I’m not sure really how I got the idea for this, but I hope it turns out alright. Now, before I get a bunch of reviews saying that a character is OOC or something, this is an AU, alternate universe, story and I’m using the attitudes and habits of the characters from various seasons. So, please no flames. Please?

Real World

Chapter One

A groan escaped his lips as he raised an arm to block the sun from his eyes. His whole body was aching, protesting against any movement.

Despite the dull ache in his lower back, he sat up to observe his surroundings. His wounds had been carefully bandaged, and his surroundings were unfamiliar to him, so he knew the person who had cared for him was not from his own family. He sighed, gently touching the bandage covering half his face, wondering who would bother to care for him.

“Hey, good to see you awake? How are you feeling?” His gold eye not covered by the bandages flickered over to the doorway to observe the person who had spoken. The other male was at least his own height and age; his skin was tan and pulled taunt over muscles. He was wearing a pair of dark brown pants and a blue t-shirt with a white crescent moon in the middle of it.

His brown hair was pulled up in a short ponytail and his warm blue eyes were filled with a good natured humour that was also evident in the small smile that softened his features. “Who are you?” The golden-eyed teen questioned, his voice quiet from his dry throat. “I’m Sokka. And who are you?” “I’m Zuko...” The dark skinned teen grinned. “You want some water?” Sokka asked kindly. “Yes, please...” Zuko replied feeling a little shy. Sokka gave him a reassuring smile before leaving the room, returning shortly with a glass of water.

“Here, this shoul make you feel better.” The brunette told him, handing the raven the water and two little red pills. “What are these?” Zuko asked, holding up the pills. “Just mild pain killers. The kind you can get right off the shelf without a prescription. I thought you might be sore when you woke up, so I bought some when I went out this morning. Sokka explained.

“Thank you. You’ve been very kind to me, even though I’m a total stranger.” Zuko murmured once he had swallowed the pain killers and drank some water. “I try to help when I can; and you looked so close to death, I would have to be heartless to have left you on the street, bleeding.” Sokka explained, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Thank you. What can I do to repay you?”

“Nothing. I was happy to help, and you still need to rest. Even if you don’t feel like you do, there’s no way your body has fully recovered in three days.” Sokka replied, a slightly scolding tone in his voice.

Zuko nodded and leaned back against the pillows; he really did feel exhausted, and he didn’t think Sokka would back down. Sokka smiled at him again, a warm reassuring smile, before standing and leaving the room. Zuko set the glass of water on the bed side table and closed his eyes.

Zuko decided to enjoy this while it lasted. Nobody had truly cared for him since his uncle had disappeared when he was twelve.

TBC...

Yes, it was short. Sorry. But this is just an introductory chapter. Second chapter shall be longer.