#i almost forgot to kick druk out but then decided he needed to get outta there before things got. out of hand

[bisexuallsokka]

Hi jo! Fluff dialogue prompt: “I feel safe with you.” and “where's my goodnight kiss?” With zukka, please :)

It’s written all over Zuko’s face. Maybe not to someone who doesn’t have as much history with him, but to Sokka it’s clear as day. The bags under his eyes slightly more pronounced than usual, the worried crease in his forehead, the tightness in his smiles and posture...

If he had known, he wouldn't have spent the first two hours of the party avoiding Zuko. As soon as they make eye contact, though, Sokka's feet take him to Zuko without hesitation.

“Zuko,” Sokka frowns, and his resolve almost crumbles at the way Zuko wilts just slightly. They're in a large room in the palace that they only use for gatherings like this, and Zuko looks around quickly before grabbing Sokka by the elbow and leading him closer to the wall to give them a little bit of privacy.

“I didn’t want to worry you,” Zuko says quietly.

Sokka shakes off his hand. “Fuck that. When was it?”

Zuko sighs, looking around again. “Two weeks ago.”

"Zuko—" Sokka starts again.

“I would rather tell you in person. Besides, it’s safer that way.”

Sokka knows he’s right, and he’s glad he’s here now, but he’s not happy with it. He doesn't get to dwell on that now, though. With Zuko’s back to the rest of the room, he’s letting down the mask of a perfectly happy and healthy Fire Lord, and Sokka has a feeling this assassination attempt was really bad.

“It was close, Sokka. Too close,” Zuko says, reading his mind, and he looks scared like Sokka hasn’t seen him in a long time. Fear freezes his chest, but he pushes it down, the familiar urge to always be the strong one rising up instead.

“Can we get out of here?” Sokka asks, suddenly anxious that they are in such a crowded place. He glances around and finally notices the extra security, most of them disguised, but it doesn’t help his nerves much.

Zuko nods, looking grateful, and Sokka doesn’t leave his side as he goes to talk to a guard, who nods. It’s not the smartest idea, the two of them leaving such a crowded party side by side. It’s sure to rekindle a rumor or twelve, but Zuko doesn't seem bothered by it for once, so Sokka allows himself this considering it's taking everything in him to resist giving into the urge to hold Zuko’s hand.

They’re met by more security in the hallway, following them all the way to Zuko’s rooms. Sokka doesn’t recognize them, but Zuko must trust them to see them together and to stand guard outside his rooms once they make it there. There’s not a question about it, Sokka follows him inside and closes the door behind them.

Zuko’s hands are shaking, and when he turns to Sokka in the privacy of his room, he immediately rushes into his arms. Sokka holds him tightly, reassuring himself that Zuko is okay, that he’s alive.

"I almost—"

“You didn’t,” Sokka says firmly. “You’re okay. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not right now. I just want you to stay,” Zuko says softly. “I feel safe with you.”

Sokka nods immediately. “Of course.”

When they pull back, Sokka realizes how exhausted Zuko looks. He can barely keep his eyes open as he pulls out his head piece, and Sokka wonders how much sleep he's gotten in the last two weeks. Wordlessly, they agree that Zuko just needs to rest, and Sokka sits down on the bed and pointedly turns away as Zuko changes out of his stuffy Fire Lord robes, fingers twitching with the desire to help him. He doesn't, and when Zuko is done he sits down next to Sokka, keeping some distance between them.

"Thank you for being here," Zuko says softly.

"Of course," Sokka says, giving him a tight smile. "I'm always here for you. Zuko, I-"

Sokka nearly jumps out of his skin when the tension is broken by a nearby thud, but Zuko just grabs his hand. "It's just Druk," he reassures him.

It's just my ten foot dragon isn't as comforting as Zuko thinks it is, but Sokka doesn't say anything, just moves out of the way as the dragon crawls out from where he had apparently curled up under the giant bed.

"He's been sleeping in here since the attempt," Zuko explains, looking slightly sheepish. "I'll just..."

He stands, leading Druk to another door in the room, because knowing Zuko, Druk has his own personal suite for occasions like this when there are guests in the palace. Before closing the door, though, Zuko pets the top of the dragon's head and leans down to kiss the top of it, saying, "Goodnight, Druk."

When he turns back to Sokka, the two of them actually alone this time, Sokka blames the fondness in his chest for the words that slip out of his mouth. “Where’s my goodnight kiss?”

At the weighted look that Zuko gives him, he processes what he just said. He doesn’t take it back, though. He doesn’t say anything, just watches as Zuko walks up to him, stepping between Sokka’s legs and forcing Sokka to tilt his head up to maintain the intense eye contact. He moves slowly, giving Sokka every opportunity to stop him.

Sokka doesn’t, his eyes falling shut as Zuko's lips finally meet his.