Chapter Text
Sokka’s house is so different from his own, Zuko thinks. For dinner they all sit around this one table. The longer sides have benches instead of chairs, so people can sit next to each other. He’s sitting next to Sokka on one side. Katara and Sokka’s mom are on the other, with Sokka’s dad in the chair at the end.
“How’d the game end, Kat?” Sokka’s dad says.
“It was so bad. The refs were so bad, dad. This other girl totally tripped me and they didn't even call it. I hate playing green team, they’re all cheaters,” Katara says. Her eyes are dark.
“So, basically you lost?” Sokka says.
“The refs were bad! It wasn’t the same!”
Sokka’s mom laughs and ruffles Katara’s hair.
“A loss is a loss, Katara,” Sokka’s dad says, smiling. “Even if it's an unfair one.”
Zuko’s mind wanders as he soaks the conversation in, feeling warm. The taco is pretty good, but he keeps spilling the toppings. He doesn’t quite know how to get them to go into his mouth instead of onto the plate.
“Zuko,” Sokka’s dad speaks suddenly. “Sokka says you’re pretty good at soccer?”
“I’m okay,” he says.
“He’s lying, he’s so so good. He would win even if he got kicked and the refs were bad,” Sokka says, confidently, grabbing Zuko by the shoulder.
“You can't just win on your own,” Katara says. “That’s not how soccer even works. It’s a team sport.”
“That’s true, but one strong player can really make a difference,” Sokka’s mom says.
“Yeah but still, you can’t just do it all alone,” Katara says.
“How’s the taco?” Sokka asks quietly, just to Zuko.
It’s crunchy. It breaks apart with every bite. There’s sauce all over his fingers, his plate, and his face.
“It’s great,” Zuko says, smiling.
Zuko feels like his whole body is vibrating when the back room clock finally hits one. He signs out and grabs his backpack from the backroom, heart in his throat. He closes the employee door gently so it doesn’t slam, and slips out the door.
Sokka is sitting on the steps out front, looking at something on his phone.
“Sokka?” He says, fiddling with his backpack strap. Sokka looks up and stands up quickly.
“Hey, uh, are you hungry? We can food? I know this one sandwich place?”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” He notices Sokka’s eyes are focused somewhere on his chest so he looks down. He forgot to take his apron off. He goes red. “Oh I forgot to– sorry.” He throws down his backpack and bawls the apron up, shoving it in his bag. “Okay, ready now.”
He looks up, and Sokka’s smiling.