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Chapter Text

 Being next in line for the throne was hard. Everything about Prince Zuko's life had always been hard, but now it seemed everything was piling on top of him from every direction. By his fathers design, he had no one to lean on for support- his mother was gone, grandfather dead, he wasn't allowed to have friends, and even his horrible little sister was away with her two lackeys chasing the fabled Avatar for the glory of the Fire Nation. and he was stuck here, having to prove himself to father that he was worthy of being next in line. Soon enough he would crumble under the weight of expectation and prove himself a failure. Just as Ozai wanted. 

    The only not terrible thing in his life was waiting for him in his room. 

    He ducked as soon as he walked in the door, narrowly avoiding the projectile hurled at his face. It clattered in the hallway behind him and one of his personal guards went to scoop it up, handing the small bejeweled letter opener to him with a look of disinterest. This was common now, as odd as it was. 

    Zuko entered his bedroom and placed the knife back on his writing desk, well out of reach of the boy chained to his bedpost. "How did you manage to get this?" He asked absent-mindedly as he began removing his tight top knot. 

   The Water Tribe boy huffed in displeasure at his failed assassination attempt. "Like I'd tell you ." He spit, then circled back around to flop on the bed. His chained ankle dangled freely. "Did you bring any food?" 

     "Did the servants not bring you lunch?" Zuko turned to look at him over his shoulder. The boy was distracting, with his tan skin against the red silks. He turned around quickly before he was caught staring. 

    Sokka let out a whiny "that was at least two hours ago!" before sitting up to watch him remove his formal robes. "If this is how you torture me for information, it's very effective." 

    "If you'd like me to switch up my methods, by all means. Let me alert the whip master." Zuko snarked. He traded his deep red and gold attire for simple burgundy training clothes, slipped on his flats and rummaged in his closet for his hidden training swords. "Get up. Sounds like you're ready for a beating." 

   Sokka groaned, but got to his feet and shuffled forward with a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "No cheating." He muttered as he took up a defensive position in the wide space between the balcony and the bed. 

   Zuko balked and retorted "I never cheat! Your forms are just terrible!" He tossed one of the wooden swords to the boy and used the other two slim sticks for himself, ready to step forward and begin. Sokka beat him to it for once, swiping at his legs to get him off balance early. 

    They spar daily now. It's the only thing that Zuko or Sokka have to look forward to in their separate but equally terrible days. They can release their pent up energy, stress, and rage at each other until they are boneless with exhaustion. Zuko always wins, though Sokka's skills are quickly catching up. 

    It's a draw by the time there is a knock on the door. Zuko quickly tossed the weapons over for Sokka to stuff away under the mattress and out of sight. Just in time, too, for a palace guard entered shortly after to announce that the prince is being summoned for dinner with the Fire Lord. The lack of privacy doesn't seem to faze the prince, though Sokka still feels ill at the knowledge that anyone can walk in anytime. How is a prince's room not more secure? 

   But Zuko merely nodded and told him he would be getting ready. Once they are alone again, Zuko groaned and retreated to his hand basin, pouring a cup of water over his head to wash away the sweat. 

    "Have fun with his royal hothead-edness." Sokka snarked and walked to the edge of his ankle tether. "Bring me back some meat." 

    Zuko spits water out of his mouth and sends a withering glare at the boy. "Stay out of trouble." He muttered for good measure, knowing his captive is incapable of doing so. It's like he's a magnet for everything he's not supposed to get into. 

    Sokka just grinned and watched him shrug on a simple wrap, followed by a decorative set of shoulder pieces and matching belt. Once done, Zuko hurried out of the room and left him alone once again. Sokka eyed the lumpy mattress with interest. 

—-----‐–

    It was past sundown by the time Zuko made it back to his rooms. The guards had changed, the halls were empty, and his room was nearly pitch dark when he entered. That's his excuse for why the water brat was able to take him by surprise. 

    He's on his back, pressed to the cold stone, and being dragged closer to the bed before he is aware of what is happening. He struggled free of the grip on his ankle before the boy could successfully wrap the excess chain around his limbs. He isn't quick enough to dodge the rod that whacked his side and knocked the wind out of him. 

    Sokka smirked and dove over him to grapple at his arms, attempting to pin them above his head. Zuko is momentarily stunned at the stupidity of this move. Surely the idiot had learned better than to expose himself to the enemy so blatantly. 

   Zuko took a deep breath in, then blew out of his mouth, catching the air between them alight and burning a mark against Sokka's neck. Sokka yelped and rolled away, reaching up to cover the sensitive skin. Zuko didn't let him get far and swapped their positions, firmly gripping the dark wrists and stretching them uncomfortably high above his head. Sokka is breathing hard. He goes limp with defeat, but Zuko isn't so easily fooled. He wouldn't be caught by surprise a second-

   There were lips on his, crushed awkwardly and quickly, the barest hint of tongue against him. Zuko reared back in startelement and was about to demand an explanation, but Sokka was completely breathless under him- flushed and leveling a look of desire into him like a viper-hawk. The meaning couldn't be misinterpreted. 

   Zuko scrambled to his feet as quickly as he could. He didn't give the boy a second look before rushing out of the room, soundlessly disappearing and leaving the water tribe boy rumpled on the floor. 

—-----------

     The next day is awkward for the two. Zuko doesn't speak, instead grunting and keeping his back turned away when Sokka tries to engage him in conversation. It's stupid, he knows, to do so with an enemy. But he can't bring himself to look. Can't stand the thought of… of letting himself think about what it could mean. 

     Because Sokka may be an idiot, but he was a smart idiot. He came up with brilliant tactical plans and wouldn't let any details about the Avatar slip. Anytime Zuko thought he might have gained an inch, Sokka would reveal that it was a false lead, or clam up before anything important managed to eek into the conversation. And if this was another tactic to distract Zuko… 

     It doesn't matter , he told himself. Even if he means it, nothing can come of it. He's a prisoner. He knows what he was supposed to do. His father handed him the chains with the intention of torturing some information out of him. And it had been two weeks with nothing to show for it. If father doesn't disown him for that alone, he surely would if he found out the boy had kissed him. 

     Zuko sighed out loud in defeat. He looked up to the rafters and said "Agni help me." He could feel the prisoner stir in confusion behind him. Zuko still doesn't feel ready to face him. "I'm going to have to do something incredibly stupid." 

    "More stupid than normal?" Sokka snarked, going for light banter but falling flat. He kept a cautious eye on the firebender as he paced the room, as tense as a bowstring. 

   "Yeah." Zuko muttered almost to himself. He pulled a large red satchel from the back of his wardrobe and began stuffing it with clothes. Once it was mostly full, he went to the water basin and grabbed wash cloths, a bar of soap, and his best razor blade.     

     Sokka watched in growing confusion from the bed, sitting up to fully track everything the teen dumped into the already overstuffed bag. This couldn't be good. "Going somewhere?" He asked with a hint of fear in his tone. 

   Zuko finally looked over at him- his prisoner- with a gaze full of regret. This just made Sokka feel even more on edge. What in La's name was this royal fireball planning? He didn't know kissing him would push him off the deep end!

   Zuko tossed the bag toward the large windows before beelining toward the bed. Sokka, well aware that he was currently chained to the bed, scurried to the other end to keep as much mattress between them. "Hey now! What do you think you're doing?" His voice cracked at the end in a way that made him wince. Zuko doesn't seem to be fazed by it. 

   "Get over here." Zuko commanded, looking puzzled that the other boy would be so afraid of him. Sokka balked at the order and slid to stand on the exact opposite side of the bed, clearly sending the message that he would have to be dragged! Zuko threw his hands into the air and snorted a plume of smoke in frustration, but doesn't come after him. Instead, he sat on the end of the bed and put his head in his hands, moaning "what am I doing?" to himself. 

    Sokka peeked from around the bed post to catch a glimpse of his captor's face. The feeling of fear hadn't gone away, but was morphing into utter confusion. Taking a risk, he slowly crawled across the silk sheets to kneel next to the teen, conscious now of how easy it would have been for Zuko to just grab his tether and yank him over. 

    Zuko doesn't move out of his defeated posture, but had no doubt felt his approach. After a beat of silence he said "do you know what my sister would have done if you'd been given to her?" Sokka, who hadn't been fully aware the prince even had a sister, chooses to keep quiet. "She would have tortured you so badly in your first week that you would have told her everything she wanted to know. And then she would have killed you, if she were feeling merciful." 

    "Am I supposed to thank you for not being the worst option?" 

   "No! I-" A hint of sparks come flying out of his mouth again, but he clacks his teeth together and growls in frustration. " I'll never be good enough. I know that. He reminds me every chance he gets." Zuko tilted his head up once more and gazed across the room, looking lost. "I don't know what I'm doing. I want to be a good son and a good heir and a good leader, but nothing I do is good. Father will want both our heads if I don't come up with something soon… but I just can't… and then you- you kissed me and… ugh!" Sokka jumped back when fire suddenly springs to life in Zuko's hands. "I don't have a choice! It's either this or let him kill you. So… I'm getting you out." Here, he turned to look at Sokka and met his gaze. "Tonight, during the new moon. You'll escape and get out of here." 

    "What?" Sokka couldn't dare to hope that Zuko was being honest. He felt himself shaking. "So I'm supposed to believe that you're just going to unchain me and-" he yelped when his foot got pulled closer to the prince as he took up a length of the chain and snapped it. How strong was this guy?! He made it look like tearing apart bread! 

    Sokka looked down at his ankle, still wrapped in a metal cuff, but blessedly unconnected to the post. His short radius of movement now eradicated, he could really leave. He looked up to the other teen, but Zuko was slumped and looking away.  

    "Hey." He ventured, moving to fully sit beside his ex-captor. He bumped his bare shoulder against his, but got no response. "You said he's going to have your head, right?" No response. "Why not come with me? I don't know where I am and I might get caught again. It would work out best for the two of us to stick together. " 

     Zuko scoffed at the very idea. "Leave?" He mocked. "I'd get disowned and never be allowed to return. He's not going to actually behead me." I don't think… went unsaid, but hung in the air very tangibly. "I can't go with you." 

    "Sure you can!" Sokka got up and began walking across the room toward the dresser; something he wouldn't have been able to do moments ago. He picked through the drawers until he found a pair of actual pants, not these ridiculous silky things the servants made him wear, and a dark maroon wrap to cover his chest. "You're a great fighter. Team Avatar could use a friendly firebender." 

   " No " 

  The animosity startled him and Sokka had to remind himself of who he was speaking to. Zuko may be in the process of freeing him, but hadn't exactly been a level headed and gracious master these past weeks. He was temperamental, quick to flashes of anger, and most of all obviously desperate to make his father the Fire Lord happy. Of course he doesn't want to join the Avatar. Sokka just nodded and went back to tying the sash. 

   "Sure, fine. Let us know if you change your mind." He sighed and slipped on a pair of simple shoes he found hiding under the furniture. They are a size too big, but will have to do. "How do I look?" 

    The firebenders cheeks heated with the question, but he answered "good" before he could think better of it. Sokka smirked and went to collect the bag of supplies. Before slipping out the window and into the night, he looked back across the room that had been his prison for two weeks and stared at the prince. Zuko finally looked up to see what was taking so long, a question on the tip of his tongue, but didn't speak it and just stared back.  

    Sokka thought for a moment before managing a quick "Thank you. For uh… not killing me. And letting me go." His inner self smacks his head at how lame that sounded. 

     Zuko, looking like the world is crumbling around him, just gives him a thumbs up. Equally lame response. And without anything else to say, Sokka slips down the side of the castle wall and disappears into the night. 

Chapter Text

   Sokka managed to evade the guards and get out of the castle in one piece. Getting onto a boat and making it to the earth kingdom was difficult and took quite a bit of haggling, but after only losing one of the outfits Zuko had supplied, plus an agreement to work hard as a deckhand, he was stuffed aboard the Kukri with its hardened crew. They didn't give him much trouble, aside from asking what a pretty young thing like him was doing with high grade silks. They weren't suited for life on the ocean, so Sokka had to wear the training shirt for a couple days, then swap to going shirtless on the third to wash it. 

    He was the first off of the boat and stumbling onto the decks once they made port at the first landmass with people wearing green. The men watched him go with some confusion, though none cared enough to question the strange boy. They had only known of him for a few days and he kept to himself. Easy enough to forget and get back to work.

     Sokka traded his remaining fine silks for an Earth Kingdom ensemble, as well as a few extra coins to jingle in his pocket. By weaving through nearby towns, asking around about a flying bison, helping local families here and there with odd jobs, Sokka found his belly full and path set. The rumor mill said that the Avatar had been spotted heading back from the North Pole, circling back towards the kingdom of Omashu.  

    Thankfully, he was able to hitch a ride on a hay farmer's wagon for half the journey and walk the trails to the city. It was at the same moment that he noticed the banners twirling in the wind that he saw a great migration of people heading out of the front gates. 

    As he carefully came closer, he found his sister's blue wrap dress among the greens and browns. He called out as loud as he could, uncaring of anything else around him, and wrapped her in a tight hug. She was too stunned to return it at first, but came around after a moment and wet his shoulder with her tears.  

    "Where have you been?" Katara asked forcefully and checked him over like their mother used to do. Sokka just laughed and wiped at his moist cheeks, unable to form the words just yet. 

    That night, as they gathered around the campfire with the refugees of Omashu, Sokka told his tale of how he had been snatched by Zhao's men during the siege. How he was harassed, chained, and sent off to the capitol to be interrogated by the crowned prince himself. 

   A few men and women nearby listened to him with interest. "How did you escape?" One asked in awe. 

    Sokka faltered, but caught himself before it could be considered suspicious. "I uh, beat him up with one of his training swords. Broke the chain and left during a new moon." Here, he lifted up his ankle where the golden cuff still hung. The group gasped in shock at the tangible proof, muttering about how brave and heroic he was. Sokka didn't want the praise, though, and waved it off. "Anyway, I haggled my way onto a boat and found out where you guys were headed. Easy peasy." 

    Katara was still crying, but smiled as well. "You're brilliant, Sokka. I'm so sorry we didn't find you." She gripped his hands in hers. "We waited as long as we could. Aang and I checked every fallen warrior to see if you were one of them. When we couldn't even find a body, Aang was convinced the Avatar state had swept you under with the firebenders."  

      That was… that was terrible. "Aang must have been devastated." He realized. 

   "Yeah. It sounds like we all had something terrible to work through." She leaned her shoulder against his, holding his hand and keeping as much contact as she could. "Somehow I knew you weren't dead. I had to keep telling myself that every day." 

    It haunted Sokka for the remainder of the night, even as he talked and moved and re-immersed himself in the lives of his companions. How he had been lounging in the enemy's lavish bedroom, being treated like a pet. Meanwhile, his sister and Aang had been waiting to hear that he was alive, then made the difficult decision to continue without him. 

     Of course, he was forgetting how stressful it was, how every day he had trouble sleeping because he was sure he would be removed from Zuko's lavish bed and brought to the dungeons for real torture, how he had worried for his sister's safety as well. How he was slowly succumbing to the idea that he might not ever see her again. 

     But he was here now. And she was healthy and whole. They would resume with the plan of getting Aang an earth bending teacher and defeat the Firelord. 

—-----‐—---

     "Wow, Sokka! Where did you learn that?!" Aang asked excitedly from where he was hanging upside down in a nearby tree. 

    Sokka wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Uh… I… learned it from…" He faltered. Does he say he learned it from the prince? Does he admit to Aang that he actually gained something good from the enemy? 

    Aang seemed to understand where his hesitation stemmed from because he righted himself, landing on his feet on the ground, and said "I think it's really amazing that you're able to do that. Taking knowledge from the other nations is important. No matter how you got that knowledge." 

    It did make him feel better. "Why don't you try blocking me? I'll show you some other stuff I picked up." 

    Katara found the boys later, devolved into a game of chase with Aang laughing as he jumped out of the way of Sokka's wild swings. 

     "Supper is ready." She called out, shaking her head at their antics. It was good to have her brother back. 

—-----------------

     It had been months since escaping the Fire Nation when Sokka saw Zuko again. It was hard to recognize him with the huge scar taking up half of his face and his long hair shorn down to the scalp. But it was him. 

     They had made it to BaSingSe without the help of Appa and the group was finally feeling like they were gaining some semblance of victory. Even if JooDi was weird and the king wouldn't see them for another month… they were given a big house and had the run of the town! Time to explore! 

     They were shopping in the middle rings when Katara announced that she wanted to get some tea. Toph and Aang were still puttering around, so Sokka agreed to go with her. The Jasmine Dragon looked like a good place to stop and rest his feet. 

    Until he spotted Zuko inside. 

 "Katara, get down!" He hissed and yanked her behind a wall. She yelped and followed, but quickly freed herself from his grip. 

   "What is wrong with you?" She asked accusingly, rubbing her sore wrist. 

   Sokka kept his eyes trained on the prince, watching him… clear a table? What was he doing? Katara thumped him on the shoulder. "That's the guy!" He stage whispered, as if that explained everything. 

   "The guy." She looked unimpressed, hand on her hip. "Helpful." 

   "The guy!" He said again. "Prince Jerkface from the Fire Nation!" 

   Katara looked around the wall again at the teen in an apron taking orders. "That's the prince." By her tone, it was obvious that she definitely didn't believe him. 

   Sokka clenched his fists and said "I'm sure of it! I had to look at his stupid face every day for weeks!"

    "You never mentioned a big burn on his face." 

   There was a beat of silence. "It's new." 

 She scoffed and headed back toward the tea shop. "Why don't we just ask him?" She mocked. 

    Sokka hurried after her, tugging on her sleeve. "Katara, don't-" 

   "Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon. My nephew will be with you shortly." A portly old man said kindly from the back of the shop. He ducked away into the kitchens, leaving them to find their own seats in the semi crowded room. 

   Katara chose a little table against the wall and started perusing the menu. Sokka continued to keep his eyes glued on the thin figure weaving through the shop. It was so far-fetched, but he was absolutely sure it was him! 

    "Hello, Lee here. What can I get for-" the teens teeth clack with the force of him shutting his mouth. He and Sokka stared hard, wide eyed and unable to speak or move. 

   Katara stared between them, comprehension dawning. "Wait, so… this is the prince?" At the mention of his title, Zuko disappeared into the kitchen doorway. Sokka and his sister got up from their table to pursue, but were stopped by the portly old man from before. 

    He was shorter than both of them by only an inch or so, but his demeanor was authoritative and strong. He held up a hand to stop them in their tracks. "So sorry. This is for employees only. Might I help you with something?"  

     "Yeah, you can start by explaining why you have a firebender working here!" Sokka exclaimed a little too loudly. A few nearby tables turned to look at what was going on. 

    The old man continued to put on a very calm aura. "You seem to be a little confused, my young friend. I have some excellent smelling salts in the kitchen. It will help realign your mental Chakra." He ushered them to follow, holding open the green curtain partitioner. The siblings share a glance before walking in. 

     Zuko was pacing the back room, running his hands through his short hair. He froze as soon as he saw the water tribe blues. Sokka crossed his arms and said "I knew it." He glanced over at Katara, looking smug. "I told you." 

   "Can you hold off telling me you were right until we get this sorted?" She summoned a water whip to circle Zuko's hands and force them together behind his back. "What are you doing here?" 

    The old man placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "There is no need for that." He motioned to the teen. "We are just here serving tea." 

     There's a dull glow behind Zuko before his wet hands come free. He shakes them and holds them up to allow a small bit of firebending to steam the water away. "What are you doing here?" 

    Sokka balked at the accusatory tone. "We are allowed to be here! You're supposed to be in Caldera, plotting the best ways to torment the rest of the world!" 

   Zuko flushed at this and looked away, gritting his teeth. He didn't say anything, which was enough motivation for Sokka to continue. "This is the last safe haven in the Earth Kingdom. You expect us to believe that you aren't here on some secret mission for your beloved dad?" 

    The old man approached cautiously, coming to stand beside the teen and partially standing between the two. "I think there is more to this than you understand. Allow me to start a pot of tea and we can discuss this." 

     "If you two are working together, I wouldn't be surprised if it were poisoned." Katara spit. 

   Zuko clenched his teeth and allowed the barest trail of smoke to escape. "My uncle would never do something like that." 

   "Well forgive me, prince fire-breath, if we don't believe you." Sokka snarked as he gripped the knife at his hip. He was fully prepared for a fight, though from the defeated slump of the other boy's shoulders, it didn't seem like that was going to happen. 

    To their surprise, Zuko huffed and stood up straight. Despite his ill-fitting brown and muddy green robes, he is a prince. "Uncle is right. There are things you don't know. At least hear us out." 

   Katara is unfazed and ready to attack, but Sokka surprises her by holding a hand out to stall her. He's still tense around the shoulder blades, though he doesn't look like he is going to fight. 

   "Alright." Sokka said tersely. "Spill. What happened after I left?" 

    Zuko looked like he was about ready to throw up. He couldn't meet the other boy's eyes and instead looked to his left to say "I… can't talk about it right now. Tonight, once the shop is empty." 

    Uncle seemed to remember that there were people out there waiting for their orders and excused himself to bustle out of the room. Katara watched the other two skeptically. "Fine. We will come tonight. If this is a trap, we won't hesitate to take you down." 

    They leave after making it clear that they would be on high alert until then. Zuko had to give himself another moment before returning to the outside world and bussing tables. The thought of them watching made him nervous, but he kept his head down and didn't speak for the rest of the day.

Chapter Text

  At sundown, when Uncle brought in the welcome sign and dimmed the lanterns, the Water Tribe siblings returned with two new friends. Zuko surmised that the young boy with blue tattoos must be the Avatar his sister had been hunting, which made his breath catch in his throat at how he was walking right up to him! The Avatar was right there when his sister hadn't even been able to capture him in half a year!- but he managed a quick bow before moving to a six sided table near the center of the room. "Please, sit." 

    The fourth visitor, a little girl with bare feet and the immovable attitude of an earthbender, came up first to take a seat. The rest soon followed. 

    Uncle had begun steeping a pot of the most calming blend they owned that was ready to be poured by the time everyone was settled. Katara wrinkled her nose at the offered cup, but took it anyway and placed it on the table. "We're not here to have a tea party, your highness. " 

   Zuko, who was sitting directly across from her, only met her fiery gaze for a moment before looking around at the others. "I know." 

   Uncle came to sit at his left and laid a weathered hand over his. "Sharing tea with an interesting stranger is one of life's true delights." He said with a small smile. 

   "I'm Aang!" Aang inserted happily. "It's nice to meet you." 

  Katara smacked his arm. "It is not nice to meet them. These are the people who kidnapped my brother!" 

   "We didn't kidnap him!" Zuko defended. He scowled for a moment before hissing in pain and cupping his eye. "I'm the one who freed him." 

    The group sat silently at this declaration. Sokka's face got incredibly red the longer it went on. Aang tapped his chin. "Hang on. Sokka said he beat you up and esca-." Sokka reached over to cover his blabbing mouth before it could get any worse, but it was already too late. Zuko's brows rose to his hairline in shock. 

    "Excuse me?" The offense melted into a smug smirk as he crossed his arms. "You couldn't beat an arma-kitten-dillo. How did you convince them you had beaten me in a fight?" 

    "We just thought you must be terrible at fighting." Toph said with a shrug. 

     Zuko shook his head in disbelief. "Im… I was the crowned prince of the Fire Nation. You think they'd let me get away with being unable to defend myself?" 

     "OK, I've got to know what happened after I left." Sokka pleaded. It was an obvious ploy to get the attention off of his fib and, from the flash in Katara's eye, it had not gone unnoticed. 

    Zuko took in a deep breath to prepare. The warm hand over his helped ground him. "After you…left… the Fire Lord found out pretty quickly. And as you can probably guess, he was pretty upset." 

    The group resolutely didn't stare at the fresh red wound taking up half of his face.

   "He told me that I needed to prove myself before Agni for going against our nation. But he meant I had to fight him in an Agni Kai." Uncle gripped his hand reassuringly. Zuko kept his focus on their hands and found he couldn't lift his eyes to the others around the table. His face burned with intense shame and sorrow. "I was banished after-" he lifted his other hand to gesture vaguely to his face. "and told that I need to regain my honor." 

   Sokka looked stricken at the news. "You got burned because of me?" 

    Zuko startled. He glared at the boy and snarled "I don't want your pity." Katara was about to jump up and straighten his attitude, but Uncle beat her to it by muttering something in the teens ear. Zuko breathed out a plume of smoke, but smoothed his features with a wince. 

    "So how are you supposed to regain your honor? Bring him back?" Toph asked from down the table. 

   "It doesn't matter. I don't want to go back." 

   "That's a lie." 

  He frowned. "How would you know?" 

   Aang perked up. "Toph uses her earthbending to feel when someone lies!" 

   Zuko flushed at the information. "Well… it's not fully a lie. Of course I miss my home. But I'm not willing to do what he wants to go back." 

    Toph settled back into her seat, seemingly disinterested in the conversation once again. "Truth."

    "So you're just hanging out in BaSingSe? The last hope against your nation? And you're just serving tea like a commoner?" Katara crossed her arms and glowered. "I don't buy it." 

    "I am a commoner." Zuko interjected, but is drowned out by Sokka saying "if he were lying, Toph could sense it." 

   "His sister is a pretty good liar." 

  Sokka could see the stormy look brewing on Zuko's face and knew this was a majorly bad discussion to be having. He doesn't know how to get everyone to stop and panics, shouting "Zuko is not his sister!"  It worked, if only enough to make everyone freeze and look at him like he'd grown a second head. Zuko especially looked like he had suddenly dropped into a world that made no sense. Sokka calmed his shaking hands (when had they started doing that?) and said "Zuko is a lot of things. Namely, he's a terrible liar. In the time he had me… he never lied." 

    The table is silent for a while. Finally, Katara asked quietly "how can you be sure?" If he didn't know her so well, he wouldn't have seen the worry, the ever present question that hasn't left since he returned. Looked like it was time to fess up.

   Sokka laid his hands on the table and blushed, muttering "I maybe… didn't beat him up to escape?" 

    Zuko scoffed, but Sokka continued. " The rest was true. He was supposed to interrogate me and he was a real jerk most of the time, but he didn't do anything to me." He paused. "Except he forced me to spar with him." 

    "So that's where you learned all those new moves?" Aang asked kindly. 

    Sokka nodded. "On the last day he said he was going to do something crazy and broke the chain with his bare hands. And he let me go." 

   His sister leveled a harsh glare between the two. "And you lied about it because…?"

    Sokka shrugged helplessly. "It sounded cooler. And all those refugees from Omashu were so sad, I thought they could use a good story." She obviously didn't like this explanation, but let it go.

    "So what are you going to do now?" Aang asked the two strangers. "I need someone to teach me fire before the end of the season. And I don't think we'll meet another nice firebender." 

    Uncle turned to Zuko. The decision is up to him. But Zuko is unsure. He hadn't really expected to be asked such a thing, but he was just starting to get used to the idea of just being a common tea server. Uncle gave up everything to come with him in his hour of need, was it fair for him to go when he had just gotten the teashop he wanted? 

    Sokka coughed into his fist, drawing the teens attention again. His cheeks were pink and he had trouble looking him in the eye. "If you decide to come with us, you'll have to spar against me again." He gave a lopsided grin. "I think I've gotten good enough to beat you fair and square." 

   Toph laughed and Aang smiled. Katara looked a bit less hostile, since Sokka was giving his approval. Zuko looked around at them, unsure of what teaching the Avatar would entail, but willing to try if they were going to let him. How odd, that father wanted him to track down the Avatar, and this is where he ended up.

    "You will always be welcome back, nephew. How many chances do you get to make new friends and see the world?" .

    Never. And he would never get this chance again. 

   "Alright." Zuko said. Sokka walked around the table to clasp arms with him in a way that the Fire teen was unfamiliar with. 

    "Glad you changed your mind." Sokka said through a wide grin. "I can't wait to knock you to the ground tomorrow." 

   Zuko balked. "You can't seriously think you'll beat me." 

    "I don't know, Sparky. He's been practicing a lot since I've met him." Toph elbowed the taller boy in the side. "I think he's been learning new things just to get a rematch with you." 

    Zuko and Sokka shared matching blushes. They each took a step back and looked anywhere but at the other. 

   Katara gave the firebender her own jab to the side. But she didn't look angry anymore. She looked like she was biting her cheek to keep from smiling. "I'm keeping my eye on you." She pulled Aang and Sokka along toward the door with Toph following soon after. They each gave a quick goodbye before they were gone, disappearing into the darkened streets. 

    Zuko stood numbly. "Uncle…" 

  "I know." He helped Zuko to the back of the restaurant. "Why don't you go back to the apartment and start getting your things together for tomorrow? I'll clean up here." The boy doesn't move to leave, instead continuing to look a little lost for words. Hopeful, but scared. Iroh, always knowing what's going on in his boys head, put his hand on his shoulder.  "I told you when we left, didn't I? That this was not the end." His fingers brushed just under the scar and Zuko leaned into the kindness. "You have much to offer. And I am always proud of you." 

    Zuko sighed and moved to envelop his uncle in a quick hug. It was very uncharacteristic of the boy, especially after the near constant pain his burn gave him, but sometimes he let himself feel comforted. "Thank you, Uncle." 

    When they pull apart, there are tears in both of their eyes. Uncle tutted and shooed him out the door. "This is not goodbye, my nephew. Go and make new paths for yourself." 

    Zuko meandered away, slowly picking his way back to their apartment to gather his things.

    The next morning he shared a final meal with Uncle, waved goodbye, and set off to find the Avatar and his friends.