Chapter Text
~~
Zuko had spent far too much of his summer dealing with an ever increasing worry about a new roommate.
Suki had warned him early enough at least, and had even gone out of her way to set him up with someone to sublet her room while she was gone for the year studying abroad, but it did nothing to quell the constant concern.
Dragons are not known for their ability to adjust easily.
But the fall semester appears along with a knock at the door, and he manages to shove his instincts to simply tell the person to ‘go away’ to the side long enough to answer.
And is instantly greeted by the most impossibly pretty man he has ever seen.
Zuko blinks, taking in the lanky figure of warm brown skin, and a flushed rise to sharp cheekbones as his new housemate raises a hand in greeting. “Hi! Um, Zuko, right?” He reaches between the threshold, inky eyes watching as if to gauge his reaction.
Zuko nods, meeting his handshake and trying to keep his face and tone even. “And you are Sokka.” It is not a question, since he had drilled Suki over and over about exactly who it was she had rented her space to.
The selkie blinks, a little quirk to his lips in the smallest of smiles as he lets go. “That’s me. Can you show me the room? Then I can get out of your hair. It will be a few trips at least from the truck.”
It is an easy out, a give of much needed space.
And Zuko can’t help but wonder if the obvious arms-length distance Sokka keeps between them as he leads him to the unoccupied room is simply general politeness or the visual appearance of a previous lecture.
He throws a bit of gratitude Suki’s way regardless.
~~
He does not venture out much in the following week, both out of a mild bout of agoraphobia and from how slow he is to adjust to the newness slowly unfolding into his home.
Zuko avoids his new housemate during the day, which is not difficult as Sokka is normally gone for class while he himself studies almost exclusively online.
And as much as he wants to grump and gripe about him, he has been nothing but extraordinarily polite, taking up only as much space as is offered.
Sokka’s things fill the void where Suki’s belongings had been, no more, no less, and it is easier every day to see the presence of him slowly integrate into Zuko’s home.
A set of keys hung on the little hooks by the door, a worn leather jacket that gets slung over a kitchen chair, strange and intricate seafood dishes that appear in the fridge in neat little containers that never encroach towards Zuko’s side.
So it is easy for his instincts to slowly calm and recede, allowing him to leave his nest one night after he hears the tell-tale click of a burner being lit in the kitchen.
Sokka immediately glances up at his approach, shock being covered quickly with a small smile and a nod. “Hey.”
“Hello.” Zuko darts a look at a small bag of groceries on the counter, curiosity already piqued at the smell of butter simmering. “Can I watch?”
His bluntness doesn’t appear to hit as hard as it usually does to strangers, as Sokka just shrugs a shoulder with a raised brow. “If you like? It is nothing too exciting.”
Zuko could argue that any true cooking is exciting to him, considering his ongoing war with the microwave, but he just nods and pulls up a barstool at the counter to watch. “You are in culinary school. Second year.”
Sokka huffs a laugh, turning back towards his groceries and pulling free a few items to toss in a colander and rinse in the sink. “Good to know Suki gave you the driest wikipedia page on me. Yes, I am.” He reaches for a charcoal grey apron hanging from a hook beside the pantry, one that Zuko has slowly grown accustomed to seeing in the past week. “Are you hungry?”
The inky pools of his eyes glance back towards Zuko, fingers deftly tying the strings of his apron as he speaks.
Zuko’s brows raise, head cocking as he looks at the assortment of salmon and vegetables being prepared, and pointedly ignores the way his mouth waters at the prospect of something other than instant ramen. “I… could be.”
The laugh that fills the space has no malice or mocking attached, only genuine amusement and warmth as Sokka grins before turning back towards the stove. “Well, good news, I could have an extra plate available.”
It is wonderfully quiet after that, with nothing but the sizzle of fish in the pan and the scent of lemon and dill and roasting vegetables. Sokka intersperses with the odd question on Zuko’s preferences (of which there are none), and Zuko watches with interest as the entire thing comes together as if by magic.
Being handed a plate feels almost gift-giving by the time it happens, and Zuko has to stop himself from shredding into the fish with his bare hands the way he badly wants to. And he waits for his body to tense the moment Sokka pulls up the seat next to him, but it never happens.
Instead it is just… nice.
It is sitting in comfortable quiet, and putting a fork into the most tender salmon he has ever seen in his life, and trying not to moan like a whore the second he takes a bite. He does make some sort of noise on the side of pleasure as he immediately grabs a bigger chunk, stuffing it in his mouth as if he has never seen food in his life.
Social etiquette suddenly reminds him of its presence after a moment, and he does turn to see Sokka taking an equally large bite with a happy sigh. “This is very good.”
The selkie hums agreement, speaking around his mouthful with little care as he jabs a thumb into his own chest. “Culinary school. Second year.” He grins at the slight glare Zuko throws him, stabbing his fork into a piece of asparagus and taking a bite off one end. “Gotta be good for something, right?”
It is such a strange thing, to be so instantly at ease with someone, but Zuko cannot be bothered to inspect the difference too closely. Especially with a full belly, and he spares half a thought to wonder about Sokka’s knowledge on dragons regarding that, but it is unlikely to have been a motivator considering he invited himself into the space. “Thank you.”
Sokka leans back with a happy sigh, patting his own belly lightly as he throws a sideways glance Zuko’s way. “Anytime. I’m in the midst of trying out dishes for class so there is always something on the go.”
Zuko shakes his head. “Not- I mean yes, thank you for this, but-” He tucks his knife and fork neatly back onto his plate, eyeing the completely bare glassware with no recollection of when the entire meal disappeared. “-You have been… careful. And I do appreciate the effort.”
There is a slight pause, before the easy look to Sokka’s face drops into something more tense, brow furrowing in confusion as he sits up a little bit. “I mean… I know you are a dragon, it isn’t something all that surprising even without Suki drilling the rules into my head. Don’t touch your things, don’t go into your room. It isn’t that difficult.”
Zuko blinks, looking down at his hands with a sudden bout of tightness to his chest. “You would think so.” His earlier bravery begins to dwindle, and he doesn’t hesitate to push back from the counter and swiftly place his dishes in the washer. “I have not had great luck on that front in the past.”
He nods to Sokka as he passes, ignoring the frown and sudden stiffness to his frame as he follows the siren call back to the comfort of his room.
Still, he does pause at his door when quiet words follow along behind him. “Thank you, too.”
Zuko doesn’t know what he could possibly be being thanked for, but turns to look back at where Sokka is still watching him from the kitchen, now standing with his arms crossed. “I needed somewhere… safe. So thank you for giving me a chance.”
The selkie shifts slightly, discomfort apparent enough even to Zuko’s eyes, and he ignores the sudden curiosity in an effort to not to rock the sudden tension.
Instead he just nods, fingers tapping lightly against his door frame briefly before he slips through the threshold.
And pointedly ignores the small smile that breaks his own face when words follow him into the dark.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
~~
It becomes not quite a ritual after that.
Sokka cooks something requiring ingredients only known to deep-sea creatures, while Zuko is coaxed from his bedroom with tantalizing scents of spices and oil.
It is not every night, but becomes often enough that his chest doesn’t tighten up in warning every time he reaches for his door to leave his den, and his small fledgling trust has not been displaced so far.
He is not certain when it started to become more.
When one meal turns into most meals, turns into watching terrible late night television together with a bucket of popcorn between them.
When dinners become the precursor to a sprawl of homework and drafts along the kitchen table, turning into tea and coffee, and Zuko’s fairly terrible attempt at cookies one night.
Sokka’s bright and cheery laugh as he watches Zuko stare uncomprehendingly at the now empty canister of pre-made cookie dough that he had unceremoniously launched into the living room when the seal had popped in his hands.
But whatever it is that grows between them, is a soft and easy thing, and Zuko starts to covet it as much as any of his other treasures.
So of course it is with a resounding crash, that it all comes tumbling down.
~~
The knock to his door is so frantic and jarring Zuko nearly throws his neck out with how fast he jolts awake.
It is still dark and a quick glance to his clock lets him know it is barely past two in the morning, as he throws a pair of pants on and blearily goes to answer.
Sokka’s face appears in the dim light of the hall, hands clasped around a duffle bag being held tight to his chest as he breathes in short little pants. “Hi, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t- I didn’t mean to bother you but-” He swallows, and it is then that Zuko notices the burn of scrubbed off tear tracks down his cheeks, before his jaw clenches as he holds out the bag. “Would you mind- just, I mean- could you keep this safe for me?”
Zuko is instantly a hundred times more awake than he had felt a moment ago, eyes widening curiously as he reaches out for the bag as his instincts stir excitedly beneath the surface at the prospect of a treasure. “What is it?” He keeps his voice quiet, concern lighting instantly when Sokka’s hands clench on the bag as he hesitates before relinquishing it to him.
It does not feel overly heavy in his hands as Zuko takes the duffle, more soft and malleable than he had imagined was hiding within.
And then he promptly nearly drops it in shock when Sokka clears his throat and says. “My pelt.”
“Your-” It is an odd sense of panic that fills him, with something so pricelessly precious in his hands, and he stares at the bag uncomprehendingly for a long moment as if it is about to suddenly combust. “Sokka I can’t just-”
“-You are a dragon.” His roommate's voice is strained, desperate in a way that he has never heard before, and the terror is easy to spot even if Zuko can’t parse the source. “I know it would be protected, with you.” The faraway look is terrible, so is the slight shake to his hands that Zuko can see at his sides as his fists clench.
“Okay.” It is as soft as he can manage, mind already whirring with the best place for it, before-
“You can come in.”
From anyone else, that statement would be entirely unremarkable.
From a dragon, an invite into a den is something else entirely.
Zuko is shocked to find there isn’t a single second of regret the moment he says the words, and judging by Sokka’s sudden wide-eyed look, he understands the significance. Still, it is relieving to see the sudden break from the panic, as he stands aside and turns to walk back into his room, hearing the quiet footfalls behind him as Sokka follows.
The apartment is not overly spacious, but Zuko has done his best with what he has. His nest is piled high with blankets and pillows, stuffed with little treasures and trinkets along the edge for easy access when he needs some comfort.
But his main hoard is kept safe from all things, tight and secure in a large ornate chest that has been kept spell-bound to him since he was a child. The shimmering obsidian dances with their shadows, and Zuko reaches to place a palm on the top, feeling the mechanisms whir beneath his touch and pull away before the lock releases.
The glow from within is bright, and he can hear the audible gasp behind him as Sokka takes in the spectacle.
Zuko turns to see him, glad to see a bit of colour return to his cheeks as he gestures to the bag. “Is it alright if I take it out of this?”
Sokka’s face goes through a journey in a split second, one that ends far too worried for Zuko’s liking. “Yes, just… be careful. Please.”
“Of course.” Zuko is slow, taking care to kneel on the floor and unzip the duffle, hesitating for only a moment before reaching inside. The instant softness against his fingertips is unbelievable, and it is terribly difficult to force down the urge to purr as his hands sink into plush velvety fur.
But he can practically feel Sokka’s rigidity beside him, and now is not the time or place to be giddy over something like this.
It is beautiful as well, spots and roaning coming into view as Zuko pulls it free, holding the length of it in front of the chest and hesitating. “Are you sure?”
But Sokka’s voice is tight, and still has that urgency behind the words as he whispers. “Please.”
Zuko places it inside, taking care not to fold or crease it as it disappears beyond the runes of protection and out of sight, and the sigh of relief beside him is so bone deep he can almost feel it himself.
Sokka drops to his knees on the floor beside the chest, eyes closed as he breathes huge lungfuls of air. “Thank you. I just- it was a bad night. I’m sorry for waking you.”
Zuko frowns, watching his own hand for a moment before taking a chance and reaching out to hold Sokka’s shoulder lightly. “Don’t be.” He is warm beneath his touch, and there is a dampness of sweat beneath the cotton of his shirt as well. It is a strangely calm thing, to reach beneath his own collar and snap the small cord around his neck. “Here.”
Sokka opens his eyes at that, turning to meet his gaze and then staring openly at the offered key in Zuko’s palm. “You don’t have to- Zuko that is your hoard.”
Zuko raises a brow. “I am aware. It is also your pelt. You need to have access to it.” He reaches for Sokka’s hand, shoving the shiny metal into his palm before he can protest further. “This can only be opened by me, or whoever has that key. It is impenetrable otherwise.”
Sokka’s mouth works, exhaustion and heartache clear as he looks at the key in his palm and sniffs quietly. “It’s safe?”
Zuko nods, not bothering to point out the obvious, knowing damn well how minds like to pull at every insecurity no matter how well you try and throw logic against them. “It’s safe.”
The sudden slump catches him off guard, as Sokka lists sideways a bit to lean into Zuko’s side, hooking his chin over Zuko’s shoulder as his weight presses all along him. “Thank you.”
It is hoarse, and breaking, and Zuko’s chest tightens horribly against the sound of it as he carefully places an arm around Sokka’s shoulders. He reaches out with his other hand to quietly close the chest, listening to the intricate locks immediately latch back into place as it shuts, and the glow of the room is instantly cut.
And it is incredibly easy, to pull Sokka a little tighter, and let the quiet rumble of a purr finally sound against him as his instincts refuse to be ignored any longer.
But Sokka doesn’t comment, only shifting to get comfortable and breathing in measured amounts against him as he slowly begins to calm.
Zuko tries not to think too hard, on how quickly this man is turning into a treasure of a different sort.
~~