Chapter IV: Realize!

Sokka was sound asleep, nuzzled against Zuko's bare chest, snoring softly. The two boys' bodies were intertwined; gently wrapped around together as if they were one. It should have been a calming situation, but Zuko was wide-awake, mulling over everything that happened. It had all happened so fast – he had originally brought Sokka onto his ship to attract the Avatar, but his thoughts soon strayed from capturing the Avatar – something that had rarely happened since his exile.

Zuko was not at all surprised that he was attracted to Sokka. He had always found both men and women to be appealing, and he had come to somewhat solemn terms with that even before his banishment. And they both seemed like kindred spirits…they were determined, energetic, and strong-willed. But Sokka reciprocating the feelings had been a big – and pleasant – surprise.

Zuko was delighted with the outcome, but his heart was still heavy. He knew, given their backgrounds AND unorthodox relationship, that he could never continue a romance with Sokka. Still, he was determined to have him while he could.

Zuko looked down at the sleeping teen in his arms. He gently traced his index finger across Sokka's lips before leaning over and awkwardly kissing him. Carefully shifting Sokka's body to the side, he rose from the bed. He dressed quickly and left the room, casting a quick glance at Sokka over his shoulder before he left.

Sokka's eyes snapped open as the door closed. He sighed and sat up, yawning a little. He had woken up a few minutes earlier, but feigned sleep and enjoyed the peaceful, quiet moment with Zuko. Curled up against Zuko, listening to his heartbeat…it was the perfect moment. Him and Zuko, without a care in the world - if only that was true. Sokka knew just as well as Zuko that their relationship was going to be short-lived.

But his melancholy ran deeper then that…things were much more confusing for Sokka. He was a mess of emotions and frantic thoughts. How could he care so strongly for another male, not to mention a firebender? How could the feelings be mutual? How…how could he be accepting these feelings! What would his father think of him…his son, a warrior, in love with a firebender prince.

Wait, love? Sokka grimaced and shook his head. There was no way he was in love. Maybe he had gone crazy? Yes, that was his excuse. Temporary insanity! Temporary insanity that caused him to hold and kiss and…fondle another boy.

Sokka smiled dreamily. When he was with Zuko, though, he felt like he was going crazy…but it wasn't a bad thing. His heart would race and the world would spin around him. All he could focus on was Zuko and all his appealing imperfections. But at those moments, he also felt like he was losing himself. The brave warrior he portrayed himself as would melt away, and all that would be left was a pathetic creature.

Self-hatred washed over Sokka and once-again replaced his romantic thoughts. He placed his head in his hands as a slew of thoughts overran his mind. As his anger grew, his nails dug deeper and deeper into his forehead. He didn't even realize until blood trickled down his face. Sokka growled and wiped the blood from his face, his self-hatred steadily growing. He leaned back against the bed and covered his face with his hands, as if he was hiding.

- - -

Zuko returned to his room at dusk, immensely frustrated because there was still no sign of the Avatar. As he entered the room, Sokka shot up from the bed and glared at him.

"You need to let me go." He said with a determined voice.

Zuko shrugged. "Actually, it would be wise to let you go. It seems the Avatar isn't going to come looking for you, and it's pointless to keep a useless person such as yourself on my ship…but needless to say to say, I've grown attached to you." he advanced on Sokka, "And I would say you've grown fairly attached to me, also." Sokka glared at Zuko.

"I don't know what came over me, Zuko, but believe me, it's not what you think," He replied, "I suppose I was just too famished to know what I was doing. You know, I've barely had anything to eat." Zuko chuckled at his lame excuses.

"That's a lie, and you know it." He moved closer to Sokka, then leaned in towards him. Sokka felt his heart race as Zuko softly kissed him. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply as joy overcame him. Self-hatred quickly replaced his joy, however.

Zuko smirked and leaned in for another kiss, but Sokka quickly turned his head. Zuko let out a frustrated grunt.

"Fine," he said angrily, "You will sleep on the floor tonight. We'll talk tomorrow." He quickly undressed and threw himself into the bed, leaving Sokka dumbstruck.

- - -

Sokka shivered and curled up into a smaller ball. The floor was hard and it was a very chilly night. He had tried to use his shirt for a little bit of padding from the floor, but it wasn't working too well. He glanced up at Zuko's sleeping figure, yearning for the comfortable and warm bed.

"This does not count as compromising myself," Sokka thought to himself as he moved quietly towards the bed. He quietly crawled in, trying not to disturb Zuko's rest.

Sokka let out a relieved sigh. The bed was so warm, and the firebender's body added extra warmth. He snuggled closer to Zuko, and Zuko wrapped his arms around him. Sokka's heart skipped a beat upon realizing that the prince was still awake.

Sokka closed his eyes, determined to ignore any advances Zuko tried to make. Just as he was about to fall asleep, however, he Zuko gingerly kissed his neck. Sokka shivered half because of disgust and half because of excitement. He turned towards Zuko, ready to tell him to cut it out, but his words were stopped with a kiss.

Commentary: You know, some people think being kissed on the neck is very erotic, but it usually annoys me.

Anyway, this fic is coming very close to the end…the next chapter will be the end of the major story arc, and after that will be a "bonus" chapter with a nice little parody for those of you who like humor (this chapter will also reveal my mad giving-Sokka-waterbending-powers reason).