Author's note: Thanks for all the feedback.

XOXOXOXOX

They watched Zuko exit the restaurant. Suki stood up.

"Excuse me. Katara?" Katara stood up and headed in the direction of Suki and the women's restroom.

"You going to follow Toph?" Aang asked quietly.

"Are you kidding me, Twinkletoes? The situation was uncomfortable the first time, I am not going to re-hash it. Though it might be entertaining to know what they are planning." She got up and made her way to the restroom.

"Somebody should talk to Zuko." Aang toyed with his straw and looked at Sokka.

"Why me?" Sokka stuck out his lip.

"You have the most in common – senior, kendo teammate, boy." Haru ticked off the obvious. Sokka rolled his eyes and got up and went outside.

XOXOXOXOX

Sokka stood in the darkened parking lot, waiting for his eyes to adjust. He thought about what he could say other than stop being a jerk. He didn't know much, or anything, about Zuko. He had recently transferred into his school, he was on the diving team and kendo team, and he had an uncle. Sokka shrugged. He looked around for Zuko. A small flicker caught his eye. Zuko was sitting on a concrete parking curb in the back park of the lot. He was flicking a Zippo lighter on and off. He had a cigarette clamped in his lips. Sokka walked over. The strong odor of cloves tingled his nostrils.

"Apparently, when you said you needed air – 'fresh air' was the furthest thing from your mind." Sokka sat down next to Zuko. Zuko flicked an imaginary dust particle from his jeans.

"Want one?"

"Yeah, but yell if you see Katara coming. She'll kick my ass if she sees me."

Zuko reached into his hoodie pocket, took out the box and flipped it open. Sokka took one. Zuko didn't hand over the Zippo like Sokka expected, but snapped his wrist flicking open and igniting the lighter at the same time. Sokka put the cigarette in his lips. To steady the flame, he grabbed Zuko's wrist and lit the cigarette. His wrist was warm, almost feverish, to the touch. Once lit, he released Zuko's hand. He blew the smoke through his nose and then started a fit of coughing. They sat in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds were traffic and the metallic clicks of the lighter as Zuko rhythmically flicked it on and off. Zuko was the first to speak.

"I suppose you were sent out here to either read me the riot act or tell me to go away."

"Neither."

"Huh? I am sure everyone hates me by now." Sokka snorted.

"Stop the dramatics, emo-boy."

"Stop calling me that. I am not emo!" Zuko tapped ash onto the pavement.

"Then what's the deal? Why did you freak out over a bit of ice cream?"

"I did not freak out."

"Then what happened?!"

The question was met with a shrug and silence by Zuko. Sokka rubbed the bridge of his nose and mentally cursed Aang and Haru for sending him out here… And Suki – because this was all her fault. He coughed and asked.

"Is it Suki?"

"Just because I lost to her, doesn't mean she can treat me like a baby!"

"Huh?"

"Giving me a ride, sitting next to me, feeding me. Gah! Humiliating."

Sokka slapped his forehead. "Uhm, moron. She likes you."

"Likes me?" Zuko turned to look at him in utter confusion.

"Yes, as in was flirting and wanted to date you." Sokka stared at Zuko. Zuko snuffed his cigarette on the street and ran his fingers through his hair. Sokka continued. "Generally, smiling, joking and wanting you by them are a good indications that a girl likes you, not wants to torture you."

"Oh." Zuko said softly. Sokka just ground his cigarette into the pavement.

"Yo, Snoozles!" Toph's brassy voice broke the silence.

"Over here Toph. About 20 yards at 10 o'clock." Toph made her way over. Her nose wrinkled.

"That is a nasty habit boys. You are lucky I am not Katara." She sat down on the curb next to Sokka. "Apparently, I am a messenger service. Everyone else decided to go to the movie like we planned. Katara is staying over at Suki's tonight."

"Did they leave already?" Sokka asked.

"They were in paying up when I was sent on my errand. Katara has you covered Sokka." Toph sighed. "I have had enough drama for tonight – I am going home. Smell ya later!" She headed off. Zuko watched her.

"Shouldn't you take her home?"

"I value my head too much. She'd tear it off if I tried. Her aunt's apartment is two blocks from here. She'll be fine." Sokka stood up and brushed off his jeans. "C'mon, I take you home."