Chapter Text
Zuko rubbed his temples and let out a tired sigh. Another sleepless night working on these proposals, and he wasn’t even sure if he was halfway done. Sure, he knew that this particular project would be one that demanded passion and determination to pass, but he didn’t realize how much passion and determination he would need. The council provided minimal support from the start, and the only way he would get anything accomplished was if the plan became rather popular with the public.
But all of that was behind him, because the sun was rising and while the day was only beginning, he needed rest. He closed his eyes and stretched out his tired limbs before he stood from his desk, letting out a satisfied groan as he did so.
“You know, I used to be the only one that could make you groan like that.”
He raised an eyebrow and glanced over by the door, smiling when he saw Sokka leaning on the doorframe. “Very funny,” he mumbled.
Sokka shrugged, and pushed himself off the frame, walking toward Zuko. “Another late night?”
Zuko nodded. “I’ve got to put in the work for this project if I want it to pass. So that means more sleepless nights for me.”
“And not the fun kind,” Sokka added.
The firebender rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t fight the grin that appeared on his face. Still, he wondered what Sokka was doing up at this hour. “What are you doing up?” he asked. “It’s barely dawn.”
Sokka gave another nonchalant shrug, placing his hands on Zuko’s desk and leaning toward him. “Nothing big really, just have a request I wanted to submit to the Fire Lord.”
“Oh? And what is that?”
He inched closer to Zuko, and with a mischievous smirk on his face, he whispered, “I would like my good morning kiss now.”
Zuko had to laugh at that, but he silently obliged. He got to his feet, and like Sokka, leaned over the desk from his side until his lips met Sokka’s. They kissed sweetly and slowly, relishing the feeling of each other’s lips on theirs, for it had been too long since they last kiss.
When they parted, Zuko smiled and said, “Good morning.”
“It is a good morning now that I’ve chatted with you, but I sort of regret that kiss.” Zuko looked at Sokka perplexed, but the warrior continued, “That firebender morning breath is serious.”
Zuko scoffed and pushed Sokka away from him, but the two were laughing the whole time.
And as they continued to tease each other and enjoy each other’s company, Zuko soaked in the morning.
Because while the night was long, the day was just beginning, and it was already off to an amazing start.