Author’s Note: Sorry that I haven’t updated anything recently, but I’ve really been working on videos the past few months. Go to livevideo and search for the user Quinny1317 if you wanna see em. This story was just a quickie that I wanted to do because I was bored and I need to get rid of some of the stress of being single for almost 3 months. R&R please. And also, don’t flame me for making Sokka a waterbender, I know that, sadly, this is not the case. It just makes everything a lot more interesting.

SPOV

I hate him. I always have… I don’t know why I always hated him. I just did. Maybe the fact that he humiliated me in front of my entire tribe. Maybe it was just that he was firenation. But I hated him. I hated that he had won over our group, and that he had been let in to teach Aang firebending. I hate that he always yelled at me whenever I made some wisecrack, which are ALWAYS funny, by the way. I hate that he had a smug smirk whenever there was an awkward silence after one of my jokes. I just… I hate him. And I always will.

So as I sit there, by the moonlit pool in the middle of the Western Temple, I contemplate why I hate him so much. Katara had humiliated me in front of my entire tribe. The people from the first village we visited were firenation, and I didn’t hate them. Aang had won over Katara, and although I was skeptic at first, I accepted him, as I accepted Wong, who had tried to teach Aang firebending as well. Katara always yells at me after a wisecrack, and she almost always has a smug smirk on her face when I make a fool of myself… Zuko hasn’t done anything wrong…

I dug deeper.

I looked as far into my soul as it would allow me, searching the cavernous empty void for anything that might tell me why I hated Zuko…

Pictures flashed in my mind, ones of Zuko smiling, his handsome face looking at me, eyes glinting with… with what? Love?

I closed my eyes…

I shook my head angrily…

No. No. NO, my mind screamed the word over and over again. I couldn’t be in love with Zuko. It wasn’t possible. A tear formed in my eye as I thought about it, but it never got the chance to fall down my face. I couldn't cry. I was a water tribe warrior... But I was just covering up my heart, layer after layer of cold, harsh hatred hardening into an impenetrable mantle. But Zuko had melted that mantle, had forced me to open up… I couldn’t stand it.

Jumping up angrily, my hands cupped my head as I shuddered, fury ringing through every choked gasp. “NO!” I screamed, the word echoing throughout the vast fissure that we resided in. I flung my head backward so I was gazing at the stars and I threw my hands down to my sides. Warmth spread through them at this, and there was a loud crash behind me. My hands and jaw still clenched, I turned to see a wave of ice sitting in the pool, looking as though it was about to crash backwards. “Wh--… what?” I whispered out curiously, allowing my hands to unclench. The ice unfroze and splashed back into the pool.

“Hey,” a voice yelled out, and I glanced over to the edge of the temple. There, watching me, was Zuko, head cocked to the side. “What the hell are you screaming in the middle of the night for, and way out here?” he asked, a slight pang of anger in his tone.

“Stay away from me,” I said, pointing a trembling finger at him, my entire body shuddering, sobs still waiting to break down the temporary, flimsy barrier I had erected in my mind. Tears still glistened in my eyes, ready to break through. But I wouldn't let them break through. I still had my dignity. In fact, I planned on keeping it for a long time.

Zuko's angry scowl transformed into a look of shock, and his eyes took in everything about me, analyzing the situation. “Wait, Sokka, are you okay?” Zuko asked, concerned, reaching out an arm and walking over.

“I said to STAY AWAY!” I screamed out angrily, backing up further towards the edge of the temple. Sobs were mounting, and were just about to break free, and it wasn’t helping that Zuko was moving ever closer.

“Sokka, what happened?” he asked, eyes filled with concern for the other warrior. They had grown closer ever since Zuko and Aang’s visit to the sun temple.

“Leave me alone,” I whispered, tears again waiting in my eyes, “JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” I roared this time, imitating Katara and flinging his arms from one side to the other, a stream of water flowing from the pool and flying toward Zuko.

The firebender’s eyes widened and he whipped his hands forward, a large fireball emanating from them and evaporating the water. “Sokka,” he yelled. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“NO!” I screamed, falling to my knees. I couldn’t take this. I wasn’t in love with Zuko. I couldn’t be. He was my opposite… Shudders took control of me, and I just lay there, trembling, no tears coming down my face... I couldn't cry. I just couldn't.

Zuko didn’t hesitate in running over and hoisting me up. “Sokka, talk to me, tell me what’s wrong, and why you never told me you were a waterbender. I want to HELP.” His voice was soothing, but it was also very forceful. It enraptured me, and I knew that as soon as I regained the ability to speak I would succumb to his sweet voice. And probably end up crying. How undignified was it, to be a water tribe warrior, and end up becoming a quivering wreck in front of a firebender? I would never live it down… But the way Zuko held me, supported me, and waited for me was just too… too… too caring. He wouldn’t rat me out. I knew he wouldn’t. And so, with a hiccup, I ended up just trembling as he sat there, curious golden eyes staring into mine.

“What’s wrong?” he said quietly, almost grimly, “and why are you out here so late?” I sighed quietly, still trembling from the revelation that I didn’t dare accept, and from the utter shock of my control of water.

“I… I came here to think.” I said, hiccupping again, but covering up as though I had to cough.

“About?” Zuko pressed, his voice like silk as it flowed to my ears, begging me to tell him everything.

“About how much I hated you…” I replied, and he recoiled from me, eyes taking on a hurt, angry look. They narrowed, and he tensed, as if about to conjure a ball of fire in my face.

“And how that was just a disguise, a façade that I used to hide the fact that I was... I was...,” I couldn't bear to get the words out. It was too difficult. I began to tremble again, and I couldn't help but look up at Zuko's firm face and think that I couldn't tell him. It would be unfair to the both of us. I couldn't tell him! It just... It would ruin everything.

"Hide what," Zuko questioned tentatively, oddly wary of where this was leading to. If Sokka said what he thought he was going to say, then they would definitely have a real problem.

"To hide that I was in love with you," I finished, unable to keep myself quiet. My emotions had spoken for me, and I looked away sadly, humiliated and shameful of my feelings. Zuko immediately softened, but was still wary. ‘Could this be true?’ he wondered. Zuko felt blood rush up to his face, turning his pale cheeks a dark crimson red, as though he had been humiliated. Inside of him, turmoil was raging, feelings revealing themselves... He saw his father, laughing at him hysterically at the prospect that he might like another man. Zuko clenched his jaw. He couldn't. It wasn't fair. It couldn't happen. He didn't love Sokka. He barely even like the boy. They TOLERATED each other, and that was basically the extent of their relationship at the moment. How could he possibly feel more about the boy in front of him. Letting out his held breath, he considered what he had to do.

"No," Zuko announced firmly. "You can't love me. That's not... That's not possible," he said, a small undercurrent of desperation running through his tone. But he kept it in check. He would be humiliated by everybody in the firenation if anybody were to figure anything out. But there was NOTHING for them to figure out. It wasn't going to happen. It never could.

"But I do," I said, just as firmly, standing up and scowling, much like he was. "I do, Zuko," I repeated. He clenched his jaw and turned his head to the side, hands balling into fists, bright blue fire emanating from them. "And if you're trying to intimidate me with your 'Super-Fire-I'm-Gonna-Kill-You-If-You-Don't-Do-It-My-Way' look, it's not working. I'm not afraid of you. I love you," I said, anger forcing the words out of my mouth. Emotions had taken control of my mind, and I was no longer doing anything of my own accord.

"NO," Zuko roared out, his arm coming up so that his hand was pointing on me. The bright blue fire still licked around the pale flesh, seeming eager to eat away at something. "You can't be in love with me. You're a... a... a guy! It' just... It's wrong!" he yelled, the fires intensifying in the dark night. The entire pagoda was lit up with it's light.

"Think what you want," I muttered quietly, "But I know the truth." I walked away from him then, sitting back down at the edge of the pool, hand dipped into the water as I thought about everything. I could feel his eyes boring into the back of my head, but I ignored it, waving my hand contemplatively through the water, the clear liquid making tiny ripples whenever I moved.

Zuko stood there, forehead scrunched up into a scowl, flames licking up the entire length of his arms, brain running through everything that had been said. Did he feel the same way? Could he feel the same way without feeling guilty of everything? Growling quietly, Zuko closed his hands, snuffing the fire out so that the only thing remaining was a small curling wisp of bluish smoke, illuminated by the bright moonlight. Why couldn't things be easier? Blood pumped through the firebender's veins as he considered the implications, debating himself and favoring both of the conflicted sides. Sure, the water tribe boy was very handsome, and could be considered attractive by both girls AND guys, but he was still a guy. There was nothing more to say. It was considered disgraceful. It was unheard of... And yet, Zuko couldn't help but see how the muscles of Sokka's back easily rippled as his arm swayed through the water. Growling again, he made up his mind.

He came up to me and wrapped his arm around me from behind, crossing it over my chest as he leaned his head close, cheek resting against my own. I relished the closeness, but couldn’t help but wonder what the hell he was doing. Shouldn’t he have blasted me into oblivion by now with his newfound affinity for fire?

“If you're going to be so goddamn stubborn about it, then I guess I have no choice but to agree with you,” he announced quietly and my eyebrows raised, my mouth opening slightly in shock. I turned to look at him and he flashed a cocky, quiet smile at me, much like the smile I had seen in my mind… only better, considering it was a mere inch from my own smile. His mouth came closer even, and he whispered something else. “So how come you didn’t tell me you’re a waterbender?”

A smirk on his face, he pulled away, watching me intently, finding it funny that he had shattered the romantic moment. I growled inwardly. We’d have to work around those kinks in his personality. Then again, I wasn’t without my own flaws.

“I didn’t know myself…” I said quietly, and imitating one of Katara’s forms once again, I pulled a small orb of water out of the pool and held it in my hand. The only reason I knew all of this, all of the forms, was because I had longed to have such power. I constantly watched Katara, mimicked her, attempting to trigger the waterbending skill that she had. There was something about waterbenders that was special. Their powers were triggered only after they had gone through an extremely traumatic experience. Mine was realizing I was in love with Zuko… Katara’s was when our mother died. She had gotten so riled up, had been so angry that she had shattered about half of our little island. I had nearly triggered it when dad had left us to fight with the Earth Kingdom… but it just wasn’t enough.

Closing my eyes and bowing my head, I clenched my fist, remembering when my dad left, and how much it hurt me. I had almost triggered it again when he had gotten hurt, and then again when we had to leave him behind. The ice froze above my clenched hand and I sighed, allowing myself to relax. The ball resumed it’s liquid state, and I tossed it back into the pond. I finally had power. Being limited to mere weapons wasn’t enough… I couldn’t do as much as Katara, or as Aang, or Toph or Zuko. Benders were the epitome of combat… Not warriors. And now I could actually be of use to the gaang. Smiling quietly, I looked up to Zuko’s curious, cocky, contemplative, and confused face.

“You’ve changed,” I remarked. Normally Zuko would be scowling. That was the only expression to be found on his face before he had gone to visit the sun temple. Rage had fueled his firebending. But now it was life, and light, and strength that allowed him to bend. He had attained peace. And, much like Azula, he could probably bend electricity now too. I made a mental note not to get on his bad side.

“I have... but I'm not all that sure if it's for the better,” he said quietly, remembering when Katara had accused him that he hadn’t changed at all… He had tried to hurt her… He HAD hurt her. They were on tentative grounds now, and he was trying hard to get her trust, but she wouldn’t have a bit of it. Maybe when my sister found out that we were dating she would feel a bit better… or become even more suspicious of his intentions.

Best to keep it a secret for now.

And so I walked back to my room, happily in Zuko’s arms the entire time.

Author’s Note: DAMMMNNN. Long first chapter. And I’m happy that I put Zuko and Sokka together… I might continue this story, but only if I get 5 reviews on this chapter. Please!!!!!! Lol. Thanks! And also, tell me how you like the idea of Sokka being a waterbender. I feel special that this is probably one of the few stories out there that has him like that!! And yes, this is the edited version of my first chapter, considering people said that it was a bit too OOC, Zuko was too caring, and Sokka was way too un-macho. I tried to fix it, making it so that Sokka was hesitant in unveiling his feelings, and so that Zuko would refuse them at first. Thank you for the constructive criticism, it really helped to make my story better! Lol. Peace.

Your loving author,

--Quinny