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If Zuko played with the thin plastic bow any longer, the glue will separate and it'll peel straight off. He bought a pharmacy mass-produced chocolate box that was near the front checkout, the kind that had a cheap bow —which was definitely machine pressed— on a paper-plastic box with a cute spotted dog on the front.
Zuko cringed as he read the inscription on the front, 'Can I lick your face?', regretting even buying it. In his defense, he wasn't paying attention to the words as it was the first one he saw that he deemed gift-able to Sokka. Sokka acted like a literal puppy anyway, always following Zuko around and loyal as ever.
But this was the first Valentine's that Zuko would be the one gifting rather than being the one always getting gifts. It was making him anxious, and painfully obvious at that. Zuko started to pick at his scar, right on the spot under his earlobe that connects his jaw, not even caring if it turns into another scab.
"You'll start bleeding if you keep that up, you know," Azula spoke, not even glancing up at him when she talked but noticing how tense he was regardless. "What's with that look, hm? Zuzu?"
"Nothing," Zuko spit out, rather fast. Then was when Azula threw a side eye his way, she sighed as she pushed back her cuticles.
"You're a terrible liar, you should work on that."
"I'm not lying," Zuko flinched slightly, even he could tell he wasn't selling it. He sighed through his nose as he started to speak again, "Fine, I'm just a bit nervous."
"Well, that I'm aware of, I meant why," Azula went right back to her nails, growing bored at the dry answers.
"I… I got something for someone." Zuko flushed at his words, sure it was still short and gave away practically nothing, but even saying it out loud made him embarrassed.
"Oh?" Now this got Azula's attention. "What did you buy? Who is it for? OH! Let me guess! It is that one girl with longish hair in a ponytail who has been giving you looks? I knew she has a thing for you—"
"No! No, it's not.." Zuko pressed his lips into a fine line, "It's not for her.."
Azula furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to think of other possible candidates, but she didn't get the chance to guess any longer as they pulled into their college parking lot. Not wanting to continue the conversation, Zuko quickly put the box into his bag and left without another word, immediately walking over to the gate entrance.
Zuko speed walked his way over to the entrance, scanning in his ID verification and walking in before Azula caught up to him. Zuko pulled his windbreaker more into him, nuzzling in the warm fabric against the chilly air, as he made his way over to the Engineering building.
As he started to get closer to the building, he could feel his teeth strain uncomfortably, his fangs starting to peek out due to his nervousness. He wasn't ever really good at controlling his fangs, he was able to retract them at will, but when it came to his nerves it was hard to overcome. Zuko wasn't a prodigy like Azula, he struggled while everything came easy for her.
Zuko pushed those thoughts aside as he walked up the steps to the building, pushing open the door roughly as he went inside. He scanned the room before he started to walk around, trying to figure out if they were in a rented study room or out for coffee. Zuko turned a corner as he was poked on the shoulder. He spun around and came face to face with Jin with Jet not so far behind her.
"Hey, Zuko!" Jin grinned as she tilted her head up, "I don't usually see you around here, what's up?"
"Nothing," Zuko spat out, like he was a child caught in his parents' closet.
Jin just smiled as she stared, "Are you sure? You're all nervous and sweaty," a smirk on her face as she drawled out the y.
"I am not sweaty.." Zuko almost spat the words out.
"Mm, yea, you are." Jet grinned, backpack slung over his shoulder.
"Vampires can't sweat," Zuko said, turning away from them and starting to walk anywhere else.
"Bullshit!" Jet called out as Zuko started to walk faster away.
"He definitely has something planned," Jin said as she walked towards her own class.
"Definitely."
Zuko ended up just going to his next class, waiting outside even if he was 30 minutes early. As he walked to his class he could feel the nerves growing.
He ran his tongue over his teeth, poking the tip of his tongue against his fangs but not hard enough to draw blood, even if his fangs were as dull as they are.
Zuko was too distracted to notice where he was going, that was until he collided with a brick wall. Well, it felt like a brick wall. Zuko looked up, his hands pulled up against the force to push his head off and immediately felt his face starting to heat up.
"Sokka," Zuko cleared his throat as he turned away, crossing his arms, but as fast as he turned away he looked right back up and made eye contact with the werewolf, "Sorry about that, I wasn't paying attention."
Sokka grinned as he watched Zuko, his sharp canines on display, "Really? And here I was thinking you did it on purpose to get my attention."
"As if." Zuko gave a deadpan look as he huffed. "I should head to class,"
"M'kay," Sokka cocked his head slightly as he watched, "Let me know when you're done, we can have lunch together again,"
Zuko hoped his face wasn't giving away what his heart was trying to say, "Okay, I will."
Zuko started to turn away, to walk away, when he paused. Should he give Sokka the gift now? Or should he wait until after lunch.
"Bat caught your tongue?" Sokka teases with his stupid vampire jokes, but Zuko still stifled his laughter.
"No, it's nothing," Zuko sniffed as he started to walk away before Sokka could say anything more.
Zuko kept bouncing his leg in class, his knee hitting the table at least twice, while he counted down the minutes to lunch, and he wasn't even hungry. He even started to pick at his scar again, a bad habit he gained from his teen years. He couldn't tell if he was excited or nervous about meeting up with Sokka.
When the class did finally end, he let out a breath of air. He didn't even realize he was holding in, getting up and putting away his laptop. Slowly but steadily, he made his way over to the quad where Sokka usually sat with his group of friends, all so different from each other on paper, but their personalities made them close friends regardless.
He noted that Sokka wasn't there yet, probably on his way returning from his swim practice, so he walked up to taking his time. The group of four people sat at an outdoor picnic table, all already in a steady conversation as he approached.
"Hey, Sokka told me to meet up with him.." Zuko spoke, his hand already going to his scar, "Do you know when he'll arrive?"
Aang smiled up at Zuko, "Not sure, depends on his schedule, take a seat,"
Zuko pretended not to notice the look Katara gave Aang. She and Zuko had been rivals for the top spot in their year, as he sat down. He pulled out his own lunch as he watched them watch him. He sat with them before, but it wasn't like they were close yet.
"So, do you have any plans for today?" Toph asked as Zuko took a bite of his duck, a glint of mischief in her eye.
Zuko shook his head as he finished his bite, "No, not at the moment,"
"Perfect!" Suki spoke up, "In that case—"
Before Suki could finish her sentence, Sokka arrived. He was a bit wet and panting, slamming his hands against the wooden table. Zuko turned to face Sokka. No one else seemed amused by Sokka's antics.
"You're dripping on the concrete," Zuko pointed out.
Sokka smirked at Zuko before he started to shake himself, thrashing his body around as he shook off the water droplets, causing the group to protest against his actions.
Katara scolded Sokka as she reached over, hitting his bicep, "Stop doing that, it's disgusting."
"Whatever," Sokka said as he slipped in next to Zuko, arm around his shoulder, "What're eating this time?"
"Just some roasted duck," Zuko nudged his lunchbox in Sokka's direction, "Want to try some?" Zuko usually didn't share his food but something about Sokka felt like a water current pulling him into the ocean.
Sokka opened his mouth, his smile still evident, either from laziness or knowing what he's doing, probably both knowing him. Zuko scoffed lightly as he picked up a portion of the duck, bringing it to Sokka's mouth.
"What's the verdict?" Zuko asked,
Sokka chewed the duck thoroughly before he spoke, "Mm, it's good, you made that?"
"Just some leftovers from last night's dinner," Zuko answered, "Isn't swim season over? Aren't you cold?"
"You don't pay much attention to sports, do you?" Sokka teased, "It's towards the end now, about a month left. But don't worry, I run hot" Sokka said with a wink.
Zuko felt his face heat up, but luckily he didn't have to say anything that'll embarrass himself since Aang interrupted.
"Like 'Twilight'?"
"No. Not like 'Twilight'!" Sokka growled.
"I don't know, I think they nailed it." Toph chimed in.
"They did not," Sokka grumbled, growing a bit irritated.
"I think it's kinda similar," Zuko said.
"Oh, so you glitter in the sunlight?" Sokka asked Zuko, grinning as he watched Zuko's face fall flat.
"Absolutely not! Where the hell did they get that idea from? I'll never understand," Zuko replied, annoyed.
Sokka snickered as he watched Zuko's temper rise, "So we both agree. 'Twilight' is inaccurate."
"Yeah, yeah," Zuko said as he finished the rest of his lunch.
"So, did Mr. Popular get any valentines this year?" Toph asked, a smirk on her face. It took a moment for Zuko to realize that she was talking to him, not Sokka, so he pulled out the few given to him by his previous class.
He spread them out as he held them in front of his face, over his grin, "Just a couple." Zuko didn't catch who whistled, but he had a guess.
"Wow, more than me," Sokka said as he pulled out his share. Some looked handmade and others store-bought. Zuko licked his lips as he remembered what was currently in his backpack.
"Who knows, maybe by the end of the day you'll have more." Zuko hoped his voice sounded more steady than he felt. Sokka cocked his head slightly but still grinned regardless, as if he was trying to read Zuko.
"Well, me and Katara have class together now, so we should probably be on our way." Sokka sighed as he stood up, Katara joining him, "I'll catch up with you later, yeah?"
Everyone at the table basically nodded or audibly agreed, but Zuko noticed how Sokka's eyes lingered on him before he walked away.
"I saw that, y'know," Katara said as she pulled her backpack off her shoulder when they settled into class.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Sokka said as he pulled out his notebook and pencil.
"Sokka. I saw the way you were scenting him, rubbing your arm against his and his shoulders, like he was your boyfriend," Katara teased.
"Well, he will be soon if I play my cards right," Sokka grinned.
Zuko knew he had to do it now, it was the end of the day and if he didn't do it soon enough, the chocolates would be inedible. Zuko started to pick at his scar once more, but also playing with his fangs. They were starting to show up again from his nerves.
"Hey you," Sokka said as he poked Zuko, pulling him out of his trance. "How were your classes?"
"They were fine, yours?" Zuko asked, crossing his arms as he and Sokka started to walk.
"How they were usually, boring. Did you get any more valentines?" Sokka asked, a grin on his face.
"Just a few, you?" Zuko replied.
"Some," Sokka looked over and saw Katara waiting by the car. Zuko noticed his eyeline. "I should probably.."
Zuko grabbed onto Sokka's hoodie, "Wait, hold on, I wanted to.."
"To.. What?" Sokka asked, his eyes closed in on Zuko's hand still holding onto his forearm.
Zuko sighed through his nose and let go of Sokka's hoodie, which he swears he heard Sokka whine softly, but he denied it ever happening, to dig into his backpack.
Zuko pulled out the box of chocolates, taking a deep breath as he handed them to Sokka. "Happy Valentine's Day," he spoke with as much enthusiasm as he could, but it sounded strained.
Sokka took the box of chocolates, staring at it for a moment before his face cracked into a toothy grin.
"If you wanted to 'lick my face' you could have just asked," Sokka teased, causing Zuko to grin.
"It was the first one that made me think of you. You're basically a puppy," Zuko teased back.
"I'll be your puppy," Sokka winked.
"Don't say shit like that," Zuko scowled, but he was still flustered by the comment.
Sokka laughed, his usual loud and light laughter, as he watched Zuko. He liked watching Zuko. Sokka carefully opened the box and took one out, offering one to Zuko as well.
"Strawberry crème," Zuko spoke, the filling sticking to his teeth.
"Chocolate caramel, my favorite," Sokka said as he popped the rest of the candy in his mouth, finishing it.
Sokka closed the box, cradling it gently in his hands as if it was crystal glass. "So, does this," Sokka gestured to the chocolate box, "mean something?"
"Yeah, I hope so." Zuko grinned, moving closer to Sokka. "Any idea what that something can mean?"
Sokka hooked a finger around Zuko's belt loop, pulling him in the rest of the way and placed a hand on the small of his back. "I can think of something."
"What took you so long?" Katara asked, irritated.
"He got me a gift," Sokka grinned as he held up the box. She read the words and giggled. Katara noticed it was opened and gave Sokka a look.
"Chocolates? Really. You know what that does to us." Katara rolled her eyes.
"What's a little food poisoning to his smile?" Sokka replied with a giddy smile on his lips. Katara knew it was a lost cause.