Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

1

SOKKA
He knew that day would be the one of the worst days of his life. He had woken up that morning with the feeling, deep in his gut, that it would be best for him and his sister if they stayed in the village. But their food stores were getting dangerously low, and with no other men in the village to provide for their families, Sokka and his family had pitched in where help was needed. He knew they should never have fucking left, but with Katara staring at him with her big eyes, and the village children with there hollow faces, he had to be the man he was.

Why did he have to have his mothers heart?

Now he was stuck with some kid, not prepared at all for the cold weather of the Southern Water Tribe, bald head and all, making eyes at his sister. Not to mention the giant that traveled with him that could “fly.” Sokka would bet everything he had that that fat piece of fur couldn't even jump let alone fly.

That wasn't even the biggest problem, this kid, this Aang, had no clue about the dangers around them. Strangers brought bad omens, and those omens always lead to fire benders. They never should have left the village, should have left this boy with tattoos and tricks to freeze in the ice.

He should have been dead. There was no longer such a thing as airbenders. Aang was a living myth. A myth that was Katara’s fated one. Sokka ran a hand down his face, watching as Katara introduced Aang to the village, saw the tears in his grandmother's eyes at the happy news. There had not been a fated pair, especially with an outsider, in years.

Deep down, sure he was happy, but Katara was only eighteen. She was meant to visit the Northern Water Tribe to finish her studies, but with an airbender, someone who should not exist, as a fated one. It changed everything.

Head throbbing, Sokka went into his tent to lay down. He would deal with the world later. Katara could have this before he had to tear it all down.

As his head hit the mat, his thoughts turned to the copper eyed man who filled his dreams.

* * *

Sokka woke with a start to the earth shaking and screams. He knew, without even having to open his tent flap. Black snow, firebenders. Grabbing his boomerang and machete, Sokka ran out into the screaming. Katara, where the fuck was she. Aang wouldn't be able to protect her from this. Those air tricks could only do so much, and he didn’t trust them to do more than fuel the fire.

She was not in sight, there were too many women running everywhere, too many flashes of blue coats and dark hair. His heart started beating out of his chest, he couldn’t lose her too.

“Sokka!”

“Katara! Where the fuck have you been? You need to get to safety.” looking around frantically, he continued in saying, “Do you remember the plan? Get Gran-Gran and run.”

“But Aang -”

“Katara, look at me, you need to gather those you can and run. Remember the plan. I cannot lose you too.” After his mother, after his father, Katara was the only real family he had left. Separating was the only option, he would provide distraction while she went away. He just had to get to the traps he had set years prior.

“Sokka you need to listen to me, I don't care about your stupid plan, I need to find Aang. We were at the old ship and he set something off and then he was just gone. I tried-”

“He did what! He’s the reason they're here!”

“It’s not his fault, Sokka. It was an accident.”

“We know nothing about this boy and next thing we know he's signaled the fire nation and there on our doorstep. That's not a coincidence, Katara.”

“He’s my fated one-”

“He’s a stranger. If it is truly meant to be then he will find you again, but right now you're being selfish. The world is ending around us and you are more worried about yourself than others. Stick to the plan Katara. Get the others out of here.”

“I can't just leave-”

“You have too, I love you, but go. Get the fuck out of here Katara. If it makes you go, I will look for him, but I need you to go.”

“Promise me. Promise me you will protect him. It was an accident.”

Looking around at the destruction around him, Sokka gave a heavy sigh. This was the only way. “I promise, now please, run. Stick to the plan. I will find you again if I can, but don’t look back. The village is no longer safe. Go to the Northern Water Tribe, they will protect you there.” Looking at his sister one last time, Sokka turned his back, he had to follow the plan. He had to get to his traps. It was the only way to protect them now.

ZUKO
This was it. After nearly ten years, this was finally it. That blue light, it had to mean something, he needed it to mean something. His life, his father, would not wait forever. After twenty-three-years, he could practically taste his fathers acceptance. His Uncle told him to have patience, but he didn’t know how lonely it was to never be loved by his family. To always be on the outside, never allowed to sit at the table.

It had been ten years, ten long years since his banishment, stuck on a small ship, given an impossible task, and now, it was all coming together. The Avatar was finally going to be his.

They were getting close to shore now. The flare had given them the right course of direction. Nothing should be out here, just the Avatar.

An explosion erupted to the left of their course, a black smoke cloud mixing with the already polluted snow. Zuko felt his men stop and stare at the scene ahead of them, if this was the Avatar, then he had been planning for them.

“Uncle, get the crew ready for a fight. The Avatar has had one hundred years to master the elements, he won't go down without a fight.”

“My prince, maybe we should send word to your father, obtain a larger army to apprehend the Avatar.”

“No. That is not an option, we can not risk losing him.”

“Nephew, I understand you want to claim back your honor, but dying to achieve it is not the way to do it. It would only take a few more days-”

“I have waited ten years for this,” Zuko roared, the scar covering the left side of his face tightening with his anger, a constant reminder of the shame he brought to his family. Shame he felt everyday. “We are doing this Uncle, no matter what it takes, no matter what it costs me. The Avatar will be mine.”

* * *

The ship hit land when another explosion went off to the right, closer than the last one. It was a trap, Zuko could taste it in the air. Something wasn't right. His men could feel it too, their silence was too loud causing them the shift and murmur about.

Zuko could see what looked to be a village ahead of them, abandoned by the look of things. The ground turned black from the ash raining down around them. He felt it then, a tightening in his chest, the pounding of his heart. It was distracting enough for Zuko to almost miss the boomerang flying his way, ducking in time for it to graze over his head. Bringing his head up fast, seeing nothing in the swirl of snow and ash, but then there it was, a tall being covered in white furs hiding within the snow.

A large gust of wind hit Zuko and his men forcing them to crouch down, unreluctant and unending. The Avatar, an airbender. Zuko smiled to himself, party tricks and a little wind was not going to stop him, this was his destiny.

When he could finally look up again, Zuko saw another figure in the snow, draped in orange and yellow. The colors of an air nomad. He was smaller than Zuko expected, but height meant nothing when it came to power.

The soldiers behind him shouted out their battle cries as the tar covered boulders were launched, they had waited for this just as long as he had; a chance at going home. Zuko watched as the two figures scurried away from the boulder, going more inland, away from the village. Cowards, the lot of them. After a hundred years of bending, one hundred years of hiding, the Avatar should be prepared for this.

Another explosion went off in the distance, the dark smoke of it as bright as a beacon in the night. A trap that Zuko would not fall for. In case he was wrong though, he sent his Uncle, the General Iroh, and half his soldiers in that direction, while taking the rest of his men away from it, knowing in his gut that the hooded man and the Avatar would never have wanted to draw that type of attention to themselves.

The farther away from the ship they got, the tighter Zuko’s chest felt. Something else was out there hiding in the white blizzard surrounding them. As they pushed on, fighting against the wind, Zuko saw a large, dark structure. A Fire Nation ship with ice protruding from it. This had to be it, if Zuko had nowhere else to hide and wait out the storm, this is where he would have gone.

With ten men at his back, they approached the ship, and through the blur of white, Zuko saw him. The figure dress in white furs stood before the abandoned ship, hood pulled back and eyes cast down. Something felt familiar to Zuko about this man but before he could ponder the thought deeper, a shout came from behind as four of his men were swept away. The Avatar.

Before Zuko could shout orders to his men, another explosion went off, this one next to him. He was thrown to the side by the blast, landing hard in a pile of snow. Red rained the air, turning the snow from its pristine white to something more horrifying.

Zuko pushed to his feet, regaining his balance long enough for the man in the white furs to attack him, a boomerang knocking the air from his lungs before being taken to the ground by another large gust of wind. On his knees, hair in his eyes, Zuko couldn’t hold back his anger, releasing a yell as fire erupted from his hands toward the man running at him. The aim was perfect, Zuko had worked for hours to become the most skilled fire bender, but before the man in the white furs could duck out of the way, the flames path changed, turning the snow pile behind the figure into nothing more than steam. It wasn’t possible.

Before Zuko’s brain could register the impossibility, the figure was upon him, pushing Zuko back into the snow covered ground, grabbing his wrists and pulling his arms above his head, his legs straddling his waist.

“Who are you!” the voice above him shouted. “Are there more coming?”

Zuko couldn't speak, could barely blink as the pieces of the puzzle all fell into place. This man, this warrior, no older than himself, was his fated one. It was impossible. The feeling in his chest couldn’t be real.

He watched in awe as the man atop him realized the same impossibility. Zuko felt as the tight grip on his wrists slowly released. Felt as the man's weight shifted away from his body. He looked into those deep, dark blue eyes, looking for more. Needing to know more, needing everything.

“My Flame,” he felt himself whisper, nearly shocking himself at the words meant only for a fated one.

“Sokka!” A voice yelled from close by. They were out in the open, his fated one could be in danger. Within seconds, Zuko rolled them so that he was on top, covering his fated one with his own body, protecting him from the danger that could still surround them. Turning his head, seeking out the danger only to freeze as he saw the figure clad in orange and yellow. The Avatar. Zuko felt his fire as it boiled in the pit of his stomach, ready to strike, to protect what belonged to him. Before he could do so, a sharp blade was pressed into the soft flesh of his neck.

Zuko didn’t move, let alone breath as he looked down at the figure beneath him. “I will kill you if you even think of hurting him,” came a deep, raspy voice that sent chills down Zuko’s back. “Get off of me, slowly, before either of us does something we will both regret.”

A smirk crept onto Zuko’s lips as the blade pressed harder into his skin, he felt it pierced his skin, watching as those deep blue eyes left his, flicking to his throat, seeing that he was bleeding. Zuko held back a groan at the pain, his arousal flaring and the thought of having this man under him in other ways. Before he could act on those thoughts, he did as he was asked and slowly slid off of his fated one, unable to resist from rubbing his ass down while doing so, feeling a hard rod underneath the layers of their clothing. Either his man had another knife, or he was just as affected by him as he was.

Remembering the other man, the Avatar, Zuko looked up to find a hand waiting from him, to help him up from the snow. After rising to his full height, Zuko was surprised to be looking down at a young boy in the orange and yellow clothing with the markings of an air nomad. “You're a child.” The boy looked at his confused, “You're the Avatar, you should be an old man, not a boy.”

“I’m not a child, or a boy. I’m eighteen,” the boy said before turning towards Zuko’s fated one, “We should go before more men come, I don’t think I have it in me to take any more out. I’m still pretty weak.”

Zuko felt his body move before his brain could process the words, his body blocking the boy's path to his Flame. “You're not taking him anywhere,” Zuko growled out. This was his fated one and some boy was not going to take him away.

“Uh, Sokka. What do you want me to do here?”

“Aang,” came that same deep voice from behind him. Zuko instantly hated hearing another name leave those full lips. The only name he should ever be saying was his own, the name of his fated one. “Could . . . I need to speak with him alone for a moment. Could you go take watch over to the side, it will only take a moment?”

Zuko waited until the boy, this Aang, was far enough away from them, far enough away from his fated one to turn his back on him, facing his fated one once again. His fingers itched, needing to touch once again. He was a mountain of a man, nearly four inches taller than Zuko’s own six foot, one frame. He was beautiful.

“Who are you?” came that same deep voice, that voice alone could bring Zuko to the brink of orgasm. Before he could answer, the voice came again, “You're him, right? The Fire Nation’s heir? Prince Zuko?” Those deep blue eyes flicked to the left side of his face before returning to his eyes.

Feeling self-conscious about the scarring, Zuko answered, “I’m your fated one, just as you are mine. Sorry I’m not a dream to look at.”

Zuko watched as the deep, blue eyes darkened in anger. “I don’t give a fuck about appearances,” he had to look away, the feeling of shame warming his cheeks. Before he could come up with a response, a warm hand was on his chin and the scent of mint and fresh rain filled his nose as his fated one stepped closer. “I hate seeing this on you, my fated, seeing the pain that has been caused to you, but don’t ever think that if does anything to distract me from how fucking sexy you look.”

He had never been more aroused in his life, even in a blizzard, Zuko was ready to strip down and lick every inch of skin presented before him, taking his time to map out that perfect body before pushing his cock into the man's very core. Zuko took a stuttering breath before saying, “You know who I am, yet I know nothing of who you are.”

“Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe. And that boy over there is my sister's fated one, and I can't let you have him. I made a promise to her that I would keep him safe, and an attack by the Fire Nation is not doing that. We are leaving, she will be expecting us.”

Zuko pulled himself out of the haze of arousal, realizing what Sokka was saying. “You're leaving me. We just found each other. You know how rare it is to find your fated one and you're going to walk away from me?”

“Your attack on my tribe, on my people, caused all of this.”

Zuko pulled away, “You don’t understand, it was either kill him, hunt down the Avatar and kill him or be killed myself. I never chose this for myself. You think I wanted to become the disgraced heir, the Burned Prince. I never thought you were even a possibility, I never thought I would live long enough to find you, yet in some twisted way, in this twisted sick way, fate brought us together.”

Sokka's eyes softened and Zuko watched as his heart broke for the man before him. He was so distracted by the man in front of him, he didn’t see the last man from his party creep up and strike, flames lighting the darkening sky and a scream leaving his fated ones lips. Zuko caught Sokka as he fell forward, the furs on his back blacked and smoldering in embers.

He shook with anger as he watched the air nomad throw the soldier a distance, knocking him down. Zuko slowly lowered his fated one to the snowy earth, trying his best to be careful. “Oh gods, Sokka!” the boy yelled, running over to them, “What can I do?”

“The snow, use it to cool the skin, make sure it's clean.”

“Where are you going?”

“To handle a small problem.” The death was an easy one, he had tried to put up a fight, but Zuko never gave him the chance, he had hurt what belonged to him, and Zuko never had been good at sharing. As he turned away from the smoldering corpse before him, those same deep, blue eyes met his own. Those eyes filled with so much pain.

“Sokka!” Another voice yelled. Fire lit his finger tips before he turned to find a young woman running toward them, a girl with the same eyes as his fated one.

It was the air nomad that answered her, “Katara, my love, you should not be here. You were meant to be escaping, you should have been far from here by now. That is why I sent Appa to you.”

“I couldn’t leave you, either of you behind. Everyone else is safe, but I just couldn’t leave you behind.”

“You should both go.” The words left Zuko’s lips before he could process them himself, dropping to his knees beside his fated one. “Leave before you're discovered here.”

“Thank you!” the girl said to him before turning to the boy and saying “We should get Sokka back to Gran-Gran, she can help him.”

“No!” Zuko roared, eyes flaring in anger, “My fated stays with me. I will keep him safe and protect him. You and the boy will leave.”

“Fated,” the girl breathed.

“Go Katara,” came a hoarse voice, “I’ll be okay. Get as far away from here as possible. Stay away. We will find you again when it is safe, but you need to go.” Zuko’s brow scrunched in conserin as he watched sweat begin to pool on his fated one's hairline.

“I’ll need something of yours, Avatar, to provide as evidence of your death. My father will only keep hunting you if he doesn’t believe that you died out here.”

“My staff, it's yours.” Zuko watched as the boy crouched next to Sokka “I will protect her with my life.”

The girl said her own goodbye, filled with tears and hugs that had Zuko clenching his teeth, seeing the pain his Flame experienced during it. When it was all said and done, they when separate ways, the Avatar and his Fated off to another remote corner of the world and Zuko, with his fated over one shoulder and the Avatars air bending staff on the other, headed back to the ship.

SOKKA
Sokka was in and out of consciousness for the next several days, only waking enough to feel the pain, the tightening, blistering feeling of his skin. The pain radiating from his left side to his upper back. He could remember screaming and crying as the physician debrided the wound, the pulling sensation of bandages being changed, yet the only one that truly stuck out was him. Zuko. Sokka could smell him everywhere, felt his hands on his face wiping away tears, hands on his skin brushing and stroking in an attempt to sooth him. The soft words he whispered in his ear and the harsh angry words thrown at the physicians.

When Sokka’s mind had come out of the darkness, he had been unable to open his eyes or move his body, but he had been able to hear. Soft words were being spoken in the corner, familiar voices. “We can only protect him so much, Nephew. Word will have reached your father by now, he will know you have found your fated one. A warrior from the water tribe will not be a welcome sight in your fathers court. The boy will be in constant danger.”

“My father will have also heard of the Avatar's death, one I will be rewarded for. My fated one will be protected by the crown because of this, if not, I will protect him with my life. I know that's not worth much to my father, but it is all I have to offer Uncle. When we are able, we will move into my private residence away from the palace with my own men keeping guard. For now, I will have to be enough.”

“I will be there too, Nephew. I would give my own life for your happiness, and he will be that for you. We will find a way.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“You are turning into the man I always dreamed of you being, my Prince. Your mother would be proud. I’ll leave you know, I must go check with the captain. Should I send the physician in?”

Sokka heard no response when a door was shut and silence followed. Soft footsteps padded across the floor, approaching the bed that Sokka was lying on face down, the bed shifting before he felt a warm hand brush through his hair, sweeping down his neck towards the source of his pain. His body tensed under the touch, flinching away from the pain. “I should have been able to prevent this from happening. How can I be deserving of a fated one when something like this happens within moments of meeting them,” Zuko whispered. The hand returned to his hair, “I would kill him a thousand times over if I could.”

A knock sounded at the door, causing the hand to leave Sokka’s hair and the bed to shift again. More whispered voices sounded, only they were too far away for him to make out. Soon after more footsteps could be heard walking towards the bed, Sokka fought his body, willing it to react, to move, but fail.

“The physicians are here to change your bandages, I know you're in pain but this is necessary to prevent infection and help you heal.” The soft words were then gone, “If you cause him any more pain than necessary, you will no longer be on my ship, and I don’t give a fuck if I throw you in the ocean myself.”

“Of course, sire. Your fated one is safe with us.”

“You will help me to roll him.”

Sokka felt an involuntary groan leave his body as hands pulled him into a sitting position leaning him forward onto a solid frame, one that smelled of spice and tea. His head rested in the crook of Zuko’s neck, his nose and cheek pressing into the warm exposed skin there. His body flinched as bandages began to be removed and cloths wiped at the burns. A whimper escaped his lips when a rough hand began rubbing herbal creams into his skin.

“Everyone out,” came an angered voice just above his head. “Now!”

Moments later, after a quick scurrying of feet, a door was slammed. Sokka’s body moved as Zuko took a deep shuddering breath, “It’s okay, they're gone now. It’s just you and me, my flame. Just you and me.” The arms that had been at Sokka’s waist moved, and hands were once again placed on his back, and herbal creams were again rubbed into his skin, but these hands were gentle, almost hesitant. The soft touch nearly took the pain away, the warm presence of them on his skin made his heart beat faster and his soul feel content.

Before Sokka could drag his body to consciousness, he could feel the pain and weakness of it pulling his mind into darkness.

When he woke again, he became aware of the warm breeze that brushed against the bare skin of his back and the silk sheets beneath him. The pain of the burn was still there but there was also a numbness, his body unable to register the pain in the parts that were too damaged, where the nerves were in ruins. Sokka opened his eyes moments later, taking in a dimly lit room, able to make out the red walls with red drapes hanging from them. Candles lined the table against a wall, perfuming the air with the scent of chamomile and jasmine, a warm spice was also in the air, but he knew that had more to do with the sleeping warrior in the chair next to him, soft snores leaving his body.

Sokko flexed his fingers and feet, bringing movement slowly back into his stiff body while also taking the time to appreciate the strong body in front of him. Zuko, his fated one. He could hardly believe his eyes, his memories even, before the rogue soldier had attacked them. After the flames had hit him, throwing his body against his fated one, he could faintly recall the killing blow Zuko had dealt the man. The frantic hand on his body assessing the damage, the shoulder in his stomach and the sway of being carried to safety. If it hadn’t been for him, Sokka’s village would never have been attacked, if it hadn’t been for him, they all would have been dead. His sister and her fated one, the Avatar, they never would have gotten away.

As he stared at this damaged prince, he noticed the scars that littered his body, the one that graced the left side of Zuko’s face was legendary, even the Southern Water Tribe had heard of the Fire Lord’s brutal punishment against his son, but seeing it with his own eye’s, the reality of it was horrifying. The skin was red and raw, pulling in the area’s visible against the healthy skin left behind. Of all the scars visible, the others white and faintly pink with age, the one that marred his face was the worst. As Sokka assessed the other markings, he also couldn’t help but notice the low cut of the robe showing off Zuko’s pale muscular chest and abdomen. The strong arms that rested against the arms of the chair, small tattoos littering them as well as his chest. His fated one was a beautiful specimen, even if he was the enemy. Sokka knew it as much as his body did, and as much as his brain tried to stop it, his body couldn’t help but respond. The sheet beneath him, filling his nose with that delicious spice, his eyes drinking in each and every piece of exposed skin. Sokka felt himself begin to harden, barely containing the groan that wanted to escape his lips as he shifted against the mattress. He had heard stories of the storm of passion that newly fated pairs experienced, the inability to keep their hands off each other, staying locked in a room for days learning each other's bodies. Sokka would kill for that experience.

He had been with both men and women, like most he had been horny as a teen, and what was a hand stuffed up a shirt or down a pair of pants between friends, but these feelings were more intense than any he had ever felt before, and he hadn’t even had a touch. What he would give to crawl off the mattress and fall to his knees before his fated one and worship his body, Sokka bit his lip at the thought of it.

A loud clacking sound echoed through the room interrupting his thoughts and waking the man in front of him, all thoughts left his mind as his eyes met with copper ones, “You're awake,” Zuko breathed.

Chapter Text

2

ZUKO

Zuko’s breath left his body and his heart stopped beating as he gazed into the deep blue depths of his fated one’s eyes. They were even more beautiful than he remembered. After days upon days of sleepless nights watching over his fated one's immobile body, praying to the gods that he would wake up, even if it was to reassure Zuko himself that he was okay.

The loud noise that had roused him from his slumber sounded again, and he knew that if he didn’t go to the captain to check on things, the captain would come to him, and he couldn’t handle another person being privy to the sight of his fated one. He had already nearly killed one too many physicians for anyone's liking, but the thought of leaving that room, Zuko shuttered at the thought. It had been nearly two weeks since they had discovered the Avatar’s whereabouts, nearly two weeks of sleepless nights watching over his fated one, trying to take away the pain he suffered and failing.

The captain would have to wait, in too short of time, they could be on the coast of the Fire Nation’s waters and he would no longer have this time alone with his fated one.

Zuko slowly stood from the chair he had fallen asleep in, and approached the bed. “How are you feeling? Are you in pain?” he asked, sitting on the bed next to Sokka, barely resisting the urge to run his fingers through his thick hair as he had done so many times before.

That deep, raspy voice reached Zuko’s ears, saying, “I’m okay, I think. Stiff and probably in need of a bath.” He resisted the urge to help as he watched his fated one slowly roll and pull himself into a sitting position, the thin sheet falling to Sokka’s lap as he finally leaned back against the headboard. His fated one was a fine specimen, all hard, toned muscle.

Zuko’s quickly rising arousal deflated though when he noticed just how much weight fated one had lost, he had been able to feed him small portions of broth while Sokka had been in and out of consciousness, but only enough to fend off starvation. “You must be starving, let me ring for some food before you do anything else. A bath can wait.” Zuko reached past Sokka’s head, fully entering his personal space, to pull on the cord attached to the wall that would signal the servants that they were in need of sustenance.

The sound of a breath hitching sounded just below his chin, the warm breath brushing against his chest. Zuko held his own breath as he glanced down, seeing just how close he was to his fated one, his own body nearly on top of Sokka’s. If he were to let his body drop, there lips would touch, and those lips, fuck they had haunted his dreams. Full and lush, the bottom lip sticking out more than the top, just begging for Zuko to sink his teeth into it.

He pulled away at the sound of Sokka clearing his throat, not wanting to take more than what was given. They barely knew each other, he knew this, but the impure thoughts rushing through his head were winning nearly every argument he had with himself.

He sat back more fully, putting more space between them while also staying on the bed, still needing the closeness, but also knowing that without the space between there two bodies, those impure thoughts would become a reality faster than Zuko thought his fated one was ready for.

“I should get cleaned up before the food arrives, as much as I am hungry, being clean sounds just as good.” Zuko heard Sokka say, nodding his head in understanding.

Zuko still couldn’t help but lick his lips at the sight of his fated one, even as he watched him struggle to stand from the bed with the sheet firmly tucked around his waist, the man had the body of a god. All lean, tanned skin, and tribal ink that twisted and turned with Sokka’s movements. The idea of following those lines, those markings, past the sheet made Zuko’s mouth go dry.

His appreciation for his fated one’s body was interrupted by a small cough; he ripped his eyes away only to find heat filled blue ones waiting for him. He could see that Sokka wanted him just as much as he did, the fire in his eyes not the only indicator, but the very prominent bulge growing beneath the thin sheet gripped in Sokka’s hands. Just as Zuko thought maybe one of them would finally jump the other, that deep rasping voice only broke to haze to state, “Is there a bathing chamber close by I could use to wash, I feel as if it's been weeks.” Zuko slowly pointed in the direction of the chamber attached to his quarters, it may have felt like weeks to his fated one, but Zuko had personally helped to bathe Sokka during his healing period with the help of the captain's aging wife. The woman was nearly sixty and happily married to her fated one of nearly thirty-five-years, but Zuko had still nearly bit her head off, unable to keep his possessive side quiet. And he was possessive.

Every person in his family, male and female alike, had received the possessiveness of a dragon protecting its hoard of gold, especially when it came to their fated ones. He had never felt this way about anyone else, never having any interest in any of the women or men flaunted in front of him during their stops at various islands and kingdoms. Truth be told, Sokka was the first to stir any arousal into Zuko’s body, sure, like every male, he had brought himself to release, but those restless nights had been nothing compared to what he was currently feeling for the male just a few feet away in the steam filled bathing chamber.

Zuko let out a tortured groan thinking of his fated one's naked body only a few steps away. All that toned, muscular flesh with water beading down it from the spray of the shower. He threw his body back on the bed, instantly regretting it as the scent from the sheets filled his nose. “Oh, fuck me,” he whispered, unable to stop his hand as it pulled his robe out of the way only to slip into his pants, brushing his aching length. He could die like this, surrounded in his fated one's scent, but he knew this was barely a taste, that the real thing would be so much better.

He gave his cock one long stroke while burying his face into his fated one's pillow, needing more. It was pathetic, but the idea of stopping was not an option. He quickened his pace, tightening his grip to the point of moaning, loud, unable to control the sounds leaving his lips.

“Fuck, if this isn’t a pretty sight.”

Zuko stopped at the sound of Sokka’s voice, slowly opening his eyes to find his fated one standing in the doorway of the bathing chamber with a towel around his waist, hair damp with water still dripping from it and onto his chest. He bit his lip, groaning again, as he began to slowly stroke his painfully hard length, he was close, the sight of his fated one bringing him even closer to the edge. Zuko’s breathing became heavy as he watched Sokka walk toward the bed, toward him, his eyes glued to the movements happening beneath Zuko’s waist band.

“Gods, I can smell your arousal, your need. Do you want me, baby? I could come at the sight of you alone, but I need to see you fully. I want to see what belongs to me. Can I do that, baby? Can I touch you?” Zuko couldn’t form the words for a response, only able to let out a needy moan at the thought of finally being touched, finally experiencing something he had only ever imagined. “Is that a yes,” Sokka said, a slight chuckle to his words, words that sent Zuko nearly flying up the wall.

“Yes,” he could barely whisper the words as his own thumb rubbed the crown of his dick, using his own pre-cum to help the glide of his hand. His hips coming off the bed as he chased his release, so close to it he could taste it. It was all torn away from him just as he was about to jump over the ledge, a firm hand ripping his own from the waistband of his pants.

“You don’t get to cum, not without me, I want to see you naked, want to have you under me when you cum.” Zuko panted hard, nearly coming off the bed as his pants were suddenly ripped from his body, getting the memo that Sokka wanted him naked at any means necessary. He quickly struggled out of his robe, not wanting for it to go through the same treatment as his pants, finally noticing that Sokka kneeled before him, hands still gripping the shredded pants, eyes focused on Zuko's thick length, pre-cum pouring out of its purple, engorged head. The cool air doing nothing to calm the arousal raging through his body.

Zuko lunged forward, his hands going into the thick curls of Sokka’s hair, their lips slamming together, both their needs becoming uncontrollable. He couldn’t control himself, pulling hard on Sokka’s hair, bringing a loud groan from the other man's throat. A groan Zuko gladly devoured, only pulling his mouth away long enough to trail his lips down Sokka’s jaw, sinking his teeth into the thick cord of muscle on the side of his neck. “Fuck,” Sokka hissed out. Zuko licked the teeth marks he left behind, his heart warming at the sight of his claim, one of his hands leaving Sokka hair, trailing down the toned body beneath his fingertips, snagging the towel away, wanting nothing left between their two bodies.

Hands trailed his body, gripping a pulling until not even air could passed between them, hot skin clashing together, hips bumping together. Zuko tore his mouth away from Sokka’s chasing lips, spinning their bodies until Sokka lay beneath him, wanting to feel every inch of it while also needing to look and drink in the sight of his fated one, and that sight would be burned into the forefront of Zuko’s mind until his last breath.

He had been right about the tattoo’s; the dark ink traveled the length of Sokka’s muscular thighs, curling up and around his hips, a true work of art. A dark trail of hair leading past his navel, drawing Zuko’s attention away from the hard, toned body, to the leaking length waiting for him between those thick thighs. Zuko’s licked his lips at the sight, watching as a bead of pre-cum bubbled at the top of the dark mushroom head, needing to know its taste. He glanced up to find Sokka’s eyes burning into him, he felt the corners of his mouth tilt up, never having felt so wanted, so needed.

Slowly, Zuko ran his index finger up the aching length before him, catching the bead of liquid with his finger. He pressed that same finger to his mouth, groaning at the salty taste that burst over his taste buds, needing more. “Oh, fucking hell.” Zuko looked up again at the words, seeing the tortured look that rested on Sokka’s face only for a second before diving down again for another taste, swallowing the length until it hit the back of his throat, triggering his gag reflex. Using one hand to stroke the base of the cock while the other pressed down Sokka’s arching torso. “Oh, gods, fuck. Hollow those check’s baby. Get my cock nice and wet with your mouth. Don’t stop.”

He pulled back, hollowing his checks as he went until the head was at his lips again before diving back down, sucking and licking, swallowing every dribble of pre-cum like a starving man. A warm hand found its way to the back of his head, guiding him down fast, pushing Sokka’s cock farther and farther with every slight thrust of hips, taking control of Zuko’s movements only to make him moan, his own hand drifting to his own length, needing some form of relief. It wasn’t long before he was on the edge of orgasm again, Sokka too, his movements becoming jerky, but it was taken away once more, his mouth pulled away from Sokka’s cock by the tight grip in his hair, his hand torn away from his own length, a whimper escaping his lips. “Not yet, baby, I want to watch as you fall apart for me,” came Sokka’s lust filled words.

Lips crashed against his, teeth biting his lips and swallowing all the uncontrollable sounds leaving his lips. Sokka’s hot breath finding his ear, whispering “I love the taste of me on your lips.” Zuko was too distracted by the kissing to notice that he was already under Sokka, not noticing when Sokka had flipped both their bodies, both there leaking lengths pressed between their bodies. He couldn’t help but arch his body more firmly into Sokka’s, needing the friction, needing something. He tore his mouth from Sokka’s, groaning “More, fuck, I need more. Please Sokka.”

“Say it again.”

“Please”

“Say my name, baby, I want to fucking hear you scream it. I want them all to know who you belong to.”

“Please, Sokka.”

“Fuck yes.” The words were groaned above him before he felt a hand wrapping around his cock, he glanced down to see Sokka pushing both of their glistening lengths together, circling his long fingers around both heads before pushing down, the sensation nearly sending Zuko flying off the bed. His hips thrusting up into the strokes, his toes curling at the sensation. “Give me your eyes, baby, I need to see your eyes as you come for me,” came Sokka’s ragged, gasping voice. Their eyes meeting as a silent cry left Zuko’s lips, his release hitting him like a brick wall, thick ropes of cum spraying his stomach, Sokka’s movements becoming jerky again before a loud groan filled the air and more cum landed on Zuko, truly marking him. He loved every moment of it.

Sokka’s heavy, shaking body draping across his, the sticky mess of both their releases pressing between them. It was the best moment of his life, and if he had to die in that moment, he wouldn’t have cared one bit. He brought his arms up and around the man above him, never wanting to let go.

Chapter Text

3

Sokka

“I’m crushing you.”

“Don’t you dare move.”

“Zuko, at least let me get a towel or something before it dries.”

Sokka felt a grin stretch across his face as he felt Zuko’s arms tighten around his waist and a nose nuzzle below his ear, “You smell like me now,” goose bumps broke out across his skin as he felt teeth graze his ear lobe, “I could eat you right up.”

He couldn’t suppress the chuckle that left his body as he stated, “Then I’ll have to shoot my load down your throat next time to help satisfy that need.” He felt the shiver that ran through Zuko’s body at his words, a breathy whimper sounding in his ear, “Would you like that, me thrusting down your throat, choking you on my cock, filling you with my cum. Feeding it to you. Or would you rather I fill you a different way, fuck your ass until you can’t see straight. Fill you so full of my seed that it will be leaking out of you for weeks. How does that sound, baby? You want me to breed you? Make it so everyone knows your mine.”

“Fuck, Flame. I need you.” Zuko strained. Sharp teeth sinking in to the meat of Sokka’s neck. “I ache for you already.” Hips pressing up into Sokka’s, a hard length rubbing against his stomach, his own erection already beginning to rise. The frenzy of finding his fated already beginning to affect him.

“Only if you can be a good boy and let me clean you up first. We have all night and I’m not quite ready to start making a mess of the sheets.”

“But-“

“Don’t make me spank you, Zuko. I plan on using that ass later and I’m don’t want to damage it just yet.”

Another whimper left Zuko, hips arching up into Sokka’s seeking friction.

It was all interrupted when a knock sounded at the door, “Fuck, that’s the food,” Zuko whispered. “Maybe if were quiet enough they’ll go away and come back later,” and then, “Who am I kidding, they’re going to stand out there until we tell them to come in.”

“Then we should probably cover up.”

“Probably.”

“Zuko, you’re going to have to let me go first.”

Sokka had to hold back from laughing at the scrunched up look on Zuko’s face, a battle clearly happening in his head as his arms and legs tightened around Sokka’s body. “Maybe they’ll go away.”

“But you just said-“

“Nephew? Is everything alright in there? I wished to check-in on you but the servant said you have yet to answer.”

Sokka was then franticly pushed off Zuko’s body, a panicked looked taking over his Fated’s face, “Um just a moment Uncle,” and then to Sokka in a hushed yell, “Why aren’t you getting dressed.”

“Because not two minutes ago you were willing to wait for them to go away.”

“My Uncle cannot see us like this,” Zuko said while shoving one leg into his pants and nearly losing his balance, still knocking over the chair behind him. “Shit.”

“My Prince?”

“Just a second,” and again in a hushed yell, “Why are you still not moving!”

A smile lite up Sokka’s face at the sight of his Fated, “Your cute when you’re all flustered.” Zuko’s face was almost as red at the drapes hanging on the walls, his hair almost as much evidence at the cum on his stomach of what had just happened. “They’re going to be able to figure out what we’ve been doing even if were dressed. Your still covered in my cum,” his eyes flicked down his Fated’s body, thinking of what he had planned from them later. His arousal flaring at the thought of entering Zuko’s body and truly claiming him. Just as he was going to make a comment about sending the food and the Uncle away when a soft cloth hit his face.

“Stop it, now is not the time for that. I can practically feel your thoughts from here. Put that on. Now.”

“I like it went you get bossy too.”

“Sokka, please.”

Taking in a deep breath while pushing away his arousal, he slowly moved to stand, his back still straining were the burn resided. He had barley felt it when Zuko and him had been intimate, but now that is mind was clear, the events that had transpired came to the forefront of his mind.

The clothing in his hand was the robe that Zuko had been wearing earlier, the cloth softer than anything they had ever had in the Southern Water Tribe. “I don’t think this is going to fit me.”

Zuko sighed, coming forward with his chest bare and his hair smoothed out. While Sokka had been lost in his thought’s, Zuko had taken the time to clean himself up and was now coming at Sokka with a wet cloth in hand. “Probably not, but we couldn’t stop to get you new clothing until we reached the Fire Nation and we are still a few days away.” Sokka leaned into his Fated’s touch as he brushed a hand through his hair, “We will get everything you need soon. Here, let me help you with that.” The cloth wiped off the evidence of there recent activities and Zuko helped him to slip the robe on, covering up as much of his bare skin as possible. “Let’s get you tucked back in under the covers, knowing my Uncle, we are in for a long visit.”

Zuko wouldn’t answer the door until he was sure Sokka had every pillow in the room propped up behind him, and still wasn’t happy when he could only find one extra blanket to cover him up with. “I don’t think I’m going to freeze to death on a Fire Nation ship,” Sokka said jokingly but immediately felt bad at the sad, embarrassed look on Zuko’s face. “Hey, really, I’m okay. Go get the door. Please.”

And with a sigh, Zuko slowly walked to the door, opening it to a confused older woman, and a fat smiling man with a knowing look on his face.

Chapter Text

4

Zuko

Zuko was staring, and it was probably creepy, but he knew that. He couldn’t help himself when his Flame looked so peaceful in sleep. His Uncle had in fact stayed for a long visit, long enough that Sokka had fallen asleep somewhere around his Uncle’s “History of Tea” talk or the story of how Zuko had gotten his head stuck in a helmet as a child. Even Zuko himself had nearly fallen asleep to the warm room and the scent of jasmine tea.

But now, with his Uncle long gone, he couldn’t help but gaze down at Sokka’s peaceful face, having to hold himself back from brushing his fingers through the curly locks that had fallen across Sokka’s face in sleep.

With a soft sigh, Zuko settled in beside his Fated, still not believing that after all those years of torment, he had finally found the one thing he had never even thought of dreaming of. Someone who would maybe grow to love him without any strings attached. Someone that was just for him and no one else. Because even though it had only been a short while since that day in the snow, Zuko knew in his heart that he was already falling for the man that lay next to him.

* * *

Zuko groaned as his body came alive, the sleep falling away from his mind only to be filled with pleasure. His length was surrounded by a wet heat, a suction that nearly had him lifting off the bed. He whimpered as the heat left him only for it to be replaced by a hand. “I see someone’s finally decided to join us,” came a chucked voice.

“Sokka?” Zuko said while lifting his head only to see a body between his legs, under the sheet. “What are you-” he couldn’t finish the sentence. He was to shocked at the feeling of fingers brushing against his hole.

A smiling, flushed face peaked out from beneath the covers, curly hair a mess and pupils blown wide. “Waking you up, I fell asleep before I was able to fulfill my promise last night, I wont let that go to waste this morning. Especially if your Uncle has plans of delivering breakfast.”

Zuko couldn’t processes anything other than the fact that he wanted those lips on him again. Before Sokka could say another word, Zuko had their bodies flipped so that he was sitting astride Sokka, his balls resting against the soft hair smattered across the chest below him, his length aching and leaking all over Sokka, “Look at the mess you’ve made of me, I’m getting you all dirty. Maybe you should clean me up.” Zuko watched as Sokka’s eyes blew wide before hands were on his hips, dragging his toward the awaiting mouth.

Sokka’s eye’s closed, a groan leaving his body as Zuko slowly fed his cock head between his Fated’s plush lips. Zuko had to fight to keep watching as pleasure shot down his spine, taking him to the ledge faster than he had ever thought was possible. His hips moving one their own, pushing for more. He felt the moment he hit the back of Sokka’s throat, the gag squeezing around the tip of his cock drawing a loud gasp from him.

He looked down at Sokka as he lost control, those bright blue eyes with tears streaming from them. “Fuck, I’m close. Sokka, please.” It was almost enough; he was so close. Before he even knew want, he was doing, his hand was in Sokka’s hair, fulling back as he thrust down into the open throat. Sokka’s groan vibrating through his dick was all it took, he was crying out while pushing in deeper, wanting to make sure no drop of his cum spilled out of the mouth below him. Sokka’s swallowing and whimpers drawing out Zuko’s orgasm until there was nothing left.

When he finally pulled away, he couldn’t help but swoop down, claiming those same lips, needing to taste himself on them. Growling as he licked in to the warm heat, drowning in the taste of them combined.

Sokka was the one who pulled away first, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. Still needing more, Zuko kissed down Sokka’s neck, nipping at his Adam apple before marking the side of his neck with kisses and bits, hoping to leave marks showing everyone who this man belonged to.

“Fucking hell, Zuko.” Sokka gasped, “That was-. I don’t even have words.”

Zuko couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face even if he wanted to. “I might have lost control little bit there,” he whispered.

A chuckle vibrated through the chest below him, “If that was you losing control a little bit, then I can’t wait until I make you lose it all.”

Zuko pulled back then, a sheepish smile gracing his face, “You didn’t even cum though.”

“That’s okay, I’ll let you take care of that later.”

Zuko cocked his head to the side, “Why would I take care of it later when I could take care if it now,” he slowly shifted his body down until he sat astride Sokka’s lap, grinding his ass against the hard length beneath him. “When I could feel you inside of me.” The cock beneath him jumped at his proposition, grazing against his tant and crack. “When I could feel you marking me as yours.”

“Holy shit,” Sokka breathed, “You have no idea how much I want that.”

Zuko let out a soft laugh, leaning forward so his ass arched back, his semi-hard erection dragging along Sokka’s own hard cock, “I think I could guess.”

Chapter Text

5

Sokka

Sokka threw his head back as the minx above him bit his nipple before sucking on it hard, his cock straining for more, pre-cum leaking down his balls and onto the bed below them. He pushed down on those slender hips as his own arched up, causing a friction that had his eyes rolling into the back of his skull.

Before he could get ahead of himself, he pushed Zuko off of himself. A sad wine left Zuko’s lips before it turned into a groan of pleasure as Sokka pushed his Fated’s face in to the mattress and pulled those slender hips into the air, baring Zuko’s puckered hole. “Goddamn, you’re a fucking masterpiece.” He whispered before sinking his teeth in to one butt cheek and then the other, soothing the mark with his tongue. A surprised noise leaving the man beneath him only to turn into a groan of pleasure as Sokka kissed that beautiful hole, licking it from tant to crease. Savoring the heady aroma coming off of Zuko, all spice and heat. “Have you ever done this before, Zuko. Have you ever had another here.” He needed to know, not only so he could prep his Fated the way he needed but also because he was a jealous motherfucker.

“No. You’re the first Sokka, you’re my first everything.”

“Goddamn. You don’t know how hot that is.” He leaned forward nipping again at in the cheeks presented before him. “You’re not my first, I wish you were but you’re going to be my forever.”

Whatever Zuko had been planning on saying turned in to a high-pitched groan as Sokka licked into the warm heat before him. This tight muscles of Zuko’s hole clenching around Sokka’s tongue as his pushed in as far as he could go. Needing to taste as much as he could, struggling to hold the hips he griped still as Zuko pushed back into him, incoherent noise leaving his lips.

Sokka pulled back with a gasp, sucking down breaths of air, watching as the hole before him winked back. “Oh gods, Sokka don’t stop, fuck you feel so good. More, I need more. Please, please, please.” Sokka didn’t make him wait long, shoving two fingers into that wet, stretched out hole. Feeling as Zuko clenched down, trying to pull his fingers deeper.

“That’s it, fuck yourself on my hand, show me how much you need me.” Sokka must have triggered something in Zuko, because next thing Sokka new, Zuko pushed up onto one arm to try and push down onto Sokka’s awaiting hand. His other hand coming around to try and hold Sokka’s in place.

“Please,” Zuko whimpered.

Sokka had mercy on him, pulling his fingers from the tight, wet heat only it inserts another, stuffing Zuko full with three, long thick fingers. Curling them slightly to brush against Zuko’s prostate. The body below him jerked forward, a sharp cry leaving his Fated’s lips as he came untouched. His body trying to suck more of Sokka’s hand into his body.

Before the tremors fully left Zuko’s body, Sokka had him flipped onto his back. Lips going to bite down on Zuko’s ear before whispers, “Where’s the lube, my Love.”

No words left Zuko’s lips, only a hand pointed to the drawer next to the bed. Sokka ripped it open, grabbing what he needed before slicking up his cock, it’s mushroom tip nearly purple with need. He pushed more of that lube into Zuko’s tight hole with his fingers, drawing an aroused gasp from the man beneath him, thrusting slowly to ensure every inch of his hole was slick. “I’m a bit bigger than my fingers, let me known if you need me to stop, if it’s too much.”

Copper eyes flashed up at him, “Don’t you dare stop.”

Sokka could only smirk at the response before draping Zuko’s legs over his shoulders, pulling on those slender hips until the tip of his cock pressed against the glistening hole before him. “Bare down as I push in, it will help.” At Zuko’s sharp nod, he slowly began to press forward, biting his own lip to prevent himself from crying out in pleasure. He stopped when his tip was encased in the heavenly heat, nearly blowing his load at the sight.

He only began to slowly push in again when Zuko started moving, trying to push himself down onto Sokka’s length. It felt like an eternity but finally Sokka’s hips pressed flush with Zuko’s ass. The hot channel pressing down around him, causing him to grit his teeth, groaning out, “If you don’t stop that, I’m going to be done before either of us is ready.”

“Then move, I’m ready. Please Sokka, I need more.”

Sokka began thrusting in short, shallow thrusts, still wanting to give Zuko time to adjust but it was almost too much. He almost couldn’t hold back from pounding into the lush heat, but that all went out the window when he hit Zuko’s prostate, causing that tight channel to squeeze around him like a vise grip.

He pulled back fully only to thrust in hard, his balls slapping against Zuko’s ass, a silent scream leaving the man below him as hit that same spot as before. “Too much,” he asked?

“Harder please,” was all he got before he let go, nearly folding Zuko’s body in half as his hips rammed forward and he gripped Zuko’s loose hair, pulling his head back so that he could devour the sounds leaving his Fated’s lips.

He felt the hard, leaking tip of Zuko’s cock rub against his abs before he took one of the hands clawing into his back to grip around it, only drawing his mouth away from Zuko’s to groan, “Stroke yourself, make yourself come. Fuck, Zuko I’m so close.”

“More,” was the cried-out response he got before he felt the movement of Zuko’s hand, pleasuring himself. Sokka gave in, sliding his arms under Zuko’s body to grip the toned shoulders, pushing them down as he thrust up. Faster and faster, he went chasing his release. Pleasure filled noises leaving both of them until Sokka heard the hitch in Zuko’s gasp, warm heat hitting his abdomen as the tight channel he plundered squeezed around him.

He lost his rhythm, thrusting only twice more before filling Zuko with his cum. Dragging his release out, giving slow, short thrusts until his balls were empty.

When they finally came to a stop, his chest heaving for air, he slowly unhooked Zuko’s ankles from around his neck, before collapsing down onto the man below him, ensuring that his cock stayed locking in the still twitching channel, locking his cum inside. “Fucking hell, Zuko, my love, that was…”

“I know, my Flame,” Zuko whispered in his ear, “That was everything.”