Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The gang sat at dinner, chatting happily. With their busy schedules it was a rare occurrence that they were all in the same place at once, Sokka and Suki tending to be busy at the South Pole and around Kyoshi Island, Toph busy with her metal bending academy, Aang busy being the Avatar and Zuko and Katara busy at the Fire Nation palace, but finally they had managed to get a week where everyone could be together in the Fire Nation.

Sokka grinned at the food spread out in front of him and eagerly shook some fire flakes onto his dinner.

Zuko picked up his own fire flakes pot and shook some onto his food as he smiled at something Katara said. He turned back to his food and was surprised to find Sokka staring at him competitively from across the table.

Despite the fact that they were well into their twenties now, getting everyone together seemed to bring out the inner child in everyone, especially Sokka who seemed to have taken on Zuko as his personal mission ever since they’d become close friends after the war. Even more so since Zuko and Katara had gotten together. Zuko pulled a questioning face back at him, brows furrowing suspiciously.

Sokka narrowed his eyes and reached out to the fire flakes pot before adding more to his dinner, keeping his eyes pinned on Zuko’s.

Zuko’s eyes flared at the challenge. Sokka was really going to challenge him on spice? He quickly added more onto his.

Sokka determinedly shook more fire flakes onto his food in retaliation.

The rest of the gang became aware of what was going on by the loud shaking sounds of the pots and slowly fell silent as they watched the competition.

After a moment Katara broke the tension. “Stop, you’re going to make yourself sick!”

The men both stopped and slammed their pots down, glaring at each other.

Katara sighed and rolled her eyes as the men grabbed their spoons and picked up a spoonful of essentially just fire flakes.

They stared at each other and took a mouthful.

The effect was instantaneous. Zuko’s face went bright red, a thin sheen of sweat bursting onto his porcelain complexion, but otherwise, his expression remained the same.

Sokka didn’t do so well. A dark red slowly spread up his face, his eyes bulging and watering. Suddenly he spat all of the fire flakes out, wiping his tongue to flick all the flakes off before downing his glass and reaching over to grab Suki’s and down that too, knocking over Aang’s drink in the process.

“Ha ha!” Zuko jeered triumphantly, before a fire flake caught the back of his throat and he coughed horrendously.

The gang instantly collapsed into raucous laughter.

“What are you challenging the Fire Lord of all people to a spice-off for you idiot!” Suki chuckled to Sokka affectionately as she rubbed his back and passed him some more water.

Katara patted Zuko’s back with a laugh, checking that he was ok, as she absentmindedly bent Aang’s water back into his cup.

“I reckon Sparky wins that one,” Toph declared. Zuko grinned, despite the hacking cough that dampened his victory.

“Hardly,” Katara replied sarcastically with an exasperated laugh.

***

Later that evening

“You know you really shouldn’t let Sokka get to you with his stupid games,” Katara called from the bathroom as she got ready for bed.

“I don’t let him get to me,” Zuko said defensively.

Katara came out of the bathroom in her robe with a quintessential raised eyebrow, her arms crossed. She broke into a laugh at Zuko’s expression and moved over to him, giving him a quick kiss to his frowning face. That soon changed his mood as he captured her waist in his arms before she could disappear and kissed her properly.

She hummed in satisfaction as she ran her hands through his hair before breaking away too soon for Zuko’s liking and stepping away to remove her hair pin and climb into bed. He moved round the bed to slip under the covers and snuggle up close to her as she lay her head on his chest. He absentmindedly stroked her hair as he looked up at the canvas stretching above their four poster bed.

“I’m winning now anyway,” he said.

Katara groaned theatrically, rolling over and shoving a pillow over her head. Zuko chuckled and pulled her back into him, giving a kiss to the corner of her smiling lips before settling comfortably around her and falling asleep.

Chapter Text

“You got anywhere for target practice, dude?”

Zuko looked up from his training.

“Uh, yeah, I think we had some stuff that Mai used…” he said thoughtfully, wandering over to the storage area.

Sokka grimaced dramatically as he followed. “Leftovers from the old ex huh? Surprised Katara hasn’t destroyed them already.”

Zuko rolled his eyes with a smile. Katara had been known to be pretty unsubtle when it came to anyone overtly showing an interest in Zuko but she didn’t exactly have it out for Zuko’s ex from so many years ago. “They weren’t hers, she just used them. Obviously she doesn’t use them now, so they’re all yours.” He continued searching.

“You don’t practice with targets at all?” Sokka asked.

“Not really, I’ve got pretty good aim anyway.”

“Ooooh big talk! Let’s see you hit those targets then,” Sokka challenged.

Zuko scoffed. “That’s a terrible idea, I’ll just set them on fire.”

“If you can hit them that is…” Sokka teased.

Zuko frowned, rattled by Sokka’s goading. “I can hit them! I can probably hit more than you can!”

“Bring it on, brother!” Sokka called back.

A loud slamming noise made them look round. Toph stood in the training arena, a huge section of the ground jutting out of the earth behind her.

“Did somebody say they wanted custom fire resistant targets?”

Sokka’s face lit up. “Perfect!”

The men lined up in front of the four targets with Toph lounging nonchalantly nearby.

“Nearest the centre wins,” Sokka said.

“Obviously,” Zuko replied, rolling his eyes.

Sokka hefted his Water Tribe axe in one hand as he stared the rock face down.

Then he threw the axe.

It landed in the very centre of the target. Zuko’s eyes widened a fraction.

Sokka looked over at him smiling triumphantly.

Zuko lashed out a whip of flame as Sokka quickly removed his axe and flicked it angrily at the rock. Sokka quickly ran over to peer at the scorch mark critically.

“Hmm, I’d say that looks a bit to the left, what do you think Toph?”

“Oh yeah, definitely to the left,” Toph replied dryly, her voice dripping with sarcasm, not bothering to lift her head to the targets.

Sokka smiled and turned to Zuko smugly.

Zuko looked between Toph and Sokka. “Toph can’t even see the scorch mark!” he exclaimed in annoyance.

Sokka’s face fell while Toph cackled. “Got you again, Snoozles,” she muttered.

Sokka frowned and picked his axe up again, grumbling. “Alright fine, we’ll call that one a draw.”

They each took turns on the next one.

“Aha!” Sokka exclaimed. “That ones definitely to the left!” he said excitedly pointing at the scorch mark.

“Fine,” Zuko said through gritted teeth. What did Sokka do in the South Pole all day, just throw weapons at stuff?

The third produced much the same result.

By the fourth Sokka was practically giddy and gloating a lot while Zuko simmered.

After another perfect strike, Sokka stood behind Zuko. “Remember you gotta aim to the right-” he directed quietly from behind him.

Zuko growled. “I know where to aim!” he said in frustration, rounding on Sokka. He turned back to the target with hunched shoulders and exhaled deeply trying to calm down. He slowly drew back his hand…

“Use more wrist action,” Sokka commented.

Zuko dropped his hand to the ground in frustration.

Toph snorted. “Yeah, you’d know all about that wouldn’t you, Snoozles.”

Sokka went red and turned on Toph. “Toph!”

Zuko took advantage of Sokka’s distraction and with a bellow lashed out his final whip.

The whole rock was burnt. But unmistakably the centre was a little to the left.

Zuko released a frustrated sound. “YES!” Sokka shouted, pumping his fist in the air. “If you need me to, you know, fight off anyone, defend the palace, you know where to find me.”

“Guess that’s a draw so far!” Toph said, ripping up a patch of training ground to create a tally.

“Guess so,” Zuko muttered while Sokka danced around the arena to an imaginary audience.

Chapter Text

Suki and Katara chatted as they quickly freshened up after a training session in the palace’s training rooms.

“That was fun, we should train together more often,” Katara said, repinning her hair back.

Suki smiled. “I’m always up for teaching you a few bits. A girl’s got to know how to handle herself without weapons or bending.”

Katara smiled in agreement. They left the changing area and paused when they saw Zuko and Sokka slowly circling each other in the adjacent training room, Toph sitting on the side engrossed in the ensuing chaos.

Suki crossed her arms and leant against the door to watch. “So what competition is it today?” she asked.

“Hey Suki. Weaponless combat, just hand to hand, man to man,” Sokka said, keeping his eyes glued on Zuko as they eyed each other up.

“Well, Katara and I can get in on that.”

“Hm?” Katara asked, turning in surprise to look at Suki. Then she laughed self consciously. “I’m not sure my hand to hand combat is up to scratch.”

“Ah, come on, I’ve taught you a few things,” Suki said, nudging her shoulder encouragingly. “Besides, I reckon these boys need showing how it’s done,” she said, winking and making her way over directly to Sokka.

Zuko stood up straight as his opponent was snatched from him. He turned to Katara with a small smile and a shrug.

Katara rolled her eyes and sighed with a smile before she walked over to him. She hesitantly placed herself in her habitual waterbending stance and eyed Zuko nervously.

Zuko chuckled. “I’m not actually going to hurt you,” he said.

“Maybe I was worried about hurting you,” Katara responded. Zuko grinned at her tenacity.

“So Suki’s taught you a few things?”

“Mhm,” Katara confirmed with a nod.

“So if I go to punch here you-”

His words were cut off as Katara jabbed him harshly in the solar plexus.

Her hands flew to her face as he doubled over. “Oh my gosh, are you ok? I’m so sorry Zuko, I didn’t mean to hurt you!”

Zuko chuckled as he stood up. “Ok, ok, I see how it is.”

He more confidently punched to her left and Katara blocked it with her hand, bringing her leg up in a kick to his side.

Quick as a whip Zuko grabbed her foot making her hop on one leg as she laughed.

“No, no, put me down, put me down!” she said, toppling onto her hands to keep upright as Zuko chuckled.

“You’re a waterbender, you know better than to lose your root,” he teased.

“Ok, ok,” she laughed. “I was trying something different.”

Zuko released her foot.

“Use what you know, you’ve got a really good root with waterbending and that helps with hand to hand combat. Keep your stance strong. The issue you’ll have is when someone invades your space and knocks off your stance. So when I go here,” he said, stepping his foot on the inside of hers and nudging her leg out.

Katara looked up at him, attempting to stifle her giggles. Zuko’s lips quirked up at her infectious mirth.

“What’s so funny?” he asked with a grin.

“Nothing,” she said.

“So you’re going to want to shift your weight otherwise if I jab you here-”

Katara laughed as he poked her.

“You’ll fall over,” he explained.

“So, if I jab you here,” she said, touching his abs, “and here,” she trailed her hand up his chest to gently poke his shoulder as her gaze lifted to his eyes with a playful gleam. “And here,” she murmured, snaking her arm around his neck as she pulled her face closer to his with a cheeky grin.

Zuko smirked. Suddenly he grabbed behind her knee with one hand and supported her back with the other as he yanked her off her feet, sending her reeling backwards in his grasp. Katara shrieked with laughter as he lowered her to the ground crouching over her.

“Nice try,” he said, through his chuckles.

Suddenly, the loud sound of a body slamming against the mats made them both look round hurriedly.

Sokka’s legs waved in the air as Suki stood up, huffing a strand of hair away from her face.

“And that’s how it’s done,” she said.

She turned to look at Zuko and Katara lying in each other’s arms on the floor.

“You’re next, Fire Lord.”

Zuko gulped.

***

Two minutes later an exhausted Fire Lord reluctantly admitted defeat. Suki stood up and dusted her hands off, turning to Toph.

“I hope you’re adding that to the tally,” she said.

Toph grinned. “Sure am, that was awesome!” She ripped up a section of the training floor and Zuko groaned at the sound of more of his palace being torn to shreds.

Chapter Text

Sokka walked into the training area where Zuko was doing his warm ups. He stood with his arms crossed and watched as the shirtless firebender did his push ups.

“Why are you staring at me, Sokka,” Zuko grunted as he continued his work out.

“Why do you always work out topless? It’s not that hot,” Sokka deadpanned.

Zuko paused. Sokka grinned, knowing he’d got to him. Zuko exhaled in frustration and stood up to face Sokka.

“Well, maybe some of us don’t work as hard as others,” he responded, before turning and walking to the bench to grab his towel.

“Ha! Bet I can do more push ups than you!” Sokka bet.

Zuko glanced up at him from where he’d bent to pick up his towel, his gold eyes glinting with the challenge. Then he stood up.

“Alright, you’re on,” he said. “But I’ve just done a set so you gotta count that.”

“Nah-uh!” Sokka said. “The competition starts now!”

Zuko rolled his eyes but tossed his towel onto the bench. “Fine!”

He walked back to his spot. “Ready?”

Sokka glared at him, then smirked and pulled his shirt off, throwing it haphazardly to the side.

Zuko rolled his eyes as Sokka flexed his muscles with painfully feigned nonchalance. He then proceeded to stretch, making exaggerated noises as he did so.

“Are you done?” Zuko asked impatiently.

“Hang on, bud,” Sokka said, flexing his bicep as if that was going to stretch out anything. Zuko huffed. Sokka shook his arms out. “Ok, let’s go!” he said.

“Is it just me or did I hear the sweet sound of another Sparky and Snoozles competition beginning?” Toph asked, sauntering into the arena.

“Oh hey Toph, ready to watch me whoop Zuko’s ass at push ups?”

“Pfft, push ups are easy. You wanna prove anything you’d better make it more interesting.”

Sokka considered this for a moment, then turned to Zuko with a grin. “I’ve got it.”

***

Ten minutes later huffs and puffs could be heard from the arena.

“Suki, why do you weigh so much?” Sokka complained.

“Excuse me?!” Suki replied, flicking the back of Sokka’s ear from her position on his back.

Katara laughed loudly, having to plant her hands firmly on Zuko’s side to stop herself falling off. “You’re doing great, Zu,” she said comfortingly, pulling a stray hair away from his face.

“Thanks,” he grunted, sweat pouring off him.

“I think...I get...why you..work..out...shirtless,” Sokka panted.

Zuko’s lips pulled up into a cocky grin. Finally Sokka got it.

“It’s cos...you sweat so much, dude,” Sokka managed in one breath.

Toph laughed loudly as Zuko’s face tightened into a frown, suddenly very conscious of the sweat dripping off his forehead.

Katara arched an eyebrow at Sokka’s teasing. Then she smiled mischievously, bent Zuko’s sweat away and tossed it over to Sokka where it hit the floor by his hands with a splash.

“Bleurgh! That’s cheating!” Sokka cried as Katara laughed, her movements knocking Zuko off kilter as he grinned determinedly and kept up his push ups. “Katara, no taking sides with your sweaty Loser Lord!”

Katara glared at him in indignation. “He’s not a Loser Lord! You’re a … Chief Butthead,” she retaliated, fumbling for an insult.

Toph laughed loudly. “Leave the nicknames to us, Sweetness.”

Zuko’s lips quirked up into a loving, lop-sided smile at Katara’s automatic yet absolutely terrible defence.

“Hey guys, what are we doing, a push up competition?” Aang asked, wandering into the arena.

“Yeah,” Toph said.

Aang regarded them. “Well that’s nowhere near hard enough. Hey guys, watch this!” Aang said, grabbing Toph and slinging her onto his back before dropping to the ground and doing air bender push-ups with no hands.

Sokka craned to see and collapsed at the awkward angle at the same time as Zuko’s arms gave way.

“No fair! No bending! That’s cheating!” Sokka panted.

“Definitely cheating, you threw me off!” Zuko huffed.

Toph laughed. “Sheesh, you guys are sore losers.” Suddenly her face fell as she was jolted forwards and she grabbed onto Aang’s shoulders in surprise making everyone else laugh.

“Well I think we’re done now,” Katara said, smiling brightly and dusting off her skirt. “I’m off to do some real work.”

“No! We’ve gotta start again!” Sokka said, weakly attempting to push himself off the floor before collapsing with a whimper.

“I’ve got patrols to get to too, see you later though honey,” Suki said, bending down to give Sokka’s cheek a quick kiss before her and Katara headed off.

Chapter Text

“Did you know that it’s a symbol of manliness to be able to eat the most in the Water Tribes,” Sokka said casually at dinner one evening.

Katara looked up at Sokka in exasperation. Zuko looked up sharply then slowly turned to Katara for confirmation.

She glanced up and saw his questioning expression. “You can’t seriously be asking me if that’s true,” she said.

Zuko looked trapped. “Uh, no…?”

Katara sighed in annoyance. “NO, Sokka’s just trying to drag you into a stupid competition.”

“Nah-uh, it totally IS Katara!” Sokka exclaimed, waving his chopsticks at her. “Why do you think Dad eats so much all the time?”

“Because you’ve both got ridiculous appetites!” she retorted.

“Hey, you haven’t been seal hunting, it’s HUNGRY work!” Sokka exclaimed.

“You must hunt seals all day every day then,” she mocked.

Sokka glared at Katara then gave up and turned to Zuko. “Whatever, it IS considered manly.”

Zuko raised an eyebrow. “Ok, sure,” he said derisively, going back to his food.

“That’s why Water Tribesmen are so much more manly than Fire Nation men.”

Zuko’s chopsticks slipped. “What?”

“You heard me,” Sokka teased.

“Sokka…” Katara warned.

“What? Just coz your boyfriend is too pig-chicken to step up to the plate.” His eyes widened with mirth as he turned excitedly to everyone. “Step up to the plate! Get it?”

A table of blank faces looked back at him.

“Whatever that was funny.”

“I’m not pig-chicken,” Zuko said.

“Zu…” Katara began.

“Pig-chicken!” Sokka jeered.

Zuko growled. “Fine! You want to compete, let’s go then!”

Sokka grinned.

Katara sighed in exasperation. “I hope you know if either of you are sick I am NOT healing you.”

Toph laughed. “Alright, let’s go!” she declared.

***

An hour later Zuko was staring in awe at the empty plates in front of Sokka. Somehow the Water Tribesman was still eating.

He sat forward and groaned, pausing as his stomach lurched dangerously.

“You look a bit sick, man,” Sokka said.

Zuko frowned, sweat beading on his brow. “Mm fine,” he managed.

“Have another bao bun then,” Sokka said in amusement.

Zuko regarded the bao bun balefully. He picked it up and held it in front of his face.

He regarded his significantly smaller number of empty plates. He looked over at Toph.

He sighed. “I’m done,” he murmured.

“I’m sorry, you’re what?” Sokka asked gleefully.

“I said I’m done!” Zuko said frustratedly as loudly as he could manage.

“Hear that? I win!” Sokka exclaimed to the group who’d moved to the adjacent living room.

“That’s great, hunny,” Suki called through distractedly.

Sokka smiled to himself. Then he turned to Zuko. “Hey, do you reckon they’ve got any desserts around?”

Chapter Text

“Your turn, Sparky.”

Zuko grinned. He’d been waiting for this one.

“Sword fighting.”

Sokka snorted in derision. “Sword fighting? Pfft, who does this guy think he is?” he said, turning to Momo who had recently taken a liking to Toph and was currently perched on her shoulder. “Hey Fire Lord, I’m KING of weapons, only possibly bested by my QUEEN. All you benders rely too much on your magic sparks and rocks and wind,” he said, gesturing dramatically for each element.

“If you’re so confident then why are you stalling?” Zuko asked, picking up his swords and twirling them expertly to make his point.

Sokka regarded the flourish with a thoughtful expression, his hand on his chin as he carefully kept his face neutral to not bely the concern the distinctly professional gesture had shot through him. “Hmm. Ok then. Maybe you’ll be a worthy opponent.”

“Your sword,” Toph said, eagerly passing Sokka’s over to him before sitting down and planting her feet firmly against the ground to get a good watch of the show.

Sokka waved his sword around, hefting the familiar weight as he and Zuko eyed each other up.

“I don’t think it’s fair for you to have two swords,” Sokka said.

Zuko shrugged. “Pick up a second one if you like.”

Sokka’s eyes narrowed, keeping his eyes on the dao swords to avoid Zuko’s amused expression.

“Nooo, it’s ok. I suppose you need all the advantages you can get,” he said slowly.

Zuko grinned at his response then dropped into a stance, swords out. Sokka followed suit.

They both moved at the same time. Sokka struck forwards with a jab that he knew would be blocked and quickly moved out of the way of the second sword, slicing through the air that he had previously occupied.

Zuko’s first sword swung towards him again and Sokka quickly brought up his sword blocking it with a loud clash. Zuko’s eyes widened in surprise at Sokka’s speed.

Sokka noticed the brief flash of surprise in Zuko’s eyes and was spurred on. He quickly shoved Zuko’s sword away and jumped onto the bench beside him, aiming a slash down to Zuko below him. Zuko easily knocked it away with one sword, his next jab missing Sokka’s foot by an inch as he hopped up onto the wall behind the bench.

“You can’t leave the arena in a sword fight!” Zuko said.

“Watch me, Loser Lord!” Sokka exclaimed, scurrying away across the top of the wall.

Zuko growled and leapt up onto the bench, then the wall and ran after Sokka. Sokka turned around and emitted a squeak of surprise as Zuko gained on him. He turned around just in time to block the slash of one of Zuko’s swords but wasn’t fast enough to block the hilt that hit him in the gut and knocked him to the floor.

Zuko smiled triumphantly and brought his sword round to its final move. Sokka smirked up at him and Zuko’s face fell. Then Sokka rammed his leg against Zuko’s ankle while simultaneously kicking his thigh with his other leg, sending him toppling ungraciously over the wall with a shout of surprise.

“And that’s the Kyoshi way!” Sokka yelled, rolling over to watch Zuko pick himself up off the dusty floor. Sokka grimaced guiltily at the large graze down the side of Zuko’s arm. His expression plummeted with dread as the firebender’s eyes pierced his. He had almost forgotten that Zuko could look that fierce. Guess they weren’t playing around any more.

“Oh shit.”

Zuko bellowed and managed to make it onto the wall in one leap, kicking his foot off seemingly nothing but the bare stone to make it to the top as Sokka scrambled away. Sokka jumped unsteadily down and ran across the arena. Zuko somersaulted off the wall and Sokka’s eyes grew even wider.

“What the hell, dude!” he cried out. “Did you join the circus with Ty Lee?”

Zuko ignored him as their swords met with a clash again. Sokka frantically moved twice as fast as Zuko to block the relentless attacks from each of Zuko’s swords.

“How are you feeling now?” Zuko grunted with a grin.

Sokka suddenly spied the loose sand at their feet. “Pretty good,” he said. Suddenly he swung his sword out wide forcing Zuko to duck and kicked the sand up at the same time smiling triumphantly.

Zuko ducked and kicked his leg out, shielding his eyes with one sword as he slashed out with the other, forcing Sokka to jump to the side and trip right over his leg. Sokka landed heavily on his back with an ‘oof!’.

He coughed as sand was sucked into his lungs. When he opened his eyes he blinked against the harsh glare of the sun glinting off the sword held to his throat.

“Two out of three?” he said muzzily.

Zuko grinned and held out his hand to pull Sokka to his feet. “Nice try,” Zuko said, patting his shoulder.

“And that’s one point to Sparky!” Toph yelled, pulling a slab of the granite steps up with one hand to mark another point in the tally.

Zuko grimaced as Toph casually tore apart a centuries old piece of architecture.

He flinched as Sokka poked his arm. “You might wanna get my sister to sort that out bro, it’s bleeding pretty bad. Sorry about that.”

***

Later

“What the hell?! You didn’t think it might be a bright idea to have a healer around?” Katara chastised.

“Haha, you’re in trouble,” Sokka teased.

“Sokka what the hell did you do to him? You wanna fight someone so bad let’s see how you fare against a pissed off waterbender.”

Sokka’s face blanched and Zuko grinned smugly.

Chapter Text

“Your next challenge?” Toph asked. “Your turn Snoozles.”

Sokka brought his hand up to stroke his chin as he hummed loudly in thought. Zuko rolled his eyes. “I choose, Pai Sho.”

Zuko’s face split into a grin.

***

A few hours later Zuko was sat with his head in his hands, his hair a tangled mess as he ran his fingers through it in despair for the thousandth time. How was it possible that he was losing at this? He’d been playing with Uncle his whole life!

Sokka finished calculating his next move and with the air of a general arranging his troops he placed an earth tile on the board.

Zuko’s eyes shot wide as he stared at the play. Holy shit.

“It’s your move, bud,” Sokka prompted.

Zuko didn’t budge. “I...can’t move.”

“Oh, what’s that? You, you can’t move? Why is that? Oh yeah, BECAUSE I WIN SUCKER!”

Sokka whooped in celebration.

“I don’t know why you suck at this game so bad, it’s actually really, really easy,” Sokka said as Zuko quietly simmered in defeat.

“Ha! Look at that stupid move you did here, oh and here and HA this one here.”

Zuko growled. “Alright, fine! Fine, I get it, one point to Sokka.”

Toph noisily woke. “Did someone say one point to Sokka? I fell asleep, this game is really boring to watch.”

“Sure did! Loser Lord losing again!”

Toph slapped her hand on the ground and tore up a slab of marble, carving in the new tally.

Zuko grimaced. “Can you please stop ripping up my palace, Toph?” he asked in exasperation.

“That’ll be a no, Sparky. Aaaand Sokka’s in the lead!”

“Yessssss!”

Zuko hung his head.

Chapter Text

Aang wandered along the training ground veranda. He was sure Sokka and Zuko had been planning on doing sword drills that afternoon… He suddenly spied them across the courtyard walking back to the main building and ran over.

They glanced up as he approached. “Well if it isn’t our little airbending bud, what’s up Aang,” Sokka greeted.

“Uh, hey guys...so, um, there’s this girl.. and I was wondering um, if you…”

Sokka was instantly by the Avatar’s side with an arm around his shoulders.

“Say no more my young, clueless apprentice. You’ve come to the right guy. Zuko here would be no good to you but the LOVE DOCTOR will sort out all your problems!”

“Love doctor? Please,” Zuko said sarcastically. “You don’t know the first thing about courting. Plus I’m plenty good with girls!”

“Ugh, yes I do!” Sokka spluttered. “I’ve courted ROYALTY in fact!”

“Yeah, so have I!” Zuko retorted.

“Katara doesn’t count,” Sokka said peevishly.

“She absolutely counts!” Zuko responded.

Sokka decided to ditch that angle. “Yeah, well, who’s married me or you? Oh yeah, it’s me!”

Zuko rolled his eyes with a disgusted noise. “That doesn’t count for anything.”

“What? Of course it does! That’s literally the whole thing!”

“No, it’s about, you know, wooing someone. Being freakin’ romantic,” Zuko said, feeling the tips of his ears blush in embarrassment.

“Sure, like you’re all romantic. It took you YEARS to try anything with Katara!”

“That’s because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, not because I didn’t know what I was doing!” Zuko retorted. “Anyway it’s not like you’re the king of romance.”

“I’m plenty romantic! I’m the most romance-y romantic there’s ever been!” Sokka exclaimed.

“Mr let’s-go-bang-in-a-tent? Sure, really romantic Sokka.”

Sokka blushed red at the reminder of the awkward encounter. “Ooh I’m sorry we didn’t have a big fancy palace available for our first time! I bet you and Katara had a whole fancy set up didn’t you.”

“Actually we-“

“Ah ah ah!” Sokka yelled, bringing his hands up to shush Zuko. “I don’t want to hear anything about my baby sister! Ugh, I still can’t believe I let you date her.”

“Let me?” Zuko said in disbelief, his eyebrow raising as his lips quirked up in amusement. “You couldn’t have stopped me if you tried.”

“Wanna bet?” Sokka said, squaring up in front of him.

“Guys, guys, come on,” Aang said stepping between them, ever the pacifier.

“If you want to know how good I am just ask your sister,” Zuko added.

Sokka growled. “That’s it-“ he said, preparing to charge forwards before Aang stopped him with a jab to the shoulder. Sokka stepped back harshly at the impact, rubbing his shoulder. Then he looked back up at Zuko with a wicked smirk.

“You know what? Fine, let’s do that,” he said, before turning and fleeing.

***

Suki, Katara and Toph were sat in one of the many lounging areas within the royal quarters when the door burst open.

“Suki, my darling snow drop! Katara, my wonderful, kind sister! Who’s more romantic, me or Zuko?” Sokka demanded.

Suki and Katara looked up at both of them, surprised at the interruption to their chat.

Then Katara sighed, “Is this another one of your stupid competitions?” she asked wearily.

“No!” Zuko said quickly. “We’re trying to help Aang,” he said.

Katara raised a skeptical eyebrow at him as he attempted to smile innocently.

Aang’s head popped out from behind the two men as they waited for an answer.

“Hi guys! Sorry about this,” he said with a guilty grin.

“Who’s more romantic?” Suki asked.

Sokka sputtered in exasperation. “Yes! Why is it taking you so long to say me?!”

“Can you give us one moment please,” Suki said. Her and Katara turned away and had a hushed conversation while the boys waited, their confidence diminishing by the second as they realised what exactly they had just got their partners to discuss.

They turned back with the solemn air of judges giving their verdict.

“Ok, we’ve decided,” Suki said.

“And?” Sokka said impatiently.

The girls glanced at each other. “You’re both ridiculous.”

The girls laughed. “We’re obviously going to choose our partners aren’t we! I’m not going to choose my brother, ew!” Katara laughed.

“Argh, we need an impartial judge!” Sokka said. Then he spied Toph.

“Toph!”

“Barf. Nope.”

“Come on!”

“Ok. I choose Zuko.”

“Forget it, we need a different judge.”

“Ha HA!” Zuko cried, pointing at Sokka. “I win!”

“Toph doesn’t count!” Sokka exclaimed.

“You just asked her and she said me.”

“Only to bug me!”

“You don’t know that!”

“No, we’re proving this another way,” Sokka said.

Katara and Suki shared an exasperated look as Sokka rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Zuko watched him suspiciously. Suddenly Sokka’s face lit up as an idea occurred to him.

“I’ve got it! We’re going to solve this the only way to solve a romantic competition between two sophisticated men such as ourselves. The art… of haikus.”

Toph laughed loudly as Zuko’s lips quirked up in suppressed confidence. “You’re going to challenge literal royalty to a haiku battle?” Toph mocked.

Sokka rounded on Toph in annoyance, his hands flying to his hips. “And what about that is so hard to believe?” he asked indignantly. “I’ll wipe the floor with him!”

“You are aware that high class citizens, such as Zuko and I, have been trained in classic literature. Sparky here will have been writing poems from the moment he could hold a brush. And I bet he’s really good too given that he’s all sensitive and mushy on the inside.”

Zuko’s smug expression fell. “I’m not sensitive and mushy!” he retorted. “Katara, tell them I’m not sensitive and mushy!”

Katara hummed in amusement and kissed his cheek. “You’re a little sensitive sweetie, but I love you for it.”

Toph cackled. “Wow, and that’s coming from SWEETNESS.”

Zuko’s face fell in resignation and he went a bright red.

“I can be sweet and sensitive,” Sokka said viciously to Toph. He snatched a notebook and brush from the side and stalked out of the room. “You’ll see! You’ll all see!”

***

The next afternoon the gang gathered in the Fire Lord’s private courtyard. The three women and Aang sat on the steps while Zuko and Sokka stood to the side, scanning their verses.

“Is Sokka actually any good at haikus?” Suki asked Katara.

Katara laughed. “Apparently he drew quite a crowd with them in Ba Sing Se the day Toph and I went to the spa... until he got kicked out of course.”

The girls laughed.

“Is Zuko any good?” Suki asked.

Katara shrugged. “I’ve got no idea. He always did write the most beautiful letters though.”

“Alright, alright, enough chit chat,” Toph said, standing up and adopting her high-class air. “The task is simple, each competitor will read out his series of haikus. We will judge them and give our verdict at the end. Ladies, Aang, affect your graces and be ready to receive your suitors.”

Aang sniggered.

“Me first!” Sokka declared.

Toph waved her hand at him in acquiescence before taking her seat beside Aang.

Sokka scrambled to centre stage before clearing his throat theatrically.

Of snow and of earth
Warriors born of a war
Together found love

Toph’s eyebrows rose at the surprisingly eloquent opening haiku. Suki smiled lovingly at Sokka who grinned, encouraged at the response. He glanced over at Zuko smugly who rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

Your beauty is true
So like the winter blossoms
You rest in my heart

“Sheesh, who would’ve thought Snoozles was actually gonna be good at this,” Toph mumbled to Aang.

Love is like a fan
You fan the flames of my heart
I’m aflame with love

Toph’s nose wrinkled. “Eh, that one could’ve been better.”

I promise to be
For you like my boomerang
Always returning

“Aaaand he’s lost it,” she muttered. Aang giggled and risked a glance over to Katara who’s expression was tight as she suppressed a chuckle. Suki continued to beam at Sokka, her eyes dancing with amusement.

My boomerang is
Not so close to my true heart
As your love will be

A boy meets a girl
She whoops his ass and makes him
A better man

“Thank you,” Sokka finished solemnly with a sweeping bow. The group cheered and applauded.

Sokka smiled smugly at Zuko and strode up to Suki who gave him a kiss. “That was very sweet, honey,” she said.

“Thank you!” Sokka said, as if finally receiving the validation he needed.

“Hold up there, Snoozles,” Toph said. “As surprisingly good as some of those were, what was that last line?”

“A better man?” Sokka asked.

“Yes, and… how many syllables is that?”

Sokka’s lips moved silently as he counted on his fingers. Then his eyes shot wide and he emitted a cry of frustration. “FOUR?!” He slumped forwards with a whimper.

“So close, Snoozles!” Toph comforted with an exaggerated grin and a jarring thwack to the back.

“Aw,” Suki cooed, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “I thought they were wonderful, even if the syllables went wrong.”

Sokka beamed up at her.

“You’re up, Sparky,” Toph said and the group turned their attention back to their makeshift stage.

Zuko’s mouth suddenly went dry. He shuffled awkwardly to centre stage, his eyes glued to the paper in his hands.

His gaze flicked up to the group silently watching him.

“Um… these are...uh, not my best… I guess. I’m, uh, a bit out of practice with, you know, everything-”

“Boo! Excuses! Read us the poems, pretty boy!” Sokka jeered, cupping his hands round his mouth.

“Sokka!” Katara chastised, turning sharply to smack his arm.

She turned back to Zuko and smiled comfortingly at him, giving him her full attention.

The corner of Zuko’s lips quirked upwards as her support flowed through him, giving him renewed strength. He’d written these for her after all.

He took a deep steadying breath, focusing back on the words in front of him. Then, he recited his verses.

In your sapphire eyes
glimpse reflections of my dreams
caught staring at you

The sun as it sets
kisses the shimmering lake
As I long for you

All the breath of you
that I breathe into my soul
I exhale your love

If only they knew
The universe exists here
In your ocean eyes

You own the water
How to tell you that I too
Will always be yours

Lightning is blinding
My life flashes before me
All I see is you

Black smoke and red sky
As I leap and hit the ground
My heart burns for you

I would snuff the sun
That exists within my chest
Just to let you breathe

He finished hoarsely. The courtyard was silent save for the pounding of his heart in his throat. He glanced up at the silent crowd, nervous for their judgement.

The group was frozen, stunned. Katara’s eyes were fixed on his, filled with huge tears. Suki was also misty eyed. Sokka sniffed and wiped his eye with the back of his hand. “Damn, dude. I wanna be mad but that was... beautiful.”

Toph smiled smugly. “Told you he’d be good.”

Zuko returned his gaze to Katara. She blinked and a tear spilled over onto her cheek as she stood up and ran over to him, giving him a searing kiss which he gladly returned.

“Aw man, Katara, I’m right here!” Sokka complained, attempting to block the view with his hand.

“Haha, come here you,” Suki responded, grabbing his jaw and giving him a quick kiss, distracting him in his favourite way.

“Barf,” Toph said, kicking her feet forwards to hang off the stone steps so she didn’t have to feel what was going on with the couples around her.

Aang nudged her shoulder. “Uh, hey, Toph, I’ve written some haikus too if you… wanna hear them?”

Toph blushed lightly. “Oh. Uh. Maybe another time, Twinkletoes. Right now I need to go and punch something and wipe all these oogies off me.”

“Oh... that’s ok,” Aang replied. Toph caught the disappointment in his tone and cursed herself.

“You… wanna come?” she ventured.

Aang beamed and jumped up. “Sure! Let’s go!” He grabbed her hand and Toph couldn’t help the small smile spreading across her face at the contact as he tugged her to the training grounds.

Zuko watched with a perceptive smile over Katara’s shoulder. She pulled back and looked at him curiously. She turned to follow where he had been looking and smiled as she saw the two young benders running off.

She turned back to him and stroked his jaw with her thumb. “I love you so much,” she said quietly.

“I love you too,” he murmured, holding her close and letting their foreheads fall against each other.

Chapter Text

“This is it. A fight to the death. Winner gets the Fire Palace.”

Zuko’s brow scrunched up. “What? That’s not what we agreed.”

“Worth a shot,” Sokka said. “Ok, whoever drinks the most by the end of the night wins. Throwing up or drinking water is an instant forfeit.” He sat up and raised his glass to Zuko with a competitive expression. “May the best bro win.”

“May the best bro win,” Zuko agreed with a smirk. With a quick movement they each shot back their fire whiskey.

Sokka felt like he was being burned from the inside out as the unfamiliar liquor raced down his throat. He choked back his cry and, forcing himself to move slowly, placed his glass back down on the table, keeping his gaze fixed on Zuko.

Zuko eyed him keenly from the opposite side of the table, fully aware that Sokka wasn’t used to the scaldingly alcoholic drink.

He poured them each a new glass and shot back another.

Sokka watched as Zuko shot back drink after drink with seemingly no effect. Were firebenders raised on this stuff? Probably, he thought.

When they’d finished one bottle Sokka picked up his own offering and plonked the purple wrapped wine skein on the table. Zuko eyed it warily.

“What the hell is that?” he said. “That had better not be what I think it is...”

“Oh this? This is just some swamp wine.”

Zuko’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Too pig-chicken to try a bit of good ol water tribe alcohol? You could give up now you know…”

Zuko made a disgusted noise at Sokka and quickly grabbed the skein, pouring half a glass for each of them. He tried to ignore how the liquid was green and appeared to be...murky?

He subtly took a breath then picked up the drink, looked Sokka dead in the eye, and shot it back. His whole body revulsed as the sharp sting of the drink coursed down his throat, but this wasn’t anywhere near as bad as the taste, a distinctly claggy and musty taste that seemed to briefly block his sinuses and left his tongue feeling as if it was coated in swamp sludge.

He clenched his jaw to hold back his grimace as he slammed the glass back on the table and opened his eyes to meet Sokka’s gaze. Sokka smirked at him as if to say ‘well played’ before he knocked back a glass of the same stuff.

Two bottles of fire whiskey, a skein of swamp wine and a bottle of sake later and the two warriors were swaying gently in their seats.

“You giving up yet bro?” Sokka slurred.

Zuko frowned and shook his head vehemently, instantly regretting the movement as the world spun for a few seconds. “Nope,” he said once he’d gathered himself enough to respond. “Pour me another.”

***

Katara and Suki laughed as they chatted on the couch in Katara’s living quarters together.

“I love girl’s night,” Katara said. “It’s so much fun when you come and visit. I miss you when you’re away!”

Suki smiled and grabbed Katara in a hug. “I miss you too! You and Zuko have got to come visit the South Pole soon.”

“We absolutely will! We were planning on coming to the Winter Solstice down there too, they barely do anything here, can you believe it?”

“Shameful,” Suki agreed. “I mean, you’d think they’d do something to celebrate winter solstice given its significance here right?” she joked sarcastically.

Katara arched an eyebrow. “You have clearly spent too much time with Sokka, don’t go stealing his crown of sarcasm, I don’t think he’d ever forgive you.”

Suki laughed. “Speaking of Sokka, are the boys back from their drinking competition?”

Katara glanced out of the window at the bright moon hanging high in the sky and grimaced. “Probably not, they’d have come in here to drag us into it or announce a winner I’m sure.”

She caught Suki’s eye. “We should probably go and check on them.” Suki nodded with a chuckle and drained her glass before the two wandered down to the Fire Lord’s living quarters.

***

Back in the Fire Lord’s living quarters the competition had devolved.

“Three shots in a row, I win,” Sokka slurred.

Zuko frowned. “No it doesn’t. You have to drink the MOST,” he said thickly. He attempted to count the various bottles and glasses on his side of the table. “There’s more, that means I win.”

“No, I did three in a row!”

Zuko poured himself four and shot them back, grimacing harshly.

“There, four, now I win,” he managed, suppressing a burp.

They stared at the last bottle and caught eyes with each other. They both raced to grab it but Zuko was marginally faster.

“Ha, told you my ree-fer-elex-exs were better. I win.”

“Yeah, well…” Sokka shot back his glass before Zuko had put the bottle back down. “I was faster, so I win.”

Suddenly his head lurched and he slumped back in his seat. Zuko smiled triumphantly before he was hit with the same sensation and let himself relax back into his seat heavily as time slowed around them.

***

Katara and Suki couldn’t hear very much from outside of the room. They frowned before Suki knocked and entered, leading the way. Sokka and Zuko were both slumped in their seats in their own private, spinning worlds.

Sokka’s eyes wandered over to the door as it opened before his face lit up.

“SUKI!” Sokka yelled. “Suki, my beautiful wife is here first, I win,” he said.

“No, no,” Zuko said vehemently. “‘Tara! Tara’s here!”

Zuko’s legs moved in his seat but his upper body just didn’t seem to want to move so he slumped back down.

Katara and Suki stopped in front of them, arms crossed and lips twisted in amusement.

“Are you finished now?” Katara asked, her tone teasing.

Sokka’s brow scrunched. “Finished wha’?” he murmured.

Suki nodded with the air of someone about to get to work and rolled up her sleeves. “Yep, they’re done, let’s get them to bed.” She stepped forward to Sokka.

Katara turned to Zuko who had been staring at her with an inane smile for the whole exchange.

“‘Tara!” he said again when she came near, reaching out a hand, his silly smile growing bigger.

Katara couldn’t help smiling back. “How are you my lil Zucchini,” she said, brushing her fingers lovingly through his hair to move the errant strands from his face before kissing his forehead. Zuko belatedly attempted to bring his hands up to kiss her properly but Katara seemed to be moving much faster than he could keep up with.

She wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders and got ready to support his weight. “You’re gonna have to help me here, Zu,” she said, her voice straining with the effort of pulling him up.

Zuko braced his legs and to his surprise found he could stand up. He slumped heavily forwards onto her shoulder and she grimaced, adjusting his weight carefully. “You’re amazing,” he mumbled to Katara.

“Thanks,” she grunted.

“I’d do anything for you, ‘Tara,” he said sincerely.

Katara chuckled in amusement, renewing her hold on him. “I know, baby, I know,” she said, getting him to take a few steps forward.

Zuko shook his head, his brow creasing as if sad. “You don’t get it, I’d do ANYTHING for you,” he said looking at her sincerely, trying to convey the depths of his emotions. He brought a hand up unsteadily to his chest and Katara couldn’t tell if he was trying to touch his heart or his scar.

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek.

“I know,” she whispered. “I love you.”

Zuko beamed. Katara went to step forwards but Zuko didn’t budge. “I wanna show you how much I’d do for you,” he slurred. Then he turned his head round, almost pulling Katara over in the process, to face Sokka who was being carried bridal style by Suki.

“Sokka! Shoot lightning at me, I’ll redirect it.”

Katara rolled her eyes. Suki laughed.

Zuko frowned at the response. “What? I’ll do it. I’d do it again for you ‘Tara, don’t worry. Even if I have to take it right in this time, I’ll do it for you.”

“Sokka can’t even shoot-“

“Take that Jerk Lord!” Sokka yelled, flinging a candle from the alcove by his head at Zuko.

Surprisingly, the automatic fling sailed over their heads and landed on the carpet.

“Sokka!” Katara chastised angrily, managing to flick her wrist out to send water splashing onto the burning fabric. “Hey, keep your man under control, Suki!”

Suki huffed in amusement and exasperation, dropping Sokka heavily onto his feet. He promptly started complaining. “Don’t mess with me, mister. We’re going to bed now,” she said firmly. He relented and let her take his weight. Then he suddenly shot bolt upright and stumbled quickly to the nearest vase before hurling noisily.

Katara shook her head and focused back on Zuko who was still staring in shock at Sokka. “I didn’t know Sokka could firebend,” he said blearily to Katara as she guided him to keep moving.

“Yup, he always has,” she muttered distractedly.

Zuko hummed as he considered this. Then he smiled. “You’re so pretty ‘Tara,” he mumbled.

He drew a deep breath then leant in so close that his face was buried in her hair and she could feel his fire whiskey breath tickling her ear. “I really like you,” he whispered. “...but don’t tell Sokka. I think I might be drunk and I don’t want to fight him like this.”

Katara laughed loudly, smiling widely. Zuko looked at her confused as she beamed and brought one hand up to cup his cheek and kiss him deeply on the lips.

“I love you,” she said simply. “Plus we’ve been engaged for months now so I think he already knows.”

Zuko looked at her in amazement. “You said yes?” he mumbled blearily.

Katara chuckled and nodded.

Zuko turned over to Sokka and Suki’s direction.

“She said yes!” he shouted to the world in general. “Sokka,” he said, “I’m gonna marry your sister.”

Sokka waved a hand up from his hunched over position. “Sure, whatever bro,” he managed.

Zuko smiled as if the world had been put to rights. Then he turned and started making his way back more purposefully. Halfway through the room to his bedchamber he sniggered, actually sniggered. “What’s so funny?” Katara asked, lips quirked up in amusement at his giggly state.

He continued giggling to himself for a moment then raised his head. “I win!” he said excitedly.

Katara laughed loudly before finishing dragging the Fire Lord to his bed.