Chapter Text
Sokka clambered out of his beat up old Ford Fiesta, boots crunching against the loose gravel that covered the car park at Stillwater Riding School. It was nearing the end of June and despite the early hour the morning air was warming rapidly under the clear blue sky. Slamming the car door shut behind him Sokka took in a deep breath, inhaling that characteristic sweet scent of the countryside, taking a moment as he did every morning to appreciate the life his dad had built for their family here.
It started out a Sunday morning like any other, Sokka jovially walked the path from the car park to the schools stables, waving and calling cheerful greetings to Suki, his sister Katara, her boyfriend and his best friend Aang, his father and his fathers best friend Bato, and responding in kind to Tophs well natured sarcastic catcalls about him always being the last to show up. It was fine though, because they all knew Sokka more than pulled his weight really.
Between them Sokka and the rest of “the kids” shared care of the barns between them, giving Hakoda and Bato much needed time to deal with the less hands on business side of the school. Sokka’s barn had the fewest inhabitants, which was why he was flying solo. The other barns were both at full capacity with 20 horses each so the stable chores and duties were shared in pairs. Katara and Aang being in charge of barn 1 and Suki and Toph taking charge of barn 2.
Sokka made his way to barn 3 and was greeted by the usual welcoming whinnies and demands for breakfast from the barns 9 residents.
“Ok! Ok! Breakfast is coming! Hold your horses! HA! Hold your horses…get it?” Sokka laughed at his own joke, giving Chilli a wink as he passed by her stall. The spicy red mare gave him a thoroughly unimpressed glare in response. Ghost, an exceptionally friendly puppy dog of a gelding however, leant as far out of his stall as he could nickering at Sokka as he passed. Sokka gave the grey gelding a quick scritch as he passed.
“Well at least someone appreciates my humour around here.”
Saturdays and Sundays were the busiest days at the school with four classes plus all the usual chores and tasks to carry out. With years of practiced precision, Sokka launched into his morning chore. Everyone was fed breakfast, Sokka snarfing down his own flasks of cereal and coffee while reminding himself who was in his classes today. Notes read, Sokka selected the six most appropriate steeds for his students and led them two at a time out into the small holding pasture next to the outdoor arena that his classes were taught in for easy access for his students, two he turned out into the large pasture to enjoy the days sunshine, and the last, after a bit of wrangling, was turfed out into a small dry lot - giving Sokka an unimpressed snort as he closed the gate behind him as he left “hey, don’t look at me like that! It’s not my fault you get so fat! And I’m not having you under my feet trying to bite me while I clean!” He retorted. Empty stalls were much quicker to muck out than occupied ones.
Sokka was trekking his way back up the gravel driveway for the third time with his now empty wheelbarrow when he heard the deep, throaty rumble of an engine. The beautiful sound of a 5.0 litre V8 engine was music to Sokkas ears that carried on the summer breeze, announcing the vehicles presence several moments before he saw the car making its way up the school driveway, tires churning up the gravel, before turning into the car park. Mustang GT Fastback…no…premium Fastback. The metallic red paint sparkled in the sunlight, tinted windows obscuring the cars occupant/s while the idling engine purred. Sokka vaguely wondered if the cars driver was lost, it was too early for any of the kids in the first class to be arriving yet - even if it was a new sign up whom they always asked to arrive a short while before the actual class, they would still be far too early. He distantly registered his dad and Aang appearing at his side as he somehow found himself back on the car park. His trusty Fiesta and its healthy layer of dust looking rather sad to be occupying the same space as that gorgeous, gleaming machine. Surely they mustn’t mean to be here, he thought, Sokka absolutely adored the Riding School he and his sister had grown up on, but he could admit that a car like that was desperately out of place here. The engine fell silent and the male driver stepped out of the car - tall, and lean, ink black hair that was shaved short on the left side though more blended than Sokkas own undercut, dressed in a red and black long sleeved check shirt worn open over a plain black tee with slim fitting black jeans, black Doc Martens and Ray Ban sunglasses. He turned in Sokkas direction, removing the sunglasses to fully reveal that very recognisable scar that marred the majority of the left side of his face, just as Sokkas ogling had him registering the cars private plate. ZUK 10.
For a moment though, Sokka was struck by those unusual eyes of the lightest hazel they were practically yellow, just like he was the very first time he laid eyes on the other guy…
It was an ordinary Friday morning on a drizzly day in April. Sokka, Suki, Toph, Aang and Katara were sat in the shopping centre food court. It was one of those rare occasions where all their schedules between university classes and jobs actually aligned to give them a few hours free time. Time they’d unanimously agreed would be best spent meeting for brunch. Conversation flowed with loud and raucous laughter around the clattering of cutlery and mumbled through mouthfuls of food. It was great when they could all get together like this. But then, in her most obnoxiously loud and projecting voice possible Toph shoved her chair away from the table causing it to screech against the tiled floor, stood and declared:
“Sparky! I better be seeing things because surely your ass would not have the AUDACITY to be back in town without telling me AGAIN”
Through the crowds of shoppers, the rest of group could just about make out a guy who had been passing by the food court who startled and whipped his head in their direction, and despite Tophs menacing stomping in his direction, obviously relaxed and offered a small smile in return when Aang also leapt out of his own chair, chattering to the others that they’d be right back and darted over with a bright and loud exclamation of “Zuko! It’s so good to see you! It has been WAY too long”.
Sokka, Katara and Suki gave each other matching expressions of confusion.
“What’s got those two so exited?” Suki queried
“Some dude called Zuko apparently” Sokka muttered nonchalantly, returning to the remainder of his breakfast. Katara rolled her eyes at him.
“I think he’s a friend of theirs. I’ve heard the name mentioned before, I think Toph went to school with him when they were kids”
“Bet he’s loaded then” Sokka mumbled around a mouthful of food, which earned him a smack on the shoulder
“What!” He protested “I’m just saying! Toph might make a point to act like she’s not from that background but she went to a private school where all the super rich people send their kids. So if she met him at school, it stands to reason, he’s at least as minted as she is”
Katara and Suki both just shook their heads at him, but didn’t argue so he took that as a win, not letting anything stop him on his mission to devour his breakfast, though as his eyes slid over to where Toph and Aang had moved out of the way of the shopping centres crowd to chat to their friend, he couldn’t help but be hit with the sight of something else he’d quite like to devour. Toph and Aangs friend was hot. How had they never mentioned this guy before? It would be just like them to completely neglect a detail as important as their extremely hot friend.
Hot friend was stood with his right side angled towards Sokka, he was tall - almost as tall as Aang despite being leant over a pair of crutches, seemingly not weight bearing on his left side even when stood still. He was dressed in a white hoodie that clearly fit loosely on him despite it not looking like it was meant to be an oversize fit, black tracksuit bottoms and black hi top converse. Sharp jawline and cheekbones that he could swoon over all day, black hair that was shorter on the back and side than the top, hung loosely with a slightly messy look that seemed effortless but intentional in a way that made Sokka a little jealous, and those eyes. Even from that distance with just the one side available to admire, Sokka was completely taken by those eyes. Angular and the lightest hazel he had ever seen, practically yellow under the shopping centres fluorescent lighting. They were striking. When he spoke to greet Toph and Aang, his voice managed to carry over the din.
“Hey Toph, Aang. It’s good to see you guys.”
Oh spirits that raspy voice was giving Sokka all sorts of feelings.
“Sorry I didn’t let you know I’m around. I’m not…exactly in town per se”
Aaand he has the slightest hint of a lisp. Sokka caught Suki’s raised eyebrow and realised his thoughts were clearly showing all over his face and decided that’s it, he was done, right then there, just kill him please. He resolutely went back to his food but kept one ear on the conversation that was passing between the trio.
Toph scoffed “pretty sure you’re stood right here, in town, Sparky”
“I know, I know. But I’m only here for literally like half an hour”
“Ugh that’s ridiculous”
“You don’t need to tell me that BUT, I am gonna be around a whole lot more soon”
“Oh?”
The hot friend reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys
“I am literally here to sign for and pick up the keys for our new flat, we’ve not decided on like an exact date yet but we’re gonna be moving back over here in the next few weeks”
“Are you serious?” Toph sounded shocked
“That’s great Zuko!” Aang added in
“Yeah, well I’m getting more involved in you know, the family business, now. I gotta do something to earn my keep and I’m not gonna be competing again any time soon. And I always wanted to get more involved in the day to day stuff anyway. So, as you kinda know Toph, I’ve been back and forth between here and London for a while but I can’t keep it up, it’d kill me I think. Driving four/five hours one way and back again in less than a day sometimes, sometimes three or more times a week. So we had a talk, he’s getting a transfer up here, he’ll have to drive back to London maybe once or twice a month but that’s a lot less than what I’d be doing, the drives easier for him than it is me and realistically I’m gonna need to be here all the time sooner rather than later, so yeah, we’re moving back. And yeah I literally just drove up here to get the keys and I’m driving right back down to London.”
“Holy shit Zuko, I’ll be honest I never thought I’d see the day you’d get him to agree to move up here. Maybe he’s not a total pile of trash”
“Toph!”
“Hey, you know I don’t like him. But back up a second…did you say you were driving??”
“Yeah, I tried the train to begin with but it was honestly awful”
“Well I can’t argue with that”
“You can’t just go as and when you need to you have to wait for one to be running, they’re late so often it isn’t even funny, and even if you pay for one you can’t actually guarantee a seat! And I’m not looking for sympathy but, come on, I just cannot do two and half hours standing on a moving train. I just can’t.”
“So you’re driving again?”
“Yep. Everything’s been stable for a little while now so I’m allowed to drive, with restrictions, as in the car. It’s an automatic, adapted… thing… I hate it, honestly. You know me. I am determined it is going to be temporary”
“Well, if anyone is tenacious and stubborn enough to do it, it’s you sparky.”
“Tophs right Zuko, it’s pretty amazing how well your doing” Aang added in
“Thanks guys”
A phone began to ring, Zuko reached into his pocket again, depositing the keys and pulling out his phone.
“That him?” Toph asked
“Yeah, he’ll be wondering why I’m not on my way back yet. Said I’d call him when I was done”
Tophs eye roll was probably visible for miles.
“He just worries Toph”
“Sure, if you say so”
Zuko shot her an exasperated look in reply
“I better get going, but I’ll give you a call later? Let you know when I’m back in town properly and then we can arrange to meet up for a proper catch up? Aangs right, it has been way too long”
“I’ll hold you to it Sparky!”
“See you guys around” Zuko turned to leave, hobbling away on his crutches while balancing his phone between his ear and his shoulder
“Bye Zuko!” Aang yelled after him before he and Toph returned to their friends and what was left of their breakfasts.
“So…who was that? I think Sokka was a little disappointed you didn’t come and introduce him” Suki oh so casually inquired. Sokka nearly choked on his coffee. Toph giggled menacingly.
“Oh of course Snoozles would have the hots for Sparky, I’ll bet that little lisp of his had you hanging on by a thread huh?”
Sokka just made a few incoherent noises of denial around his spluttering, if anyone ever asked he wasn’t blushing, he was red as a tomato from choking. Aang and Katara both looked thoroughly alarmed meanwhile Suki was giving him that far too knowing look. Toph just snickered some more before explaining for the wider group.
“That was Zuko, I’ve known him for years. We met at school when I was what…nine. He’s a couple of years older than me. Just a couple of months older than you Snoozles” she sent him a sly wink
“And then I introduced him and Aang about four years ago. He’s had it rough though, especially recently-”
Aang nodded vigorously in agreement
“-and he’s not the biggest people person in the world. It would have been a bit much for him right now to meet a bunch of new people. He’s moving back here soon though so it’ll be good to introduce you all once he’s all settled back in. I’m sure you’ll all get along great”
“What the fuck is he doing here?” Sokka snarled, not bothering to mind his volume or his language in the face of his current audience.
“Well…good morning to you too Sokka” replied the all too familiar raspy voice of Zuko with his subtle lisp and that intentional emphasis on his name.
It was no secret that Sokka and Zuko did not get along. After that first fleeting glance it had been another nine months before Sokka had finally gotten to meet Toph and Aangs hot friend, he’d been the last of the group to actually do so which, when Suki and his sister both gave the guy a seal of approval, Sokka was admittedly a bit miffed about. Until the two met. Sokka had remembered what Toph had said, about Zuko not being a ‘people person’ and him having had a rough time and he’d done his absolute best, pulled out all the stops on his charm and wit and jokes to try and put the guy at ease and all the asshole could do was look down his nose and scowl at him! And after a couple of interactions on separate occasions Sokka came to the conclusion that Zuko was just another pretentious rich prick and gave up on any illusion of them ever getting along. Thankfully the pairs schedules didn’t seem to line up very often, sparing the rest of the group from having to deal with their snark and baiting and bickering on the regular. It drove Katara to distraction to the point where, after one particularly aggravating evening (Sokka had actually been quite impressed that she’d kept her cool until everyone bar him and Toph had left) she had rounded on him and made, what was quite frankly the most outrageous statement possible.
“UGH! This crap between you and Zuko is getting ridiculous! Trust me, as your little sister I do not want to get in any way involved in your sex life but spirits above I wish you two would just do each other already and then maybe when you’ve aired out all that dumb sexual frustration you’re clearly holding, you two can actually be civil!”
Sokka had been flabbergasted and honestly disgusted that his baby sister could suggest such a thing and had vehemently disputed the idea, despite Tophs howls and cackles of laughter and very unhelpful suggestions that Katara was entirely correct in her assessment of the situation. Sure, Sokka could admit the guy was hot, even with the scar that had taken him by surprise when they met face to face, but there was no way Zuko was attracted to him surely.
Though the thing that outraged Sokka the most was the fact that, as it turned out, Kataras suggestion wasn’t actually the most outrageous thing after all. Once she’d said it, he couldn’t get the poisonous thought out of his brain, and the next time he’d been forced into interacting with the jerk he’d figured he’d test the waters a little and well…one thing had led to another and maybe they hadn’t been entirely wrong and maybe he hadn’t been able to look at his kitchen countertops the same way since. But neither that, nor any of their subsequent hook-ups had changed the fact that Sokka just couldn’t be civil for more than ten minutes in Zukos company. The hate sex may be amazing, but the guy still had the personality of a Honey Badger. The only thing that changed was now his brain liked to supply him with inappropriate images of Zuko shoved up against kitchen cabinets, the phantom sensation of warm breath against his neck and the sounds he made when he— for fucks sakes Sokka! Get a grip! Ugh! This is exactly why Katara was SO WRONG and it had been a completely OUTRAGEOUS suggestion to have made! Because now the jerk only had to give him THAT look and THAT tone of voice and fuck Sokka was a goner.
The sound of Aangs voice snapped Sokka out of his spiralling thoughts, realising that at some point Zuko had wandered over.
“Sokka you were literally there when your dad was saying that we’d need someone to take over from Katara when she goes on her placement for her degree in September and I said that a friend of mine and Tophs might be able to help”
Sokka spluttered in outrage, spinning to face Aang.
“I didn’t realise you meant ZUKO! What the fuck does this jerk know about horses other than that his pretty little car is named after one!-” he couldn’t help but pass a sideways glance at that sweet ride…he guessed Zuko did make sure the ‘automatic adapted thing’ was temporary after all “-or how to be a decent human being around and teach kids anything for that matter!”
“Sokka.” Hakodas deep voice cut through the air like a knife, in a tone that to others brooked no argument but he was a kind, gentle man who's kids knew that with that tone, there was always a little grey area that they could try to push the boundaries with, just a little and he did have the schools best interests at heart.
“But dad…”
Hakoda crossed his arms over his chest, raising an eyebrow at his sons challenging whine.
“Sokka. Son. I appreciate your concerns. I might be getting on a bit in your youthful eyes but I promise you I haven’t lost my mind just yet. I’m not stupid. We had a formal conversation. I did my research. Zuko was honest that yes, giving lessons to children is not something he has experience with but believe me in everything else he has more than enough credentials to be here, in fact if anything he’s very much over qualified.”
Sokka clocked through the corner of his eye how Zuko very quickly dropped his head to hide a blush that was creeping up his unscarred cheek. Hakoda, oblivious to this reaction, continued.
“We should all be very appreciative that he’s giving up his precious time to help us out…Now, Aang has warned me that, historically, the two of you aren’t exactly the best of friends. Which I can now clearly see. Do you think that the two of you can put your differences aside for the time that you are here?”
Aang visibly winced at that, grimacing at Sokka as he knew exactly how well such a plea had worked within their friendship group. Sokka went to open his mouth, to assure his dad he would put his feelings aside while they were here, this was his dads business after all; but Zuko beat him to it.
“It really isn’t a problem, I’m more than happy to help. And that’s fine by me…I know how to be professional”
The tone. The smug look. The emphasis on the word ‘I’ like he wasn’t just as bad as Sokka for starting something. Sokka saw red. He lunged at Zuko with an exclamation
“WHY YOU LITTLE BAST-“
Aang reached to grab him by his shoulder, Zuko didn’t even flinch until…
“SOKKA!”
Shit. He was well past the grey area. There was the hard line. AND he’d just proven Zukos point to boot. Sokka cowed a little under his dads intense blue stare, dropping his gaze and clasping his hands behind his back like he’d done probably a hundred times as a small child when caught red handed doing something he shouldn’t have been. Again he opened his mouth, this time to mumble an apology and again he was beaten to it by Zuko.
“Sorry”
Sokkas head snapped up to look at his mortal enemy to find those hazel eyes looking over him with an expression he’d never seen on that face before. He looked…concerned? Zuko turned his gaze to Sokkas dad, his posture straightening, like someone awaiting a sentencing. His eyes locked with Hakodas, gaze wary.
“Sorry, that was my fault. I deserved Sokkas anger for being a hypocrite. Saying I can be professional in the same breath as goading him with implication that he wouldn’t be. I apologise, to both of you. It genuinely won’t happen again, Hakoda, Sir, I promise”
All Sokka could do was blink in surprise. Well that was unexpected. Apparently Sokka wasn’t the only one affected by his dads ‘dad voice’. Time for Sokka to act like a mature adult for once maybe? He sighed and responded to Zuko.
“Yeah you were being a hypocrite, but you were right though. You literally proved the point. Being professional would have meant ignoring your little jibe and I didn’t. This is my dads business, I care about its reputation so I should have had it in me to be the better person and I didn’t. I fell for it way too easy. I can see that now I’m sorry dad, I let you down. I’ll make sure to keep a handle on it in the future now that it’s been addressed. We won’t cause any problems on these grounds, I promise”
Hakoda looked between the two boys, they were pretty much the same age and so similar in some ways, yet so different. The contrasts in their body language were absolutely striking to him. His own sons - ashamed and disappointed, seeking forgiveness; the other boys - rigid and proper, waiting for punishment. Two very different reactions to their own mistakes. And Hakoda was man enough to admit to himself that both worried him, for very different reasons. He sighed and reminded himself to relax his own posture.
“Thank you boys, I accept both of your apologies. It takes a great deal of maturity to admit to one’s own shortcomings, a skill that many never seem to learn so well done to both of you for being able to do that. Just make sure you keep to those promises yes?”
Spirits, again their reactions couldn’t be more different. Sokkas eyes brightened with the praise, chin up, proud and clearly making a mental note not to let his dad down again. Zuko on the other hand, clearly had no idea what to do with the praise and continued to eye him warily, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for the ‘but’ that never came.
“Right, let’s get down to business then shall we?” Hakoda stated with a clap of his hands. Zuko flinched at the sound.
Yes, Hakoda was going to be keeping a close eye on that one.