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Zuko sat by the campfire, listening to Sokka’s stories. They’d all gone out for a camping trip together. After the war, tensions were high, and sometimes it felt good to just relax with people he trusted.
Katara sat next to him, playing with some water. It was intriguing, the way she made fluid motions that shaped the water. It moved from looking like a fish to a dragon to a little stick figure. It was amazing how they had all grown in their bending (and fighting).
Zuko rested his head on her shoulder. He was tired. He hadn’t been getting much rest while at the palace. He knew he had to take breaks but—there was just so much to work on. It was impossible to get rid of all the damage Ozai, Azulon, and Sozin had done but Zuko was determined to do his best.
He started closing his eyes but forced himself awake. He was here to have fun with his friends, not sleep. Across from him, he caught Aang’s eyes. He was smiling widely, adding on to Sokka’s story.
He noticed Zuko staring at him, and his smile turned more comforting. Sleep. He mouthed. Zuko gave a slight nod, closing his eyes without any more hesitation.
He drifted through awareness, and at one point, he woke up laying his head on Katara’s lap. She played with his hair, ruffing it in smooth circular motions. It felt nice. He heard snoring—it was probably Aang.
Sokka wasn’t telling stories anymore; he was lying nearby, staring up at the stars. Toph was lying next to him. In the quiet, he realized Sokka was muttering. After catching a few words, he realized Sokka was describing the sky to Toph.
Zuko shut his eyes again when he noticed that Katara had stopped playing with his hair. She jerked up suddenly, causing Zuko to sit up. Katara rubbed her eyes and yawned. Zuko gave a small smile.
“Go to sleep.” He whispered. “It’s late.”
“Are you sure?” Katara said in the middle of a yawn. “I can keep playing with your hair if you want.”
A warmth spread through Zuko. Katara was always looking out for them. “It’s fine.” He said, looking at Toph and Sokka, they had stopped talking, probably listening in to their conversation. “Besides, Sokka said he wanted to sleep next to me tonight since I run hot.”
Katara gave a tired chuckle and looked to her left. Aang was leaning on her shoulder. “Yeah, okay,” she said finally, “I’ll move Aang to his sleeping bag too. That can’t be comfortable.” Katara nudged Aang a bit, and he blearily opened his eyes.
“Katara?” He mumbled, still half-asleep.
“We’re gonna lie down, Aang. I don’t want you to wake up with a sore neck.”
“And you probably don’t want to sleep sitting up, right, Katara?” Sokka added, “You’d wake up in the middle of the night after falling forward, tripping over yourself.” He joked.
Katara kicked his leg defiantly. “Anyways, come on.”
Katara and Aang went to lie down as Zuko moved next to Sokka. Once everyone was in place, he let the fire go out, leaving them in darkness.
“Good night!” Aang said, then started snoring not even a minute after.
Everyone responded quietly as they got comfortable. Sokka cuddling up against Zuko, Toph lying spread out, limbs interlocking with everyone, Aang snoring loudly, and Katara's leg rubbing against Zuko’s.
They all slept together, connected like a family. And through the night, they all felt calm.