It had been two awkward-silence-filled days since the hide and seek game. The end of their trip was nearing, and the group was packing their meager belongings onto Appa's back. The flight back to the Fire Nation capital would take a day or two, but before long, they'd be home.
While Zuko had an obligation to spend most of his time in the capital, Sokka and Aang had no such responsibilities. Aang was spending most of his time in the Earth Kingdom these days. He felt it necessary to help rebuild after the Fire Nation troops ceased their occupation. Sokka often travelled with him to help, but as of a few months ago, he was staying with Zuko, claiming he was exhausted from constantly playing a diplomat. He'd said he much preferred watching Zuko squirm under the gaze of his nation.
He wouldn't admit it aloud, but Zuko actually quite enjoyed Sokka's company. It felt almost like the old days. Before they dethroned his father, that is. In between meetings with council members and other world leaders, Sokka would often lounge around his quarters with Zuko, finding some game to play or prank to pull. He definitely laughed more when Sokka was around than when he wasn't, and he could appreciate that.
Zuko was a little worried about getting back to the palace to find an empty bed, though. He knew that family was important to Mai, and he reluctantly appreciated her honesty in breaking up with him, but he valued her companionship. He wasn't sure how he'd fair being all alone, even if Sokka was there to help fill up his time. Nothing could replace a warm embrace from someone you loved late at night.
Shaking himself from his thoughts, Zuko continued his task of carrying things over to Appa. The boys hadn't brought much, but they had accumulated a few souvenirs. Well, mostly Sokka had been the one shopping for souvenirs. He bought a new bag that tied around the waist, a dangerously ugly yellow rug, and a few smaller trinkets. Zuko smiled as he patted the rug that he had just tied down in Appa's saddle.
"Well, this is everything," Aang said as he approached.
"I'm not gonna lie, I'm gonna miss flying around the Earth Kingdom doing nothing and relaxing with you guys," Sokka said as he climbed onto Appa's back.
"And how is that different from what you normally do?" Zuko asked, a trademark scowl on his face.
"Hey! I do stuff! Really important stuff!" Sokka shouted, scooting close to point an accusing finger at Zuko's face.
"Sure." Zuko rolled his eyes but cast Sokka a sideways glance and a smile. With that, the awkwardness that had filled the air since Zuko had stormed off the other night had vanished.
"If you guys are ready, let's go! I can't wait to see Katara. This is the longest amount of time we've spent apart. It's agonizing!" Aang threw a hand over his heart and feigned falling over.
"If getting in the air will make you stop talking, then let's go," Zuko grumbled.
Aang laughed, yelled the required "Yip, yip!" and they were off. Sokka and Zuko laid out across the saddle while Aang sat at the reins.
"You know how everyone got their field trip with you?" Sokka said after a few minutes of flying. "You even eventually took Toph to a wrestling match."
"Yeah, sure. Why?" Zuko replied.
"I'm just saying, I think it's time I got another field trip." Sokka looked over at him from where he lay. "It would be fun to go off and do something together!"
"We do plenty together at the palace."
"No, not the boring political stuff," Sokka argued. "Oh! Maybe I can teach you sword fighting."
"That doesn't require a field trip. We can do that on the grounds of the palace."
"I guess, but that doesn't sound very fun."
"Plus, I have firebending, and I already know how to use dual swords," Zuko reminded him. Memories of being the Blue Spirit returned to him.
"Man, you really know how to shoot a guy down, huh? Never mind, no field trip." Sokka let his head fall back onto the saddle with a loud thump.
Zuko felt a little guilty. He hadn't meant to hurt Sokka's feelings, but what he was suggesting was ridiculous. They just spent several weeks together, why would he want to take a trip again? On top of that, they'd be spending plenty of time together back at the palace. Sure, lots of Zuko's time would be monopolized by being the leader of an entire nation, but they would certainly have down time and meals they could spend together. Being near Sokka was definitely appealing to Zuko, but at a certain point, it would probably become too much. They would need their own space and going on yet another vacation together might strain their friendship.
Luckily, the monotony of being together all the time would be broken up eventually. Toph was meant to visit at some point in the near future, and at the end of the year, everyone would get together for a celebration. Everyone had their own responsibilities that took them all over the world, but they all made sure to see each other often. One such time was their yearly celebration during the winter solstice. It was only the beginning of summer, but Zuko was already looking forward to it.
Sokka wasn't spending time at the palace with Zuko just for fun, he was also helping quite a bit. Especially now with Mai gone, who helped out when she could, Zuko could really use an extra set of hands. Someone had to be willing to meet with Fire Nation citizens when Zuko was otherwise occupied. Sokka was serving as his right-hand man, and he seemed happy enough to do so.
After several hours of flying, and the sun low on the horizon, the group decided to stop for the night to get some rest. Appa eagerly went for some nearby foliage to chew on as soon as they landed.
"No need for a tent, it's still crazy hot out. We'll just suffocate ourselves," Aang said, unfolding his sleeping bag and laying it out across a patch of grass. He didn't even get inside, just laid on top.
"I agree," Sokka said, following suit.
Zuko did the same, laying his sleeping bag out several feet away from each of the other boys. They didn't even bother to eat anything before bed, they'd had some snacks while flying, and everyone was exhausted.
Zuko couldn't sleep right away, but he eventually found himself drifting off.
In his dreams, he and Sokka were sitting on a beach. Aang was in the ocean, riding a giant turtle duck. Zuko noticed that Sokka had let his hair down, and it fell over his face. Sokka blew the strands away, then looked over to Zuko and laughed. Slowly, his laugh became more high-pitched and quiet, and his face slowly changed. Now, Mai looked back at Zuko and placed a gentle hand on his cheek.
"I love you, Zuko," Mai said, but her face was like a cloud. Once Zuko could finally see the shape of it, it was changing again, morphing into something else.
"Mai?" Zuko called. He reached out, desperate to touch her. "Sokka?"
"What?" Sokka's voice said. Zuko shot up, his eyes open now, his dream a foggy memory. He had rolled over in his sleep, much closer to Sokka now than he was when he first laid down, his bag abandoned nearby. Sokka was watching him. "What?" he repeated. "You said my name."
A blush raced across Zuko's cheeks "Did I?" he asked. "I must have been dreaming..."
"Well, okay," Sokka said, unconcerned. "Good night then, I guess."
"Night," Zuko mumbled before going back to his sleeping bag.