book-of-charlie

[book-of-charlie]

I warned you that I was reentering my ATLA phase. 🤣 here's a little zukka with a splash of Suki because I just love them okay

There was an assassination attempt.

There was an attempt on Zuko's life, and Sokka was at the markets rather than at the palace like he should have been.

He heard the alarm ringing out as soon as the attack began, and while the other shoppers all looked up in confusion and curiosity, Sokka felt his heart drop into his stomach. He knew what those bells meant.

His limbs felt numb as he began to push his way through the crowd. They weren't moving out of his way fast enough. He couldn't think straight, could only yelp as his knees gave out beneath him. Small, strong hands gripped his arms and kept him upright. He was vaguely aware of Stuhti calling his name from behind him.

His mind snapped to attention when he heard her say, "maybe it's best if we stay here until-"

"No," he snapped. The words sounded furious and defiant even to his own ears. He'd apologize to her later. "Get me there now."

Stuhti nodded in understanding before stepping in front of him. "Out of our way!"

The crowd hadn't paid much mind to Sokka in his common Water Tribe garb, but Stuhti was in her full Kyoshi regalia. The people parted for her quickly and easily.

The numbness vanished in an instant, adrenaline taking over, and suddenly Sokka couldn't move fast enough. He needed to get back to the palace, needed to be there to protect Zuko, he should have never left, he should be with him-

"He'll be fine," he heard the warrior assure him as they left the crowd behind. "Suki is with him. She'd never let anything happen to him. And even if she wasn't, the Fire Lord is a powerful man in his own rights."

He knew that. He knew that. But that didn't stop the fear from crawling up his spine, creeping into his heart, blurring the edges of his mind.

They reached the palace gates, where two guards were standing watch, glancing uneasily between the ringing bell and the pair approaching them.

"Open the gate," Sokka demanded, and immediately one of them scrambled for the latch.

The bell stopped ringing. All of them turned to look up at it, but none of them relaxed. That meant the attack was over, not that everything was okay again.

As soon as the gate swung open, Sokka ans Stuhti pushed through and began the sprint for the palace. The courtyard was deserted, and the main door of the palace was open. Sokka could hear the shouts and commands before he even raced through the door.

The commotion stopped as the guards and warriors spotted him. He didn't even have to ask before he was being pointed down a hall.

"Ambassador. He's with Suki in his quarters."

Hearing that Zuko was okay did nothing to ease his panic. He needed to see him, touch him, hear his voice-

Stuhti stayed behind as Sokka made the now-familiar journey towards the Fire Lord's chambers. It took less than a minute, but every second felt like a lifetime.

The door was shut and no one was guarding it, but that didn't matter. Sokka shoved it open, slammed it behind him.

"Zuko."

He was there, seated in an armchair, alive and breathing and smiling up at Suki. He turned when he heard Sokka, and then he was on his feet, crossing the room in a few easy strides.

Sokka collapsed into his arms, clung to him, buried his face in Zuko's neck. Relief settled through him and for a moment, he thought he might cry. "You're okay."

"I'm fine," Zuko said. He held Sokka just as tightly and pressed a kiss to his temple. "I didn't even realize what was going on until it was practically over."

"Honestly, we didn't get in on any of the action," Suki said, sounding a little disappointed.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Sokka grumbled, finally letting go of Zuko and reaching out for Suki instead. She sighed and melted against him, tucking her head under his chin.

"You know, we've been given the rest of the day off," Zuko said, and Sokka could hear his smile.

"Good," Sokka replied, letting go of Suki and eyeing Zuko as he backed up towards their bed. He sat on the edge of it, grinning as the Fire Lord began to approach him with a fond and slightly hungry look. He threw himself backwards into the mattress. "I could use a long nap after the morning I've had."

Suki giggled as Zuko sputtered at him. "The morning you've had? What about the morning we've had?"

[book-of-charlie]

Zukki Week 2024 Prompts

November 4th | Day 1 - Bi awakening and/or Izumi and/or Makeup

November 5th | Day 2 - Boiling rock and/or Hair and/or Accidental reveal of established relationship

November 6th | Day 3 - Non-sexual intimacy/relaxing and/or Disability and/or Soulmates

November 7th | Day 4 - Sudden child acquisition and/or Relationship negotiations and/or On the throne

November 8th | Day 5 - Sparring and/or The mortifying ideal of being loved and/or Pirates

November 9th | Day 6 - Shopping at 2am and/or Heist AU and/or 5+1

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Zuko:*sitting at table*

Sokka:Hey Zuko can I tell you something

Zuko:

Sokka:so I saw you earlier with those turtleducks *proceeds to go on 10 minute rant about how cute zuko is with turtleducks* Zuko:*blushing intensely* Hey can I maybe like kiss you?

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Sokka: *Wakes up in the Firelord's bed at the Fire Nation captial*

*Turns around and sees Zuko fast asleep*

Sokka, softly: Shit I love him

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Sokka: Zuko's so great like... he's just perfect. He's got this gorgeous long hair-

Katara: Oh spirits not again.

Sokka: No, no listen. His hair flows in the wind, like waves of black just bringing light on the dark shadows of the earth. His face is like porcelain, shattered but repaired and beautiful nonetheless, shiny and smooth skin with his eyes- his gorgeous eyes Katara. They're like the sun tucked away and burning in the veins of his iris.

Katara: Sokka can you please-

Sokka: And I'm not just saying I like him for his looks, oh no no no. He was a bitch at the beginning but he was lost, and once he was found he became brave for the people he cared about. He opened like a lotus flower, sharing his beauty and care after being tucked away for so long.

Katara: Sokka I swear to- You're married!

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Zuko: *Being all kingly and talking seriously with one of his advisors.*

Sokka: *Staring at him in love*

Zuko:*Sees Sokka and softly smiles and waves*

Sokka: *Blows him a kiss*

Zuko: *Rolls his eyes but struggles to suppress a grin as he speaks to his advisor again*

Sokka: *A heavy sigh of adoration*

Katara: Can you please not be gay for like... five seconds?

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Sokka: I don't wanna ruin our friendship, but I really wanna tap that ass.

Sokka & Zuko: *laughing*

Zuko: *dead serious* ruin it.

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Sokka: So, you're telling me that in order to save the Tribe I have to marry that guy. *points at Zuko*

Hakoda: Sokka I know it's not ideal bu-

Sokka: - Well shit dad the Tribe could've been saved eons ago!

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Zuko: Bye Sokka! Bye Katara! Bye Aang! Bye Toph! Bye Sokka!

Katara: you said 'bye Sokka twice'

Zuko: I like Sokka. :)

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Zuko: name a more iconic duo than my crippling fear of abandonment and my anxiety. I'll wait.

Sokka:you and me!!!

Zuko, tearing up: okay

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Zuko: I know you snuck out last night, Sokka. Katara: Play dumb! Sokka: Who’s Sokka? Katara: NOT THAT DUMB!!!

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Sokka, just waking up: i had a dream where tornadoes were made illegal or something. i just remember like a dozen police cars driving directly toward a tornado with their sirens on and all getting sucked into the tornado

Zuko, sleep-deprived: why is that so fucking funny

[book-of-charlie]

Hear me out- Zukka AU that stays /mostly/ in line with the story up until Aang meets the blue spirit- tells sokka all about it and Sokka subsequently falls in love with the idea of this masked vigilante. He starts picking up papers from every town they pass through just for more news on the blue spirits antics against the fire nation

In this AU the blue spirit does a lot more stuff

And then come book 3 when Zuko finally shows up he hears Sokka gushing out him one night to Katara while complaining that he’s been inactive the last month or so

Because Zuko was back in the palace

And Zuko just looks at Aang like you didn’t tell him?????

And Aang just gives a 🤷🏼‍♂️😁

[book-of-charlie]

Zuko: Am I worthy of this? Am I deserving enough when everything I touch turns to ash?

Sokka: Thats irrelevant. Do you want it?

Zuko: wha- what? What do you mean?

Sokka: Do. You. Want. It?

Zuko: Yes, more than anything

Sokka: Good.

Sokka takes Zukos still violently trembling hands in his own, and carefully pulls a golden ring from his pocket.

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Zuko: How can you love me if I’m not whole?

Sokka: I love the moon

Zuko: …

Zuko: Is now really the time to be comparing me to you ex girlfriend?

Sokka: Thats’ not what I mean. Look at her, some days she’s whole, some days she’s a little less, and some days she’s barely enough to cut through the darkness. Do you think on any of those days I love her less compared to another?

Zuko: Well… no

Sokka: That is also the way I love you

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I saw this text post on Pinterest and knew exactly which nerds aligned with it

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Do u think Sokka would learn how to say “my love” “my darling” “gorgeous” etc. in a bunch of different languages before him and Zuko start dating bc it amuses him to see Zuko frustrated and also lets his feelings out in a harmless way yes or no