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You're in the field of hurt.
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"I don't understand." Sokka complained aloud to his sister as he shoved what he could into the leather and fur made bag that was filling up obscenely. It was but a day or so ago when he was told that he was chosen, and only a few hours ago was he told what he was actually chosen for. Well, no- he wasn't told at all. He had found out on his own when Hakoda had asked him a favor, to fetch him something from his tent.
In the midst of looking around, he saw the scroll of familiar yet unwanted colors underneath fabrics and other scrolls like it was purposely hidden from him. He was caught right as he finished the letter, and only then was he told that what he was chosen for was to be the next omegan bride of the fire nation royals.
A bride. Sokka was going to be a bride.
Sokka felt so many things at once altogether after being told. This wasn't how Sokka wanted his love life to go- he wanted to have some corny ass love story as stupid as that sounded. He wanted to meet someone that he could love truly, wanted to pamper and care for them, have that mutual obsession for each other that was absolutely unbreakable.
But now here he was, packing up whatever he could fit while preparing to skip every single part of love that there was straight to soulless marriage. With Fire Nation at that. Hakoda told him it was a sort of proposition that they were offered, the only one that didn't involve more killing, that didn't involve more violence and hurt towards their home and their people.
His father hadn't seemed happy about it either, if anything he seemed just as angry but hid it well enough. The thought of giving his son away was hurtful.
Katara wasn't happy either, she was one of the first to know and threw a fit that she would rather not have Sokka be aware about.
Sokka clasped his bag shut, but he hadn't raised from his knees just yet. "Why'd it have to be me? Why- why not you or why not any other omega?" He sighed. "Not.. not that I want you to be wedded off Katara, I just-" Katara shook her head, her jewelry beads imbedded in small braids clinked gently with the movement.
"I know." She had kneeled next to him, their shoulders brushing one another as her hand came to his back. She released a calming soothe of pheromones whilst rubbing his back in an up and down motion gently. "Well," She started with a huff. "I'm not really the princes type—" Sokka snorted softly, his frown cracking a little. He had remembered the importance the letter made of sending a male omega over, and if a woman was sent then the offer of peace would immediately be broken.
"And anyone else wouldn't really be available." Sokka was the only male omega in their tribe to even be of wedded age, so there was truly absolutely no escaping this even if he wanted to.
Katara's other hand came to the ones clenched in his lap, her thumb giving back and forth caresses on his chilled brown skin. "Hey.." She nudged him, and he had finally looked over to face her. Katara had always been there for him. Next to their grandmother, it was just always Katara after their mother had passed. It was always Katara when their father had to leave and they had to stay, it was just always Katara.
All of his emotions had caught up all in one, hadn't even been a moment later before his eyes started to get blurry and wet- tears that felt too big for his eyes kept coming and coming. "Shit– I'm sorry.." He was instantly shushed, his body being pulled as his cheek was pressed to her chest. Gods, how did she do that? She was motherly.
When he was younger, he remembered when he would teasingly call her mom when she got all bossy with him and he didn't like it. But the maternal feel she emitted, her calming scent and warming embrace had him completely broken.
Seeing the black snow wasn't a good feeling, made him feel sick to his stomach everytime he remembered. He hated thinking about it, it made him build up walls to make him feel strong but he just never did. He gripped the straps of his bag as he hoisted it on his shoulder, and when he left the tent he swore he could count the faces of every single villager.
The goodbyes unfortunately had to be quick, no gifts could be given, only hasty 'good lucks' 'we love you's and ghosting touched of love. A fire nation ship had been settled right at the edge of ice, a few guards already prepared to take him. He felt cowardly for not being able to look back and see everyone for the last time again, but he think he'd feel even worse if he did.
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"Fix your face, Zuko." The prince of the fire nation winced as he felt a tug at his hair , starting to get longer and reaching a little past his shoulders. His father yanked at the thick though delicate locks and barely left a singular strand out of the top bun being held by the heavy golden hair piece worn by Ozai himself as well as past relatives before him.
Zuko had a lot he wanted to say. He wanted to defy what he knew he couldn't, wanted to speak against this but not even Zuko couldn't remember the last time someone in the royal family of this nation married for love, omegas were chosen without a say in the matter, and most alphas were ridiculously miserable that they would mistreat their betrothed.
Reminded him of a certain someone , but he kept his mouth shut like always. "I apologize, father." Was all he could bring himself to say. Ozai could only huff, nothing ever truly being enough for him. "This day is important," He knew that. "You seem to forget that." He didn't.
Deep down, Zuko was aware Ozai didn't really want to make this peace bond- he only did it because he knew it was needed and he knew it would strengthen the nation some more. It would connect other parts of the world and build up the fire nation even more in the long run. That's all he really cared about. Power.
"Your bride shall arrive soon, so I'm told." Bride. Right. The conversation continued, completely one sided. "He will be put through the process necessary to be prepared for the wedding." Ozai placed his hands on Zuko's shoulders as he made eye contact with him in the mirror. The squeeze he gave wasn't reassuring, it was a threat. "I expect an heir. Understand?"
Zuko's hands gripped tightly at the lower half of the groom robes he wore, his teeth grinding together and small curls of steam emitting from his palms.
"Yes, father." The man behind him gave a smile, mocking and filled with amusement. The feeling in Zuko's gut still stayed even when Ozai left him alone for the time being. He knew the time would come for him to marry, he just didn't think it would be terribly early. He was barely through his twenties yet he was given so many responsibilities at once. Soon, he wouldn't be a prince anymore, but a lord. And his faceless bride would be considered a 'ruler' of the nation as well.
Zuko stared at himself, the urge to look away was there but he couldn't. The layers of his wedding attire felt hot, even for him. His scalp hurt from how much it was pulled on earlier, and he felt as if he had that same dead look in his eyes as he did. Now he had looked away. He stood, running a hand over his face and pressing hard against the bridge of his nose.
He could get through this. Just marry them, then spend a night with them and continue their dynasty. But something terribly stuck with him. The thought of the heir, the thought of the process of it. He wasn't a prude by any means, but the thought of spending his time with an omega during their most vulnerable state purely to use them made him disgusted with himself.
As an alpha, he wouldn't be able to fully understand the sensitivity omegas felt during their heat but he paid attention well enough in his teachings to know that an ounce of rejection could cause a harm so deep they could die.
Sick. Sick, sick sick—
"Zuko?" He flinched, head snapping to where he heard a voice. There was a breath that he exhaled out of realization seeing a familiar face here that he didn't have great malice for. "Uncle," He blinked with a small smile. "Didn't hear you come in." Iroh laughed. "Clearly, I stood out that door for quite a while waiting for your permission to come in."
Eugh.
Zuko shook his head. "No, you don't need to do that with me." Iroh was the only one he considered true family these days since his mother, he wasn't going to have a royal treatment from him. "Just come inside when you need to. I don't mind."
Iroh hummed with a nod. "Are you excited?" Though the older knew the answer, it was just a small attempt at trying to let himself in. If you truly got Zuko to open up about how he felt, he could go on and on and on– you'd have to stop him from talking yourself.
"I'm..I don't..I don't know." Zuko admitted. "I'm aware this is for the greater good, but it just doesn't feel right." 'I feel gross.' Had went left unsaid, but it was obvious. Iroh had taken thought carefully about what he was going to say. He usually gave good advice, and when it was followed things mostly turned out well.
Yet this was difficult. It was just different, couldn't be written off and a simple push of encouraging words wouldn't make it any better. This had been sometimes life, both Zuko's and the one he was to marry. Sometimes words didn't need to be said, Iroh was here and that was enough.
.
The moon was so bright in the night , the swirls of its luminescent surface was hypnotic and beautiful. It was the only thing Sokka could look at as the overly large ship moved across the large dark body of the ocean. It made him feel at least a little at ease. He looked down at the book settled between his legs, the exact sight of the moon sketched onto the thick sketch paper with thin and thick pieces of charcoal pencil and faux lead.
He added a few more lines to it, erased some and left it. The lad of his finger curled at the lower edge of the paper as he turned the page to previous drawings. Animals, landscapes, random items he thought were pretty. Another flip of the page, and there was his sister. It had only been a few hours and he already knew he wasn't going to get used to the reeling of being away from her for months- probably years.
There were multiple sketches of Katara on this page. He remembered he tried to draw his mother, but he couldn't remember what she looked like. Each time he would erase it cross it out, he couldn't get her features together and sooner or later it just came out as Katara. He traced over her drawn features carefully as not to smudge it, the curls of her lashes he made himself work far too long in just to get it precise. He lingered on the way he drew her smile, her joy just so contagious.
There was a heavy rocking motion of the ship, making Sokka almost drop his belongings and his bidh jolted forward. "Ah—! Ouch..the hell..?" He winced, looking outside the window and was met with an entirely new place. Even from here he could see how big the fire nation was, it was so pristine and specific looking it almost seemed fake. It was weird how at the same time he could see how dysfunctional it looked.
A group of guards had come to inform him that it was time to go, and he was escorted. He was being treated like he was inpsttant, though he guessed that he was. He was shielded from any lingering eyes, hurriedly moved to another form of transport which would take them to the official palace.
Everyone was excited, everyone was talking. The prince was getting married, how could they not? 'Did you get to see the bride?' 'Don't be stupid you won't see them.' 'I've never seen someone of the water tribe before..' 'Wait. Water tribe?'
He cringed picking up the sound of disdain in the voice of that last citizen. Right. The fire nation already wasn't fond of any other nations, but water tribe was absolutely where these people drew the line. Sokka's knee vibrated as it bounced up and down, anxiety completely taking over. Nothing was catching up, everything was going too fast.
"Princess," He paused, complete confusion taking over when he heard that. Princess? The transportation had stopped, and the curtain of it was pulled back as he was faced with a woman who had given a low bow. Princess. He was princess?
"I would be happy to escort you, you are expected in but a few hours." The woman seemed so uptight, and even sounded sarcastic. Yeah, his presence clearly wasn't welcome here. "I- uh, right." He kept his bag on a shoulder, but it was taken from him the moment his feet touched the ground. "These will be put in your chambers, no need to worry." The smile thrown at him was so fake it made his own teeth hurt.
"Be careful with it." He was sure his words would be ignored, but surprisingly they hadn't been. "Come come, no time to waste!" The woman butted in, and he was quickly ushered inside the palace. As fast paced as everyone was, he caught a few glimpses of the things around him. Family portraits that looked as dull as ever, the decorations around the big building had definitely costed his own arm and maybe a large internal organ.
He had seen a little peak of the throne room, saw the row of fire that stretched along in front of the throne and the back of it. Another reason he should feel completely terrified for his life.
When he was pushed into another room, a towel had been shoved into his arms and a few things to clean himself with. "I will be waiting outside once you are finished, princess. Is there anything else needed from me?" "No-" "Great! Please call me if I am needed."
His lips pressed together with a twinge of agitation. The bath was already filled up for him, the large tub of water steaming with heat and ready for him. Stalling and staring at it wouldn't do him any good, this was happening either way.
He set the bathing items down not too far from it, starting to undress and settle the clothes in an opposite pile a few feet away from him. His finger dipped into the water to test it first, before he allowed himself to settle inside of it fully. "Mmmn.." His head tipped back with satisfaction, arm bending behind him and his fingers tugging at the handmade hair tie that kept his ponytail together.
With his hair now down, the ends brushed just at the edge of his jawline whilst he let himself soak. Okay, this wasn't entirely too bad.
Everything looked so fancy, too fancy for his liking. Even this tub was fancy, such an off putting feel. It may have been a bit too long being in here before he heard the woman's voice pipe through, asking if he was okay. He had taken that as a sign that he really needed to finish up. He was really doing this.
The procedure to get him ready was overbearing, so many hands touching and prodding at him where he didn't want it– and he had to wear make-up. Make. Up.
You could ask anyone no matter where their from and they could in fact tell you the way the fire nation treats their omegas is very outdated and traditional. But make up? He had tried to protest, saying he didn't want it on his face but that wasn't an option as the bridal make up wasn't a choice he had. So, he had to wear it no matter his discomfort.
The wedding robes and gowns layered upon him were heavy, the jewelry in his hair tight and precise. A few more women had made sure he was perfectly touched up, before showing him a small mirror of what he looked like.
"Beautiful, princess." The words truly meant nothing to him.
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There were a lot of people , almost the entire people of the nation were gathered here. Zuko could hear their conversations, could hear their excitement, their anger, and their confusion. Many knew that the combining of nations would be worth it, but others still held ridiculous prejudice and hate from the propaganda fed for years and years on end.
Iroh had stayed beside him until the wedding would officially start, giving words of comfort and encouragement. "You will be fine, nephew. Just breathe." Iroh's hands on his shoulders felt lighter on his shoulders than his father's did, the gentle pressure that it added made him feel a little better but not completely.
There was a clap of hands, and the sound of his father's powerful voice boomed throughout the large wedding room, and the voices of others got quiet as they listened. Gods, Zuko just wanted him to shut up. Wanted him to stop talking and just die, as kind as that sounded it was true.
"Alright," Iroh's voice cut through, catching his attention. "Off you go." There was an encouraging push, and that's when he was at the alter- staring back at thousands of eyes. Zuko gave a respectful bow to his father as a heartless blessing was given, and when he straightened back up that's when he saw the familiar white and red wedding colors at the end of the aisle of the one he was to marry.
He watched as silent as the people in the crowd as the figure got closer and closer, until he had been standing right in front of him. His face was covered with veiling that he would have to take off after the speech delivered by his father was fully finished.
Once it was done, Zuko had raised his hands that were shaking if you were paying attention. He pulled back the fabric gently, and..oh. Oh wow..
Any sort of unsure or emotions of anger were lodged away as if they never existed. The man in front of him had to be the handsomest, prettiest thing he had ever laid eyes on. It was obvious the omega wasn't happy, but Zuko just couldn't help what his heart felt. His skin was a gorgeous brown, eyes down casted but he could still see the pretty blue that they were. Zuko could catch the peak of the undercut he had, brown hair framing his face so beautifully. He almost forgot where he was.
His throat felt so dry, felt like it was closing. He let his hands drop back to his sides, and let the distance between them be no more as his lips softly pressed against his brides. The electric feeling that went through his body was indescribable.
The entire celebration had went on, and all the couple had done was sit at the large table filled with food dedicated for them as a few other nobles sat with them and were deep in conversation. He hadn't even known his newly wed's name, he felt so awkward.
Zuko was practically twiddling his thumbs underneath the table, an odd sense if worry coursing through his veins. That worry was all directed towards the omega next to him, he already felt that weird sense of protection– the way his inner alpha clawed at him to speak up and tell his omega to eat something.
Though Zuko couldn't blame him, he wouldn't want to be in that position of having to leave your home for something you hadn't consented to and probably never would have in a million years.
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Sokka tried to resist the urge to fidget and shuffle. It was so damn hot here, and these clothes just made it worse for him. The voices in his ears sounded so muffled, people talking about things he didn't understand or care about as music played and the celebration of their wedding went on. He wanted to be anywhere else but here right now, he would rather be back on that damned ship staring at the moon.
Or even in that bath. That was a nice bath, he couldn't lie.
"So which tribe are you from?" Sokka looked up, a bit too quickly it gave him a bit of a woozy feeling. There was a man leaning a bit too close to him, a bit older and he seemed important. But his voice was so teasing, and he had that same look in his eyes as everyone else did. "I.. Southern." His voice was a little quiet, so the man had leaned closer and his smile was mocking.
"Hm? So sorry, speak up a bit. Northern, you said?" He felt so oddly embarrassed. Usually he would have been quick to fight back, but he the vulnerability and humiliation that he felt was overwhelming.
"Southern." Zuko's voice corrected, and if Sokka wasn't delusional he could have sworn there was a growling edge to it, and that soothed something inside of him that he didn't want to admit. "I do not appreciate you being disrespectful to my betrothed. If you cannot hold your tongue , please make your way out." Wow, that was oddly attractive.
The nobleman gave a few stutters before there was an apology right after, and he had kept his mouth shut. Sokka had glanced over just a bit, and he could see him a bit more clearly. He wasn't half bad looking now that Sokka thought about it.. and he had really nice hair. Like really nice. But he looked away quickly when he was caught, because the guy was glaring at him. Right, maybe he did hate him and Sokka was making up delusions to distract him from what was truly happening.
He pressed his lips together as he stared back at his lap. Just wait it out, he told himself.
.
Uncomfortable. Weird. Awkward. Disgusting. Grossed out.
Did they have to instantly put them in a room together right after the wedding? It was obvious what was expected of them, because the robe they gave Sokka was absolutely nothing like the robe Zuko had. How impatient they were, couldn't even wait until Sokka's heat cycle to ask for them to try and have intercourse for their dynasty.
They both sat on opposite sides of the bed, backs to one another as neither had spoken a word. Sokka had his arms crossed over his stomach, and Zuko had his elbows resting on his knees, his hair curtaining his face and tickling his jaw with every slight movement he made.
Zuko was still absolutely stuck up on the fact that the prettiest man he had ever seen was just beside him casually, he was so lost and confused if he was even allowed to feel what he was right now. He wasn't aroused, though he definitely could be right now don't get him wrong. Wait, should he be?
He snarled out of frustration, forgetting what the situation was. And right after he had picked up a small noise, a whimper maybe? He turned his head, the look of discomfort all over Sokka's face was clear as day.
God damn it.
Sokka had turned his head as well, and they were now looking at one another once more. It was longer than before, Sokka's nails dug into his arms and his scent was a clear indicator that he was definitely distressed. Fuck, what was Zuko supposed to do?
"Got a name?" Not that. Literally anything but that. And save him, why did he have to ask it like that? He felt himself crumble inside, already thinking of a billion different ways that he could have said that without sounded so aggressive.
"Sokka." Sokka. Pretty name. It suit him perfectly. Zuko nodded, giving a subtle grunt.
.
Sokka knew he wasn't the first person someone here would want to see, people who were supposedly supposed to be below him and serve him glared everytime they passed him, would bump him 'by accident' , or sometimes he would catch them talking about him like he couldn't hear, and when they were caught they would instantly disperse and start working quickly.
Yet it seemed to only really effect him if it was Zuko, the guy always seemed to have some sort of problem with him. No matter what Sokka did, he was constantly getting dirty looks from the guy, getting teeth bared at him, and Sokka swore he could feel this guys eyes on him no matter what.
It was so creepy.
Even though they shared a room, ate breakfast together and spent way too much time next to one another more than Sokka would have preferred, it was insane how Sokka felt as if he was warming up to Zuko easier than Zuko was to him. Haha. Warming up.
From time to time, Sokka would receive letters from the Southern water tribe, especially from Katara. They spoke very frequently, even if the time that the letters would be delivered would be monthly gaps– it was Sokka's only form of solitude while he was here.
Frequently he would re read said letters until he would get another in the mail, taking in his sisters handwriting and tracing the characters she wrote. Every single curve of them just truly gave Katara. He shouldn't have felt nostalgic, hasn't even been as long as he thought but he did. He missed his home, he hated it here.
His fingers worked as he rolled up the most recent letter he was sent, setting it aside and getting up. He stretched a little, a little yawn coming from his lips as he left his and Zuko's shared room to look for the bathroom. "Mm..damn , this place is too big." He located the door to the restroom fairly quickly though, going to open it but he stopped right at the entrance.
Zuko was in there. Naked. Hot— literally. His hair grew a little bit more since he had first seen him, now reaching just a bit below his bicep and he was in the midst of tying it up. A few stray strands stuck to his sweaty wet skin, his physique practically perfect as it glistened.
The prince took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, and that huff of fire that came from his mouth made the room all the more steamy and heated should not have been attractive. Rough hands had moved away from dark hair after tying it up completely, and that's when Zuko had looked over.
The instant it happened, Sokka slammed the entrance door shut. It was loud as hell anyway, so he had given himself away a second time.
"Oh, kill me. Just kill me, kill me now." His hand wiped over his face, beads if a nervous sweat coating his palms as he hurried back to the room he was originally in. He needed to calm down, he really needed to calm down or he may melt to the ground.
He couldn't stop thinking about it, and his scent. The alpha's scent was completely uncensored and he was so drawn to it, his omega yearned to go back and take it in properly. His scent was a strong and spicy smell of cinnamon, and a mix of smoky walnut- it still lingered in Sokka's nose and the rush of dopamine it gave him was euphoric.
Sokka truly had to sit and think when he was back in the room, needed to do something to make him just not think any longer. Draw. He could draw to make him feel better. He quickly dug into his bag, shoving past anything piled above it and pulled out his sketchbook. He didn't know what he was going to draw, he always drew what he felt or just what came to his mind.
He could draw home, could draw his sister, could draw an animal even. But what lingered in the back of his mind as his pencil started to lightly trace against the paper, was Zuko. Subconsciously, he only really draw a sketch of his face, making sure to get the angle of his jaw right, then he started on his eyes. Drew the shape of them, getting a curved line atop of the eye to get the mono-lid accurate, and sketching out the shape of the scar on the left side of his face.
Then the hair. Sokka went way too deep on the hair, drawing the way it fell across his shoulders and framed his face. He drew more sketches, he just couldn't stop. He drew Zuko with his hair up, his hair down, a half body sketch— he seriously couldn't stop. Before he had known it, he had filled out two side by side pages just of Zuko. He fingers were cramped up, they felt warm where he had held his pencil tightly.
The sound of their door sliding open made him close the sketchbook quick, and slide it off the bed completely. Zuko was dressed, still a little sweaty and steam emitted from his body when he had seen Sokka. The omega gave an awkward smile, blue eyes averting due to the embarrassment of catching Zuko at such a vulnerable moment and then getting turned on by it, and then continuing to draw two pages worth of him in his sketchbook.
"Sokka," Zuko's voice had seemed apologetic, almost just as ashamed that Sokka had caught him in a moment like that. "I wanna apologize.. you shouldn't have seen me like that." Sokka had answered, not thinking much about what he was actually saying.
"Nah, no big deal." He shrugged, leaning back against the wooden headboard behind him. Zuko seemed a bit taken back at the response, and pushed a bit. "Are you sure? I don't want to make you uncomfortable." Sokka shrugged. "What, is the fact I disrupted his royal hotness during his bath bothering you so much?"
The name he had given was so terribly cringe and ridiculous, Sokka felt like he was just setting himself up. And in the midst of the silence, he laugh.
Zuko. He laughed. For the first time that Sokka had spent all these months with him, he had never heard Zuko laugh. He always had this look on his face that seemed bored or annoyed or angry all the time. Seeing it twist into something else, hearing the genuine joy in his voice was heart filling.
"Royal Hotness? You're kidding." Zuko repeated, laughing a bit harder like it was genuinely the funniest thing he had ever heard. And his laugh just had to be completely contagious, because Sokka ended up laughing with him just as hard.
.
The duo had actually gotten used to one another, not just used to each other but they were very fond.
No, friend wasn't the right word but acquaintance wasn't it either. They definitely weren't the married couple they were supposed to be, but boundaries were definitely being pushed and they were letting each other push it.
Their conversations and mannerisms were so flirty too, it was so sweet it made people who had to work for them have a tooth ache.
"Aren't you the prince?" Sokka leaned against Zuko's shoulder comfortably, his arm looped around his bicep as his fingers were also twiddling with bits of his hair. A few pieces were already braided loosely too. "Why do you have to do all this work like you're the fire lord already." Zuko had worked with the ink brush in his hand, writing along parchment as he spoke back.
"Well, I'm preparing to be firelord once my father steps down." Sokka rolled his eyes at the mention of Ozai, as Zuko had mentioned a few (a lot) of things about him as they got closer. "Or dies." He added, completely uncaring as they were alone. Zuko chuckled, something he did very often ever since Sokka gave him that terrible title.
"Yes, that too. Then you'll be crowned Fire Lady of the nation." Sokka shivered, making a face. "Fire Lady? Me? There's something seriously wrong with your nation." Zuko agreed heavily, things barely changed for years and years. Once Zuko was firelord, he planned to completely change that.
"You needn't worry once i am officially in charge." Sokka smiled, finishing up another braid in Zuko's hair only to run his fingers through the loose designs and continue on. "Your hair's getting longer." Zuko looked down, taking notice. It had been growing a lot quicker lately. "Is it? Should I cut it?" "No." Sokka shot back quickly, offended that Zuko would even think to do something like that. "I love your hair. You're not doing that terrible haircut i saw you have in your family portraits."
Zuko almost messed up what he was writing, snorting softly. "Please don't remind me, gosh.. it was a phase." "Better have been. It looked like you cut it yourself." Zuko winced, shaking his head. He had cut it himself, he knew it wasn't the absolute best but hearing it from someone else's mouth gave a quick reality check.
The next few minutes, Sokka had mainly watch Zuko go through scroll after scroll, watching him swirl around ink from the brush with such grace. He was comfortably pressed up against him still, even leaning more into him before he had felt something.
His scent got all wonky the moment he realized, catching Zuko's attention. "Sokka?" The way he said his name, made him feel..odd. "Are you okay?"
Sokka nodded, detaching himself from Zuko and starting to get up from his position where he sat. "Fine- I'm fine I just need a sec." He shook his head, feeling a bit lightheaded and heated all of a sudden. Fuck. He hadn't lost track had he? He hadn't felt the symptoms of pre-heat, there was just no way.
Secluding himself in their shared room hadn't made it any better, it just made his senses flare up even more. His knees felt weak, a wobbly feeling traveling from his feet to his thighs. His palm slapped onto the wall and he kept hanging onto items to keep him steady until he was able to flop onto the bed.
Hot. So so hot..
Zuko's smell filled his nose, and his face buried into the sheets completely filled with it. He shakily sat up, gripping at the comforter blanket and pressing it closer to him. "Zu.." He gasped, hips jutting forward instinctively. He had no time, he couldn't properly nest and Zuko wouldn't help him. Would he?
His mind was too occupied with other things to think about that right now. By now, his body created a slow rhythm with humping against the sheets and blankets, and he had started to undress the more sticky his body became with sweat.
Between his legs leaked slick, so so much of it due to a natural response of an alpha's company. "Hah..mhn.." His teeth caught his bottom lip, a bit of his clothes still hanging on though barely on him as he got more erratic.
His consciousness was slipping away more and more, his omega taking over any rational thought that he was still trying to hang onto. The thought of just 'Zuko' was now 'Alpha'. And he needed him real bad.
Zuko felt as if something was off. He had ended his duties earlier than he wanted only after thirty minutes Sokka claimed he just needed a moment. Something pulled him towards him, even if they weren't what he wanted them to be, he would still care for him one way or another and that wasn't going to change.
It was the moment Zuko was at the doorway of his and Sokka's chambers he smelt it. The hesitation wasn't long lasting, and when he opened the door he closed it just as hastily behind him.
When he had seen it, it was like heaven. The only thing he felt was satisfaction more than surprise or anything else. Sokka had himself bent over, back arched and his ass in the air whilst two– about to be three fingers plunging in and out of himself with needy urgency.
The noises he made were high and pitched, constantly chasing for pleasure only an alpha could give him. For pleasure only Zuko could give him.
When Sokka had noticed Zuko he was beyond feeling embarrassed or shameful, he couldn't stop. "Alpha.." Zuko swallowed, attention locked. "Please- c-can't..need.."
Zuko had never done this before. Never spent a heat with an omega, but his body knew what to do. He couldn't deny his omega, could he? What kind of alpha would he be if he did something as unforgivable like that.
He shrugged off the outer cloth of his outfit, his feet moving on their own and everything drawn right to his husband spread out before him. Trembling hands went to hold those hips, warm and touch-sensitive. He removed Sokka's fingers, and watched as any built up slick leaked out without fail. It smelt so sweet, like ambrosia and fresh sea water.
Golden eyes flashed a reddening color near the pupils, mouth watering as saliva built up on his tongue. When Sokka whined from impatience, no time was wasted. His mouth was pressed between the brown flesh of plushness, tongue licking up and down the entrance of his hole before sliding inside with ease.
"Oh—! Ah.." Zuko slurped up whatever he could, swallowing it all without shame and let his tongue explore all inside. He inhaled through his nose to breathe, gripping the absolute hell out of Sokka to keep him in place, and trying to ground himself before he did something he would regret.
Sokka's tip leaked graciously as well, a thin line with his proof of arousal dribbling out and into the sheets below them. Zuko's mind was just as clouded as Sokka's, head tilting as he would try to lodge his tongue deeper to chase it all at once. His omega was clearly enjoying it too, it made him well up with pride, kept him going.
"Alpha! Don't stop, ngh–pleasepleaseplease!"
Sokka's knees scraped against the bed, his body pressing itself back along Zuko's tongue as it continuously lapped up what it could. That alone made that warmth spread in his stomach, releasing quickly as the milky thick liquid of his cum squirted right out of him.
Sokka already felt like he was dying, so overwhelmed with it all but he didn't want it to stop. Zuko lifted himself up, Sokka's omegan slick dripping along his chin and he hadn't bothered to wipe it off.
His tongue darted out, catching a stray drop.
.
The bed was a mess, the pillows Zuko attempted to keep underneath Sokka's hips to keep him comfortable were eventually knocked out. It wasn't on purpose , nor was it anyone's fault it just happened..
There were multiple puddles wet on the blankets and sheets, loud wet slaps could be heard even if you were a few feet away. The constant chanting of Sokka calling out for his alpha got louder and needier each time pleasure was brought to him.
He was filled up with Zuko's length, his tummy had a visible bump that would disappear when Zuko would thrust out and then reappear when he'd piston himself back inside with a force that shook the bed and made the headboard hit the wall over and over in whatever rhythm he made.
One of Sokka's legs were pressed to his side, the both of them laying sideways as Zuko kept his legs spread so he could thrust correctly. Words were barely being spoken, just constant growls and grunts of possession and whimpers in response.
In this position Zuko could see the look on Sokka's face, a blush a deep tan color against his face, dry tear marks being covered with new wet ones and his eyes dilated with pleasure.
Zuko just couldn't stop.
The addiction to please and rut against him like a wild animal just got stronger and stronger. His palms got heated, the tiniest blaze of his bending being a sign of the control he had leaving him.
"Bite–" Sokka was able to moan out in the midst of it all, weakly craning his neck. Zuko's rhythm stuttered just a bit, his fingers digging into Sokka's thigh as he stared at the opening of Sokka's nape. He was offering himself up so easily, it made his teeth ache, made the sharper canine bits of them pulse.
His nose brushed the scent glands deeply, keeping Sokka pressed to his chest— and the bite delivered wasn't pretty. It hurt, it was deep and driven by lust. There was a pop of Sokka's sweet glands in his mouth, the taste of metallic blood filling his mouth the deeper he bit inside.
When he pulled back, his tongue instantly flattened and licked over the wound with a sloppy kiss pressed to it.
Sokka could feel that filling inside his stomach fill more, as if Zuko was growing inside of him. He stilled, going limp as his eyes glossed over some more- dribbles of saliva dripping down his chin. Couldn't think, couldn't do anything but feel.
Zuko's body emitted steam the more uncoordinated his rhythmatic thrusts got, his breathing quickening as he felt the bulky swelling of his knot pop inside Sokka's womb.
"Ngh— Alpha, Gods!" The tingly feeling all over Sokka's body was buzzing and numbing, the knot inside causing only a moment of panic before arm wrapped around him and kept him close.
Hot cum stuffed him full, not a drop leaving due to Zuko's swelled up cock- ensuring a pregnancy.
.
It had almost been a year here, just almost. Ozai was no longer the ruler of the nation, somehow Sokka truly jinxed it and the bastard died in his sleep. Zuko was all the more busy now that he was Fire Lord, and Sokka understood that but he still got lonely on his own.
Yet the moments where the could be alone were filled with love, a love no one just got like they did.
"You're still up?" Sokka turned his head, setting his pencil away from a sketchbook which was actually the third one provided by his husband so he could continue his drawings for entertainment. Multiple times had he drawn Zuko, no longer trying to hide it from him. There were multiple occasions where Zuko would fall asleep watching Sokka draw. It was a natural nurturing feel he just got from it.
"Mhm," He nodded, shrugging the red and black made silk robe that he took from Zuko's wardrobe. "Waiting for you. And I can't sleep." Despite being tired, it was always that Sokka slept too much or not enough.
Zuko sighed softly as he came behind Sokka where he leaned up against the pillows. "It's not good for you." The alpha's lips gave a gentle kiss to plump lips, and his hand traveled a bit lower but stopped on the bump of Sokka's stomach that looked out through the lower bit of his robe. He rubbed, purposely focusing a bit of chi in his palm to heat it up and give relief to whatever cramps could have been happening.
"You don't think anything is good for me right now. God forbid I walk on my own." Well yes, God forbid it. Why in the world would Sokka want to waddle and struggle when Zuko was completely able to help him? He knew Sokka wasn't weak, but it didn't change the fact that he was still heavily pregnant.
"Ah, before I forget." Sokka shimmied towards the edge of the bed, arm extending so he could grab a scroll from the nightstand. "Got a letter from Katara," He looked at his husband like he wanted something, and that made Zuko raise his eyebrow.
"..And?"
He knew him too well. "Well and, she misses me. Wants me to y'know, come see her soon." Sokka would have hoped he could, didn't know how open Zuko's schedule was or if the nation could survive a few weeks without their previous fire lord.
"Of course." Sokka worked up. "But only after you deliver. I swear if you give birth in a ship I'd never forgive myself." Sokka laughed, setting the scroll aside. "Right, right. Of course."
.
"Sokka, love I'm sure I'll be fine with a bit of cold." Zuko wheezed feeling Sokka pull at a certain string of the coat he had forced him to wear.
"Yeah, have you ever been to the southern water tribe? Exactly." The ship was already positioned where it was when Sokka was first taken away, he was scared and happy all at the same time.
"Alright.." He finished up, his hand pressing to his chest where a tiny sleeping bundle was strapped to his chest. "You ready?"
When they had left the ship, people were already waiting for them. The moment Katara told them Sokka would be visiting they had been preparing for it and now he was here again.
And fuck, Sokka was right it was cold as shit. Zuko shivered, trying to preserve heat in his body along with taking advantage of the furs he was wrapped in. Everyone was crowding them, a few children getting curious seeing Zuko as he was someone new.
"Sokka!" Katara.
He watched with a smile on his face as he saw his sister weave through the crowd to get to him. She was about to give a tight hug before instantly stopping seeing what was there. A baby. His baby.
"..Oh, Sokka.." She got closer, looking for permission and when it was giving she moved the fabric the baby was held in away from its face. She was still sleeping peacefully, her skin a tan, closed eyes the shape of Zuko's and the tufts of hair the same dark color too.
"She's beautiful, I–" Her finger massaged at the infants chubby cheek, it was clear she was fed well despite being small. Katara had looked over to where the firelord was bent over, laughing softly with the curious children surrounding him.
"Zuko, is it?" Katara's voice was a bit on edge, she didn't trust fire nation completely, but from how Sokka described him in his letters she cussed he was okay at least.
Zuko straightened up hearing the voice, clearing his throat. He looked so awkward, made Sokka muffle a laugh. "..Well, Sokka was right at least you aren't an ugly old man." Zuko's eyes fluttered. "What?" "Katara! Seriously?"
"Shhh, hush it. Just making sure." With enough analyzing, she backed off. "Well he's fine to me. He can talk with dad over dinner, come on."
"..Y-your dad? Now?" Zuko stuttered, his arm being pulled by Sokka as they walked along snow to follow Katara. "Ay, you want his blessing no?"
"Love, it's a little too late for that." Still counted.