Lovers in a Dangerous Time

A/N: Once again thanks to my awesome beta's, Empress and Aurora Atantaqui for being so patient with my extremely awful spelling skills. I would also like to thank everyone who reviewed me in the first chapter... You guys rock!!! I was completely overwhelmed and ecstatic at the response I have received. I promise that next time (if you leave me a nice long review or drop me a line like my new friend Justin) To thank you by name....... Of course I wouldn't want anyone to think this was blackmail or anything...... hee hee hee. In short please read and review!!! ....... oh... and no flames..... unless you want them used to warm Iroh's cold tea.:)

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Anything from avatar. If I did my awesomeness would be unmatched!


- Lovers in a Dangerous Time -

Sokka woke the next morning and was panicked at his surroundings. He sat up and looked around. When his eyes caught the other bed and the half naked figure sleeping in it he remembered the previous day.

The boy had been "rescued" from Zhao's ship and brought here, Prince Zuko's personal Avatar chasing warship. Talk about from the frying pan and into the fire.

Yet Sokka had been cared for by the old man; by Iroh. He was even given a few kind words from Zuko. Though Iroh had to practically threaten Zuko to get any kindness out of him.

Sokka had a lot to ponder but it would have to wait because someone was at the door.

Iroh poked his head into the room. When he saw Sokka was sitting up looking at him and Zuko was still asleep, he signaled for Sokka to be quiet with a finger to his lips. The old man tiptoed into the room and sat beside Sokka's bed.

"How are you faring this morning, Sokka?" The man whispered with a smile.

"Better," Sokka whispered. "I have to admit he," Sokka nodded towards Zuko's sleeping back. "Took pretty good care of me."

Iroh breathed a sigh of relief. He was worried that his nephew would have threatened or tried to scare Sokka. Maybe there was hope in the boys becoming friends after all.

Sokka jumped when Iroh moved his hand towards the boys face. He cursed at himself immediately after. He had seen that movement before, his mom and Gran-gran had done it, even Katara had. Most recently it was Zuko. Iroh was only trying to check his temperature.

"I'm sorry, Iroh... sir." Sokka whispered. He felt awful that he was frightened by the nicest person he'd met on this crazy journey, simply because he was from the Fire Nation.

Iroh looked down. "No apologies, young one. You have been taught to fear my people since you were a child. It is only natural for you to draw away."

Sokka shook his head. "But you've been so nice to me since I came here. I shouldn't think of you as some Fire Nation Solider who's just out to hurt my people. You were kind to me, it shouldn't matter what nation you come from. Thank you. You and... Zuko saved my life."

Iroh smiled, "Yes, but to be kind only to those who are kind to you, what is extraordinary about that? Yet what you have already said to me has shown you are wise beyond your years, Sokka."

"Yes!! Can you put that in writing?! Katara and Aang will never believe someone said I was wise!" The boy said a little too loudly.

Zuko grumbled and turned to bury his face deeper into his pillow. Iroh and Sokka made worried faces at each other than smiled and continued to carry on their conversation in whispers.

"Before I forget," The general reached into his sleeve and pulled out a glass container about the size of his palm, filled with a gray gel. "It will help to soothe the burns and make them heal faster."

Sokka excepted the gift and opened the cap. It smelled like mint. The boy took a finger full and gingerly dabbed at the burn on his cheek. The skin tingled a little but it felt good. He began to apply the gel to the entire burn. When Sokka heard the older man chuckle he looked up.

"I am sorry." Iroh chuckled. "but with your eye swollen you look very much like my nephew."

Sokka looked seriously at Iroh. "You must care about Zuko a lot."

"I do." Iroh's smile was soft and reminiscent. "I lost my son far too soon in his young life and I spent more time with Prince Zuko than his own father did. It is as if the son I lost was given back to me. That is why I chose to come with him when he was forced to leave the Fire Nation."

A look crossed Sokka's face suddenly. A look that Aang and Katara had learned to fear. "So... I bet you've got a lot of embarrassing stories about Zuko then."

Iroh stroked his chin. "Were do I begin?"

The old man told one story after another. This went on for three quarters of an hour. Sokka tried his best to keep his sniggers as quiet as possible but failed miserably.

When Zuko woke up it took him a moment to realize what had roused him. He growled at the giggling from the other bed. He looked up at the boy and his traitorous uncle. "How am I supposed to sleep with you making so much noise, Water Tribe peasant?!!!!!"

Sokka looked serious and a little frightened...for about half a second. Then his face cracked into a giant smile. "You shoved 8 beans up your nose when you were a kid! How stupid were you, I mean every kid knows you can only fit like 5 per nostril! No wonder they got stuck." The Water Nation boy fell over he was laughing so hard. Unluckily he fell on the side that had taken the most damage from Zhao's beating. "OWW!! OWWOWWOWW!!! ARM! ARM!!" He yelped as Iroh hurried to help him sit up.

"HA!" Zuko exploded as he pointed at Sokka, "You plebeian water peasant, How stupid can you be that you would fall on your injured arm."

"At least I'm not full of myself like you, ya hot headed, short tempered, Fire Nation wuss."

The boys continued to fight very loudly. Iroh put his hands over his ears until he couldn't stand it anymore. "That is absolutely ENOUGH!!!!!!" Both boys went completely silent. "I can't believe how you two squabble!! You are fire and water, complete opposites, I understand this. Yet I find no reason why you both cannot get along! You fight like an old married couple..." Iroh stopped suddenly as a rather interesting thought entered his head. The boys started apologizing profusely, trying to out do each other.

Yet Iroh heard none of this. He was too lost in is own thoughts. That would never work, Iroh, you know that. they hate each other too much, and yet the happiest couples I have ever met have the most venomous fights. And they do say opposites attract, don't they. But can you really do this to your nephew, Iroh? It might make it a little nicer on the ship if Zuko had an outlet for his....um...tention, yes...well, nothing ventured nothing gained.With that his mind was made up.

"Yes, yes I forgive you both." The old man said absentmindedly, "Uh... Prince Zuko, I have some busyness to attend to could you do something for me?"

Zuko stood from his bed. "Yes, uncle, whatever you want." He was still trying to win the apology war against Sokka.

"I want you to be Sokka's caretaker for as long as he is unable to take care of himself." Iroh proclaimed.

"B-B-But uncle-" Zuko began.

Iroh put a hand up to quiet him. "You said whatever I want and this is what I want. Now, If you will excuse me, I have to start preparations for music night."

Zuko stepped forward, "But that's a month away!"

Iroh shrugged, "I thought, since you missed the first one, I will make sure that this one will be the best one ever. So you will never wish to miss music night again." Iroh walked to the door, "Oh and Prince Zuko," He began, "Make sure Sokka has some clean clothes. You are about his size, let him barrow one of your ghis. " With that the old man was gone.

Zuko looked at Sokka. Sokka returned the look. "How do you feel about this, peasant?"

"About as good as you feel, jerk." The other boy answered.

"Than I think we are agreed that you will do what you can and I will only help you if I absolutely have to or my uncle is around."

"Agreed." Sokka said. "Only problem is I can't do much for myself right now."

Zuko let out a frustrated groan. "What Gods in heaven wish to curse me?" With that he moved Sokka's pillow and plunked down behind him. Zuko proceeded to remove the boys tunic. This was somewhat upsetting for the boy wearing the clothes.

"What do you think you are doing?" Sokka asked quite perturbed.

"I'm changing your clothes, what does it look like I'm doing?" Zuko said rather annoyed.

"I will not let you see me..." Sokka blushed "Naked."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "It's not like you have anything I haven't seen" Then Zuko got an interesting thought. Uncle Iroh made it clear that Zuko was to take care of Sokka... but he didn't say that the prince couldn't tease the Water Tribe brat. "Are you worried I might feel something... primal when I see your bare flesh?" The prince ran his fingers down Sokka's back. He was careful to avoid the burn on Sokka's shoulder.

The Water Tribe boy squirmed away. "Cut it out, pervert. Let's just get this over with."

Zuko chuckled in a smug way. Yet for some reason he felt he should reassure the boy. "I mean it, you have the exact same body as I do. Don't be too embarrassed, the crew might let their minds wander too far if when we go on deck, your blushing."

Zuko soon found he had lied to Sokka. Their body's had many distinct differences.

As soon as the boys tunic was removed Zuko noticed how differently the other boy was built from himself. While the prince was broad shouldered with more definition to the separate muscles, Sokka was leaner. True he was muscular but his muscles had formed from living in a harsh almost uninhabitable climate, unlike the prince who spent hours training his martial art.

The next difference was their skin color. Even with all the hours that the scared boy spent training in the sun he never got any darker. While as more of Sokka's clothing was removed Zuko realized his rival was dark all over his body.

Zuko reached into a nearby drawer and pulled out some bandages he kept on hand for accidents during training. He decided he would start with Sokka's face since the boy already applied the salve to the burn on his cheek. As the prince applied the bandage he noticed how rough the skin was, probably from the wind and cold burning his regularly.

As he moved to the burns on the rest of the other boys body, he found the skin that had been protected from the harsh elements, soft and supple. The prince resisted the urge to rub his own cheek along the soft skin of Sokka's shoulder.

Zuko quickly dressed the rest of the peasants wounds so as to avoid any more temptation and clothed Sokka in one of his old cotton ghis.

With that done he pulled the boy to his feet then put the other males am around his neck. Zuko pulled the other boy close to him and wrapped an arm around his waist.

"Thank you." The prince heard whispered very close to his ear.

Zuko turned to look at Sokka, he hadn't realized he was so close to the other boy, their noses almost touched. "For what?" Zuko couldn't believe how breathless he sounded.

Sokka looked down. He felt a blush spreading over his face. "For- for being so gentle with me." Sokka's face grew redder. How stupid did that sound you big goof!? Sokka berated himself. You sounded like some recently deflowered girl!! "What I mean is, you didn't have to be so nice to me and you were so thanks... but- but don't let it go to your head or anything!! I still think you're a spoiled brat." He looked at the prince with playful defiance in his eyes.

Zuko finally got his breath back. "Whatever, I'm only being nice to you because my uncle told me too. Now, let me get you out of here so my room doesn't start smelling like you."

Sokka gave a noncommittal "Humph" and made sure Zuko had a very hard time getting him up to the deck.

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For the next week and a half, Zuko nursed Sokka back to health against his will. though both boys did adhere to their agreement that Sokka would do as much for himself as he could.

Iroh caught on to their plan halfway through the first week. Calls of "Prince Zuko, help Sokka. I'm sure his back still hurts." and "Sokka lean against Prince Zuko, no point in reopening your wounds." were heard often on the ship deck.

Yet as soon as Sokka was well again, the boys would have little to do with each other. The only time they would speak to one another was when Sokka was teasing Zuko and the prince intern would threaten to throw him overboard. Physical contact was completely out of the question.

The General would not have his plan compromised. At tea one afternoon he called both boys to him. After pouring the tea he addressed them both.

"Now," the old man began, "There must be something you both have in common."

Zuko sneered at the boy across from him. "I have nothing in common with peasants!" He snapped.

Sokka held his cup of tea tightly in his hands. "For once I'll have to agree with him. I don't think I can relate to someone who's had everything handed to him on a silver platter his whole life."

Zuko stood up fast as a challenge to Sokka. The water tribe boy excepted and abandoned his seat also.

"Sit. Down." Iroh said in his best authoritative voice.

Both boys continued to glare at each other but slowly sat down.

"Let us think of how we can resolve this conflict. There must be something you both have in common." Iroh stroked his beard. "What about sailing? You both seem to fare well on the sea."

"I think all you need is a canoe. This boat is waaaay too big." said Sokka sipping his tea.

Zuko clenched his fists. "This is a ship of the Imperial Armada. It is the finest ship my father would furnish for me."

Iroh rolled his eyes and took a sip of tea, thinking Yes, If he actually cared and wanted to give you the antique of the armada for your personal use. But Iroh kept this too himself and allowed Zuko this stretch of the truth.

"I think your father was just making it too easy for you." Sokka said as nonchalantly as possible, he then asked Iroh for more tea.

The prince nearly broke his teeth he was gritting them so hard. Luckily, before he could lash out at the other boy Iroh spoke up.

"I suppose that subject is out of the question. There must be something. Hmmmmm......"

For nearly an hour the three males discussed there situation. More accurately, the time was spent with Iroh throwing out ideas and the two boys shooting each one down.

"I have it!! I have it!!" Iroh exclaimed on his second pot of tea. "There is no way in all the world that you can defy me on this!!!"

Zuko was ready to blow steam out of his ears...literally if the need called for it. "What is it, Uncle?"

"You are both warriors." Iroh said with a large smile.

Both boys thought of biting remarks to send at the other but decided against it. "Go on..." Sokka mumbled

"I think you can be beneficial to each other. Sokka, you can teach Prince Zuko many defensive maneuvers and Prince Zuko, you can teach Sokka how to disarm and capture an opponent who has the advantages of Firebending." Iroh looked at the two boys expectantly.

Zuko and Sokka mulled this over for a moment then the boys shared a look.

"Let's go." Zuko stood and unclasped his robe from around his neck. Underneath, he wore a silk fighting ghi.

"You're on!" Sokka replied. He had taken to wearing Zuko's old ghis; the ones the prince had grown out of. They were cotton and a little worn but they fit Sokka fine.

Both boys moved to the middle of the deck.

For the first two hours or so, they felt each other out. They found every weakness the other boy had. Zuko was nothing but offense; Sokka, on the other hand, had a balance of offense and defense on his side, though his fighting skills were not very polished.

Once the weak points had been established, both boys exploited the other's vulnerabilities as much as possible. The beginning of the fight was very entertaining. Iroh and the crewmen that were off duty began to sit and watch the spectacle. After a while, the boys reduced there sparring to all out brawling. With half of the crew being soldiers themselves, most of the spectators walked away, shaking there heads. Even Iroh rose from his seat with and exasperated sigh. He supposed he was wrong. These two would never be friends, let alone lovers.

The boys beat the pulp out of each other, till they were exhausted. They both limped to their shared room and dragged out their futons. They were both asleep as soon as their bodies hit the cushions.

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The next morning, both boys were tended to and scolded severely by Iroh. The old man made it clear to both of them that he had meant for them to spare not nearly beat each other unconscious.

Both boys were too tired to try and defend there actions. They ate their breakfast quietly then went about there separate business on the ship Needless to say they both looked a little worse for wear and the crew members who had missed the brawl yesterday were now wondering what in the world had happened.

They spoke very little to each other until the temptation was too mush. After taking lunch in Zuko's room with Iroh, their eyes met across the table.

"Do you want to-" Zuko didn't get to finish his sentence.

"I'll race you to the deck!" Sokka said rising and bolting for the door with Zuko close at his heals.

As soon as they got on to the deck the brawl started anew. This time the punches weren't so hard, both boys were still sore and tired from the day before.

After the first hour of throwing the same punches over and over, They were sweaty and exhausted. They stood back and glared at each other, both panting heavily.

"Why.. aren't you ... blocking my... punches?" Sokka gasped trying to regain his breath. He pulled off the sticky, sweaty ghi shirt and tossed it to the ships deck.

"Why... should I?" The prince panted back. Why'd he have to take his shirt off? Zuko growled angrily to himself, yet he couldn't help his eyes from roaming over the other boys chest.

The peasant shot him an exasperated look. "You can't win a battle with offensive maneuvers only." Sokka had caught his breath at this point, though this changed as soon as Zuko peeled the silk shirt from his upper body. 'Wow. A guy is defiantly not supposed to look that good to you, Sokka. Just look away and this feeling will pass.' His brain told him sternly. Sokka suddenly found his feet to be very interesting.

Zuko tossed the garment away from him with some malice. "What do you suggest I do then?"

Sokka thought back to the time he spent on Kyoshi Island. His training with Suki in particular. "It's not about strength. Use your opponents strength against them."

"Humph." Zuko grumbled, "Who taught you that?"

Sokka puffed out his chest with great pride. "A warrior of Kyoshi Island." He stated with great bravado.

Zuko started laughing hysterically.

"What's so funny?" Sokka asked thoroughly deflated.

"You learned your defense techniques from a girl!!!" He laughed even harder. The Fire Nation prince almost doubled over from his laughing fit.

Sokka blushed brightly. "Well,... Uh... y-you just attack me and see how badly I kick your butt."

"Fine." Zuko answered finally gaining his usual stoic composure. "I'll show you why Kyoshi was nearly burned to the ground."

Sokka took on a fighting stance. "Bring it on."

The water tribe boy was angry. He liked the island town. He liked the people there. He liked their food, but most of all he liked Suki. She had been Sokka's first kiss and though he had always thought his first kiss would feel like a keg of gunpowder going off behind his eye, it was still nice. Sokka would not let Zuko dishonor them.

Zuko also took a fighting stance. He sized up Sokka, then lunged out fist first intent on breaking the other boy's nose.

The water tribe warrior remembered his training. He ducked just as the prince's fist was inches from his face. Zuko's arm flew over his head. Sokka's eyes caught sight of the princes wrist. The warriors arm shot out and grabbed it, then his other arm reached out and the hand found purchase on the prince's abdomen. Using Zuko's momentum, he threw the prince over his head.

Zuko landed heavily on his back. The air rushed out of the prince's lungs and, before he could react, Sokka had grabbed his other wrist and was sitting on his stomach. Then he forced it down over the princes head with it's equally trapped twin. Zuko was efficiently pinned to the deck.

Sokka smirked down at Zuko. "Looks like you got thrown down by a girl's technique."

Zuko resembled an over grown fish. He just kept opening and closing his mouth, never sure what to say.

Finally, Zuko caught his breath. He threw the peasant his trade mark smirk. "That was a good move, I'll give you that but there are two problems with the position we are in now."

Sokka surveyed how he was sitting on the prone prince. He was suddenly very self conscience, He felt a blush creep into his cheeks. "Wh-what do you mean?" The boy asked unsteadily.

"To start with, if you don't hold my wrists tighter, I could turn my hands and blow half your face off." Zuko pointed out matter-of-factly. "Then there is another issue." Zuko shifted his weight and rolled a very surprised Sokka onto his onto his back. With the water tribe boy stunned, Zuko wrenched his wrists free and twined his fingers with Sokka's, The prince had pinned the peasant quickly and efficiently. "Your skills are unpolished. You don't think far enough ahead."

Sokka pouted. He had been so proud of himself for finally besting the prince in something. Of course the spoiled brat had to turn the tables on him. "What do you suggest I do in this position then?"

Zuko could think up a few things Sokka could do while in this position but quickly forced them out of his mind. A mild blush spread across his checks at such perverted thoughts, the prince chose to ignore it and let Sokka assume it was from exertion. "You could either attempt to bend my wrists far enough back so that they brake then attack or you could head butt me and come after me while I'm stunned and seeing as how thick headed you are I'd go with option two." Zuko got off the other boy and stood. He didn't want Sokka to try either suggestions on his person and to stop the images of Sokka and himself performing lewd and obscene acts upon each other from running through his head.

Sokka sat up and glared at Zuko. "Those were still offensive moves!! Do you even know any defensive moves, oh great and mighty prince?" Sokka was trying his best to calm his body down. He didn't understand why having Zuko so close was making his heart race in his chest and his breath catch in his lungs.

"Maybe my senile, old uncle was right for once," Zuko began after thinking for a moment. "If we train together we maybe able to learn some skills that will be useful later." He then turned to Sokka, "What do you think? I'll teach you how to defend against and capture a fire bender and you teach me some defensive strategies and be my sparring partner. Does this proposal suit you?" He offered the peasant his hand.

The water tribe boy looked from the prince to his extended hand. Sokka thought about this for a moment. This situation would mean spending a lot of time with a boy who he, though Sokka hated to admit it, found attractive. He kept trying to push these thoughts out of his head but a brush of there hands or that certain look that Zuko would give him and they all came flooding back. The Water Tribe people did not tolerate relationships that consisted of two people of the same gender. It just wasn't done. Yet the prospect of becoming a better warrior was an interesting offer. The water tribe warrior was sure he would quickly out grow this odd attraction and concentrate solely on his martial arts.

Sokka's hand closed around Zuko's and he allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. "You've got a deal." Sokka said giving the hand he held a little shake to help seal the bargain.

Both boys stood in the open air of the ships deck, the heat from the setting sun warming their skin. They enjoyed the breeze off the water and, though they would never admit it to anyone, each others company. Sokka was the first one to realize they were still holding hands. He pulled away quickly and blushed profusely.

"B-but don't go thinking I'm your friend or anything now." The boy stammered. He wiped his hand on the side of his pant leg, as if he had just touched something disgusting. "I still hate your guts."

Zuko was annoyed. He had been enjoying this physical contact between himself and the other boy. He liked the feel of the soft, warm skin under his calluses. The prince turned and walked towards the door to the ships hold. "Don't worry, the feeling is mutual." He said flippantly over his shoulder. "Now, come. Our dinner is probably getting cold."

"Hey!" Sokka yelled quickly following the prince. "Don't talk to me like I'm a dog or something!"

"Heel, boy. Oh my! Look how well it works. I should have done this sooner. Do you like Rex or Fluffy for a name?"

"Will you quit being a spoiled brat, Zuko? Oh wait, I forgot who I was talking to. Even you can't perform miracles. "

"You better be a nice doggy or I wont give you any table scraps."

"Shut up!"

From the shadows, Iroh watched as the two boys disappeared below deck. "Maybe, just maybe..." He began, stroking his beard. "There is hope for those two yet." His face cracked into a very wide smile. He did a little victory dance of sorts then said to himself "The Dragon of the West hasn't lost his touch, in battle or in match making. I am a genius." Iroh chuckled to himself then went to join the two boys in supper.