Candrala: Obviously, I do not own Avatar or the ideas from Harry Potter that are tied to this story. Also, I will be camping from July 5th to the 8th so I will update as soon as possible!
Chapter 4: It'd Be Ecstasy
The fall chill had finally crept upon the school walls, and all the students were in protest about still having to attend classes. No one had the ability to focus any more, being half way through the semester.
Sokka doodled idly on his paper, chin resting on palm and slouching lazily against his desk. He didn't really care what Iroh was talking about. He didn't need to understand the balance of the Spirit world and the world he walked in.
He didn't find the Spirit world valuable.
A slight breeze tickled at his neck, and Sokka turned around, finding a piece of paper being shoved into his face. Aang smiled brightly behind the paper, continuously shoving it in Sokka's direction until it was retrieved.
Sokka reluctantly took the paper, turning around and effortlessly unfolding it. It wasn't like Aang to pass notes in class. Sokka's face fell a little as he read the print. It was much too professional to be Aang's hand writing.
His cool, ice colored gaze swept over the writing, taking in what was being asked of him. Zuko wanted to sit alone at dinner tonight, to discuss something. But what? Sokka cooly crumpled up the paper, tossing it over his shoulder back towards Aang.
"Well?" Aang whispered, cupping his hands over his mouth so Iroh wouldn't hear him. Sokka rolled his eyes, returning his pal to his chin and casually chewing on his pen. Aang didn't need to know, it was between himself and Zuko.
Iroh clasped his hands lightly, his voice traveling and echoing in the stone room. "It seems we have run out of time for today. I will see you all again tomorrow." Silently, he waved his hand, signaling that they were allowed to leave.
Sokka stood, stretching his arm over his head and bending to the side slightly. He grunted before returning to his regular postion and looking back at Aang. "I'm just going to weight for Zuko, after class. Let Katara know for me?"
Aang nodded, blinking curiously before turning and walking out of the room. Sokka wasn't far behind him, turning to the left then pressing against a stone wall. Children surged and pulsated through the hallway. In order to survive, you had to make yourself thin against the wall.
Sokka stood on tiptoe, peering over thousands of various colored heads. He put his arm in the air, waving impishly when he spotted Zuko. Zuko's eyes widened in mild surprise before he waded through the slowly thinning crowd.
"I didn't think you'd be so ready to accept my invite," Zuko teased lightly, preparing to venture back into the mild crowd located in the hallway. Sokka stuck his tongue out him, his face heating up in embarassment.
Zuko smiled, leading Sokka into the dining hall. His eyes glistened slightly as he realized, Sokka hadn't once said anything about his scar. It was usually the first thing people asked about. 'Hey, man, who fucked up your face?'
Zuko ran his hand lightly over the marred skin as he took his place at the empty table in the back, Sokka perching across from him. Sokka spreaded out across the table, honestly exhausted.
Zuko looked at him, his dark hair covering his scar out of his sudden selfconciousness. "I wanted..." his voice was oddly quiet. He didn't know how to talk about ths but for some reason, he wanted Sokka to be the only other one who knew the real story of how his pretty face was ruined.
Sokka looked at him, his eyes sparkling gently with compassion. "You wanted...?" He offered. He knew how hard it could be to talk about the real feelings, not the superficial ones often displayed.
Zuko took a deep breath, his face smoothing over and his hands resting, clasped together, in his lap. "I wanted... you to know how I got this horrible scar." His lips pulled up tightly, trying to make a light joke of the matter.
Sokka stared at him quietly, waiting for Zuko to cut himself open and expose what made him the way he was.
Zuko twiddled his fingers, a nervous habit he had recently picked up. He looked at Sokka, his bangs brushing away from his scar. "My father... used his bending as punishment when I decided to voice an opinion. He, obviously, was not pleased. Since then, Iroh has acted as my father. My father disowned me. He dotes on my sister, a fire bending prodigy."
He glanced casually to the side, lowering his voice as the kids a table down began to stir. "He has basically ignored our bloodties. Therefore, I was able to easily see how lonely you are, Sokka. I couldn't help... couldn't help the urge to reach out to you." He stared intently at Sokka, his tawny eyes glowing with his outspoken emotion.
He hoped nothing would change between them.
Sokka sat up, extending his arm across the table. Zuko blinked, unsure of what to do. Sokka smiled, flexing his fingers. Quietly, Zuko placed his hand in Sokka's.
Sokka smoothed his fingers over the pale, heated flesh of Zuko's hand. "I'm sorry that happened to you. You're father doesn't know how proud of his son he should really be. Obviously, you're uncle sees what his brother doesn't."
Zuko relaxed softly, intent on focusing on the comforting feeling that washed through him with Sokka's touch. It utterly terrified him but his curiousity got the better of him. Sokka smiled confortingly at him. Zuko smiled back.
Their friendship was solid now.
After their discussion, Zuko and Sokka became almost inseperable. They spent almost all of their free time together, Aang and Katara always included. Once in a while though Zuko and Sokka would still have their solitary conversations.
Katara and Aang were grateful for Sokka's friendship with Zuko. He was more animated, more willing to take a break from work and have a few adventures. They also noticed Zuko was becoming less socially awkward and they welcomed this change with open arms.
Katara smiled, a look of 'I told you so' possessing her features. She leaned casually towards her brother, spending another quiet Saturday afternoon watching Zuko and Aang spar. "Well," She cooed, "it seems I was right, like always."
Sokka glared down at her, turning away from the fight for the first time. "Oh whatever, Katara. I don't feel like boosting your ego more than it already is."
She poked him lightly, "I saw you hold his hand."
Sokka blushed, his head snapping forward to watch Aang intently. "You must have been drunk."
Katara sighed, shaking her head lightly and crossing her legs. Her brother would realize what she was beginning to and what Aang had noticed long ago. It would just take time.
Time was something they had plenty of.
Candrala: I tried to do my best since it will be a while before I can update again. Read, review, enjoy.
