Sorry for the lack of updates! I was in a rut with this story. I knew what I wanted to happen, but not how to tell it. Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoy writing for the characters. (But so far, the third chapter is my favorite. This one is just randomly sexual, ha ha.) C: Thank you SO MUCH for 13 reviews! Wow. Along with two favs and eight alerts! Lots of love and hugs for everyone! C:
Also, please forgive me for some discrepancies in their clothes/weapons. I noticed that Sokka's armbands are the same material and color as his pants. Does that mean he's wearing a jumpsuit under his robe? Kind of like long underwear? Well, that's what I'm assuming. (Also, for lack of a better word, I'm going to refer to it as a "leotard" XDD Makes Sokka sound extremely girly.)
Avatar is © to Mike and Bryan, the mad geniuses.
To the amazement of Sokka, the Prince had fallen asleep before himself. Sokka would have woken Zuko up so he could gloat but then that would be contradictory. And then Zuko would have a witty comeback to say before turning over and falling back asleep, leaving Sokka's pride damaged.
Sokka would have slept too, but he was restless and fidgeting, still thinking about what the Prince had said to him. Surely Zuko just wanted Sokka to drop dead; isn't that what Sokka wanted? Zuko was now more of his enemy than he was Aang's. And he was an ass. Zuko was just messing with his mind; waiting for Sokka to crack.
Zuko shifted in his sleep. Sokka tried to ignore him, crossing his arms in defiance, but couldn't help himself. His desire was too great; he moved in for the kill.
Sokka tried to breathe silently, crouching over Zuko. It was difficult to keep his large mouth closed, to keep from yelling at Zuko to wake up. But Zuko also seemed very exposed when he slept; defenseless. Almost even alluring. The complete opposite of his personality. His eyes were closed tightly, as if he wanted to hide himself away from the world. He was dirty and scarred and even his rich clothes were starting the wear down. Leaning in close to Zuko, almost intimately, he seemed like a stranger.
Heh, maybe he is human.
Sokka mentally slapped himself, moving away from the "Sleeping Beauty". He lay down on the other side of the fire pit; facing the tent. He could hear the other teenager breathing and that bothered him that he cared enough to listen for a pattern. He kept his eyes open, waiting for something horrible.
"Wake up halfwit," a boot-clad foot screamed into Sokka's side.
"OOOWWW," he yelped, curling into a ball. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"
"Get up, we're leaving."
"But we just got here." He closed his eyes again. Was the sun up already?
"No clown, you and me," a monotone voice replied coolly.
Sokka sat up, straining to keep his eyes open. It was still dark out; or what there was of the sun, Zuko's form was blocking.
"Huh?" It was too early for Sokka to have to defend himself from Zuko's mind games.
"We're going hunting. You have your friends to look after. Don't tell me you make your sister hunt and cook the food."
Now that was a stab at Sokka, if anything. He stood up, at attention. He noticed that the tarp he'd placed on Zuko last night was back on the tent. Since Zuko didn't say anything about it, he didn't either.
"OF COURSE NOT. She cooks, I hunt." Sokka stated; just to make it clear to the ass that he wasn't completely useless.
"Okay, but stop shouting or you'll wake up everything." The fire-bender turned and left the camp site. Sokka gripped his dagger and ran after him, determined now more than before.
Sokka shifted and cleared his throat.
"Um… Zuko?" He whispered.
Zuko ignored him, keeping his eyes on the prey.
Sokka pouted and moved his face closer to Zuko's.
"Zuko?" His voice cracked slightly.
The Fire-Bender grew warmer. No one dared to get this close to him and live. In his current situation, however, Zuko had no other choice than to remain still.
"Shh."
"Zuko, I-I-" He fumbled.
"SHH," Zuko roared, causing the small animal in the clearing to dart away. Zuko jumped up.
"Look what you made me do! Come on, we can still catch it!"
Sokka looked guilty when Zuko stopped to scowl at him. The beast was long gone by now. Sokka meshed his fingers together.
"I think I'm stuck."
"What do you mean?" He asked in disbelief. Why couldn't Sokka just cooperate? Why did he have to be so aggravating?
"What do you think?" The Water Tribe boy asked sarcastically, motioning, to the best of his ability, that he was pinned between a tree and a branch.
Zuko clenched his fists and curled his toes. "Then cut yourself free."
Sokka bit his lip, not wanting to, but having to ask for help. It would be the ultimate admittance of defeat, but the idea of being trapped against a tree, without any food, wasn't a very pleasing one. Instead he swallowed his pride and exhaled.
"I can't reach my dagger. You'll have to," he slurred.
Zuko appeared more surprised than anything. He stood perfectly still with his hands at his side.
"What was that?"
Sokka lowered his head, blushing and mumbling. "You heard me."
Zuko grinned, re-assured that what he was hearing was the truth. He didn't even mind that his prey had escaped; Sokka was more entertaining, by far. He moved forward and leaned over Sokka, speculating, observing the situation. Sokka tried not to fidget, not that he had a choice.
"Alright," Zuko declared, crouching down to Sokka's level. He leaned forward, his fingers shaking. Sokka watched in fascination and fear.
Ohh no, he's going to burn me to a crisp! He's going to burn a hole right through my stomach and I'll never be able to eat again! He's…
"AHHR! WHAT'RE YOU DOING?"
Zuko pulled at the band on Sokka's waist, loosening his robe. He tried to ignore the idea that he was undressing the foolish boy. It was very difficult with Sokka screaming and spitting on his naked forehead.
"Quiet. Slide out of your shirt."
Both blushed at the awkwardness of it all, though Sokka complied. He pulled his arms out of his sleeves and was left in his leotard, curving his upper body towards Zuko's. Even through his armor, Zuko could feel the warmth. He stood up and took several steps backwards, facing another direction. Even though he had to rip his shirt to get it free, Sokka was just thankful he hadn't been teased. He stood as well and the two returned to the camp in silence.
"Sokka, where were you? What happened to your shirt?"
He moaned in annoyance, not wanting to tell the true story. Zuko stood on the edge of the camp site, secluded, pondering and sending steam out of his nose. Aang was sitting around the fire pit, watching Iroh light a fire in it.
"Never mind. Could you just fix it for me? I'll go catch a few fish for breakfast," He replied, marching towards the shoreline wearily.
Katara moaned, very similar to her brother's, and made a face at Zuko. Zuko ignored her glare and stood in place. She marched towards where the supplies were being kept, in the tent.
"Ahh, teenagers," Iroh sighed.
Aang nodded in agreement and watched the sparks fly.
