Chapter Text
Sokka rolled over and hugged Zuko before he could step out of bed. He squeezed the fire-bender’s face in his hand. “Sokka! Let go!” Sokka kissed his cheek and chuckled, “But you have such a squishable face!”
It was the morning of the last meeting for the Harmony Restoration Movement. Zuko pawed at Sokka’s chest in an effort to release his own face from the Water-Tribe warrior’s hands. “Sokka! Let go,” he pleaded. “Nope, sorry. Can’t do that! You have to pay the toll to get out of bed.” Sokka decided there were rules for leaving the bed in the mornings about a week ago. Zuko rolled his eyes when these rules were declared, thinking he would never forget. Sadly, he did this time and was paying the price.
“Sokka, hey! Look,” Zuko stopped fidgeting under Sokka’s weight, “Look, I’m sorry I forgot.” He flashed his amber eyes up at him with sincerity. Sokka melted, “well that’s just cheating.” Zuko smirked, “C’mere.” He wrapped his arms around Sokka’s neck and pulled their lips together. His soft lips brushed over a stubbled face, as Zuko left a trail of kisses along Sokka’s jawline. Sokka smiled with every kiss, and smirked when getting his way. “Okay, okay! We have to get ready now.”
“Oh~ Now you wanna leave?” Zuko pulled him back under the blankets. They fussed and laughed back and forth, then there was a knock at the door, “Your Majesty? ...Mr...Er, Sokka? Your presence will be requested. The Earth King and his advisor are arriving soon.”
“Thank you!” Zuko shouted over Sokka’s shoulder. “Well, ‘ Mr. Sokka, ’ duty calls.” Sokka grinned at the new name and kissed Zuko quickly before escaping his hold. Zuko huffed and watched Sokka walk away and prepare for the day.
---
Sokka scanned over one of the many scrolls he was carrying while he and the Fire Lord walked to their meeting. Zuko made sure to tug on his robes to keep him walking in the right direction. Sokka was mumbling to himself when they reached the oversized door. Zuko exhaled and smiled at the overthinker, “You ready?”
The large door opened and the two joined the Earth King and Joo Dee at the grand table. “Good morning, Fire Lord Zuko. Sokka of the Southern Water-Tribe.” Joo Dee’s ominous smile greeted them. “Hello and welcome,” Zuko sat and fire-bended the few candles sitting on the table for additional light. “As discussed at our last meeting, the former colony Yu Dao is to become autonomous. Your proposal?” The Earth King requested.
“Er...yeah. Ahem. Yes.” Sokka cleared his throat and fumbled with the scrolls he brought. He finally found the one he was looking for and placed it over the table for all to review. “This is a map of the Earth Kingdom and the few remaining colonies, like Yu Dao, that ask for the same support.” Sokka went on to explain their similarities in citizenship and lineage. He went on for a few minutes about the possibilities of the cities governing themselves, holding elections for independent leaders, establishing their own systems to ultimately become self-sustaining.
“Of course, with the help of Fire Lord Zuko and, hopefully you too, Your majesty. To get them started, I believe this could work. These former colonies could be something greater, landmarks of harmony between all nations. The United Republic of Nations, to be exact.” Sokka’s enthusiasm rang through the huge room. Zuko thumbed through the scrolls, attempting to hide the proud smile pulling across his face. Joo Dee was fervently writing on her own clipboard and waited for the Earth King’s reaction.
The Earth King sat pensively for a while. Zuko broke the silence, “The Fire Nation is prepared to support this effort and will pledge upto three years of supplemental resources.” Joo Dee’s creepy smile twitched and she continued writing. “Your Majesty?” Zuko inquired. The Earth King paused for what felt like an eternity, “The Earth Kingdom… will not claim responsibility to these citizens.” Sokka frowned and started, “Your Majesty, if you see here-”
“ However ,” the Earth King continued, “I will support as well, in the first year. If after the Fire Nation’s support runs out and the Republic needs it, I will reinstate the support for one additional year.” Sokka blushed slightly with pride, and Zuko stood to shake the Earth King’s hand, “Thank you.”
Joo Dee shuffled her papers, “I will have this drafted and sent for signatures by week’s end .” She winked at Zuko and followed after the departing Earth King.
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“We should celebrate!” Zuko beamed across the dining table. “Sokka, you were incredible back there! You’re always incredible..” he trailed off and looked down at his lunch.
Sokka shoved a fistful of noodles into his mouth to hide his embarrassment. “I couldn't have done it without you! You were able to reallocate funds to support the United Nations! Anyway…what kind of celebration are you thinking? I already took advantage of the royal hair combing, again. Heh”
“Let’s go on one more life changing Zuko field trip ,” Zuko grinned and bit into a warm dumpling. Sokka gulped the remaining noodles. “Where?”
—-
The tiny Fire Nation war balloon descended on the flatlands of old familiar ruins. Vine covered stone structures reminiscent of the architecture of the Fire Sage’s temples stood proudly holding ancient secrets. The Fire Lord and the Water-Tribe warrior stepped out and walked through the unassuming remains.
“Where are we?” Sokka questioned, looking around at the ghost town. He stepped forward and a stone beneath his foot lowered into the sediment. Zuko reactively grabbed Sokka’s wrist and pulled him quickly into his arms. The walls on either side of where Sokka would have stood, opened and shot darts outward in defense of his presence. “Be careful!” Zuko cautioned embracing the taller man, “this is the village of the ancient Sun Warriors. They don’t like visitors.”
“Didn’t you come here with Aang? Well, now I don’t feel special,” Sokka pouted and playfully pushed the Fire Lord away. “Ha! Yes, I did. But, I’ve brought you with me to find answers.” Zuko chuckled and pinched Sokka’s cheek.
The two wandered through the ruins until they reached a grand staircase leading to the mouth of a huge mountainside that seemed to be split in two. “What’s this place?” Sokka turned to the fire-bender. “This is the home of ‘the Masters,’ Ran and Shaw. Sadly, you won’t be able to join me this far.
“Who goes there?” a voice bellowed from behind them. The chief of the Sun Warriors crossed his arms at the intruders.
Sokka squeaked and clutched Zuko’s arm and tried to make himself smaller behind him. “I’m Fire Lord Zuko, we met before. Under less than ideal circumstances.” Zuko scratched the back of his neck. “Ah yes, I remember. Dinner for the Masters, right?” They both laughed. Sokka scrunched his face in confusion towards their inside joke.
“What brings you back, young Fire Lord?”
“My fire. It’s-“
“Again? You must not be a great fire-bender.” The chief teased, cutting him off.
“No! I’m great! It’s just… the color...” Zuko put out his hand and a small burst of red, yellow and purple fire danced in his palm. The chief dropped his jaw and looked back up at Zuko in amazement. “These colors… I’ve only seen a variation like this from the Masters.”
“That’s why I came. I remember the brilliant fire that emerged from them and figured this was the only way to figure out what’s going on.” Sokka put his hand on Zuko’s shoulder and rubbed the nape of his neck with his thumb. “The only other flame I’ve seen have color was from my sister. But I know that comes from the rage and chaos that she harbors.”
The chief nodded and led them to the stairs. “Go, Zuko. Your friend and I will stay here.” Zuko agreed and looked into Sokka’s eyes, “It might look scary, but it will be fine.” Sokka furrowed his brow and watched Zuko walk away.
The chief and Sokka waited for a while as Zuko ascended the staircase. Sokka broke the silence “I’m Sokka, by the way.” The chief nodded in acknowledgment. “And ya know, we’re not just ‘friends.’ I dunno what we are, though. We haven’t labeled it or anything. But it’s definitely more than just friends , if you catch my drift.”
The chief remained silent and looked out of the corner of his eye at Sokka while he was adamantly trying to explain the dynamic of their relationship.
“I mean, we’ve saved the world a couple times together, so there’s also that. Plus, the way he looks at me in the mornings.. now that I think about it, we haven’t really talked about this.”
The chief raised an eyebrow and shook his head slowly. “Communication is key for a thriving relationship. The Sun Warriors have many different types of relationships, you know.” Sokka blushed.
Zuko climbed the last step and stood before the enclave of the split mountain. He inhaled and expelled a flurry of fire blasts around the platform on which he stood. The flames of red, yellow and purple emerged and spun around him. He completed the form of the Dancing Dragon and waited. Moments later, the Masters emerged from their caves and flew around him. Two enormous dragons, Ran and Shaw, synchronized their flight around the small fire-bender. Zuko bowed on his knees quickly as the Masters hovered on either side of him.
Zuko stood up and presented his open palms to each dragon. The purple infused flames flickered before them. The dragons’ gaze focused on his flame. Each closed their eyes and exalted their own flames to engulf Zuko in warmth and sincerity. As their flames rose around him, Sokka and the chief watched the brilliant colors rise atop the mountainside. Red, green, yellow, purple, blue, orange all blended into each other. Divine right … Zuko heard in his head. When the display dissipated, Zuko blinked in confusion as a figure appeared.
A third dragon, smaller than the Masters but just as intimidating, landed on the platform in front of Zuko. It’s growl felt more like a greeting than a threat. The Fire Lord stepped closer to the dragon and raised a shaky hand slowly. The dragon lowered its head and leaned into Zuko’s touch. He smiled and pet the winged beast. Zuko whispered, “The Masters called you Druk. I’m Zuko.” Druk huffed and wrapped his tail around the Fire Lord.
“Wh-what is happening up there? Did the dragons make another dragon? And is he...? He’s petting it!?” Sokka squeaked at the Sun Warrior chief. “The Masters acknowledged one of their own. The Fire Lord’s flame is now the pure essence of royalty. He has the divine right to rule. And now he is an apprentice of the Masters. The original fire-benders.”
Druk landed at the base of the mountain in front of Sokka and the chief. Zuko climbed down from the dragon’s back, “Would you prefer the war balloon or my new friend for our trip back home?”
Sokka’s jaw was on the floor. “WHAT?!”
“Sokka, meet Druk. Druk, Sokka.” The dragon huffed a puff of smoke at Sokka, who responded to the smoke by waving his hands wildly.
“Druk! Be nice, he’s a fr- my boyfriend.”
The chief elbowed Sokka quickly.
“Boyfriend?” Sokka’s face turned bright red. “Right. Ahem, that’s right! So look here dragon. Druk, was it? I was here first!”
Zuko laughed and grabbed the scruffy face of his partner, and gave him a quick kiss. “Let’s go home.”
Fin