Ahh, next chapter. Still © to Mike and Bryan.
Thanks for the reviews. :D Sorry for not updating sooner, but I was very busy with the dreaded FINALS. (My first is actually tomorrow, yikes!) Urg. I missed this site. Huuhah. (I hunger for slash too xD) This chapter should be longer, though not any more exciting. I hope it'll get better!
The ocean was peaceful, blue, tranquil, never-ending. Zuko was not. He was gliding through the clouds, the white innocence choking him. He placed a rough hand on his stomach, frowning and squinting. He missed staring into the comforting ocean. This feeling was not relaxing. It was agony.
Sokka paid no thought to flying; it was routine. Boring. He crossed his arms, trying to forget the pain in his jaw. He stuck out his bottom lip as far as he could, pouting. He was ignored. His sister was smiling at Aang, who was smiling at the old man, who was smiling at nothing. The ass was scowling. Sokka wondered if the jerk ever made any other facial expressions.
He glanced up at Zuko, who caught his eye. Sokka fumbled over what to do, trying not to look hurt. Zuko looked back at his feet, far too concerned over his current situation than the unpleasant company. Sokka clicked his tongue against his tooth, wondering if a chip was missing out of it.
The trip was drawn out far too long. The three content travelers were at peace with their surroundings. Iroh had found another pleasure in life. Aang and Katara giggled occasionally at the fire bender's comments.
"Prince Zuko, isn't this thrilling?" He laughed.
The prince never spoke, only grunted and regretted climbing onto the giant flying monster with three fools.
Aang felt a need to show off in front of his new friends, steering Appa in a crooked path. Iroh let out an exaggerated chortle and put his arms out to his sides, dreaming that he had his own set of wings. Aang grinned and followed suit. Katara joined in the fun as well. The teenaged boys were left out, still only idolizing themselves.
Katara hit her brother's arm, getting a "Hey!" out of him.
"Don't be so e-go-cen-tric," she hissed.
Her brother gawked at her. "What do you mean by that?" He attempted in a whisper.
"He must not have hit you very hard. You're talking perfectly fine," she critiqued.
Sokka looked around suspiciously. "Yes he did…"
"Play nicely," Katara warned as her brother was hit by a surprisingly wet cloud that sent him face down near Zuko's feet. Now he knew that he'd chipped a tooth.
The warrior gazed up at the fire bender. His clothes were charred and torn in several places. His face was dirty and his whole spirit looked tired.
"What now fool? You want a rematch?" The prince sneered.
Deep breaths… "No."
Zuko grunted and smoke rose from his cracked lips.
Neither knew what to say to make the other one provoked into a fit of rage, which seemed to be a new passion they'd both acquired that day. Sokka quickly sat up and cleared his throat.
"It's nice up here," He remarked quickly, noticing that his sister was keeping a close eye on his behavior. It was a harmless sentence and Sokka hoped it would please his sister enough so that she would turn around and he could punch Zuko's teeth into his throat.
Zuko ignored the moron and looked at his uncle for help. Iroh was still gazing into the distance. He was gone and Zuko was on his own now. He scowled and continued maintaining his interest in his feet, sure that he'd be save that way.
Sokka licked his gums and swore he tasted blood. He clenched his teeth together as Katara smiled and nodded at him.
"It's like no one else is alive, being up here. It's almost eerie, yet relaxing. The sky just goes on forever. Like a maze…"
Zuko put his sweaty hand over the water tribe boy's slimy lips. It felt disgusting, like nothing else, as if his senseless dribble formed on his lips and stayed there in the form of liquid.
Pink crawled onto Sokka's face as Zuko leaned in close to his ear. His breath was warm yet Sokka shivered.
"You," Zuko whispered with a violent tone, "you are the worst company I've ever had the displeasure of being forced to listen to. You never shut up," Zuko told the younger man, staring him down. He pulled back his soaked hand and pushed Sokka away in one swift motion. He wiped his hand through Appa's tangled fur in repulsion.
The air was thick as Sokka tackled Zuko abruptly, letting out a war cry. Sokka's embarrassment had turned into anger and he couldn't contain himself, even knowing what his sister would do to him if he touched his royal pain-in-the-ass. Appa grew bewildered and confused as Aang tried to calm him down. Iroh and Katara yelled their relatives' names in disappointment and irritation. Sokka and Zuko rolled dangerously close to the edge, hitting supplies, before Zuko crawled off of Sokka. This was a deadlock.
Aang peered around. "Uhh, guys? That was a tent."
"I blame the empty-headed one," the prince huffed.
Sokka hung his head, straining his neck. He hurt all over and prayed for the nightmare to end.
