. "I like it when you call me that," he said as he allowed his eyes to flutter closed.

"What? Babe?"

"Yeah," Sokka breathed.

"Well, let me take care of you, babe," Zuko said. His smoke-filled voice was husky and low. It sent shivers down Sokka's spine and reignited the pooling heat in Sokka's abdomen.

" Fucking yes ," he moaned.

He heard the cap of the bottle of lube Zuko had taken from his drawer pop open. The telltale squirt followed.

"Let me know if it's too much, okay?" Zuko asked. "The first time can be strange."

Sokka nodded. "Okay."

"Spread your legs for me," Zuko said.

Again, he nodded, bringing back his legs so that his knees were bent back toward his chest. He presented himself to Zuko, his heart racing in his chest. He could always turn back if he didn't like this, but spirits did he want to love this.

"Good, babe," Zuko praised as his lube slicked fingers slid their way past Sokka's asscheeks.

He felt the cool press of Zuko's fingertip against his hole, and he sucked in a quick breath. Fuck . This was strange. He found himself tensing in anticipation.

"Relax," Zuko whispered into his ear.

Sokka literally melted under the words. His body went slack as Zuko's fingertip traced his hole. And suddenly, that fingertip was sliding past his tight ring of muscle. Sokka sucked in a breath. Fuck. It felt strange, but at the same time it felt good. Slowly, Zuko moved his hand until he was seated as deep as he could get with fingers alone.

"How is it?" Zuko asked.

"Strange..."

"Do you want me to try moving?"

Sokka nodded. "Yeah."

Zuko's finger slowly began to glide in and out, in and out. Sokka found it all strangely pleasing. He moaned as Zuko picked up his pace, going just a little bit faster. His hand grasped at the sheets again, seeking out their ability to ground him to reality. He was in utter bliss.

"Can I try another one?" Zuko asked.

"Please."

Zuko pulled out, leaving Sokka feeling entirely empty. The emptiness was quickly replaced, however, by a full feeling. Sokka moaned audibly as Zuko plunged two fingers inside of him now. At first, it didn't feel much different. That is until Zuko curled his fingers in just the right way. Suddenly, Sokka's vision blurred as a wave of euphoria crashed over him.

" Fuck! " he gasped into the darkness. "Fuck. Yes. "

To top it all off, Zuko had wrapped his lips around his dick again. The combination of Zuko's fingers and mouth were going to send him over the edge.

Just as he was about to spiral, Sokka cried out, " Zuko! I - a-ah! fuck - I'm coming! "

His words didn't deter Zuko. The artist kept going, his head bobbing up and down on Sokka's dick all the way through his orgasm. And when it was all over, when their bodies collapsed together in a sweaty, sticky heap, Sokka found his voice.

"That was the best orgasm of my life," he said.

Zuko, who was laying with Sokka's chest as his pillow, smirked. "Mine wasn't too shabby, either."

"You came?"

Zuko shrugged. "What can I say? You were hot."

Sokka couldn't fight the blush that forced its way onto his cheeks. There was no use. It was going to make itself known whether he wanted it to or not.

"Thanks," Sokka said softly. "That was amazing."

"Let's do it again sometime," Zuko said mischievously.

"I think I can oblige," Sokka said as he traced his fingertips across the skin of Zuko's neck. "So how about you show me those tattoos of yours."

"Tattoo," Zuko said.

"What?"

"Tattoo. There's only one."

Before Sokka could say anything else, Zuko was sitting up and pulling off his last remaining article of clothing. His t-shirt. He then turned so that his back was facing Sokka. Sokka reached out to touch Zuko's skin. It was slicked with sweat, but that wasn't what had drawn Sokka's attention. Rather, it was the massive black-inked tattoo that covered the expanse of Zuko's back.

In the center of the tattoo was a spirit that Sokka recognized from Fire Nation history. The Blue Spirit. It was the alias that Zuko had taken for his Instagram handle. The Spirit's mask was shown prominently in the center with its broad, laughing grin. Surrounding the spirit was a curling dragon. Two lotus flowers sat nestled in the gentle curves of the dragon's body. And behind it all, acting as a silhouette, was the Fire Nation's flame. The tattoo as a whole was a masterpiece, but Sokka could only wonder how each element related back to Zuko.

"It's stunning," he said softly as he traced the outlines of the tattoo. "I love it."

"Thanks," Zuko said. "Mai did it."

Sokka was about to compliment Mai's work some more when a sick, twisted realization dawned over him.

"Tui and La, please fucking tell me Mai isn't home," Sokka said, horrified. "If she heard all of that, she's going to gut me like a fish!"

In front of him, Zuko chuckled. "With how often I have to listen to her and Ty Lee, I think it's only fair."

"Doesn't mean I won't gut him," Mai's monotone voice said from the hallway.

Zuko looked back at Sokka with wide eyes. "If I tell you to run, fucking run."

A/N/: Guys, I know exactly how it happened. My thought process: How do I casually write someone showing another person a massive back tattoo? Ya know, the sex gets people naked pretty easily. And then the sex was born.