Candrala: So lisacreature, my ever faithful reviewer, has given me a little game plan for the rest of this story! Thanks, deary.

Chapter 12: In the Bright Lights

It had become easy, living with Sokka and Katara, now that everything was right again. Yes, Zuko missed his old friend and the boy he had loved for many years but in his heart he knew this was probably best. His uncle had even started speaking to him a little. Zuko took this as a sign that Karma was finally forgiving him for his past mistakes.

Sokka leaned into the metal table they had placed in the back room of the bookstore, his elbows resting against the cool surface. He ran a tawny finger over his teeth as his blue eyes scanned a list of books that were either needed, requested or being shipped in. In all honesty, nothing about his job interested him. Sokka was a lover of history, facts, and puzzles. Anything else, he didn't really care about; unless it was pranks or jokes.

Sokka shifted his hips from side to side, removing his finger from his mouth when he heard Katara come in, the ding of the front door signaling her arrival.

"Hey," He called, still studying the list. "Did you request all of these stupid vampire love stories? 'Cause you know I can't stand those and the last thing we need is stupid girls hanging out in here all the time."

"I didn't, no."

Sokka's eyes widened and he jumped, spinning around in shock. He hadn't expected Zuko to be here. He wasn't scheduled to work today.

Zuko smiled at him, a soft little giggle escaping his pale lips. "Katara asked me to cover for her. Aang really needed her."

Sokka nodded, swallowing slightly as he turned back to the list. "Well then," He continued on his rant. "It must have been Katara."

Zuko leaned over Sokka's shoulder, his eyes roaming the list. Sokka may be older but Zuko was much taller. A short little hmph passed through his lips before he turned back to the main floor of the store.

Sokka seemed to melt into the table beneath him, his hot cheeks contrasting with the cool metal. He didn't understand how every little thing Zuko did could make his skin heat up or his heart spazz in a pathetic, adoring kind of way. He just knew he hoped it never stopped.

No, he didn't have the guts to ask Zuko out. Yeah, he wanted to but he didn't want to push Zuko back into the arms of that… kid.

"Oh, Sokka," Zuko called from what sounded like the front of the store.

"Yeah?" Sokka asked, exiting the back room, stretching his arms over his head and pressing his hips forward while he walked his lazy man walk.

Zuko stared at one of the books he had been putting on display, nibbling his lip. He looked to Sokka after releasing a deep breath. "My uncle called me today. He wants me to go visit him soon. Would you… Would you go with me?"

Sokka blinked, lowering his arms to his sides. "Uh… Yeah. Sure. When?"

Zuko shrugged, placing the book down neatly on the display table. He hadn't figured that out yet. His eyes widened a little when he felt his phone vibrate. Who could be contacting him? Sokka was here, Katara was with Aang and his uncle had just called him.

He flipped his phone open after pulling his phone from his pocket, a little stunned by the sender's name. It was the message, that made he find a need to grab the edge of the table in front of him. Sokka tottered over to him, touching Zuko's arm tentatively.

Sokka looked towards Zuko's phone.

Jet: I remember how I know Sokka. From the orphanage. We were both raped by the sick lady that ran the place. Hope this helps you sleep better at night.

Sokka closed his eyes as the memories flooded to him, things he had pushed so far down. Zuko hadn't known the story of his parents. How his mother had died and his father had just disappeared. He hadn't wanted him to know.

Zuko closed his phone, tossing it on the table. He turned towards his friend, whose eyes were still pinched shut. "Sokka," He murmured, extending his hand to clasp the other's shoulder. "I am so sorry. I didn't… I didn't know. It explains… everything."

Sokka leaned into Zuko's chest, opening his eyes slightly. "It's okay." He said, lamely. "I had forgotten about it until now. It does… explain my dislike for him though."

Zuko wrapped his arms around Sokka, holding him closer. He didn't really know how to comfort someone. Even after the countless times he had been shown comfort. Reluctantly, he raised his hands to Sokka's head, running his fingers through Sokka's messy ponytail, testing.

Sokka turned his face into Zuko, nuzzling into his shirt and inhaling Zuko's naturally ashy scent. What was the big deal anyway? He had come so far since then, he and Katara. What had gone on in the orphanage didn't matter. Not anymore.

Zuko smiled, turning his face into Sokka's hair. "How about we close up shop for today and do something fun?" Sokka shrugged, feigning an effort to smile while failing horribly at it.

The dark haired boy really had no idea what would be fun for Sokka, considering his emotional state. If he had learned anything since living with the tanned boy, though, it was that food was the way to Sokka's heart.

Sokka walked lazily behind Zuko, not really paying attention to their surroundings or what the boy was even saying to him. He didn't care, honestly. Jet was a fucking prick and he wanted him gone. That was all he could really focus on.

Because of what Jet had told Zuko and reminded him of, Sokka was certain Zuko would not want anything romantically from him. Hell could he really be with someone who was repeatedly touched at a young age?

His blue eyes blinked rapidly as he collided with Zuko's back. "Wha… what?" He asked, hurriedly pushing himself away from Zuko's body, a slight blush of embarrassment decorating his cheeks.

Zuko chuckled, pointing towards the restaurant door.

Sokka scratched the bridge of his nose with his pointer finger, casually striding toward the door. Zuko shook his head, a smirk on his lips, as he followed his friend into the eatery.

The waiter smiled at them as he placed them at a rather private table in the corner, announcing the specials as he laid down their menus.

"My name is Thomas," He said routinely. "I'll be serving you today. Our lunch specials are stewed sea prunes and jasmine tea. Can I start you off with something to drink?"

Sokka's blue eyes eagerly scanned the menu, his finger tracing the text on the page.

Zuko looked up at Thomas. "Just water, please."

Thomas nodded and turned on his heels to fetch the boys their drinks and assist other customers.

Zuko blew air out his nose, flipping the menu back and forth. He wasn't exactly hungry, he mainly just wanted to see Sokka's dumbass smile on his face again. He glanced up towards the other boy, his palm resting under his chin.

"What are you going to get?" He asked.

Sokka scooted closer to the table, his shoulders hunching up and his elbows resting on the table. The sparkle in his eyes was already back.

"I definitely want something meaty." Sokka stated matter-of-factly. "So… maybe the avocado burger? But that has vegetables." He stuck his tongue out at the thought of anything healthy hitting his lips.

Zuko chuckled, tapping Sokka's forehead with his menu. "Retard, avocados are fruits."

Sokka rolled his eyes, slumping back in his seat. "Oh excuse me, almighty Zuko, for not having common knowledge of fruits and vegetables." His eyes returned to the menu. "The bacon burger is actually sounding good…"

Zuko was about to retort, when the clank of glass being set on the table cut him off. Thomas forced a smile at him as he placed Sokka's water on the table. He straightened up and pulled out his notepad, pressing his pen to the paper.

"What are we going to be eating today, guys?" Zuko didn't like the tone in his voice. It was tight and strained; like he felt he had been punished by having to serve them. Zuko's eyes widened slightly. Thomas thought they were gay, together.

Sokka looked up at the waiter, beaming with a huge smile on his face. "I want the bacon burger, please! Oh, and some fries…" Sokka added on thoughtfully.

Thomas nodded before looking over to Zuko. "And you?"

Zuko shook his head, handing Thomas his menu. Thomas looked at him skeptically, before turning and way and heading towards the kitchen.

Zuko crossed his arms, leaning his elbows on the table and sighed. "Tommy boy sure is a ball of sunshine, eh?"

Sokka looked up, his eyebrows wrinkling. He had been busy trying to create a pyramid of sugar packets. "What do you mean?" He asked, cringing when a twitch of his fingers squashed all the progress he had made.

Zuko watched him lovingly. He honestly enjoyed the fact that Sokka had gotten less psychotic since Jet had disappeared. He liked this Sokka better. No, he loved this Sokka better.

"Well," He mulled. "He doesn't seem very friendly; like he has a problem with us or something." He reached over and handed Sokka a pack of sugar, when he noticed the boys oceanic eyes darting between keeping his pyramid stable, or getting more building blocks.

Sokka shrugged, sticking his tongue out of his mouth in concentration. "I've learned that people's opinions don't matter. If I like who I am and I have people that like me, too, then why should I care what some fickle waiter thinks?" He looked at Zuko, his eyes gleaming and a huge, genuine smile on his face. "Ya know?"

Zuko drummed his fingers on his arm, smiling back. It had taken him a long time to share Sokka's views on that matter. Sometimes he still found himself slipping back into his old mindset; especially when Jet was around. "Yeah," He finally said.

The rest of their stay in the restaurant went smoothly; Sokka ate until he was ready to burst and Zuko worked on constructing their sugar pyramid. They were able to talk about things like they hadn't in a long time. It was genuine conversation, with two earnestly interested people listening. They couldn't have conversations so deep when Katara was around. She had to turn it around to make it about her and then the whole point of the conversation died.

Sokka stretched his arms over his head, lacing his fingers together, before placing them against the back of his neck. "Thanks, Zuko. That really helped." He smiled at him.

Zuko nodded, pushing his hands into the butt pockets of his jeans. "Anytime, Sokka. It's worth it to see that idiotic smile of yours."

Sokka turned to face Zuko, blinking. "That isn't very nice." He said pointedly, a very serious look spreading over his face.

Zuko chuckled, shaking his head. "It's cute!"

He had meant to say more but he hadn't gotten the chance. Suddenly, Sokka's arms were wrapping around his neck and their lips met.

Sokka pulled his arms around the other's neck tighter, tilting his head so their noses didn't squish. Zuko stood stunned for a few minutes, blinking, before resting his hands on the slim hips of his friend and closing his eyes, deepening the kiss.

Sokka pulled away, a slight flush on his cheeks. He smiled crookedly, pressing his forehead into Zuko's. "Thank you."

Candrala: So this took me forever. I am currently going through a very bad break up, so I've been dealing with that while trying to construct this for you lovely people. I'm also at a loss as to where to take this story. Anyway, I'm sorry if this chapter is all over the place. Enjoy, though. Candrala loves you all.