Archive of Our Own

It all started in February, when Sokka was finally taking a break from touring. Being in a popular band is no easy task, and after touring twice in a row, he needed the rest. His first stop was visiting his younger sister in their hometown.

“How was the tour?”

“Sooo looooong,”

Katara had laughed, “Aang was telling me you guys got locked out of your hotel room after a performance,”

“Yeah, because Suki lost our hotel key!”

As they hugged and catched up, Katara decided they should have a snack and TV night. “That sounds like my dream right now,” Sokka huffed, just wanting to relax.

“I have the best drama, it came out on HBO.” Katara says as they sit down, “It’s like crime, and romance, and drama—”

“Hmm okay.” Sokka was quick to respond as they sat down, he’s already digging on chips. His phone had dinged, fans blowing up his mentions since his team uploaded a thank you post for the tour.

He silenced it before he turned back to the television. The show started off, and that’s when the main character appeared.

Sokka felt his brain short circuit. The character— no, the actor, he’s absolutely.. stunning. His hair looks so silky and soft.. and his lips are such a pretty color too. Not to mention the man’s eyes, amber color.

And that’s how Sokka learned about the famous actor slash model Zuko. Also, how he gained a new celebrity crush on the famous actor and model.

At first, Sokka found it extremely causal. He’s had crushes on celebrities before, being a celebrity himself — it’s not uncommon.

After he had watched the drama with Katara, he Googled Zuko and learned more about him. Famous model picked up by acting agencies and turns out he was a godsend.

His most recent work was a horror movie where critics claimed it to be Zuko’s most authentic, and raw performance yet. Zuko once again delivers an emotionally powerful performance.

Then he had clicked on the images tab, and scrolled for like two whole hours. Holy shit, Zuko is just so gorgeous. Sokka probably read so many interview articles and videos of Zuko, it’s stupid.

One interviewer asked: “Why do you believe it’s so important to be open about your scar?”, which made Sokka pause. He was curious about that.

“I mean, I think it’s something that I can’t escape from. Even if I wasn’t open about it, people would ask questions. It’s better for me to say the truth. Sometimes it’s depressing, you know? Because I’m basically telling the whole world how I’m a burn victim. But if I can make burn victims— feel recognized, and make sure they feel like normal human beings, then that’s more than enough for me.”

In that moment, Sokka had solidified his celebrity crush. Zuko’s so well spoken, and he seems so sweet too. Transparent. The more research he does, the more he learns about all the money Zuko donates to communities that support mothers and children, victims of domestic abuse.

Zuko even broke the record for the most donations to a non-project for Pediatric Burn Survivors. Three million dollars.

So that celebrity crush Sokka developed in February was supposed to remain extremely casual. Sokka’s about to start recording new music and promote the band’s new EP, so he doesn’t have time to kinda dwell more on this.

On a random Tuesday, he finds himself in the studio with Suki. He’s in the small booth, with Suki on the outside playing with the toggles on the soundboard. “So you wrote this music sheet when?” Sokka asks through the glass.

“Like last week? After the brainstorming session we had with Aang.”

Sokka looks impressed, but he isn’t surprised. Suki is a beast when it comes to musical composition, which suits her role in the band. Besides, she’s one of the main vocals for a reason.

“Okay, try the first few lines.”

Sokka positions his electrical guitar, his fingers positioned ready at the strings. The design of his guitar is extremely personal to him.

It’s blue— Sokka’s favorite color, of course. But on the sides, he has his mother’s name engraved, with little doodles of the ocean that he drew for her one Mother’s Day.

When Suki gives him a thumbs up from across the glass, Sokka’s fingers begin to move. The guitar makes loud screeching sound, followed by a weak bling which makes both Sokka and Suki flinch.

“What the hell was that, Sokka?” Suki asks as she presses down on the button for Sokka to hear her.

“Ugh, fuck. My string broke.” Sokka says, hands up in the air as he looks down at his guitar. “I swore I changed the strings right when we landed from the last stop!”

Suki gets up to seemingly check their drawers, and then the face she gives Sokka tells him everything. They don’t have anymore strings. He groans, taking off his guitar and exiting the booth.

As soon as he exits, Aang is entering. “Hey gu— where are you going?” He asks, turning his head to follow Sokka.

“Strings broken, but you can record your instrumentals, I’ll go second.” Sokka explains with an annoyed huff as he grabs his bag, “I’ll go get some from the music store across the street. Do we need anything else?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ll text you if we do,” Suki replies, “Maybe if you’re out, you should get us some coffee because I think we’re going to be here all night coming up with the EP concept.”

“Alright,” Sokka responds as he leaves. As soon as he walks outside, he puts his sunglasses on. Is it the most helpful disguise? Absolutely not!

It’s the worst. But Sokka doesn’t really care. He walks across the street into the music store, and picks up more electric guitar strings. Then, he grabs an extra pair of music writing sheets. In case they run out tonight.

As he walks past the vinyls towards the cashier, his eyes land on a certain album. Another singer’s release from two years ago, and on the cover— an amber eye.

Huh.

Without thinking much of it, Sokka goes to check out. After collecting the plastic bag filled with items, he goes and looks around. There seems to be a coffee shop two stores down.

As he walks towards it, that’s when he gets recognized. It’s a few teenagers who give Sokka a weird look that Sokka knows they’re trying to decipher if it’s him.

He gets that look in public a lot.

“I think that’s Sokka from Ember Current.”

“There’s no way that’s him dude. Why would he be walking so casually,”

Sokka will indulge in it. So he turns and takes his sunglasses off to let the teenagers register that it’s him.

“Oh my God, we love you.”

“Your vocals in the Moonburn album are my favorite,” An excited teenage girl chirps as Sokka smiles.

It’s his favorite part about interactions with young fans, the excitement. “Thanks guys,”

“Can we get a picture?” The other young boy asks. How can Sokka say no? He lets the small trio of teens take a selfie with him, as they squeal and say thank you after. “Please please release new music soon!”

Sokka puts a finger to his lips as he places his sunglasses back on. “Noted. You guys have a good day, okay? Be safe.”

“Thank you Sokka!” Is all Sokka hears as he turns back to enter the coffee shop. Then he hears a tiny murmur of “Holy shit!”

That was amusing to say the least. Sokka enters, orders whatever caffeinated drinks they have that sound, drinkable.. and carries it back to the studio.

“Strings, sheets—” Sokka says as he enters their room again, “And some energized.. teas? Their coffee didn’t look.. appealing.”

“The colors are pretty,” Aang says, “So the flavors should be good!”

The three take their pick. They drink, as Sokka adjusts his strings onto his guitar. “Sokka have you seen Zuko’s trailer for his new movie?”

Sokka snickers, “Why would I watch it?”

“Becauseeee.. you think Zuko’s cute?” Aang says slowly, looking at Sokka with raised eyebrows. “Katara said the last time you two watched a Zuko show together you were flailing all over the place.”

Sokka’s eyes narrow as he pauses on his guitar to turn towards his bandmate. “You should stop asking my sister for stories and just ask her out already.”

“You’re literally deflecting from the subject!” Suki laughs, with Aang slightly red at the mention of asking Katara out. He does find her attractive, but he didn’t think he was that obvious. “You both are not subtle.” She adds.

“Back on what I was asking..” Aang continues with Sokka still fixing his guitar.

Fine. He’ll confess. “Yes, I saw it. It looks good.”

“And Zuko?”

Sokka pauses, “Looks normal. Cute. I guess,”

Suki and Aang burst out laughing. This subtle celebrity crush has certainly become their favorite thing to tease him about. “Can we focus on the new music, please?” Sokka begs.

“But it’s fun to tease you.”

“It is not fun to tease me!” Sokka exclaims before he stands, huffing as he goes back into the booth. “I’m going to play my part.”

Suki blinks and nods as she gives him the thumbs up. The sounds from his guitar this time are flawless, and it’s almost like if his frustration from being teased made Sokka play twice as good.

“We should poke him more,” Aang comments, with Suki nodding. Sokka doesn’t hear them because Suki hadn’t pressed the button, but he knows the next hours are going to be fun and hell at once.

In the next weeks, Sokka and his friends have come up with their EP concept. They’ve already recorded instrumentals for the five tracks.

Personally, Sokka thinks this is their best work yet. Sure, he thinks that every time, but still. And during this weekend, it’s musical award season. The Ember Current are in attendance, along with other musicians and talents.

As Sokka walks to their seats, he plays with his water bottle almost the whole award show. He claps for people who win, but he’s just bored.

That’s when he hears Suki gasp, and Aang following suit. “What?” He turns towards his bandmates, wanting to be part of the commotion.

“Sokka, look at the stage.”

When Sokka turns, his entire face almost burns. Is that normal? Because on that stage, the person walking up is the dude Sokka tweeted about on his private account months ago.

Zuko.

The actor. Model. Celebrity. Well, Sokka’s a celebrity too. But Zuko has twice his followers— triple, even.

“What the fu..”

“Why’s he presenting?” Aang questions quietly.

“Not surprised, they get other celebs to do this all the time,” Suki whispers back, “He must be getting super famous..”

“Guys, shut up,” Sokka hisses in a low, quiet voice.

“Hi everyone,” Zuko says, and Sokka swears, he’s never heard the crowd go more wild. More crazier than every performance of the night so far. “I don’t know if you guys know me..”

“ZUKOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Sokka almost flinched at how loud the venue shook. So the fans in the crowd definitely do know Zuko. It’s as they knew Zuko more than half of the bands and artists here.

Zuko just gives a shy smile at the cheers, which makes Sokka’s lips form a tight line. How is Zuko even more perfect up close and real than on television?!

“So I guess you guys do!” Zuko says, which makes people in the crowd laugh. “I’m here to help read out and give the award for Best Alternative Rock.”

“Sokka that’s our category,” Suki hisses towards Sokka, who now seems a bit.. panicked. “You could meet him. Like now.”

“Don’t freak him out,” Aang scolds lightly before he turns back to Sokka and gives him a thumbs up. “Smile,” He encourages with a wide smile of his own.

Sokka’s lips form an extremely fake smile as he looks at Aang. Oh how lovely. His celebrity crush could offer him a reward.

If that happens, Sokka might end it. Not actually! Just.. internally..

“Here are the nominees for Best Alternative Rock,” As Zuko reads, Sokka cannot focus. Even when people cheer as their small snippet comes on screen. All he can think about is: Geez.

Zuko is gorgeous.

“And so, the award goes to—” Zuko opens the envelope, looking at the name before looking back at the camera. “Ember Current,”

Suki squeals, immediately standing up. Their second award for it, twice in a row. But Sokka can tell Suki and Aang are also excited because this means they have to get on stage.

Why is his heart pounding so fast?! Sokka stands up and clears his throat as they walk to the stage. Of course, Aang and Suki position themselves for Sokka to be the one to accept the award from Zuko.

“Thanks,”

“Congratulations,” Zuko says, handing Sokka the crystal-styled award. Their hands brush for Sokka swears forever until Zuko moves to the side.

So now Sokka’s standing right next to him while he gives the acceptance speech for the group too? He swears.

“Wow,” He says, realizing he sounds more nervous than he intends to be. And it’s definitely not the award show giving him those nerves. “We are so grateful— to our fans, our company, thank you to everyone who came out to support us, see us on tour— our new EP will come out soon!”

A bunch of cheers.

“— To Suki, and Aang, you know I could never do any of this without you guys, and— erm— Katara, my sister, I love you!”

That’s when he quickly gives his band mates the look. Get off this damn stage.

Zuko’s eyes follow Sokka’s back as the guitarist rushes down with his bandmates back to the table. Sokka’s heart is hammering in his ears, and he’s immediately tweeting under the table.

That’s enough of his phone for now. Sokka puts it in his pocket as they stand and begin to go outside, getting into a car that will take them to the after party.

Aang and Suki are quiet until Aang speaks. “Sooo,”

“Guys, what if Katara is right,” Sokka blurts.

“She probably is. The presenters usually come too,” Suki shrugs, “This is good, Sokka! You should talk to him!”

“I think I’ll avoid that, actually.” Sokka’s eyes narrow as the car stays moving. “I totally embarrassed myself. My voice was all shaky.”

“He probably thought it was just because you were nervous to give an acceptance speech.”

“You were the one that was supposed to give it, Suki!” Sokka exclaims, exasperated, “You guys changed it on a whim because Zuko was presenting!” And as they laugh, he groans, “It’s not funny!”

They pause, and Suki nods her head. “Okay, I’m sorry Sokka. We don’t do that again, okay? Just, we needed you two to interact.”

“It was awesome,” Aang comments as the car parks across the sidewalk. “Thank you so much,” Aang adds to the driver as they get out.

As they enter the after party, Sokka’s hit with music, lights, and a bunch of people. Telling congratulations, while also introducing themselves.

Not even ten minutes in, Sokka decides he’s too sober. Going to the bar, he orders a drink, before ordering another. Looking at the crowd, Suki’s reunited with some friends, while Aang’s laughing with some other people.

Sokka sighs, rubbing his temple as he continues drinking. That’s when the night begins to fuzz together.

For starters, Sokka remembers talking to people but then he remembers moving places fast. Then as he pushed past, he realized that across from him, Zuko was there.

Talking to someone, nodding and smiling in acknowledgment. “Fuck he’s cute,” Sokka mutters to himself, and maybe as he’s drunk, he could admit it.

He may be starting to find Zuko even more pretty now that he’s seen him up close.

God, he’s starting to feel extremely drunk. Yet not drunk enough. He stumbles back to the bar and asks for a stronger drink to finish off the night.

And that was the killer. Sokka feels like the room is spinning and he even rushes to the bathroom with who he thinks— Aang?

“You always overdo your limit,”

Definitely Aang. Aang is quick to rush Sokka into a stall as he holds Sokka’s hair back for him. “I’m cutting you off, and you need to eat something.”

“Ungh but I don’t want to be cut off, stop..”

“You’re so whiny when you’re drunk.” Aang says, amused. “It’s almost four am. Everyone’s about to leave.”

As Sokka cleans his face up and the two exit, that’s when Zuko enters the bathroom. Sokka’s eyes go wide. “Ah, hey,” Zuko says, “Congratulations again you guys,”

“Thank you so much!” Aang replies before resuming to guiding Sokka out.

“Oh, is he okay?” Zuko asks worriedly. Sokka’s eyes are red, probably because he just threw up.

“Just had too many shots,” Aang replies playfully which makes Zuko smile and nod. “We’ve all been there.”

“Mhm, have a good night you guys,”

“Oh my God Aang,” Sokka slurs as Aang guides them out, “Do I look stupid?”

“No,” Aang reassures before he grabs a glass of cold water. “You look like you need water, and food,” He corrects.

Sokka chugs the cold water, nodding his head.

Then Sokka blacks out, but when he starts to feel as if he knows where he is again, he’s back at his own home. In his bed, in comfy clothes and with wet hair. So he showered.

He doesn’t know how that happened. But he doesn’t feel as sick anymore. All Sokka can think about is how drunk he is.

And how Zuko sounded worried. And how Zuko seems so nice. And cute. And pretty. That’s when Sokka opens his phone, and the next thing he knows, he’s blacked out asleep.

His phone buzzes.

And buzzes.

And buzzes even more, but Sokka’s too passed out to care.

When Sokka wakes up, he has a dry mouth. And a pounding headache. He squirms under his blanket, groaning as he sits up.

He goes to the bathroom, wiping the waterline eyeliner that moved under his eyes from sleeping. Then he brushes his teeth, and goes to get a cup of water.

As he chugs, and chugs, he opens another drawer in his kitchen. Liquid IV. He shakes it and pours the packet inside his next glass of water before eating his warmed up breakfast sandwich.

Hangover meal on a whim.

Going back to his bed, he pick up his phone. That’s when Sokka sees more than ten times the notifications he normally does on his phone. One from their PR team, another from Suki and Aang, one from Katara—

Shit.

He blacked out.

Sokka almost drops his sandwich as he sits on his bed and is quick to open his phone. “No, no this isn’t happening.”

“Oh my fucking God,” Sokka wants to scream. He wants to choke himself, for being so stupid. Why would he even open his phone while he was plastered?!

He must have.. when he was drunk, he must have thought when he opened Twitter, he opened his private account. No. This is Hell.

He quickly switches over to his private account.

It’s all over his feed.

Immediately, he’s calling Katara. She picks up in seconds. “Are you okay?” is the first thing she asks.

“I don’t know. I thought I was on my private account last night, I think.. I don’t even remember how I got back,” Sokka says hoarsely, rubbing his temple. “My PR team is blowing up my phone.”

“It could be worse. You could have had a bunch of spelling errors,”

“God, Katara I don’t know what to do, it has millions of views. I can’t just delete it. That would make it worse.”

Katara pauses, “Keep it up, it’s giving the band attention, and no one’s saying anything bad. I even saw Zuko’s fan accounts are doing research on who you are,”

Sokka groans, “They think you’re cool.”

His phone dings. Katara’s sent him an image.

“Okay so it could be worse,” He mutters with Katara agreeing. “I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

“It happens, you know and in a few hours this could blow over, s..”

“What.” Katara paused and Sokka doesn’t like that pause. “Katara, what?!”

“Sokka— oh my God. Check your mentions.”

“KATARA!”

Katara laughs on the other line. “Oh my God I gotta go,” Sokka rambles as he hangs up. And just stares.

Sokka doesn’t know what’s overcome him. His celebrity crush he’s been following since February has just noticed him. And acknowledged that he knows him.

Not just know him, but he’s listened to their album. And work. And.. Sokka’s going to die. He doesn’t know why his face is just burning.

“Fuck,” He says as he sees a text from their manager.

Emergency PR meeting in our office at 3:30 Pm today.

Sokka’s actually terrified for this emergency meeting their team called in. He knows it’s because of his own post, but he hopes Suki and Aang don’t get yelled at.

As they walk in and sit, there’s their manager. Their PR team.. Sokka swallows nervously. “So, we saw some things come to light this morning,”

“I am so sorry,” Sokka blurts before she can finish. “I drank way too much and I acted carelessly, it won’t happen — again, I swear.”

“Well, there isn’t much we can do about it, because it’s been up for hours—” Their marketing team chirps in. “But the numbers are through the roof.”

That’s when the manager nods. “Through the fucking roof. You guys are trending, everywhere. Especially since Zuko noticed you,”

“That’s because Sokka’s amazing,” Suki beams with a wide smile. “And because we’re good at music, I guess.”

“Exactly. We need to capture this moment, we can’t make a mistake to slip it up.” Their manager says firmly, “So, we were thinking.. of reaching out to Zuko’s team, and seeing if he would be willing to be in the new music video.”

Aang and Suki whip their heads towards Sokka. Sokka gives them a side glance.

“Or,” Their manager continues, “He could model for the cover… we just believe this could blow up, and land you all on the charts.”

“What do you think, Sokka?” Aang asks. While he would love to agree right away, he knows it’s important to truly ask the guitarist how that would feel.

Sokka doesn’t know what to think. He pauses, as if he is really, really trying. “I just don’t want to push something out that seems so fake because of a small interaction.” He says.

He doesn’t want Zuko to take a huge fall because of what he did when he was drunk. “But I mean, I think it’s.. worth reaching out to his team.”

“Then we’ll do that right away. You three can keep finishing up the EP, and all of us will be in touch. And Sokka, don’t post anything else. The marketing team will take over your account for now,”

There’s the punishment. “Okay,” He huffs.

Suki is squealing as they walk out. “This is so good, Sokka! It’ll be so fun, and maybe he could even teach me how to get my skin even more flawless,” She taps her cheeks.

“At this point,” Sokka groans, “I’m just going to wing it.”

“Seems like he’ll like that,” Aang chides.

“— I’m going to die.”

Suki and Aang laugh as they head off to begin recording vocals. Sokka follows behind, and nervousness fills his gut.

Meanwhile, three hours away..

Zuko’s posing for a luxury brand company’s new drops. He holds a bag in his hands with the company’s rings all over his fingers.

“Perfect,” The photographer says. “Hold that, look to the left,”

After a few more flashes, Zuko sighs. “Take ten,” His manager exclaims, which means Zuko takes off the heavy, expensive jewelry and goes to his chair to melt in it.

He scrolls on his phone, and he can’t help but laugh when he looks at the post from earlier. It’s got even more likes than before.

To be fair, when Zuko woke up, he was not expecting that. He remembers seeing Sokka drunk, eyes red-rimmed. So, he figured that was a drunk tweet.

But Sokka seemed genuinely nice. And if Zuko’s being honest, he’s getting bored of the repetitiveness in his days. He wanted to make something fun happen.

That’s when he sees his manager answer a phone call. “Hello? Yes this is she. Oh, really?”

As soon as she hangs up, she’s walking over. “So, I just got off the phone with Ember Current’s team.”

Oh?

“They would like to collaborate on their next EP with you. Even if that’s an appearance in their new video.”

Zuko blinks, “I mean, if they’re okay with it. I don’t mind driving up.”

“I’ll let them know.”

He looks back down at where he was stalking Sokka’s profile from his private account.

After all, Zuko’s private account has to have a profile picture with his favorite teacup.

He thinks he and Sokka will get along just fine. He just hopes he doesn’t… make a bad first impression on the band. They met at the award ceremony but— that’s nothing.

This is make or break.

“Are you nervous?”

“Why would I be nervous?”

Aang pauses where he and Sokka are walking. Their team confirmed the collaboration. And finally, a month later, Zuko’s team is coming down here to talk. And “socialize”.

“I don’t know, you’re right,” Aang crosses his arms, acting clueless.

Sokka sighs, “Whatever happens, happens. That’s what I’m trying to tell myself. Besides I invited Katara to come, so if anything I’ll use her as an excuse to esca—”

“Katara’s coming?”

Damn. Sokka got Aang there. Now the other man looks nervous himself. “Hah!” Sokka laughs, “Lets be nervous together.”

“Evil,” Aang mutters as they enter. Katara is quick to enter as well, happy as she greets her brother and then his band mate. “It’s nice to see you Katara,”

“Aw, you too! Hey, I really loved your look in the new magazine.”

Aang flushed and Sokka rolled his eyes as he walked away. “Thank you, I actually thought of you, because the outfit was really— blue.”

Katara smiles wide as the two continue talking. Meanwhile, Sokka joins Suki, who’s going over new lyrics.

“Don’t talk to me,” Suki says with her hand up. Before Sokka can ask why, Suki’s finger points towards the door.

Zuko’s entering with his team. “Uh, hello!” Zuko says, waving shyly at everyone. “It’s— I’m Zuko? I’m not so sure where we’re supposed to go..?”

Zuko doesn’t know why he said that. Of course people know he’s Zuko. Damnit, why’s he so awkward?

“Hey, uh,” Sokka clears his throat as he walks over. “We usually just brainstorm here near the stage to talk and rehearse and then go out to the film set.”

“That works for me.” Zuko smiles, “Um, hi.”

“Hi,” Sokka says quietly, “Oh, before we start I just wanna apologize, you know for.. for how bad it must be for you right now. Because of my post.”

“No, don’t apologize,” Zuko’s eyes go wide as he reassures the guitarist. “I didn’t mind it at all, I assumed you were still… drunk?”

“Yes!” Sokka exclaims a bit too loudly. “Yes— yes I was. Very. Erm.. anyways, nice to meet you.. again..” He says as he’s quick to rush Zuko back with everyone. “I like your.. hair.”

“Thank you,”

Zuko walks behind. Typing on his phone.

“Hi Zuko, I’m Suki,” Suki introduces herself, before gesturing to Aang and Katara. “That’s Aang, and Katara’s Sokka’s sister.”

“Nice to meet you,” Zuko says, tone friendly. “So, honestly, I’m down for whatever you guys want, I mean, I’ve been in album covers, for.. people before.”

Sokka blinks. The music store! “Oh, I think I saw that—”

“Yeah uh, that was for my ex boyfriend.” Zuko clears his throat. “Jet?”

“You dated Jet?” Suki’s mouth falls open. “Shit, he’s popular in the metal scene.”

“But awful at dating,” Zuko rolls his eyes which makes Sokka laugh nervously. So, at least he likes musicians?!

Aang chimes in, “Maybe an appearance in our new video would be fun,”

“Okay,” Zuko nods. “Can I ask what the vibes are for your guys’ new project?”

“It’s like..” Sokka trails off before he looks at Suki. He shouldn’t have taken that question. “Like, yearning….?”

“Yeah,” Suki confirms, “We’re trying to go for a grunge, yearning— desperation kind of vibe.” She says as Zuko nods, registering. “Oh! I have an idea. What if we play Hollowpoint?”

Sokka’s eyes widen. “That’s the one where I’m singing.” He hisses towards her.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m saying we should play it,” Suki mutters under her breath.

Zuko looks clueless in the middle.

“Okay, fine. Here.” Sokka reaches into his pocket, pulling out two extra ear plugs. One for Katara.. one for Zuko. He puts it in Zuko’s palm. “You should stand a little further,”

“Thank you,” Zuko says as Sokka joins the band on stage. Aang flings his drumsticks in his hand as Sokka adjusts the height of the microphone.

“So I guess whenever—” Sokka starts in the mic before Aang and Suki abruptly start. “Oh so immediately? Okay— damn—”

Zuko laughs from where he sits, which makes Sokka slightly smile. Katara sits close to the model, but her gaze is focused on the drummer.

Zuko’s is focused on Sokka. And how flawless playing the guitar and singing comes natural to him, and with the way he and Suki’s voice melt together perfectly.

Meanwhile, Katara:

When the song’s over, Sokka rests his arms at his sides, and sighs. Zuko is immediately standing from his chair, and going over. “That was amazing,”

“You guys are incredible performers,” He says, but he’s only looking at Sokka as he says it. That makes the guitarist flush red across his tan skin.

Aang joins Katara, who’s complimenting him as Suki drinks water afar from the stage. “When did you learn how to play?” Zuko asks curiously.

“Like since I was.. six?” Sokka says, “I’ve had this guitar for ten years.”

“Wow,”

Sokka pauses. “Wanna try it?”

Zuko laughs, “I don’t know how to play.”

“You don’t have to.” Sokka says as the model joins him. He takes his guitar off, slinging it over Zuko’s neck. “You just, your hands would go here—”

Zuko feels blush creeping in as Sokka’s hands guide him. “See, it’s fun to hold.”

“How is your voice not sore?” Zuko asks, still holding Sokka’s guitar. “Those vocals were.. I mean— wow, you’re an insane vocalist.”

“Thanks, and honestly, I think it’s just vocal training, and lots of tea.”

This is Zuko’s chance. “I love tea!”

“You do?”

“Yeah, I’m obsessed,” He says. Will Sokka take the chance?

“I mean, after we do some work you have got to tell me your top five places here. Because between you and me I’m— lacking.” Sokka replies.

Sokka did. "I love the design of your guitar," Zuko continues.

Sokka finds a warm smile creeping on his face, "Thanks-"

"Another Sokka solo!" Katara shouts from the distance, with Suki jumping up and down in agreement. "Another solo, another solo!" Both cheer.

"Guys, shouldn't we practice the song that we're filming the actual video for today?" Sokka huffs.

"I'd love to see you perform again," Zuko says, and Sokka's whole attitude does a complete one-eighty. "Then, I mean why not?" Sokka responds. He can hear his friends and his sister giggling and snickering in the background.

The whole session lasted about an hour. Then, the group went to film for an extra three hours. Sokka’s exhausted, but filming with Zuko kind of… gives him energy.

“Zuko, could you move closer to Sokka?” The director says. Zuko and everyone else has changed, into the stylist costumes. “Now, while Sokka’s playing on the guitar, you should be looking at him. The yearning.”

“Noted.” Zuko replies.

“Where do I look?” Sokka asks, heart hammering at the proximity.

“Back at Zuko, of course!” The director smiles.

“Of course,” Sokka chuckles nervously as the camera clicks on. The song in the background plays, an Sokka’s fingers move. Eyes, on the other celebrity.

His fingers almost slip up because of how Zuko’s looking at him. So pretty. He knows Zuko’s acting— but fuck.

This eye contact is killing him.

“Cut!”

Sokka is quick to glance away and blink. “Perfect, absolutely perfect you guys.” The director claps.

“Go Sokka!” Katara cheers, clapping her hands. “And Zukoooo!”

“Thanks,” Zuko laughs, “So um.. I guess that’s it for today?”

“Yeah.”

“You still wanna learn about good tea places?” Zuko tilts his head. Those amber eyes. Sokka swears.

“Duh,”

As the two men walk out together, Suki and Aang give each other a look. “We did it,” The vocalist cheers as they high five.

“Hey Aang!”

“Oh— hey Katara,” Aang stammers. “Thanks for coming today, you can come.. anytime you want.”

Suki nudged Aang closer as she walks away. “Are you.. hungry?”

“Starving.” Katara says with a sigh, “You know a good place?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Sokka feels like he and Zuko talked for hours, when in reality it was only two. Two hours in the staircase at Sokka’s company. First Zuko told him about the good tea flavors. Bad flavors. Good for the throat.

He even wrote that down in his Notes app. Then, Zuko asked him questions about how he and Suki, Aang met. About how he knew he wanted to be a musician.

Then it was Sokka’s turn. “Did you always know you wanted to be famous?”

“Hah! No, I just wanted people to notice me somehow… I uh.. my family never really did.” Zuko says as looks down at his hands. “My first model gig, I didn’t think I would blow up.”

“I mean, look at you now,” Sokka says, making Zuko laugh, “I get it. Our first song.. I didn’t expect for it to turn into this.”

He pauses, “You have a favorite genre?”

“No, I don’t think so.. definitely whatever you guys have going on,” Zuko replies smoothly. Damn. “I don’t know if you saw my reply,”

“Oh, I did.” Sokka says a bit too quickly. “My marketing team banned me from posting.”

Zuko laughs, “No way. But— yeah I listened to your guys’ last album a lot, when I was filming a show.”

“I loved that show.”

“You saw it?”

“Mhm.” Sokka pauses before he looks over at Zuko again, “I also saw you were abroad for a new movie promotion?"

"Yes! It comes out in September. The plot is kinda.. at first, it's a bit slow, but then as-- wait," Zuko pauses, "I don't want to bore you with this ramble over my movie," He says nervously.

"No, I want to listen," Sokka says, and with a surprised face, Zuko rambles on and on. He can tell Sokka is listening to every detail, reacting how Zuko wishes everyone did when he talked. "I'm sorry, and it ends like that?! I need to see it, like yesterday." That makes Zuko laugh.

Zuko is beaming, "I'll invite your band to the early showing." He replies, and Sokka smiles with a tiny nod. That's when both men pause for awhile, and a question that Sokka still had in his mind comes back. He shifts his body, facing Zuko better.

"I kinda have an entirely different question,"

"Mhm?"

"You don’t have to answer this, but, I’ve seen your interview where you talk about being a burn victim.”

“Yeah,”

“Can I ask.. how?”

Zuko pauses, fidgeting with his fingers. He’s public about being a burn victim. Not exactly detailed in how. “If I tell you, will you promise to not tell? Not even your sister.”

Sokka crosses his heart and his fingers. “I vow.”

That makes Zuko laugh again, before he goes quiet. “It was silly... I was a young boy, and there was another boy at school, we were crushing on each other,” He says, swallowing nervously.

“My dad found out and woke me up at night. Dragged me to the kitchen and forced my— my face down into some oil he had boiled in a small pot.”

“What the fuck?!”

Sokka says that before he thinks. He quickly covers his mouth. “Shit, I’m so sorry I don’t mean..”

“No, it’s fine. It was years ago.” Zuko says, sighing, “I haven’t spoken to my dad in years. I left when I turned sixteen.”

“Good for you,” Sokka replies, “You didn’t deserve that.”

“….Thanks.” Zuko says quietly. “When I told people they would look at me differently. So I stopped and just decided to stay as a burn victim advocate,”

Sokka nods in acknowledgement. “You aren’t looking at me differently.” Zuko comments.

“Why would I?” Zuko’s own heart hammers. “You’re still the most beautiful model and actor I’ve ever seen.”

“I figured, your drunk tweet..”

“I thought it sober too.. just, so you know.”

“Really?”

Sokka nods. He laughs, nervous— “I’ve been following your stuff since February.”

It’s June..

“Oh,” Zuko blushes, smiling. “So, am I the most gorgeous man you’ve ever laid eyes on?” He flirts.

Sokka’s blue eyes go wide, as he stammers. Unable to speak. “Yes, Zuko. You are, and I still wonder uh— what, can I do for one chance?”

Zuko laughs, smiling wide. “I could ask you the same thing.”

The two are so close on this staircase. Sokka could turn and kiss Zuko right now. He’s about to.

Then someone opens the door to the staircase and both men quickly look away from each other. Damnit. “So, the EP track list release party..”

“I’ll be there,” Zuko replies. “It’s later, right?”

“Yeah.”

“What do I wear?”

“Whatever you want.”

On social media, the track list for the EP came out. With a teasing image of Zuko’s eye. So, the internet broke.

Sokka arrives to the party around 11:30 PM. He finds that Suki, Aang and Katara along with Toph are already there. “Guys, stop posting about me on your private accounts,”

They laugh.

The party begins to kick off at 12:00, with Sokka just looking around. That’s when he spots Zuko, a few feet away. “Zuko!”

“Sokka,”

“I’m happy you made it.” Sokka says, his eyes scaling Zuko’s outfit, “You look good.”

“Thanks,” Zuko says shyly. “You do too.”

That’s how the night truly begins for Sokka. He ignores the way Suki is pointing at him from the distance as he and Zuko talk, feeling up the scene.

“I had to put my phone on DND,” Zuko says as Sokka quickly tells him he did the same. “People are eating the tease up.”

“Hey, I went crazy over it too.” Sokka jokes.

Zuko slightly snickers, “You’re so funny.”

“Ah, ahaha.. thanks.”

By the time its 2:00 AM, Zuko and Sokka have talked about everything all over again. Zuko’s eyes are staring at Sokka’s blue ones so hard. It makes the guitarist nervous.

God, Sokka doesn’t know. He’s had this celebrity crush on Zuko for so long, and having Zuko right here, at their EP track list party..

He would regret it so much if he didn’t do anything, right?

Not at this party though. That’s the last thing he needs. People to see. Especially his friends. He leans into Zuko’s shoulder. “You bored?”

Zuko nods. He was waiting for Sokka to say SOMETHING!

“Come with me to my room?”

“Mhm,”

Sokka takes Zuko’s hand, and in that moment he decides to stop being such a coward. There is no going back now, as he guides Zuko out the door.

“It happened-”

“At least the studio’s saved.” Aang sighs with relief. Katara laughs, leaning against him, tipsy.

The walk to Sokka’s room isn’t his hotel room. It’s the room he has upstairs in the label building. But it has a bed, so..

“The view is pretty,” Zuko says as he looks out the window, feeling Sokka join him. Close. He turns.

“You’re prettier than the view,” Sokka says, closing the blinds. Their hands scramble, Sokka’s on Zuko’s surprisingly slim waist, Zuko’s around Sokka’s neck.

Their lips clash.

Zuko moans into the kiss, with Sokka groaning in response. The guitarist deepens it, Zuko holding the back of Sokka’s head.

“Congrats on the EP,” Zuko whispers, trailing down to Sokka’s neck. And lower, and lower—

“Oh my God,” Sokka gasps. He cannot believe this is happening. Zuko’s sinking onto his knees. His own hands go to fumble with his belt, as Zuko pulls his pants down. “Oh my God, oh fu..”

Sokka’s eyes flutter closed as he feels the first few teasing kisses on his cock. Then, as Zuko indulges in sucking him fully, his hand goes to the back of Zuko’s head.

“Fuck, fuck,” Sokka bites his lower lip, “You’re good at that— shit,”

Zuko moans around Sokka’s thick shaft, deepthroating and taking as much of Sokka in his mouth as he can. He looks up, staring right at the guitarist.

He wants to make Sokka sing.

And after a few seconds, Sokka is. His moans are definitely music to Zuko’s ears. He swirls his tongue, hands going to stroke the thick cock as he sucks at the same time.

“Ohhh fu..fuuuck,”

“Mm,”

“Fuck, fuckkk, Zuko, Zuko I’m not going to la..last,” Sokka rasps.

That’s when Zuko pulls away, his hand stroking Sokka’s cock fast until the guitarist explodes on his open mouth.

When Zuko stands, Sokka shoves him to the bed, the celebrity falling down with a gasp and a moan at the forwardness. “Sokka,”

“Yes?”

“Make me scream those high notes,”

Sokka feels his chest rumble with desire as he gets rid of his jacket and shirt. Fumbling for Zuko’s own clothes as well. “You will.”

The guitarist takes his time, feeling up the actor and model. His hands go to Zuko’s bare abs, trailing all over as his lips kiss on his neck. Leaving a trail of hickeys on the collarbone.

“Is this okay?”

“Yes,” Zuko breathes, “Need you,” He practically whines.

“Fuck you’ll have me.” Sokka reassures, with his hands trailing down.

“I’m prepped.”

“Wh..” Sokka’s eyes go wide, then dark with lust. “Fuck, really?”

“Yeah.. I— I thought of you before coming here,”

Zuko’s blushing hard as Sokka looks at him. “I’m going to make you lose your voice.”

“Fuck yes, Sokka—” Zuko begs as the guitarist grabs lube from his drawer. Lubing the other man up, and his cock, before pressing his tip at Zuko’s entrance.

Zuko’s eyes widen, mouth falling open as Sokka begins to push inside him. He’s thicker — larger than his ex, than anything he’s ever had before.

“Oh, Sokka—”

“That’s it,” Sokka groans, fully bottoming out. His hands go to Zuko’s thighs, spreading those legs open as he lowers his chest down, the first thrust already hitting Zuko’s prostate.

“Oh, Sokka!”

Sokka guides Zuko’s hands atop his head, their fingers intertwining as he moves. Thrust after thrust, Zuko moans louder each time. Almost squealing.

“You like that?”

“Yes!”

At that squealing moan, Sokka moves his hips forward faster. Hitting Zuko’s prostate dead-on each time. Zuko’s moans getting louder, and louder by the second.

Thankfully, with the party all the way down on the first floor, they can be as loud as they want. Sokka’s loud too, vocal in his moans and grunts right in Zuko’s ear.

Zuko’s eyes roll back as he finally hears that raspy moan come from Sokka. He moans as Sokka’s hands flip him over, Zuko’s hand scrambling for that pillow.

As Sokka begins to thrust into him from behind at this new angle, Zuko pushes back against him. Sokka’s hand goes to Zuko’s round ass, grabbing possessively.

Zuko pushing back also grinds his own cock against the bedsheets. He tilts his head back with Sokka grabbing his hair, moaning shamelessly loud.

He’s exclaiming Sokka’s name like a prayer, feeling the guitarist’s smooth hands on his chin, their lips colliding as Sokka moves harder than before. “Mmmhhh—” Zuko moans into the kiss.

“Gorgeous,” Sokka praises as he pulls away, one hand making Zuko bounce back on his thrusts. The other, in Zuko’s silky hair. “Fuck, that’s it. Look at you, a mess on my cock, yeah?”

Every word Zuko moans is an exclamation. Practically a scream. A high pitched beautiful scream.

“Yes! Yes! Sokka! Fuck! Fuck me harder!”

At the plea, Sokka groans, hand falling from Zuko’s hair to grab at Zuko’s waist. That’s when he moves ruthlessly fast, moaning.

“Yesss Sokka.. ohh Goddd..” Zuko moans, biting his lower lip as he arches his back. That’s when he gasps, feeling that release pool in his gut. “Yes— yes right there, right there please! Sokka!”

“Are you close?” Sokka rasps, lowering his head to be in Zuko’s ear again. Zuko nods frantically. “Fuck me too.. again..”

“Oh Sokka! Ngghhh… yess.. oh I’m close.. I’m going to come.. I’m going to come, Sokka!”

With one powerful thrust, as soon as Zuko’s prostate is hit again, he explodes. His orgasm is so strong, he squeals as he feels cum coat his body underneath him, and the sheets.

“Fuck, yes,” Sokka groans as he feels Zuko’s body clench around him at his powerful orgasm. That practically milks Sokka’s cock, the guitarist quickly following suit, his cum burying deep into Zuko.

Zuko gasps, feeling Sokka’s hands come under him, feeling his lower abdomen as he buries himself deep.

Sokka collapses onto Zuko’s back, his panting mixed with Zuko’s gasping and deep breaths. He removes himself slowly, falling down to Zuko’s side.

Zuko shifts to be on his side, hand already going to Sokka’s chest to move closer. “I’ve lost my voice,” Zuko says weakly.

“So I did my job right,” Sokka retorts back playfully before they meet again for another kiss. A deep, slow one before they both pull away. “That was incredible.”

“I was about to say the same,” Zuko says gently. His voice is quieter— he definitely lost his voice. Sokka sure taught him how to stretch his vocal cords.. “You’re so hot.”

Sokka chuckles at the compliment. “Hey, you’re not so bad yourself. You want to borrow some of my clothes? There's a shower in here too.”

“Jesus, and this isn’t even your house?”

“No. Just a penthouse like room in this huge record label building,”

“Well, next time at your house,” Zuko says as he sits up with Sokka, the two cleaning up. “We’ll be going for more.”

“God don’t say that.”

Zuko laughs tiredly, joining Sokka as both men rinse their bodies in the shower. Sokka takes the opportunity to kiss Zuko as the water drips down on them.

After, Sokka hands Zuko one of his hoodies. It has the label of his band on it, and Zuko is quick to wear it.

“I like you in that,”

“I need you in my clothing line,”

“Yes sir,” Sokka is quick to agree. “So, when you say next time at my house..” He starts as they cuddle, all domestic and soft now after that rough session. After all that tension, the almost kiss—

“Mhm,”

“Of course I have to start with a date, I assume.”

“Why, yes.” Zuko agrees, “And where will you take me for our first date?” He asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Mmm… ask me later, my brain’s fuzzy.” Zuko laughs at Sokka’s response, kissing the guitarist’s cheek. “Let’s break the internet with a subtle picture that day.”

“No, let’s do an extremely obvious picture that we’re hanging out. I want to destroy the internet.” Zuko says, his tone determined and tired.

Sokka yawns himself, nodding as Zuko nuzzles closer against his side. “Whatever you want.” He whispers tiredly as Zuko closes his eyes.

The guitarist pauses to think about how insane these past few months have been. And how Zuko— is asleep in his arms.

He smiles. Sokka looks forward to breaking the internet with Zuko. And for that first, true, real date.

All because of a stupid drunk post.

All worth it, to Sokka.