I'm here.
Sokka felt like he was swimming through mud. Hot mud. He choked on it and struggled to breathe and-
Sokka jerked awake, disoriented and wobbly, and still couldn't move or fight the hold strangling him down. He thrashed, trying to find his voice to yell, not even sure where he was or what-
Hands. Hands caught around his arms, and then pressed one of his shoulders down, and Sokka yowled, kicking out, his throat feeling like it was on fire with the cry. The hands tightened and Sokka realised he knew them and went limp with relief. "Zuko. . ." he rasped, and began to cry, shivering and weak, his head throbbing.
"What is it, darling?" Zuko asked, his hands gentling.
Sokka whimpered, squinting and then just closing his eyes again, only able to make out darkness and some blurry smears. When he opened them again there was a bloom of warm, red light spreading across the ceiling above him, though still nothing would come into focus.
"I'm here." Zuko said, his hands gentle even as they pushed Sokka down, leaning over him. He keened, thrashing, and Zuko shushed him, face twisting with distress. "Sokka, stop, calm down, I know you feel awful but you're going to make it worse!"
Sokka keened again, sobbing, and Zuko released his wrists, petting him comfortingly. He sniffled and choked, beginning to cough, and Zuko all but picked him up to help him sit and lean forwards so he could breathe. The world spun and the edges of Sokka's vision flashed uncomfortable colours, but Zuko was a solid and strong support against him, unshakeable.
Sokka closed his eyes and bowed his head against Zuko's shoulder, shivering, even though he was far too hot already. He panted. "Zuko. . ." he whined. "Zuko I feel. . ."
"I know, darling." Zuko soothed, kissing his brow and rubbing his back. Sokka gave a couple of exhausted, weak sobs, feeling utterly miserable and kind of confused. "Come on, lie down again and I'll get you some cool water."
Sokka whined, clinging to Zuko as he gently eased Sokka back. In fact he didn't think he actually did anything to effect the change in his own position.
He shuddered as Zuko patted his chest lightly, then rose and disappeared from the limited slice of the world that Sokka could make out. His eyes slipped closed and he shuddered again, panting, each tremor through his body making him ache down to his bones.
"Zuko?" he called, prying his eyes open.
"Here, darling." Zuko said patiently, appearing leaning over Sokka again. He squeezed Sokka's hand and nudged him to let his arm rest on the bed again. He hadn't quite realised he'd been reaching out.
Zuko sat next to him, a weight pressing down the bed, and helped him drink most of a cup of water. Sokka could have drunk more, but he also felt sick from what he had swallowed. He whimpered again, and Zuko shushed him quietly, wiping tears from his face and then drawing a cool, wet cloth over his brow and cheeks.
Sokka sighed, closing his eyes under the soothing touch.