:D Thank you all for reviewing, this happens to be a really long chapter because I didn't feel like splitting it up into 2 or 3 chapters. And sorry Evil Chibi Kitten, but one lemon story, though, you know how being a teenager is. There's only one word to say it all. Hormones. ;) So stay tuned, their relationship develops more from here.
Sokka was still quiet a week later, though he wasn't completely silent, still giving his opinions when it felt right; though Aang and Katara still didn't take his advice that serious, as usual. They had stopped at a sea port town in the earth kingdom, for food and supplies, and decided on pulling the rest of their money into renting a room with two beds; Katara got one and Aang and Sokka were to share the second.
At the moment, Sokka was sitting with his back against the building, not wanting to be in the room, needing fresh air. He was on the side of the building so he could have some quiet time, so he wouldn't attract any passerby's unwanted eyes. He felt crowded when he was around Aang and his sister anymore. This was the first time that he'd gotten to be by himself since the night with Zuko...
There he went again, thinking about the fire-bender. He cursed himself for dwelling over it; he doubted Zuko gave one thought to it. Every time he replayed actions and reactions everything got more and more logical and reasons squeezed into his and Zuko's actions. He admitted that he enjoyed the night, it was sex after all and he was a teenager, wasn't that expected? And Zuko was his age; it had to all be bodily functions and reactions... At least he hoped.
Sokka didn't want to even comprehend the thought that it was more; 'more' being the fact that his own emotions were wrapped up in it. He didn't want to think that he might actually...
Sokka ran his hand down his face, letting out a frustrated sound. He was thinking too much and he was starting to get a headache.
"Hey Sokka!"
Sokka was startled and looked up to see Aang leaning over the roof, grinning with that crooked smile of his. Sokka gave an annoyed look, but wasn't all that mad. "Hey Aang" he greeted in return.
"What are you doing out here?" the young avatar asked curiously. Sokka really didn't want to bring up what he was thinking about, not to a twelve year old.
"Nothing, you?" Sokka asked, not really all that curious, but it just seemed right to ask
"I was looking around the city," Aang replied, glancing around the tops of the buildings from his line of site, "I found a couple good fruit sellers so we can eat tomorrow." Aang sounded proud of this and Sokka smiled a bit.
"Good." was his short reply and Aang looked back to him.
"When are you coming back inside?" he asked curiously, "We do have to leave early tomorrow, or at least that's what Katara says. This city is crawling with fire benders and there's-" Sokka got up before he could finish.
"Tell Katara I'm going to take a walk." He said and didn't wait for a reply. He couldn't even think of sleeping or stepping into that small room for the night. He just needed air and maybe a walk would help.
Aang blinked as Sokka just… left. He scratched his bald head and shrugged, deciding to leave Sokka alone if he didn't want to talk, jumping down from the roof to see what Katara was doing.
---
Zuko grabbed his coat from a hook on the wall by the ship cabin door. He grew restless and uncomfortable tonight; the ship had finally reached land that night after many days on the sea and had docked, but they had yet to set foot on the ground. He itched to get out and stretch his legs, and he knew his crew also was tense and antsy. But they could wait until morning, he couldn't.
He left the cabin and as well as the ship in haste. He had been quiet, though not as silent as before. He'd told his men orders and had a couple conversations with his uncle; though he spoke not a word about Sokka, he wouldn't for a long time, if ever. Though he could see that Iroh knew something, the old man just had this look of wisdom like no other; even though he covered it with a slightly humorous tone.
Passing the quiet port with not a soul around, Zuko let his mind drift back to the night, the night when everything changed again. He tried to forget it; of course he did, but Sokka… he just couldn't stop remembering. The way he moved, the way their skin pressed together, the emotions that washed through them… or at least him. He had no clue whether Sokka even cared, they hadn't talked about it. Just a good morning, and the next thing, they fought and parted ways. Though the good morning was pleasant, he looked back now and wanted to kiss those curved lips that smiled at him.
He felt like a fool and doubted they'd even meet again alone at times, so he preferred to think of that night than what might or might not have been.
He traveled through the dark streets, occasionally passing a drunk or some daring people who headed home in the dark. He had a vague idea of where he was going, and kept track of where he was so he could find his way back.
He came to a quite street where there was a strip of empty stands up against the back of buildings. The street venders where unsurprisingly closed for the night. Zuko walked down the street, observing the decorated signs by each stand that promised fresh fruits and vegetables.
He wasn't really paying attention, half in and half out of his thoughts. Sokka wasn't that much better off not too far away, eyes gazing over the area, but not really focused on anything. Sokka turned the corner to the market area and because he wasn't watching he stumbled back, having run right into someone.
"I'm sorry," he apologized immediately, though not taking notice of who the person was, "I wasn't paying attention…"
"Sokka?"
Sokka stopped talking immediately and his eyes darted up, eyes locking with familiar amber orbs. His throat clenched slightly and the name on the tip of his tongue nearly didn't come out, "Z-Zuko?" He scolded himself for stuttering and took a step back from the prince.
Zuko was shocked at seeing Sokka here and worried the other would run away after he stepped back from him he grabbed Sokka's wrist, halting his movement.
There was a moment of utter silence and they were both frozen still. Thoughts raced through their heads and it seemed an eternity before anything happened. Finally Zuko moved, pulling Sokka a little closer, taking a calming breath. "We need to talk."
---
Zuko got them a motel room so they could have some privacy from passersby. Sokka noted that the room was nicer than the one he, Katara and Aang had bought, and it was paradise compared to that shabby hut. There were two large futons on either side of the room and it had a warm feel to it. Once they entered, Zuko shut the door behind them and it was quiet. They both had questions they wanted to ask; they both had things to say and answers to give, but they had no words to form what was in their heads. They looked at each other, unsure what to say or do; Sokka broke the gaze first, a bit embarrassed to look into Zuko's intense yellow eyes.
Zuko watched Sokka, just gazed at him a minute, having not set eyes on him in a week. He admitted that he missed him; everything had been out of place. He'd been thinking and remembering the night, but it was nothing like seeing Sokka in front of him. He stepped closer to the darker skinned teen and then Sokka looked up to see what he was doing. Zuko rested his fingers on Sokka's cheek and kissed him. Sokka had no protest to give as he responded; he'd been aching to feel the sensation again of Zuko kissing him. They bathed in the sensations running through them, Sokka's arms finding a resting spot on Zuko's shoulders and Zuko's arms encircled his waist snuggly, pulling their bodies together. Sokka groaned softly, really, really enjoying this and it took all of his will power to turn his head away to break the lip contact.
"This isn't exactly talking." He said and looked back to the fire bender who seemed a bit confused for a minute as to why it stopped, and then nodded slowly in agreement, arms loosening from Sokka, and Sokka hesitated before retracting his arms from Zuko's shoulders. He didn't really think it would be this hard to deny his body of the addictive sensations, but making out was not going to solve anything between them.
Zuko did his best to ignore the urge to just pull Sokka back to him, but he wasn't going to force anything onto the other, deciding stepping away from Sokka would make him less tempting. He walked over to the one bed and sat down, taking a minute to cool down. Sokka was unsure of what to do again, so he just stood there until he found words to speak.
"I-uh... this... about that night..." Ok, so he couldn't find many good words to say, but it was a start, and on subject.
"Have you been dwelling on it also?" Zuko asked cautiously and Sokka looked at the ground, a blush crossing his cheeks.
"Yeah..." He admitted; he felt uncomfortable still with admitting anything to Zuko; lingering distrust for fire benders, though it was also from natural fear that Zuko would laugh at him. Sokka shuffled his feet slightly, and opened his mouth, but the words were caught in his throat, and from fear of sounding stupid he shut him mouth; he didn't need to stutter any more in front of the prince.
Zuko could see this was going nowhere and be beckoned Sokka over to him, hoping the water tribe teen wouldn't be stubborn about it. Being stubborn did cross Sokka's mind, but besides that he found no other reason to avoid Zuko so he walked over and even was bold enough to sit next to the prince. Zuko tried his attempt at words, though without making any indication he was, he didn't want to be gaping like a fish, like Sokka had been. Their eyes locked on each other for a good minute and after Zuko found nothing to say; he decided action would have to speak louder than the words. He turned more towards Sokka and took the other's face in his hands and before the water tribe teen could react, he meshed their mouths together; eager to taste Sokka's unique lips and skin again.
Sokka was stunned only for a moment before his body reacted on its own, his arms slipping around Zuko's neck to be closer to him. In the back of his mind; yes, they really should have been talking, but the fact was that they didn't want to talk; hormones were crying out for touch and passion. They only broke once for air, then their lips seemed to find each other again and there was even less resistance than before, hands gripping each other nearly in a desperate way. As Zuko guided Sokka into a familiar position on the bed, their tongues entwined passionately, Sokka decided; one more night with the prince couldn't hurt.
Please review if you enjoyed!
