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They’re alive. It’s one of the few thoughts that’s still swimming in the mess of his muddled brain as Appa lands them on the solid ground of Caldera. They’re alive. It’s repeated back to him like a mantra. Echoing in every corner of his skull like he’s back in the godsforsaken secret tunnel. And the silent addition of Zuko’s alive . And that’s all he’s thinking about as he searches for him. He wants to run to Zuko, to hold him in his arms and never let that stupid jerkbender out of his sight. But his leg is burning and he’s not even sure he could walk on it, let alone run to his fool.
Zuko’s gaze finally meets his, and it takes whatever breath Sokka still has in his lungs away and he wants to ignore how black spots dance in his vision and the swaying of the ground around him. Suki’s arm wrapped around him is a comforting pressure grounding him to the present.
“Sokka.” Zuko says his name and it’s like the feeling of gentle waves as they wash over him. Warmth spreads through his body and it feels like he’s on fire. And maybe he is. He tried to step forward, the only thought in his mind was getting to Zuko. Then there was pain, sharp and excruciating as it shot up his leg and spine and a grimace etched across his face.
Zuko ran towards him, lifting his other arm over his shoulder as he helped Suki support his weight. “Sokka.” Zuko whispered, his breath was hot as it ghosted over his ear, his head falling to rest on Zuko’s shoulder, “I’m glad you’re alright.” He continued, and Sokka could feel the movement of Zuko’s head, and the soft kiss that was pressed into his temple.