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Zuko slowly opened his eyes. Light. A lot of light. He slowly tried to get up, but failed. Ah, yes. The pain. He groaned and fell on his pillow again, then turned on his left side. His mouth twitched slightly. He decided not to wake his boyfriend up. They both were pretty tired after all.
He lied there in silence, mesmerized by the other boy. His sun-kissed skin looked beautiful in the light of the sunrise. He could see the sun rays dancing in his dark hair. As the world was waking up to life, he could hear more and more birds outside the window.
It’s going to be another sunny summer day, Zuko thought. He mindlessly raised his palm, trying to catch tiny pieces of dust flying over their bed. He looked at sleeping Sokka again, he just couldn’t resist. He lightly touched his warm shoulder, then hand.
Zuko tried to get up again, more determined this time. It was a slow process, but he finally managed to sit, then walk a few steps. He walked over to the terrace and walked outside. He chose the most comfortable chair and sat down. He’s always been a morning person. He looked at the small pond and koi fish in it. Two Toucan puffins were playing with each other nearby peonies and fire lilies. It was such a quaint and nice view. He could really think in moments like this. A cat that was lying next to camelia bush looked at Zuko, but was too lazy to get over to him.
The boy smiled, but didn’t move either. After all, it was his day off and he was still tired after the last evening and half of the night. He mentally prepared himself for today. Aang and Katara were coming today to visit them, so they needed to clean their living room, it definitely needed cleaning after the last evening. They haven’t seen the couple for some time now, they all were busy. Aang was busy with being the Avatar and making peace, with Katara’s help they gained the trust of people from all four nations. Sokka was the Southern Water Tribe’s ambassador in the Fire Nation, so his schedule was pretty… tight, let’s say. Zuko himself struggled with a lot of duties as the Fire Lord. Of course, he and Sokka had advisors, but after all they were the ones to take the responsibility.
Zuko tried to focus on birds’ singing, the last thing he needed to think about now was his and his friends’ jobs and duties. He sat more comfortably and let nature take over his senses.
He didn't know how long he sat there in silence unless he felt a hand on his shoulder. His and Sokka’s eyes met and the boys smiled with love at each other.
“How are you feeling, baby?” Sokka asked Zuko.
“I’m still sore, but it’s nothing I can’t handle, you know it,” replied the shorter boy.
“Of course I know, but it doesn't hurt to ask, does it?” Sokka replied with a smile. All that Zuko could do was a sigh. A dramatic sigh, to be clear. After ten years they learned how to communicate and what their little signs meant. They both knew Zuko’s sigh was just to tease Sokka a bit, but neither of them really mind it.
Sokka sat down next to Zuko, their palms together. They were sitting there in silence listening to the sound of nature. After all these years they could spend their time together in silence and still be happy. Besides they had enough turbulence on daily bases, so the relaxing silence was welcomed by both of them.
Finally Sokka got up. “Let’s make some breakfast,” he said.
“Sounds wonderful,” Zuko accepted Sokka's offer.
They smiled at each other. They finally were happy.