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“C-cold!” Sokka hissed under his tongue as the wet tips of Zuko’s fingers brushed along his sternum in the watery waves of the ocean sigil. Snowy white tracks trailed after each touch as he filled the third wave in. Zuko had spent weeks studying the scrolls, memorizing each pattern and their meaning, and practicing with plain water as he traced the marks across his lover’s skin. Each time he imagined what it would feel like to be doing it for real. The fresh smell of the powdered paints filled each breath through his nostrils as the marks cooled and dried in the aftermath of his touch. A small curl of steam danced around them with each careful exhale like a soft apology unspoken in the air. Sokka’s purr of approval was satisfying in his ear as he cocked his head just slightly out of habit.
His fingers followed the mental map he had been practicing. Bands of blue and white that encircled the warrior’s biceps and wrists, minus the one leather armband that already squeezed Sokka’s bicep with its decorative beading in reds and blues. Each carefully hand carved and made to match the same armband that adorned Zuko’s arm. His index and middle finger left the marks of the moon upon Sokka’s shoulders, the same moon his lover was born under that adorned his parka since childhood, and the same moon that was carved into his bone choker that was carefully crafted by Hakoda so many years ago.
From the base of his sternum to the dip of his navel, Zuko's hands worked carefully to leave the appropriate symbols across his lover's bronze skin. It was still kissed by the touch of a Fire Nation Summer that sank deeply into every inch of his body, from the rounded pudge on his hips that was slowly coming back after months spent training in the humidity, to the softened layer of seal fat over his tummy that cushioned the hard muscles flexing at his core. Zuko loved it all, every inch of his cozy platypus bear that he kissed and caressed in the long nights before dawn and long after.
The traditional blue fabric of the lavalava were tied firmly around Sokka's waist with the woven patterns of the sea and all the life La brings to their people. The trim was decorated in the pale passage of the moon phases as they encircled Sokka's knees. A similar lavalava adorned Zuko's waist, only his was in the deep reds of his people. The mountains and dormant volcanoes of his home were the scenery embroidered in golden thread with the amber suns and their steady states of rising and setting going diagonally across the fabric.
Sokka had already painted his body in the gold symbols of his people, and the marks of ancient Sun Warrior tradition for the Dragon Dancers of old. Where his armband was, red rings were painted to mirror the blue on Sokka's own bicep. A crimson arrow tip marked his chin pointing up towards his mouth. Some of the paint couldn't be applied around his eyes, as both men chose to forego it, worried that it would bother Zuko's scar too much through the ceremony.
His bare feet shifted against the floorboards with anticipation as he set the bowl of paint back on the table of Kanna's little hut. A wet rag cleaned the last of the pain from his fingertips as Zuko took care to get every last little bit he could from his nails while Sokka's skin dried. His heart fluttered anxiously inside his chest. The Firelord could feel Sokka's eyes on him, he could sense the way his lover's gaze drank in every inch of his body for the hundredth time today, and Sokka never seemed to grow tired of the view, just as he never did so many times before. When they fought side by side in the Boiling Rock all those years ago, through the political struggles, the obstacles in their paths, the stuffy court gatherings and long winded meetings as Ambassador and later, personal adviser to the Firelord himself. Sokka's eyes never lost that gleam in them when it fell upon Zuko. That look that seemed to say 'I'm falling in love with you all over again.'
As much as Zuko tried to ignore it, he couldn't help but tear his eyes up to meet Sokka's gaze, and just as he often did before, he found himself short of breath and a little weak in the knees. Though today of all days, he felt if he looked, he'd never make it out of this hut by his own strength. It would be a shame if that were to happen, so he remained strong willed and even more determined to get the little bit of blue out of the corner of his fingernail. He was half tempted to find a small knife to carefully scrape it clear only to remember Katara had disarmed him yesterday while they were preparing to visit the sauna. She did it when she took all of their clothes and replaced it with more traditional garbs that Kanna and a few of the women in the village had helped make for the special occasion just as they had for the lavalava they both now wore.
"Nervous?" Sokka asked with a soft purr to his words. Zuko stilled a little before giving a small nod.
"It feels like…." Well, he couldn't really put it into words. He hasn't felt this nervous in a very long time. Not since his coronation. "Sokka, I-" He caught himself and took a deep breath before he got himself any more worked up.
Sokka collected his hands carefully in his own and stole Zuko's attention away from the now nonexistent blue stain he had been so fixated on aggressively attacking. "It'll be alright, my fiery little ferret. It's just another day."
Zuko scoffed and gave a small shake of his head as he lifted his eye to meet Sokka's. "A very big day."
"It's no different than how we've lived our lives up to now, or how we will live from this point on." His lover reassured calmly as he pulled Zuko close and pressed their foreheads together in an affectionate brush. It eased some of the anxiety Zuko was feeling about the day, like anything could really actually change. "I'll always love you, Zuko."
His heart jumped excitedly in his chest. The old ache of the lightning scar was tight but for once it was a good tightness. It was filled with joy instead of apprehension and fear. Sokka's palm gently brushed the spot where the gold paint carefully circled the scar itself, remaining just beyond the raised rough skin. Oddly enough, its shape worked to the tribesman's advantage as he marked him with Agni's sigil right in the very center of his chest. The golden rays extended out beneath Sokka's fingers as he coached Zuko through steadying his breathing and slowing the excited beat of his heart. It wouldn't do for either of them if he collapsed before they even had a chance to begin.
Zuko's hand overlapped Sokka's as he closed his eyes and focused on the steady reassuring pace of his lover. After several deep measured breaths and the slowing pulse that had tried to climb high up into his throat and choke him with nerves, he found the tribesman's lips lightly brushing his own in a gentle kiss.
"You with me?" Sokka whispered to him. Zuko sighed and opened his eyes to find Sokka's gaze fixed on him with a sweet desire just as it often was when it was just the two of them. Eyes of the deepest blue welling with a whirlwind of emotions the Firelord was still trying to grasp even now. Meeting Sokka had opened so many doors in Zuko's life, he learned so many things and grew to trust his instincts just as the warrior did. They had both grown beside each other and improved themselves with time in these short years they've been together. He couldn't even imagine what a lifetime would guarantee for them but he was eager to see for himself.
"Always." Zuko breathed with relief as they closed the gap for another deep kiss. It didn't last nearly as long as Zuko wanted as a knock came upon the door to the hut. Sokka straightened a little more as they both turned, a little cherry flushed in the cheeks to find Chief Hakoda's head peeking in to check in.
"Are you two ready yet?" Dressed in his formal attire as expected of the Southern Chief, he studied the both of them as he stepped all the way into the room letting the door click shut behind himself. His smile was broad and bright, full of pride as he held his arms out to them both in an open embrace. "Look at you both. I never thought I'd see this day finally come."
"Dad!" Sokka chimed cheerfully as Zuko gave a small polite bow of his head.
"Chief Hakoda, sir." The Firelord blamed habit at this point, but he still struggled to juggle his formal ties and his personal ones as he faced, not only the Southern Chief of an allied nation, but by the end of this day, his father-in-law.
“Please Zuko, on this day we are family. Call me Hakoda, or dad if you’d wish. I believe we’ve both been through enough to warrant that now, don’t you?” Hakoda’s grin remained bountiful as he pulled the Firelord into a cautious embrace. Not because he didn’t want to hug the firebender tight, but for fear of smearing the intricate body paints they both took the utmost care in applying over the last hour. The Chief was considerate on where his hands came to rest on both men, mindful of the markings as his palms met warm bare skin with familiarity and comfort.
“Of course.” He nodded to his father-in-law and smiled warmly back. “It’ll take some getting used to first, sir. It’s-” Zuko sighed contentedly. “It’s an honor to be a part of this family.”
To which Hakoda easily remarked with warmth in his words and an unwavering sincerity that made Zuko’s heart sing and the little tingle of tears welling into his vision with the rising joy. “It’s been my honor to have you as a part of it, son.”
Sokka beamed back at Zuko as he curled his arm around Zuko’s waist to rest his fingers around the curve of his ferret’s hip as he drew him close together. “We better get things rolling, wouldn’t you say?”
The Chief’s agreement was accompanied by the same flavor of anxiety they were all feeling today. Nervous, anticipation, and eagerness for the ceremony to continue and for everything to be finalized. The partying after would be a breath of fresh air and a grand relief, but they needed to make it that far first. With Hakoda’s absence as he slipped out the door ahead of them left Zuko feeling the full force of that jitteriness return.Sokka’s fingers curled around his as their hands folded together. A firm squeeze was the reassurance he needed to chase his second thoughts away before they both exited the door to Kanna’s hut and entered the light of evening.
The village was decorated for the occasion with wreaths and flowers hung on the fences and homes. The rocky shores were sprinkled in purple flowers as green shoots sprouted in the warmer air of Spring. There were colorful banners and garlands strung all about as children raced around with streamers and the polar dogs trailed after them and headed for the shoreline off the edge of the village. Sokka and Zuko followed the trail carefully lined with lanterns erected along the path with their own decorative garlands wrapping the poles they were attached to with sprigs of wild herbs, dried and presented to offer good fortune to their lives. Near the water, wooden benches had been situated before an altar of stone that held two large basins. One filled with water, the other filled with wood. Beside them stood Kanna, dressed in similarly formal Water Tribe attire to the Chief, with a few significant talismans that made her stand out as the village healer.
Beside the altar set up was Bato with a small canoe already resting on the edge of the water and a paddle in his grasp. They approached the canoe first as they disembarked the shore with Bato as their guide. The trip was short as Sokka sat directly by Zuko’s side. Their destination was only a short distance across the bay to a small island where the bay opened up to the sea where hundreds of otter penguins nested on the rocky shoreline. The location could have easily been walked, but the canoe was faster, and Zuko appreciated the peace and quiet alone as he gathered his thoughts and his nerves.
At Bato’s feet was a woven basket filled with freshly caught mackerel. A few were still twitching as Zuko stared down at the collection with intrigue.
“An offering to the otter penguins.” The older tribesman explained as they pulled up on the shoreline. He jumped into the shallows as the water came up to his knees. With a little extra effort, he dragged the canoe, with both riders and all, ashore so they could safely climb out without ruining their body paint. “You must present the offering to a bonded pair. If they accept your offering, then it’ll mean prosperity for your own union.”
Sokka nodded as he hiked the basket into his hand and carefully settled it on his hip as his free hand pulled Zuko close to his side. The whole otter penguin thing had sounded like a joke when Katara first explained it to him, but it was apparent that this was a true Water Tribe custom. Like the otter penguins, they bond for life. Otter Penguins live and die with their partners and in the eyes of Sokka’s people, they know a strong bond when they see one. So with the fish in hand, they set out to find the bonded pair that had been chosen for them by the elders. A pair who’s bond began when their's did.
"Ah! There they are!" Sokka cheered with a look of amusement bright in his eyes. "Captain Waddles and Snackerel."
Zuko raised his solitary brow in disbelief. "Who in Agni's name named these penguins?"
"Me and Katara when we were kids." Sokka chuckled. "It was actually the year before you showed up that these two hatched." He gestured at the pair of otter penguins that were almost as big as he was. They were huddled around a large nest made of sizable rocks and pebbles all carefully arranged for the day they would cradle the beginning of a family. There was a large round object that was painted a glossy color that reflected the sunlight as it sparkled. As they grew closer, Zuko realized it was a smoothed white stone that was cradled between the legs of one of the penguins. It had small flecks of quartz in it that caught the light in a pretty shade.
"Is that-"
"A rock?" Sokka filled in. "Yes, actually. Both Waddles and Snackerel are male otter penguins. Bato made the fake egg rock for them so they wouldn't feel left out." He hummed approvingly at the care the two took in caring for the egg rock. "They'd make really good dads. There are two otter penguins that are nesting neighbors to them that always lay two eggs each season. Bato and Gran Gran are going to try and take one of the eggs and slip it into these two's nest."
"Why are these two designated for us?" Color him curious now on how otter penguin pairs were decided. Zuko was intrigued by this whole weird part of his future husband's culture.
"They bonded the same year we began dating." Sokka grunted as he set the basket on the ground. "So they're our fated pair. That we have to now win over with mackerel." The warrior placed one of the fish into Zuko's hands before seizing a fish for himself. Following Sokka's lead, they slowly approached the penguins. Zuko would admit, they were a little intimidating when their heads came up to the firebender's chest. He held one of the fish out towards the closest of the two penguins, that just so happened to be Captain Waddles according to Sokka. He snapped up the fish in a hurry but didn't swallow it down right away. Zuko looked a little worried by that as Snackerel did the same, snapping up the fish but refusing to eat it yet. They waddled back to their little nest with their fish offerings in their beaks before they took turns trying to feed their catch to each other. It was actually really cute to watch as the two penguins nuzzled against each other's neck and huddled close, trilling to one another with contentment.
They offered a few more fish to the pair and left with the empty basket before heading back to the canoe where Bato waited. Their hands overlapped until they reached the canoe. Then they both took a moment to wash the fish slime off of their fingers using the salt water as they carefully leaned over the side of the canoe.
By the time they returned to the shoreline where the altar was erected, the whole village had gathered and were seated in rows upon rows of benches. There were torches lit as the sun started to set in the sky. The moon shared the evening with the sun as they stepped back on the shoreline to face their people.
A fire was lit within the altar as their friends and family watched on. Uncle Iroh sat in the front rows on Zuko's side of the gathering along with the rest of the White Lotus members, with General How present at Master Piandao's side. Suki and the Kyoshi warriors, Aang, Katara and Toph were all perched in the section across from Sokka.
There was a ritual said by Kanna as she called to the Great Spirits to smile upon their union. Sokka came to face Zuko as their hands wove together in a firm hold. Sokka's right in Zuko's left as Hakoda held the sacred cords and tied their hands together.
"Like the braids of this cord, may your bond be strong as you weave this new life together. May the spirits bless your journey and your trials ahead." A mark of ash upon Zuko's brow, a streak of water on Sokka's, both blessed by their respective spirits, both holding tight to each other. "Let it be witnessed now, that in the eyes of Tui and La, beneath the light of Agni and before us all, that these two men be united in this life and the next."
Chief Hakoda's hands overlapped them both to signify the unity. Sokka's grin spread into a smirk as he leaned forward to press his forehead against Zuko's. Their noses brushed briefly in the motion before they leaned in to steal a tender kiss. There were cheers of joy from their little gathering as the people rose to their feet in hollers and shouts. Through it all, he caught Bato's cry steeped strongly in amusement.
"We're not done yet! The happy couple must be reintroduced first!" There were beckoning arms waving in his peripheral as Zuko caught the glimpse of Uncle pushing his way towards the altar through the rowdy crowd. Master's Pakku and Piandao joined him by his side. Katara raced up to the front as well as Aang, Suki and Toph hung back. Chief Hakoda led them towards the shore just behind the altar as Pakku and Katara erected an ice bridge away from the rocky shallows out into the deeper part of the bay where the slope dipped into a sudden natural drop off. With the cord removed from their hands by Kanna, they trailed behind the Chief out onto the ice. The cold nipped at Zuko's bare feet as he shivered. Sokka felt a similar chill as he hissed under his breath as cautiously made his way along the icy dock.
It took a moment for Zuko to recall this part from the quick explanation Katara had given him at some point the days prior. It only hit him when he realized that Uncle Iroh, Pakku and Piandao were hovering behind him, just as Kanna, Hakoda and Katara were behind Sokka. It was delayed further when he felt hands on his back and the extra push of a water whip around his hips that helped the two elder Fire Nation men in hoisting him clean off of his feet and into the air. Sokka had a similar cry of alarm in his voice as Katara and Hakoda did most of the lifting with Kanna giving a little extra oomph before both men were ceremoniously tossed into the water together.
The cold hit him first as Zuko plunged into the sea with the salt in his eyes. It was a familiar sensation he hadn't felt in quite some time with all of his Firelord duties. But as he sank below the surface in his momentary shock, he managed to shake off the stun of a cold slap as he blinked against the water and found Sokka's eyes watching him back. His husband's hands were on his shoulders as the warrior pulled him close until his fingers found his way to Zuko's waist. Tucked into the safety of a familiar warm embrace, they both kicked their legs back to the surface until they broke through to fresh air and the cheers of their peers. But all the noise and celebrations that the night kicked off couldn't contend with the way Zuko's world seemed to go still and quiet as he hovered in the water, still wrapped safely in Sokka's arms with his eyes fixed on his. Neither tore them away, even as the sun was setting and the hills left long cold shadows over the land. Nor when the cheers turned into a holler of voices as the celebrations were being taken back to the village center where there was going to be feasting, and large bonfires and music to keep them up until dawn. As it was customary for a new couple to face the new day together, just as they will face every day for the rest of their lives.
Though none of that matters to Zuko at the moment as he was locked into this particular moment, as the shadows of night left curious imprints in Sokka's eyes that gleamed with the flickering torches from the shoreline. How the water dripped out of his wolftail just right or where it collected around the beaded braids of his hair and traced tantalizing trails down his cheek and towards his jaw.
How the amber light of a setting sun set his bronze skin ablaze as it danced across his shoulders with the final shreds of daylight peaking over mountains in tentative slivers, and all Zuko wanted to do right now was kiss the love of his life like a man desperate for air. It didn't take long at all as his fingers tangled into Sokka's wolftail as he pulled the warrior close. Not even the threat of cold could dissuade him as Zuko's firebending heated the surrounding water with a little extra care while he claimed those glistening lips all for his own. Again, and again and again until they were red and swollen from the hungry bite the firebender left behind.
Sokka's arm tightened around Zuko's waist as he encouraged the fiery-ness of his ferret with a growl of approval. The warrior's hands settled on his hips as he tucked Zuko firmly against his chest to keep them afloat just a little longer before both men were forced to come up for air for the sake of both their lives. Panting and satisfied for the moment, Zuko set his forehead against Sokka's shoulder as he sighed appreciatively against his husband.
"How does it feel?" The warrior asked, sounding just as breathless as Zuko felt.
"Good." The Firelord exhaled quickly. "I could have gone without the cold dip but you know, traditions."
The laugh that came was dry and warm in his good ear as Sokka agreed. "Yeah, traditions can be like that around here. But…..there is one more tradition I think you might enjoy."
"Oh?" He was curious now.
"Yeah." Sokka kicked his legs in a small stir of motion to persuade Zuko towards the shoreline where most of the people seemed to have vacated. The Gaang was lingering as they chatted with Bato and Hakoda who waited by the altar for the two men to return. Zuko was a little reluctant to give up this tiny piece of privacy they had managed to secure all to themselves.
"What sort of tradition?" Zuko prodded when Sokka failed to elaborate in between his one armed stroke through the water. The Firelord opted not to point out that their progress would be much faster if Sokka let him swim on his own.
Sokka turned his head into Zuko's to give his jaw a gentle kiss as he answered. "Our first dance together."
Okay, so maybe that was a tradition Zuko could really appreciate. That, and all the fresh sea food he was about to gorge himself on before the sun rises. He had plenty of time later for their own fun after all.